2
And so, after somewhat of a delay, we finally got started with our work for the day.
First, that meant opening up the stalls like always.
The group for today consisted of Reina, Sheera, and Lala Ruu. I felt bad for her, but apparently Rimee Ruu’s participation still hadn’t been approved by her mother.
From what I heard, Mia Lea Ruu’s opinion was that though the people we had on guard made things less dangerous, it was best to wait until after the next meeting on the 15th of the white month and see how things play out. I didn’t know how much Donda Ruu’s doting nature toward his youngest daughter was having an influence there, though.
“Ehehe. I feel bad for Rimee, but I’ll go ahead and work as much as I like in the meantime!”
Unsurprisingly, that statement had come from Lala Ruu.
No matter what she said about feeling bad, it seemed she really didn’t want to yield her time working in the post town to her little sister. At any rate, I was grateful to see that everyone was so passionate about the job.
“Still, Tara’s really been wanting to see Rimee Ruu, so I hope the time comes soon when she can work here in the post town, too,” I threw out there, only for Lala Ruu to instantly take offense.
“What, so you prefer Rimee to me? I get along with that Tara runt pretty well too, don’t I?”
“I know, I know. Still, don’t you think it’s important for a big sister to think of her younger sibling?”
“Don’t talk to me like a kid! It’s not like I’m trying to be mean to Rimee or anything!” Lala Ruu retorted, puffing her cheeks.
And then, Ludo Ruu went and poured gasoline on the fine.
“Ah, so you don’t want to let Rimee take over while Shin Ruu’s around? I mean, us guards will be sticking around until at least the day of the conference.”
“That is not! What I’m saying! In the least!” Lala Ruu shouted, swinging with all her might, only for Ludo Ruu to dodge by swaying backwards. What a truly friendly exchange between siblings.
Just a bit earlier, Zasshuma had stopped by to get in touch as he’d been regularly doing, and that was when we took care of the far less peaceful matters.
“So, reversing the recent trend of increasing trust toward the people of the forest’s edge, eh? Sounds like you’ve done some deep thinking again,” Zasshuma had stated. “Still, if we’re talking about Cyclaeus, I could see him coming up with something like that. I’ve never met him personally, but he’s a seriously crafty old man, right?”
“I haven’t ever seen him either. I just tried thinking like the villain in some big conspiracy.”
“Hmph, you sure are something else. You don’t just cook, but you can think up stuff like that too, eh?” Zasshuma said with a grin, rubbing his tanned cheek. “Just keep on piling caution on top of caution like that. And actually... there’s a big meeting scheduled to be held at the castle starting today.”
“A big meeting?”
“Yeah, that’s right. From what I’ve heard, it’ll last for five days, from today till the ninth of the white month, with the nobles in charge of politics packing into the castle to discuss the future of Genos. So during that time, Cyclaeus and his younger brother won’t be able to make a move, but we won’t exactly be able to get in contact with Lord Melfried either.”
“I see. So that’s why we need to be even more cautious, huh?”
“Yup. It’s better to be extra careful rather than letting your guard down... Besides, they probably have plenty of pawns on their end to handle their dirty work, too,” Zasshuma said with a shrug of his thick shoulders. “Ideally The Northern Whirlwind and his team would return around now and that’d make things a lot simpler, but unsurprisingly I haven’t heard from him at all.”
“Really? If my suspicions turn out to be true, then they’re the ones in the greatest danger... I really am a bit worried.”
“Hmph. Still, I’d feel like a fool worrying about a group like that. We’re talking about The Northern Whirlwind and three hunters of the forest’s edge. Even if a militia battalion surrounded them, they wouldn’t have much difficulty busting through. Of course... if they did that, they may well end up branded as traitors.”
If that happened, it would be like a repeat of how the Red Beards were wiped out ten years ago.
As long as Melfried was keeping a watchful eye I couldn’t imagine Cyclaeus acting so openly, but it was impossible to know just how far he would sink. Just how unscrupulous would he be if push came to shove?
