97 - Reward for the Sedovara Church
"...So, the report said the reincarnator from Mey Village was dead. What do you mean you have kept her and are raising her, Leonardo?"
Alfred suddenly saying this made me unconsciously stop eating. I never expected the word 'reincarnator' to come up at the dinner table. And in such a definitive tone, too. If it was the reincarnator from Mey Village that Leonardo had kept close, that was undoubtedly me.
...Huh? What? Where did I slip? Wait, why are we even talking about this!?
Internally I was in complete chaos, but I did not let it show on my face as I turned my gaze toward Leonardo. Leonardo, who had been accused by Alfred of "keeping a reincarnator close," blinked as if he had no idea what he was talking about. Well, that made sense. I had never told Leonardo that I was a reincarnator. Even if someone suddenly pointed out that "your little sister is a reincarnator," there was no way Leonardo's expression would change.
"...The reincarnator from Mey Village should be dead."
After a long pause, Leonardo answered that way. Leonardo had no other answer. To this, Alfred replied with a serious face, "Tina is a reincarnator, is she not."
...Huh? How can you be so confident and certain? Did I do something?
Not understanding the situation, I shifted my gaze to Alfred, and Alfred began counting on his fingers as if to explain it in a way Leonardo could understand.
"A board game I have never seen, a dish I have never seen, a demeanor too prudent for a nine-year-old, and on top of that, your lisp is also a distinctive trait. Being the sole survivor of a completely wiped-out village is also something that could happen to a reincarnator."
When he pointed them out, they were all things that did make sense. He was not wrong, and they were all facts. But hearing Alfred's accusations actually made me feel relieved enough to resume eating. With those points, Leonardo would deny all of them.
"Tina apparently had contact with the family of the reincarnator from twenty years ago when she lived in Mey Village. I heard she learned Reversi from that family."
Leonardo explained to Alfred that back then they apparently played using colored stones. The lie Alf and I had concocted back when I was playing with paper Reversi pieces was now being told by Leonardo to Alfred. If I told it, it would be an outright lie, but if Leonardo said it, it would not be a lie. Because Leonardo was saying it believing it to be the truth.
"And what about the dish that Alfred-sama had never seen?"
"I wash thinking of having Leonyaldo-san try it too, but Alfred-sama ate it all while I was not looking."
I thought he was probably referring to the tatsuta-age, so I answered honestly as well. There was nothing special about it, so I was sure I could just brazen it out. It was just a dish made using seasonings that could be imported from a country called Napaji, so it was not evidence that I was a reincarnator. Leonardo knew that I cooked. He also knew that I made little improvements to recipes from time to time. It was not anything special. I was relieved about that, but Alf and Leonardo's reactions were different.
"Please do not just gobble down whatever is served to you, a prince of the realm."
"What are you doing, someone who should be on guard against poisoning? What if it had contained ingredients that did not agree with your constitution?"
As knights, Leonardo and Alf had a different focus than I did. I had intended to tattle on Alfred for hogging all the tatsuta-age, but from the knights' perspective, Alfred's behavior was apparently unbecoming of a prince.
...As if I would ever poison anyone, right?
Leonardo probably was not thinking that either, but I suppose that is just how the royal family has to be on guard. As Leonardo and Alf snapped at him, Alfred began to defend himself. "I did have it tested for poison, you know."
...Ah, so that was a poison test.
When I mistook him for Alf and offered him the tatsuta-age, Alfred had seemed a bit flustered. And then Timon from beside him asked if he could have some too, volunteering to taste it. Without me noticing, Alfred's escort had apparently been fulfilling his role as a guard.
"I checked the ingredients and the procedure too. It was chicken (Nikitz) marinated in a sauce based on soy sauce from Napaji and then fried."
"...If it was a dish made with Napaji seasonings, then it is not something Tina devised."
The Three Crows tavern, whose owner is from Napaji, was supposedly one of my favorites. Since I liked Napaji cuisine and had even ordered some imported seasonings, it would be convincing to say I was inspired by the Three Crows' cooking.
"I wos wondering if it would turn out like this, sho I needed to taste it."
That should have tied things up for now. As for the lisp and the reason I survived when the whole village was wiped out, I had already told Leonardo, so I could leave it to him. I was aware that I was not particularly good at lying. It would probably show on my face right away, so it was better to have Leonardo, who believed the lies to be the truth, handle the parts that were lies on my part.
...But still?
It seemed like I should stay as far away from Alfred as possible. I had not been unable to deny it, but he had seen through the fact that I was a reincarnator in just a few hours. If I stayed around him for long, he might hit me with some evidence I could not deny.
I decided to avoid Alfred as much as possible during his stay. That was my resolve, but for some reason, Alfred kept coming close to me. What a terribly troublesome prince.
"A rematch at Reversi."
"Pleash play with Alf-san. I am already tired."
After the meal, I tried to leave the room quickly, but Alfred caught me. Physically, too. With my small body, I was like a kitten or a puppy to a grown man. Since I was right there, he could easily scoop me up and sit me on his lap.
