Chapter 1: The Dearly Missed Post Town

1

It was the tenth of the white month, the day after Ai Fa and everyone had managed to free me from the Turan manor in the castle town.

Having spent the night at the Ruu settlement, Ai Fa and I then got the leading clan head Donda Ruu’s permission and headed out for the post town. For bodyguards we were accompanied by a group of five hunters, including the very familiar faces of Ludo and Shin Ruu.

Naturally we hadn’t gotten permission yet to resume business, but instead we were to check out the state of the post town to prepare for doing so, as well as check in with our various acquaintances around town.

Since Reina Ruu and the rest had kept up with the stalls and inns, it would be easy enough for me to just join back in. However, Donda Ruu had determined it would be best not to act carelessly until they saw how Cyclaeus would explain himself to the leading clan heads today, once the sun hit its peak.

Cyclaeus had acted all modest yesterday, but it was hard to say just how exactly he would behave now that a new day had dawned. Had he really been unaware of the whole incident? Would Lefreya and her underlings be properly judged? With only five days left until the meeting that would determine how the Suun clan would be dealt with, the relationship between Cyclaeus and the people of the forest’s edge had grown more strained than ever before.

“Now that I think about it, Gulaf Zaza must be awfully mad at all this trouble I stirred up, huh?” I asked as we were walking down the path.

With a rather intense look my way, Ai Fa replied, “Indeed,” with a nod. “He really came after Donda Ruu and myself, saying we invited this by going and doing business in the post town of all things. But more than that, he seemed furious that you were kidnapped by those fiends.”

“Huh? You don’t mean he was worried about me, do you...?”

“Yes. Though you were born in another nation entirely, the fact that you were welcomed as one of our comrades means you must be treated as a person of the forest’s edge. And anyone who points a blade at one of our number can never be forgiven... Blood is to be met with blood, and blades with blades.”

“I see...”

“Donda Ruu was also enraged in his own way, and refused to budge from his firm assertion that Cyclaeus was behind this incident. If it weren’t for Gazraan Rutim and Dari Sauti insisting we mustn’t take up arms without any proof, all the hunters of the forest’s edge could have ended up storming the castle gates.”

There were roughly five hundred people of the forest’s edge in total. Assuming half of them were men, and subtracting out children under the age of thirteen... there still had to be around two hundred hunters in total.

I didn’t know how many soldiers there were in Genos, but regardless I couldn’t imagine them managing to keep their cool when faced with that many hunters. If things went badly, it could even end up as a literal battle for survival between Genos and the forest’s edge. Just imagining that was enough to send a chill running down my spine.

“Seriously, this time around we had to build up some real resolve, too. Plus, the whole thing was caused by us failing to protect you in the first place...” Ludo Ruu chimed in, the same sort of look in his eyes that Ai Fa had. “The Ruu clan had four whole hunters present, but just two thugs got the better of us. It was so shameful we were just about ready to smash our own heads open over it.”

“I seriously am sorry. I wasn’t anywhere near cautious enough, either.”

“That’s not true at all. It was our job to protect you, Asuta. Geez, my old man yelled at me, and Ai Fa was crying, and—”

“Ludo Ruu...” Ai Fa growled, cutting the youth off.

“Ah, no, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not talking about some childish sobbing, y’know. She had a scary look in her eyes like my old man, and the tears just—”

“Ludo Ruu!”

“Alright, I get it. Anyway, we won’t go screwing up again. We’ll work like crazy and make sure we carry out our task.”

I was just about drowning in guilt as I listened to Ludo Ruu. From last night all the way up until now, no one from the forest’s edge had directed so much as a single word of blame my way.

Apparently, that was because everyone knew that a pathetic chef like me could never protect himself. So despite all the self-condemnation Ludo and Shin Ruu were awash in, I was getting a complete pass. And I found that incredibly painful to bear.

“Oh, we finally made it,” Ludo Ruu called out.

I looked up, and found we were already in the shadows of the town’s buildings.

The wagon was loaned out to Reina Ruu’s group, and we wouldn’t use Gilulu for a group this size, and so we had just been walking the path.

By this point, the sun had already nearly hit its peak. In other words, Cyclaeus and the leading clan heads would be starting their meeting at any moment. That was just how long it took us to swing by the Fa house and take care of the bare minimum chores we had to do after staying overnight at the Ruu settlement.

“Sorry you’ve had to take multiple days in a row off from hunting, Ai Fa...” I whispered.

“Don’t say that,” Ai Fa replied with a bitter look. “I did it all of my own volition. You should feel no responsibility in the matter.”

“Oh, that’s right. Since it’s only the two of you in your house, hunting just one giba in five days would be enough work to keep you going just fine. And since Ai Fa’s been going and catching more than that left and right for a while now, nobody could possibly blame her for taking a bit of a break,” Ludo Ruu remarked.

With a gloomy look, Ai Fa replied, “Right...” with a nod. Even so, I figured Ai Fa’s pride wouldn’t accept putting her work as a hunter second even if the Ruu clan were asking for a skilled bodyguard.

By the way, in the past half month Ai Fa had kept on hunting down giba at a pace of one every two days rather than five. Including the money I had been making, the Fa clan was amassing more and more fortune that we didn’t know what to do with.

“More importantly, it’s time to finally cross over into the post town. I can’t imagine anyone here would be dumb enough to do this today of all days, but don’t let your guards down, alright?”

The young hunters of the branch houses surrounding me all nodded, piercing looks in their eyes.

As for me, well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Thanks to that whole commotion surrounding me, it was possible a crucial fracture had occurred in the relationship between the people of the forest’s edge and the townsfolk, and I was about to find out firsthand.

Of course Reina Ruu and everyone had kept doing business, and from what I was told, sales remained steady, so perhaps there was no need to worry. And yet, I just couldn’t feel all that optimistic about matters.

“Alright, let’s get going,” Ludo Ruu commanded, and we slipped past the buildings and set foot on the stone highway.

The sun was already high in the sky, and so the street was packed with people.

As we walked further along, a southerner hurrying the other way went, “Huh?” and turned to face us. “Hey, if it isn’t the giba seller kid!”

I somehow recognized the man, so he must have come by the stalls numerous times. Since southerners were generally around the same stature and always had those disheveled dark brown mustaches, though, a lot of them tended to blend together in my mind.

“You really did make it back! I had heard rumors, but still! So you were kidnapped by some noble girl and trapped in the castle town?”

“Huh? People have already spread that around the post town?”

As I stood there shocked, Ai Fa glared at me out of the corner of her eye.

“I already told you that everyone tied to you was informed of last night’s happenings in advance, did I not? We only asked them to hold their tongues until sunset, and to actually spread the information after that point... By doing so, even if I was also captured after setting foot in the castle town, it would be possible to make further moves. Or at least, that was how Gazraan Rutim’s plan went.”

So in that case, the fact that Cyclaeus’s daughter Lefreya had her underlings Mussel and Sanjura kidnap me was already widely known throughout the post town?

“Of course, if it turned out that Jeeda boy was lying it would mean we had sullied Cyclaeus’s name without proof, but we had no time to worry about such niceties. After all, it had already been five days since you were kidnapped by that point...”

The southerner shot us a suspicious look as we whispered away, then adjusted the load on his shoulders and turned around.

“Well, at any rate, I’m glad things ended up alright. I’ll be looking forward to the day you’re open again for business, alright?”

“Ah, yes, thank you!”

With that, the man disappeared into the crowd.

Even after that, though, plenty of folks called out to us as we walked down the street.

Despite there being six hunters in our group including Ai Fa, around half of the passersby didn’t seem concerned by that fact in the least. Did that mean the townsfolk really had built up a resistance to seeing hunters after sixty of them were coming into town for several days on end?

The easterners we passed had their faces hidden under their hoods and just gave small nods, while cheerful southerners called out stuff like, “Glad to see you got your buddy back,” to Ludo and Shin Ruu, which surprised me.

On the other hand, it was true that some percentage of the crowd looked even more cautious and tried to distance themselves from us. That trend was strikingly more common among westerners in particular.

But the people of the forest’s edge had been attracting more and more attention ever since the commotion with Tei Suun anyway. And while they were watching us so intently, trying to figure out just what kind of people we were, an incident like this happened.

Perhaps some of them saw a truly honorable people who did whatever it took for the sake of one of their comrades.

On the other hand, some probably saw a terrifying group that would bare their fangs and seek revenge in numbers against anyone who wronged one of them.

Honestly, neither was probably wrong.

On top of that, some must have seen the people of the forest’s edge as dangerous now that it had become clear we had a strained relationship with the powerful noble Cyclaeus.

At this point, things were still far too up in the air to truly say whether or not this whole episode would turn out to be for the better or the worse in the end.

In terms of how it feels, it seems like the friendly folks have grown even more friendly, while the ones who already felt otherwise have gotten even more distant.

We had decided to check out how things were doing with the stalls first, and so as that thought ran through my head, we found Dora in his usual spot.

“Hey there. So you really did stop by, huh, Asuta?” he called out with a grin.

Naturally, Tara was right there next to him, smiling away.

“Thank you again for coming out so late yesterday. And um, I’m sorry for worrying you so—”

“Don’t let that bother you! After all, you made it home safely in the end,” Dora replied with a bright smile, his easy-to-read eyes tearing up again. “You’re checking out the stalls, right? Business is already booming over that way. It seems those girls are no less skilled than you are.”

“Right. I really do think so, too.”

“Tch, you’re way too calm there! I wanted to tease you by saying they’d take over your business completely before long at this rate,” he said, once more grinning and showing the whites of his teeth.

After thanking him once again, I headed off north up the road.

Since the busiest time of day was already fast approaching, there was quite a crowd gathered around the stalls.

“Ah, Asuta!” Reina Ruu greeted me with a brilliant, shining smile as she made up giba burgers at the stall.

I went to grin back at her, only to notice someone utterly unexpected there next to her and freeze in place. The girl had a small body but a large head, dark brown hair pulled back in a way that made her look like an onion, and big, wide-open eyes. It was the former youngest daughter of the Suun main house, Tsuvai.

“Ah, Asuta of the Fa clan. So you really are back, huh? Not that you being gone was any real issue, though.”

“Ts-Tsuvai... Long time no see. So you’ve been helping out with the stalls these last few days?”

Tsuvai currently fell under the Rutim clan along with her mother, Oura. And so, it really wasn’t all that strange for her to be assigned such a task... except that she was one of the people Cyclaeus was demanding we hand over. Even if Cyclaeus wouldn’t recognize her, it still seemed kinda audacious to send her here.

“Hmph! No one else but me can seriously run calculations with coins, so there was no choice. So I can’t see any reason for you to complain about me!” she snapped, her big eyes glaring at me in a way that made their whites stand out. “And what do you mean, ‘helping out’? This is a proper job, resulting from a contract between the Ruu clan and that man from town. Make no mistake, I’ve got no intention of handing my pay over to the likes of you!”

“Now Tsuvai, before complaining don’t you think you should polish up your skills first? You’re still better with your mouth than your hands, after all,” Reina Ruu chided with a giggle.

“Oh, shut up!” Tsuvai snapped back.

By the way, since Tsuvai was so short, she was standing atop a little log stand as she worked.

“Hey Asuta, you sure took your time getting here! Sheera Ruu, it’s Asuta!”

“Ah, Asuta... I know I saw you just last night, but I’m still glad to once again find you doing well.”

Lala and Sheera Ruu were over in the neighboring stall, hard at work.

Since they were limiting the menu to just giba burgers I thought for sure they would only be running the one stall, but it seemed I was mistaken.

“You see, when the giba burgers sell out it takes time to make a new batch, right? So when either stall is running low we consolidate everything in one pot and make up some more while those are selling,” Reina Ruu explained with a smile.

She had been grinning away for quite a while now, actually.

“That certainly sounds efficient. Umm, and if I recall correctly, you’ve been preparing a hundred giba burgers each day, right?”

“Yes. And we’ve been selling out a bit after the sun has hit its peak. It would take a while to prepare more than that, and we were also helping to search for you, so that felt like the right amount to go with.”

“I see, thanks. I really hadn’t ever imagined all of you would keep on doing business without me...”

“That was because Sheera Ruu and I thought it was the proper thing to do. It must have been the guidance of the forest that led to us practicing hard enough to be able to prepare the food as needed,” Reina Ruu said with a really proud grin.

It was certainly true that it was a job that only they could handle. And as a result, they also displayed their own strength to the townsfolk.

“So, are you going to begin working again starting tomorrow, Asuta? We’ve had quite a few customers from the south craving that myamuu dish, after all.”

“Hmm, that’ll depend on the results of today’s meeting. If Cyclaeus goes back on his words from yesterday, it could end up as another serious mess,” I replied just as another group from the forest’s edge approached from the south.

It was Li Sudra, who was coming in to relieve them when the sun hit its peak. Since Reina Ruu and the others were continuing on with not just the stalls but also the inns, her help had been absolutely essential.

And additionally, Li Sudra was surrounded by six hunters. That meant it was an even bigger crowd than back when Zattsu and Tei Suun whipped the post town into a panic.

