Chapter 1: Day of Change

1

As the fifth day of the white month dawned, it wasn’t like we sensed any omens of things being off.

Four days ago, on the night of the first day of the month, Dora had been attacked by brigands. Then the next day Milano Mas’s daughter almost got abducted, and someone sneaked into the Zaza settlement at nighttime. And the night after that, we ended up facing off with Goram Redbeard’s son Jeeda at the Fa house. That was certainly a lot for just the first three days of the month.

Perhaps it was only natural, but we had been bracing ourselves more and more as time went on. But as if to mock the tension we were feeling, the fourth day of the white month passed on by without incident, leaving us to feel somehow let down coming into this morning.

“You absolutely mustn’t let your guard down, Asuta. It’s incredibly easy for people to let themselves become slack at times such as this, after all,” Ai Fa stated with a strict look as I finished up loading my prepared food into the wagon.

She had decided that she would come to town on guard duty every other day, and this was the point in her rotation where she stayed home instead. And so I firmed up my resolve as best I could and replied, “Understood,” with a nod. “You take care too, Ai Fa. The number of giba around here should be on the rise again, right?”

“Indeed. There have been more and more giba about since the start of the month. In fact, I hear tell that one of the Ran men was seriously injured just yesterday.”

“Seriously? That’s definitely concerning.”

The morning sun and gentle breeze felt pleasant, and it was an extremely tranquil morning all around. However, the topic we were discussing was anything but.

“Hey, do clans like the Fa and Ran have break periods like the hunters of the Ruu?”

As she stroked Gilulu’s neck, Ai Fa turned and went, “Hmm?” with a questioning look. “I explained as much before, but giba periodically shift their foraging grounds in search of more plentiful food. As they eat up the fruits, roots, small plants, and the like, they then move from north to south or vice versa, frequently moving all about the forest.”

“Right. And that process is what led them to leave the forest and go after the Genos fields, isn’t it? I remember.”

“Indeed. As that occurs, the areas of the forest that have been picked clean take some time to flourish once again. And so for a time the giba won’t go near there, and the hunters living in the area take time off. Such periods come around three times a year, but it’s not as if it is fixed which clan will have time off in a certain month or the like.”

“Then all clans get three break periods a year?”

“That’s right. They seem to be eating rather vigorously this time around, so it may not even be a month before we get time off...”

“I see. I’m glad,” I said, unwittingly breaking out in a smile.

Ai Fa, meanwhile, tilted her head and looked rather confused.

“What are you glad about, exactly? If our neighboring clans like the Fou and Ran are unable to hunt giba, it will be difficult to procure meat during that time, you know.”

“But by then the Ruu will start hunting again, so I don’t think it should be an issue. We may even be able to buy meat from the Sauti soon enough, too... Still, putting all that aside, aren’t you glad to have a chance to rest up?”

“I train hard during break periods. Of course, that doesn’t compare to hunting work, but it’s still not enough of a difference for me to feel happy or displeased over,” Ai Fa bluntly answered. “And besides, there’s no guarantee that our issues with the nobles will be cleared up before that coming break period. Because of that, I will not be able to relax my mind even if I have a chance to rest my body.”

“Ah, right... Still, if that can at least get dealt with, then you’ll be able to take it easy. So it really is a good thing, right?”

At the very least, the thought of Ai Fa being able to take half a month off from her dangerous hunting work sounded nice to me. But for some reason, she was giving a displeased pout.

“It would certainly be for the best if you no longer needed to be guarded, but if that happened, there wouldn’t be any reason left for me to go to the post town.”

“Huh? Is that an issue, somehow?”

“It’s boring, being left home alone...”

I was truly, legitimately taken off guard. I had never imagined such words would come from Ai Fa.

“Ah, er, but... I guess I can’t exactly go taking half a month off from my work in the post town too, huh?”

“Of course not,” she replied, grinding her head up against mine. Apparently she considered such an action interchangeable with kicking me in the leg. “I was simply irritated by you gloating away without considering my feelings. You really don’t sympathize enough with your clan head.”

“S-Still, I’m taking a break once every ten days now. If your time off lasts for half a month, then those breaks should overlap once or twice. So I’ll do whatever I can on those days to alleviate your boredom.”

With that, Ai Fa’s head came to a stop.

And then, she stared at me from up close and personal.

“Now that you mention it, your first such days off are fast approaching, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, it’ll be the seventh and eighth of the white month, so the day after tomorrow and the following day.”

“Then I believe I’ll take a day off from hunting in the forest, too. I caught two giba the day before yesterday, so the fatigue has been building up a bit.”

“I see. Then you should definitely go ahead and do so.”

“In that case, you and I will both be off on the eighth of the white month.”

“Yeah, sounds like it.”

“I finally understand what you meant about feeling glad...” Ai Fa said with a smile, from up so close I could feel her breath. That seriously made for one heck of a surprise attack. “This should be your first time taking a break since the clan head meeting, Asuta.”

“Y-Yeah, now that you mention it, I think you’re right.”

“We acted separately until dark on the day of the meeting itself, and on the days before and after you were busy preparing food. Furthermore, you were at the Ruu settlement both times, too.” I was earnestly impressed she could remember all that from so far back. “In that case, it’s been even longer since you have spent a full day in the Fa house... In fact, I was heading into the forest each day before that too, so we must not have spent an entire day together since we built the outdoor stove.”

“That’s some seriously impressive memory, there! I mean, we’re talking more than two months back, right?”

“Indeed. I believe that was around ten days or so after I picked you up out in the forest. So back then, I must not have considered you as utterly irreplaceable as I do now...” she replied, clunking her head into me while still wearing a smile. “Now that I think back on it, when I was spending day and night hunting with my father, our break periods helped to bring us even closer. I’ve never forgotten that feeling...”

“O-Oh, really?”

“Both you and I have work that we need to carry out. However... That may be exactly what makes such days off feel so precious.”

“R-Right...”

“And right now, we’re in the midst of dealing with Cyclaeus, an opponent we still know little about. I certainly hope that we can at least spend those days peacefully.” With that, Ai Fa stepped back, her eyes sparkling in a manner fitting to a girl her age as she wore the formal expression of a clan head and firmly stated, “Well then, Ludo Ruu’s group should be arriving soon. Keep on striving at your work, but make sure not to let your guard down.”

“Yeah, you too, Ai Fa,” I replied while feeling a bit jumbled up inside.

And so, we set off down our own paths again that morning.

At the time, we gave the same farewell as always, knowing nothing of what trials awaited us today, or what suffering they would bring.

◇

Soon after arriving in the post town, we found a pleasant reunion awaiting us. Once we picked up the stalls from The Kimyuus’s Tail we went to stop and pick up vegetables as always, where we were greeted by Dora and Tara’s smiling faces.

“Dora! You’re doing better already?!”

“Ah, sorry for worrying you, Asuta. And the same to everyone else, too,” Dora said with a grin.

Just seeing that familiar smile was enough to cause me to tear up a bit.

“Hey, what’s with that face? It wasn’t that serious of an injury, you know. Didn’t my son tell you that?”

“Yes, but... Well, I’m just really glad to see you doing well. And it’s good seeing you again too, Tara.”

“Yup!” Tara replied, a big smile filling her small face.

“At any rate, I’m glad that you folks look like you’re doing alright, too. So, do you want the same number of vegetables as always?”

“Yes, please.”

With a sort of bashful chuckle, Dora started pulling vegetables out of stuffed bags.

He really was just the same as always. However, there was still gray cloth wrapped around his right shoulder. He had been attacked by bandits dressed as people of the forest’s edge who were looking to rob him, and as a result he had to take three days off of work.

The faint green stains I could spy on his bandages must have been from some sort of medicinal herb. That probably explained the faint stinging odor I was picking up, too. In fact, it was the same sort of smell as the medicine Vina Ruu had used when she hurt her ankle.

“Um, what should I even say about all this... I really am at a loss for words, honestly.”

“I’m telling you, there’s nothing for you to worry yourself over, Asuta. Outlaws tend to gather in prosperous towns. Honestly, bandits have been just as much of a pain for all of us as giba.”

“But bandits dressed like hunters of the forest’s edge aren’t quite so common, right? Still, I’m relieved to see you’re alright, too,” Ludo Ruu interjected with a serious look.

Dora shot him a gentle smile back, too.

“No matter how they may dress, they’re still bandits. And it’s the guards’ job to catch them, so there’s no need for us to go worrying about all that.”

