1199 Drunks and Travellers

Rico was trembling with fear in the dimly luggage carrier.

Along the way, Bertone, holding a small sword, glares sharply.

What you hear from the other side of the walls of the luggage carrier is the hard tone of the sword and the sword against each other.

Rico's wagons were attacked by bandits on the edge of the country - outside the loading platform, Van Deylo was alone to intercept them.

Rico and Belton were attacked by bandits about a month ago. So I lost all my family and all my friends.

It was Van Deiro who saved Rico and the others. It just so happens that Van Dylo, who passed by, defeated all the bandits and saved Rico and Belton.

"It's okay. Those bandits aren't Van Dylo's enemies... and if anyone comes aboard blinking their eyes, I'll turn them back."

Belton grabbed Rico's hand with his free hand as he crushed it like that.

But Belton's fingertips were also slightly shaking. Belton was a very brave boy, but he must have remembered the tragedy a month ago. Rico and Belton may have been threatened not by the bandits themselves, but by the memories of losing all their loved ones.

The time of fear, which seemed to last indefinitely, finally came to an end - Van-Deiro's low voice was heard from behind the door.

"It's all right now. Can you come out here, please? Rico, Belton."

Rico was going to give thanks to all the gods, holding Belton's hand even stronger.

Bertone takes a deep breath and puts the sword into the sleeve.

"It took Van Deiro a long time."... hey, get your hands off me. "

“Yeah,” Rico laughed hard as he let go of Belton.

Belton doesn't want to show a smile because he feels guilty. However, after tapping Rico's head with his fist, he approached the exit of the luggage carrier.

When Belton opened the door of the luggage carrier, an unexpected high smile resounded.

"Oh, this is really a toddler!" I'm quite intrigued by how much power such a young puppeteer has! "

Rico felt like he was being turned into something by evil spirits.

It was an extremely glamorous presence that did not suit this peripheral area.

The head is wrapped around with cloth, and a fluttering top is worn over a long coat, all of which are embroidered with colors. There were many travellers who tried to catch the eye with their humble costumes, but it was still incomparably more elusive. Moreover, ornaments such as the chest, wrists and fingers lit up a luxurious glow that could only be considered a real jewel or silverwork.

"Tikatras-sama, beware... it seems that your boy has a lot of blades in his possession."

Then, a gloomy sound was heard from somewhere.

When Rico looked around, two other humans, besides Van-Deiro, were tethered to the hands and feet of the bandits who had fallen to the ground. Both are wrapped in travel coats, one surprisingly tall, and the other has black skin like the people of the east.

"Belton has the art of sword throwing. I don't want to point the blade at the benefactor, so I hope you don't have to worry about it."

When Van-Deiro raised his voice like that, Bertone frowned.

"What are you talking about, benefactor?" Van Deiro, who are these people? "

"These guys helped me get rid of the outlaws." "It would have taken me a long time to get rid of all the outlaws by myself."

When Van Deiro replied in that way, a man dressed in a disrespectful manner said, "No, no!” He raised his voice.

"Your sword technique was really beautiful!" She's so old, she's stronger than Degion and Vichezzo! If I may, will you not be my servant? "

"... I'm sorry, but I've already decided who I want to go with." [Guardian] has withdrawn from his work, so I don't want to serve anyone. "

"Huh! You were the [Guardian]!" It must be a swordsman with a name of sight! "

Then, the black-skinned person who had finished the arresting work woke up in a sharp voice.

Tikatra-sama, isn't that Lord Van Dylo of the [Lion Killer]?

"Van Deiro from [Lion Killer]?" Is that Van Deylo, who was named Selva's finest swordsman? That's what I want you to become more and more a squire! "

Van Deiro looked back at the person with a very quiet but powerful look.

"Tsubaki's answer is the same as the one you just answered." By the way, don't say "arm strain" or something like that, right?

"This is ridiculous!" If you don't like it, then you can't help it! But if you change your mind, you can always visit Durham Mansion! "

"... you were a Derm people?" You've been traveling a long way. "

"Yeah! I heard there's a settlement of free reclaimers up ahead!" You're not interested in a small village that doesn't even get on the map? That's why I'm just thinking of stretching my legs a bit before I go back to the Derm! "

Having said that, Tikatras looked away at his elongated torso.

"I'm called Tikatras of the Duke of Derm's House!" Say the name in the Derm and everyone will know where the Mansion is! Stop by whenever you want, even if you're not going to be a squire! Even if I am away, my wife and children will entertain me! "

"Hah. Such a great nobleman would wander around such a peripheral land." If you don't trust me at all, you're the one. "

When Bertone said so, Tikatras laughed cheerfully.

"I'm more of a merchant than an aristocrat, and I'm more of an artist than that!" If you don't mind, could you show me your skills too? "

Huh? Did you get a sword in your head?

"It's a puppet play, not a sword throw!" You're puppeteers, aren't you? That's what Van Deiro told me! ”

When Bertone's eyes turned to blame, Van-Deiro, who was always sedentary, lowered his eyebrows to apologize.

"I had no choice but to answer honestly, because this guy is going to ask a lot of questions." Isn't this a concealment story? "

"Yeah! This wagon was so decorated like an artist!" From the very beginning, I couldn't help but be intrigued! "

While a man named Tikatras was talking like that, a tall man was smoking lupus. This is a signal that the bandits have been captured in a nearby territory. It was a testament that they were as accustomed to travelling as Van-Deillo, and that they were skilled in desolation.