“Ah, so you came too, Asuta? I’m glad to see you doing alright,” the Sudra clan head’s wife said with a refreshing smile.

I had already seen her today, when we stopped by the Fa house in the morning. The other clans had heard of my return to the forest’s edge, and nearby ones including the Sudra had come to show their wholehearted thankfulness for the fact that I was okay.

“Well then, we’ll be leaving things to you while we’re away, Li Sudra. You’re heading to the inns after this too, aren’t you, Asuta? In that case, why not come with us?” Reina Ruu asked with a smile. Ultimately, it was her and Lala Ruu embarking for the inns.

With that, the six men already on guard duty came out of the thicket. We had brought six guards, there were six protecting the stalls, and another six would be accompanying Reina and Lala Ruu to the inns. In other words, we had gathered eighteen guards together in total.

Up until now, young Ruu and Rutim hunters were selected for the job so as not to frighten the people of the post town, but that didn’t exactly work out when we needed numbers like these. While my bodyguards were made up of youths from the Ruu branch houses, the other twelve were a mixed group of various ages from the Rutim, the Lea, and other clans like them.

“There were even more hunters in town up through yesterday. So there’s no point in fixating on what we look like to them anymore. Besides... We know for sure now that they may pick a fight with us head on. In that case, we can’t exactly go holding back,” Ludo Ruu had stated.

As a result, we ended up heading out for The Sledgehammer in a huge group of fifteen... which led to something of a slight issue. Which is to say, a group of guards came running over from the other side of the street and stopped in front of us.

“Wh-What is all this commotion about? Your missing comrade is back in your care now, so there shouldn’t be any further need for you people of the forest’s edge to come to town en masse.”

Standing at the head of the group was the little guard captain who had once questioned us in front of Dora’s shop. He was only accompanied by a mere five guards, so perhaps that was why he had gone so completely and utterly pale.

“Oh, it’s you. Thanks for your help up these last few days. Of course, nobles were behind it in the end so your efforts were for nothing, but you’ve still got my gratitude for all the work you did for Asuta,” Ludo Ruu replied as the group representative, being the only man of the main Ruu house in the group.

“W-We’re not here for idle chatter like that! We’re asking why you’re strolling through the post town in such a large group?! Upsetting public order is a legitimate crime, you know.”

“Hmm? We’re just here to protect our weak and defenseless chefs. We simply happen to have two groups accompanying each other right now, but normally each group would have six guards. Since we now know four isn’t enough, there’s not really any helping that, right?”

“B-But...”

“In that case, how about we split here into groups of seven and eight? We wouldn’t have any issues doing that.”

The guard captain ended up just standing there, looking like he was at a loss.

With that, a familiar young guard stepped forwards.

“People of the forest’s edge, it’s true that we brushed aside your insistence that the culprit was a noble from the castle town, and forbid you from approaching the gates. However... We most certainly never intended to provide cover for criminals.”

“Yeah, I know all that. I just thanked you for your efforts, didn’t I? Besides, you aren’t even permitted to set foot in the castle town to begin with, right? So we’ve got no complaints.”

Even though Ludo Ruu’s tone most certainly wasn’t sarcastic, the young guard still bit his lip in frustration. Right before I was kidnapped, he had loudly proclaimed how just and broad-minded the nobles in the castle town were.

And the culprit behind this whole incident was Lefreya, the niece of their big boss, the militia commander Ciluel. His pride must have taken a beating, as he had been asserting how the nobles were in the right, with Ciluel as the foremost example.

“At any rate, we’ve got no intention of stirring people up. If this group is too unsettling, we’ll go ahead and split into two, so cut us a break for today, alright?”

That put an end to the questioning.

We let Reina Ruu’s group go first, and then once there were around ten meters or so between us, we started moving again.

“So even if they fall under the militia, it seems like Cyclaeus’s bad influence doesn’t reach all the way to the guys on the ground level, huh...?” I whispered when we were sufficiently far enough away from the guards.

“I don’t know about that,” Ludo Ruu said with a shrug of his shoulders. “This time around the culprit was a mystery, so they just kept carrying on with their work as usual. Otherwise, don’t you figure they’d act in whatever way’s most convenient for the nobles?”

“You think so? That young guard for example didn’t seem like he’d be able to stand obeying unreasonable orders.”

“Even so, if the one giving commands to the group has a wicked heart, those under him will also be led astray,” Ai Fa quietly interjected. “Or have you forgotten? When that former second son of the Suun quarreled with us in the post town, the guards only paid any heed to his words. If they are ordered to do something, then they are not permitted to disobey.”

It really might have been just as she said.

On top of that, that young guard seemed to trust Ciluel, while we were questioning whether or not he was one of Cyclaeus’s co-conspirators.

As I held back a sigh, I brought up the other matter that was bugging me.

“By the way, has the number of guards patrolling town decreased compared to before? Up until I was abducted, there seemed to be a lot more of them about thanks to that whole commotion with the bandits.”

“Ah, they formed a special unit to wipe out those bandits, so they told us many times over the previous days that they could not spare too many people to assist in our search for you. I haven’t told you before, but plantations were attacked again by bandits dressed as people of the forest’s edge every other day after you were kidnapped.”

“Then did they decide it was finally time to dispatch soldiers to take the bandits down outside of Genos itself, too?”

“I haven’t heard such details, but that seems likely,” Ai Fa replied, her expression unsurprisingly intense.

Kamyua Yoshu had taken hunters from the Ruu branch houses and left Genos, searching for the mysterious wife of the Red Beard leader Goram. And they still had yet to return.

Was Cyclaeus trying to pin these crimes on the three hunters? That was ultimately still just one possibility, but I couldn’t help but feel like the situation was starting to grow seriously tense.

“Well, guess there’s no point in worrying about those folks outside of town. We’re talking about Kamyua and three Ruu clan hunters, so they should be able to manage somehow no matter what plots they face.”

By that point in the conversation, we had reached The Sledgehammer.

After meeting up with Reina Ruu’s group in front of the inn, we stepped inside together. Ai Fa and Shin Ruu plus two hunters from Reina Ruu’s side joined us as guards, while the rest kept watch over the entrances.

“Ah, Asuta... And fellows of the Ruu clan as well, welcome,” Nail greeted us from the reception desk, standing up straight.

He somehow managed to keep a flat expression, but the turbulent emotions in his eyes were not so well contained.

“I’m truly glad to be able to greet you once more, after something awful like that happened.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m the one who brought that disaster to you.”

“No, I am at fault for failing to see that the customers staying at my inn were such villains. If I had just been more careful, I could have prevented that whole incident.”

“No, but...”

“Asuta. Would it be possible to continue fostering our bond even still?” Nail asked, his eyes now looking desperate.

“That’s... I mean, I came out here to check whether or not you were done with me, you know.”

“No, of course not. I cannot see any reason that I would reject you.”

I couldn’t help but think, Really?

I mean, his very life was put in danger, so I actually couldn’t see any reason for him to be so fixated on me...

“Besides, I have many eastern customers here who think favorably of you and the people of the forest’s edge. They feel angry at the outrageous actions of the nobles, and it certainly wouldn’t do to have them avoid staying here. I most definitely do not want to lose the bond I’ve formed with the people of the forest’s edge like this,” Nail said, intertwining his fingers in front of his chest. “And the cooking made by Reina Ruu has been quite favorably received, but I have no end of customers requesting dishes made by you, Asuta. So I ask that you please continue working with me as you have up until now.”

“Is it really alright? It was Cyclaeus’s daughter behind what happened this time, but things have grown pretty complicated between the people of the forest’s edge and the noble himself, you know.”

“That is no issue. In fact, now that that fact has become known publicly, even the nobles shouldn’t be able to act carelessly from here on out, correct?” Nail said, no hesitation at all in his eyes.

“Thank you,” I replied with a bow. “However, the leading clan heads are scheduled to meet with Cyclaeus today, so please wait until we hear what happened there. After that, I’ll have to discuss what my future plans are with them, I think.”

“Understood. In that case, I will be eagerly awaiting the results.”

After thanking Nail one last time, I turned to depart from The Sledgehammer. But then I remembered one more matter that caught my attention, so I went ahead and brought it up.

“By the way, Reina Ruu had been making her stew here with tau oil, right? I know that ingredient is a specialty of Jagar, but your customers from the east were fine with it?”

“Yes. My eastern customers are broad-minded, so they do not let such matters concern them. Folks from Jagar may avoid ingredients from Sym, though.”

“Really? That’s good to know, then.”

“Chitt seeds also went well with Reina Ruu’s cooking. Adding too many ruins the taste, but finely dicing some and adding just a bit made my eastern customers quite happy.”

“Ah, I see.”

Giba soup prepared with tau oil was close to a Japanese tofu and vegetable chowder, so I could see the chili pepper-like chitt seeds pairing well with it.

“In that case, if I’m permitted to do business again, how about having me and Reina Ruu switch off who prepares the cooking each day?” I threw out there, though when I turned to face the girl herself I found her in a fluster. “Ah, sorry. I should have asked you first, Reina Ruu. Is asking you to prepare food for an inn too big of an additional burden on you and the Ruu clan?”

“No. As long as we can prepare enough personnel for the stalls, it should be no issue at all... But my cooking shouldn’t be needed anymore now that you’ve returned, right?” Reina Ruu asked, looking puzzled.

Lala Ruu was also dubiously furrowing her brow.

“I mean, I figure there’s real significance to having natural born people of the forest’s edge like you form bonds with the people of the post town rather than just a foreigner like me. Plus, this is a good chance to polish up your skills as a chef, isn’t it?”

“That’s true. I well understand what you’re saying, Asuta,” Nail chimed in with his agreement, having a great passion for cultural exchange.

After seeming to chew over my words for a bit while staring down at the floor, Reina Ruu finally said, “Understood. I’ll try discussing the matter with my father. Um, Asuta...” Reina Ruu visibly hesitated, but then she went and grabbed hold of my hand. “Thank you. I don’t know if I fully comprehend your thoughts and feelings, but... I feel very proud, now.”

I certainly didn’t think she was misunderstanding or distorting anything.

That was just how clear and bright of a smile she was wearing on her face.

I had once felt I didn’t even know how to handle Reina Ruu at all, but through cooking, our bonds had deepened, and I was now able to earnestly open up to her.

In this way, we could keep on going, encouraging one another to further heights, right? It was with such thoughts running through my head that I ultimately left The Sledgehammer.

“Reina Ruu... She really does seem to have changed over the course of these past several days,” Ai Fa murmured as we headed toward our next destination, The Great Southern Tree. “Somehow, I can sense a great vitality from her, like a mizora flower in the process of blooming. And that strength... It seems to resemble yours in some way, Asuta.”

“Ah, Reina Ruu and I are both chefs, so I guess that makes sense,” I replied while feeling impressed by Ai Fa’s always-sharp powers of perception.

However, my clan head ended up frowning in response.

“I find it difficult to understand, the thought that other people like you exist... Though I don’t feel Reina Ruu is quite as foolish as you.”

“Hey, you didn’t need to go saying that. Anyway, you’re striving to get strong enough that you’ll be just as strong as any other hunter, right, Ai Fa? I figure that’s the same sort of way Reina Ruu feels about me.”

“You’re saying Reina Ruu wishes to defeat you...?” Ai Fa questioned, a light shining intently in her eyes.

With a strained grin, I shrugged my shoulders.

“I mean, that’s not such a bad thing, is it? You want to become a stronger hunter than even Dan Rutim or Donda Ruu, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way, right?”

Ai Fa didn’t respond.

“Besides, having folks like that out there pushes the one getting chased down to try even harder, too. I’m sure guys like Dan Rutim respect your overwhelming power, and are also motivated by the thought of not wanting to lose to you.”

“I see...” Ai Fa quietly whispered. “In that case I can somewhat understand, and it doesn’t seem so bad for you or Reina Ruu.”

“I’m glad, then.”

“However, I won’t tolerate you losing to Reina Ruu as a chef, you know.”

“I don’t know about that... If they keep building up their knowledge and experience, who knows how skilled Reina and Sheera Ruu could end up.”

“Stop acting so timid. I told you it won’t be tolerated, so that’s that,” Ai Fa declared, her pout returning and becoming its most pronounced.

Though we were surrounded by intimidating hunters acting as bodyguards, compared to the last few days, this afternoon stroll felt a lot more nice and peaceful. That was what I felt down to the bottom of my heart as we walked back to the chaotic main street of town.

2

Things went smoothly afterward at The Great Southern Tree, too.

I had more of a businesslike relationship with Naudis than Nail, so I was concerned he might have finally been fed up with me after all this. But fortunately, he ended up begging me far more passionately than I ever expected to keep on doing business with him.

“It’s true that my wife insisted it would be dangerous to get any closer to you people of the forest’s edge. And that picked up even more so when we learned it was the powerful Count Turan who you had such a rocky relationship with,” Naudis stated. “However! My inn’s name is on the rise for being the first place to offer your cooking. If I pull back now, I may well end up yielding that fame to The Sledgehammer!”

It seemed with his mixed blood from the south, Naudis might have felt even more competitive toward The Sledgehammer than I had imagined.

