Toasteful: Chapter 72, Part 1

　Inoue Kehiko is a member of a daimyo (feudal lord) family and is a mere mortal without spiritual powers.

　Just as the warrior class in the real world originated from self-defense organizations formed by peasants and local leaders to combat thieves and disputes over water and land rights, the existence of warriors, or samurai, in Fusō-kuni also began on the fringes as self-defense groups for pioneer villages and wanderers. The difference is that, unlike historical fact, even if the warrior class were to emerge in Fusō-kuni, the imperial court would continue to maintain substantial power.

　The reason is "Youkai." They were absolute enemies without compromise or negotiation. To survive against these large groups of supernatural beings, a centralized government with significant military power was far superior to a feudal state with regional decentralization, where mobilization of large troops was difficult. Unlike in the real world, there were means of long-distance communication including shikigami, and the existence of opposing forces such as exorcists may have been one of the reasons. So, in this world, the human powers that could not centralize their power have perished or declined, so most of the surviving nations are centralized even if they do not want to be...

　Anyway, in the end, the warrior class in this world never managed to expand their authority to the point of becoming a de facto state organization. Instead, they remained as a supplementary force to the official army, consisting of quick-response local militias in frontier areas and conscripted soldiers. They also maintained their position as a group of military aristocrats and middle-ranking commanders.

　Now, this 'Ikaku clan' is one of the largest feudal warrior clans in the southern region, renowned for its skilled warriors who had experienced numerous battles against both human and youkai enemies. Although calling the clan with 'Ikaku Musha Sanzen ki (A troop of 3,000 samurai/warriors with boar crests)' is an exaggeration, the clan was indeed so powerful that it could gather an army of that size if it mobilized all of its soldiers, including foot soldiers, support personnel and those of the "geta" (a small group of people who were not members of the clan).

　And Inoue Kehiko, who came from this Ikaku clan and served at the Imperial Court, rose through the ranks to become a Nando-bounin (defender of the southern regions), a commander of the Nisshiro Army, and a first lieutenant in the Kebiishi (police and judicial chief) office, and was of perfect family background and talent, and could have risen to an appropriate position at the Imperial Court in the future. However, this would have only been possible if he did have a common personality...

　The people of the southern region, even the peasants and women and children, were known for their straightforward and chivalrous nature, but also for their impulsiveness, recklessness, and rebellious spirit. It is said that there are many brave and courageous soldiers, warriors, righteous men, and chivalrous men, but there are just as many troublemakers among them. And Inoue Kehiko is no exception.

　Although he is an upper-echelon member of the Kebiishi (police and judicial chief), which is in charge of maintaining the capital's security, he openly enjoys drinking in bars during the daytime, gambling, going to brothels, and getting into fights. He must have caused headaches for his superiors. But he was full of righteousness and fortitude, and he was popular among his subordinates and the people because of his character of going up against thieves, bandits, and youkai, cutting them down, defeating them, and buying drinks and food to those around him without any concern for his own pocketbook, but this was of no concern to his superiors. Because he caused problems time and time again, despite receiving warnings every time.

　The final straw came when he got into a dispute with a high-ranking official's family member. The case itself was not one-sided, but... he finally crossed the line. He was ordered to be dismissed.

　According to the novel version, after being dismissed, he didn't return to his home country immediately. Instead, he lived in the capital for a while, working as a gangster or perhaps a kabuki actor. Then, by some chance, he got acquainted with a local lord of Hotaruya village who was visiting the capital at that time, and he ended up working for him.

　"I heard that there were no good fighters in this village. So I was hired as a bodyguard against youkai and thieves. ...Well, in reality, there's hardly any work, so I'm just freeloading, really. Surprisingly, he'd hire a no-good like me, but I guess he must be in a pretty desperate situation. And be careful, the ground's slippery around here."

　Kehiko warns as we ride our horses along the mountain road leading to the township village. I jumped my horse and rode over the muddy path. It seemed that the road leading to the village had collapsed due to the heavy rain that had fallen the previous day.

　"This road is too muddy for a vehicle, let alone for people on foot."

　I warn the formation following behind me of the muddy road. It may be easy to overlook when living in the capital, but unpaved roads need frequent repairs, or they will quickly become rough. And a rough road is very troublesome. Walking on them is a hard task, and even riding a vehicle requires wasting energy just from the vibration. If a wheel is damaged, it could result in a standstill. What's sad is that even such a terrible road is much better than an unmarked path.

　"Worst case, if a vehicle gets stuck in the mud, we'll have to push it manually... Oh, wait... did it really get stuck?"

　"You guys are unlucky. If you'd have gotten in a little earlier, you'd have had an easier time getting into the village. Well, just think of it as bad luck."

　Just when I was worried, Uemon's oxcart got stuck in the mud... and is surrounded by servants, miscellaneous laborers, and footmen. Should I go and help them too...?

