[Part 1/4]
The diplomatic mission has set out. Represented by Middle Counselor (Chuunagon) Tokugara Masumichi of Senior Third Rank, three court nobles, and approximately 10 governnt officials are accompanying the delegation. In addition, there are 200 warriors (samurai), 24 exorcists, 80 individuals from the servant and Hidden Group, and over 300 laborers serving as caretakers, and more.
The delegation, consisting of over 600 mbers, is mainly composed of individuals not directly affiliated with the court, for political reasons. This decision may also be attributed to matters of prestige and military rationality.
From the court's perspective, even if Tengu can engage in aningful conversation, they are ultimately considered re creatures. There was no expectation of them being equals. Therefore, dispatching Middle Counselor (Chuunagon) as an mission was already an exceptional act of rcy, and it was inconceivable for the court to directly manage personnel, including guards, for such a mission.
Another reason is that many samurai and exorcist families from all over the country have entered the capital due to the high-pressure Joraku request. Many court nobles expressed reluctance to deploy armies near the capital for rebellion vigilance. Exploiting those who have visited the capital (Joraku), mainly rural individuals, serves to publicly illustrate the hierarchical relationship with the court.
The foremost reason lies in their military utility. The armies organized by the Ministry of War are fundantally trained for interpersonal and large-scale combat. However, the upcoming venture is into a nest of monsters, making their deploynt clearly unsuitable.
And the exorcist families, along with the warrior families in Fusō-kuni, originated from self-defensive farrs heavily ard for combating youkai during frontier colonization. Warriors in remote areas still regularly hunt and kill youkai, filling the gap left by insufficient exorcists. In this context, the decision to bring them along is accurate.
Besides, the warrior group that was mobilized this ti was organized with personnel extracted from the southern regions. The warriors from the south are known for their wild and fearless nature. While the warrior families from other regions, such as the Western region, have been considered weak for a long ti, they were indeed expected to be a significant force.
Yes, in terms of strength...
"Is this the room borrowed by the prestigious Onitsuki family from the Northern region?"
The speaker's heavy accent and mocking tone made it seem like they deliberately emphasized their accent. It seed to be a speech filled with sneering and sarcasm.
It is one of the rooms assigned to the Onitsuki family, a prestigious and influential family from the Northern region, in Fusō-kuni Center region, Mt. Anma town, along the mountain trail. Three warriors (samurais), who are outsiders, have co to visit there...
"Oh, samurai, is it? What brings you here..."
"Stop, Magoroku. So, what is it?"
I held back Magoroku, who was about to rush forward, and stood up. I responded with a slightly condescending tone, different from my usual self. It was the position of being dispatched as a guard from the Onitsuki family that made behave this way.
...Or perhaps it was because I sensed that one of them was about to draw their sword.
"Hmph. I heard that a mber of the Onitsuki family household was assigned to accompany the delegation as a servant. Could it be you?"
"...Indeed, it is ."
They probably predicted it from my appearance, but still, they deliberately asked, emphasizing the word "servant"... Well, they weren't exactly friendly in their attitude when they ca here in the first place.
By the way...
"The other servants should be outside, shouldn't they?"
"I lightly touched their chins, and they fainted! It's truly disgraceful for the renowned soldiers of the Onitsuki family. They lack the spirit of being constantly on the battlefield!! With this, they can never fulfill their duty as protectors!"
In other words, they knocked them out with a punch to the jaw... Seriously? They're lying unconscious in the garden. Their bones probably aren't broken, but still, this is...
"Once again, such a rough visit..."
"If the Southern region Warrior is ignorant and lacks etiquette, spare . But... isn't this also your responsibility? How can you protect the mission with those servants?"
They deliberately condemn the blunder of being stationed near the mission's lodging.
"Oh, that's right. I still haven't introduced myself. I am Ukon Mo. This ti, I have been honored to accompany the esteed court as mission's guard! I have so questions to ask!"
They make their declaration with exaggerated grandeur. Perhaps it was directed at those around them. Beyond the shouji paper door, it seems that so people have gathered in response to the shouting.
"Recently, I heard a rumor about an incident in the northern region! It happened in the bustling city where many exorcists gather!"
A man introducing himself as Ukon seed to be talking about the youkai attack that the Joraku (visiting capital) group encountered.
"I heard that Onitsuki's family, representing the Joraku group, played a remarkable role in this case! Truly, they bring honor to the morning court of the northern region! ...But, there's also a strange tale going around!"