Still, even if I didn’t exactly welcome the animosity between the south and east, I felt business rivals competing fiercely with one another was only proper.

“Besides, your fame in the post town is reaching an all-time high. As a businessman, it would clearly be the wrong move to cut ties with you now.”

“Huh? What was that about my fame?”

“Naturally, I’m referring to the attention you’ve been getting for how the famed gourmand Count Turan’s daughter fell for your cooking skills. That information spread only just last night, but it’s already caused quite a commotion around the inn.”

“Right... But you were serving Reina Ruu’s cooking here too, right? So those who’ve eaten both our dishes and compared should know she’s no less skilled than I am, right? And the women have been selling their cooking at the stalls, too.”

“Yes, yes. But my customers who have come here to Genos over the course of the last few days are still unaware of the taste of your cooking. Reina Ruu’s skills may well be great, but that only further inflates their expectations as to just what your cooking must be like.”

That was certainly quite a high hurdle that had been set for me. Even more so considering Reina Ruu had pulled ahead of me for a time when it came to making giba soup with tau oil.

“It’s true that both of you seem quite comparable when it comes to soup dishes. However, I personally find your cubed giba meat stew the most delicious. Naturally your meat and chatchi stew also came out wonderfully too, but I couldn’t stand to lose that dish.”

At any rate, I was certainly glad to hear that Naudis wanted to keep doing business with me.

And after explaining to him the same conditions I had informed Nail of, I headed out for our final destination, The Kimyuus’s Tail, feeling that I really couldn’t afford to let my guard down. However, something awaited us there that you might say was an omen of future troubles.

“Hey, what’s that about?” Ludo Ruu called out from the head of the group, being the first one to notice. And when I glanced over his shoulder up ahead, I gulped just a bit.

The Kimyuus’s Tail was the inn that I was most familiar with. And next to that large building with its red roof sat a huge boxed carriage.

“A totos wagon, huh? That wasn’t here when we passed by before, right?” Ludo Ruu narrowed his eyes, clearly on guard.

However, Ai Fa and I knew exactly what we were looking at.

After all, there was a showy crest right there on the side of the two-totos carriage. And just last night, Ai Fa and I had passed through the castle gates in one decorated with the same symbol.

“Hey, so you’re finally here,” a large figure called out from the shadow of the carriage.

At first Ludo Ruu reached toward his hip, but then he muttered, “Oh, it’s you, huh? I almost beat you up there, you know. What’re you doing dressed like that?”

“I’ve got all sorts of stuff happening on my end too. And I worry about my hide too, y’know.” The man standing there in a hooded leather cloak like someone from Sym with gray cloth wrapped around his mouth was none other than Zasshuma, the bodyguard. “If it got out that I helped connect the people of the forest’s edge with the house of Count Daleim, that’d definitely put me in danger. And since he’s got no intention of hiding himself, I had no choice but to make sure nobody could recognize me instead. Oh, and don’t call me by name in front of people, either.”

Zasshuma’s eyes were smiling from under his hood as he said all that.

After first thanking him for yesterday, I then went ahead and asked about the details of what was going on now.

“Lord Polarth headed out early. When we stopped by the stalls, we were told you were heading around to the inns, so we’ve been waiting here.”

“In that case, should we move locations? I don’t want to get the innkeeper wrapped up in things.”

“It’ll be fine. I mean, we’re going to be getting everyone in the post town involved in all this, so it shouldn’t be any more dangerous for him than anyone else. This is why I didn’t want to go relying on that guy till the Northern Whirlwind made it back...”

That was a seriously unsettling statement there.

Yet even so, Zasshuma’s eyes just kept on smiling.

“Still, the issue he wants to discuss is the thing the Northern Whirlwind was planning to do from the very start. Lord Melfried isn’t exactly flexible, so he alone isn’t going to be enough to oppose Cyclaeus. In that sense, we’re just speeding things up by a few days here. Actually, according to the plan, the Northern Whirlwind should have long since returned to Genos...”

“I’m just understanding all this less and less. Could you explain in a bit more detail?”

“Ask Lord Polarth directly instead. We’ll just be putting in double the effort for no real reason, otherwise.”

Having no other choice, we went ahead into The Kimyuus’s Tail.

And the first person we found awaiting us was Milano Mas, wearing a sour look.

“Ah, Milano Mas, umm...”

“So you’re finally here, eh? You’ve got a noble waiting for you in the dining hall... Ah, guess I shouldn’t run my mouth though, since that noble wants to rent out that hall till the second hour for three white coins,” the inn owner stated with a displeased look. “Can’t stand nobles myself, but this is just business. I’m only renting out the dining hall though, so get moving already.”

“Right, sorry about this.”

I owed Polarth my life, plus he had overturned my expectations when it came to nobles in a good way. But I still really didn’t know a lot about him, and I wasn’t fond of heavy handed methods like this.

At any rate, though, Ai Fa and Shin Ruu accompanied me in, while the remaining four stayed on guard outside.

Inside the dining hall, a wall had been set up to isolate a section further in. There was a soldier stationed at the barrier, and once we passed by him to go inside, we found a familiar plump face awaiting us at the farthest seat.

“Greetings! You look to be doing well, Sir Asuta, Lady Ai Fa. As for myself, I had grown rather tired of waiting.”

Polarth was seated at a table for six, waving his short yet thick arm. He had his dark brown hair neatly combed down; bright, light brown eyes; and a milky-colored long robe around his plump figure, making him look just as he had yesterday.

And behind him stood an additional two soldiers. They were even better outfitted than the guards about town, so they must have fallen directly under the Daleim house.

“Now then, make yourselves at ease. Shall I have some fruit wine or the like prepared for you?”

“No, you don’t have to do that for us. Um... Did you have some sort of urgent message?”

I sat down at the wooden table right across from Polarth, while Ai Fa and Shin Ruu stood on either side of me. And, still wearing his mask, Zasshuma stared from the side like some sort of referee.

“Well, I suppose that I do! I hadn’t intended to hurry matters along quite this much, but when my father and brother returned this morning they scolded me thoroughly. ‘What were you thinking, defying Count Cyclaeus!’ ‘Are you trying to lead the house of Daleim to ruin?!’ and so on. Really, it’s quite unreasonable that I should be reprimanded as such for attempting to uphold the laws of Genos.” Whenever he spoke, the chair and table would creak. “Hmm, I don’t especially find establishments in the post town distasteful, but the seats in this place are a touch too narrow! The table is even up against my stomach.”

“Right... Um, why is someone of your status coming here to the post town so casually? I really didn’t expect this.”

“Hmm? Well, the house of Daleim isn’t quite so fixated on formalities. If it weren’t for circumstances, we wouldn’t have even gained nobility in the first place. And even now, the lords ruling over other towns likely don’t even see us as nobles at all,” Polarth said with a grin. “Originally the Genos house themselves only had the rank of count, and our families were initially nothing but knights serving them. But in these past hundred years the Genos house was raised to dukedom, while the Turan, Daleim, and Saturas houses were given the rank of count, though in name only. Were there some sort of auspicious occasion in the capital, Lord Genos would surely be the only one invited. After all, we are nothing but upstart so-called nobles from the outskirts of the kingdom.”

“Right...”

“To put it another way, the only ones with fortune enough for anyone to envy are Duke Genos and Count Turan. Up until now, that is...” Polarth said, rubbing beneath his nose with his finger.

Zasshuma’s critique of Polarth that Ai Fa had told me about yesterday sprung to mind: “He’s calculating, that one.”

“That is why I went along with Sir Zasshuma’s plan... or Sir Kamyua’s, I should say. Duke Genos is one thing as the ruler of this land, but Count Turan should not be the only one allowed to line his pockets. It is only when all of its citizens live prosperous lives that Genos can brag to other domains of being a town of plenty. Do you not think so, Sir Asuta?”

“I definitely agree with that, but...”

It seemed like we were getting to the heart of the matter, even without me needing to pester him about it.

Polarth’s already round back rounded even further as he leaned in toward me.

“Well then, will you tell it to me? That secret of the poitan you hold, Sir Asuta.”

“What? What’s this about poitan?”

“Shh! Not so loud. If Lord Cyclaeus catches on before I can make my move, I truly will be ruined. You cannot carry out a revolution without caution layered upon caution, after all.”

“Revolution...? That certainly escalated quickly.”

“Worry not. The only one who shall be left out of sorts in the aftermath will be Lord Cyclaeus.” It was true that Polarth was still wearing a nice, relaxed grin. “Not long ago, I picked up a snack from your stalls on the way here. There’s no mistaking that white fuwano-like substance was poitan, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s not as if I was particularly trying to hide it from anyone.”

“It certainly is a surprise that you caused no commotion like that! According to my attendant who sampled it, the taste was in no way inferior to fuwano. Poitan is far cheaper than fuwano, so imagine how much of a profit could be made if we could use the former instead of the latter! How could no one have paid attention to that fact up until now?”

“H-Hold on a moment. Since poitan is cheaper than fuwano, if it becomes a staple food won’t the total earnings go down instead?”

“Not so. As it’s Count Turan that produces fuwano, his fortune will decrease, while that of the plantations that make poitan will rise. That is the sort of result we would be facing, wouldn’t you say?”

Those words stirred up my memories.

I had insisted I wasn’t hiding it from anyone, but I had also been warned that I should keep the technique secret as much as possible. And by Kamyua Yoshu himself, at that.

From what I could recall, it had been back when we were discussing jerky here in The Kimyuus’s Tail... A bit before Lala Ruu’s birthday, I believed. Kamyua Yoshu had said the more expensive fuwano were cultivated by folks from the castle, while townsfolk grew the cheaper poitan. And so carelessly spreading my poitan baking techniques would cause great losses to some noble and earn me their ire.

Back then, the identity of that noble had felt ambiguous. But later, after the second meeting between Cyclaeus and the leading clan heads of the forest’s edge, the answer became abundantly clear.

In the Turan lands to the north they produced the mamaria that was used in fruit wine, as well as the wheat-like fuwano. And so when negotiations with Banarm were advancing, that proved inconvenient for Cyclaeus as they specialized in the same sorts of produce, so he had used Zattsu Suun to interfere. That was what I had been told, as far as I could recall.

In other words, the noble who would lose out from poitan gaining in popularity was none other than Cyclaeus.

At the very least, though, I’d like you to keep in mind that that delicious way of preparing poitan could act as a blade pointed toward the nobles, Kamyua Yoshu had once said. In order to keep on living, sometimes you need a blade. But if you make a mistake about when to use it, you can end up wounding your allies, too. So you should be careful when it comes to handling it.

As I remembered Kamyua Yoshu dropping that on me with his usual aloof grin, I gave a deep sigh.

Though I hadn’t seen him for quite some time, it seemed I was still dancing on the palm of that guy’s hand.

“I finally see what you’re getting at, now. You mean to say that this new method of cooking poitan could act as a powerful weapon against Cyclaeus, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. You heard as much from Sir Kamyua as well, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, though in a really roundabout way... But even if we can deal a blow to Cyclaeus like that, only the plantations and townsfolk would benefit, wouldn’t they? Do you not mind that you don’t stand to benefit personally?”

“Ah, so you were not aware? Our Daleim house was granted control over the land to the south where the plantations are located. And so those farmers who work that land are my people.”

At last, I was satisfied.

That was why this man was a last resort, as well as a blade against Cyclaeus.

“This is an unbelievable tale, isn’t it? Flipping the connection between fuwano and poitan would do the same to the power difference between the Turan and Daleim houses! It’s enough to make you tremble, is it not?”

As he was saying all that, Polarth wore the same unchanging grin.

“H-Hold on just a moment. That may be an effective strategy after all, but will things really be alright with the other nobles? If you overturn the state of the town market like that, won’t you risk making an enemy of even Duke Genos himself?”

“Hmm? I don’t see how Duke Genos stands to suffer any losses from this. Well, if Count Cyclaeus falls, it could have an impact on the castle town at first, but if the Daleim house earns more in turn it should all be the same in the end.”

I didn’t get it at all.

Perhaps seeing my complexion, Polarth sat back up straight.

“Sir Asuta, it seems you still do not know anything at all about this land of Genos. Well, I do suppose this town has a rather unique form of government. Genos is of a moderate scale for a town, but I do not believe there are any other such examples of one being split into four, each ruled by a separate house.”

“Right...”

“I believe that is because the capital thought it would be dangerous to have a town so much more prosperous than its size would imply be governed by but a single house. Just as I explained before, roughly a hundred years in the past our three houses were granted counthood and tasked with ruling this land alongside Duke Genos. The true lord of this land is ultimately the duke himself, but the capital ordered that the Turan house was to govern the orchards to the north, the Daleim house the plantations to the south, and the Saturas house the post town. So as long as nothing impacts the prosperity of the castle town, we should earn none of Duke Genos’s displeasure.”

I really hadn’t ever imagined I would be learning of Genos’s inner structure in a place like this.

Stealing a glance out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Ai Fa and Shin Ruu were just expressionlessly listening to Polarth’s words.