“Yeah, but...” I started to reply, only for some unusual commotion to emerge from the surrounding area.

Instantly, Ludo Ruu’s gaze turned back toward the road.

Speak of the devil, huh?

There were a number of guards dressed in leather armor and carrying spears, and they were heading our way.

“Man of the forest’s edge, you’re Asuta of the Fa clan, aren’t you? We have a matter to discuss, so please accompany us back to the station,” the man at the head of the group proclaimed.

He was pretty short and thin, but his helmet had a fluttering tassel adorning it. As for the rest of the group, there were five other guards standing there behind him.

“What exactly is this about? I have to get ready for work after this...”

“It won’t take long. There are just a number of matters we’d like to confirm.”

On the one hand, he had a haughty attitude, but on the other, he didn’t seem all that bold. In fact, he looked pretty clearly intimidated by being faced with hunters of the forest’s edge.

“Hey, what business do you have with Asuta, exactly? If it’s about that incident with the bandits from a few days back, my son should have already explained everything,” Dora stated with an angry look, stepping out in front of the guards.

And in response, the little guard captain dubiously knitted his brows.

“And who are you? One of the vegetable sellers who were attacked by those bandits, perhaps? If so, this has nothing to do with all that, so stay out of this.”

“Ah, Dora, I’m the one they’re summoning, so—” I interjected in a fluster, trying to stop him. And then, yet another voice butted in from the side.

“Yeah, you’re treating him like a criminal, dragging him back to your station like that. Are you saying the kid did something wrong?”

To my surprise, when I turned to look I didn’t find any familiar faces. However, there were now around seven or eight unfamiliar ones gathered around us. And that alone was enough to make the little guard captain’s face go pale.

“Wh-Who are you all? I assure you, this is nothing like that! Like I said, we just want to confirm some matters!”

The five guards standing behind him were also adjusting their grips on their spears, bewildered looks on their faces. A restless air had started simmering throughout the street.

“So what matters are you talking about, exactly?”

“It’s not like there’s any proof yet that those bandits were people of the forest’s edge, right?”

“This is real fishy. Out with it. Tell us the reason, already.”

It was possible a good number of them were folks I had seen at the stalls. Around half were southerners, while the other half were from the west. But folks from the south all dressed so similarly, and I didn’t see any regulars among the westerners.

And a number of tall figures with their faces hidden under the hoods of their leather cloaks had started filling in the spaces between those townsfolk wearing their serious expressions. Naturally, they were easterners.

“Wh-What do you mean, fishy?! W-We’re carrying out official duty, you know,” the guard captain shrilly yelled out.

With that, one of the younger guards who at least seemed to have retained a bit of his wits stepped forwards.

“Captain, at this rate we’ll simply cause needless turmoil. It’s true that it won’t take long at all, so wouldn’t it be acceptable to simply do it here and now?”

“No, but—”

“I believe it would be less dangerous than dispersing these people in order to bring this man of the forest’s edge along with us to the station. If it’s alright, I could carry out that task in your place...”

“Right! In that case, I will leave it up to you,” the guard captain replied, beating a swift retreat. While forcing back a sigh, the younger guard moved farther forward. Apparently there were all sorts within their organization.

“Asuta of the Fa clan, of the forest’s edge. What we wish to confirm are details about the bandit who attacked you all on the 31st day of the blue month.”

“The bandit who attacked us...?” I repeated, my heart skipping a beat at that unexpected statement.

With a nod, the young guard replied, “Right. We received a report from a resident of the vicinity, stating that a bandit in a fur cloak pulled a blade and attacked you all while you were walking through the residential district on the 31st. And we were told the assailant had a small build that implied they were a woman or child, and that they had blazing red hair. Is that all correct?”

The matter with Jeeda had reached the guards after all.

I gripped my fists tight, then nodded back and said, “Yes...”

I couldn’t give any testimony that would put Jeeda in a bad spot. However, I also couldn’t exactly go lying and making myself into a criminal, either.

“Why did you not place a report that same day? By leaving bandits like that be, you place your fellow citizens at risk.”

“My apologies. He only seemed concerned with the people of the forest’s edge, so I believed he wouldn’t cause anyone else harm,” I replied, giving the same answer I had once offered to Sanjura.

And in turn, I got the same sort of response back.

“That’s no reason not to report him, though. By leaving him be, you risk being placed in danger again yourselves, don’t you?”

“Yes. However, if he has a just reason for hating the people of the forest’s edge, then I was thinking it would be better to solve things by talking them out. But that wouldn’t be possible if he’s arrested as a criminal first...”

The guard went silent, a gloomy look on his face.

And the crowd surrounding us were all watching with expressions full of suspicion and concern.

“Still, you’re ultimately just thinking of your own circumstances, there... Drawing a blade in town is undoubtedly a crime, and furthermore, not even reporting such a criminal and choosing instead to let them be is clearly making light of the laws of Genos.”

“Yes, I also believe it was thoughtless of us... But it seemed he had been watching us from afar for a while. When we noticed that and chased after him it resulted in violence, but if it weren’t for that I don’t believe he would have drawn his blade.”

“However, judging crimes is a task assigned to our guard corps and the legal officers. As mere citizens, you all have no authority to pardon a criminal.”

Now it was my turn to be struck silent.

Dora started to argue, “Hey, but—” only for the guard to break out in an even more sour expression.

“It’s not as if we came here in order to punish you for that. Just note that such actions won’t be permitted in the future. You people of the forest’s edge are full-fledged citizens of Genos and the western kingdom. And so, as children of Selva, you have a responsibility to uphold the law and a right to be protected by it.”

“Right,” I replied with a cautious nod.

Dora and the rest of the crowd seemed rather surprised by the guard’s words... but the hunters with us cautiously narrowed their gazes as they carefully listened.

“So, the bandit’s appearance didn’t differ from the earlier description I gave? If you can remember his face and the like more clearly, we could put out a detailed description.”

“My apologies, but I didn’t see that clearly... His unkempt hair covered his face too, so I couldn’t make out his features very well,” I replied, offering just a bit of false testimony.

After shooting me a doubtful glare for a few moments, the young guard finally said, “Well, fine,” with a shake of his head. “At any rate, red-haired westerners are unusual, and combined with the fact that he has a small build like that of a child, that should be enough for a wanted poster. And that bandit was wearing the fur cloak of some other animal than a giba?”

“Yes. The coloring of the fur was something I hadn’t really seen around Genos.”

“There shouldn’t be many folks other than hunters out there wearing fur cloaks, either... Hey, you vegetable seller,” the man called out, turning toward Dora with an arrogant look. “Were the bandits who attacked you really wearing giba pelts? Apparently the one who attacked these folks wore one that was a lighter color, with a pattern to it.”

“It was dark, so I can’t say for certain... But they were definitely wearing necklaces made with giba tusks,” Dora responded, looking displeased at having to say so. “I already explained to you all that the people of the forest’s edge would never do such a—”

“We’re aware. You don’t need to keep raising your voice over every little thing,” the guard said with an annoyed wave of his hand, and then in a slightly louder voice he proclaimed, “This seems like a good opportunity, so allow me to inform everyone here: Last night, there was an attack on another plantation’s storehouse performed by bandits dressed as hunters of the forest’s edge.”

“Huh?!” I found myself shouting without thinking.

I had thought that yesterday was our first peaceful day in a while, but it turns out disaster struck again without us knowing.

“There were three of them wearing giba pelt cloaks, with cloth wrapped around their faces. Though their identities remain unknown, it seems certain that these are the same bandits who struck four days ago.”

The surrounding crowd started to murmur. And by this point it was more than the initial ten or so folks, as a good number of people had come and stopped to see what the commotion was all about.

So that everyone present could hear him, the young guard raised his voice even further and stated, “After the incident four days back, the militia’s nighttime guard was strengthened. And yet in spite of that, innocent citizens were once again attacked and had their precious crops stolen. This is a gravely concerning situation... Even more so since those bandits were dressed in the clothing of the forest’s edge.”

“Hey, but that’s—”

“Stop talking and listen. If the people of the forest’s edge wished to hide their identities, they would start with those cloaks and necklaces. To hide their faces without doing so seems dubious in the extreme. Therefore, we are strongly considering the view that these are the acts of criminals pretending to be hunters of the forest’s edge,” the young guard firmly proclaimed.

I could hear a number of impressed sounding oohs coming from the crowd.

