Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 13 - Chapter 2.2

2

“Jeeda! You got released from the castle?!” I exclaimed when I saw them enter the main Ruu house’s kitchen.

It was currently early evening on the nineteenth of the white month. The sun was already sinking in the west, and the kitchen was full of the aroma of a freshly made dinner.

“I’m glad you’re okay. You didn’t get whipped or anything, right?”

Jeeda silently shook his head, with a yellow fire in his eyes. When I saw his expression like he was forcing down everything he was feeling inside, I pulled back my relieved smile.

Even if he was personally all right, he was probably in no state to feel happy over that. It left me at a loss for words, but Kamyua Yoshu then cheerfully chimed in as if trying to smooth things over.

“Though he was guilty of sneaking into the castle town, pointing his blade at a noble, and drawing his sword in the post town, none of that would have happened without Cyclaeus’s wrongdoing, so Duke Genos pardoned his crimes. And the wanted posters are being removed from the post town too, so he should be a free man.”

The two of them had already met back at Cyclaeus’s manor, but it still felt odd somehow, seeing them standing side by side like this.

And as he stroked his long and narrow stubbly chin, Kamyua Yoshu suddenly turned his gaze to my side.

“Hey there, Ai Fa. So you’re back too, huh? Did you make any catches today?”

“Yes,” Ai Fa nodded, a cautious look in her eyes. She had resumed her hunting by this point too.

There had been ten days between when Lefreya kidnapped me and the day of the meeting. Considering Ai Fa had taken that long off from hunting, it was no surprise that even she had been unable to stand it any longer.

Then there was the fact that Donda Ruu and the men under him had started working again too. No matter how much she might be worried about me, Donda Ruu and everyone else were entrusting their family’s safety to Ryada Ruu and the others, so she couldn’t be the only one without enough resolve to take this as good enough... Or at least, she could solve the problem of her worrying by throwing herself into her work hunting giba.

And amazingly enough, Ai Fa had hunted down a giba every day for the last four days, always returning to the Ruu settlement before everyone else. It was at the point where the number of giba around the Fa house would be on the decline, so those really were some incredible results.

However, Ai Fa’s hair also smelled sweeter than it had before. That meant she was once again performing sacrificial hunting and coating herself in the scent of giba summoning fruit.

“It’s only natural to do so, seeing how the number of giba in the area has decreased. I always use sacrificial hunting during such periods.”

Even if she said so, that wasn’t exactly enough to wipe away my concerns. But reflecting on what I had once told Darmu Ruu, I had no choice but to trust in Ai Fa’s readiness and skill as a hunter.

“So, is Donda Ruu back too? I hurried over here again today as Duke Genos’s proxy, after all.”

“Looking at how low the sun has sunk, I’d say he should be back. Did you not stop by the main building?”

“Not yet, because today I came with a message for both Asuta and Donda Ruu. I wanted to make sure you heard it directly, Asuta.”

“Did they decide how I’ll be handled?”

The question of what to do with the fact that I had come from overseas had been left on hold up till now.

Though Ai Fa shot him a piercing glare, Kamyua Yoshu just brushed that off with a smile.

“They’re still deliberating on that. Besides, Duke Genos figures it’d be unjust to discuss that matter before Cyclaeus is properly tried.”

“Then what in the world do you have to tell me?”

“I want the leading clan head to hear it too. Would it be possible to have a little of everyone’s time before dinner?”

“Of course. We’re already finished preparing the food.”

And so, I ended up heading over to the main building along with Ai Fa, Kamyua Yoshu, and Jeeda. After handing over our blades to Mia Lea Ruu we stepped inside, and perhaps because it was so close to dinner, there were already four men gathered in the main hall.

“Kamyua Yoshu, huh? Is there finally some movement from the castle?” Donda Ruu asked, a calm look in his blue eyes.

Jiza Ruu had his usual smile accompanied with an emotionless gaze, while Darmu Ruu’s eyes were burning bright with danger. And as for Ludo Ruu, he looked a bit concerned with his brow furrowed as he stared at Jeeda.

“I suppose I’d have to say there was, but it’s all pretty tricky. Cyclaeus is still laid up in his sickbed while Ciluel has firmly shut his mouth, so we have no way of searching out what their private troops are up to.”

“Hmph. So what exactly are you here for, then?”

“I have a message from Duke Marstein Genos. I’d imagine the contents aren’t much to the taste of you people of the forest’s edge, but I ask that you listen all the way to the end,” Kamyua Yoshu replied as he lightly seated himself at the foot of the group.