“And even just a few dozen or so years back, there was no great disparity in wealth between our three houses. The Turan land had rich soil but not as much space, so they only grew fuwano and mamaria, while the Daleim land had poor soil but plenty of space, allowing us to produce a variety of vegetables. And the crops from both led to the post and castle towns flourishing alike. But when Lord Cyclaeus became the head of his house, the Turan fortune alone massively expanded.”

“You’re saying he used inhumane methods?”

“Inhumane, is it? Well, he bought a great number of slaves from the north and had them work for him. Even now, I suppose the majority of the workers in his orchards are slaves. Thanks to that, a great many people lost their jobs and ended up moving to the post town or Daleim farm lands. As a result we yielded more in taxes, but the Turan fortune grew far more.”

So slavery was involved there, huh? The conversation had certainly started to take a disquieting turn.

“I suppose your people would be more knowledgeable on the details beyond that. Like how he had the envoys from his business rivals in Banarm attacked, or installed his younger brother Sir Ciluel as the militia leader... He used a variety of other methods as well, and as a result Lord Cyclaeus’s fortune and authority have grown vast. In a mere thirty years, Count Turan’s power has swelled enough to rival even that of Duke Genos.”

“Right...”

“And that is precisely why we need a revolution! No matter how one looks at it, it is the fuwano and mamaria propping up the Turan fortune. And since poitan are easier to grow and cheaper than fuwano, if they were to become a staple food here in Genos, his fortunes would be halved. And that difference would in turn be restored to not just the house of Daleim, but all of our people!” Polarth exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. “Of course, the ones to benefit most will be the farmers who grow the poitan and our house as the owners of that land. But as I’ve said again and again, poitan can be obtained incredibly cheaply. I believe it requires one and a half times as many coins to obtain the same weight of fuwano as it does poitan.”

“Yeah, I think that’s about right.”

“Hmph! Of course, it is not as if fuwano itself is an especially expensive ingredient, so that would make only a slight difference each day. But every little bit helps, as they say. And if the people of Genos can spend those saved coins on other things, then they can all live more prosperous lives than they do now.”

“But the people of Turan will become poorer in turn, won’t they?”

“Yes. Yet the Turan orchards are run largely by slaves who do not receive compensation. And all the fortune earned from their efforts ends up directly in Lord Cyclaeus’s hands. The non-slaves living in Turan lands engage in work unrelated to the production of mamaria and fuwano, so it should not have that great of an impact on them, I would imagine.”

At that moment, I thought of Mikel, who worked as a charcoal maker in Turan.

It was true that he didn’t exactly look like he was any better off than the people of the post town.

“And with a plan of this scale, we should also be able to gain the support of the house of Saturas, who oversee the post town. Even my father and elder brother will be left at a loss for words! And of course, the same would be true of Lord Marstein Genos... Duke Genos is a true believer in meritocracy, so he should have no issue with us defeating Count Turan through our own strength.”

“But will things really go that smoothly? Even if poitan isn’t inferior at all in terms of taste or nutrition, I can’t imagine it eliminating fuwano when that stuff has been a staple food for so many years...”

“There’s no need for it to replace fuwano completely. At the very least, I would imagine the prideful citizens of the castle town will not make the change easily. But there is no reason for the people of the post town and plantations to avoid a cheaper foodstuff like that! From there, I suppose it just matters how we go about things.”

I turned and looked at Zasshuma, only to find the man’s eyes still smiling as he shrugged his shoulders.

So it’s all according to Kamyua’s plan still, huh...?

I gave a little sigh, which apparently didn’t escape Polarth’s notice.

“Are you uneasy? So am I! But even if we leave things be, Lord Cyclaeus will eventually learn you possess a method of making poitan taste delicious. And when that time comes, the people of the forest’s edge alone will face his wrath. So why not spread that technique all throughout town and make it so he cannot focus his anger on any one point?”

“Right... I can definitely understand that logic.”

“I will handle all the troublesome arrangements on my end! After all, I have no interest in fearing assassins lurking in every shadow! So let us spread word of how wonderful poitan are throughout Genos before we capture Lord Cyclaeus’s eye!” Polarth exclaimed with a hearty grin.

◇

“Things certainly seem to have taken an unbelievable turn...” I said to Ai Fa after Polarth left along with his three soldiers.

However, she replied, “Is that so?” with a tilt of her head. “I do not think it’s an especially harmful idea from our end. Did you not say before that it is dangerous to be the only ones possessing a special technique such as that?”

“Yeah, you mean when we taught the Suun women back before the clan head meeting, right? But what we’re talking about this time around is on a totally different scale.”

“At any rate, we don’t even know if it will work out. There is no point in worrying about it now.”

As he watched over us with crossed arms, Zasshuma chuckled and agreed, “That’s right. And at any rate, the showdown with Cyclaeus is in just five days. Such a short period of time isn’t enough to do anything that big, so for now just shaking the other side up would be plenty.”

“Hmm, I get the feeling it’ll have too much of an impact on the town in comparison, though.”

“There’s no helping that. The essential point is that we may make allies of some other nobles in the process. But unless we show them Cyclaeus’s fortunes may not last forever, they won’t take the risk, right?” Zasshuma said, rubbing his cheeks through his mask. “Our banner falls under Lord Melfried, ultimately. But that man is just too inflexible. It’s difficult for someone who believes laws are absolute to take down someone working to undermine them.”

“Right...”

“That was why we had no choice but to rely on Lord Polarth yesterday. I somehow managed to get news of what happened to Lord Melfried in the castle and he promised to investigate Cyclaeus’s manor, but by following official procedures that probably would have taken until when the sun hit its peak today.”

It was hard to say what would have become of me in that case.

Regardless, I certainly felt Zasshuma had made a wise decision.

“At any rate, I’ll handle the troublesome stuff. There’s probably all sorts of things we’ll still need you for, but until then just keep working hard like you have been so far.”

With that, Zasshuma left the dining hall.

And in his place, Milano Mas barged on in.

“It’s almost the agreed upon time. If a customer shows up, I’ll be letting them come on in.”

“Ah, right. Sorry about the trouble.”

“You’re always apologizing, aren’t you? If you really feel that way, then try living a life that doesn’t lead to you needing to say sorry all the time.”

I really couldn’t think of anything to say to that.

Since yesterday, Milano Mas had constantly been going around in a huff.

“So? Are you going to be heading back for the day already?”

“Yes. The leading clan heads should be returning from the Turan domain soon, and I intend to ask them how things went.”

Honestly though, I had left The Kimyuus’s Tail for last precisely because I had wanted to take my time talking to Milano Mas. And so, full of deeply apologetic feelings inside, I went ahead and voiced what I felt took the maximum priority.

“Um, whether or not I work in the post town again depends on the results of that meeting, but if things go well, would it be alright to keep doing business with you like I have been up till now?”

“I’m still renting stalls to you people of the forest’s edge even now, so why would I go and turn down your request...?”

“No, but I mean I was also in the middle giving you cooking lessons.”

“Wasn’t that just a service you were offering without getting anything out of it?”

“But my plan was to have you hopefully eventually handle giba meat too, so I considered it a proper part of my business.”

Milano Mas removed his cylindrical hat and scratched roughly at his dark brown hair. “It was nobles behind that whole incident, so there’s nothing to blame you over. You’ve been helping me out a lot lately, so how exactly am I supposed to react when you act all modest like that...?”

“Ah, if I’m bothering you, then I apologize.”

“I’m telling you, stop bowing all over the place like that...”

Despite how long I had known Milano Mas, we still seemed to have an awful lot of awkward moments like this.

Was that down to my own inexperience, or a mere matter of chemistry...? At any rate, I still found this stubborn, bad-mouthed guy just as precious to me as Dora, who was always so open and kind.

“Regardless, my place hasn’t suffered any damages at all on your account. So rather than getting weirdly worried about stuff like that, think more on how to protect yourself.”

“Right. Thank you.”

In spite of everything, it seemed that Milano Mas had no intention of giving up on me.

As I gave a stealthy sigh, I went ahead and moved on to the next topic.

“Well then, there was something I wanted to tell you about the dish I was thinking of...”

I told Milano Mas about how a dip made with pickled and dried kiki — a plum-like fruit — might go best with the kimyuus meatballs.

As he put his hat back on, the innkeeper raised a single eyebrow.

“Dried kiki fruit, huh? Plenty of customers want it as a snack to go with their drinks, but still... that’s one heck of a wild combination.”

“I’d give it a pretty firm recommendation, myself. Just mashing kiki fruit and dressing the kimyuus with it would be plenty, so please go ahead and give it a try.”

At last, I was finally getting a chance to put the experience I gained in the castle town to use.

But as that thought was running through my head, Ai Fa went and tugged on the sleeve of my t-shirt.

“By the way, Asuta, what exactly was that dish I ate last night?”

“Hmm? Ah, that was fried kimyuus.”

“It had a wondrous taste... Would it be possible to make that dish with giba meat?”

“Well, I’d like to change the method a bit for giba and make giba cutlets.”

“Giba cutlets...”

With that, I turned back toward Milano Mas.

“Um, is it possible to get a hold of reten oil here in the post town?”

“Reten oil? I’ve only ever heard the name of that stuff. I mean, it’d be way too expensive for guys like us to afford, anyway.”

“Is that so? Then what about karon milk and kimyuus eggs? Are those expensive ingredients too?”

“The kimyuus dealers will sell you as many eggs as you want. I eat them a lot in the mornings, myself.”

“Huh? Then why aren’t there any in your kitchen?”

“Eggs are used in place of meat. Only a seriously cheap inn would go serving that stuff to customers.”

“Umm... So what you’re saying is that eggs are cheaper than meat but it would cost too much to serve both, and eggs alone would be too meager of an offering?”

“Hmph. Well, I guess you’re not too far off the mark, there. Some poor folks eat nothing but eggs, after all. Even for dinner.”

“Well then, exactly how much are we talking in terms of price?”

Apparently you could buy four for a single red coin. Strangely enough, that was the same cost as poitan. In that case, it seemed like I could manage to squeeze them in as an ingredient.

“And the other one was karon milk? At the very least, I would say there isn’t anyone eccentric enough to try to stock the stuff here in the post town. Dabagg’s the only place in the area that raises them, and it’d go bad on the way here, wouldn’t it?”

“But Dabagg is half a day’s distance from Genos, right? Apparently karon milk lasts two to three days, so I don’t think it should spoil that quickly.”

But it really might have been true that people avoided karon milk because it kept so poorly. Though it was different for nobles, who didn’t see any issue with just throwing it out if it went bad.

“I don’t even know how you use the stuff. And I can’t imagine it’d be any cheaper than fruit wine.”

That was because the fruit wine sold in the post town was so cheap to begin with. You could get around one liter for a single red coin, which was quite a reasonable price.

If you converted a red coin to 200 yen, then poitan and kimyuus eggs would be 50 yen each, aria 40 yen, giba burgers 400 yen, and karon leg meat 74 yen per hundred grams at the dealer’s rate (or 160 yen for the general public).

So if fruit wine and karon milk were both 200 yen per liter, I would say the fruit wine was priced rather cheaply, while the karon milk was a bit pricey. Like, if red wine and cow’s milk were the same price, I’d say the wine was way too cheap.

Oh, and based on these calculations, a liter of tau oil would be 2,000 yen and a bit under a kilo of gyama dried milk 4,000 yen, which went to show just how expensive imported goods were.

Going even further, the vegetable knife I bought from Shumiral would be 36,000 yen, and the meat cutting knife from Diel 24,000 yen. Considering the wagon we had Gilulu pull only cost ten times as much as the meat cutting knife, it really was clear how pricey metal was, too.

“If it’s possible to get karon milk for not so different a price than fruit wine, then I’d like to try doing so eventually. I guess for that I should try talking to a meat trader from Dabagg?”

“I’ve got no clue, but probably. This time of year, they generally show up around once every three days.”

“I see. Thank you.”

That left figuring out if we could make our own dried milk and milk fat, as well as how to use skim milk. For that, I would just have to get my information from a merchant from Dabagg.

“Ah, also, where should I go to get a hold of some fuwano flour? Do I need to go all the way to Turan land for that?”

“No, there are fuwano sellers here in the post town. Not among the stalls though, but around here where the inns are. You all use poitan, though, so what do you want with fuwano at this point...?”

“Well, I get the feeling that fuwano has its own unique uses. So I’d like to try out all sorts of stuff.”

I figured it wouldn’t be smart to get overly greedy, so I decided to stop there for today. If I could get eggs and fuwano flour from the kimyuus and fuwano sellers, that alone would add plenty of variations to my giba cooking.

Surprisingly enough, I may actually complete the giba cutlets first, I thought as I stole a glance over at Ai Fa.

Just the thought that I would get to feed her new dishes was enough to fill my heart with delight.

It was a sensation I couldn’t savor back in that brick manor, and it made me feel like there was a lump forming in my throat.

At last, I would be able to have my precious clan head taste those dishes I had worked so hard to create. And now, it really sank in just how great a thing it was that I managed to reclaim this joyous feeling.

3

And so, we returned to the settlement at the forest’s edge.