　"Hey, hey, don't do something pointless like that. You'll get dirt on you. You're the superior of these servants, right? Leave that to your men. If you meddle, your men will only become more concerned."

　The southern man turns his horse to the side and boasts in a tone that clearly shows he is used to bossing people around. To a wandering gangster like him, it may seem like a natural thing for a high-ranking warrior to assert his status because in his native land, he is a senior warrior with a solid family background.

　...And yet, he appears carefree and reckless, without caution.

　"Is that why everyone around here seems to be on high alert?"

　"Hmm? Have you noticed?"

　"Even I can tell, so I'm sure Lord Uemon's party has been aware of it for a while now."

　I looked around for any sign of the others. I sense the gaze of two people behind us, one person to our right, and the other ahead of us, as well as from the bushes and trees. They seem to be armed and well-trained.

　They are probably Kehiko's men. Even in a small village, it's impossible to maintain security with just one person. So, it is only natural that he has subordinates. In the novel version, they were only briefly described as nameless followers, but I remember that he led them.

　"Seriously, those with spiritual power are sharp. Even the servants have this level of awareness. ...I'll tell you, there's nothing to feel guilty about, you know. I'm just trying to keep an eye on the perimeter. It's to ensure your safety."

　Kehiko explains while feeling truly exasperated. In front of the great youkai or calamity youkai, servants are nothing more than something to be scattered ten to one. However, this is only when dealing with higher-ranked youkai. A legion of human soldiers without spiritual power can safely kill even a small youkai by beating him up with a few men. But if it was one-on-one against a servant, it's a different story. Even a lowly spiritual power servant has a huge advantage over someone without any, let alone regular exorcists. ...That being said, they are targeted more frequently as a result.

　"I understand. You can rest assured."

　Frankly, people with spiritual power are dangerous. They are hard to control and they attract youkai. In fact, he probably didn't have his men there just to protect and guard the area. But there is no point in pointing that out, so I accept Kehiko's statement.

　"I hope so..."

　"If you order the lurking guard to help the oxcart stuck in the mud, Lord Uemon's trust will be further strengthened."

　"You're taking advantage of us so easily, aren't you? Huh?"

　"Well, what do you mean by that?"

　Sensing that we might be stuck here for a while, I made the suggestion, and Kehiko looked at me with an amused expression, but his eyes weren't smiling. He was observing me.

　"...You still seem like someone we can reason with."

　"Reason with... Is that a joke?"

　"I can tell some things even through a mask. Hey, you guys! Our guest is in trouble!! Help them out!!"

　Kehiko shouts after a sniffle. At the same time, armed men appear in droves. They looked reluctant, but they followed Kehiko's orders and headed toward the ox cart. They seemed like rough and tough men who were confident in their fighting abilities, but Kehiko seemed to have them under control.

　"...Are you a spearman?"

　Kehiko asked, glancing at his subordinates who were helping to push the cart out of the mud, alongside the miscellaneous laborers and mongrels. His eyes were on the cloth-wrapped spear I was carrying.

　"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

　"In my family's warrior clan, it's not uncommon to have spear users. However, in the army or kebiishi (police and judicial chief), there aren't many who possess spiritual power. Some of the capital's gangsters have it, but unlike our family members, they're not properly trained. What do you think? How about we have a match later? ...After working up a sweat, a drink would be quite refreshing, don't you think?"

　His battle maniac's face as he asked this showed genuine interest. Spiritual power users were valuable. Even among the population of Fusō-kuni, there were not many people with spiritual power, even among commoners. Among them, those who had received proper training were even rarer. Most of the defective/stray exorcists, sorcerers, and gangsters who possessed spiritual power were self-taught in combat.

　Although the servants were indeed disposable, they were still one of the few who had received regular and proper training. In fact, it was necessary for them to receive at least that level of training in order to fulfill their minimum role as litmus paper against the great or calamity youkai. This is why Kehiko was interested in me, the oldest among the servants present here. This was likely due to his southern upbringing, where the warrior class valued martial arts and had a strong desire for self-improvement.

　"I can't do it alone. As for that..."

　"I need your boss's authorization, huh? Servants are a pain in the ass, aren't they? Got it. I'll make the request through my boss. But don't go easy on me, okay?"

　The southern man grinned, clearly enjoying himself. At this rate, his request will probably be granted. His lord is generous, and Uemon will do his best to accommodate his guest's wishes. ...Ah, what a hassle.

　However, there is no choice but to accept the request, is there?

　"...I understand."

　I bow my head and respond respectfully. At the same time, there was a shout from behind me. It was shortly after that that the oxcart pulled out of the mud.

* * *

　Hotaruya is a rural village located in a basin in Jōkei County, Haruga Province, in the northern part of Fusō-kuni. It has a long history and was settled at least a thousand years ago.

　The land is rich due to its easily defensible and difficult-to-attack location, as well as its small size and high-quality spiritual veins. Its boundary was built by a boundary master, Sue Harukata, who is one of the seven great exorcists and is still in good condition after many years, despite some minor tears.