Jeeda sat down beside him, while Ai Fa and I chose a spot off to the side where we could see everyone.

“What I’ve come to discuss concerns Cyclaeus’s daughter, Lady Lefreya.”

“Lefreya? Why are we talking about Cyclaeus’s daughter at this point...? Isn’t that girl being held as a criminal?”

“Yes. The plan is for her to face half a year’s confinement as punishment. And, well... I’ve come to tell you Duke Genos was proposing lightening that sentence.”

Donda Ruu’s glare instantly grew more intense.

“I don’t get the meaning of this at all. Could you give me a satisfactory explanation?”

“Yes, right. I figure this’ll be good for your people too, but you see... Duke Genos is thinking he wants to strip Cyclaeus of his rank. Which is to say, he wants to remove his title of count before the official trial begins. Of course, that’s perfectly normal considering how serious the crimes he’s suspected of are.”

“Stripping him of his rank... So regardless of the results of the trial, that man will never again be able to call himself Count Turan?”

“That’s right. It’s quite disreputable to have a count on trial, and there’s a risk the interrogators and legal officers could take that into account. So the thinking is that for all sorts of reasons, it’d be better to strip him of the rank beforehand.”

“That’s all well and good... But it’s not like we can just keep grinning about all of this, now can we?” Donda Ruu replied, ironically with a grin despite his words. In other words, his fighting instincts seemed to have fired up. “So when you said you wanted to discuss that girl... The intention’s to have her inherit the rank, eh?”

“Yes, but that’s also completely natural. Though Lady Lefreya is also a criminal, it was only a minor crime with a sentence of just half a year’s confinement. And since she is the legitimate child of the head of her house, that inheritance can’t be shifted.”

“You’re saying abducting Asuta was a minor crime?” Ai Fa sharply interjected, only for Kamyua Yoshu to shoot her back a smile as if to pacify her.

“That’s ultimately just in comparison to Cyclaeus’s crimes. An old trick nobles like to employ is throwing money around to help make crimes on the level of abducting commoners disappear... But, since it was obvious that wouldn’t work on you people of the forest’s edge, things ended up the way they did this time around.”

Nobody had anything to say to that.

“Ah, that was a misleading statement there, lumping all nobles together. Naturally I’m just referring to unscrupulous nobles like Cyclaeus. Duke Genos or Sir Polarth would never go dirtying their hands with lawbreaking in the first place, so no worries there.”

Ai Fa just sat there silently with a look of disgust, while Donda Ruu pressed, “And...? She’s still just a childish little brat, isn’t she? Here at the forest’s edge, you’re not qualified to be the head of your house till you’re at least fifteen.”

“In the western kingdom anyone can inherit a rank, regardless of age or gender. But having a guardian is essential, so there will be rather serious restrictions placed on her. She’ll be given a guardian without significant ties to Cyclaeus, who will serve as a firm foundation to make sure the name of house Turan isn’t sullied any further.”

“Hmph... I see.”

“Of course, since Lady Lefreya has the previous offense of having kidnapped Asuta, the restrictions on her will be even harsher than usual, and her every move will be carefully monitored. With that said, it’ll be the guardian really running the house of Turan from here on out, while Lady Lefreya will be the head of the house in name only until the next heir is born to take the guardian’s place,” Kamyua Yoshu said, shrugging his shoulders under his cloak. “Duke Genos doesn’t have the authority needed to eliminate the house of Turan itself. That’s because it was a direct command from the king of Selva that split these lands between the Genos, Turan, Saturas, and Daleim houses, and then placed Duke Genos in charge. In that case, the only option Duke Genos has for swiftly taking down Cyclaeus for the crimes he’s suspected of is to have his daughter inherit the rank.”

“If that’s what the laws of the kingdom state, then go ahead and do as you please. But what’s this about pardoning the girl’s crimes? Regardless of whether or not someone’s a noble or whatever, a crime’s still a crime, is it not?” Donda Ruu grumbled.

“Yup. But we can’t exactly have someone in prison inherit a rank. And on the other hand we can’t delay Cyclaeus’s trial an additional half a year either, which made this quite the distressing decision for Duke Genos, I’d say.”

“But what does he have to hesitate and agonize over? From what you’ve said, you make it sound like status is more important than the law.”

