Chapter 186: The Young Lord's Re-request
◆ Yukitaka ◆
Parting with Mina… Having parted with Mina, I enter my uncle’s estate.
Then, I saw a familiar white-haired figure at the entrance.
“Welcome, Yukinojo-sama.”
“Oh, it has been a while, old man Kashima.”
This person is Kashima Gennosuke, a close aide serving my uncle.
I’m told he has served my uncle since his childhood, and that on the battlefield, they supported each other perfectly in sync.
“Yes, and I am glad to see you looking well, Yukinojo-sama.”
“Umu!”
Old man Kashima calls me not by “Young Master” or “Yukitaka”, but by my familiar name.
Youren Yukinojo, that is my true name.
Though I could not tell Mina due to certain circumstances.
“Now then, we shouldn’t keep standing here talking, please come inside.”
Guided by old man Kashima, I proceed inside the estate.
Because it is an estate I have visited many times since childhood, heading to the destination room without old man Kashima’s guidance is effortless.
That said, if I were to act so rudely as an adult, Haruomi would surely be noisy about it.
“Please wait a moment. My Lord will be here shortly.”
“Umu.”
When I sat down in the room guided by old man Kashima, fatigue attacked me all at once.
It seems the journey up until now had considerably exhausted my mind. The quiet room induces drowsiness all the more.
“Young Master, why not rest until Lord Omitsu arrives?”
“No, knowing my uncle, he will arrive shortly just as the old man said.”
I haven’t explained the circumstances to my uncle yet; taking it easy comes after that.
Fortunately, the battle with fatigue was over in a very short time.
Because, unusually for this estate, flustered footsteps approached.
The sliding doors were vigorously thrown open, and a large body entered the room.
“Ooh! It’s been a while, Yukinojo! Have you been in good health!?”
“Uncle! It has been a long time!”
The one who arrived was an older man. My uncle, the Domain Lord of the Omitsu Domain, named Omitsu Sougen Akitsunosuke.
“Welcome, Yukinojo!”
My uncle did not show a look of displeasure at his nephew arriving suddenly, but welcomed me with a smile.
“I was surprised when I heard about the commotion in the capital, but I’m glad you’re safe.”
At my uncle’s words, my relieved heart tightened.
“Uncle, I have something to tell you regarding that matter.”
“Mu?”
Sensing my atmosphere, my uncle changed his good-natured old man expression to that of a warrior.
“Fumu, it seems you have been caught up in a remarkably troublesome matter.”
“Yes. It is a matter concerning the Shogun family, and by extension, you as well, Uncle, who are connected by blood to the Shogun family.”
Rather, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it involves this entire land of Amatsumine.
“Good grief, for it to involve an old man like me, it must be quite a serious matter.”
My uncle sat down heavily on a cushion and prompted me to continue with his eyes.
“Yes. As you probably know, Uncle, my father, Shogun Youren Natsunori, has passed away.”
Yes, my father is the supreme leader of this country, the Shogun.
This country has a king called the Mikado at the top, but because the Mikado prioritizes protecting the land of Amatsumine from disasters, a person called the Shogun handles politics in his stead.
In other words, the Shogun is the actual supreme authority of this country.
That is the reason my life was targeted by pursuers, and the reason I couldn’t tell Mina my real name.
And since that day my father died, everything went wrong.
“I have heard the news of my older brother’s passing. To think he would pass away before me… When we met for New Year’s greetings, I certainly didn’t think something like that would happen.”
My uncle looked up at the ceiling with a distant look in his eyes.
He must be remembering my father.
“Yes, I was also surprised. But I am also the child of the Shogun. I don’t have the free time to grieve leisurely. I hurriedly tried to prepare for my father’s funeral and my succession to the seat of the next Shogun.”
“Indeed. If the Shogun’s absence prolongs, the country will waver… But that did not happen. You went missing, and the Shogun’s funeral was conducted by the Head House Elder, Sanoukouji Sakyonosuke.”