Unfortunately it seemed the owner of The Westerly Wind hadn’t taken too kindly to me missing out on our agreement, so last night Yumi told me I should give him a few days as a cooling-off period. And regardless of the circumstances involved, I did break my word to him, so I didn’t exactly have any ground to stand on there.

Anyway, we arrived back at the Ruu settlement around when Reina Ruu and the others would be wrapping up business for the day. And when we got there, two totos that weren’t Gilulu, each with a roofless wagon, were awaiting us. They belonged to the Zaza and Sauti clans. The leading clan heads had made it back even sooner than we had, and were currently here at the Ruu settlement.

After a short break to catch my breath, I headed on over to the main Ruu house with Ai Fa and everyone else.

“We’re back, Dad,” Ludo Ruu called out as he opened the door. And I felt even more tense as I stepped into the house and saw just what I expected.

Donda Ruu was there, and so was Jiza Ruu. And Gazraan Rutim, too.

Gulaf Zaza and Dari Sauti were also there with men accompanying each of them.

And lastly, there were the Fou and Beim clan heads, making for nine men in total, all sitting there in a circle wearing serious expressions.

“Hello, Asuta of the Fa clan. I’m just glad to see you doing well,” Dari Sauti called out. He was the youngest of the three leading clan heads and the first to speak up.

His square face, larger than either Jiza Ruu’s or Gazraan Rutim’s, bore a gentle expression. He took a fairly friendly position toward the Fa clan, and had been assertive about trying to obtain bloodletting and cooking techniques for his people.

“It’s been some time. Um, I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused everyone with—”

“Voicing apologies won’t change anything. If you feel responsibility for what happened, then hurry up and sit already,” Gulaf Zaza grumbled, cutting me off.

The Zaza clan head wore a giba cloak with the head still attached, and was a man in the prime of his life. His eyes had the sharp glare of some wild beast, no less ferocious than Donda Ruu’s, and even in a place with so many experienced hunters gathered, he was still the most muscular and intimidating.

Even though he was also a fellow person of the forest’s edge, he stood opposed to the Fa clan’s business dealings, so he wasn’t exactly someone Ai Fa and I could let our guards down around.

In any case, at the direction of the members of the Ruu clan, Ai Fa and I sat down next to the Fou clan head.

Shin Ruu and the four youths on guard duty left at this point, while Ludo Ruu moved to his father’s left-hand side.

“The discussion with Cyclaeus ended safely, at least for now,” Gazraan Rutim announced, speaking for the group. “What sort of punishment the criminals will be met with is to be decided at a later hearing. And the conclusion we reached was that it should be alright to accept that Cyclaeus himself had no personal involvement with this incident with Asuta.”

“I see... So Lefreya is also going to be judged for her crimes, after all?”

“Of course. It was her underlings who actually kidnapped you, though, and they were ultimately the ones who chose to employ such unlawful methods... But she refused when you asked to be allowed to return home, and confined you there in that manor. Melfried attended the meeting as well, and he said in the worst case she may even face imprisonment.”

So she’d be locked up in some sort of jail...?

Even if she was the mastermind, she was still just a young girl of ten or so. I was crushed by an even more oppressive feeling than I had felt when I thought about it before.

“And it seems those criminals Mussel and Sanjura are to be whipped. Cyclaeus begged for a pardon for them, and so they may at least be spared banishment from Genos.”

“It really is ridiculous. We couldn’t see any logic in the idea of begging for a pardon and paying coins to lessen a punishment,” Dari Sauti interjected with a shrug of his shoulders. “And I also can’t accept the idea of the one responsible facing a lesser punishment. If she knew of her underlings’ crimes and permitted them, then there shouldn’t be any difference in how their guilt is weighed.”

“Of course... At any rate, according to the laws of Genos, the criminals will be facing such punishments.”

I had absolute trust that Melfried would uphold the law if nothing else, so if he said as much then we just had to accept it as true.

Still, while a resident of the castle town like Mussel was one thing, it seemed everyone was still on edge at the thought of an elusive man like Sanjura being released sooner or later.

“So, um... Did you also touch on the thing about Sanjura being Cyclaeus’s son?”

“Yes. However, Cyclaeus denied it. According to him, Sanjura was nothing but a man he hired to investigate the state of the post town and outside of Genos. And he also said he only had the man keep an eye on your stalls because the reputation you had gained sparked his curiosity.”

“I see...”

Silence fell over the room for a bit.

However, Gulaf Zaza soon spoke up as if he had been just waiting for that.

“So, what do you intend to do from here on out, Fa clan head and chef?”

Ai Fa was seated cross-legged with one knee up like everyone else, and turned to face him with an intense light shining in her eyes.

“Naturally, assuming we have the permission of the three leading clan heads, we would like to continue with business as we have up until now. Do you not think that is the proper path forward for we people of the forest’s edge, not just to live more prosperous lives, but also to forge bonds with the people of the post town?”

“I am in agreement with Ai Fa. This incident only made it all the more clear that we should treat the post and castle towns as entirely different from one another,” Gazraan Rutim chimed in, lending support to my clan head. “It seems that just like us, the people of the post town cannot set foot in the castle town without passes. And considering it is the nobles of the castle town who rule over Genos... Isn’t it only natural to think that the townsfolk are closer to us than to them?”

“You say the townsfolk are similar to us...?”

“Yes. Perhaps it would be easier to understand if I instead say they are in a position close to our own. I just can’t believe the way we people of the forest’s edge and the townsfolk avoid one another is the way things should be. As I have gone to town and interacted with them again and again over the past several days, those thoughts only grew stronger in me.” Though Gazraan Rutim was just as calm as always, the look in his eyes was every bit as intense as the one in Ai Fa’s. “Also, we ended up earning the hatred of the townsfolk by failing to pass judgment on the crimes of the former leading clan head, Zattsu Suun. Our relationship had grown twisted in that way, but I believe Ai Fa, Asuta, and those helping them have been setting it straight. And that is why I believe the Fa clan should continue doing business in the post town as they have up till now.”

“But don’t go forgetting that the Ruu clan can only go providing bodyguards for a few more days...” Jiza Ruu interjected from beside his father.

He had just as many doubts about the Fa clan as Gulaf Zaza, if not more. And so, I naturally held my breath.

“As of today, it has been exactly half a month since the Ruu and our related clans entered a break period. The fruits of the forest have not yet fully recovered, but there will be starving giba around soon. At the very least, we cannot remove ourselves from guard duty until the 15th day of the white month, but we cannot keep putting our work as hunters second any longer.”

“Of course not. Everybody who has their hands free is going to start preparing to hunt again tomorrow, right?” Ludo Ruu chimed in, and Jiza Ruu nodded.

“If the leading clan heads acknowledge the Fa clan’s actions as proper, then I shall abide by that decision. But I cannot go so far as to neglect my work as a hunter in order to assist. What exactly do you have to say on that matter?”

“That’s... It’s of course just as you say, Jiza Ruu. If we do not expose that Cyclaeus man’s true nature by the meeting on the 15th day... It will likely be difficult to continue on with business as we have so far,” Ai Fa replied, sounding a bit pained.

Jiza Ruu obviously had a sound argument in this case.

When we were preparing for an attack by Zattsu and Tei Suun, Cyclaeus had ordered us to continue doing business, so they had no choice but to give priority to acting as bodyguards over their work as hunters.

But now, we were continuing to do business of our own volition. And so, we couldn’t exactly go relying on the Ruu clan any further once their break period was over.

Additionally, either Cyclaeus would have to fall from power or we would need to find out this was all a mistake on our part before we could keep doing business without bodyguards. If the meeting on the 15th of the white month didn’t settle things and everything was pushed further down the road again, we wouldn’t have any means to keep on working in the post town.

Jiza Ruu’s narrowed eyes that always looked like they were smiling glanced at me and Ai Fa, seeming satisfied. And then, the Fou clan head spoke up from beside us.

“In that case, why not have hunters from other clans lend you their aid when they’re on their break? In another month, the Fou, Ran, and Sudra should be entering such a period, so you would just have to wait till then.”

Taken completely off guard, I turned to face the man. The Fou clan head looked a bit overly skinny compared to the other fierce warriors present, but he stared back at me with a firm gaze.

“Currently, you’re having six men in the morning and six more in the afternoon act as bodyguards, right? The Fou, Ran, and Sudra should be able to gather up that many.”

“B-But... Sorry if this is rude, but the Fou and Ran shouldn’t have as many people they can spare as the Ruu, right? Even without hunting work, won’t you need to help out the women in your clans?”

“The remaining men can handle that. We were unable to respond to your request when you asked to have help from our women. So nothing could make us happier than being able to assist you now.”

“Is it really alright to go making such promises before checking with the Ran and Sudra clan heads...?” the Beim clan head interjected.

Comparatively, this man was actually short but firmly built, and looked to be in his prime. He was here at this gathering as representative for the small clans opposed to the actions of the Fa.

“That is no issue. The Ran fall under the Fou, while the Sudra want even more than we do to be of help to the Fa clan. And once enough time passes, the Gaaz and Ratsu will also enter their break period. By passing off bodyguard duties in that way, we could make certain the Fa clan can continue on with its business, just needing short breaks in between.”

“So Asuta and his team need to keep on bringing bodyguards with them forever while doing business? I respect your spirit there, but I can’t quite accept that,” Ludo Ruu cheerfully chimed in. The boy had looked so serious all day, but now he wore a lively smile again for the first time in a while. “I wanna take that corrupt noble Cyclaeus down in the next meeting instead. And then, even if you’ll be losing your shot at helping out the Fa clan, in exchange they won’t be in danger anymore, so that’s what’s best, right?”

“Of course. Nothing would be better than for the danger to pass.”

“However, there is no proof so far that Cyclaeus committed any crimes. As long as Kamyua Yoshu and the others fail to get a hold of that evidence, we cannot take the man to task as a criminal,” Gazraan Rutim cautiously stated.

No matter how much his bonds to the Fa clan deepened, he always felt impartial and just.

“And regardless of that Cyclaeus noble’s true nature, we still need to decide on how to deal with the members of the Suun clan,” Gulaf Zaza stated in a grave tone. “Until we have an answer for that, we have no room to worry about business or the town. And we’re not gonna settle things by just droning on and on... So why not firmly decide here and now to handle things with the Suun like we discussed earlier?”

“Huh? You already decided what to do with them?” I asked in my shock without thinking, earning me a glare from Gulaf Zaza.

The one to reply wasn’t him, though, but rather Dari Sauti, who was seated across from him.

“Unsurprisingly, our conclusion remains unchanged. Diga and Doddo are one matter since they committed the additional crime of running away, but Mida, Yamiru, Oura, and Tsuvai have already had their clan names taken from them, so no further punishment should be necessary.”

“I see. In that case...”

“But if the lord of Genos were to seek punishment on top of that, we couldn’t make light of his orders. Therefore, during the next meeting we intend to bring along not only Zuuro Suun, but all seven members of the former main Suun house, and have them explain themselves personally.”

“Huh...? You’re going to bring Mida and Yamiru Lea and everyone along? Isn’t that far too dangerous? If Cyclaeus decides to try to take them by force...”

“If he tries to do such a thing without proper reason, then there is no way we could ever obey him, Asuta of the Fa clan,” Dari Sauti replied in a perfectly calm voice. “However, the lord of this land who rules over us is Duke Genos, and Cyclaeus is acting as his proxy. If that man insists the Suun clan must face a heavier punishment, then all we can do is have him listen to their words and judge the weight of their crimes.”

“B-But that’s just Cyclaeus’s outward stance. It could just as easily be a ploy to put the Suun clan back in charge of the forest’s edge, right?”

“That’s nothing but a guess on Yamiru Lea’s part. We have no path left to us but to determine the true intentions of the lord of Genos and Cyclaeus. But if we judge those intentions to be in conflict with our own, we have no intention of just obeying.”

Even though Dari Sauti was already large, he somehow looked even bigger than usual. Actually, it wasn’t just him. Nearly everyone present was giving off the bloodlust of a hunter facing their long-time enemy.

“Asuta of the Fa clan. We may be fast approaching our limit.”

“Y-Your limit?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I just can’t see how that Cyclaeus noble is a proper ruler. I believe I said as much here in this Ruu settlement before, but those feelings have not softened, only grown stronger day by day. At this rate, I will be utterly unable to bear that man acting as representative for the lord of Genos.”

Even so, Dari Sauti’s expression remained perfectly calm.

“And word of Cyclaeus’s actions must have reached Duke Marstein’s ears by way of that Melfried man. But if the lord of the land will not make a move even so, does it not mean that he accepts what Cyclaeus has done?”

“Y-Yeah... Whether or not he accepts Cyclaeus’s actions as proper, he’s at least fine with leaving everything up to the man.”

“In that case, we must determine Duke Genos’s true feelings in regards to Cyclaeus’s actions. And if Cyclaeus tries to take Zuuro Suun and the others unjustly, then I suppose we’ll have to take up blades against him.”

“You’ll turn your blades on Genos...?”