“You’re certainly right. The people of the city of stone definitely do value rank more highly. Stubborn folks like Melfried who think otherwise are a rarity,” Kamyua Yoshu replied, the ends of his eyebrows drooping a bit as he smiled. “If Cyclaeus’s trial begins while he’s still a count, that scandal will reach all the way to the capital. And if things go poorly, that could lead to the capital interfering with the governing of Genos. While Genos is a remote town far from the capital, it’s also exceptionally prosperous even for Selva, so folks from the capital surely see it as a dangerous element. And the lord of Genos has to make sure to keep such concerns in mind.”

“Hmph... This sure has gotten overblown,” Donda Ruu stated, his smile disappearing as he scratched his rugged mustache.

As he stared back at the clearly displeased clan head, Kamyua Yoshu continued on, “So... I know this probably won’t please you people of the forest’s edge to hear either, but I have a further statement from Duke Genos.”

“You don’t need to go prefacing everything. If you were tasked with playing the role of messenger, then hurry up and do your job already.”

“Yes, right away. Ahem... In addition to the pardon for Lady Lefreya, Duke Genos also wishes to pardon Bartha of Masara.”

Donda Ruu’s eyes suddenly narrowed, while I turned my gaze to Kamyua Yoshu’s side, at Jeeda.

The boy’s burning gaze was pointed downward, and he wasn’t saying a word.

“Considering she was a remnant of the Red Beard bandit group that went after the fortunes of nobles, she wouldn’t be able to avoid a death sentence. But seeing how she risked her life in order to protect the order in Genos, there’s room for taking extreme circumstances into account... Or at least, that’s the excuse.”

“In other words, we’re being told to accept the pardon of that Lefreya girl’s crimes in order to have the same done for Bartha of Masara, huh?” Donda Ruu asked, his eyes quietly blazing away. “I see... So that’s how nobles do things, is it?”

“Yes. But among nobles, I believe Duke Genos is pretty darn fair and down to earth,” Kamyua Yoshu replied, the ends of his eyebrows drooping again. “If we were dealing with a more run-of-the-mill noble, he would’ve thrust that condition at you in a real condescending manner. But Duke Genos is aware of how coercive his power is as the governing lord, so he made sure to ultimately bring it to you as just a proposal. In order to struggle his way to a solution, he has no choice but to have Lady Lefreya inherit her father’s rank. And so, he was thinking maybe he could bury the hatchet by offering a pardon for Bartha in exchange.”

“Hmph...”

“I figure making the choice to pardon a bandit who brought harm to nobles was a difficult one for Duke Genos. After all, he’ll definitely have to pull some strings in order to obtain the acceptance of those nobles who were robbed by the Red Beards ten-plus years back.”

“So to make up for twisting the law, he’s twisting it even further, and then burdening himself with having to clean up the mess? Can’t say I especially feel for him there.”

“Right. You people of the forest’s edge really value the law highly, so it’s only natural you’d feel that way. And even that bit of kindheartedness from Duke Genos probably just feels like trampling all over Bartha’s resolve, right?”

When Kamyua Yoshu said that, Jeeda suddenly looked up. His beastlike yellow eyes fixed straight ahead on Donda Ruu. “Leading clan head of the forest’s edge, Donda Ruu... I would like to say just a few words too.”

The leading clan head silently stared back at the boy.

Jeeda’s eyes blazed even brighter... and then his wild head of hair lowered all the way down to the floor. “Please, accept that noble’s proposal and save my mother... I’ll offer up my life in return if that’s what it takes.”

Donda Ruu remained silent.

“Just like you’ve said, I strayed from the proper path. Thanks to that, my own mother has been arrested as a criminal. If this all ends in her death, I’d never be able to face my father Goram.”

But still, no response was offered.

“I realize how unsightly what I’m saying really is. And I’m sure my mom wouldn’t be happy at being saved like this... But even so, I don’t want to let her die.”

From my position off to the side, hard as it was to see from here, I watched Jeeda rub his forehead against the floor. His eyes were blazing like flames, and his youthful face was twisted with anguish as he cried out in a muffled voice.

“I know I’ve already said it, but even if she obtains the rank of countess, Lady Lefreya won’t have any freedom or power. It may hurt to forgive her crime of kidnapping Asuta, but looking at it another way, that crime alone was enough to ruin the rest of her life. Rather than for just half a year, she’ll spend the remainder of her life like a prisoner, so could I ask that you hold back your rage and frustration over the matter?” Kamyua Yoshu suggested with a meek expression, only for Donda Ruu to slowly and steadily turn his way.