“Naturally we will not know the truth until we capture these bandits, but take care not to be misled by baseless rumors. And you mustn’t cause a commotion over the treatment of the people of the forest’s edge, like what happened before. Do not go disparaging them without proof... These words come from the militia leader Sir Ciluel himself, and should be distributed as an official notice throughout the post town today.”

Hearing those words put me on guard, and also seriously shook me.

The militia leader was Cyclaeus’s younger brother, so for him to clearly and openly defend the people of the forest’s edge... It didn’t seem like the sort of straightforward good news I could simply feel relieved over.

The young guard looked just a bit prideful as he glanced out over the murmuring crowd. I got the impression that he was condescending to us just a touch, like what he was proud of was that they treated even outsiders like the people of the forest’s edge justly.

That might have honestly been how the man truly felt. However, I couldn’t help but be suspicious of the intentions of that militia leader whose words he was conveying.

Just what exactly are they plotting now...?

As for the crowd, they looked perplexed as they listened to the guard’s words. Some of them appeared relaxed and relieved, while others clicked their tongues and left.

Seeing those unfriendly reactions toward the people of the forest’s edge, it was like I could feel a dark cloud billowing up inside of me.

Could that be what Cyclaeus had been aiming for?

To give favorable treatment to the people of the forest’s edge and advocate for them, sowing distrust in the hearts of the townsfolk... Was that the true goal behind having those bandits crudely play at disguising themselves and attack plantations?

If I’m just overthinking things, then it’s fine. But...

What if it really was like Ai Fa had once speculated, that this was a plot to thrust these crimes upon the three hunters who accompanied Kamyua Yoshu? What would happen if we were getting “unjust” protection on top of that?

Would it be possible to once more instill doubts in the townsfolk that the people of the forest’s edge wouldn’t be punished no matter what wrongdoing they may get up to? People we were close to like Dora were one thing, but for the folks who were just now listening to that guard with relief on their faces... Was it possible the people of the forest’s edge could once more lose the trust of those who had been advocating for us with righteous indignation?

Still, would Cyclaeus even stand to gain anything from such actions?

Up till now, I wouldn’t have been able to answer that. But thanks to my talk with Yamiru Lea two days prior, I had a new hypothesis to go on: that Cyclaeus was trying to reinstate the Suun as the leading clan in order to make the people of the forest’s edge easier to control, forcing things back to the way they used to be.

If that turned out to be true... If he wanted to return us to a state of being misunderstood and impoverished, forced to desperately hunt giba just to survive, then there might well be significant meaning to shattering the bonds between the forest’s edge and the post town.

I certainly wouldn’t mind if that was all just my imagination getting the better of me, though...

It definitely wouldn’t be such a bad thing if it turned out Cyclaeus wasn’t as wicked and crafty as I thought. I was just preparing for the worst, so that the rug wouldn’t be pulled out from under us. And no matter how fanciful my imagination may be, I was still going to inform Zasshuma and Donda Ruu about that hypothesis, too.

After all, we absolutely had to win this fight, no matter what.

2

And so, after somewhat of a delay, we finally got started with our work for the day.

First, that meant opening up the stalls like always.

The group for today consisted of Reina, Sheera, and Lala Ruu. I felt bad for her, but apparently Rimee Ruu’s participation still hadn’t been approved by her mother.

From what I heard, Mia Lea Ruu’s opinion was that though the people we had on guard made things less dangerous, it was best to wait until after the next meeting on the 15th of the white month and see how things play out. I didn’t know how much Donda Ruu’s doting nature toward his youngest daughter was having an influence there, though.

“Ehehe. I feel bad for Rimee, but I’ll go ahead and work as much as I like in the meantime!”

Unsurprisingly, that statement had come from Lala Ruu.

No matter what she said about feeling bad, it seemed she really didn’t want to yield her time working in the post town to her little sister. At any rate, I was grateful to see that everyone was so passionate about the job.

“Still, Tara’s really been wanting to see Rimee Ruu, so I hope the time comes soon when she can work here in the post town, too,” I threw out there, only for Lala Ruu to instantly take offense.

“What, so you prefer Rimee to me? I get along with that Tara runt pretty well too, don’t I?”

“I know, I know. Still, don’t you think it’s important for a big sister to think of her younger sibling?”

“Don’t talk to me like a kid! It’s not like I’m trying to be mean to Rimee or anything!” Lala Ruu retorted, puffing her cheeks.

And then, Ludo Ruu went and poured gasoline on the fine.

“Ah, so you don’t want to let Rimee take over while Shin Ruu’s around? I mean, us guards will be sticking around until at least the day of the conference.”

“That is not! What I’m saying! In the least!” Lala Ruu shouted, swinging with all her might, only for Ludo Ruu to dodge by swaying backwards. What a truly friendly exchange between siblings.

Just a bit earlier, Zasshuma had stopped by to get in touch as he’d been regularly doing, and that was when we took care of the far less peaceful matters.

“So, reversing the recent trend of increasing trust toward the people of the forest’s edge, eh? Sounds like you’ve done some deep thinking again,” Zasshuma had stated. “Still, if we’re talking about Cyclaeus, I could see him coming up with something like that. I’ve never met him personally, but he’s a seriously crafty old man, right?”

“I haven’t ever seen him either. I just tried thinking like the villain in some big conspiracy.”

“Hmph, you sure are something else. You don’t just cook, but you can think up stuff like that too, eh?” Zasshuma said with a grin, rubbing his tanned cheek. “Just keep on piling caution on top of caution like that. And actually... there’s a big meeting scheduled to be held at the castle starting today.”

“A big meeting?”

“Yeah, that’s right. From what I’ve heard, it’ll last for five days, from today till the ninth of the white month, with the nobles in charge of politics packing into the castle to discuss the future of Genos. So during that time, Cyclaeus and his younger brother won’t be able to make a move, but we won’t exactly be able to get in contact with Lord Melfried either.”

“I see. So that’s why we need to be even more cautious, huh?”

“Yup. It’s better to be extra careful rather than letting your guard down... Besides, they probably have plenty of pawns on their end to handle their dirty work, too,” Zasshuma said with a shrug of his thick shoulders. “Ideally The Northern Whirlwind and his team would return around now and that’d make things a lot simpler, but unsurprisingly I haven’t heard from him at all.”

“Really? If my suspicions turn out to be true, then they’re the ones in the greatest danger... I really am a bit worried.”

“Hmph. Still, I’d feel like a fool worrying about a group like that. We’re talking about The Northern Whirlwind and three hunters of the forest’s edge. Even if a militia battalion surrounded them, they wouldn’t have much difficulty busting through. Of course... if they did that, they may well end up branded as traitors.”

If that happened, it would be like a repeat of how the Red Beards were wiped out ten years ago.

As long as Melfried was keeping a watchful eye I couldn’t imagine Cyclaeus acting so openly, but it was impossible to know just how far he would sink. Just how unscrupulous would he be if push came to shove?

“At any rate, we’ve got to keep our guard up till The Northern Whirlwind’s group returns, so that our feet aren’t swept out from under us. I can’t imagine you being endangered so easily with those hunters from the forest’s edge guarding you, but you should still make sure to remain vigilant.”

With that final warning, Zasshuma had departed.

A five-day period where neither Cyclaeus nor Melfried can easily make a move, huh? It’s true that something about that definitely sounds suspicious.

If we were assuming the worst, then this was exactly the period when we needed to be most on guard. And that went doubly so considering the guards’ unusual actions from this morning.

As I toiled away with such thoughts filling my head, Yumi showed up, marking the first time I had seen her in a bit.

“Hey there! Sorry it’s been so long since I was last able to stop by.”

“Ah, no, that’s down to me only being here till the sun hits its peak. So, how did things go with your father...?”

“It looks like that hardhead has finally made up his mind!” Yumi replied, leaning in with a dazzling smile. She wanted to serve giba cooking at her family’s inn too, but her father was the owner and he was firmly opposed, so she was in the midst of trying to convince him.

“Could you come by our place today or tomorrow? Apparently he at least wants to give talking with you a shot!”

“I see. You really worked hard there, Yumi.”

“I didn’t do anything,” she said with a wave of her hand. “All I did was tell my dad each night how I honestly felt after eating your delicious cooking! Ah, what a wonderful five days it’s been.”

“I’m certainly glad to hear you say that. But you heard about the plantation being attacked by bandits, didn’t you...?”

I also went ahead and told her how Milano Mas’s daughter had almost been abducted, too. Yumi had started off the conversation smiling, but her expression was steadily growing more and more grim.

