Volume 6 Chapter 66 The Unruly Foreigner
From here on, it's at Rouza's family home, right in the thick of enemy territory.
Mikage's parents? Put that aside for now.
Lucky or not, Komari says Shiraha's head of the family isn't at the castle today.
They're definitely Egawa's retainers, but it seems they're treated differently from other Bushi (noble) and don't come around often.
"Some come around all the time for no real reason, busy fighting faction battles and whatnot."
Even if we meet face to face someday, it won't happen suddenly without any warning or prep.
It's a hassle we're pushing off, but I feel a bit relieved.
With Komari leading, we move across the castle grounds.
The castle's layout is totally different from Arcus.
When I think of a 'castle,' I imagine something huge──moving through a giant building.
But Sanmoto's castle has a lot of open spaces facing outside, spreading wide horizontally rather than tall like Arcus's castle.
It's still solemn, but much more open.
'Partner, don't go gawking around too much. This is enemy territory after all. You'll stick out like a sore thumb.'
I can't help but be curious, so my face and eyes roam too much──Gram, the Black Spear, scolds me.
Still, Rouza, not me, is the one drawing the most attention.
Inside the castle, important-looking folks dressed like Komari keep passing by, and most look shocked when they see Rouza, the heir.
'Hey, Touga. Didn't you have your guys tell them about Rouza already?'
'Of course, I let a few trustworthy people know. Most will find out about Rouza-sama's return right this moment.'
There was no need to even wonder why.
He probably just wanted to see the shocked faces of the staff or whatever.
Rouza seems to enjoy laughing every time someone gets surprised.
'Indeed, anyone with skill would have noticed Rouza-sama's return last night.'
There were also a few who, with a calm demeanor, observed Rouza from a distance.
They must be the 'capable ones' Touga mentioned.
'So, you're saying we're singling out the 'guys who can't be caught off guard' as a standard?'
'Not all, but for those of you unfamiliar with Sanmoto's ways, it's a perfect benchmark. We should deeply appreciate Rouza-sama's consideration.'
Touga always tries to lift up Rouza, and Gram and I can't help but secretly chuckle at the troubled smiles it brings.
"By the way, even though we got the report, the response at the gate was a bit rowdy."
Remembering, Rouza mutters this, and Komari nods.
"Actually, a bunch of strange folks from abroad have been showing up at the castle recently."
"Ah, I've heard about these visitors too. So, their destination was the castle, huh?"
"Moreover, they rudely demanded to see 'Shogun-sama' without giving any specific reason. No matter how many times we turned them away, they'd come back the next day and pound on the gate again."
The gatekeeper had been informed about Rouza's return, but with all the daily chaos, he must have gotten a bit flustered.
Even I, not well-versed in Sanmoto culture, can't help but think that it's a tough situation.
In Arcus, even for a royal audience, there are many procedures that can't be handled with just a simple word.
For most commoners, they might not even exchange words with the king in their lifetime.
It's unreasonable for a foreigner, with unknown origins, to show up out of the blue without revealing their detailed circumstances.
'In the case of you, partner, like a lover (Aina), her parents basically gave you a free pass just based on your faces.'
Before setting off to Sanmoto, I met to inform him that I was leaving the country.
I concealed the reason for my departure, as it was too early to reveal everything, but it concerned that wise king.
I'm sure he would notice, from my tone and demeanor, that this is no ordinary trip.
As Aina would say, it's "more than enough" for a king.
"To cross the sea and deliberately accommodate the Shogun ── isn't this rather intriguing?"
The man who's been tagging along is named Rouza.
"Rouza-sama, do not forget our purpose."
"Don't be so stiff, Mikage. I have no intention of neglecting my true feelings. But focusing solely on that could cause us to lose momentum in important areas."
Ignoring Mikage's attempts to rein him in, Rouza presented his most persuasive argument while his face broke into a genuinely amused smile.
"Komari, if that foreigner comes again, deal with him. I definitely want to hear what he has to say."
"Oh, are you serious?"
"My lies are reserved for gambling. You should know that by now."
"...Understood. I will handle it as you instruct."
It seems he's loyal to Rouza, but at the same time, being led around like this must be tough. I couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for Komari.
After slipping through several gates within the compound, not the main entrance but a rather impressive gate nonetheless, we finally reached the central area.
The majestic castle, visible even from a distance within the town, stood ready to greet us.
With a bit of anticipation, we finally arrived, but instead of heading towards the grand castle, Rouza's group turned their feet towards a flat building farther away.
"Huh? We're not going to that huge place?"
"That's the 'Tenshu (Keep),' a kind of fortress during wartime. It's not a place where people live in peacetime. The castle's master and his family handle affairs and stay in the 'Honmaru (central courtyard)' over there."
When I pointed at the castle and asked, Getsuya answered.
It seems there are basic living supplies and facilities, but only just enough.
Rouza looked at the 'Tenshu' with a mix of amazement and a shrug.
"In times of war, it's understandable, but in an era of peace, it serves no purpose beyond being a 'symbol' of the powerful. I know that those who govern need 'authority' to stand, but still..."
I could understand, but my expression and gestures showed that I wasn't fully convinced.
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