“Exactly as you say.”
A slight silence fell between my uncle and me.
“…What happened?”
However, saying that time is precious, my uncle erases the silence and urges me to continue.
“…Inside the castle, I was attacked by thugs.”
“What!?”
It is no wonder my uncle is surprised.
Kegon Castle, where my father and I lived, is a castle meant to protect the Shogun. Therefore, its security is said to be the strictest in the country, without a gap even for a kitten to enter.
Furthermore, the samurai working in Kegon Castle are all individuals of unparalleled skill.
Even if half-baked assassins managed to infiltrate luckily, they would be immediately found by patrolling samurai and cut down.
For thugs to have invaded that castle, my uncle’s surprise is only natural.
“Fortunately, thanks to Haruomi, my life was saved. However, the thugs were quite skilled, and if my vassals hadn’t risked their lives to buy me time, I would have followed after my father.”
“To think they were that skilled…”
“Judging that it was dangerous to return to the castle with few forces, I decided to hide my identity and flee with Haruomi and the remaining vassals to seek your cooperation, Uncle.”
“Is that so. To have struggled so much right after losing your father.”
“No, it is all due to my own inexperience. If only I hadn’t been outmaneuvered by the thugs, I wouldn’t have let Sanoukouji do as he pleases!”
“Nu? Why does Lord Sanoukouji’s name come up there?”
“…That is because the culprit who attacked me was Sanoukouji!”
“What did you say!? Is that true!?”
Sanoukouji Sakyonosuke. The Head House Elder serving the Shogun family, and an absolute heavyweight whose blood is also connected to the clan of priests governing divine rituals.
Normally, he should be the one to assist me, who lost my father… the Shogun, and support the new Shogun.
“Yes, Haruomi has confirmed that among the thugs who attacked me were Sanoukouji’s men.”
“Is that true, Haruomi?”
Questioned by my uncle, Haruomi, who had remained silent until now, nodded with a sorrowful look.
For Haruomi as well, he must be hesitant to state that Sanoukouji, who was my father’s close aide, attacked me.
“Yes. Among the thugs we defeated, there were those who worked at Lord Sanoukouji’s estate.”
“Good heavens… To think someone acting as the Head House Elder would…”
My uncle puts a hand to his forehead in disbelief.
“That happened immediately after my father’s death. Perhaps even my father’s death was Sanoukouji’s scheme.”
“N-No way, surely that is going too far… That strict Lord Sanoukouji… Umu, I cannot easily believe it…”
It is no wonder my uncle is bewildered.
Speaking of Sanoukouji, he is a man famous for being inflexible.
A strict man who would oppose even the instructions of my father, the Shogun, directly if they weren’t appropriate.
Because of that, he was trusted by my father, but…
“However, Lord Akitsunosuke, the current situation is that Lord Sanoukouji is directing the politics of this country.”
Sensing my uncle’s bewilderment at my words, Haruomi thrusts the fact that Sanoukouji is controlling the government in reality.
“That’s exactly right, Uncle. Taking advantage of the fact that I, who am fleeing, cannot succeed as the next Shogun, that bastard is doing as he pleases with the country. In fact, the domain lords under his influence have put the checkpoints leading to this Omitsu Domain under a strict system amounting to a blockade. Fortunately, thanks to Haruomi, we managed to slip through the checkpoints, but otherwise we would have been captured before reaching you.”
Muu, my uncle groans with a grimace.
“Certainly, there was a report that the number of travelers coming from the neighboring Kagata Domain had decreased since a few days ago, but to think it was due to such circumstances…”
So my uncle had an inkling after all.
“Uncle, I intend to succeed as the Shogun and strip Sanoukouji of his position as Head House Elder. Therefore, please lend me your strength.”
To take back the country from Sanoukouji, I have no choice but to take the Shogun’s seat.