“If Duke Genos determines Cyclaeus is still in the right even so, then that will be the result,” Dari Sauti said with a relaxed nod. “We have lived here at the Morga forest’s edge for eighty years now. To those of us who do not remember our time in the black forest of the south, this is our one and only home. But we cannot respect and serve a lord who we feel is unqualified for the title... Fortunately, we all agree on that point if nothing else.”

“I see...”

Before, Gulaf Zaza had been saying they would have to abandon Genos while Dari Sauti rebuked him. Only a mere ten days had passed since then, but in that time the leading clan heads had met twice with Cyclaeus. And in the last meeting in particular, Cyclaeus had attacked them while acting all evasive, which seemingly left them with a firm distrust of the man.

“Of course, it’s not as if we wish to abandon our home, Asuta. But if we don’t show at least this much resolve, we won’t ever be able to determine Cyclaeus’s true intentions,” Gazraan Rutim calmly stated. “How will Cyclaeus react when we bring along the former members of the main Suun house and have them speak? Just what will he say? And how will Melfried, a man so married to the laws of Genos, act in turn? We have decided we will determine our path forward after seeing all that through. But as long as Cyclaeus does not have blades drawn on us, ours shall also remain sheathed.”

“But won’t your blades be taken from you before you enter the meeting place?”

“Yes. Which is why we’ll have dozens of men standing by outside of the manor. If they hear our grass whistle signal, they are to charge inside.”

So they had already hashed out the details that far?

Without even thinking, I gulped.

“The mere act of us bringing along that many men should show our resolve clearly to Cyclaeus. And so, they won’t be able to draw their blades lightly. And we don’t wish to shed blood unnecessarily, either.”

“Right...”

“And though we haven’t come to a decision on this point yet, I believe we should spread word of these happenings throughout the post town.”

“Huh? The post town?”

“Yes. Asuta, I believe you’ve already opened up to inn owners from town in regards to our confrontation concerning the handling of the Suun clan. And we suspect Zattsu and Tei Suun committed countless crimes under Cyclaeus, which is also information that should be openly spread in the post town.”

“I’m still not convinced on that idea. What purpose is there to doing something like that?” Gulaf Zaza retorted, sounding quite doubtful.

Gazraan Rutim, meanwhile, just calmly turned his way.

“There are two reasons for doing so. Firstly, I believe the townsfolk have a right to know. And secondly, I don’t believe we should turn our blades on Genos before doing so.”

“I heard you say all that before. But I’m asking why you think that.”

“Right. Well, for the first reason, many of the townsfolk suffered directly under the tyranny of the Suun clan, so they have the right to know those facts. Especially considering there are those who lost family as a result, that much should be obvious, right?”

Milano Mas and Leito immediately came to mind.

They should have both already heard the truth of the matter by way of Kamyua Yoshu. However, Zattsu Suun and his associates murdered a whole merchant caravan of around thirty people. And their families all had a right to know everything.

“And in regards to my other point, even if we end up facing off with Cyclaeus as enemies, I believe those details should be properly conveyed to the people of Genos. Then, they can decide whether we people of the forest’s edge or that wicked noble are in the right... And if they choose Cyclaeus, then there will truly be no place left for us here in this land, correct?”

“Shouldn’t we just continue down the path we think is right, no matter what anyone else thinks...?”

“Is that truly the case, though? Even we are citizens of Genos living here in this land. We risk our lives to hunt giba, and purchase the produce grown in the fields we protect in order to fill our stomachs. This lifestyle of ours requires the people of the forest’s edge and the townsfolk both. So even though our bloodlines may differ, wouldn’t you say that all of us living here in Genos are most definitely comrades?”

Gulaf Zaza didn’t respond.

“However, we have spent eighty years now avoiding one another. Even if we were utterly incompatible, we would still have to live without interfering with each other, and yet for these past ten years our relationships have only worsened, and that is undoubtedly due to Zattsu Suun and his ilk. In order to determine if we truly are incompatible, though, we must first clear up any discord and misunderstandings remaining from that period, wouldn’t you say?”

I understood Gazraan Rutim’s assertion so much it almost hurt.

From very early on, I had thought the people of the forest’s edge were far too indifferent to what others thought of them and the misconceptions they might hold. Still, just how many of those present got what he was saying? From what I could figure, only two of them understood the gist: Dari Sauti and Ai Fa.

“Well, at the very least, I see no reason to strongly oppose Gazraan Rutim’s opinion there. Even if Cyclaeus turns out to be completely guiltless, all that would happen is we’d be seen as fools who were suspicious of an innocent man. And my suspicions of him run deep, so I don’t fear that in the least. Rather, if it turns out I’m mistaken, I’d prefer to be called a fool and repent instead of simply letting that fact go unknown,” Dari Sauti stated.

“This is making my head hurt. More importantly, wouldn’t this all go smoother with allies among the townsfolk? I mean, we opened up about our plan to them just yesterday, right?” Ludo Ruu piped up.

Hearing that, Gazraan Rutim smiled and replied, “Naturally, I think so as well.”

“Then I’m in agreement with Gazraan Rutim. There’s nothing wrong with having more allies.”

“Will the people of the post town really ally themselves with us? Regardless of who was behind it, the ones actually doing harm about town were the members of the Suun clan,” the Fou clan head said with a doubtful look.

However, Ludo Ruu just grinned and said, “That’s why we should tell them absolutely everything, that part included, right? It’s not enough to have just the lord of Genos determine whether or not it’s Cyclaeus or us who are in the right. The folks from the post town are the ones who actually suffered, so they have a right to judge that too.”

“Hmm...”

“As long as it’s fair, what’s the issue? Besides, it’s a fact that we left Zattsu Suun and his followers to do as they please. It seems like that Jeeda guy’s dropped his grudge against the people of the forest’s edge, but there may be other folks out there who think like him. And some of them may keep on hating us even so. I figure we’d have a better time accepting their decisions if they at least knew everything before coming to that conclusion.”

“You certainly are chatty there, Ludo...” Donda Ruu chimed in, finally speaking up for the first time.

Ludo Ruu turned his way and grinned again.

“And you’ve been awful quiet, Dad. I thought for sure you were taking a nap or something.”

“Quiet, you. At any rate, we’re walking the path forward that we believe in. And I’ve got no intention of concealing that from anyone. If this is what Gazraan Rutim wants to do, then why not let him?”

“I’m fine with that,” Dari Sauti added, while Gulaf Zaza remained silent, effectively giving his begrudging approval in the process.

The one to ultimately raise a slight doubt was instead the Beim clan head. “But it’s still possible that Cyclaeus noble is innocent, isn’t it? Even though I don’t trust that mundt of a man in the slightest.”

Donda Ruu grunted, “Hmph, everyone here feels the same. On the off chance it’s proven that man didn’t commit a single crime... Then I suppose it’ll mean we’re not qualified to lead our people, right, Gulaf Zaza, Dari Sauti?”

“Yes. After all, here we are thinking it may be unavoidable to cross blades with the lord of this land. If we have led our people down the wrong path, then we should take responsibility for that by stepping down from our posts as leading clan heads... Of course, depending on the circumstances we may have to offer up our necks to Genos for the great crime of treason,” Dari Sauti readily admitted.

The Beim clan head’s eyes narrowed with doubt. “I definitely believe such a fate isn’t awaiting us, but still... If we lose all of you, then who would we even have serve as the leading clan heads? You’re of course not saying we should reinstate the Suun clan, are you?”

“That can be decided at the clan head meeting. Actually, you or the Fou clan head here could be chosen, you know.”

“Th-That’s completely ridi—”

“We were chosen because we were the strongest clans after the Suun. However, there’s nothing to say that’s absolutely the right way of doing things. It’s your job to drag us down from this post like we did Zuuro Suun if I, Dari Sauti, or Gulaf Zaza stray from the proper path,” Donda Ruu interjected, breaking out in a wild, beastly grin for the first time in a while. “If we don’t have at least enough resolve to do that, we people of the forest’s edge will go repeating the same mistakes over and over again. It’s the job of each and every one of our people to determine whether or not their leading clan heads are qualified.”

“That’s absolutely right. As we failed to stop the Suun clan’s tyranny, we must embrace that failure and keep walking onwards,” Dari Sauti said as he corrected his posture. “Well then, shall we bring this discussion to a conclusion? If possible, I would like to inform the clans under me of our decisions while it’s still bright out.”

“Ah, there’s one more thing I’d like to say first. That Polarth noble visited me again today.”

With that, I gave the drawn-out explanation, and the reaction didn’t look especially favorable.

Was it just not clicking for these hunters of the forest’s edge why anyone would care about poitan cooking methods? Regardless, the only one of the group leaning forward with interest was, unsurprisingly, Gazraan Rutim.

“So Kamyua Yoshu had a scheme like that in mind, did he? He really is an unfathomable man, isn’t he?”

“I still don’t get it at all, but you’re pretty much saying the source of Cyclaeus’s strength is his fortune, so we’ll weaken him if we can take that from him?” Dari Sauti asked while scratching his head.

“That’s right,” I replied.

“At any rate, it would have been difficult to save you without the assistance of that Polarth noble, so why not let him do as he pleases? As long as it’s nothing against the laws of the forest’s edge, then I have no objections.”

Donda Ruu and Gulaf Zaza both seemed to be in agreement with Dari Sauti on that front.

“Alright, now we’ll finally bring this talk to a close. We’ll leave informing the other clans to the Fou and Beim as we have so—” Dari Sauti started to say, only for there to be a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Donda Ruu questioned.

“Shin Ruu, from the branch houses,” a voice replied. “Some folks from town have come to visit the Ruu settlement. And they say they wish to meet with the leading clan heads about an urgent matter.”

“Someone from town...?”

The crowd in the room started to stir.

“Who exactly is it? Actually, it’ll be quicker to just see them. Ludo, open the door.”

Ludo Ruu nodded, holding his sword as he ran over to the entrance. Everyone not belonging to the Ruu clan had handed over their blades already.

As we were seated farthest from the head of the group, we were naturally positioned close to the door, so Ai Fa cautiously got up on her knees and covered me. And so, I ended up looking at the visitors through the space between Ai Fa’s elegant side and her arm.

One visitor was large, while the other was small. I wasn’t familiar with the bigger one, but the little one was someone I was well acquainted with.

“My apologies for our late return, good people of the forest’s edge.”

“Oh, it’s you, Leito?!” I called out, unthinkingly moving to rise.

His flaxen hair had a soft look to it, and his light brown eyes shone brightly. This smiling young lad, his slender form covered by a traveler’s cloak, was Kamyua Yoshu’s disciple, Leito.

Was the person next to him a bodyguard or something, though? His blackish-brown hair was pulled back, and his face and robust physique looked every bit as intimidating as a hunter of the forest’s edge. Yeah, this big guy looked to be in his prime, and sure seemed strong.

He had on the same sort of traveler’s cloak as Leito, as well as a worn leather breastplate and bracers, plus I could see a crescent-shaped scabbard dangling at his hip.

“Kamyua Yoshu’s follower, huh...? So if you’re here, does that mean he finally accomplished what he was setting out to do?” Donda Ruu questioned.

“Yes,” Leito answered with a nod. He really did have guts, seeing how he still maintained his usual grin even when faced with this many hunters.

Meanwhile, the big man next to him had a cautious and suspicious expression on his lion-like face as he looked over the group.

“So, what about your master? And did those guys from the branch houses make it back safely too?”

“Kamyua and the members of the Ruu clan haven’t returned yet. The militia has set up camp to the north of Genos, and that gave us a serious feeling of danger, so the two of us stealthily took a roundabout path back on our own.”

“Hmph. So that bandit leader’s wife or whatever is still outside of Genos?”

That question was answered with, “No. It’s possible Kamyua and the others may not make it back by the 15th of the white month. And so, we returned on our own. My apologies, but would it be possible to have you shelter this valuable witness until the day of the meeting?”

“A woman from town, here in this settlement? I doubt the woman could bear that.”

“Really? I believe she’d be fine...” Leito responded, still smiling as he looked up at the large man next to him.

“Hmph,” the man snorted. “As if the wife of Goram Redbeard would be that frail. I don’t know anything about the people of the forest’s edge, but I doubt they’re more brutal than a gaaje leopard.”

Gaaje leopards were beasts that lived on Mount Masara, which Goram Redbeard’s son Jeeda hunted. Did that mean Jeeda’s mother hunted them too, just like her son?

Still, that big guy’s voice sure was raspy and weirdly difficult to make out. But it still had plenty of force behind it, and would probably be just as intense as Donda Ruu’s thundering roar if he were to shout.

“Well then, could we make this request of you? I don’t believe Cyclaeus has learned of our return yet, so you shouldn’t need to worry about staying on your guard, and she shouldn’t make trouble for you.”

“Before you go droning on like that, bring that woman here. I’ll give you my response after seeing her.”

“Of course... Then allow me to introduce you,” Leito said with a perfectly innocent smile, gesturing toward the large man next to him. “This is the bandit leader Goram Redbeard’s wife, Bartha of Masara. I ask that you please watch over her for these next five days.”