“Hmm... A whole lot’s happened over these last few days, huh? When you say the daughter of The Kimyuus’s Tail’s owner, I guess you mean that sort of fragile-seeming girl... Yeah, I could see her not being so good at handling ruffians.”

“Right. And so, honestly, I can’t help but worry that I might end up bringing trouble to your place, too...”

“What are you saying?! This is not the time to worry about that sort of thing,” Yumi said with a smile, then crossed her arms under her prominent chest.

At that point, she leaned her head back in kind of a provocative manner, then shot me a sidelong glare. Her lips were twisted into a dauntless grin, and one eyebrow was raised in a way that made me feel like she was looking down on me... It was like she had suddenly returned to the delinquent-esque girl from the day we had first met.

“Right, I don’t think I’ve said it, but our customers aren’t exactly as classy as the folks who use The Kimyuus’s Tail. We get our fair share of rogues all the time, and it’s not like bloodshed’s all that rare either. We’re an inn that’s always handling ruffians.”

“Ah, um, really?”

“Yeah, that’s right. In fact, I threw some fruit wine in the face of a drunk who tried to grab my butt just yesterday. There are a lot of ruffians around here in the post town, so you’ve got to be prepared to at least go that far if you don’t want folks looking down on you,” she replied with a sneer, facing aside as she did so. It really did feel like I had traveled back a month or so. “So you don’t need to worry about us. Still, I guess there’s no helping it if you only want to deal with the nicer inns around.”

“N-No, of course not. And it’s reassuring to hear that you and your family can protect yourselves.”

“You really think so...?”

“Huh? Ah, yeah.”

“You’re not regretting getting close to a girl like me?”

“Of course I’m not.”

“I see... I’m glad,” Yumi said with a sigh, bringing a hand to her smooth forehead.

Then she looked up again, her expression once more that of the good-natured working girl.

“I already let you see it when we first met, but that’s the sort of girl I normally am. I don’t back down even around men, and I’ve ended up in the care of the guards more than just once or twice... To you, I probably just seem like another one of those ruffians around town, right?”

“That’s not true. I was a bit surprised just now since it’s been a while since I’d seen it, but I know that’s just another important aspect of who you are,” I replied.

Yumi let out an incomprehensible “Urk!” while brushing up her long hair. “Yup, that’s right. Neither is an act, and they’re both the real me. I’m always smiling away when I’m in front of you, so I figured maybe you’d hate me being the other way... but is it really alright?”

“It’s fine. Though I’ll admit I feel a little more relaxed when you’re just smiling.”

“Hmph! You sure do seem like you had a pampered upbringing, even though you’re a person of the forest’s edge!” she wailed in an almost desperate tone while glaring straight at me. And honestly, it was real cute how her bashfulness was clearly showing on her cheeks. “So, what do you say? Can you stop by The Westerly Wind today or tomorrow?”

“Well, today’s a little packed with work, but I’d be glad to do so tomorrow.”

“Got it. Tomorrow it is. Ah, and my old man has the look of a real scoundrel to him, so be prepared for that, alright?”

“Gah, really? Thanks for warning me in advance.”

Yumi broke out in a cheerful grin when she heard that.

“Well then, I’m heading back. Today I’m getting enough for me and my mom, so I’ll take two.”

And so, Yumi left with the two finished myamuu giba in hand.

Lala Ruu had patiently waited the whole time, but now she tugged at my sleeve and said, “Hey, are you alright expanding your business again and again like that? If that Kimyuus place decides to work with you too, then you’ll be selling your cooking to four inns in total, right?”

“Yeah, I should be able to make do somehow.”

I had roughly three and a half hours to devote to work in the evening. Currently, I was spending an hour each at The Sledgehammer and The Great Southern Tree, and the rest giving Milano Mas cooking lessons.

At this rate, if The Kimyuus’s Tail and The Westerly Wind both started working with me too it’d be kind of a harsh schedule, but it wasn’t like I had no room to improve my workflow. In fact, it wasn’t even that difficult to solve. I just needed to finish the prep work at home in order to cut down the time I needed to spend at each inn.

Since entrusting the giba burger preparations to Reina and Sheera Ruu, I had gained a good bit of leeway with my work at home. If I could just wrap up development of my new dish, I could devote that time to preparing instead.

But before that, I needed to come up with a kimyuus or karon dish for The Kimyuus’s Tail that could compete with giba meat cooking, as well as win over the owner of The Westerly Wind, who wasn’t fond of the people of the forest’s edge. That was ultimately what I needed to worry about first.

Above all else, though, was the matter with Cyclaeus. Like I had told Yumi, I intended to hold off on officially expanding my business till the meeting in ten days was over.

We’ve got no idea what sort of methods he may use to try to take down us people of the forest’s edge. So for now, I’ve just got to carefully watch how the situation plays out.

That might well have gone both for those of us trying to form bonds with the post town and also for Cyclaeus’s side which was trying to sever those bonds. It wasn’t something I could be certain of, but to me, lying low and firming up our foothold seemed like a smart plan.

“Sorry for the wait, Asuta,” a voice suddenly called out.

When I turned to look, I found Li Sudra standing next to the stalls, accompanied by the Rutim men who had been acting as bodyguards.

“Huh? Has the sun hit its peak already?”

“Yes... Is something the matter?”

“No, it just sort of snuck up on me, I guess.”

Yumi had shown up again for the first time in a while today, but there were still other customers I really wanted to talk with who hadn’t come by.

Diel had said she wouldn’t be able to come for a while, so I guess there was no helping that. But I found it a bit regrettable that I hadn’t been able to meet with Mikel or Sanjura. There was a lot I wanted to ask that charcoal seller about in regards to his wares, in particular.

Well, I guess I’ll have plenty of chances from tomorrow on. Still, what happened with Sanjura, exactly...?

I didn’t especially have any business with the man. It was just that I’d been seeing him every day for a while now, so I couldn’t help but feel a bit lonely.

Did his right arm finally heal and he started working again? I’d be glad to hear so, but still... He’s a wanderer who moves from one place to another. He said he’d like to visit the forest’s edge, too... If he were to suddenly leave Genos, I’d definitely feel pretty sad about it, I thought, despite such feelings seeming rather unfitting. Was I overlapping him with Shumiral in my head after all?

Shumiral’s hair was silver while Sanjura’s was chestnut colored, both unusual for easterners, but it wasn’t like they really resembled one another all that much. Still, Sanjura had such a gentle manner and acted so friendly that I’d grown quite fond of him.

Are Shumiral and Pops and everyone doing well...? I thought to myself as I set off for The Sledgehammer with Reina Ruu.

For today, we had four guards. After leaving the stalls to the young hunters of the Rutim, Ludo and Shin Ruu accompanied us alongside the two men from the branch families whose names I didn’t know.

“Hey, just let me ask one more time... Does it really seem like that Jeeda kid won’t be coming after us anymore?” Ludo Ruu asked, cautiously glancing around the surrounding area.

“Yeah. At the very least, Ai Fa and I think so.”

“Hmm... In that case, we’re back to where we don’t even know what to look out for, huh? It’ll be for the best if nothing happens, but it’s hard to stay motivated in that case, y’know?” Ludo Ruu grumbled, but even still, there remained a sharp look in his eyes.

In actuality, staying on guard against an enemy for hours on end with no idea how best to do so had to take a significant toll on one’s nerves.

The Ruu and the clans under them had been off for roughly half a month now, and this group had spent pretty much all of that time on guard duty. Honestly, I was seriously hoping that when I took a break for two days starting the day after tomorrow, they would take the chance to get some real rest.

“Alright, I can count on you to handle things inside, right, Shin Ruu?”

And so, we had safely arrived at The Sledgehammer again today. Ludo Ruu and the two young men from the branch houses remained outside, while Reina Ruu, Shin Ruu, and I stepped through the door into the inn.

“I’ve been awaiting your arrival, Asuta,” the owner Nail greeted with his usual expressionless look. There didn’t seem to be any customers around today either, and so silence soon fell back over the room.

Now that I thought about it, aside from Mikel three days back, I had never seen a customer at The Sledgehammer since I started working here.

“Most customers are generally out doing business or eating at this time of day. If we were always busy, I would certainly find it difficult to run this inn all on my own.”

“Ah, I see. Well, I guess pretty much any inn would be deserted around this time.”

And The Sledgehammer was the smallest inn I knew, which made it feel all the more empty.

