kscans

Chapter 269 - The End of a Journey, and the Beginning of a New One (Part 1)

Ten days have passed since the end of Miglutt's civil war. We're staying at the Leafkraut family estate.

I sat in a chair, looking up at the hole in the ceiling created by Komachi's special skill. A patch of blue sky was visible through the large opening. Perhaps it was due to the original owner's taste, but the mansion had been rather gloomy, so this much natural light might actually be an improvement. As usual, there was no sign of rain. I wondered if the winds from the west just didn't carry rain clouds this far.

With that thought, I turned my gaze to the interior. The stone architecture was surprisingly sturdy. The scorched furniture had already been removed, leaving soot marks on the walls, but there was no danger of collapse. Seeing the mansion engulfed in flames in the darkness, I had thought we'd dealt a sufficient blow, but I now knew that was naive. The same was true for the Air-Ally estate.

I want to get this mansion repaired quickly, but the number of craftsmen is limited, and repairs to the Four Regent Families' estates and public buildings are being prioritized. Still, I hope they can get it fixed by winter. Famu sat down next to me, dangling her feet and kicking them back and forth. The tea on the table had long since gone cold, and she hadn't touched it.

"There's no point in you getting worked up about it."

"Hmph, you wouldn't understand, Master, since you don't have any friends!" Famu declared, standing up and running to the window. She opened it and leaned out, peering down at the alley below.

"Don't jump just because Sameim is here."

"I won't! Don't compare me to you, Master!" Her words had a thorny edge. Annoyed, I stood up and crept up behind her, intending to give her a little push to scare her. Just then, her drooping ears flattened.

"She's here!" she cried, pulling away from the window and pattering out of the room. From the now-empty window, I peeked out just as Famu had. I could see a dog-eared girl being led by soldiers, followed by an elf woman, and finally, a girl with her hood pulled down low.

Having lost our home to the fires, we of Levante were given this estate, the former home of the Leafkraut Family, as our new residence. The Leafkraut Family was found guilty of treason in the civil war, and their line was terminated. However, both the family head, Zeno, and his uncle, Clovis, were already dead.

As a reward for my contributions in suppressing the rebellion, I was to receive this mansion and the Leafkraut family's domain. It was a nuisance, but it was better than inheriting the Air-Ally estate, which was also slated for dissolution due to its crimes. The Air-Ally Family was one of the Four Regent Families that governed this city and also served as the diplomatic channel with the Empire. I wouldn't know what to do with such a heavy responsibility.

The greatest damage was suffered by the dwarven Sky-Lot Family. The head, Katarzyna, was killed, and in what was almost a surprise attack on the Air-Ally estate, many of their clan members fell in battle. Thinking back, leaving Petra in the city of Richel was a stroke of luck. In the end, her dream of working in Aidan's workshop was unlikely to come true, but because she was away, the Sky-Lot bloodline survived. She would probably be returning to Miglutt with one of the Mateo Trading Company's caravans. I had been planning to have Katarzyna introduce me to the dwarven prophet (Linker), but now I would have to wait for Petra's return. However, I intended to set out for the Demon Kingdom without waiting for her. A city I thought was peaceful had erupted into war. There's no telling when another unforeseen event might occur. I absolutely had to break Famu's curse.

The human prophet, Kalpana's grandmother; the elven prophet, Clovis; and the dwarven prophet. Come to think of it, there was a strange triangle there as well. The stone tablet from the Ark, the Staff of Dominion, the Jar of Holy Oil. And the special skills of the three sacred treasures.

I watched intently as the guards opened the mansion doors and the group from before entered. My thoughts returned to the Leafkraut Family. Since the Leafkraut Family is under the control of the fellow elven Star Union Family, I can receive support from Augustus or Marina if it comes to it. I planned to leave all political matters to them. However, the Leafkraut Family still has retainers who served Zeno. Considering their feelings, direct rule by the Star Union Family would be difficult, and someone needs to act as a bridge. The fact that I was the one who personally struck down two members of the Leafkraut Family is problematic, I think, but for them, the long-standing rivalry between the two houses was a heavier burden. We don't have enough spare manpower to purge them and build a new system. And we can't leave them destitute and risk planting the seeds of another rebellion. Inevitably, the system will remain the same, with me simply replacing the top position.

I decided to entrust the management of the mansion to them and aim to be nothing more than a figurehead. We have to set out for the Demon Kingdom soon. That said, we were enemies. It was terrifying to think about the feelings of those who still served in this house. I tried to act cheerful and friendly to win them over, but Famu and the others were highly critical. Marmi scolded me, saying, "You must act with a clear distinction of status and never adopt a fawning attitude." That was what I was worst at. This house was an uncomfortable place for me to live. However, it didn't seem to be the case for Famu and the others. Hyakka, Rinko, and the others had taken over several rooms as if it were their own home, setting up camp. I wished I had their thick skin.

