Volume 8 Chapter 2 Preparing For Yamato Country
The request from Sophia was to deliver a letter to Yamato Country.
Elk tilted his head.
"What kind of letter is it?"
"That's a secret... but at this time, there's only one letter it could be."
"Ah."
In other words, it was a letter about 'Devoted to the Goddess (Adrazione).'
Then, Kaya whispered softly.
"Is it about the 'Fire Gem'...?"
"Huh?"
"...no."
The Fire Gem.
The one stolen from Galatine Royal Academy was the Water Gem.
Poseidon had said that others existed too.
So, it was about the Fire Gem.
Sophia smiled brightly.
"You don't need to worry about the letter's content. It's just for the representative of the Yamato government, Sir Byakuya of the Kushinada family."
"...Is it dangerous?"
"Of course, it is. The 'Devoted to the Goddess (Adrazione)' are certainly a threat."
"The 'samurai' of Yamato Country, right?"
Yato interjected.
Everyone turned to Yato, and Kaya added.
"In Yamato Country, there are people called 'samurai'... they are like adventurers. They are special individuals allowed to use skills and can give 'punishments'."
"Wait a minute. Kaya, what do you mean by allowed to use skills?"
"...Ah, I see it's different here. In Yamato Country, when people are born, their skills are sealed. Only government officials and samurai are allowed to use skills. Only those who pass a strict exam can unseal their skills."
"...Seriously?"
This surprised Elk as well.
Then, Nickes raised his hand.
"Eh, so what about Yatto and Kayya?"
"I told you, 'those who have cleared the rigorous exam.' All the Yamato nationals studying abroad have cleared the rigorous exam and had their skill seals removed."
"Ooh..."
"Well... some do get it removed illegally, but they're executed on the spot without question."
"Yikes."
Then, Emma looks at Elk and says,
"Umm... Mr. Elk, are you going to Yamato Nation? Will your skills be sealed?"
"No, there's no need to worry about that. Since 'Devoted to the Goddess (Adrazione)' may already be in Yamato Nation, if we seal our skills, we'll be done for right away."
Sophia reassures Emma, and then Merry says,
"But, Mr. Elk, isn't it dangerous to go alone?"
"Of course, he won't be alone. I'll be going with you too. And... Elk, you can bring two more people."
"Eh, I get to decide?"
"Hmm..."
Elk looks at everyone, taking in Yato, Kaya, Gambo, Merry, Nickes.
Fine, Soara, and Sylphid are quietly napping with their heads on the desk. Then there's Emma.
Kaya raises her hand.
"Elk. Please let me come with you. I can guide you around Yamato Nation."
"Hey, Kaya..."
"Lady Yato. I'll be leaving your side for a while... I'm sorry."
"...No, I'll come with Elk too. It's better to have someone from Yamato Nation with him."
"Lady Yato!?"
"It's fine, right, Elk?"
"...Alright. If you two are okay with it."
"Well, it's settled then. We'll depart in 2 days. Make sure to put what you need in the item box. If you need any expansions, there are some specialty shops in the shopping mall. And also, take care of your weapons."
"Got it. So, Yato, Kaya, let's do our best."
With that, Elk decided to go to Yamato country with Kaya and Yato.
By the way... when Fine and Soara woke up, they said, "I want to go too," and there was a bit of a fuss.
* * *
That night.
Kaya was in Yato's room.
"What do you mean by this?"
"...I'm sorry."
"That's not an apology. I'm asking why you offered to come along."
"......"
Kaya fell silent, took a letter from her pocket, and handed it to Yato.
Yato received the letter, opened it silently, and his expression changed.
"No way..."
"It's an order from the Kushinada family. I have to return home... I'm being assigned a new mission as part of the Oniwabans group (Protectors of the Noble House)."
"...Seriously?"
"..."
Kaya gritted her teeth and nodded slightly.
The letter clearly stated.
"'Bring Kushinada Sakuya back'... It seems my identity has been exposed."
"Probably because of the recent attack. There might be people in Yamato country who know Lady Yato's identity. All members of the Night Festival Courtesan are from Yamato country..."
"Hmm... well, I'm not their target. This is it."
Yato pulled out six swords from his weapon ring, each with a different hilt, guard, and scabbard──they were the treasured blades of the Kushinada family. After a moment's thought, Yato withdrew the 'last one' from her weapon ring.
"Co, could this be...!?"
