Volume 6 Chapter 69 In a Foreign Land──
The moment I shook hands, Ranga suddenly crushed my hand and tried to force it down. It's no surprise I fought back against his surprise attack.
At first glance, it looked like I had done something to Ranga, so Bushi (the noble) behind him immediately tensed up in anger. Mikage and Getsuya also furrowed their brows, clearly ready for a fight.
But it was Ranga himself who stopped them. He quickly raised his hand, and the puffed-up Bushi hesitated and backed off, lowering their aggressive stance. Mikage and Getsuya remained serious but relaxed their guard.
"How was that, elder brother? Our allies,"
Ranga, after flexing a few times, finally released the hand that had been testing strength with a handshake.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing all of a sudden!"
"...I see. Rouza, you really do praise me more than anyone."
Surprised that Ranga was checking his hand, I raised my voice sharply. If it wasn't me, he'd be crushed instantly──his hand might've been broken to bits. Aside from monsters, among humans, that was probably the strongest show of brute strength I've experienced.
"So, how about leaving Rouza's crew and coming to me? Your strength's wasted on insignificant playboys."
"Are you even listening!?"
Without an apology, Ranga's words were an invitation. His brow wasn't particularly angry, just the usual expression. He spoke unabashedly, with no shame at all.
"There are capable fighters in my faction, but I don't have anyone I trust as my 'right hand.' If someone like you, a fierce warrior, joins, maybe you could even be my right arm."
"Hey Rouza! What's going on with your big brother!! This guy, he crushes hands as a greeting and then casually tries to recruit you!?"
I couldn't help but protest, calling him 'this guy,' but Rouza was already laughing heartily, clearly amused.
"Ranga-aniue just can't resist testing their strength whenever he sees someone skilled. Doesn't mean any harm, so forgive him."
"Just because you don't mean harm doesn't mean you can do anything, got it?! Innocence can actually be really cruel!!"
As a kid, I remember tearing the skin off lizards caught in the nearby grass ── still alive ── then roasting and eating them without even killing them properly. Looking back, the innocence of childhood can actually be kind of scary.
If I wasn't the type to go all-out for strength and instead was quick and light on my feet as a mercenary, this scene would've turned into a massacre. Honestly, I think Mikage would've lost her temper and totally gone berserk.
"Still, it's been a while since I lost a strength contest. I'd like to fight you again if the chance comes."
"Wasn't that just a show to match Shogun-sama's preferences..."
Being born in the wrong era, maybe it's not even about martial arts ── it's about having the wrong soul.
While I wear a mixed expression of amazement and disbelief, Ranga nods and turns away.
"I'll take my leave now. They called me Black Blade. If Rouza ever gets tired of me, I'll be happy to join your side anytime."
Saying that, he leaves, leading the Bushi of his faction and disappearing.
I find myself watching Ranga's back vanish down the corridor, alternating with the cracked floor.
"He just did what he wanted, said what he wanted, and left like it was nothing."
"It's been a while for me too, but... Ranga-sama really is like a storm."
Even though he's Rouza's brother and I knew he'd have some wild side, I never thought it was this extreme. I didn't see him as someone clever or scheming at all.
"Don't be swayed by his straightforwardness. Ranga-sama is very tolerant of those he likes, but to those he doesn't or who resist him──he shows no mercy. Many have been cut down with a single blow by that strong arm when they disrespected him."
"...You mean physically?"
"Physically."
I tap my forehead with my palm, and Getsuya nods seriously, not joking at all. That means someone was literally sliced in half, from head to groin.
"But I'm not just swinging my big hatchet out of preference. I'm skilled in martial arts and know when to use my strength and how to judge the right moment. So, those who follow Ranga-aniue do so not out of fear, but with a sense of' reverence'."
Ranga isn't someone who scares others into obedience, but someone who commands genuine respect and admiration.
"Ranga-aniue just has clear likes and dislikes ── it's easy to understand."
Rouza taps his shoulder with the handle of his azure monk staff and mutters.
"Shinza-aniue is even more troublesome. Don't let your guard down around him."
Ranga (that guy) was pretty eccentric, but is there still someone tougher?
It was obvious from the start, but the road ahead looks tough and I can't see a clear future.
"Hey, it's not so bad! We crossed the sea to get to a foreign land, so it'd be boring if it ends too easily!"
When Rouza simply explained the black spear Gram handed back at the Honmaru (central courtyard) entrance, a casual voice from the crowd sounded like someone just watching the fight while drinking. Totally the vibe of people enjoying sake over a brawl.
'In the end, I'm just a weapon my partner uses. All I can do is follow them to the depths of hell.'
It's reassuring, but I'd appreciate if you didn't sound like we're definitely heading to hell next.
After saying farewell to Komari, we head toward the castle's exit. Of course, Honmaru has Rouza's private room and guest rooms in other buildings, but Rouza refused, saying, "Even if I rest in such a stiff place, I won't find peace," and we're heading to the one where Kyunei and others went ahead──a place Rouza favors.
When we arrive at the front gate, the first guard to respond bows deeply to Rouza again.
"Safe travels!"
"Thanks, and good work. Sorry for the rush just after arriving."
"No, no! Just hearing that is an honor enough!"
As the grand gate opened, I couldn't help but frown at the discomfort I felt in my knee.
"I can't get used to this seiza... My legs are still numb. This is practically torture."
"We've been used to it since we were kids. Sitting on a bed of spiked mats, with weights placed on our folded legs──now that's a real form of torture."
"Why would you tell me that? Just imagining it makes my spine shiver."
I couldn't help but be put off by Mikage's unwanted trivia, but my gaze turned to the opened gate ahead.
'Huh? What's that?'
'...This is...'
Almost simultaneously, Gram and Touga noticed something.
What caught my eye was something that was normal for us, but unusual for the people of this country──especially one person, who stood out with an imposing presence.
"...N-Now Mikage... Unless my eyes are completely messed up..."
"Yes. That's definitely a familiar face."
Mikage's eyes widened in surprise. It seemed my hunch wasn't wrong──standing there was undeniably someone I knew well, along with their companions.
My hometown friend, Relix──'Brave'──and his group.
I never imagined I'd meet them in a foreign land across the sea.
──Wait, why are they even here?
"Hmm... Are those the 'outsiders' they mentioned to us this morning?"
Rouza grinned, clearly amused by the situation.
I still couldn't figure out why Brave and the others were here, though.
I had no choice but to predict that the Egawa family turmoil was getting more complicated than expected. Yet Rouza, who must have felt the same way, was enjoying the chaos──it was a bit troublesome.
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