“We actually do have customers remaining up on the second floor today, though, much as that is unusual. They wore rather intense expressions, so perhaps they’re handling some difficult business dealings or the like.”

“I see... Um, they’re not... obvious criminals or anything, are they?”

“They’re not. One is a westerner in rather fine clothing, and the other is a gentle-mannered customer from the east. And one of them has been staying for quite some time, so there shouldn’t be any need to worry. I’ve been trying to stay cautious in my own way, so please, be at ease.”

I seriously felt bad about causing the inn owners such worries. Nail in particular seemed to be trying especially hard to form a bond with the people of the forest’s edge, so that made me feel even worse.

“Ah, this is the meat for today.”

“You have my thanks.”

There was around 2.5 kilos of sirloin coated in pico leaves in the leather bag. After handing over the payment and accepting the bag, Nail swiftly went about transferring the contents to a jar filled with salt.

“By the way, are you going to be alright with meat for 50 meals tomorrow, like we discussed?” I asked while starting my cooking preparations.

“No,” Nail replied with a shake of his head. “My apologies, but I wish to change the amount. I’m sorry for the sudden request, but would it be possible to raise the amount to enough for 70 meals?”

“Huh? 70? That certainly is a lot.”

“Yes. Fortunately my simple giba cooking was received rather favorably, so I believe I should be able to sell that much during the two days that you are away.”

I was certainly glad to hear that. The Fa and the other nearby clans had steadily been catching giba, too, so there would be no problem sourcing the meat.

“In that case, I’ll prepare enough for 70 meals. I really can’t express how grateful I am, Nail.”

“I feel much the same way. Word has spread about giba cooking quite a bit lately, and so my dining hall has been packed night after night at dinner time,” Nail replied, the corners of his mouth twitching. He must have been desperately holding back a smile as best he could. It was times like this when it really showed that he wasn’t quite as skilled at hiding his expressions as easterners were. “I’ve started bringing in help from nearby just for that time of day, and yet I’ve still been earning plenty of profit. Even more importantly, I’ve been able to bring my customers joy and satisfaction.”

“It really does make me glad to hear that. And I look forward to continuing to work with you after my two days off.”

“As do I.”

It was then that a low voice called from outside the kitchen, “Is the owner around?”

I hadn’t heard the door to the inn open, so one of the customers from upstairs must have come down. After giving me a nod, Nail replied, “Yes, I’m coming now,” and headed that way.

“Alright, then how about we get to work too?”

“Right,” Reina Ruu nodded back with a smile.

Shin Ruu had been standing by the window, but perhaps in order to exercise the necessary caution since there was technically an outsider approaching, he somewhat quickly walked toward the entrance to the kitchen.

But then, before he could get there, some large figures stepped inside.

“Don’t say a word.”

Reina Ruu and I were left petrified, while Shin Ruu swiftly dropped into a battle-ready pose.

However, the young hunter was unable to do anything further.

Two men had entered the kitchen. One of them had one arm tightly wrapped around Nail to restrain him... and his other arm had a silver knife up against the man’s throat.

“Who are you?” Shin Ruu quietly asked, despite the fires burning bright in his eyes.

“I told you not to speak,” the man replied, pushing the knife closer without any hesitation. Though he wasn’t pressing the cutting edge to his throat directly, it must have still been touching, as there was a thin red line clearly visible.

Even so, Nail didn’t move a muscle. As to why... he had clearly fainted.

“We know that you have allies out front. If you try to pull anything, then we’ll cut this man down here and now.”

I had no clue what was going on... but for the time being, I couldn’t say a word.

We had just been having a peaceful conversation, but now Nail was unconscious and in the hands of some thug. It all just felt completely unreal.

As for the thugs... That was the only way I could think to describe them... Their faces were hidden, wrapped up in gray cloth like Melfried had once done. And their clothing, they were just very common leather cloaks and cloth attire. And they had their hoods pulled down so far that I couldn’t even make out the color of their eyes.

However, one of them seemed to be an easterner. He was tall and slender, and from what I could see of his arms and legs through the cloak, he had dark skin. There was a long sword dangling at his hip, while his left hand was holding a knife.

The other man was probably a westerner. Though he seemed taller than me, he had a short and stout build, and tanned-looking skin. He was the one holding Nail with a knife pressed to his throat.

“If you follow our instructions, we’ll let this man go. No one’s blood needs to be shed. You’re Asuta of the Fa clan, aren’t you...?” the stout man asked in a muffled voice.

In the meantime, the tall man kept a firm gaze on Shin Ruu, keeping his movements in check.

“Our employer would like to greet you as a guest. Come along with us. If you do so, we’ll let this man go.”

“Your employer...?”

Did he mean Cyclaeus? I couldn’t think of anyone else who would be trying something like this at the moment.

Still, just like with Milano Mas’s daughter, even if the idea was to have them pretend to be outlaws with grudges against the people of the forest’s edge, to bare their fangs at us so openly... If they were going to trample all over the laws of Genos this obviously, could even Cyclaeus brush it under the rug?

There was no time to be worrying about that now, though. And so, while forcing my panicked mind to somehow calm itself, I replied, “You want to welcome me as a guest? That’s completely absurd. Who invites someone as a guest while threatening them with knives?!”

“Don’t go running your mouth...” the man emotionlessly answered, again gripping his knife tighter.

With that, Nail’s blood started falling drop by drop onto the floor.

“Stop it! Don’t hurt him!”

Though I was thinking more clearly, I still wasn’t able to hold back the rage bubbling forth in me.

Just how far were these two planning to go, exactly?

“Do you really think you’ll get away with doing something like this in the middle of the post town? We have allies right outside, and the guards have their patrols too, you know.”

Or would the guard look the other way for these villains?

No, I just couldn’t imagine they would be able to do something like that right in the middle of the day. Besides, between the guards this morning and what I could infer from Mikel’s words, the guys at the bottom didn’t seem to all blindly follow Cyclaeus’s orders. And I couldn’t imagine them openly ignoring the laws of Genos where the people of the post town could see.

Still, to pull something like this with just the two of them... Even if they have a hostage, couldn’t a hunter of the forest’s edge still turn the tables on them?

Shin Ruu was a mere two meters away from the men. Considering how much more skilled hunters of the forest’s edge were than normal folks, it really did feel like we could expect him to pull something off at that distance.

Plus, Shin Ruu was speedier than even Rau Lea. He might have been a step short of Ai Fa and Ludo Ruu, but a hunter his age definitely should have packed a pretty strong punch, too.

With that in mind, I shot Shin Ruu a sideways glance... but though his eyes were blazing bright, there was a cold sweat clinging to his forehead and cheeks.

No good, huh...?

When I followed Shin Ruu’s gaze, I found that man who seemed to be from Sym standing there. He was casually holding his knife, and showed no signs of being intimidated by the intense pressure Shin Ruu was exuding as a hunter.

It... sort of looks like Shin Ruu’s the one being overwhelmed, somehow...

However, it didn’t make any sense for that to be the case when we were talking about someone from town facing off with a hunter from the forest’s edge. Apparently even bodyguards like Zasshuma and swordsmen like Labis didn’t come close to measuring up. Only a handful of folks in town could match—

As that thought hit me, a chill ran down my spine.

It couldn’t be...

I shook my head, thinking there was just no way.

“Come here, Asuta of the Fa clan. If you’re nice and obedient, that will settle things,” the one man said, his voice sounding ever so slightly irritated.

The man from Sym, meanwhile, remained silent and unmoving.

“Will you really let him go...? Here and now?”

“You certainly are tedious. Just hurry up and do it.”

“Alright...” I replied, moving to step forward.

Instantly, Shin Ruu whispered, “You can’t... Don’t approach those men. We can’t afford to lose you, Asuta.”

“Yeah, but... I’m sorry. I can’t just abandon Nail, either,” I replied, the image of my beloved clan head floating up in my mind as I did so.

I’m sorry, Ai Fa. I swear I won’t ever give up, all the way to the bitter end... But for now, this is all I can do.

There was no way I could just leave Nail to his fate.

And besides, he must have seen the villains’ faces.

Since we had hunters from the forest’s edge watching the front and back entrances, I had no doubt: These must have been the two who were up on the second floor, pretending to be customers.

In that case, Nail’s testimony should be able to pin them as the criminals. There’s gotta be a chance to turn things around somehow.

