kscans

Chapter 43 - A Temporary Inn

After his meal and bath, Shintaro made his way to the main hall. Saneyuki and Sahei had already arrived and were chatting amiably with the Emperor. Shintaro felt a little awkward as he slid into the conversation and sat down. The fact that he'd overheard what they were talking about was part of the reason.

"How long will it take to reach my son-in-law's family home?"

"Let's see. By horse, a little over a month. On foot, it would take considerably longer," Sahei replied. The Emperor glanced at Shion to gauge her reaction.

"On horseback, then. How about it, Shion? Think you can manage?"

"Yes. I'm not the best with them, but we're going to pay our respects. I'll do my best."

"I see. In that case... allowing time to prepare the engagement gifts, I'd say departing in about a week would be appropriate. Until then, you are to rest well."

"Yes, Father." Shion nodded with a bashful smile. Nana took her hand.

"Congratulations," she said, and Shion's cheeks colored as she beamed with joy. Seeing this, Saneyuki slapped his knee.

"Well, this is truly a cause for celebration! It makes me want to have another ceremony with Nana."

Everyone laughed. And it was at that moment Shintaro entered the room. He offered a somewhat strained smile as he faced the Emperor.

"You know, you could simplify the greetings and engagement gifts. That would be fine."

"What are you saying? This is an important milestone in your life."

"But my family's home is far away, and it will be a burden on Shion. And above all..."

"Hm?"

"Above all... if you come to greet them, we have nothing to offer you and nowhere for you to stay." As he spoke, Shintaro looked down and sighed softly. He was remembering Saimon's visit with the betrothal money. The untiled roof. The poorly fitted doors. The windows without paper screens. A single room barely large enough for the three of them to sleep huddled together—and the look on Saimon's face, his mouth agape in utter shock and disbelief.

He had looked as if he was about to say, So this is what it means to be dirt poor. But for Shintaro's sake, he had held his tongue and greeted his parents. It was obvious he was looking down on them, but his desire to have Shintaro as a son-in-law must have been stronger. He had desperately suppressed his feelings and put on a brave face. His parents, on the other hand, hadn't even bothered with a forced smile. They had simply heaved a deep sigh.

Going through that again is going to be rough.

With that thought, Shintaro tried to indirectly tell them he'd rather they didn't come. But to his surprise, Shion just giggled.

"There's no need to worry about a place to stay. We're travelers, after all. Haven't we slept under the open sky many times?"

"Huh? Oh, well..."

"Besides, we're coming to pay our respects. We don't need any special hospitality."

"But—"

"I want to meet the father and mother who raised you, Shintaro-sama." Shintaro let out a heavy sigh and hung his head.

"I can't have you sleeping outdoors. My family will sleep outside. But if it rains..."

"That's true. If it rains, we can find an inn, even if it's a bit of a walk."

"No, there are no inns within a short walk. And that's not what I'm worried about." Shion tilted her head.

"What is it?"

"The roof isn't tiled, so it leaks a bit when it rains. It's not impossible to sleep while avoiding the drips, but you absolutely can't turn over in your sleep." The Emperor and Saneyuki, who had been listening in silence, stared with wide eyes. It was Saneyuki who spoke up.

"But you were sending them a fair bit of money, weren't you? Surely that issue has been resolved by now?" Shintaro looked up, his gaze fixed on Saneyuki.

"Even with some of my fees waived, attending the dojo still cost money. The villagers all pitched in to help me pay. So most of what I sent home must have gone to repaying them. That would leave little for anything beyond food and clothing. And since the house is perfectly fine for those accustomed to it, they wouldn't have bothered with repairs."

"Hoh. The villagers contributed? You must be quite popular," the Emperor remarked. When Shintaro looked at him in surprise, the Emperor flashed a grin.

"I imagine it was a 'pay us back when you make it big' sort of arrangement, but people don't go that far for someone unless they see great potential. That's quite something."

"It's just a coincidence that a bunch of good people happen to live there."

"Don't be so modest."

"No, really." Shintaro's expression was completely serious. Despite having been betrayed by the Hokura family and witnessing human ugliness and greed firsthand, he still believed in the purity of people's goodwill without a shred of doubt.

As if so many people would gather in one place, all willing to help someone else's child get ahead without expecting anything in return or feeling any sense of obligation, the Emperor thought, taken aback. But he couldn't bring himself to shatter such an earnest heart.

"Then let's do this. I'll have Kagasaki hire some Carpenters and have them quickly build an inn large enough for us to stay in. There must be a suitable plot of land available."

"Well, yes. But to do something like that so easily..."

"We have time before we arrive. We don't need any fancy decorations or facilities, and a small building will suffice. A month should be more than enough." Shintaro fell silent at the Emperor's insistence. Taking that as acceptance, the Emperor immediately summoned a court attendant and sent him to deliver the message to Razan.

*

As a result, Razan had to leave the palace at once. Traveling via a relay of fast horses, he continued on with almost no rest until he returned to the Eastern Capital. The journey took twelve days. He had practically flown home.

Upon his return, Razan immediately visited Mana to ask for the location of Shintaro's hometown. Mana's face stiffened with fear.

"Why do you ask such a thing? What are you planning to do?"

"I need to hire Carpenters and build a simple inn nearby. Tell me, now."

"...Huh?"

"There's no time! Hurry up!"

"Y-Yes!"

The people of Shintaro's village were just as surprised by the Tower Master's actions. One day, Carpenters from the capital appeared in a vacant lot in the village, unceremoniously began surveying, and before anyone knew it, had erected a small inn.

"I don't think we need an inn here. What's he thinking?"

"I'll never understand what the higher-ups are doing."

"Speaking of which, this is unrelated, but according to Tae-san, Shintaro's coming back soon."

"Oh? That's great news."

"Word is, it's for another engagement."

"What?! Well, I figured he'd find someone else soon enough." The villagers, men and women alike, stood talking from a distance, watching the new inn.