Chapter 149.1

Chapter 149.1

[Part 1/5]

"...What's wrong? Sit down quickly. Are you planning to continue talking while standing like this?"

"..."

Extending her hand towards me as if welcoming me, my master called out with a wry smile. The tense atmosphere filled the air. I remained silent. The princess I carry on my back clings tightly to me without saying a word. Only the crackling sound of the bonfire continues.

It was an extremely natural course of action. Considering the dire situations I have experienced up until this moment, it is not something that can be accepted easily.

"...Sigh. There are no enemies, right?"

And then... I accepted the proposal. There was no choice but to accept it, even though I understood the danger. Given my current state of injury, there is not even a one in a million chance that I could defeat my master. Moreover, the effects of anesthesia have greatly diminished, and my whole body is in severe pain. I don't have the stamina to continue standing like this. The problem is...

"Princess."

"...I understand. Let me sit next to you."

Aoi responds to my call. Additionally, the request to keep her within reach is likely a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.

"Now then. Although there are many things to discuss... first, let's have some tea. Do you want any?"

As Aoi and I sat down on the log opposite side of my master, with a bonfire between us, my master handed me a tea cup. Inside, tea was poured just as the words suggested. This aroma was from the premium tea leaves called "Sekkan". When I was a laborer, Fat-uemon taught me the basics of tea ceremony.

"...I shall accept."

"Tomobe!?"

"Please rest assured, princess. There is no poison. As a princess, you should understand, shouldn't you?"

I gently reassured Aoi, who was surprised by my action. I mean, Aoi could detect the presence of adulterants just by the steam rising. Besides, if my master could kill me, she could do so at any time. It's pointless to fear poison now. I made up my mind and took a sip from the tea cup.

"...It's delicious. I was surprised that my master could obtain such tea leaves. Did you embezzle funds?"

"No way. This was among the items prepared for this mission. ...It belongs to the boss."

"Isn't that embezzlement?"

We laughed awkwardly and sneered at each other. It tasted even better when I thought it belonged to that guy.

"How far did you get into this story?"

"...I feel bad for what I did to Manatsuru and the others." (T/N: Manatsuru: the temporary squad leader of the servants who accompany Aoi when harvesting spiritual herbs in chapter 140)

In other words, she was involved from the early stages.

"I see. And what about the people from the Yasunaga Institution?" (T/N: The village contains servants who are crippled.)

"It's a terrible story. They used medicine for treating limbs as a broth... Originally, the villagers had this aspect of being involved in dirty work. Stll, there should be a limit to how much they can be used as servants."

"..."

"...Is something wrong?"

"No, that's exactly right."

It seemed that she didn't know about the mask insects. I had no intention of bringing it up. It was a story that no one would benefit from.

Ignorance is bliss. There is happiness in not knowing...

"You don't seem happy."

"...Huh?"

"Those eyes. The look of satisfaction. You should stop. It hurts people's self-esteem."

While vaguely realizing the provocation from Yun-shoku towards Aoi, I confirm.

"Tomobe, you should climb higher. At least above Yun-shoku. If possible, even higher."

The words spoken by my master tighten my chest. Understanding their meaning, my feelings become overwhelmingly heavy.

"...I'll speak impolitely, but Yun-shoku, do you have any calculations in becoming an assistant of the head of the servant's group?"

"It's too impolite. Do you think I can survive?"

When it came to the head of the family, let alone anyone from the Aoi faction, there was no reason to keep her alive. More precisely, there was no reason to protect her. Her fate was sealed.

"Besides, escape is impossible because of this snake curse. ...In that case, there's no choice but to do what I can. They say it's better to regret doing something than regret not doing anything at all. Don't you agree?"

My master laughed and accepted the fate that awaited her.

"Yun-shoku..."

"Hmph. It's not just a troublesome task you've dumped on Tomobe. You're like a bug trying to give Tomobe homework so you can take it easy, aren't you?"

Before I could speak, Aoi spoke up. It was harsh. A contemptuous gaze was directed at Yun-shoku.

"What a terrible thing to say. ...Then, Tomobe, do you share the same thoughts?"

"I..."

Faced with the sudden question and responsibility, I fell silent. However, my master's words were indeed true. She would die. Be killed. But even after that, the servants would remain, and so would I. Cleanup and what comes after awaited.

"You should also have an attachment to the masses. Since there is a person who can be your support... you will ask for help, right? If you do well, you can use people as pawns and benefit from it, you know?"

"..."

My master appealed to emotions, reason, and desires. It was certainly an appealing and attractive proposal that stirred a sense of duty. Above all, I had experience working alongside her. I thought it wouldn't be long before I became overwhelmed with failures... or so I believed.

However,

"...I refuse. I have no intention of cleaning up after you."

I declared, pushing my master away. Yun-shoku was momentarily surprised by my words, but then understood, resigned, and sneered.

"...I see. That's a shame. Well, it's true that for someone like you, who has connections with princess and such, this poor selection is not needed——"

"——I want to learn a little more under Yun-shoku's guidance."

"Huh?"

In response to my request that interrupted Yun-shoku's words, a voice filled with confusion and astonishment came back. And by the way, Aoi beside me was equally surprised.

"Tomobe, are you... serious?"

"Yes, I am serious. I'm dead serious."

In an extravagant manner, I respond to Aoi's question.

"My cute, adorable disciple, are you in your right mind?"

"I am in my right mind, completely sober. ...Why is the questioning from Yun-shoku so harsh?"

I retort to my master's venomous remark. Then, I clear my throat and continue.

"...Leaving abilities aside, it's not appropriate for me to take the lead given our age difference. Seniors wouldn't be pleased, would they? Besides, I don't want to be in the forefront of resentment and bitterness by moving around."

"...So, you want me to be a shield, is that it?"

"To put it bluntly, yes."