“At any rate, we’ve got to keep our guard up till The Northern Whirlwind’s group returns, so that our feet aren’t swept out from under us. I can’t imagine you being endangered so easily with those hunters from the forest’s edge guarding you, but you should still make sure to remain vigilant.”
With that final warning, Zasshuma had departed.
A five-day period where neither Cyclaeus nor Melfried can easily make a move, huh? It’s true that something about that definitely sounds suspicious.
If we were assuming the worst, then this was exactly the period when we needed to be most on guard. And that went doubly so considering the guards’ unusual actions from this morning.
As I toiled away with such thoughts filling my head, Yumi showed up, marking the first time I had seen her in a bit.
“Hey there! Sorry it’s been so long since I was last able to stop by.”
“Ah, no, that’s down to me only being here till the sun hits its peak. So, how did things go with your father...?”
“It looks like that hardhead has finally made up his mind!” Yumi replied, leaning in with a dazzling smile. She wanted to serve giba cooking at her family’s inn too, but her father was the owner and he was firmly opposed, so she was in the midst of trying to convince him.
“Could you come by our place today or tomorrow? Apparently he at least wants to give talking with you a shot!”
“I see. You really worked hard there, Yumi.”
“I didn’t do anything,” she said with a wave of her hand. “All I did was tell my dad each night how I honestly felt after eating your delicious cooking! Ah, what a wonderful five days it’s been.”
“I’m certainly glad to hear you say that. But you heard about the plantation being attacked by bandits, didn’t you...?”
I also went ahead and told her how Milano Mas’s daughter had almost been abducted, too. Yumi had started off the conversation smiling, but her expression was steadily growing more and more grim.
“Hmm... A whole lot’s happened over these last few days, huh? When you say the daughter of The Kimyuus’s Tail’s owner, I guess you mean that sort of fragile-seeming girl... Yeah, I could see her not being so good at handling ruffians.”
“Right. And so, honestly, I can’t help but worry that I might end up bringing trouble to your place, too...”
“What are you saying?! This is not the time to worry about that sort of thing,” Yumi said with a smile, then crossed her arms under her prominent chest.
At that point, she leaned her head back in kind of a provocative manner, then shot me a sidelong glare. Her lips were twisted into a dauntless grin, and one eyebrow was raised in a way that made me feel like she was looking down on me... It was like she had suddenly returned to the delinquent-esque girl from the day we had first met.
“Right, I don’t think I’ve said it, but our customers aren’t exactly as classy as the folks who use The Kimyuus’s Tail. We get our fair share of rogues all the time, and it’s not like bloodshed’s all that rare either. We’re an inn that’s always handling ruffians.”
“Ah, um, really?”
“Yeah, that’s right. In fact, I threw some fruit wine in the face of a drunk who tried to grab my butt just yesterday. There are a lot of ruffians around here in the post town, so you’ve got to be prepared to at least go that far if you don’t want folks looking down on you,” she replied with a sneer, facing aside as she did so. It really did feel like I had traveled back a month or so. “So you don’t need to worry about us. Still, I guess there’s no helping it if you only want to deal with the nicer inns around.”
“N-No, of course not. And it’s reassuring to hear that you and your family can protect yourselves.”
“You really think so...?”
“Huh? Ah, yeah.”
“You’re not regretting getting close to a girl like me?”
“Of course I’m not.”
“I see... I’m glad,” Yumi said with a sigh, bringing a hand to her smooth forehead.
Then she looked up again, her expression once more that of the good-natured working girl.
“I already let you see it when we first met, but that’s the sort of girl I normally am. I don’t back down even around men, and I’ve ended up in the care of the guards more than just once or twice... To you, I probably just seem like another one of those ruffians around town, right?”
“That’s not true. I was a bit surprised just now since it’s been a while since I’d seen it, but I know that’s just another important aspect of who you are,” I replied.
Yumi let out an incomprehensible “Urk!” while brushing up her long hair. “Yup, that’s right. Neither is an act, and they’re both the real me. I’m always smiling away when I’m in front of you, so I figured maybe you’d hate me being the other way... but is it really alright?”
“It’s fine. Though I’ll admit I feel a little more relaxed when you’re just smiling.”
