Ryuugoroshi no Sugosuhibi - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The events during their travel

*RattleClattleRattleClattle* the carriage rocked noisily. It’s already been 12 days since the three departed from Rezotikumog.

They’ve already transferred to different carriages three time. The twelve days weren’t only uneventful carriage rides as the three stopped at various towns and cities along the way.

Riding together with the three was a bespectacled man in his 20s and a merchant lugging along his merchandises. The former is named Stad and the latter is named Chinton.

After riding together for three days, those two became friendly enough to converse with the trio. What more could they do? Long carriage rides are strenuous and boring so their only reprieve was in the form of human interaction.

「So Stad is currently studying to become a government official」(Kousuke)

「Yup. I’m currently returning since I picked up the corresponding materials for the third exam. Once I pass the third and fourth exam, I can become a government official」(Stad)

A slightly exaggerated scene of Stad carrying his goods lovingly could be seen.

「The third exam, I see. The only place that would be holding such a thing is the Zerupia Kingdom, correct?」(Alice)

「That is precisely so」(Stad)

At Alice’s inquiry, Stad gave an enthusiastic nod.

「Wow, that’s amazing Stad-san. It’s a little surprising since you look more adventurous than studious」(Chinton)

“You can’t judge a book by its cover”, it was exactly so as Chinton admired Stad’s goals.

Stad gave a wry smile, as if used to hearing such statements.

「So exactly what must you do for Zerupia’s government exam?」(Chinton)

「It’s held once every 3 years and it can take up to a year to finish. The exam involves a test on knowledge, etiquette, dynamism or the ability to take action, and inventiveness. A certain level in each is expected of those working in the government, at least that is what those in Zerupia believe.

The topics themselves do not change, but the contents of the examination never repeats from one year to the next. It can be a fight between the examinees, or they demand the examinees to multiply the given money by X, or they may just give some oral or written exams.

Their irregular testing method is a way to gauge the worth of the potential candidates.

Anyone who can successfully clear through everything within the first four months can become a government official. By anyone, it pertains to the entire populace, even those that are not of the nobility.

A rarity, correct?」(Alice)

「Really? Where I’m from, it was common knowledge that anyone can become a part of the government, even commoners. It just required some effort」(Kousuke)

For Kousuke, who grew up in a country where the social standings of an individual did not matter, seeing people becoming limited or endowed due to their birthrights left a sense of incongruity in him.

「It seems it’s quite different from where you’re from」(Alice)

「Where I’m from, only the nobles held government positions」(Viare)

At Viare’s comment, Chinton nodded in agreement.

「There have been some rumors that none have passed the exam in these recent years, is that true? I also heard that even though this person didn’t finish within the 4 months, he was still accepted」(Stad)

Stad asked Alice, in hopes of relieving the doubts he had about the exam and his future.

「From what I can remember, there was a man who successfully completed all of the exams perfectly approximately 20 years ago. Other than him, I haven’t heard of anyone else passing in a similar fashion.

By the way, the man in question is the current prime minister of Zerupia and he’s apparently the third son of a merchant household. Since he couldn’t inherit the household, he took the exam on a whim and managed to perfectly pass」(Alice)

It was a surprise even for the prime minister then since he simply wanted to gauge his current bearings. In the end, he left such a record in history and immediately became a part of the elites. Even now, he would lecture his colleagues and subordinates that the future is unpredictable and everyone should give it their all.

「If someone is able to produce a similar results they’ll likely be accepted, even if it exceeds the 4 months’ time limit. Well, his case was a bit special to begin with」(Alice)

「Are you from Zerupia?」(Stad)

「No, I’m not」(Alice)

Stad asked as he was dumbfounded that Alice knew more about his country than he did.

「You’re quite well informed I see」(Stad)

「Just some knowledge among a few of my friends」(Alice)

And also the fact that she’s lived a very long life.

「What was the exam like this time around? Since it’s the third part of the test, I’m guessing it’s the dynamism one?」(Viare)

「There’s a town around twelve days away from Zerupia, I was tasked to go there to acquire and return with their special product. Well, to be specific, it just had to be a special product from any town at least ten days away.

I could have hired some adventurers to gather the necessary materials, but I lack the funds so I personally left to get it」(Stad)

「I feel that you would fail if you had someone else get it」(Viare)

Alice shook her head at Viare’s doubtful comment.

「You don’t necessarily have to do it yourself. Whether the examinees do it themselves or have others do it for them, it’s still using their own resources, be it through connections, money or their own strength.

In the end, if they use Viare’s view as the basis, it would require the examiners to observe and confirm every examinees’ movements.

It’ll be a waste to mobilize so much manpower, especially since there are many still taking the exam and the difficulty of the content is not high」(Alice)

「But the current prime minister’s actions must have been observed, how else could he have gotten a government position if they didn’t know?」(Viare)

【TL: For Viare, she’s unusually astute eh?】

「Even without someone observing him, if his actions were showy enough then it would suffice. For example, investing a large amount of money to buy various special products from all the surrounding towns. This would be enough to start a rumor, correct? With the rumor becoming conviction, the examiners can determine that this person has enormous financial power and also has the courage to utilize it in full when necessary」(Alice)

「Then wouldn’t others try to imitate this?」(Kousuke)

Towards Kousuke’s inquiry, just like with Viare’s, Alice shook her head.

「I’ve heard that the examinees will fail if their methods are deemed an imitation of someone who passed.

If it was done without prior knowledge or if the examinee truly struggled to materialize the results, then it’ll be considered a pass though」(Alice)

As everyone else was feeling enlightened by Alice’s explanation, the carriage suddenly stopped. In comparison to the schedule given by the coachmen, this stop was not planned. Becoming curious, Chinton called out to the coachman.

