1182 The Daoist at the End of the West ③ ~ Unexpected Offer ~

That Tikatras nobleman has been in mourning ever since he returned to Genos Castle.

And it was Zashma that said so at the supper in the house of Pharaoh that night. He followed the nobles back to Genos Castle, and visited Fa's house again with some information.

"Even though that nobleman doesn't have a regular wife, he seems to hold all his sons-in-law like a mountain." It seems that the number of children is not as high as 20, even if you put your hands on a woman on the road. If you go that far, your envy will be blown away. "

"... what is that wife of yours?" It sounds like something I don't even want to hear, but I need to understand the meaning of the words he uttered. ”

Ai = Fa responded with a disgusted look from the bottom of her heart.

Zashma laughs bitterly as she whispers my preparedness.

"Well, that's my sidekick." Although he is not an official companion, he is recognized as a person equivalent to him. "

"What is the equivalent of a companion? I don't know what that means at all."

"Hmm. I certainly can't help but notice that I'm giving a lecture like this to people around the forest."... anyway, it's not just an affair, it's like my partner's second best. If you can't have a child with your partner, your wife's child can become a son. "

"Does that mean that one person will have many mates?" Are such imitations allowed among the nobles of the capital? "

"It's not just about the capital." The aristocrats had to leave no matter what, so I guess we've got a law that allows them to do things like that. "

"So, is the person who entered into such a relationship on the journey also recognized as his wife?"

When I clasped my mouth, Zashma whispered, "I don't know."

"I'm sure people who wanted to be their sidekick would move to Derm, and people who didn't would raise their children locally." I'm not so familiar with the aristocrats either. "

"Whatever it is, it seems to be a difficult practice for us to understand."

Ai = Fa carved a deep frown between her brows, revealing no disgust.

Zashma shrugged her sturdy neck and threw Pelé's spicy sauce into her mouth.

"But luckily, that aristocrat isn't the kind of person who wears power." That's why you can't force Ai = Fa to do it, and you're mourning in your castle. "

"... if that man is such an unfaithful imitation, I'll have no choice but to take the sword." I am grateful for the health of my compatriots around the forest. "

"The aristocrats of Genos feel the same way." You really are a nasty person, as the rumor goes. [Northern Whirlwind] seems to be good at training people like that... but I'll do my best here. "

“Hmm. I'm truly grateful for Zashma's help.”

Zashma smiled cheerfully as Ei-Fa hung her head in a serious mood.

"Even I want people around the forest to have a peaceful time." Anyway, I think it's best to hold your breath until you get back to the capital. "

"Hmm... but will Asta be left to cook for the dinner party?"

"Oh, yeah, I don't know. I'm done talking like this... have you heard anything about Zashma?"

"No. For now, I think I'm going to leave you for a night and wait for you to calm down." I wonder if you'll tell me more about it at tomorrow's meeting. "

The chiefs will be summoned to the castle town at an extraordinary meeting tomorrow.

"Well, that's probably the subject of the diplomat's aide." I read the diplomat's notes. He'll tell you how His Majesty was doing, right? Naturally, you're much bigger than that, aren't you? "

"Hmm. I've been told there was nothing wrong with my free time, but... I can't relax."

In the first place, Genos was in a position where he was under suspicion that he was trying to establish an independent state within the Kingdom. Until recently, such a story was completely out of date, but the diplomats, Vermes and Augg, had stayed in Genos to confirm its authenticity.

"Well, those diplomats are very fair people, so they won't have any problems." There are also reliable people on the side of the forest called Dalí = Souti and Gazlan = Rutim, so it's safe to meet them.... oh, if Asta were to be invited to the castle town, maybe we should ask Gazlan-Rutim or something to accompany her. In that case, Ei = Fa is safe, right? "

"... would you rather not accompany me?"

Well, that's right, Ai = Fa probably never had to face that aristocrat.

"You can't just send Asta to a man like that who doesn't know his heart."

Zashma bitterly smiled, “I see,” as Ei-Fa looked like a hairy bobcat.