For that purpose, I need the strength of my uncle, who is the Shogun’s younger brother and possesses one of the leading powers in the country capable of rivaling the Head House Elder, Sanoukouji.
“Muu, well then…”
My uncle closed his eyes and pondered for a moment.
But soon he opened his eyes and directed a sharp gaze at me.
“Very well. The matter regarding Lord Sanoukouji needs careful investigation, but the birth of a new Shogun is an urgent task now that the Shogun is absent. I shall also cooperate with your succession as Shogun.”
“Thank you very much, Uncle!”
Ooh! If my uncle makes a move, I will be invincible!
Sanoukouji’s tyranny will be nothing to fear!
“If that is decided, let us hurry to the ritual for the Shogun’s succession!”
To succeed as Shogun, the Mikado’s permission is required.
After all, the true master of this country is the Mikado.
It is a hassle, but someone who is not the original king, the Mikado, will be shouldering the state politics.
The procedures for that are absolutely necessary.
However, my uncle slowly shook his head side to side to admonish me.
“Do not panic. If you are to succeed as Shogun, preparations will be needed. Above all, we must find new guards. If there are skilled assassins that even the Shogun family’s guards are no match for, we must also look for capable people. That said, finding someone with that level of skill will be difficult…”
Mu, certainly. The samurai who protected Kegon Castle were some of the finest fierce warriors in this Amatsumine.
Someone possessing strength equal to or greater than theirs would not easily… Then, I remembered a certain someone’s face.
“You do not need to worry about that! I have someone in mind!”
“Hoh? You say there is a master of such caliber?”
“Yes. That person is a mighty warrior who single-handedly defeated the thugs attacking me. If we can get that person’s cooperation, there will be no worry about guards!”
“Young Master, could that person be…”
Haruomi must have realized it too. He asked me with a furrowed brow.
“Umu, of course it is her!”
◆ Mina ◆
“Phew, to think there’d be a clue about Rex in a place like this.”
Looking at the products sold at Echigoya, I asked Tatsukichi-san if the artisan who made them was Rex.
Then Tatsukichi-san told me that he had been asked by Rex to look for us.
It seems that was the reason I felt a hidden meaning when he heard my name.
And while he was observing me to confirm if I was the actual Mina that Rex was looking for, Rex’s name came up from my side.
“That means the next destination is the port town of Hatoba where Rex is, huh.”
“Mina-san, about that…”
As I was thinking about our future policy, Tatsukichi-san called out to me, looking like it was hard to say.
“What’s wrong, Tatsukichi-s…”
“Lady Mina!”
It was at that moment. Someone who suddenly entered the store called out to me.
“You are… Haruomi-san?”
Yes, the one who called me was Yukitaka’s guard, Haruomi-san.
Or rather, because my name was called in a foreign land, I was surprised, completely thinking a comrade had come looking for me.
“Do you have some business with me?”
Then Haruomi-san nodded with a bitter face.
Hmm, am I disliked by this person?
“The thing is… the Young Master says he wants to request you again.”
…Oops, I’ve got a premonition of trouble.
◆
“A guard job again?”
The place Haruomi-san brought me to was the Domain Lord’s estate, the very place I had just dropped Yukitaka off at earlier.
In the room I was guided to, there were three people: Yukitaka, a large older man, and an elegant older man who was slender but gave off a vigilant presence.
“Yukinojo, are these the skilled individuals you speak of?”
The large older man I didn’t recognize looked at us and tilted his head.
To address Yukitaka casually like that, I wonder if this person is the uncle?
Also, as expected, Yukitaka was a fake name.
“Yes, Uncle. This Mina here is my lifesaver. She annihilated the pursuers who took the lives of my guards with a single spell.”
“Oh my, so she is a mage.”
Realizing I was a mage, Yukitaka—no, Yukinojo’s uncle nodded in understanding.
“Then is the one over there a samurai? He doesn’t carry a katana, though?”