He exclaid loudly, staring at us with disdain.
"Being promoted from a servant to a household mber happens once in a blue moon, a truly honorable thing to hear. However, during the recent commotion, while you, sir, were serving loyally even to Onitsuki's daughters, it's said that no one saw you anywhere. Truly, a peculiar tale, isn't it?"
The warrior's criticism was like that of a coward.
"What do you an?"
"As I said earlier, it is an honor for the servant to be appointed as a household mber. I hear that Onitsuki's princesses are praising your bravery."
"Please, do tell us about your heroic tales in the city. ...Isn't it boring to just wait around in the borrowed room, doing nial tasks?"
After glancing at Magoroku and Mari waiting in the borrowed room, Ukon Mo smirked, and the two behind him laughed. And I rembered yesterday's trouble and understood.
Ah, I see. That's what it is... What a troubleso opponent.
"Tomobe-sama..."
"Master..."
"It's okay. Stay behind."
It was clearly not a friendly warrior, and on top of that, he was carrying a weapon and was shouting loudly. It was natural for Mari and Magoroku to be frightened and on guard, especially Mari, who couldn't even discern the appearance of the opponents. To reassure them, I reassure the two and step forward to protect.
"The commotion in Seki city... has already been resolved. That's all there is to it. It's a trivial matter, and there are confidential aspects. I'd appreciate it if you refrain from asking."
I respond diplomatically, urging them to leave promptly.
(Co to think of it... there was a dispute during the last Joraku as well, wasn't there?)
Well, the differences in cultural customs and norms can be tricky to handle, even with preparation. The visiting warriors from the Southern region are known for causing trouble, and their reputation in the capital is not good. According to the youngest daughter of Akō, the Akō family often gets involved in resolving disputes because of their martial background. She refers to the Southern warriors as shaful and misguided beasts who have deviated from the path of a true warrior.
Whether it's the climate, the environnt, or the customs, the Southern warriors are seen as brave but also quick-tempered and violent, like wild people from the countryside, by the people in the capital. On the other hand, the well-mannered warriors from the Western and Northern regions are warmly welcod.
"Kukuku..."
The warriors laugh at my words, shake their heads, and deny them.
"No. I want to know. Why do you not show yourself when it is a ti for you to earnestly fulfill your duties, despite receiving honorable and special treatnt? Is it true, as the rumors in town suggest?"
"Rumors...?"
Upon hearing those words from Ukon, I felt a sense of unease and furrowed my brow. Southern region warrior twisted his mouth even more mockingly than before.
"Oh, nothing. Just so trivial rumors about a servant who receives treatnt as if they were a respected household mber... Apparently, it's a story about soone who gained favor through physical ans."
The words spoken by Ukon were not appropriate for a conversation like this. It was a vulgar topic. Without thinking, Magoroku, who was standing behind , held his breath. He had a stern gaze fixed upon Ukon and the others.
"...Do you understand that this is a disrespectful conversation? Are you planning to beco enemies with the Onitsuki family?"
"It's just rumors, nothing more. Don't get angry. ...But I must say, the stories I've heard are quite amusing. Do you know what it's about?"
"...No."
Upon my denial, Ukon laughed even more. Then, he loudly raised his voice in a singing manner.
"Hahaha! Is that so? Well then, let tell you!! According to the stories, your knees were three, and in the days when you serving the second princess, she was infatuated with the fairytale troupe, engrossed in those knees every night, harmonizing in——Oh!?"
A faint, dry sound resonated. I made it resonate. Through physical enhancent and stealth, I naturally closed in on Ukon, caressing his chin. Instead of caressing, I struck.
At the realization, my hand was already out.
"Nu, ah...?"
The impact on his jaw, infused with a hint of spiritual power, echoed through his skull, disturbing his sense of balance and montarily leaving him sprawled on the ground.
Thud, the southern region warrior fell on his backside.
"W-what the...?"
The recipient of the blow couldn't comprehend the situation he had brought upon himself, dumbfounded. I looked down at him with a scornful gaze, imdiately cursing his own recklessness.
"...I've done it now."
Uh-oh, this seems like it's gonna cause so serious trouble... I quietly mutters, feeling like a bitter bug. But I braced myself, anticipating the reactions to co, hurriedly gets ready to handle it.
"Ukon, what are you doing?"
"...Hey, Ukon, are you okay? Seriously?"
"Getting knocked down by that skinny farr from the Northern region and falling flat on your butt!?"
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