[Part 2/5]
I couldn't use my knowledge from the original work as a justification. Instead, I had to bluff convincingly and suggest while shrouding my true intentions. If it concerned the intricate conspiracies of the Onitsuki family, this approach could surprisingly work. And curiosity can be dangerous. If Sarujirou's stance of avoiding troublesome matters held true, he might provide some consideration.
"...You're keeping everything to yourself again."
"Yes?"
"I'm just talking to myself. ...So? What are you planning to do with me and the alcohol you bought with your meager money? Huh?"
Though he responded to my muttered words, Sarujirou was preoccupied with something at his side... He lifted the bottle of alcohol and inspected it multiple times, peering at it as if checking its quality. While inspecting, he shot me a straightforward question.
"Hahaha... Don't play dumb now. You know what I want when I offer a bribe, don't you?"
I had established numerous connections during my time as a laborer, most of which had been lost, but a few remained. One of those connections was the curse-tool master before me. He had graduated from being an apprentice and was now recognized as a full-fledged curse-tool master. I hinted at my main topic, revealing just enough. I used previous sporadic transactions as examples to imply my intentions.
"However, facilitating the provision of tools... Premium items are meant for the main family and the household members, right? I can't give those."
The familiar curse-tool master confirmed with a stern expression. Among the curse-tools created by the curse-tool masters, the top-tier items were custom-made for the Onitsuki family and its affiliated household members. If there wasn't surplus stock, they were tailored to individual characteristics, making them unattainable for me. The products sold to commoners, one of Onitsuki family's sources of income, could be sold, but their capabilities were well-known.
"I don't mind. Even simple leftover items are fine. I just want to have as many cards up my sleeve as possible. Please...!!"
I lowered my head deeply, truly deeply. I pleaded. I begged. It was almost akin to begging for my life.
The official debut of Onitsuki family's Second Princess in combat. Exterminating the nests of great youkai... for the mob, this was like a top-class death flag, and for me to join their ranks in order to survive, my options were far from plentiful.
What's certain is that somehow managing to withdraw from the group of participants was a choice, but at present, it seemed unlikely. Through various means, I resisted, but my limited connections led to failure everywhere. I have been trying to make contact with the head of servant by inventing reasons based on my position as a Yun-shoku's assistant, but I'm not even able to meet with them.
Or rather, I had heard stories from Onitsuki Shisui, who held the assistant position. Is it a lie? Were they nominated by the psycho father? Hahaha, I'm dead! I'm getting in the coffin!
...Wait a second. Isn't this a bit too obsessive? He ignored me until now, but now he has come for revenge on her beloved daughter? It seems possible, which is terrifying. No, maybe it's just an extra from the loli gorilla.
"If you're going to be that desperate, why not try begging to the princess? She might be able to do it."
"That's a bit..."
I frowned at Sarujirou's suggestion. I didn't have the luxury of choosing my methods, but asking her for help felt shameless. Even if she were to agree, or even if it were to succeed... it would only be a temporary solution. It might even make things worse if I couldn't anticipate the next move. It was a bad move.
"Well, no, I'd rather avoid that. It involves the Second Princess. Asking for Princess Hina's favor could stir up unnecessary trouble."
In the original work, the general idea of the trap that the loli gorilla fell into was mentioned. While it might not be exactly the same, if I knew the details, I could still come up with countermeasures. The debate might revolve around how to conclude it, but if it came down to involving Hina, it would be better to jump into the trap than to get her tangled up.
"Well, then, what about the head of the Hidden Group? You seemed quite chummy with him. You were expected to do various things, so maybe you could pull some strings based on your past connections?"
"Expected, huh... But his disappointment might be bigger."
Gaining trust might be difficult, but losing it could happen in an instant. Especially given the personalities of that pig... the head of the Hidden Group. It's clear they're all family with the psycho father and the youth old hag. It's probably a lot milder than what's depicted in the original, but still.
Well, analyzing that area wouldn't make much sense anyway...
"I heard that the head of the Hidden Group is currently absent. Apparently, he went as far as Shiro'oku recently."
I shared some rather meaningless information I had gathered while wandering around the estate with the curse-tool master. It was purely coincidental that I came across this information. The cowherds stationed in the stable were chatting with each other while drinking, and I overheard it. Apparently, he left secretly with a few subordinates, leaving behind only his ox cart.
...I won't worry about the scent of conspiracies swirling within the Onitsuki family for now. I'm pretty sure I'm not involved.
"Seriously? D*mn, I had no idea..."