“Hmph! You sure do seem like you had a pampered upbringing, even though you’re a person of the forest’s edge!” she wailed in an almost desperate tone while glaring straight at me. And honestly, it was real cute how her bashfulness was clearly showing on her cheeks. “So, what do you say? Can you stop by The Westerly Wind today or tomorrow?”
“Well, today’s a little packed with work, but I’d be glad to do so tomorrow.”
“Got it. Tomorrow it is. Ah, and my old man has the look of a real scoundrel to him, so be prepared for that, alright?”
“Gah, really? Thanks for warning me in advance.”
Yumi broke out in a cheerful grin when she heard that.
“Well then, I’m heading back. Today I’m getting enough for me and my mom, so I’ll take two.”
And so, Yumi left with the two finished myamuu giba in hand.
Lala Ruu had patiently waited the whole time, but now she tugged at my sleeve and said, “Hey, are you alright expanding your business again and again like that? If that Kimyuus place decides to work with you too, then you’ll be selling your cooking to four inns in total, right?”
“Yeah, I should be able to make do somehow.”
I had roughly three and a half hours to devote to work in the evening. Currently, I was spending an hour each at The Sledgehammer and The Great Southern Tree, and the rest giving Milano Mas cooking lessons.
At this rate, if The Kimyuus’s Tail and The Westerly Wind both started working with me too it’d be kind of a harsh schedule, but it wasn’t like I had no room to improve my workflow. In fact, it wasn’t even that difficult to solve. I just needed to finish the prep work at home in order to cut down the time I needed to spend at each inn.
Since entrusting the giba burger preparations to Reina and Sheera Ruu, I had gained a good bit of leeway with my work at home. If I could just wrap up development of my new dish, I could devote that time to preparing instead.
But before that, I needed to come up with a kimyuus or karon dish for The Kimyuus’s Tail that could compete with giba meat cooking, as well as win over the owner of The Westerly Wind, who wasn’t fond of the people of the forest’s edge. That was ultimately what I needed to worry about first.
Above all else, though, was the matter with Cyclaeus. Like I had told Yumi, I intended to hold off on officially expanding my business till the meeting in ten days was over.
We’ve got no idea what sort of methods he may use to try to take down us people of the forest’s edge. So for now, I’ve just got to carefully watch how the situation plays out.
That might well have gone both for those of us trying to form bonds with the post town and also for Cyclaeus’s side which was trying to sever those bonds. It wasn’t something I could be certain of, but to me, lying low and firming up our foothold seemed like a smart plan.
“Sorry for the wait, Asuta,” a voice suddenly called out.
When I turned to look, I found Li Sudra standing next to the stalls, accompanied by the Rutim men who had been acting as bodyguards.
“Huh? Has the sun hit its peak already?”
“Yes... Is something the matter?”
“No, it just sort of snuck up on me, I guess.”
Yumi had shown up again for the first time in a while today, but there were still other customers I really wanted to talk with who hadn’t come by.
Diel had said she wouldn’t be able to come for a while, so I guess there was no helping that. But I found it a bit regrettable that I hadn’t been able to meet with Mikel or Sanjura. There was a lot I wanted to ask that charcoal seller about in regards to his wares, in particular.
Well, I guess I’ll have plenty of chances from tomorrow on. Still, what happened with Sanjura, exactly...?
I didn’t especially have any business with the man. It was just that I’d been seeing him every day for a while now, so I couldn’t help but feel a bit lonely.
Did his right arm finally heal and he started working again? I’d be glad to hear so, but still... He’s a wanderer who moves from one place to another. He said he’d like to visit the forest’s edge, too... If he were to suddenly leave Genos, I’d definitely feel pretty sad about it, I thought, despite such feelings seeming rather unfitting. Was I overlapping him with Shumiral in my head after all?
Shumiral’s hair was silver while Sanjura’s was chestnut colored, both unusual for easterners, but it wasn’t like they really resembled one another all that much. Still, Sanjura had such a gentle manner and acted so friendly that I’d grown quite fond of him.