Samurai referred to the knights of this country, right. It’s only been a few days since I came to this country, but I feel like I’ve gotten quite used to the information of this country.
“Umm, I am…”
Gobun glanced briefly at me.
Ah, come to think of it, I brought him along under the setting of being my guard… but thinking about it carefully, this guy is a pirate.
“Umm, this guy isn’t a samurai, he’s a pirate.”
” ” “What!?” ” “
Hearing that the person they had expected to count as combat power was a pirate, Yukinojo and the others widened their eyes.
“What is the meaning of this, Mina!?”
“Umm, you see, these guys disguised their ship as a merchant ship, tried to kidnap my comrades and me, and sell us off to slave traders. So, my comrade turned the tables on them, and we made them transport us to this country as atonement.”
“Good heavens…”
“To think there were such circumstances…”
Hearing the hidden circumstances, while Yukinojo and Haruomi-san were dumbfounded, there was one person laughing heartily.
Yes, Yukinojo’s uncle.
“Hahahahahaha!! To turn the tables on pirates and use them as transport! How thrilling! As expected of the girl you have your eyes on!”
The one who actually turned the tables was Rex, though.
Even so, to be the only one having a great laugh while Yukinojo and the others are bewildered, this person has surprising guts.
“To not yield a single step against pirates who had the geographical advantage on a battlefield surrounded by the sea and enemies is magnificent! I see, one can certainly say this holds promise!”
“B-But why were you taking pirates around with you? If you reached this land of Amatsumine, you could take a safe ship for the return trip, right? You have no more use for pirates, do you?”
“Ah, about that, right before arriving in this country, we encountered a storm, and I was thrown from the ship at that time. So, because I somehow managed to land together with this guy, I was using him as a guide.”
As expected, I couldn’t say I was trying to save a pirate who fell into the sea. Thinking about it now, I really did something stupid. Hmm, I can’t make fun of Rex or Jairo either…
“I see. If that’s the case, it makes sense. That storm has been troubling us people of Amatsumine as well.”
Which means the people of this country also don’t really understand that strange storm.
And being troubled means it’s not just a once or twice occurrence.
It seems this isn’t a normal storm, just as Rex said.
“Then isn’t it fine to capture that person now?”
“Huh?”
Pointed out by Haruomi-san, Gobun turned pale.
“Ah-, well, certainly that’s true.”
“Ah, Sisss!?”
Don’t look at me with such desperate eyes. You guys tried to sell us off, didn’t you?
…Well, he did teach me various information about this country, and he carried us to this country, so I intend to try asking them to at least spare his life, though.
“Now, wait, wait. Do not be so bloodthirsty, Haruomi.”
And it was Yukinojo’s uncle who stepped in to mediate.
“You, the fact that you were a pirate means you are used to handling ships, correct?”
“Y-Yes sir! I won’t lose to anyone when it comes to handling ships!”
“Hoh, that is reassuring. Umu, umu.”
Yukinojo’s uncle floated a smile as if he was plotting something.
“Very well. Then you shall become a menial laborer on my ships.”
“Huh!?”
“Eh!?”
“Uncle!?”
“Lord Akitsunosuke!?”
At the unexpected remark, everyone present raised voices of surprise.
“Many sailors have lost their lives due to the influence of that storm. Therefore, as a special exception, we will have you atone for your crimes by working as a sailor. Originally, pirates are sent to the gallows. Considering that, it could be called quite a merciful measure, no?”
“Y-Yes sir! As long as it’s not the gallows, I’ll do any kind of work!”
Hmm, it’s not a bad result, but it feels like quite a lenient treatment for a noble…?
I wonder if he’ll secretly escape?
Then, as if sensing my thoughts, Yukinojo’s uncle looked my way and floated a smile.