“Yeah, here’s to us getting along just fine. Ah, should I be bowing my head, too...?” the large man... er, Goram Redbeard’s wife Bartha said in an intimidating, booming voice with a cynical-looking grin.

Naturally, I wasn’t the only one present shocked into silence.

4

It was now night.

Ai Fa and I once again found ourselves sitting in the vacant house at the Ruu settlement.

My clan head had been insistent that tonight we would finally be returning to the Fa house, but Donda Ruu had declared that it would be safer to simply remain here until the 15th of the white month.

“The Fa house is removed from any other homes, isn’t it? Are you really saying you could protect your clan member all on your own, even if the place was surrounded by dozens of enemies?”

When faced with that comment, even Ai Fa couldn’t do anything more than bite her lip in frustration.

And currently, those lips were pouting just about as much as they possibly could. As she sat there leaned up against the wall while cradling one knee and turning away in a sulk, I was sad to say that she looked more like an adorable child rather than a dignified clan head.

However, there was one more big cause for Ai Fa’s bad mood. Which is to say, there were four other people here with us in the vacant house: Ludo and Shin Ruu, Bartha, and Leito. We were not only ordered to stay here in the Ruu settlement, but also to spend the night under the same roof as this group.

“Man, wouldn’t it be better if you two just stayed at the main house? Even my old man said it’d be safer that way. After all, we’re already in charge of keeping an eye on this pair,” Ludo Ruu said, but of course Ai Fa didn’t agree. I was pretty sure her mood only worsened in proportion to how many people she had to share a house with.

Well, at any rate, I was honestly uneasy too.

“Hmph. Still, this sure is a gathering of adorable faces. Were you trying to give a warm welcome to this young widow, or something?” Bartha said with a hearty laugh from her position in the center of the room, then she took a swig of fruit wine. I had a few hours by this point to grow accustomed to her appearance, but I still couldn’t believe I was looking at a woman.

Everybody criticized me back when I had mistaken Diel for a boy, but this time around I figured nobody would blame me.

Anyway, to start with she was just plain big. She had to be over 180 centimeters tall, her shoulders were wide, her torso was thick, and her arms and shoulders showed small mountains of muscle. She had a robust enough build to be a match for even Jiza Ruu and Gazraan Rutim.

Since she had a leather breastplate over her shabby clothing, I couldn’t spy any womanly points in that way, either. She looked just like some ruffian from the post town who failed as a mercenary or something as she sat there cross-legged and looked us over fearlessly while chugging down her fruit wine.

“You seem like you’re pretty skilled yourself. But take care not to do anything stupid, alright? You may be a guest or whatever, but if you start acting suspiciously I won’t show you any mercy,” Ludo Ruu harshly chided, seemingly annoyed at having his appearance remarked on there.

“Ooh, you sure are one scary brat,” Bartha retorted with a shrug of her shoulders. “I’m painfully aware that you lot aren’t the sort of cute little kids you look like. I’m honestly honored you’re this on guard over just little old me.”

Though Ai Fa and the other hunters all had their swords, she had to entrust her crescent-shaped blade to the main house.

Additionally, when I whispered to Ai Fa about her earlier, my clan head replied, “She’s not as skilled as her son.”

But even so, it seemed it wasn’t in her nature to fear hunters of the forest’s edge, as the whole time from when we met her up till now she acted undaunted, and at times even arrogant.

And now, those intensely shining dark eyes of hers were pointed toward me and Ai Fa.

“Well then, mind if I carry out my work here, too? Ai Fa and Asuta of the Fa clan, was it...? You’re the ones who got mixed up with my boy Jeeda, right? Could you tell me everything you know about that prodigal son of mine?”

“Right. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who’s interacted with him most here at the forest’s edge,” I answered, as Ai Fa was still sulking.

Apparently Bartha’s reason for coming all the way here to Genos was to hunt down her son’s whereabouts.

“I’m not exactly thinking of getting revenge for my husband at this point,” Bartha had said earlier in the day. “We were a group of bandits. People may have praised us as noble outlaws or whatever, but it doesn’t change the fact that we were breaking the law. Even if they were executed for the wrong reason, it wasn’t like they could’ve avoided that fate anyway. Once those soldiers got hold of him, Goram’s fate was sealed.”

And so, having lost her husband and comrades, she took the only important person left to her, her young son, and started a secluded life at the base of Mount Masara. Of course, it was pretty amazing to choose being a hunter on a mountain full of dangerous predators for a life of seclusion, but that was how her story went.

“Still, I wanted my son to live a life of pride. That was why I raised him with stories of what his old man Goram was like in place of lullabies, but that ended up coming back to bite me.”

Once Jeeda had gained the strength of a full-fledged hunter, he arrived at the conclusion that he should avenge his father who was executed falsely for crimes he didn’t commit, but his mother didn’t accept that. And so he left their home at the base of the mountain to go live as a hunter up on Mount Masara, and didn’t show himself again to his mother.

She had just kept on living as she had up till now, figuring eventually he would cool his head and come back. But once Jeeda had built up even further strength over the course of a year, he took off for Genos all on his own. He had heard tell from a merchant that his revenge targets, the people of the forest’s edge, had started doing business in the post town. And that was what ultimately triggered his reckless actions.

“So, you’re the person of the forest’s edge in question who started doing business, eh...?” Bartha had replied after hearing everything, drawing in close to my face.

Her skin had been tanned so thoroughly it had the texture of leather to it. Her big eyes were staring straight at me, while her eyebrows were almost entirely worn down. And her nose and mouth were big too, plus her jaw looked sturdy enough to chew through bone. As for her age, I figured she was probably somewhere in her mid-thirties. At any rate, it was a seriously rugged face that reminded me of a lion.

“The people of the forest’s edge who laid their crimes on the Red Beards were famed as a gathering of brutes more frightening than any bandits. And since they’re ostracized even among the people of Genos, if you just leave them be the folks from the castle will eventually execute them too. That was the sort of stuff I told Jeeda.”

“Right.”

“And yet you people of the forest’s edge were doing business in the post town, and earning quite a reputation at that. Thanks to that, my idiot son went and got all hotheaded. After all, it was looking like the people of the forest’s edge would be permitted to commit any crime they pleased.”

Jeeda himself had said something similar.

That was exactly why he had set my stalls in his sights right off the bat.

“Still, I heard about everything going on behind the scenes here in Genos from Kamyua Yoshu on the way, so I’m not gonna go coming after you now. And y’know, it makes sense there’d be rumors when your cooking’s that delicious... I never imagined I’d get to eat such tasty food out here in the forest.”

I had helped to prepare dinner for today. Bartha had chowed down every bit as much as Donda Ruu, and thinking back on it made her break out in a hearty grin before returning to a more serious expression.

“The one pulling the strings turning out to be a noble’s real troublesome, though. Even Jeeda wouldn’t make it out safely after making an enemy of a guy like that.”

“Right. But Jeeda said he would wait to see whether or not we could really expose Cyclaeus’s crimes before making a move. So we’ve got to do something about him for your son’s sake, too.”

“Ooh, for Jeeda’s sake?”

“Yes. If we people of the forest’s edge can legitimately bring Cyclaeus to justice, then Jeeda won’t have to go dirtying his hands.”

“Hmph, you lot sure have an awful strong sense of duty there.”

“I don’t know if I’d say that... I mean, even if Cyclaeus was the one pulling the strings, it was the Suun clan who actually did all that awful stuff, and they’re people of the forest’s edge. So I figure it’s only natural for us to feel responsibility for that.”

My focus naturally turned from Bartha to Leito, who was sitting there next to her. He was a victim of Zattsu Suun’s vile crimes, as the orphaned child of the leader of the merchant caravan that fiend wiped out.

Noticing my gaze, Leito smiled back.

“I believe the people of the forest’s edge finished their atonement when Zattsu and Tei Suun’s crimes came to light. The rest of you all are simply victims betrayed by their leading clan head.”

“I don’t agree there. I mean, we failed to even notice everything Zattsu Suun had done up until that Kamyua guy made a move,” Ludo Ruu retorted with a pout, but Leito’s smile remained unchanged.

“But you all dragged the Suun down from their position as the leading clan before Kamyua did anything, didn’t you? If the Suun had still been the leaders of the forest’s edge at that point, your people would be in an even worse position now, wouldn’t you?”

“So you don’t hate us...?”

“My father was killed by Zattsu Suun and his cronies, but that happened back before I was even born. My mother followed soon after, and while Milano Mas raised me, he didn’t talk about criminals from the forest’s edge in front of me. So I didn’t really grow up thinking of myself as a victim.”

And yet, when Zattsu Suun was captured his cheeks were also wet with tears.

Had Ludo Ruu seen that, too? At any rate, the youth was rustling his yellowish-brown hair as he glared at Leito, who was just innocently smiling away.

“Don’t you get tired, living like that?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m old enough to feel that sort of tiredness just yet.”

I couldn’t help but wonder how many kids of ten or so could give an answer like that.

“That sure is a difficult topic you’re discussing there,” Bartha said, furrowing her brow. “So getting back on track, is there a chance Jeeda will suddenly show up somewhere around this settlement?”

“I’m not really sure. When we last talked, it was like he was giving me a final farewell. He still didn’t seem all that fond of the people of the forest’s edge, though, so I’m kind of doubtful.”

“But he went out of his way to show himself when that noble was holding you, right? It’s not exactly anything to brag about, but it’s really hard for me to imagine him putting himself at risk for someone he’s not even related to like that,” Bartha said, slowly looking me over. “Seems to me that he’s quite taken by you... Or maybe he just feels guilty over directing his hatred at the wrong person?”

“Right. It seemed like quite a blow to him when he learned the criminals of the forest’s edge were ultimately just underlings being manipulated.”

I could still remember Jeeda’s face from that time in front of the Fa house, and how he looked like he was on the verge of tears.

If all the criminals are already dead... Then who should I even be swinging my blade at...? Jeeda had said.

I didn’t believe in the idea of seeking revenge.

But Jeeda, Bartha, Leito, and Milano Mas had all lost family to a cruel plot solely driven by greed.

Zattsu Suun and his underlings had paid for those crimes with their lives over the course of these past ten years, but if anyone involved was still alive and unjudged, then they couldn’t simply be left alone.

“Still, I can’t imagine dragging out someone like me would be all you need to cross blades with a noble,” Bartha said with a wild swig of fruit wine. “It’s true that I know better than anyone that the Red Beards never killed anybody. But I was one of them up until my son was born, and I can’t imagine folks from the castle listening to the testimony of someone who used to be a bandit.”

“But you’ve had contact with someone from the castle before, haven’t you? I believe that’s ultimately why Kamyua believes you can prove Cyclaeus’s guilt.”

That was a new fact we had only just learned of today.

Apparently, Cyclaeus’s underling had approached the Red Beards before they were falsely charged.

“I don’t even know if they were really from the castle town, though. They just dressed like they were well-off.”

“But that person tried to incite you to attack the envoys from Banarm, right? Cyclaeus probably plotted to use the Red Beards as pawns before going to Zattsu Suun instead... Or at least, that’s what Kamyua said.”

The matter had already been discussed in front of the leading clan heads during the day.

Cyclaeus had initially plotted to bring the Red Beards under him, and when that failed, he hastily moved to eliminate them.

Perhaps he always intended to make use of both of them, or maybe he decided to rely on a troublesome man like Zattsu Suun because he failed to win over the Red Beards... Naturally, none of that was clear to me, but it at least appeared the Red Beards had been placed in such a situation.

“Still, there’s one thing left that doesn’t make sense to me,” I said, deciding to voice the doubt that had been lingering over me since earlier in the day. “Those circumstances are something that only the members of the Red Beards and maybe some people in Cyclaeus’s camp should know about. And yet Kamyua was full of confidence that you were going to be the deciding factor right from the start. How exactly did he go about getting a hold of confidential information like that?”

“It wasn’t ‘confidential’ or anything like that. Goram and I were acquaintances with Kamyua Yoshu right from the start.”

“Come again...?”

“It’s been more than ten years now since that shady man came to us with his questionable story. Back when that guy was just getting started as a bodyguard, he ran into my Goram at a bar and they really hit it off. If things had gone just a bit differently, that blond haired kid could’ve ended up joining the Red Beards, even.”

I felt like I was on the verge of collapsing to the floor when I heard that.

Seriously, just how much was that guy going to jerk people around before he’d feel satisfied?

And as he saw me in that state, Leito just smiled again.

“Kamyua has wandered about the western kingdom for over ten years now, after all. And he’s formed bonds with all sorts of people in all sorts of places, to the point that it even surprises me. I’m certain Kamyua’s reason for living lies in weaving those countless strings he’s tied to others into a picture that’s to his liking.”

“Right... So this wasn’t a coincidence, but an inevitability?”

“Yes. From his hundreds of bonds, Kamyua has chosen the Red Beards, myself, Milano Mas, the lord of Genos, and the like to weave a portrait of Cyclaeus’s defeat. That is how I look at it.”

“That sure is something else. It’s like he’s some sort of god, toying around with the fate of us mortals, eh?” Bartha chimed in, sounding rather displeased.