Are Shumiral and Pops and everyone doing well...? I thought to myself as I set off for The Sledgehammer with Reina Ruu.
For today, we had four guards. After leaving the stalls to the young hunters of the Rutim, Ludo and Shin Ruu accompanied us alongside the two men from the branch families whose names I didn’t know.
“Hey, just let me ask one more time... Does it really seem like that Jeeda kid won’t be coming after us anymore?” Ludo Ruu asked, cautiously glancing around the surrounding area.
“Yeah. At the very least, Ai Fa and I think so.”
“Hmm... In that case, we’re back to where we don’t even know what to look out for, huh? It’ll be for the best if nothing happens, but it’s hard to stay motivated in that case, y’know?” Ludo Ruu grumbled, but even still, there remained a sharp look in his eyes.
In actuality, staying on guard against an enemy for hours on end with no idea how best to do so had to take a significant toll on one’s nerves.
The Ruu and the clans under them had been off for roughly half a month now, and this group had spent pretty much all of that time on guard duty. Honestly, I was seriously hoping that when I took a break for two days starting the day after tomorrow, they would take the chance to get some real rest.
“Alright, I can count on you to handle things inside, right, Shin Ruu?”
And so, we had safely arrived at The Sledgehammer again today. Ludo Ruu and the two young men from the branch houses remained outside, while Reina Ruu, Shin Ruu, and I stepped through the door into the inn.
“I’ve been awaiting your arrival, Asuta,” the owner Nail greeted with his usual expressionless look. There didn’t seem to be any customers around today either, and so silence soon fell back over the room.
Now that I thought about it, aside from Mikel three days back, I had never seen a customer at The Sledgehammer since I started working here.
“Most customers are generally out doing business or eating at this time of day. If we were always busy, I would certainly find it difficult to run this inn all on my own.”
“Ah, I see. Well, I guess pretty much any inn would be deserted around this time.”
And The Sledgehammer was the smallest inn I knew, which made it feel all the more empty.
“We actually do have customers remaining up on the second floor today, though, much as that is unusual. They wore rather intense expressions, so perhaps they’re handling some difficult business dealings or the like.”
“I see... Um, they’re not... obvious criminals or anything, are they?”
“They’re not. One is a westerner in rather fine clothing, and the other is a gentle-mannered customer from the east. And one of them has been staying for quite some time, so there shouldn’t be any need to worry. I’ve been trying to stay cautious in my own way, so please, be at ease.”
I seriously felt bad about causing the inn owners such worries. Nail in particular seemed to be trying especially hard to form a bond with the people of the forest’s edge, so that made me feel even worse.
“Ah, this is the meat for today.”
“You have my thanks.”
There was around 2.5 kilos of sirloin coated in pico leaves in the leather bag. After handing over the payment and accepting the bag, Nail swiftly went about transferring the contents to a jar filled with salt.
“By the way, are you going to be alright with meat for 50 meals tomorrow, like we discussed?” I asked while starting my cooking preparations.
“No,” Nail replied with a shake of his head. “My apologies, but I wish to change the amount. I’m sorry for the sudden request, but would it be possible to raise the amount to enough for 70 meals?”
“Huh? 70? That certainly is a lot.”
“Yes. Fortunately my simple giba cooking was received rather favorably, so I believe I should be able to sell that much during the two days that you are away.”
I was certainly glad to hear that. The Fa and the other nearby clans had steadily been catching giba, too, so there would be no problem sourcing the meat.
“In that case, I’ll prepare enough for 70 meals. I really can’t express how grateful I am, Nail.”
“I feel much the same way. Word has spread about giba cooking quite a bit lately, and so my dining hall has been packed night after night at dinner time,” Nail replied, the corners of his mouth twitching. He must have been desperately holding back a smile as best he could. It was times like this when it really showed that he wasn’t quite as skilled at hiding his expressions as easterners were. “I’ve started bringing in help from nearby just for that time of day, and yet I’ve still been earning plenty of profit. Even more importantly, I’ve been able to bring my customers joy and satisfaction.”