“Of course, we will place shackles on him with cursed arts so that he does not escape. Furthermore, to you who captured the pirate, we will grant the wages this pirate will likely earn from working as compensation. This is the reward for capturing the pirate, and at the same time, it is gratitude for providing a much-needed sailor. What do you say?”
Ah, I see, letting Gobun live also serves as consideration towards me.
He supplements his shortage of sailors, and thanks me for providing personnel.
I wonder if this also serves as thanks for saving Yukinojo?
Yeah, if that’s the case, I can leave the handling of the pirate to them and get money too, so it’s killing two birds with one stone.
Well, the one who caught him was Rex, so I’ll have to give it to Rex later, though.
“Understood. If that is the case, I leave the custody of this pirate to you.”
“Umu. Kashima, take this person to the navy’s criminal quarters.”
“Certainly, My Lord.”
“Sis, take care-!”
Led by the old man called Kashima, Gobun leaves the room.
He became strangely attached to me.
With Gobun leaving, the conversation broke off for a moment.
“Now then, with that settled, I am counting on you for my nephew, young lady.”
“Wait! I haven’t said I’m taking the job yet!?”
“What!? You won’t accept it!?”
Obviously!
The only thing we’ve talked about properly since I got here is Gobun’s treatment!
“I came because Haruomi-san begged me to come no matter what, but to begin with, I never said I’d accept the guard request. In the first place, there’s no reason it has to be me, right? I’m sure there are tons of people stronger than me in this castle.”
At the very least, since he’s a lord with an estate of this size, he must employ quite a few skilled people.
I don’t think they’d go out of their way to rely on a little girl like me.
Then Yukinojo raised his voice.
“Mina. The guards who lost their lives protecting me from the pursuers were samurai of considerable skill even in this country.”
“Eh? Is that so?”
“Umu. There was the fatigue of a long escape and the disadvantage in numbers, but even so, our country’s elites were caught off guard. Therefore, my uncle was troubled as he could not make poor fighters my guards. However, you easily struck down those pursuers. Therefore, I want you to lend me your strength once again!”
Yukinojo begged me excitedly.
This is… I see, so that’s how it is.
In other words, Yukinojo is misunderstanding!
Most likely, the pursuers had sustained considerable damage from Yukinojo’s slain guards.
That’s why they were easily defeated by my magic.
Most likely, the opponents were conceited due to their confidence in having defeated some of the country’s best guards, and because the one who stepped forward was a little girl like me.
Thinking that if their opponent was a little girl of this level, it’d be fine to have one more fight.
But that became the pursuers’ fatal mistake.
And because Yukinojo believed in his guards’ abilities, he ended up overestimating my abilities.
No matter how much I’ve grown, I’m not conceited enough to think I’m stronger than the country’s best, most skilled warriors.
Hmm, this is what you call a grand misunderstanding born from the situation.
Yukinojo’s uncle also seems to be misunderstanding due to the vague information he got from Yukinojo. Also due to Rex’s heroic tales.
I have to find a way to decline amicably.
I can’t accept a dangerous request based on a misunderstanding, after all.
“I understand the circumstances. However, I have to meet up with my separated comrades, so…”
“Comrades? Oh, come to think of it, you were a person from a foreign land, young lady. Are you currently searching for those comrades, then?”
“Yes. I figured out where one of my comrades who got separated in the storm is, so I’m thinking of going there first.”
“Fumu, which town is that comrade in? If you desire, I shall provide a carriage.”
A carriage, huh. Honestly, using flight magic would get me there faster.
That said, it’s rude to decline a noble’s goodwill.
“It seems the comrade is in a place called the port town of Hatoba.”
“Fumu, the port town of Hatoba is a town located in the middle of the neighboring domain.”
Yeah, the town’s location is exactly as the information Tatsukichi-san taught me.
“However, I feel sorry for you, but the checkpoint to the neighboring domain is under a de facto blockade.”
Yukinojo’s uncle announced apologetically.
“A blockade?”