"Then at most, don't show such a strange face." That aristocrat looks like he's got a lot of good people on his side. "

"Hmm. That looks like a pretty good kneader." Besides, for a woman with black skin... maybe she's dealing with poison weaponry? "

"Is that so?" I tried not to face them so they wouldn't crack. I wonder if black skin draws blood from the east. "

"No, it was completely different from the people of the East." At least not the people of the meadows or the mountains. "

"In that case, the people of the King's City or the people of the sea." Whatever it was, the poison weapon was a sword. How did Ei = Fa find out about him? "

"While releasing his murderous aura, he was trying to reach for his pocket rather than the handle of the sword. If the weapon is small enough to fit in a flashlight and stronger than a sword, it can only be poisonous."

Having said that, Ei = Fa pokes a sharp eye at me.

I was eating a miso-style bonito pot, and I swallowed it and said, "Oh."

"Speaking of which, when Vichezo asked if you could beat Riada = Lou, you said that there was no winning a sword match." In other words, you can handle weapons other than swords. "

"...... When you invited that person, did you keep the poison weapon?"

"Yes. I didn't even think about poison weapons at that time... I was doing my best by just asking you to refrain from bringing in steel."

Ei = Fa looked straight at me with a tough face.

"When we invited the people of the east to our house, we also kept the poison weapon. Even if the opponent is noble, we will not allow them to bend their habits. In addition, since he had the appearance of the people of the east, he should assume that he possessed poisonous weapons."

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I was bypassed." I'll be careful in the future. "

"Umu," Ai-Fa nodded, his gaze softening. Eifa just wants me to be safe, and she just wants me to be a good forester. I had to straighten out my collar without losing touch with the kindness of Ai = Fa.

"Well, if you don't want to wear your power over there, you'll have to cry and pile up a pile of silver." Don't worry about shortcomings, but sincerely refuse them.... but above all, it's quite expensive to look at Ei = Fa. "

When Zashma said so, Eifa said, "Hmm?” He leaned his head.

For it shall not be but a face to face with the rest of the women. Otherwise, you won't be inspired by me. "

"No. Yun-Sudra and the others were there, weren't they?" Or did they all go home after I left? "

No. Yun-Sudra and Tuul-Din were invited to serve as servants.

"Not your wife, but your squire." After all, that nobleman was struck by the unique charm of Ai = Fa. From my point of view, there are no other women like Ei = Fa. "

In response to Zashma's words, Ei = Fa made a heartfelt disgusted face again.

Zashma laughed innocently with a harsh face.

"When I turned around, I said that other women might be less obsessed than Ai = Fa." After that, Ei = Fa would be able to fit in well just by parrying well. It sounds ugly, but don't worry about shortcomings, just do it calmly. If the relationship with the King's City becomes distorted by this story, Ai = Fa won't be able to collapse, right? "

"... yes, I know it well enough, too"

Having said that, Ei = Fa took a deep breath.

This time the nobility is obsessed with Ei = Fa, not me. For me, it was a feeling that made me feel the anxiety and concern that Ei = Fa would normally have.

◇

And the next day--

After seeing Zashma off at Fa's house at night, a new guest arrived at the end of the morning work and water. The apprentice hunter of Ruthim is Dim-Ruthim.

"From the patriarch Gazlan-Rutim, I have kept the rumor. Today, Rutim and Min were on a rest day, so I'm thinking of your huntsman accompanying Asta as an escort. He wants the hunters near Fa to feel safe and encouraged in their work, so that they can prepare enough people.”

"I see," replied Ei = Fa with a sharp face.

"I was thinking of consulting with Donda-Ru to see if I should take on the role of an escort." I want you to tell them that you sincerely appreciate the consideration of Gazlan-Rutim. "

"Hmm. I'll be a part of the escort."

Dim-Rutim, who had a strong opposition to Ai-Fa before, is now turning it upside down with respect. While still young, Dim-Lutim's cheeks were on fire, and his eyes were sharp enough not to be beaten by Ai-Fa.