"...If I am on your lap, I cannot play Revershi."
"No, no, if I keep you secured, Alf will not run away from me and will keep giving me intense looks. My opponent is Alf."
...I understand. It is not a rematch with me. I am just here so you can have a rematch with Alf-san.
What a nuisance. With the same face as Alf, Alfred laughed cheerfully. Seeing that was a bit like seeing Alf laugh cheerfully, which felt a little strange. As for the real Alf, ever since he had met face-to-face with Alfred, he had had a look like he had a headache.
"It is time for children to go to bed. Will you not release Tina, Alfred-sama?"
Leonardo tried to cover for me, but Alfred pouted his lips like a child.
"If you say such cold things, I might just go back to the capital."
Watching Alfred, whose face was Alf's but whose insides seemed like a child's, I started to worry about the country's future. I really had no choice but to put my hopes in the two older princes who were supposed to be above him.
"...Alfred-sama, what did you come here for?"
He was a bit of a nuisance, but it seemed Leonardo would have trouble if Alfred left. Since it did not look like I would be released until he was satisfied, I tried to change the atmosphere by shifting the topic.
"I brought Saint Yuuta Hiraga's research materials from the capital at Leonardo's request."
"Shaint Yuuta Hiraga's... research materials?"
Saint Yuuta Hiraga was that person. A Japanese reincarnator praised as a saint by the Sedovara Church, which worshipped the god of medicine arts, Sedovara, who had created numerous medicines and spread them throughout this world. Leonardo had told me before that Japanese reincarnators were sought after in this country because of those research materials.
...Why are you carrying something like that around?
It must be quite a treasure. It should be a precious document beyond valuation.
"We received a great deal of cooperation from the Sedovara Church in containing the Words Disease. When I consulted the capital about the need to repay them, it was decided that a transcription of the research materials would be permitted."
"Trranscription?"
"Copying a book. All of Saint Yuuta Hiraga's research materials are written in Japanese and we cannot read them, but we can copy the characters as we see them."
Leonardo apparently thought it would be fine if they used the copied content to study Japanese, or if it led to the revival of lost medical arts. However, since Saint Yuuta Hiraga's research materials were national treasures, all transcription work would be done within the Fortress Lord's Residence, and during that time, the Sedovara Church member doing the transcribing would not be allowed to go outside. They were also under watch to prevent theft. All work tools were provided by the state, so they could not make extra copies.
...That is a pretty strict setup for transcription. Does not really feel like a 'reward.'
That was how it felt to me, but apparently to the people of the Sedovara Church, this was a 'reward' worth rejoicing over, even with such strict restrictions on their actions. There was apparently an underground competition among those who wanted the transcription job, but in the end, considering the need to stay at the residence, Jasper was sent. Leonardo still remembered how the old physician had yelled at me before. There was also the judgment that if it was Jasper, who had looked after me even in the quarantine zone, I would not feel uncomfortable even if he stayed at the residence.
Once Jasper began staying on the second floor of the residence, the number of security personnel increased, just as I had heard. Alfred and his escort knight were in the guest room, and Black Knights dispatched from Grenore Fortress stood outside the door. Even the number of gatekeepers was increased, and people were now stationed at the service entrance used by Tabitha and the others, where no one usually stood. And on top of that, they even did simple body searches when entering and leaving.
...That is strict.
They even checked the pockets of me, a resident of the residence, so it was really strict. And strangely enough, candy would somehow appear in my pockets, which had been empty when they checked, by the time I left. I was being steadily tamed by the gatekeepers.
There were guards, and I thought the security was tight, but basically the Black Knights were soft on me. If I gave in to curiosity and went to peek at the guest room where the transcription was happening, I could get past the entrance guarded by the Black Knights. However, I could not get past Aaron inside, who took his guard duty seriously. Only when I had Alf with me would Alfred welcome me in, letting me enter the guest room.
"Jasper, good work today."
When I spoke in a hushed voice, Jasper, who had seemed to be glaring at his desk, shot me a sharp look. Apparently, charging in on Jasper during work had been a bad idea. Which was obvious.
After checking with Alf and Alfred first, I peeked at Jasper's work. Spread out on the desk were brand-new paper, ink, and dozens of sheets of notes bundled together.
...It really is Japanese.
I felt a strange sense of wonder at the Japanese written on aged paper. I held my breath so as not to disturb Jasper, who was intently comparing the notes and the paper he was copying onto.
...The handwriting is a bit strong. Maybe a lot of hiragana?
Calling it skilled calligraphy would be generous, but it was Japanese with a messy quality that you could almost call bad handwriting. I could barely read it, but there were parts that tripped me up. There were also many open characters, as if the writer had not known the kanji on the spot, and ink caterpillars where mistakes had been ruthlessly blacked out. And to add detail, the caterpillars even had eyes drawn on them.
...I always thought caterpillar corrections were something girls did, but...?
Maybe Hiraga Yuuta, whom I had assumed was male from the name, was actually female. Thinking such trivial thoughts, I lowered my gaze to the paper Jasper had finished transcribing.