“Umu. Apparently, dangerous thugs are appearing within the domain, so they have blockaded it to prevent them from fleeing to other domains. Supposedly, familiar merchants can get through if they pay money, but a young lady from a foreign land wouldn’t be allowed through. At worst, you might be mistaken for a comrade of the thugs.”
Ahh, so that’s why Tatsukichi-san was hesitating to speak earlier!
“However, the thugs and such are probably a pretense. The objective is to prevent Yukinojo from moving freely.”
“Eh!?”
Yukinojo’s circumstances get tangled up here!?
Ah, this person intends to gradually pressure me into taking the request as is.
I won’t let that happen.
“Umm, even if you say guard, I haven’t even heard who I should protect Yukinojo-sama from.”
I intentionally emphasized ‘Yukinojo’ rather than ‘Yukitaka’ while throwing out a feeler that this guy must be targeted by someone.
Situationally, there’s no doubt it’s not a guard mission against monsters or bandits, and depending on the case, there’s even a possibility the opponents aren’t evil people.
“Oops, that’s right. Certainly, if we are to request a job, the explanation of the contents and the reward must be properly conveyed… You are quite a level-headed young lady. By the way, why is Yukinojo so downcast?”
Being told that, I looked at Yukinojo, and for some reason, he was visibly depressed.
“Y-Yukinojo-sama… N-No. Please don’t mind it, Uncle. More importantly, continue the story.”
Did something shocking happen?
“Nu? Is that so? Then first the contents of the request; this is simple. Roughly explaining, Yukinojo is the head of the clan. He must perform a ritual to inherit the seat of his deceased father. However, the current situation is that those who do not look favorably upon it are getting in the way. The neighboring lord was probably instigated by those people to blockade the checkpoint. After all, I haven’t heard any information from my subordinates about thugs ravaging the neighboring domain for months.”
Ah, so they already obtained information and knew the bandit stuff was nonsense.
But the contents feel like a common family feud.
Well, for a commoner like me to get caught up in a noble family’s feud is quite something, though.
No good, no good, I’ve been getting caught up in incidents on a totally different scale lately so my senses are paralyzed.
“Therefore, I want you, young lady, to escort Yukinojo to the ritual grounds and keep watch so the ritual is not disturbed.”
“Once the ritual is over, is the request accomplished?”
“No, just in case, I want you to bring Yukinojo back to this estate after the ritual is over. With that, the request will be completed.”
The contents of the request are no different from a general escort request.
Just that the opponents are highly skilled enough to defeat the country’s best warriors.
As expected, whether I accept the request or decline it, meeting up with Rex is the top priority. Regarding the checkpoint blockade, well, I can probably manage somehow.
“As for the reward, how about 1,000 gold coins?”
“1,000!?”
I was unintentionally surprised by the unexpectedly large sum of money.
I mean, 1,000 gold coins for an escort request is just way too much!
“Umu, and one more thing. Earlier you said ‘one of my separated comrades’. That means there are other comrades, right? Let me cooperate in searching for their whereabouts. It seems there are other lords blockading their checkpoints as well, so your comrades must also be struggling to meet up. How about it? If you safely accomplish the request, the blockades at the checkpoints will be lifted, making it easier to meet up with your comrades. It’s killing two birds with one stone, right?”
“Mumu…”
True, the reason I escorted Yukinojo was also to check if everyone was in this town.
If me escorting Yukinojo lifts the checkpoint blockades, everyone can freely move around the Eastern Country to meet up?
Thinking about it that way, it might be lucky that I can get involved in solving the cause of the checkpoint blockades.
Especially with Jairo; who knows what kind of uproar he’ll cause if left alone.
“Where is the destination? How many days will it take from here?”
That said, I can’t carelessly take the job without knowing how long I’ll be tied down.