Besides, I couldn’t think of anything to do under the circumstances but obey. If these men really were too much for Shin Ruu to handle, then not just Nail but even Reina Ruu could be in danger here, too.

“Asuta...” she whispered, sounding about ready to cry.

After taking a single breath, I went ahead and stepped forward.

Shin Ruu twitched, only for the tall man to threaten him with his knife.

“Alright... Grab him.”

The tall man gave a little nod, then took hold of me with his open right arm. He wasn’t holding on all that strongly, but he instantly placed his knife up against my throat.

“That’s enough, right? Let him go.”

“Hmph...” the westerner snorted, letting Nail loose from his grip.

With that, the inn owner fell limply to the floor.

“Don’t go making any unnecessary moves. Our employer really does just want to welcome you as a guest. As long as you listen and behave yourself, you should be able to return to your normal everyday life again tomorrow.”

Those words really weren’t persuasive in the least when I had a blade pressed against my throat.

As Shin Ruu’s eyes burned away with chagrin, he growled, “You motherless bastards... If you put so much as a single scratch on Asuta, I will end you, even if it costs me my life.”

The kidnappers offered no response.

However, the stout one reached into his cloak and pulled out some sort of scrap of cloth giving off an irritating smell.

“Don’t move,” he said as he held that cloth over my nose and mouth.

It was heavily soaked in something. I got a strange sense of déjà vu as a sweet aroma filled my nose and started fogging up my mind.

Melemele herbs...?

I suddenly recalled that nightmare from back at the Suun settlement.

But even that quickly grew cloudy, as my consciousness swiftly faded.

The last thing I recalled was the kidnapper holding me saying, “Asuta, you are not in, danger. Please, use your skill for the sake, of my employer.”

And when he did so, it was in Sanjura’s voice.

3

I dreamed, and in that dream, Ai Fa was crying. She was angry. She was laughing.

All sorts of Ai Fas showed me all sorts of expressions and then vanished. It was a dream that filled me with both sadness that could split me in half, and joy that could make me burst.

Ai Fa had stared at me with teary eyes. Shot me a chilly glare. Wrapped her arms around me with a warm look.

Stay by my side, forever.

When had that been, exactly?

Ai Fa hugged me close in the dark.

I swear I’ll stay with you my whole life, too.

I’d make that promise over and over, as many times as I had to.

As long as Ai Fa allowed it, and this very world itself didn’t reject me, I would remain with her.

I wouldn’t leave her side until my body gave out.

Until a god or devil or whatever decided to mess with my fate again and throw me back into those flames, I swore I would never be apart from her.

I don’t want to lose anyone again...

On that day, I lost everything.

My old man and my childhood friend Reina, and the precious life I had built up with them was all gone thanks to my rash actions.

I couldn’t bear the thought of feeling such despair again.

So Ai Fa...

Please, don’t let go of this hand...

As the empty space around us wavered, I hugged Ai Fa tight. However, as I did so, her body scattered apart and vanished.

And then I woke up.

◇

“Uugh...?”

When I came to, I found myself lying down and hugging my own body.

It had been such a vivid dream, but as it slipped away from my memory, it left behind nothing but a vague lingering sense of loneliness.

What in the world was I doing in a place like this...?

It was like there was a sort of white haze filling my mind, leaving my thoughts and emotions all murky.

When was it...? Where was I...?

And so, I tried to focus my hazy vision.

The first thing I saw was an unfamiliar plaster ceiling.

And what I was lying on was a bed. It had a thin, fluffy mattress like a futon that felt real pleasant on my back.

“Futon... Futon?!” I questioned, shooting up.

Instantly, I was struck by a powerful sense of vertigo and felt like I was about to faint.

It was a fact that I was atop a bed, and that there was a soft futon laid out under me.

And it wasn’t like the layered thick cloth I had seen at the forest’s edge. No, it was an airy, high-class mattress that supported me gently like a dream.

A sense of terror was creeping in, slowly eating away at me.

There’s just no way, I thought, stricken by the worry that I had been thrust once again into some new unfamiliar world.

As I wiped the cold sweat from my brow, I tried looking about my surroundings.

I really hadn’t seen a room built like this one before after all.

The four walls were built with what looked to be white bricks with a yellowing tint, and there was a double door on the one to my right. There was a tall partitioning screen of some sort blocking my view in the other three directions, but from the size of the ceiling I assumed the room was around 13 square meters. Right next to the bed was a small wooden table with a vase on top, as well as a chair. And that was pretty much it in terms of furnishings.

However, that table and the bed I was sleeping on were adorned with subtle engravings, and in general seemed of high quality. And this fluffy futon had to be stuffed with down or something, plus the surface felt smooth like silk rather than regular cloth.

As for the folding screen blocking my view, it had an indigo-blue background and some sort of unfamiliar bird design embroidered using vibrant thread. It was showy like a peacock or a phoenix, and there were detailed fangs in its beak, making it look like some eerie cross between a bird and a reptile. I had no idea what it was, but regardless, something made with that much gorgeous detail must have cost a fortune.

And then, there was the thick rug spread out atop the floor. I didn’t know if it was more Persian or Turkish in style, but it had a richly-colored, complex geometric pattern to it. That luxury stood out weirdly when put next to crudely-crafted brick walls.

It was a stately, extravagant room overall.

At the very least, it didn’t seem to be any sort of jail.

However... I also wasn’t familiar with this style of room, either.

“What is this place, exactly...?”

It was a brick-built room of a sort not seen in my old world, the settlement at the forest’s edge, or the Genos post town.

I could feel the unease in me building more and more.

With that, I closed my eyes for a moment, gave my cloudy head a light jab, and then made up my mind and tried to get up.

And in the same moment, a voice called out, “Oh, my... You have awoken...?”

I could feel my heart almost leap out of my chest.

When I turned to face the direction the voice had come from, I found a figure casually appearing from beyond the partitioning screen.

“My apologies for failing to have realized... How are you feeling...?”

Her listless, slow way of speaking reminded me just a bit of Vina Ruu. However, naturally this wasn’t her. This young woman was just about as much of a looker, though, and even taller.

Her skin was porcelain white, even paler than folks from Jagar.

As for her hair, it was a beautiful gold like honey, and spiraled all the way down to her hips. Her eyes were purple like amethyst. This was my first time seeing anyone but Kamyua Yoshu with eyes like that.

“I am the one tasked with assisting you, and my name is Chiffon Chel... You are Sir Asuta of the Fa clan, correct...?”

Asuta of the Fa clan... So I was still in a world where someone would use that name, huh?

I placed both hands on the soft bedding and breathed a hearty sigh of relief.

However, that wasn’t all I was feeling. In this case, it meant I had been abducted by some real bastards.

The hazy feeling muddying my thoughts had to be an aftereffect of that drug that was used to knock me out. It must have been some sort of extract made from melemele leaves, which induced sleep.

And as I recalled about Ai Fa, Shin Ruu, and Ludo Ruu with that murky head of mine, I started grinding my teeth. There was no time for being stricken with despair, though. After all, I was in the middle of the enemy camp.

“Are you alright...? If you are not feeling well, then it would be best to rest for a while—”

“No, I’m fine,” I replied, once more facing that girl who had introduced herself as Chiffon Chel.

She really was a beautiful woman. Her facial features were finely chiseled, with a sort of nordic look to them. However, her soft, slender chin gave her a look of elegance and grace.

And she was rather tall, too. In fact, she was probably taller than me. And that tall, curvy body of hers was wrapped in a long, loose white gown.

Plus, she had numerous accessories around her hair, limbs, and neck, so when combined with her golden hair and pale skin, she reminded me of a goddess out of Greek mythology.

How old was she, exactly? She was tall and had a relaxed air about her, but she also wore a somehow cherubic-looking expression.

“Um, where exactly am I? Is this... the Genos castle town?”

She had called me “Asuta of the Fa clan.” Combined with what I was seeing of this room, I couldn’t think of any other answer.

The Genos castle town... The heart of Genos surrounded by thick walls, where only nobles and those they recognized were allowed to come and go.

At that, Chiffon Chel placed her hand over her mouth and giggled.

“My... You weren’t even informed of that much, Sir Asuta...? Still, my apologies. I am not permitted to divulge anything unnecessarily...”

“Then could you call for someone reasonable for me to speak with? I was threatened with knives and brought here against my will, you know.”

“I see... Well then, allow me to lead you downstairs...” Chiffon Chel replied, slowly approaching me.

I braced myself without thinking, but she actually stopped at the table rather than the bed.