Leito, meanwhile, just adorably tilted his head in response. “Even so, Kamyua seems to think of himself as just another thread in the tapestry. And so he’s always grinning and saying if you don’t work your hardest, you’ll never achieve the result you desire.”

“I’m sure that blond boy won’t be meeting with a pleasant death. Not that I have room to talk, with the way I’ve lived my life, though.” With that, Bartha’s firm gaze looked over everyone present. “At any rate, it’s reckless opposing a noble head on here in the western kingdom. You don’t have the slightest chance of winning like that. That’s exactly why my husband formed a bandit group, to fight back against them bit by bit. But in the end, he still got executed...”

“Yes. But Kamyua has formed a bond with Duke Marstein Genos, and also successfully made allies of nobles such as Melfried and Polarth. At this rate, even Count Saturas, the ruler of the post town, may get involved. And if that happens, it might be possible to leave Cyclaeus truly isolated,” Leito said, then he turned my way. “Still, even Kamyua hadn’t predicted that the people of the forest’s edge would already have ties with Polarth. Since Kamyua can’t return to Genos just yet, the plan was actually for me to make contact with Polarth in his place tomorrow.”

“Yeah, like I said earlier, since I was careless, we had no choice but to rely on him.”

“It certainly does sound like you’ve had it rough. Kamyua never guessed Cyclaeus’s daughter would do such a thing. But it seems there’s more and more criticism of Cyclaeus throughout the post town now, so it looks like something good came of your troubles, at least.”

Still, I wasn’t exactly in a position to say, “Glad to hear it!” to that. And Ludo Ruu was also making a rather displeased face, too.

Despite all that, Leito maintained a cheery smile as he continued on, “These circumstances may be similar to when Kamyua was attempting to entrap Zattsu and Tei Suun. Kamyua had set up all sorts of plans in advance in both cases, only for the people of the forest’s edge to move things in a better direction of their own volition first, before he could execute any of them. Perhaps it’s strange to say when we’re both up against the same foe, but it really does feel like the winds of fate are blowing your way now.”

“Hey kid, you said you were Kamyua Yoshu’s disciple, right? But there’s no need to go mimicking your master’s way of life so exactly, y’know,” Bartha chided Leito in an intimidating tone. “Everybody’s got their own thoughts and feelings. If you forget that and go toying with everyone’s fates as you please, you really could meet with a terrible end.”

“I don’t really think I’m toying with anyone’s fate. I simply believe you might not be able to live a joyful life even if you accept the fate given to you by the gods as is.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not good to go around saying stuff like that...” Bartha said with a frown. She traced what looked like a pentagram with her finger in front of her chest, then mumbled something in her mouth. Maybe it was a prayer begging forgiveness from the western god Selva for Leito’s disrespect.

“At any rate, the die has already been cast. Kamyua will definitely keep on working to expose Cyclaeus’s old crimes.”

“But it doesn’t seem like he’ll make it back in time for the meeting, does it? Isn’t Kamyua worried about leaving everything up to Zasshuma and Melfried?” I interjected.

“Hmm,” Leito murmured as he shifted into a cute thinking pose. “It certainly wouldn’t hurt if Kamyua made it back in person. But if that militia group deployed to the north was assembled to capture thieves dressed as people of the forest’s edge... It could prove a bit difficult to break through.”

“So Cyclaeus really does intend to frame Kamyua and those men from the Ruu clan as bandits?”

“I don’t know anything for certain. But rumors of those bandits had reached all the way to Banarm when we were resting there, so Kamyua must have been able to predict that much.”

So that guy was still plotting away with his usual aloof grin, even when he was traveling distant lands, huh?

A sort of lethargic silence fell over the room, only to be broken by Bartha’s booming voice.

“You guys sure stuck your necks into some troublesome stuff too, eh? If you hunters had just kept to the mountain where you belonged, you never would’ve gotten tangled up in this mess, y’know.”

“Yes, but the people of the forest’s edge ended up having bad blood between us and Cyclaeus anyway, completely unrelated to Kamyua Yoshu’s actions. I figure there was probably no way of avoiding the current situation...”

“Hmph, what a waste. It’s not often you see a mountain with hundreds of fine hunters like this.”

With that, Ludo Ruu’s expression shifted a bit more toward his usual one as he leaned forward.

“That reminds me, you’re a hunter too, right? This is my first time seeing a woman hunter other than Ai Fa.”

“Yeah, since I was born on Masara to start with. Of course, I ran away once I hit eighteen, and then I met Goram... And in the end I lost that new life of mine too, and had to head back home, where I didn’t even have any family left.”

“Hmm... But you’re not wearing the garb of a hunter. Even though that Jeeda kid had a cloak made from the pelt of some sort of leopard...”

“A gaaje leopard pelt, you mean. I’d seriously stand out if I wore something like that around here, now wouldn’t I? So I left it at home.”

We covered such weighty topics all throughout the day, so maybe it was about time that everyone got sick of talking about Cyclaeus.

Well, we had already more or less covered all the essential information. Donda Ruu and everyone else seemed to trust Bartha enough to allow her to stay in the settlement at least, so that meant all we had to do was just wait till the 15th of the white month.

As those thoughts ran through my head, the tension drained from my shoulders, but then I saw Ai Fa suddenly open her mouth after staying silent for so long, causing me to snap back to attention.

“Bartha of Masara... Are you saying you were born into a line of hunters, then?”

As she scratched her rugged chin, Bartha turned toward Ai Fa.

“It’s nothing that grandiose. Just that when you’re born at the foot of Masara, all you can do for a living is hunt barobaro birds. If I recall correctly, I was fifteen when I first took down a gaaje leopard and was recognized as a full-fledged adult.”

“I was also fifteen when I was first able to take down a giba on my own...”

“Ooh, giba are supposed to be just as tough as gaaje leopards, right? That sure is something, with those frail little arms you’ve got,” Bartha said with a bright grin. It was a manly and fierce smile, but also quite charming at the same time. “Still, it’s true that you’ve got the fine gaze of a hunter, too. There aren’t that many female hunters even back on Masara. When you’re born as big as me it’s no trouble, but running around the forest is tough for your average woman.”

“You...”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“It’s just... You were a hunter, and yet you had a child?”

I gulped.

However, Bartha’s smile remained unchanged.

“I mentioned it before, didn’t I? I had Jeeda after I left Masara. My family was all killed by gaaje leopards and nobody was gonna have me marry into their house, so I left home for a while. And then on account of my strength I was accepted into the Red Beards. Less than two years later I was blessed with Jeeda. Not long after that, I lost my husband and all our comrades, so I decided to live as a hunter again.”

“I see...”

For some reason, my heart skipped a beat.

Actually, if I’m being honest, I knew the reason right from the start. Just like Ludo Ruu had said, she was the first female hunter I had met other than Ai Fa. I must have not paid attention to that point till now because I was focused on Cyclaeus instead... Plus, I suppose there was the fact that Bartha looked manlier than plenty of men out there.

“The female hunters of Masara generally quit the job after having kids. Since you can’t go up onto the mountain for years after having one, you tend to lose quite a bit of your skill and strength.”

“I see.”

“But, well, I was as strong as most guys to begin with. And I didn’t have any other way of earning coins, so I worked like crazy to build my strength back up.”

“Right...”

“Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have been able to push myself that hard if Jeeda hadn’t been around. But because of him, I couldn’t exactly give up on life.”

Ai Fa remained silent, no expression whatsoever showing on her face.

However, her blue eyes made it look like she was seriously worrying about something.

I found that a little hard to bear, and so I glanced around at everyone else.

Leito was just smiling away as he listened to the two of them talk.

Shin Ruu had been even quieter than Ai Fa, and he was staring out the window, seemingly keeping attentive watch.

As for Ludo Ruu... His gaze met mine, and he shot me a playful wink.

Without thinking, I turned away, then gave a small sigh. My heart hadn’t slowed its pounding in the least.

“By the way, I’ve gotta hole up here in this settlement till the 15th of the white month, don’t I?” Bartha asked, turning toward Ludo Ruu since Ai Fa had gone silent. “I know I was told not to head to town, but you’re not planning on telling me I can’t take a single step out of this house, are you?”

“Couldn’t say. Those nobles can’t exactly have their underlings sneak in during the middle of the day. But still, just staying in the house would be safest.”

“This ain’t no joke, kid. If I can’t so much as step outside for four whole days, I’ll end up dying of boredom.”

“You should be telling stuff like that to my old man, not me. But, well, if you’re bored then why not chop firewood or something...?”

I figured Ludo Ruu had just meant that as a joke, but when he said it Bartha’s eyes seriously lit up.

“Yeah, if you give me something to do that keeps me moving like that, then I’ll have no complaints. But I just feel restless at the thought of having nothing to do, aside from sleeping and getting fed. Could you ask your dad to do something so I don’t end up bored to death, kid?”

“My name’s not ‘kid.’ It’s Ludo Ruu.”

“Ah, guess I was being rude there, treating such a fine hunter as just some kid. Anyway, I’m counting on you, Ludo Ruu.”

With that, Ludo Ruu also broke out in a bit of an amused grin.

“You’re a strange one, y’know. It feels like you’re more like us than the average townsfolk.”

“That’s because I’m a hunter too, more or less. Though I’ve abandoned my old home once before, so I can’t exactly say I’ve devoted my soul to Masara or anything... But at any rate, I feel more at ease out on a mountain than in an overly busy town.”

It was true that Bartha wasn’t quite fully either a townsperson or a hunter, which gave her a bit of an unusual feel.

While she didn’t seem to possess the same sort of rustic honesty as the people of the forest’s edge, I could sense that she was a real free spirit, somehow. With the way she acted, it seemed less like she was afraid of the nobles, and more like she just thought it was stupid to go getting involved with guys like that.

And I suppose the way she thought of having lost her beloved husband was not that different from the way it was treated when hunters died out in the forest. At any rate, the reason she acted so frank and unaffected seemed to be less because she was unfeeling, and more because she was just plain tough.

“Well, let’s save talking about tomorrow for when it comes. It’s already gotten awfully late, so it’s time to call it a day,” Ludo Ruu said as he grabbed his blade and stood. “You and the kid can have the inner room. Shin Ruu and I will be keeping watch just in case, so don’t go making any questionable moves.”

“Yup, I expect I’ll be sleeping like a baby soon.”

Everyone else started following Ludo’s example and rising to their feet.

Ai Fa and I had no need to do so, though, so Ludo Ruu ended up staring down at us.

“Asuta, Ai Fa, you two are going to sleep in the main hall like always? That’s a weird thing to do, when there are plenty of rooms to go around.”

“The Fa house only has rooms for storage, so I’ve always slept in the main hall for quite some time now.”

“I see. Well, do as you like. And you don’t need to worry about us,” Ludo Ruu said in a tone that made it sound like he was about to whistle or something, then he headed off with the other three.

There was a hallway at the far end of the main hall, and Bartha and Leito headed to a room back there to sleep. Since Donda Ruu didn’t fully trust Kamyua Yoshu, Ludo and Shin Ruu took turns keeping watch over the pair.

And in the meantime, we remained in the main hall.

The silence lingering in the air felt almost heavy, somehow.

“Ah... Should we get to sleep, too?”

“Right,” Ai Fa replied, but she didn’t move. Her blonde hair also remained done up, too.

Figuring there was nothing else I could do, I went ahead and laid down first.

And then, I thought to myself. Even if women were permitted to be hunters on Masara, and Bartha kept on hunting after having a child, that has nothing to do with us...

I certainly wasn’t prepared to go marrying anyone here in this world.

And as for Ai Fa, she was firmly ready to die out in the forest as a hunter.

It was only right for us to keep on going as we had up till now... At least, probably.

But is that really true...?

Only Ai Fa knew how she really felt. And as for my own feelings, they were a mystery even to me.

I was someone who could eventually just up and disappear from this world. In fact, I didn’t even know by what logic I was here in this world to begin with. And so I didn’t think it was right for me to take a bride and have kids without the proper resolve.

But what did I even mean when I thought about resolve?

After all, even if I could disappear someday, what made that different from anyone else not knowing when they might die?

Up until yesterday, I had spent a number of days without Ai Fa. It had felt like I wasn’t even living, and it caused me more suffering than I had ever imagined. If I had never been able to see Ai Fa again after that, would I really not have had any regrets?

The way that I truly didn’t want to lose Ai Fa, but held myself back from crossing that final line out of some sense of decorum or ethics... Would I truly not regret that?

As that thought passed through my mind, I felt a warmth on my back.

Still, I had figured that may happen, so I wasn’t especially shocked. My heartbeat still definitely picked up the pace, though.

“Don’t say a thing,” Ai Fa whispered from right behind my neck.

She was snuggled up close along my back, her fingers gripping firmly around my shoulders.

“I truly am blessed, being with you like this,” Ai Fa quietly stated. “I have no complaints about my current life with you. I’m already perfectly content. That’s how I truly feel...”

I feel exactly the same way, I replied in my heart.

Did I have the resolve needed to tread further past this current happiness?

And did Ai Fa want anything further, too?

It ended up being the sort of night where such questions kept on piercing deep into my chest.