Sarujirou twisted his head in surprise. If even he, with his keen ears, didn't know about it, then the head of the Hidden Group must have truly vanished in secret. Unfortunately, it seemed that even locks on lips could easily be undone by human mouths. Well, no matter how meticulously secrets are kept at the top, there's no shortage of instances where the lower ranks mess things up. As a servant, I probably have access to the information that's accessible for that reason.
"In that case, I guess there's no other... Wait, so you're really at a dead end."
About to say something, Sarujirou fell silent for a moment before furrowing his brows. I felt a slight discomfort with his gesture, but... I didn't have time to point it out. Sarujirou had made a suggestion.
"All right, fine. I'll help you out, considering our old connections. But there's one condition."
"Condition?"
Digesting Sarujirou's words, he nodded as he continued to speak.
"You want me to facilitate things for you, right? Even though there's a bribe, it's probably not enough on its own, right? So, how about this? Help me with my promotion too."
"...What do you expect from a servant like me?"
I leaned in and whispered back to Sarujirou, who was doing the same.
"Lend me your brain. You've been unusually imaginative since your days as laborer apprentices. Didn't you make various toys to please Hina-sama? How about you make the suggestions, and I make them?"
"...But they're just toys, you know?"
I responded skeptically to Sarujirou's words. Sure, there were games and other things, and not to mention, there were items like sparklers or blowback fireworks. To top it off, the rubber-powered aircraft that took half a year to create ended up getting destroyed by Hina's enthusiasm, turning everyone who make it have a face like space cat by the end of the day.
As you can probably guess, each of these was inspired and conceived from my previous life's memories, serving as a few instances where my past life came in handy. However... it still wouldn't transcend the realm of mere toys.
"It's a chance for me to show off my skills. In the world of craftsmen, isn't it mostly about seniority? If I'm just fighting on the same level as my masters and seniors, I'll never rise higher. So, shouldn't I make an unexpected move?"
"And if you use them and make achievements, you'll benefit?"
"If things go badly, it's just another servant cobbling together junk. I don't think it's a bad proposal."
"Actually, it's more like we have no other options."
In response to my reply, Sarujirou gave me a genuinely approving smile. He said nothing, just smiled... He truly is a great friend. I have no choice but to surrender fully.
"If you have a good plan, even a rough one is fine. I should be able to make it for you within a day or two. There's no deadline until departure, right?"
"Well, I haven't given up hope completely, for now."
My request to Sarujirou was just a precaution for the worst-case scenario. Even if my chances were slim, I couldn't afford to give up hope. As a certain famous work put it, "If you give up, the game's over."
"I see. Well then, do your best. ...But just so you know, when the time comes, don't hesitate to rely on me with all your might. Your lives are at stake, after all."
He was probably referring to Hina. At the very least, Sarujirou seemed to believe that things would work out if he went to her for help. Well, he probably doesn't know much about her father and that whole situation.
"I understand. ...Always."
"...Well then."
In response to my answer, Curse-tool Master, who still seemed somewhat dissatisfied, lifted the bottle and curtly replied before ending the conversation. As he walked away, I showed my gratitude by bowing.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, it felt like a purplish-blue butterfly fluttered at the edge of my vision, but when I turned to look, there was no sign of it...
"Now then. So, where else could I get some assistance..."
One by one, I'd been knocking down the doors of potential allies. Many of them ended up being either futile efforts or providing me with minimal gains. Amidst this, I contemplated my next move. The laborers' higher-ups... well, that might not be a good idea. If word got around that I was snooping, it could lead to trouble. So, where to next...
"Which one sh—Whoa!?"
"Eek!?"
Lost in thought, I hadn't been paying attention to what was in front of me. By the time I realized it, I had collided head-on with someone. I and the other person both stumbled and fell to the ground. Not good!? If the other person were a superior, this could be problematic, right!?
"I'm sorry. Are you hurt... Hisame, is that you?"
"You are... Tomobe-san, right?"
Hastily apologizing to the other person, I realized their identity and muttered their name. The other person, rubbing her forehead where she was hurt, looked at me and spoke my name in a somewhat questioning tone. Well, considering we were from different squads and she was a newbie who had just been dispatched to the field, it was only natural.
"I'm sorry. I got distracted. ...Can I help you up?"
"Oh, thank you."
Extending a hand as I stood up first, she hesitantly took it. Pulling her up, Hisame got to her feet. She patted her all-black, dirt-covered outfit, shaking off the sand. I noticed the baggage she was carrying a bit late.
"What's that?"
"Oh? Um, it's just... a get-well gift."
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