　The population of the central village of Hotaruya is about 800, and the population of the six surrounding small villages combined is no more than about 1,200 at best. The villagers are generally warm and friendly, but due to the closed nature of the village community, there are still many reckless individuals.

　"I heard that even in the time of the great war, these people were never involved in a war. Even thieves find it difficult to approach. With so few experiences of suffering from youkai or curses over its long history, this is how it has become."

　The man from the southern land cowered his shoulders as he looked out over the village from a distance.

　After passing through the Torii gate, which is the entrance to the boundary... the youkais who had somehow joined the group of people had disappeared without a trace and we made our way through the mountain path until we arrived at the village. It was a peaceful and tranquil village, seemingly without any abnormalities. But well, it was the main character's hometown.

　"Well then, let's get off. Follow me."

　After confirming that there is nothing wrong with the village, Kehiko tells us to go down the road, or more precisely, down the road paved with terraced rice fields that have been cleared from the mountain.

　"The fields around here are newly cultivated land. My boss brought in a mountain specialist and carefully cleared the land to prevent flooding and landslides. In fact, the flat land below could not be cultivated anymore."

　Kehiko explains to me as we walk down the road. Nearly twenty years ago, the village head took pity on the farmers who had migrated from outside during a famine and hired them as peasants to clear the land with the help of experts.

　"......"

　The scenery of Hotaruya village, which I have seen many times when I played the game, is the image of a good old-fashioned or stereotypical Japanese farm village, but now that I was born the son of a peasant in a pioneer village and have learned the common sense of this world to the point of disgust, I can understand at once how unique this village is.

　I envied the quality of the hoe and other farming tools. Perhaps the reason there are so many cows is that they use ox-drawn plows. And although rice cultivation relied on water, this village had a carefully maintained irrigation system with even a water wheel installed. Then, in a corner of the rice field, peasants harvested the rice and sorted it using a toothed implement and a basket sieve. It was surprising to see such a wide range of farming tools used by the peasants, which were probably as shared property. Their clothing was made of cotton, not hemp, and some were dyed. Also, not a single person was seen walking barefoot.

　The biggest difference, however, was the expression on everyone's faces. Everyone was working happily with a hearty smiles on their face. I guess they were celebrating the harvest of autumn. ...And when I strongly remember that where I come from, everyone worked silently under the dark sun because the majority of the harvest we worked so hard to grow would be taken away as taxes. Everything was different in Hotaruya village, except for the fact that it was an agricultural village.

　"Hmm...?"

　I notice some people staring at me through the rice. For a moment, I brace myself for my job, but if I look closely, I can see who it is right away. It was a child. Maybe not even ten years old. Probably the children of peasants, who were curiously looking at me through the golden rice plants.

　"...? ...!!?"

　And they seemed to have noticed my gaze as well and were a little surprised. After looking at each other at the same time, they turned around and smiled at me again. It was the smile of a mischievous child. A pure smile.

　"Hey, you brats! Stop playing around and help your parents with their work!"

　Kehiko yells at the children as he noticed the children's presence. The children ran away into the rice paddies in a panic. At this sight, Kehiko sighs heavily.

　"As you can see, these peasant kids are always playing around instead of helping with their parents' work. It's unbelievable."

　"Well, with that many farming tools around, it's only natural."

　I respond to Kehiko's lamenting words matter-of-factly. Although my tone of voice is casual, inside I was quite surprised. At the same time, I was aware of how much I had been influenced by the norms of this world. Not only in my hometown but any peasant child of that age would help his parents in some way. But those children... with their bodies and limbs, didn't seem to be helping their parents with the farm work much.

　"My boss is too soft. It may sound good to be benevolent, but it's not always the best way."

　The voice of the guard who said this to me sounded more like he was speaking to a friend than disrespecting his employer.

　The house of the village head, the head of the village, was built on a small hill overlooking the center of the village through the rice paddies. While it was far from the Kizuki family's estate, it still had a vast estate with enough room to house a hundred peasant huts, and a gate large enough for several ox carts to pass through. Several guards were gambling nearby.

　"Hey, you guys! You can play, but don't forget to keep an eye on things, okay? ...Is our boss here!! It's Kehiko! I brought a guest!!"

　After warning his men, Kehiko opens the gate marked with the family crest of the Hotaruya family and declares so.

　"All right, stop here."

　I also order the ox-drawn wagon coach. The oxcart pulls up in the front yard of the house, and I and my men get off in a line to greet Uemon and the others.

　"Hmph. Well, it's decent enough."

　Uemon mutters to himself as he fanned his oily face. He was evaluating the appearance of the house. When the exorcists who were following him arrived, the person appeared from the main hall of the house.

　(Is that the main character's father?)

　Although there were no pictures in the game version or novel version, in the manga version, the prequel and the tragedy in the tutorial village were depicted explicitly, so I knew his design. And the man who appeared was literally a mirror image of him.

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