Her fingers, pale as icefish, reached down and picked up a silver object from behind the vase. From what I could tell, it looked to be a delicately-adorned handbell. With it she let out a light jingle, and in response the doors to the room opened from the outside.

“Sir Asuta of the Fa clan has awoken... I wish to guide him downstairs...”

There were two soldiers standing outside the doors. Both of them had medium builds, and from what I could tell they looked to be westerners. It wasn’t to the extent of the ducal guard, but their leather armor was noticeably decorated, and they wore narrow longswords at their hips. At the very least, these seemed to be different men than the thugs who kidnapped me.

Sanjura... Was that really you...?

Just before my consciousness cut off I heard his voice, but it wasn’t ever clear to me if that was a dream or not. But that kidnapper was tall and dark skinned, strong enough to overwhelm even Shin Ruu... and he held his knife in his left hand. Sanjura, meanwhile, had injured his right arm.

But why would Sanjura do something like that...? Was he really the sort to take part in such a crooked plot?

Naturally, the answers to those questions remained a mystery.

However, I couldn’t imagine that plot working out without properly grasping the relationship between me and Nail. I mean, we were talking using a mere business acquaintance as a hostage to get me to do what they wanted. You would need to know a decent bit about our characters in order to know that would work.

And Sanjura was both a regular at my stall and had been staying at The Sledgehammer. In that case, it would be easy for him to sense that Nail was a supporter of the people of the forest’s edge, as well as how someone like me would deal with him.

The more I thought on the matter, the tighter the sensation in my chest grew. I had been torn away from my comrades at the forest’s edge and my old man’s precious knife, left with nothing but the clothes on my back in a place like this. And on top of that, it seemed I had been acting out a one-sided friendship only to find myself stabbed in the back.

“Well then, let us be off...” Chiffon Chel stated, gracefully swaying toward the soldiers.

And as I held back the various emotions welling up inside of me, I followed after.

Beyond the door stretched a hallway. Sure enough, the walls were made of brick, while a rug was laid out atop the floor. The ceiling was high, but the passage wasn’t actually all that wide. And the only light source was some small windows set up high, so it was pretty dim.

We walked just ten meters down the hall with soldiers in front of and behind us, and then a stone spiral staircase came into view.

Once we made it downstairs, we stepped into another hallway no better than the last. The place really did have a suffocating feel to it.

“This way...” Chiffon Chel stated, gesturing toward a notably larger door.

One of the soldiers silently pushed it open, only for a lukewarm air to cling to me.

What is this room?

It was a room without any noteworthy furnishings, seriously looking like a jail cell. And the bricks or stone or whatever were bare under my feet, too.

However there was another large door further in, so it must have been an antechamber or something.

So the mastermind behind those ridiculous orders is on the other side, huh?

I couldn’t imagine anyone but Cyclaeus doing such a thing. However, I had heard that the nobles in charge of politics were supposed to be stuck in the castle starting today. I certainly didn’t think this was the heart of the castle itself, but still... Just what exactly was the truth here, anyway?

“Please, come along...” Chiffon Chel said, stepping forward without any hesitation.

The soldiers, meanwhile, stopped on either side of the inner door.

And when Chiffon Chel went ahead and pulled the door open, an abnormal amount of heat and moisture came flowing forth.

“Gyah!” I shouted without thinking, only for cold fingers to grab hold of my wrist.

“Now then, hurry along. The heat will end up escaping, otherwise...”

“Wh-What is this room?”

She had closed the door tight behind us, and we now stood in a room filled to the brim with white steam.

I couldn’t even tell the room’s depth. That was just how thick the steam was.

And also... I could detect a faint whiff of herbs. It was a different smell than lilo, pico, or melemele, and was instead something closer to mugwort. It really wasn’t an unpleasant aroma at all, but still, it put me seriously on guard.

“Is something the matter...?” Chiffon Chel questioned, smiling from beyond the white haze.

With that, her hand circled around to her back, and her white gown slid down to her feet. And so, her naked body even whiter than the steam was now fully exposed before my eyes.

“Wh-Wh-What do you think you’re doing?!”

“I am unsure how to answer that... I was ordered to help with dressing you after all, Sir Asuta...” she replied, now removing the accessories from her limbs. I could just barely make out that she at least seemed to have something like a loincloth around her hips.

However, aside from that, she was stark naked. If it weren’t for the steam being so thick, I probably would have been panicking twice as much as I was now.

“Now then, Sir Asuta, your attire, please...”

Her white, supple arms stretched out toward me like twin snakes.

“Uwaah!” I wailed, my back now up against the closed door.

“B-By dressing, you mean... Is this a bath?!”

“A bath...? Well, it is a bathhouse...”

It turned out my hunch had hit the mark. I was vaguely aware that even back in Japan, steam baths were commonplace instead of bathtubs all the way up to the Edo era. Of course, that response didn’t put me any more at ease.

“At any rate, we must start by cleansing your body. Now then, your attire, please...”

“I-I get that this room is for bathing! And if I have to clean myself, then I’ll do so! But I seriously don’t need any help!”

“Oh, my... But if I do not carry out my duty, then I will be whipped...”

“Duty? This is a duty for you?!”

“Yes... Entertaining guests is the reason for living granted to me...” Chiffon Chel said with a faint smile as she approached me.

She really did seem to be five centimeters or so taller than me.

“I am especially good at scrubbing, so you have nothing to worry about.” Those icefish-like fingers wormed their way under my t-shirt. “Oh, my... Sir Asuta, you have such smooth skin, like a woman’s... It certainly seems like it will be satisfying to polish up...”

I ended up shrieking from the depths of my soul for someone to save me. However, that did nothing but churn about the steam in the bathhouse, and ultimately no help ever came.

◇

Approximately 20 minutes had passed.

I felt like some of my dignity as a human being had been scrubbed away with the filth as I collapsed in the antechamber where the guards were waiting.

“Have you still not fully resuscitated after all...?” Chiffon Chel asked in a concerned tone, peeking out. I had intended to tell her that wasn’t it, but I wasn’t able to form the words.

I had also been forced to wear fresh clothing that had been prepared while I was in the bathhouse. The outfit consisted of a milky white sleeveless vest, and some loose clothing that reminded me of harem pants. The whole ensemble was white from top to bottom, with only the leather shoes standing out by being camel colored instead.

“Well then, shall we be off...? The sun seems to have gone down quite a bit, after all...”

“Ah, hold on. What are you planning on doing with my clothes?”

What I previously had on was now balled up like trash in a woven basket.

“Yes, well, if it is alright, I was intending to dispose of them for you...”

“That’d be an issue. They’re all very precious to me, after all,” I said, pulling the tusk and horn necklace out of the basket and putting it on. “Please make sure not to get rid of any of the rest, either. I’d like to change back into that outfit again when leaving,” I managed to get out a bit forcefully, only for Chiffon Chel to break out in an amused smile.

“Very well... I will assist you again when that time comes...”

“No thank you!” I wailed, rising to my feet.

“Well then, let us be off...”

With that, we met back up with the soldiers and once again started walking down the hallway. And this time, we ignored the spiral staircase and kept on heading straight instead.

Though we ended up making numerous turns as we went, we just weren’t coming to an open space. Not only did the place make me feel like I was locked up just by being there, it also seemed to be built a bit like a labyrinth.

“This is it...” Chiffon Chel stated, stopping before another door.

So this was finally going to be my confrontation with the despicable mastermind, huh?

Kidnapping someone at knifepoint and then making them bathe before even meeting them sure sounded like the sort of ridiculous thing a noble would do. The first thing I had to do was try to get them to consider peacefully returning me to the post town, but I had some serious doubts as to whether or not I’d be able to hold back the defiant rage brewing inside of me.

Even so, I absolutely couldn’t lose my temper. No matter what, I needed to overcome this dilemma and make it back to Ai Fa.

As those thoughts ran through my head, I stepped through the door... only to feel seriously let down.

I suppose I really should have expected a development like this. Rather than an audience chamber with a haughty noble, it was something I was much more familiar with... A kitchen.

“Now then, this is the place where you will be working, Sir Asuta...”

So their reasoning for abducting a chef like me was to have me cook for them after all, huh? Now that I thought about it, that kidnapper I figured had to be Sanjura had said something like, “Please use your skill for the sake of my employer.” Still, it was absolutely ridiculous to ask me to cook before even explaining what was going on.

“What’s the deal here, exactly? I’d like an explanation,” I questioned in a firm tone despite being extremely curious about the kitchen.