"Now, what do you say?" Of course, I'll pay for the sighting! I am a man who spares no copper for his good deeds. "

"Hah. There are only three guests on this side of the road, and there are people who show off their skills." You joke, you take a break. "

When Bertone responded in that way, Tikatras smiled, “I see.”

"If your temperament is anything like that, my interests will be squeezed out." These outlaws will soon be taking care of the soldiers in the nearby territories, so you should get going. ”

"... wait. Are you saying we don't feel like entertainers?"

When Rico spoke out like that, Tikatras shrugged his shoulders, “That's right.”

"I look wealthy enough to see, and I'm a drunkard who hangs on to puppet plays in such a place. Hopefully, how much copper can I give you? Normally, I'd just snort my tongue. If you only have the temperament to run away with your tail rolled up, you can't expect much."

"Hmm. Take your time." Leave these people alone and let's get out of here. "

Belton said so, but Rico shook his head and said, "No."

"If you tell me that, I won't be able to back down." Belton, let this man see our work. "

"Huh? What are you talking about!" I mean, we-- "

Belton grabs his mouth on the way.

Rico and Belton began their first full-scale drama training less than a month before they lost their family. Until then, I had helped my parents with their work, but I had never performed the play on my own.

"It's okay. I was just talking about showing the play in public." That's just a little faster. "

Rico whispered like that, and Belton took a deep breath and hid his eyes under his hat.

"Damn, I can't handle it." I don't know if I'm going to see you cry later. "

"It's all right, we'll be fine."

Rico clenched his fist and turned toward Tikatras, who was laughing.

"Now, let me show you the play." Is it okay to play "Princess Knight Zelia and the Black Snake Crown"? "

"Of course, I don't care about anything!" All the stories of Princess Knight Zelia are my favorite! "

Riko and the bandits rolled to the ground and moved a little to perform the puppet show.

I pulled out the stage on the roadside and prepared for the puppet costume. All those tools were left behind by Rico's mothers.

Rico's mothers once breathed life into these puppets.

From now on, Rico and Belton will inherit the role.

That's how the two of them revived the [Seat of Honeysuckle] - Rico and Belton vowed to each other in tears the day Van-Deiro saved their lives.

Tikatras sits on a rug prepared by his squire, watching Rico's behavior.

The two servants lined up to the left and right, and Van-Deiro watched Rico and the others from a distance.

Rico took a deep breath, exhaled all the clutter, and then began to say, "It's a long story."

Your heart is beating against your chest, and your breath is about to get stuffy.

However, customers can't see the different appearances. No matter how much Rico's mother lost her temper, she was overflowing with strength only while performing the play.

There's only one wish for Rico. I wanted to be a puppeteer like my mother.

To make all the people watching think that it was "fun" - just as I once cheered up my mothers' plays - to make them feel happy for just a moment - to let the puppets live in that way.

Belton is also scary serious about manipulating puppets.

Inspired by this, Rico spoke as a storyteller and manipulated the puppet himself.

Then Princess Knight Zelia defeated the Black Snake King and brought the crown back to her hometown - the story of "Princess Knight Zelia and the Black Snake Crown" is over.

Rico stepped forward with Belton, encouraging his trembling knees.

Tikatras then stood up and struck his palm.

"Yes! It was quite a pleasure!" As expected, even though the naivety could not be muted at such a young age, it was supplemented with a surplus of emotions! Your mood is quite impressive! "

Tikatras laughed grinningly, his fingertips slipping into his pocket.

What was taken out of it was a dull, shining white copper coin.

"Well then, it's a promised sighting fee!" Please take it! "

"Eh... can I have this many copper coins?"

Rico was puzzled and asked, and Tikatras said innocently, "Yes!” he nodded.

"However, you still have a long way to go!" If it is true, the red copper coin split would be appropriate! "

"Well then, why..."

"I wonder if this is your expectation of the end!" I hope you will grow into a puppeteer worthy of the price! "

While saying that, Tikatras offered me a copper coin.

"Small-tech technology is something you can learn if you only take the time!" However, the mood and emotions have to be twisted from within! If you can keep pushing without losing that emotion, you'll grow into a great puppeteer! Don't let me down the next time you see me! I'm looking forward to your growth! "

"... I see. Thank you for your kind words."

Rico received the copper coin with both hands.

A small copper coin feels a little heavy. Maybe that's the weight of Tikatras' expectations.

(But I... aim to be a puppeteer like my mother)

Rico looked up at Tikatras as he grabbed the copper coin with both hands.

Tikatras smiles with the same innocence.

"Well then, have a good mood!" Van Dylo, please protect the future puppeteers from the threat of this world! ”

Tikatras turned the hem of his flashy outfit and got into his wagon.

A black-skinned woman and a person who likes to think of herself as follows, and a tall person grips the reins at the Odori stand. We're heading in the opposite direction to Rico and the others.

With that in mind, Rico and the others got into the wagon with their tools.

Then Bertone bumps his head again.

"I'm not really listening to such a drunken person." No matter what anyone says, we are us. "

"Huh? I'm not depressed, but... ah, is Belton angry at being said to be naive?"

Hmm. You really want to take that bastard's word for it?

In saying that, Bertone looked very sorry.

Rico didn't think and laughed, "Ahaha."

"Let's keep up the good work." I'm sure we'll be fine. "

"Shut up. My main job is sword throwing."

Rico's wagon then began to run in the opposite direction to the Tikatras.

It was about two years after the two paths intersected again. How honorable and proud Rico would be - only the gods spin the thread of destiny would know.