“You certainly are acting awfully modest today. It makes my skin crawl, somehow.”

“Is that so? Well, I can’t help but feel responsible for being the one to drag Bartha out here, you see,” Kamyua Yoshu replied, his drooping eyes narrowing a bit as he smiled, and then he dropped his gaze down to Jeeda’s small back. “And yet he hasn’t thrown so much as a single complaint my way. It really does make my heart ache.”

“No matter what you may have said to her, she was still the one to make her decision in the end. Ultimately, it just goes to show that Bartha of Masara possessed both a powerful resolve and pride. And it was also her own decision to live as a bandit and steal the fortunes of others...” Donda Ruu shot back, looking over Kamyua Yoshu and Jeeda with a firm gaze. “So... In the end, the lord of Genos already made up his mind no matter how we reply, didn’t he?”

“Yes, well, Duke Genos believes that this is both the best and only path possible to go forward with our plans.”

“In that case, do as you please. We intend to take our time from here on out judging if Duke Marstein Genos is a man worth offering up our blades in service to.”

At that, the tears started streaming down Jeeda’s face.

When he saw the boy’s face, wrinkles formed around Donda Ruu’s nose. “Hunters shouldn’t go crying in front of others lightly. How old are you exactly?”

“Fourteen...”

“Fourteen, huh? At the forest’s edge, you aren’t recognized as an adult until you turn fifteen,” Donda Ruu stated with a hearty snort. “Even if you’re a hunter, you’re still just a child. It was a mistake to separate from your mother at such a young age to begin with. And if you regret that, then be certain to never make that same mistake again.”

Jeeda hung his head once more, the tears still dripping down from his eyes.

After staring that way with a troubled grin for a bit, Kamyua Yoshu cheerfully called out, “Now then, if we’ve reached an understanding, I’d like to move on to the next topic.”

“So you don’t intend on shutting that mouth of yours just yet, eh? Even though I’m starving by this point.”

“This will be the last message. In order to form new bonds with the leading clan heads of the forest’s edge, Duke Marstein Genos wishes to hold a dinner party.”

“A dinner party...?”

Donda Ruu seriously furrowed his brows, while my eyes went wide.

With his usual aloof grin once more back in place, Kamyua Yoshu turned my way. “Therefore, he apparently wants you to serve your giba cooking, Asuta. He wants to show all of you his honest intentions as lord of this land by gathering in the same place as you and eating the same meat. So, what do you say?”

“The lord of Genos said he’d eat giba meat...?” The one to ask that question hadn’t been Donda Ruu, but rather his son Jiza Ruu. His already narrow eyes narrowed further still as he stared at Kamyua Yoshu.

“Yes. He said that what Genos needs now is to see their lord and the people of the forest’s edge openly forming proper bonds.”

“The lord of Genos, eating giba meat...” Jiza Ruu repeated, his expression not shifting in the least. Apparently that had made for quite a shock.

“What Duke Genos fears most of all is the people of the forest’s edge leaving this land. For twenty years he had entrusted the reins to Cyclaeus to form bonds with you and make sure that didn’t happen, so now he’s left fumbling. Despite his smile, I think on the inside his mind is desperately racing to find a way to settle things smoothly.”

“In that case, why did he not make a move before things got this bad? You and Melfried must have had plenty to tell him about how Cyclaeus was suspected of serious crimes, right?” Donda Ruu asked, but Kamyua Yoshu shook his head.

“No matter how much we suspected him, we didn’t have any proof. He decided that if both Cyclaeus and the people of the forest’s edge insisted they were right, then he would wait till the very last moment possible to make a move, hoping that one side would manage to prevail before it came to that. I tried telling him that just leaving things be meant allowing the fangs of Cyclaeus’s ambitions to close in on your throats, but he just laughed and said in that case, you would have to fight with everything you had.”

“Hmph... He certainly sounds like a big talker.”

“Yeah. Even I don’t have a good grasp on just how capable that man really is. So I’d say your decision to take your time judging that for yourselves is definitely the right one, Donda Ruu,” Kamyua Yoshu said with a grin. “By the time I managed to finally drag him out, my work was mostly done. Now all I have to do is run this way and that for the shorthanded Duke Genos and Melfried while keeping a careful eye on where things are heading. I really do hope you people of the forest’s edge can form proper ties with Genos... Anyway, I’ll come visit again in the future to hear your official reply, so let the other leading clan heads know, all right?”