The soldiers were still standing by outside and showed no signs of entering the room, so the one to answer cheerfully was of course Chiffon Chel.

“Our employer desires your cooking, Sir Asuta... Please ask Sir Roy for more details if you wish...”

“Roy? Who is that?”

“He is one of the chefs of this palace, and he will be assisting you... Are you there, Sir Roy...?” Chiffon Chel called out, raising her voice a little.

“Yeah, yeah,” a voice roughly answered from the half-opened door on the other side of the kitchen. “So he’s finally here, huh? I’ve got my own work to handle, you know, so this really is a pain,” the voice grumbled as a single young man emerged.

He looked to be about 20 or so and was a westerner. On his head he wore a cylindrical hat, and he had on the same sort of white outfit I did. Yup, he certainly looked the part of a chef.

Dark brown hair spilled out from under his hat, and his skin was lightly freckled. As for his height and build, they weren’t all that different from my own, so he certainly was far from burly.

“Hmph, so you’re today’s last-moment arrival, eh?”

His light brown eyes showed some serious doubt as they started inspecting me up and down. His face had the gentle look of a young man with a good upbringing, but right now, he appeared rather frustrated.

“Well, whatever. Just hurry up and get started already. I can’t get to work on my own tasks till we’re done with yours.”

“Hold on a moment. I was kidnapped against my will, you know? You’ve got to be joking, suddenly going and telling me to cook after something like that,” I objected, only for Roy to turn and shoot Chiffon Chel an annoyed look.

“Hey, you didn’t tell him anything at all? All I was ordered to do was help him cook.”

“My apologies, Sir Roy... Um, Sir Asuta, I was informed that you were told the details of your task...”

“I wasn’t told anything. Like I said before, I was threatened with a knife and dragged here.”

Neither Chiffon Chel or Roy here seemed the types to support such wrongdoing, so I tried making that assertion.

However, Chiffon Chel just politely smiled, while Roy disinterestedly turned away. Apparently even if they didn’t approve of such actions, they also didn’t sympathize with my circumstances.

“Well then, allow me to explain... Our employer desires your cooking, Sir Asuta. If what you make proves satisfactory, then you will be rewarded... This is what I was told.”

“And... if I were to refuse?”

“That... would most likely result in a whipping.”

“Something that outrageous is seriously allowed here in Genos?” I flared up without thinking.

“No...” Chiffon Chel replied with a listless shake of her head. “I would be the one to be whipped... Our employer would surely view such a result as coming from some blunder on my part, after all...”

“What the heck. There’s no logic to hitting you at all.”

“Our employer needs no reason in order to hit me...”

With those words, I had the answer to a question that had been building in the back of my mind.

“You said your name is Chiffon Chel, right? I apologize if I’m wrong, but... are you perhaps from Mahyudra?”

With that, Chiffon Chel gave another amused giggle.

“I am not supposed to speak out of turn, but do I really look like anything but a northerner...?”

I knew it, I thought with a sigh. In the Western Kingdom of Selva, people of the enemy nation of Mahyudra were employed as slaves.

In that case, this really was Cyclaeus’s manor. After all, Kamyua Yoshu had once said that twisted noble was the only one who would buy slaves here in Genos, so far from the border with Mahyudra.

Seriously, just how repulsive can one man be, damn it?

As that girl in those awful circumstances just scratched at her pretty head, I turned to face her once again.

“Well then, if I make some food, I’ll be returned home properly? I believe the men who kidnapped me said something to that effect.”

“Yes... However, you must not hold back when carrying out your work. I am told that if what you present is unsatisfactory, you will be forbidden from doing business in the post town...”

“That doesn’t make any damn sense at all! Um... just to confirm, this is the manor of Count Cyclaeus Turan, isn’t it?”

I got no response.

Chiffon Chel smiled like she was soothing a child, while Roy gave an affected shrug of his shoulders.

“Looking at the circumstances, I figure that has to be the case. I mean, this couldn’t be Duke Marstein Genos’s castle, right...?”

In response, I got back a ridiculing snort and a, “Ha! Genos castle? What are you, stupid? I don’t know if you’re from the forest’s edge or the post town or whatever, but do you really think someone like you would be allowed in a place like that?”

“If I’m wrong, then that’s fine. But Count Turan should be busy in the castle starting from today on, right? So I don’t get how exactly I ended up in these circumstances.”

“Sir Asuta... I am terribly sorry, but we are only permitted to say so much...”

“So I really will need to cook without even getting to know who’s behind this whole farce? And if they’re satisfied I’ll get a reward, while if they’re not they’ll crush my business in the post town?”

“No... The matter of your business relates to a desire to have you give your full effort, from what I was told. As long as your cooking is not excessively poor, I believe you shall not be met with such punishment...”

“But it comes down to the tastes of the person eating a dish to determine how they rate it, right?”

“Yes...” Chiffon Chel replied with a troubled looking tilt of her head. “However, all our employer desires is delicious food... It has nothing to do with you personally, Sir Asuta, and in fact you were invited to this manor in recognition of your skill. So there should be no need for you to worry...”

“So regardless of whether my cooking’s to their tastes or not, they’ll let me go home once that’s done with? And as long as it’s not especially awful, they won’t interfere with my business in the post town?”

“Yes... Or at least, I was told as much...”

“If those words are true, then that does a lot to put my mind at ease.”

However, I couldn’t exactly put much faith in the honesty of someone who wouldn’t even show me their face. And that went even more so for someone who had me abducted by force.

Still... What exactly was the deal with these circumstances? It was true that I’d heard Cyclaeus was a famed gourmand, but would he really try something like this when we were in the middle of trying to expose his old crimes?

Perhaps it was only obvious he’d find someone like me an unacceptable interloper, seeing as I was a foreigner who called himself a person of the forest’s edge and had started doing business in the post town. But I guess if he had such culinary interests, he could have ended up taking note of my skill.

Why now, though? Having bandits dress as hunters of the forest’s edge and attack plantations, going after Milano Mas’s daughter, and suddenly getting guards to start advocating for us... Compared to all those various plots, this one just felt far too sloppy.

Actually, “sloppy” probably wasn’t enough to cover openly abducting me at knife point in the middle of the day and bringing me back to his own home. Between my testimony and Nail’s, we should be able to properly charge him with this crime. And considering Melfried had no less authority than Cyclaeus did, we would definitely be able to avoid having this all swept under the rug by bringing it up with him.

Was Cyclaeus really enough of a fool to commit such a stupid crime when he was already under pressure?

Plus, if all he wanted was a single night’s dinner, why not just tell that to the leading clan heads? He was clearly in a higher position, and if he just accepted the condition of letting us bring guards, they probably wouldn’t be able to stubbornly refuse.

It seemed almost certain that Cyclaeus was involved in this plot somehow, but I couldn’t help but feel something was out of place here.

“Hey, in that case why not just withdraw to your room? I’d seriously appreciate it too, as it’d mean less pointless work for me,” Roy chimed in, his voice dripping with irritation.

I went ahead and gave the thought some serious consideration.

Mikel had warned that I absolutely shouldn’t show my skills to Cyclaeus, no matter what. I had no guarantee that wicked noble was behind all this, but would it be wisest to just hole up in that brick room, at least until five days passed and Melfried was free to act again?

“No, Sir Asuta. I do not wish to say such things, but... I believe an action such as that would prove dangerous...”

“Dangerous?”

“Yes... Today our employer is in a very good mood at the thought of having a long held desire fulfilled. But if you were to upset them with your actions, then you could very well be the one who ends up getting whipped...”

“Hey, if you go speaking out of turn, then you’ll get whipped, right?” Roy sneered with contempt.

The revulsion I had been suppressing was now boiling back up in the pit of my stomach.

“Got it. At any rate, I’ve just got to cook, huh?”

In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess.

The other side had my fate in the palm of their hands, anyway.

I believed that the best choice was to meet this head on, trusting that Kamyua Yoshu’s plotting and the leading clan heads’ efforts would eventually take Cyclaeus down. Even if he grew fixated on my cooking, if he fell from power it ultimately wouldn’t matter.

Besides... I don’t think I could stand five whole days apart from Ai Fa.

Plus my clan head would have to spend that time not even knowing where I was taken. Just imagining inflicting that pain and loneliness upon her was enough to cause my heart to break.

I’ll make it back home, no matter what it takes.

And so, I ended up cooking food for a noble in their manor.