"The seventh. I didn't intend to use it... but since my presence is known, they'll be after this for sure. It's a blade, a hidden treasure from Yamato Nation's dungeon, 'Celestial Rock.'"
"Ma, maybe... Lady Yato, you have it with you!?"
"Yes. It was just a coincidence, really. I found it when I was leaving Yamato Nation."
"Ba, but... this is."
The blade had a silver scabbard, hilt, and guard, and it was a divine artifact that one would hesitate to even touch.
"'Seven Star Divine Domination'... compared to this, the six blades I have are like sticks."
"...."
Kaya swallowed hard. The blade was one of Yamato Nation's most precious treasures, on par with the Fire Gem. It was one of the divine artifacts that had gone missing and was still being searched for by the Oniwabans group. One day, it suddenly vanished, and even Kaya hadn't considered that Yato might be the one with it.
"Kaya, I'm showing this to you because I trust you. Understand? Please don't tell anyone that I have it. If they find out, even as the third daughter of the Kushinada family, I'll be beheaded without question."
"Y, yes..."
Kaya's voice trembled. Then, as if an idea had struck her, she exclaimed,
"Th, then!! Going to Yamato Nation is dangerous!! I should go alone after all."
"Denied. And you... you were planning to go alone without me? ."
"Y-yes... If it's under the pretense of being a messenger, I thought the punishment might be lighter."
"Punishment...?"
"I was thinking of trying to persuade Lady Yato. I want to plead with Sir Byakuya that Lady Yato is no longer connected to the Kushinada family."
"Are you stupid? There's no way Brother would listen to that. You'd just get tortured, and they'd send someone else."
"..."
"Plus, there's Sister Yuuhi... and Hinowa."
"Lady Yato..."
"This is a good opportunity. To be honest, I always thought we would eventually cut ties with the Kushinada family completely. And... there's Elk too."
"Huh?"
"Brother Byakuya, Sister Yuuhi, Hinowa... they're all monsters, but if Elk is there, we can at least fight back in the worst case."
"N-no way... Are you planning to involve him?"
"...Who knows?"
Yato smiled sadly.
* * *
Elk was in the lounge with Emma, Nickes, Merry, and Soara. Emma held Elk's combat uniform, while Nickes had Elk's gauntlets. The two were doing the final checks on Elk's equipment. First, Nickes spoke.
"Alright, done. The blade, the bow, and the gun are all maintained. Put the extra arrows and bullets in the weapon ring and pouch."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Brother, you're really skilled..."
"Well, Dad said to take care of Elk's equipment at our merchant guild."
"That's nice... I wanted to go with Elk."
"Sorry, Soara. Maybe next time."
"Mm."
"...It's done! Mr. Elk's combat uniform is ready!" Emma handed the long coat and eye mask to Elk.
He fixed the frayed edges and quickly sewed the new material plate that Nickes had given him into a vital spot. This plate was made of the latest material, about 2 millimeters thick, and could absorb impacts from slashes, stabs, and bullets. It was also sewn into his pants and long boots, increasing his defense.
"Thanks, Emma."
"No problem. Mr. Elk, please be careful not to get hurt."
"Yeah. Hehe, I'll do my best to get exempt from the midterms!" he said with a grin.
"Geez... hehe."
Nickes and Merry were also a bit exasperated. Then Soara spoke up.
"Elk, don't forget the souvenirs, okay?"
"Yeah. I'll buy a lot of sweets from Yamato. Soara, I'm counting on you for Sylphid."
"Got it, leave it to me,"
she replied, patting her chest. Her surprisingly large chest bounced a little.
Elk looked at the item box ring.
"Hey, Nickes. About the ring expansion..."
"My old man said he'd do it for a low price. Sorry, but as a merchant, I can't do it for free, no matter who the customer is. It's my pride and honor as a merchant."
"That makes sense. But, is there enough time to do it before we leave?"
"Yeah. If it's the expansion master at the main store in Galatinne Kingdom, it can be done by tomorrow."
"Then please do it."
Elk said, handing over the weapon ring and item box to Nickes.
He then turned to Soara and Emma.
"Tomorrow, I'm going shopping to prepare for the trip. Will you come with me after school?"
"Sure, I'll go."
"Yes! I understand."
"Alright, sounds good. I'll have flowers in both hands."
"You should come too. Of course, Merry can come as well."
"Hey! If you make a move on Merry, I'll kill you!?"
"What kind of interpretation is that...?"
"Mr. Elk, please ignore my brother's nonsense."
That day, Elk and his friends enjoyed lighthearted conversations.
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