Volume 6 Chapter 65 A Flashy Welcome — And Then, A Shocking Truth Uncovered
I was a bit thrown off by the custom of taking off shoes before entering a house, and the day after marveling at how good fresh sashimi tasted ── just raw fish sliced up right after being caught.
We left, seeing off the crowd from the port town with a big send-off.
After 2 days crossing a post town, we finally reached Sanmoto's capital, Kōgo, safe and sound.
I expected something to happen on the way, but surprisingly, nothing did. It was so peaceful that it felt almost anticlimactic.
According to Aina, it was probably smarter to make a move from inside the capital rather than stirring trouble outside.
We couldn't ask directly, so it was just something to think about for now.
The real problem started here.
"Even just the streets around here are totally different from Arcus in style."
"From our side too, we were shocked by how different the culture was when we crossed the sea."
I muttered quietly while looking at unfamiliar buildings and the strange clothes the locals wore.
Rouza seemed to have felt the same when he visited Arcus with me.
Soon after arriving in Kōgo, we split into 2 groups.
One went with Rouza to the royal castle ── Kōgo Castle ── and the other stayed at a friendly inn where Rouza had connections.
The first group was Rouza, Getsuya, Yukina (me), and Mikage.
The rest stayed behind.
Normally, Aina, who's good at political decisions, would head to Kōgo Castle too, but bringing a big group at once, even if friends of Rouza, could cause unwanted attention.
So only one person could go.
Mikage was excluded since many people already knew him inside the castle, so I, as the apparent leader of our party, was the one chosen to go.
"Still, is it really okay to just show up like this, even as part of the shogun family? Normally there'd be more protocol."
"You'd think so since it's just going back home, but yesterday when we stayed at the post town, we sent someone fast ahead already."
"When did that happen?"
He looks like just a bold playboy, but he's surprisingly sharp with this stuff.
"I've just received confirmation that the message arrived safely. There are no issues."
"Ah, is that 'the thing' that contacted us when we parted ways with Aina-sama at the inn?"
Mikage nodded, as if he understood Getsuya's words.
In this unfamiliar foreign land, there's a subordinate of Rouza assigned to guide Aina and the others who stayed behind at the inn.
Until we return, they'll have to kill time pretending to be tourists and getting to know the local vibe.
After a short walk, we finally arrived at the front gate of Kogo Castle.
Before us, as we stood before the grand gate, Getsuya rapped on a smaller door attached to the side.
A small window slid open, and Getsuya spoke to someone beyond the gate.
We couldn't see it from here, but we could sense a commotion coming from inside; the window hastily closed with hurried voices and footsteps mixed together.
After a brief moment of silence, the massive door creaked open.
Beyond the freed gate, several armed soldiers stood in orderly rows, their demeanor serious and respectful.
I could tell all their respect was directed towards Rouza.
"Good grief, this is all so unnecessarily grand."
Looking at the waiting soldiers again, Rouza scratched his head, appearing troubled.
As we moved through the ranks of soldiers, a man in unusual attire, different from the townsfolk, rushed over, kneeling before Rouza.
"Welcome back, Rouza-sama. Thank you for your hard journey. All your retainers have eagerly awaited your return."
"'Komari'... I appreciate the welcome, but I thought I made it clear to the messenger not to go overboard?"
"Indeed, the message was relayed. However, Rouza-sama, you are the next Shogun. If the welcome is too casual, it would reflect poorly on the servants. This time, we've even cut the number down to a third."
"Ah, I get it, I get it. I was thinking too narrowly. Next time I'll come back more quietly."
A man bowing deeply, fawning──Rouza waved his hand in frustration at Komari's claim, clearly tired of it.
His back itched so badly it was unbearable.
"That guy (Komari) is one of the few vassals truly loyal to Rouza-sama."
Because of the phrase 'one of the few,' I had a bad feeling about what might come next, but I kept it to myself out of some measure of politeness. Let's just think of him as better than nothing──kept that thought bottled up deep in my throat.
Anyway...
"Black Blade, what's with that weird, perfect expression you're giving me?"
"It really hits me that you're some big shot after all."
"I've been telling you that for ages, and you're only just realizing it now?!"
Though Rouza came from the shogun family, the fact he crossed the sea and met Sanmoto was what really hammered it home seeing how respected he actually is.
"If you only ever saw the usual Rouza-sama, you'd think so too."
"........."
Mikage chuckled bitterly, and Rouza's top subordinate, Getsuya, tried to speak but couldn't find the words right away.
Maybe the right words didn't come to him fast enough to smooth things over.
Then Komari, who was fawning over Rouza, twitched his beast ears──cat ears, specifically──and turned his gaze toward us.
Maybe he hadn't noticed us before because he was too focused on the next shogun, Rouza.
"Rouza-sama, this man──and this woman here──"
"Ah, I'm late with introductions. This here is my ally Black Blade──Yukina──whom I met after crossing the sea beyond Sanmoto, in the land called Arcus. I recognize him as the finest warrior in his country."
"To think Rouza-sama would acknowledge this man──my apologies. I'm Komari. Please remember me from now on."
Komari's suspicious gaze softened quickly into something gentle.
"And so──do you really remember Mikage? Once my subordinate, now Yukina's lover and servant. Treat her accordingly from now on."
"Long time no see, Komari-dono."
Mikage gives a light bow, leaving Komari astonished.
"Wh-what!? That Mikage, who boasted of living the life of a masterless swordsman, comes back bewitched by love!? Will you be throwing spears tomorrow too?!"
"Hey, calm down, Komari-dono!"
Despite having no ill intent, Komari's excited shouting makes Mikage flustered.
"This guy is unusually kind among the vassals, but he tends to make a big fuss over everything. If it weren't for that, he'd be someone I could trust."
Perhaps used to it, or treating it as someone else's problem, Rouza's reaction is quite calm.
"Can you stay calm! Ah, what kind of face will Master Shiraha make if I tell him this!"
"""......Aaah!?"""
The word that Komari, unable to calm down, utters makes me, Mikage, and Getsuya simultaneously realize something and raise our voices.
So synchronized were we that Komari shook his shoulders and somehow managed to calm down.
Why had we all forgotten 'that' until now?
Maybe, personally for me, it's a more serious issue than the Egawa family scandal.
"...Hey, you guys are kidding, right? Could you all... seriously have forgotten?"
Rouza's stunned silence is understandable.
It was just that inconceivable.
Needless to say, Sanmoto is Mikage and Getsuya's hometown, which means their family home is in this land as well.
──I have to ask Mikage's 'parents' for their 'daughter's hand.'
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