“Umu. The destination is the foot of the sacred mountain, Mt. Amatsukami, located in the center of this country. The ritual grounds are there. From here it takes 3 days by horse, but alas, as long as there’s a checkpoint, moving straight by horse will be difficult. If that’s the case, since you need to pass through unfamiliar animal trails to bypass the checkpoint, I’d say it takes about 8 days one way on foot.”
Ugh, that ties me down quite a bit. It takes half a month for a round trip. I’m glad I asked.
Moreover, considering there’ll be interference, it’ll probably take even longer.
Hmm, thinking about the situation comprehensively, accepting this request has more merits.
But with just me, there are a lot of factors of unease. I mean, I’m a mage, and with this lineup, Haruomi-san is the only vanguard! Yukinojo is the one to be protected, so he’s out of the question!
In that case, as expected…
“…If I accept that request, rather than going directly to the destination, I think it’s better to go via a different route.”
“Fumu? What do you mean?”
“First, we go to the port town of Hatoba and meet up with one of my comrades. If we do that, our combat power can be vastly replenished.”
“Vastly?”
“Yes, because the comrade there is stronger than me.”
“Stronger than Mina!?”
Told they were stronger than me, Yukinojo raised a voice of astonishment.
There are plenty of people stronger than me, though.
“Yes, our master Rex is there. If you need a guard, there’s no one more suited than him.”
“Fumu, to think there’s someone more skilled than you, young lady; the world is wide. That gentleman called Rex, I would certainly love to have a bout with him.”
“No, you’ll absolutely die so please don’t.”
Because Yukinojo’s uncle said he wanted to fight Rex, I hurriedly stopped him.
If you fight Rex, no amount of lives will be enough!?
“However, wouldn’t going all the way to the port town of Hatoba take too much time? We should head to Mt. Amatsukami with a small elite force.”
As we were talking about such things, Haruomi-san pulled the topic back.
It seems Haruomi-san thinks meeting up with Rex is a waste of time.
Well, I can understand how he feels.
“No, it might be an option, Haruomi.”
“Lord Akitsunosuke!?”
But to him, Yukinojo’s uncle said my idea was an option.
“There is the fact that our combat power will increase, but heading to the sacred mountain via the port town of Hatoba might serve as a good blinder. Those guys probably think we want Yukinojo to succeed as soon as possible, too. They wouldn’t think we’d go out of our way to take a detour. Conversely, the security might be thinner on the detour. If the mastermind truly is that gentleman, he has probably already realized that Yukinojo has reached me.”
“C-Certainly…”
“No, I am against it!”
But for some reason, even Yukinojo started opposing it there.
“Let us go with just us! That way we won’t take up unnecessary time, Uncle!”
“No, Yukinojo, this is a capable person the young lady has vouched for. We should prioritize securing combat power here.”
“No, our combat power is sufficient! We don’t need any other men!”
“You, don’t tell me…”
“Young Master…”
Then, sensing something from Yukinojo’s words, Yukinojo’s uncle and Haruomi-san looked at him with exasperated gazes.
“Good grief, wondering what you were thinking in this state of emergency… Well, perhaps having that much nerve is just right for succeeding the next generation.”
Eh? What does that mean?
“But no. Do not lose sight of the priorities. First and foremost, you must make absolutely sure to succeed in the ritual as your top priority. If you want to look good in front of a woman, show the composure befitting it.”
“U-Uu…”
Silencing Yukinojo, his uncle directed his gaze at me.
“Alright, I understand. Then first, you should go meet up with your comrades. To surely gain their cooperation, I will also provide rewards for your comrades. And once our combat power is ready, we aim for the sacred mountain Mt. Amatsukami in the center of the country!”
In this way, in order to meet up with my comrades, I decided to accept a new request.
◆
A few days after accepting the request, the preparations for the ritual were finally complete, and we made our move.
First we are aiming for the port town of Hatoba in the neighboring domain, but…
“Umu, this is strict.”
Yeah, the checkpoint to enter the neighboring domain was very strict, and it seemed many of the travelers heading for the checkpoint were being turned away.