We'll be waiting for you in Luu's settlement at the time of departure.

And Dim-Rutim returned early, spanning Toth's Mim-Char. After seeing it off, Ei = Fa looks back at me.

It was said that there was no danger that that nobleman would become a lawless imitator, but don't be too alarmed.

Yeah, okay, good luck with Ai-Fa.

Ai Fa is currently working on a new hunting technique in the Lang's hunting ground that uses the fruits of the gibberish and gibberish. Moreover, the offer of Ghazlan-Rutim should have been sincerely appreciated because he had only entered the day of rest two days before.

After that, he finishes his work as usual and leaves for Ichiba Town.

As promised, there were many hunters in the Luu settlement, including Dan-Rutim.

"Oh, Asta! Today I'm going to accompany you to Hiccup!"

"Thank you. Are the Ghazran-Rutim people in the castle now?"

“Hmm! After the meeting, Ghazlan will be ready to join us!”

That is an even more reassuring story.

Then, when I arrived at the station town, Levi looked worried on the way to the stall area.

"It's a bit of a crack to have so many huntsmen accompanying us." It's rumored that a nobleman from King's Landing went to the forest, but is he involved? "

"Yeah. Well, be careful." The nobility of the first kingdom was also quite troublesome. "

"Yes. The [Kimusu's Tail Pavilion] is also said to have been pushed down by the rusty soldiers." I heard the story later, and I came to my head, too. "

Inspector Dreg and Talon visited last year's Green Moon, so the Levites weren't working at the Kimus' Tail Pavilion yet. At that time, Milan-Mass was injured in another matter, and the work of the inn was unsatisfactory, so it was agreed that Kamado on the edge of the forest would help with the evening cafeteria.

(Even though it's only been about a year and three months, I feel very nostalgic. It was the evil of the Talon, and we were scratched around... and finally, we were baptized by the Western Gods)

However, the Talon's sins have been properly judged, and it would have been right for the people around the forest to be baptized by the Western gods. I had managed to establish a correct relationship with the other inspector, Dreg, and Fa's house was to be given a new family called Jilbe - just like the disturbances caused by Zatz-Sun, Cycléus, and Siluel, I thought that it might have been a test for moving to the right destiny.

(That's why I want to get through this commotion and get on the right path.)

With that feeling in mind, I decided to work on my day's work.

The visit of the nobility of the King's Capital did not appear to have affected the station town, and the business of the stalls was extremely smooth. Then, about the time I finished the first rush in the morning, it was Dells on the top of the Buddha and Wads with a smile.

"Didn't you two talk about leaving Genos early?"

"That's right, yesterday I delivered Miso to the castle town, and Genos ordered me to stay for a while." The noblemen of the capital want to talk to Dells. "

Dells sighed deeply as Wadds laughed and answered.

"It seems that he had the opportunity to speak in the Western King's City." So I want to see what kind of people are doing with these new ingredients. ”

"Is that so?" Perhaps the Dells will also be invited to the dinner party. ”

"Did you know that?" Anyway, until I hear from you, I'll tell you to stay in the station town. "

But since you're talking about paying that amount of accommodation over there, it won't hurt anything, right?

In the words of Wadds, Dells frowned, “What are you going to pull out?”

"If you sit down without a reason, you're just wasting your time." I can only lose this conversation by cutting off time to do business on other lands. ”

"You said that you could spend some time relaxing after your business meeting with the southern kingdom." Then let's spread our wings in Genos. "

"That's why last time, you've been trying to stop me for a month." I don't know what kind of merchants struggle with aristocrats and royalty. "

Then Dells walked away to the Blue Sky Cafeteria while being calmed by the waddles.

Dan-Rutim, who was listening to this exchange behind the stall, said, "Hmm!” I shouted out loud.