“It really does make me glad to hear that. And I look forward to continuing to work with you after my two days off.”
“As do I.”
It was then that a low voice called from outside the kitchen, “Is the owner around?”
I hadn’t heard the door to the inn open, so one of the customers from upstairs must have come down. After giving me a nod, Nail replied, “Yes, I’m coming now,” and headed that way.
“Alright, then how about we get to work too?”
“Right,” Reina Ruu nodded back with a smile.
Shin Ruu had been standing by the window, but perhaps in order to exercise the necessary caution since there was technically an outsider approaching, he somewhat quickly walked toward the entrance to the kitchen.
But then, before he could get there, some large figures stepped inside.
“Don’t say a word.”
Reina Ruu and I were left petrified, while Shin Ruu swiftly dropped into a battle-ready pose.
However, the young hunter was unable to do anything further.
Two men had entered the kitchen. One of them had one arm tightly wrapped around Nail to restrain him... and his other arm had a silver knife up against the man’s throat.
“Who are you?” Shin Ruu quietly asked, despite the fires burning bright in his eyes.
“I told you not to speak,” the man replied, pushing the knife closer without any hesitation. Though he wasn’t pressing the cutting edge to his throat directly, it must have still been touching, as there was a thin red line clearly visible.
Even so, Nail didn’t move a muscle. As to why... he had clearly fainted.
“We know that you have allies out front. If you try to pull anything, then we’ll cut this man down here and now.”
I had no clue what was going on... but for the time being, I couldn’t say a word.
We had just been having a peaceful conversation, but now Nail was unconscious and in the hands of some thug. It all just felt completely unreal.
As for the thugs... That was the only way I could think to describe them... Their faces were hidden, wrapped up in gray cloth like Melfried had once done. And their clothing, they were just very common leather cloaks and cloth attire. And they had their hoods pulled down so far that I couldn’t even make out the color of their eyes.
However, one of them seemed to be an easterner. He was tall and slender, and from what I could see of his arms and legs through the cloak, he had dark skin. There was a long sword dangling at his hip, while his left hand was holding a knife.
The other man was probably a westerner. Though he seemed taller than me, he had a short and stout build, and tanned-looking skin. He was the one holding Nail with a knife pressed to his throat.
“If you follow our instructions, we’ll let this man go. No one’s blood needs to be shed. You’re Asuta of the Fa clan, aren’t you...?” the stout man asked in a muffled voice.
In the meantime, the tall man kept a firm gaze on Shin Ruu, keeping his movements in check.
“Our employer would like to greet you as a guest. Come along with us. If you do so, we’ll let this man go.”
“Your employer...?”
Did he mean Cyclaeus? I couldn’t think of anyone else who would be trying something like this at the moment.
Still, just like with Milano Mas’s daughter, even if the idea was to have them pretend to be outlaws with grudges against the people of the forest’s edge, to bare their fangs at us so openly... If they were going to trample all over the laws of Genos this obviously, could even Cyclaeus brush it under the rug?
There was no time to be worrying about that now, though. And so, while forcing my panicked mind to somehow calm itself, I replied, “You want to welcome me as a guest? That’s completely absurd. Who invites someone as a guest while threatening them with knives?!”
“Don’t go running your mouth...” the man emotionlessly answered, again gripping his knife tighter.
With that, Nail’s blood started falling drop by drop onto the floor.
“Stop it! Don’t hurt him!”
Though I was thinking more clearly, I still wasn’t able to hold back the rage bubbling forth in me.
Just how far were these two planning to go, exactly?
“Do you really think you’ll get away with doing something like this in the middle of the post town? We have allies right outside, and the guards have their patrols too, you know.”
Or would the guard look the other way for these villains?
No, I just couldn’t imagine they would be able to do something like that right in the middle of the day. Besides, between the guards this morning and what I could infer from Mikel’s words, the guys at the bottom didn’t seem to all blindly follow Cyclaeus’s orders. And I couldn’t imagine them openly ignoring the laws of Genos where the people of the post town could see.
Still, to pull something like this with just the two of them... Even if they have a hostage, couldn’t a hunter of the forest’s edge still turn the tables on them?