...They said it was medical research materials, but is it not mostly a diary?
It was mainly research notes, but the memos written here and there were diary-like monologues. Things like how annoying it was to hear a nearby couple flirting, or how delicious today's dinner was. Since I had heard he was a saint, I had somehow assumed he was an amazing person, but from the content, he was just an ordinary Japanese person.
...But you did what you could, did you not, Hiraga Yuuta-san.
I found the name "Hiraga Yuuta" on a colored sheet of paper attached as a cover to the bundle of notes, and learned the kanji for Yuuta Hiraga. Probably because it was the cover, the characters were written somewhat more neatly than the notes inside.
...What can I do?
I suddenly thought about that. I was born into this world, lost my parents, and was taken in by Leonardo. The only skill I had that could be useful in this country was being able to read Japanese, but since I planned to keep that hidden for the rest of my life, it could not count as a skill. I had just barely started learning to read and write, and I had neither any particular talent nor any desired future occupation.
...Huh? Leonardo-san said he would support me until I became an adult, but at this rate, am I heading straight for NEET-dom?
I could not immediately think of any work I could do or wanted to do. Even Nils and Lusio from the Menhishumi Church had already left home to work at just twelve years old.
...Am I being a bit too carefree?
As I was wrapped in vague anxiety and standing dazed, Alfred tapped my shoulder.
"Did you find anything interesting written there?"
...I am not that much of an idiot. I will not fall for that.
I had looked at the notes, but I was not foolish enough to talk about what was written in them. Unless someone was a Japanese reincarnator, there was no way anyone in this world could read Japanese.
"Transcription looks really hard. I thought transcribing a book would mean copying the content, but it sh feels more like imitating a picture than writing letters."
After all, it was hard to tell where one character started and ended, and with the messy, idiosyncratic handwriting, even the same character did not necessarily look the same. With kanji, some were wrong, some were simplified, and the variety was rich. Furthermore, since it was research material, thoughts and observations were added as postscripts in tiny writing. It would be one thing if someone who could recognize these as letters were doing the transcription, but for someone who could not recognize them as letters, it must be hard. Imitating someone else's handwriting, grasping the overall layout of the page, and endlessly copying lines that did not even look like letters in the same size and same area as the original. It must be a painstaking task.
...If I read it aloud while Jasper wrote it down, this would be done in no time.
At least it would not be at the pace of less than one page per day like now.
...I wonder if there is a way. If only I could translate the Japanese without anyone knowing it was me.
Even from just reading a little, I could tell it was packed with useful information. But since I did not want anyone to know I was a Japanese reincarnator, I could not read it out loud here.
...Is there not some way?
I could not read it aloud beside him, but I wondered if there was some way to make the work easier. If I thought of it as copying a picture rather than letters...
"Can I touch the paper you have already transcribed, Jasper?"
"As long as you do not take it out of the room, it is fine."
"I will borrow it."
I picked up one finished sheet and a new piece of paper, and approached the window. If I held two sheets together up to the sun, I could vaguely see the characters underneath.
"...If you trace it like this, would it not be eashier?"
"It is a good idea that a child would think of... but light degrades the original. Denied."
"No good, huh..."
I had thought it might make things a bit easier for Jasper, but apparently sunlight was bad for a treasure book that a prince had personally guarded and transported. Of course, I was not allowed to touch the original as a child, and I could only look at it, but even the paper quality was visibly different. Even if I held it up to the light, I doubted it would be translucent.
When I carefully returned the borrowed paper to its original place, Jasper held out a business-card-sized slip of paper. The names of what seemed to be ingredients and the required amounts were scribbled on it in rushed handwriting in Japanese.
"If you want to help, copy this."
He also gave me a new piece of paper of the same size, saying to copy it exactly as I saw it. Feeling something like guilt, I followed his instructions and tried helping with the transcription. The task of imitating someone else's handwriting and copying characters as pictures required more patience than I had imagined. It was also dangerous work because I kept almost just writing it normally in my own handwriting.
...But should the contents of this book not be passed on to Aurelia-san to prepare for next time?
While copying the process, I noticed that this was the same as the way to make the materials Aurelia had been making. Since the same things I had helped with were mixed in, I was probably right.
This was the treatment for the Words Disease... the note said "Greenwich Pox." There were several types of prescriptions right in front of me. Some that only worked in the early stages, and some that could still be effective from the middle to late stages.
...If I had been with these research materials, maybe I could have reduced the number of candles at the Memorial Service.
It was my own decision to prioritize my own safety over strangers I did not know, and abandon them to die. Regretting it now would be wrong. That is what I thought. But still, I could not help wondering. Was there really nothing I could have done?
[Author's Note]
The first choice of Chapter Three is one that Tina will surely regret for her entire life. That kind of choice. But when it comes to her own safety versus the lives of people whose faces and names she does not know, the only choice available to child Tina was her own safety. That is all. Even if she could redo the same situation, a Tina with the same conditions would still choose to protect herself, so this will be a regret that never fades.
I will fix typos and errors another day.
I have corrected the typos and errors I found.