"It seems that Akkara is also confused by the aristocrat's casual behavior!" Donda = Luu was also very curious about what kind of people they were! "

"I've only been face-to-face for less than an hour, so I can't say anything yet." However, it looks a lot different from the aristocrats who have faced each other before. ”

"Hmm. But more than that, I don't want to ask Ai-Fa to marry me!" Isn't Asta calm? But Ei = Fa can't move anyone's mind, so don't worry! "

Dan-Rutim laughed with Gahaha and often slapped me on the back with his thick palm.

After a while, a wagon from the forestside comes from the north side of the street. We have finished the meeting, the chieftains. Only Ghazlan-Rutim, who had left from there, came to the stall, and the rest of the wagon continued south on the street.

“Oh, Ghazlan! What kind of a nobleman was that?”

"Unfortunately, the nobility of Tikatras, the capital of the king, was not present. As Zashma told me, this person is not interested in government at all.”

Ghazlan-Rutim, turning to the back of the stall, said so in a gentle voice. I listen to the words on my back, encouraging business.

"What, that's boring!" So how was the meeting? ”

"Yes, you are finished in peace." The King of Selva doesn't seem to be complaining like Genos at the moment. Well, to be more precise, it seems that there is no place for genocide. ”

Only in a calm tone did Ghazlan-Rutim say so.

"Apparently, the King's City is now in the middle of battle. It seems that it was because of the late return of Augg and the lack of communication for several months.”

What, the war!? The Western King's City is fighting the Mahdra?

It seems that not only the mahdra, but also the Grand Duchy of Zelado have exchanged blades.

”I wonder... what was that all about?”

"Located in the south of Selva, it is the existence of an independent state. The Grand Duke, who was banished from the King's City, has set up a new nation in the land, claiming that they are the rightful rulers of the Western Kingdom.”

Because of such bad precedents, the people of the capital were caught in a sense of crisis that Genos was aiming for independence.

Nevertheless, this was quite a sword-swallowing topic.

"It's such a grand story to fight two countries!" However, Shmiral-Lilin, who was on his way to the capital, is safely returning! After Schmiral-Lilin and the others left the capital, the battle began? "

"No, the war is a territorial battle of the peripheral lands." The kingdom itself is peaceful, because it is a place that is half a month or a month away from the king's city. "

"Hmm? Then why did you delay the return of the Augs?" Lara-Ru told me that she left Genos around the time of the rainy season and that she hadn't heard anything since. "

"The King's City has sent tens of thousands of troops to the battlefields in the north and south." Vermes said that the state of the battlefield can be communicated to the King's City using a smoke, so the king and the nobles will be pursued for the response. He also said that the current king is young and full of blood, so if there is a battle, he should focus on it and blow it from his head, such as the presence of Genos. ”

That's when Ghazlan-Rutim's voice, which contained a gentle laugh, came to my back.

"It seems that Augg was also busy with work related to the battle from the standpoint of the Baron's house... but now that the situation has finally calmed down, he has time to talk about the King and Genos." So far, the King has relied on the judgment of Hermes and Augg, and sees no treachery in Genos. Asta was also suspected of being a spy for Sims and Zelado. ”

I was under such suspicion in King's Landing. It was such an obsessive story that it was Sims or the Grand Duchy of Zelad who wanted to gain independence from Genos, and that I was the one who played a part in the conspiracy.

"I'm sure that Vermes used his ingenuity to record Asta's innocence." If I get the chance to see you again, I think I should say something about the reward. ”

“Yes, I will. Thank you, Gazlan-Rutim.”

“I'm just telling them about the meeting. However, I am very happy to have been given the role of telling such a happy story.”

I'm sure Ghazlan-Rutim was very impatient with my fate. With the kindness and warmth of the sound of that voice, I almost accidentally spilled tears.

“In the meantime, Vermes and Aug were ordered by the King of Selva to remain in Genos as diplomats. It seems that the diplomat's term of office is six months, so it seems that the second term has come to an end and the third term has been entrusted to him at the end of this ashes moon."

