Chapter 172 The Meaning Of Abandoning The Fish
"We cannot offer the title of Baron or Viscount. But my mother said you could be accepted back in our homeland."
"Oh, I see. Thank you."
"At least we can live by Lake Edna. We don't have to leave this area. That's enough."
"Alright, let me tell you about our plans from now on."
"Okay."
"Okay."
Regilade-san, Geneus-san, and their wives just nodded.
"Tonight, we'll do some sabotage. Not actual destruction, but preparing for a smooth escape tomorrow morning."
"What kind of preparation?"
"Don't worry about it. It's a secret until we execute it because we don't know where leaks might come from. You'll start your escape tomorrow morning. Are you confident in persuading the townsfolk under the castle?"
"It's okay. We've all been through tough times together..."
"Yeah. If you just let it go, everyone will understand."
"Wait, even the taxes for the people under the castle?"
"They're pretty heavy..."
"Plus, to uphold the pride of Dog-Humans, we people mustn't eat Magic Stone Fish. There's a decree about that."
"Huh? Dog-Humans can't eat fish?"
"Not all fish. It's just the Magic Stone Fish, the Great Trout, I believe. If you properly handle the bones, we can eat them. They're one of the few fish we can eat and are said to be very delicious. But because the royal family and the powerful Duke family dislike them... we can't even bring them home. There are even laws punishing those who secretly eat them."
Isn't boneless salmon and trout the best?
"Are you serious?"
Oh my goodness. What an unbelievable revelation.
"Can I use the restroom for a bit?"
"Yes. Palmera, guide him."
I asked Geneus-san, who was next to me. The person whom he called was a maid I remembered well from visiting this mansion.
"Yes, Tatsuma-sama, please come this way."
Her name is Palmera. Thanks for guiding me.
"Thank you."
I went into the bathroom and locked myself in a stall. I took out my smartphone, which had been on and connected to a call the whole time, from my pocket.
'Did you hear that, Maya-chan?'
'Yeah. It was really something. The part about Great Trout, even Mother was surprised.'
I whispered into my phone, pointing it towards me. Even so, it seemed to pick up my voice just fine.
'I'll keep waiting like this until night. When the sun goes down, please come this way.'
'That roof, right? Understood.'
'Tatsuma-sama.'
'Yes, what is it, Rosalier-san?'
Rosalier-san was next to Maya-chan. She looked troubled, like she didn't know what to do.
'"Anyone who wastes food is unforgivable," Danna Vinna-sama was angry too.'
'Wow, even that gentle Mom (Danna) is mad.'
'Yes, she's right here listening. Privia-sama also said it's a serious offense...'
'Wow, seriously?'
The grudge of food is scary. Like, really scary...
* * *
Up in the sky, the light of a smartphone twinkled, twinkled. Then, silently, a figure descended.
"Gooood evening."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Tatsuma-sama. Have you already had dinner?"
"Thanks, Rosalier-san. Also, Berberi-san, I had it served over here, so I'm fine."
It was a bit bland, but it was better than being too light. I'd feel unsatisfied if it were like the previous Daioraden, all bland. It was mostly meat dishes, though.
"I see. That's good then."
"Sorry to worry you."
"No worries, it's my pleasure."
Maya-chan is grinning. She knows. She's being treated like a kid.
The time for the 'Display Self-Status Mystery System' is midnight. Although it's still a while until the witching hour when even the plants are asleep, most people here with limited entertainment options are probably already asleep.
Berberiguru-san looked into it, and it seems like the guards at the royal castle and noble houses are awake and fulfilling their duties, but their positions are already known.
"Me and Berberi-san will be on Centrena, and Maya-chan and Rosalier-san will be on Alesion. Due to magic reasons, there's no other choice."
"Got it."
"Y-yeah, understood."
"Roger that."
Rosalier-san's night vision buff has a narrow range. We can't really take Berberiguru-san and Rosalier-san together.
Head up into the sky. Rosalier-san drinks mana tea, and I cast 'Mana Recover' on her. With this, she's basically unlimited in using magic.
"Alright, that building over there is the Count's house. There are guards around there."
It's not dark, so we can see because there are lights here and there. Berberi-san pointed over there. The two guards, oh, they fell asleep. Another one, also asleep. I signal to descend with my fingers.
"Rosalia-san, you're amazing. They're all sleeping till around noon, huh?"
"Yeah, it's really scary."
"It's not a big deal. Well then, let's go."
Rosalier-san lifts her skirt gently with both hands and gives a bow. She disappears into the Count's mansion.
"Oh, there won't be any gory scenes like during the Daioraden incident."
"Really?"
"Why the monotone?"
"Well, isn't it kind of disappointing, big brother?"
"Okay, so, I told you the plan was to let them sleep and then make them regret it――"
"――Sorry to keep you waiting."
"So fast!"
"So fast!"
"You have truly remarkable skills, Rosalia-san."
"Oh, please, I'm embarrassed..."
And so, the Counts, the Marquis, the Royal family, and even the shrine, they all quickly fell asleep.
"Thank you for your hard work. Now take a quick nap. Oh, yeah, remember that building we used as a front-line base the other day?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"Yes, Maya heard it."
"I heard it from Jamlabel-sama."
"So, we'll wait there since early morning, do immigration checks, and even provide treatment for those with severe symptoms right on the spot."
"Got it."
"Yes."
"What about me?"
"Berberi-san, you'll work with Jam-san to prepare tents for the refugees. You should already be starting."
"Understood."
And he's gone.
"Okay, I'll wake you up in the morning."
"Sure, thanks, Tatsuma-sama."
"Big brother, I'll help with this and that."
"Even if I ask you to sleep, it's no use, huh..."
"Well, I can't help it. You're my big brother, after all."
Pretty harsh, huh?
* * *
Next morning, according to the "Display Self-Status Mystery System," it was 8 a.m. Maya-chan and I were getting ready with Jam-san and his older sister, head of the shrine Genoruira-san, for Oso (Dreadful element) poisoning treatment. Diemirena-san and Rosalier-san were helping with reception. And then there was this person who seemed puzzled.
"Um, why was I called here?"
Just arrived this morning and was promptly brought here, at the Adventurers Guild Watterhill's Headquarters reception, where Kumeiriana-san is. Of course, I had Mother call for her.
"Good morning. About a thousand people will be applying for asylum from now on, so please do your best with the procedures, okay?"
"Nooo wayyyy!"
Kumeiriana-san screams. When surprised, her ears perk up and she looks down. Rosalier-san chuckles, and everyone smiles awkwardly. Really, she and Rosalier-san don't get along well.
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