Shin Ruu was a mere two meters away from the men. Considering how much more skilled hunters of the forest’s edge were than normal folks, it really did feel like we could expect him to pull something off at that distance.
Plus, Shin Ruu was speedier than even Rau Lea. He might have been a step short of Ai Fa and Ludo Ruu, but a hunter his age definitely should have packed a pretty strong punch, too.
With that in mind, I shot Shin Ruu a sideways glance... but though his eyes were blazing bright, there was a cold sweat clinging to his forehead and cheeks.
No good, huh...?
When I followed Shin Ruu’s gaze, I found that man who seemed to be from Sym standing there. He was casually holding his knife, and showed no signs of being intimidated by the intense pressure Shin Ruu was exuding as a hunter.
It... sort of looks like Shin Ruu’s the one being overwhelmed, somehow...
However, it didn’t make any sense for that to be the case when we were talking about someone from town facing off with a hunter from the forest’s edge. Apparently even bodyguards like Zasshuma and swordsmen like Labis didn’t come close to measuring up. Only a handful of folks in town could match—
As that thought hit me, a chill ran down my spine.
It couldn’t be...
I shook my head, thinking there was just no way.
“Come here, Asuta of the Fa clan. If you’re nice and obedient, that will settle things,” the one man said, his voice sounding ever so slightly irritated.
The man from Sym, meanwhile, remained silent and unmoving.
“Will you really let him go...? Here and now?”
“You certainly are tedious. Just hurry up and do it.”
“Alright...” I replied, moving to step forward.
Instantly, Shin Ruu whispered, “You can’t... Don’t approach those men. We can’t afford to lose you, Asuta.”
“Yeah, but... I’m sorry. I can’t just abandon Nail, either,” I replied, the image of my beloved clan head floating up in my mind as I did so.
I’m sorry, Ai Fa. I swear I won’t ever give up, all the way to the bitter end... But for now, this is all I can do.
There was no way I could just leave Nail to his fate.
And besides, he must have seen the villains’ faces.
Since we had hunters from the forest’s edge watching the front and back entrances, I had no doubt: These must have been the two who were up on the second floor, pretending to be customers.
In that case, Nail’s testimony should be able to pin them as the criminals. There’s gotta be a chance to turn things around somehow.
Besides, I couldn’t think of anything to do under the circumstances but obey. If these men really were too much for Shin Ruu to handle, then not just Nail but even Reina Ruu could be in danger here, too.
“Asuta...” she whispered, sounding about ready to cry.
After taking a single breath, I went ahead and stepped forward.
Shin Ruu twitched, only for the tall man to threaten him with his knife.
“Alright... Grab him.”
The tall man gave a little nod, then took hold of me with his open right arm. He wasn’t holding on all that strongly, but he instantly placed his knife up against my throat.
“That’s enough, right? Let him go.”
“Hmph...” the westerner snorted, letting Nail loose from his grip.
With that, the inn owner fell limply to the floor.
“Don’t go making any unnecessary moves. Our employer really does just want to welcome you as a guest. As long as you listen and behave yourself, you should be able to return to your normal everyday life again tomorrow.”
Those words really weren’t persuasive in the least when I had a blade pressed against my throat.
As Shin Ruu’s eyes burned away with chagrin, he growled, “You motherless bastards... If you put so much as a single scratch on Asuta, I will end you, even if it costs me my life.”
The kidnappers offered no response.
However, the stout one reached into his cloak and pulled out some sort of scrap of cloth giving off an irritating smell.
“Don’t move,” he said as he held that cloth over my nose and mouth.
It was heavily soaked in something. I got a strange sense of déjà vu as a sweet aroma filled my nose and started fogging up my mind.
Melemele herbs...?
I suddenly recalled that nightmare from back at the Suun settlement.
But even that quickly grew cloudy, as my consciousness swiftly faded.
The last thing I recalled was the kidnapper holding me saying, “Asuta, you are not in, danger. Please, use your skill for the sake, of my employer.”
And when he did so, it was in Sanjura’s voice.
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