Volume 6 Chapter 67 Sanmoto’S Shogun Family
We arrived at the Honmaru, the central courtyard, where a guard waiting at the entrance rushed over and knelt before Rouza.
"Welcome back, Rouza-sama. The Shogun-sama and your elder brother are waiting for you inside."
"Understood. Thank you for the reception."
The guard nodded, then turned his gaze to us.
"I apologize, but everyone except Rouza-sama must leave their weapons here."
"Huh, makes sense."
I guess I'd grown numb to it, what with always being surrounded by faces in Arcus, even when meeting the king, I never had to disarm.
Everyone but Rouza had already removed their swords from their belts.
I took mine off my back, sheathed the blade, and handed it over to the guard.
'Guess I should be on guard too, but with this distance, my response would be too slow. Can't afford to let my guard down.'
I silently agree with my partner as I give my weapon to the guard.
"Whoa!?"
"Oh, crap. Forgot it was heavy."
"N-No, it's my apologies. I wasn't expecting it."
I'd completely forgotten that I'd been enchanting it with Weight Increase during my training, making the black spear feel heavier than it looked.
The guard nearly stumbled as he took it.
I figure it'd be weird to suddenly make it light, so I'll just apologize in my head and let it be.
After that little scene, we stepped into the Honmaru.
Along the way, even an amateur like me couldn't help but gawk at the paper doors, each painted with stunning designs.
The designs, not just framed but covering the entire door, had quite the impact.
Yet, they weren't gaudy; there was a sense of calm to them.
After a few turns, we reached a door with an even more imposing design.
It looked like a snake, but with the fierce horns and sharp fangs of a monster – something like a dragon.
Apparently, in this country, they call it a 'Ryuu.'
The strict atmosphere was palpable, even through the door.
I could tell someone was waiting on the other side, so I steel myself a bit.
──Swoosh!
Rouza just casually swings the doors open like it's no big deal.
That's way too bold, isn't it?
"Everyone, Egawa Rouza has returned unharmed!"
Inside the room, a bunch of Bushi (the nobles) are lined up, sitting down, their sharp eyes all focusing on me at once.
Of course, Rouza isn't the type to flinch; he looks like he's walking into a challenge, not away from one.
His bold voice echoes through the room, breaking the tense atmosphere.
(Is this guy always like this?)
(Today's actually pretty mild for him.)
(Seriously?)
(Yup, seriously.)
I can't help but feel sympathy for Getsuya, who seems like he's really struggling to keep up with Rouza.
"As always, such a noisy man."
From the back of the room comes a voice that makes you straighten your back just hearing it.
Rouza just smirks and walks into the room, and we follow right behind him.
Komari moves away and takes a seat among the Bushi.
At the far end of the space ── the 'upper seats' ── 3 people are seated.
The voice earlier belonged to the man sitting on the right.
"Ranga-aniue, you still have those deep furrows between your brows. Got something bothering you?"
"Right now, the source of my worries has just returned."
"Oh dear, looks like we've got one less problem."
This guy's got wolf ears, just like Rouza, but he's bigger, with a presence that's intimidating and 'strict' written all over his deeply lined face.
I got a bit of an explanation about the shogun family during the voyage ── Rouza's family, that is.
The man on the right is 'Ranga.'
Rouza's oldest brother.
"Shinza-aniue also seems to be in good health."
"Yes, I'm well. I'm glad to see you've returned safely."
"Thank you."
The man on the right is thinner than Rouza, with a gentle smile and a soft build, but you can't let your guard down around him.
He's Rouza's second oldest brother, 'Shinza.'
I got a rough idea about the characters in the shogun family from Rouza and the others during the trip, so I recognized the face and name right away.
These guys might be our 'enemies,' but they're not about to show any outright hostility in front of all these people.
And there, right in front of him...
Sitting at the center of the highest seat was Rouza's father.
The ruler of Sanmoto──Shogun Egawa Souga.
"I am Egawa Rouza. I have returned safely from my journey across the seas."
As Rouza made his way through the ranks of Bushi, he reached the back and sat down, facing a man perched on a higher step.
He pressed his hands to the floor and bowed deeply.
They all followed suit, sitting on the floor and bowing their heads too──a courtesy Rouza had already taught them.
"It seems you've had quite the journey. Did you broaden your horizons?"
"Yes, I encountered familiar faces and formed valuable new connections."
After a nod, the Shogun spoke up.
Rouza raised his head, responding with clarity.
His face was hidden, but the tone of his voice radiated a respect he had never shown before.
It was surprising to think Rouza had someone he looked up to like that.
"Ah, indeed... It's been a long time, Mikage. Since you left the country, if I recall correctly."
"I, Mikage, have returned to this land of Sanmoto for personal reasons."
It was true she had been in contact with the Shogun back when she still served alongside Rouza, and she responded with a calm demeanor.
"I apologize for leaving without saying goodbye, Shogun-sama. It's good to see you're in good health."
"Hahaha! Being unnecessarily healthy is my specialty!"
His hearty laugh made him seem like just a friendly, affable man.
At first glance, he appeared to be a jolly middle-aged fellow with a solid build.
The wolf ears and fur color made it obvious he was related to Rouza.
If Rouza ended up getting as *plump* as this guy, that's probably what he'd look like, Rouza thought vaguely.
But the moment the Shogun's gaze turned to me, I realized how terribly mistaken I had been.
Beneath that cheerful exterior, I felt a sharp glint in the Shogun's eyes.
Those piercing eyes seemed to penetrate to the very core of a person, never missing a lie or deceit.
It was reminiscent of the gaze I sometimes saw in King Arcus.
If I let my guard down, I might find myself swallowing hard.
No matter how different he looks, I can't shake the feeling that he's still a 'king' through and through.
"This guy here is Yukina, an ally I met in the foreign land of Arcus. On this journey, finding a friend in him has been my greatest fortune."
Every time I hear Rouza's praise, I can't help but squirm in my seat a little.
And it's even worse when he's saying it in front of my real dad, the king.
"He's the toughest guy in the country──or at least, among the people I've met. I hope you'll keep that in mind."
(Can't you just stop randomly hyping me up like that!?)
I hiss under my breath, but Rouza just glances back with a wink and a half-closed eye.
And with the Shogun looking at me with renewed interest, I can't even grimace properly.
"Rouza singing your praises like that, huh? Ranga, which one of you is stronger, I wonder?"
"...If it is Shogun-sama's wish, I am prepared to give it my all."
"That sounds like it'll be quite the show. Hahaha!"
Wait, am I just being left out of this conversation?
They can't be serious, right?
Later, I realized the Shogun's laugh is just like Rouza's.
It really hit me then, how these two are connected by blood.
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