「Well, there are some people blocking the road ahead」(Coachman)

「Can you ask them to move aside for a bit?」(Chinton)

「Yes, I’ll ask them. Heeey, we want to go through, would you mind moving to the side for a moment?」(Coachman)

The coachman called out towards the four approaching men.

Showing little reaction to his yell, the four men continued their approach towards the carriage.

「Mm? What’s wrong with those fellas?」(Coachman)

「Is something the matter?」(Viare)

Viare asked the coachman after hearing his mumbling.

「Those fellas are holding some vegetables」(Coachman)

「Vegetables? Is it something they harvested?」(Viare)

「If it’s from a harvest then they would have a lot more of it and some sort of basket or carriage holding them. Those fellas only have one piece of vegetable each」(Coachman)

「What’s up with that?」(Viare)

「Even if you ask me….」(Coachman)

Not understanding how they reached their current condition, the coachman had no choice but to keep the carriage stopped. He would have dashed through them if they looked like bandits, but seeing that none of them had any weapons the coachman was baffled about their identity.

Once the four were close enough the coachman called out to them once more.

「We can’t pass if you stay on the road like that. I’m sorry but could you move to the side?」(Coachman)

「Ya’ll ain’t passin’!」(???) 【TL: YOU! SHALL! NOT! PAAAASSSSSS!!!】

The four stood side by side to completely block the road. The man holding a pumpkin stepped forward slightly and spoke. The other three was holding a carrot, a radish and a burdock respectively. 【TL: The radish is the Japanese kind, Daikon】

「What do you mean we can’t pass? We need to pass.

I don’t want to force our way through and hurt you fellas」(Coachman)

『I’m pretty sure they’ll dodge if you force your way through though』(Kousuke)

The coachman earnestly pleaded as he did not want to resort to violence.

「Ya’ll wanna pass? Give us them shinies!」(???)

「…… Wha? Y, you fellas are bandits?!」(Coachman)

「YUP!」(Bandit#1?)

「Fellas.. If all of you are bandits then don’t you think what you’re holding is a bit.. odd?」(Coachman)

「””””They nice and plump right?””””」(All four of them) 【TL: I sprayed my tea reading this】

All four of the ‘bandits’ proudly raised their vegetables.

Taking a closer look, it’s color and shape, they were definitely nice and plump, at least Kousuke thought so as he peeked over the coachman.

He asked for the coachman’s opinion too and got a nod back.

「I agree, they look great, but ya’ll being bandits and your vegetables.. How are they related?」(Coachman)

「These are camouflaged weapons! Ya jus’ noticed? Us just waltzed up to ya’ll but did ya’ll run?」(Bandit#1)

「The thought of escaping didn’t really cross my mind」(Coachman)

「That’s right, that’s right!」(Bandit#1)

The pumpkin bandit proclaimed proudly.

「If we’s been carrying swords and bows, you’s plump lambs woulda ran the moment ya’ll saw us」(Bandit#1)

With that kind of logic, at first glance their “camouflage” plan was on the right track.

However, amidst his moment of admiration, the coachman felt that their ambush spot was too weak as nothing besides these “bandits” were blocking them.

Compared to the usual bandit ambush, the coachman was still in an advantageous position.  Still though, what these “bandits” might do may suddenly flip the table. 【TL: Unlikely, you have three overpowered people in the carriage.. A dragonslayer, an old witch and girl that can control magic distortions】

「I get that they’re camouflaged, but are they really weapons? No, they’re definitely not weapons…」(Coachman)

「Ya dissin’ vegetables?!」(Bandit#1)

The pumpkin holding bandit was seriously angry… To the point of self-mockery.

「Ya see my pumpkin!? Smashin’ this fella on yo heads gonna hurt!」(Bandit#1)

「Obviously…」(Coachman)

「Ya see? A WEAPON!」(Bandit#1)

「Is it wrong to think that you fellas should be using a sword instead?」(Coachman)

The coachman’s opinion was the same as the rest in the carriage.

「Fuu~ Swords are a joke when you’s as great as us!

Guess us’n gotta teach ya’ll a lesson first!」(Bandit#1)

With his proclamation, the pumpkin “bandit” walked up to a tree that was a little thicker than a light pole.

The pumpkin “bandit” swung his pumpkin at the tree.

Everyone in the carriage felt that the pumpkin would shatter on impact, but they were wrong. The pumpkin didn’t have a single scratch. The tree on the other hand was carved out on the impact point.

「Whaa?!」(Coachman)

The coachman couldn’t help but shout out in shock. Everyone in the carriage were equally shocked.

Next, the carrot “bandit” held his carrot like a dart between his thumb and index finger and threw it at the tree. The carrot spiraled through the air like a bullet and pierced deeply into the trunk.

Furthermore, the radish “bandit” dashed toward the tree and stabbed the radish into the tree. The radish left a clean hole in the tree. That thrust clearly showed a high level of spearmanship.

And finally, the burdock “bandit”. Holding the burdock with one hand, he swung it down hitting nothing but air, but the path in front of him was cleaved open.

None of the vegetables were harmed in any way.

「Wh, wha WHAT ARE YOU!?」(Coachman)

The coachman cried out in fear and surprise.

「The vegetable squad, TEAM NOUGYOU!

Mother Nature is our blade, we’s the baddest of the bads, the ultimate bandits!

Are you afraid? Beg for ya’ll lives! Leave e’ery shinies you’s got and ya’ll can live!」(Bandit#1)

「Urgh…」(Coachman)

【TL: Nougyou = agriculture, but team agriculture sounded awful.. in hindsight the vegetable squad sounds awful too