“I wonder if we can ask Echigoya to take us to Hatoba town?”
“No, unless it’s a familiar employee, they will probably be turned away.”
Hmm, very strict.
“How did you slip through the checkpoint before?”
“Umu, at that time, we took an animal trail far from the checkpoint where human movement is difficult. It was quite a struggle, but thanks to that we managed to safely arrive within the Omitsu Domain.”
“Then use the same method this time too?”
“No, that was impossible.”
Haruomi-san, who returned from scouting, joined the conversation.
“How was it?”
“Sir. Soldiers are stationed at regular intervals along the border between the domains, and there were also horsemen patrolling between them. With this, crossing the border avoiding the checkpoint would be impossible.”
Quite strict security.
“Isn’t it rather strict considering it’s far from the path to Mt. Amatsukami?”
“Perhaps it was found out that we used the animal trails.”
I see, so they are surrounding this Omitsu territory to let it be known that they won’t let the same trick be used, huh.
This means that, just as Yukinojo’s uncle said, they know Yukinojo is here.
“Muu, this is a problem.”
“When it comes to this, we have no choice but to sneak in under the cover of darkness. However, fire pits and guards are stationed in positions where they can confirm each other, so even if we move at night, the possibility of being discovered seems high.”
“In that case, is it better to rely on Uncle’s setup?”
The setup Yukinojo meant was preparing decoys resembling them.
And the calculation was to let the decoys be discovered on purpose and slip through the animal trails in that opening.
“However, with this many guards, there is a possibility they won’t leave their posts. At worst, the enemy only needs to contain us in this land for a long time.”
“But we have no choice but to do it. The longer we sit on our hands, the more that bastard’s power increases.”
To Haruomi-san’s words, Yukinojo muttered with a serious face.
Hmm, as expected, they are getting fired up in a bad direction.
“Hey, we just need to cross the domain border without being found, right?”
“Umu. That would be best, but with it being this strict, that would be difficult too.”
“No, there is a way.”
“What!?”
Apparently not thinking there was a strategy to do something about this situation, Yukinojo raised a voice of surprise.
“Can you really do something about it!?”
“I-I cannot readily believe it!?”
“It’ll probably be fine. First, let’s wait until it gets dark.”
“…Understood. We will try Mina’s plan.”
“Are you sure?”
“Either way, we need to wait until night to use the decoys. If there is another good method, it’s fine to try that first.”
“…Sir. As the Young Master commands.”
“Umu. I am counting on you, Mina.”
“Yeah, leave it to me.”
Well then, shall we wait for it to become night.
◆
“O-Oooooh!?”
Yukinojo raised an excited voice.
“Hey, be quiet! We’ll be found.”
“S-Sorry. But since it’s my first time experiencing flying in the sky…!”
Yes, the method I proposed was to fly through the sky and cross the checkpoint.
The reason being, since flight magic was a lost technology in our country too, I figured it would be the same in this foreign country.
And that thought was correct.
Although Yukinojo was surprised at first to fly in the sky for the first time in his life, now he is making merry like a child.
“Okay, we’ve arrived. I’ll bring Haruomi-san over right away too.”
“U-Umu. I’m counting on you, Mina. However, flight magic is amazing! It’s my first time experiencing such magic! Could it be that all foreigners can fly in the sky!?”
“…N-No, no, people who can fly aren’t that common.”
“Then as I thought, Mina is a highly skilled mage!”
Yukinojo looks at me with sparkling eyes.
“No, no, no, I’m really not that great of a person. It’s just that Rex, who taught me magic, is amazing.”
“…Rex?”
Then, for some reason, Yukinojo became dead quiet.
“…I see, so that man is indeed…”
“? I don’t really get it, but for now I’m going to go bring Haruomi-san, so hide there and wait, okay.”
In this way, we broke through the first hurdle without danger… but I wonder what’s up with Yukinojo?