"Oh, so it's been less than a month, and it's been a whole year since the arrival of the Vermes?" Somehow... it was a year in a flash. "

“Yes, Vermes secretly lamented that a new nobleman had arrived and that he was about to miss another trip to Fa's house.”

Speaking of which, it was said that while Augg was away, Vermes was relatively free to move, but after the noise of the Order of Evil Gods, he fell ill, and did not show his face in the station town or on the edge of the forest.

"I don't know what to do, but I feel like talking to Vermes slowly." Did Vermes say anything about that nobleman named Tikatras? ”

“Yes, he assured me that he was not someone who relied on power or force. However, because you are a person who values your emotions above all else, you want to be careful not to get caught up in it."

"I see... if you do something about your obsession with Ei = Fa, I'm sure you'll be fine..."

"Yes, the chiefs also seemed to have difficulty making a decision." Whether the aristocrats' unruly personality will be beneficial or harmful to us... I think we should be careful and watch the change. "

That is what Ghazlan-Rutim was telling him.

Of course, I was in the exact same mood - but the insanity of the man named Tikatras was diagonal above our assumptions.

◇

And it is the night again.

While rejoicing at the safety of the ghosts, Ei = Fa and I were enjoying an immersive dinner with our family - the wild crowing of Jilbe on the earthen floor, and Ei = Fa's eyes shining brightly.

"Someone is approaching us on Totos." Asta, be careful. "

Huh? No, nobles don't come at this hour, do they?

But that was impossible.

Ai = Fa, who was holding the sword, waited halfway to hold me, and Tikatras' high-pitched voice echoed from behind the door.

"Beloved Ei = Fa! It's me! It's Tikatras! Please open this door!"

"... what is it that a person with a noble identity can do at such a time?"

"I will never work in lawlessness!" So, would you please listen to me? "

Ei = Fa thought hard before stroking the heads of Jilbe and Ram, who had woken up in the dirt.

"Jilbe, Ram, you don't have to fight." Just protect Asta. Asta, you're going to sit on the edge of the dirt, and you're going to fall down. "

"Um, yeah, I got it."

I put on my sandals and broke my knee where I was told. Then, not only Jilbe and Ram, but also Brave and Duruma surrounded me, and Sachi, who was round in the corner of the hall, came towards me with a big yawn.

After seeing those figures, Ei = Fa put his hand on the doorboard.

"Oh, Ai = Fa!" Sweetheart, I'm so sorry for pushing these limits! However, just by bringing your beautiful figure to my mind, I can't stand or stand anymore! "

"... what do you want?"

Ai = Fa responded with a low voice, and Viquetzo's voice came from outside the door.

“It's too rude to talk to a guest of honor standing outside. Shouldn't we show you around the house first?”

In that case, I'll keep not only steel but also poisonous weapons from you, but do you mind anyway?

I can't even see the front from the corner of the dirt floor. However, it was felt that the silence there was a reminder of Vicezzo's anger.

"It's okay, Vichezzo!" I'm the one who works disrespectfully! Anyway, I wanted to meet Ei = Fa as soon as possible! "

Tikatras' loud voice suddenly broke the silence.

"It's Ei = Fa! I want you to repeat the same words once and for all!... would you please be my wife?"

No.

"Oh, I see... your beauty comes from that tough heart!" So, no matter how much silver you offer, no matter how much you behead, you will never bend your will! "

"... if I refuse your offer, are you willing to stroke my neck?"

"No way! If anyone tries to harm you, I'll throw myself at you and shield you!" That's why I want you to believe in my sincerity! "

"Tikatras!" cried Vichezzo, shaking angrily.

I couldn't see anything, but Ey = Fa lowered her gaze a little, so I could guess that Tikatras had knelt on the ground again.

"If you refuse to be my wife until then, I will accept that ruthless reality!" However, please... please ask me to show you some mercy! "

"... what is compassion?"

“I want to paint your portrait!”

Tikatras spoke out in a piercing golden voice.

"I will seal your beauty into a canvas and bring it back to the Derm to swallow your heartless thoughts!" So please... please just listen to this request! "