Following Famu out of the room, I was greeted with a deep bow from the elven steward. He was an old man with short-cropped black hair and deep wrinkles. Elves are said to not show physical signs of aging until they are very old, but he seemed to be an exception.

"Where's Famu?" I knew where she was going, but it felt awkward to just walk past him without a word.

"Lady Famu has already run down to the lower floor." It was the answer I expected. I nodded and started down the stairs, and he followed, walking alongside me.

"I was about to inform you that a messenger from Lady Maryanne has arrived, but you were already aware?"

"I just happened to be looking out the window a moment ago." In the entrance hall, besides Famu, I could see Mizuki, Marmi, and also Hyakka and Rinko's group. Myra wasn't there; she was likely at the church.

It was Trusar, captain of the One-Land family's Royal Guard, who brought Sameim, Irisarie, and Shirasu. As Famu ran to Sameim, Shirasu, with her hood pulled low, ran towards me and hugged me, butting her head into my stomach.

"Mackun!"

"Uff!" A small sound escaped me along with the pain. I gently pulled her off, removed her hood, and looked at her face. Her innocent, tilted head was unmistakably that of my niece.

"My name is Mash. Shirasu..." I don't know if she was listening, but Shirasu hugged me again. She looked just like Reeni, but her special skill only kept her from aging physically; mentally, she should have grown older. However, her actions made it seem as though nothing had changed. I rolled up her sleeve and traced the Slave Mark on her arm with my finger. The texture of the marked skin and the unmarked skin was the same, a soft, squishy feeling.

"I cannot approve the removal of that Slave Mark," Trusar stated, as if to remind me.

"What if I said I'd trade this mansion and territory for it?"

"Are you a fool?" You keep dumping all your unwanted junk on me, I thought. As I tried to peel Shirasu off, I noticed Trusar was still staring at me.

"What is it?"

"Look, don't talk so casually about giving away territory, alright?" Trusar shot a sideways glance at the steward.

"If you remove their Slave Marks, I'll keep my mouth shut for now, okay?"

"They are Sir Mash's slaves. As long as you don't give them orders, they're no different from free people, are they?" That's what Trusar said, but the Slave Mark on her was effectively the same as a criminal's brand. That might be how the townspeople saw it, but it didn't sit well with me at all. As I was thinking this, gazing absently at Shirasu, I realized Irisarie was standing in front of me. She looked at me with a faint smile. It might have just been a normal smile, but her smile always had a shadow to it, making it feel like she was part of some conspiracy.

"I'm planning to leave Miglutt. After going to Famu's village, I'm heading to the Demon Kingdom."

"Even if you don't go, won't they come to you?" Trusar's eyes widened at Irisarie's words.

"It's true, isn't it? The Demon Kingdom has ambitions of territorial expansion. A civil war of this scale erupted here without them doing anything. Isn't this the perfect opportunity to send troops to Miglutt? In fact, they may have already sent their army this way." As everyone froze in silence, I sighed and grabbed her shoulders.

"Irisarie, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"What is it?"

"You're scary! Stop making predictions with that creepy smile on your face! When you say things like that, you're supposed to look worried, with a sorrowful gaze."

"Is that an order?"

"No. It's a request."

"Are you telling me to become the kind of woman Mash likes?" Famu twitched and glanced my way.

"You don't have to, but... also, I want you to manage the Leafkraut territory with this steward."

"Is that an order?" Her expression hadn't changed. A faint smile was plastered on her composed face. Getting a little annoyed, I pinched her cheek.

"Mmph."

"This is also a request." She stared at me, her expression still pinched. If I let go now, her face would probably go back to normal.

"Will you do it?" She gave a small nod. I then looked at the steward to confirm his willingness. He nodded silently. Relieved, I let go of her cheek.

"I'm against it!" Hyakka declared to me.

"We're against it too!" Rinko shouted, echoing Hyakka. Beside her, Airi tugged at Rinko's sleeve.

"I don't really mind..."

"What?! Sameim and Shirasu were members of the Messiah! And he just let the demon woman and the adventurer man get away. In the end, this guy is trying to forgive everyone except Clovis, isn't he?"

"But can you really pick a fight with someone who's already at your mercy?"

"That's..." Rinko faltered.

"Besides, Mash was the one who mediated for our party..."

"Mediated?! We weren't fighting!"

"That's true, but..." Airi trailed off and glanced at Hyakka. Hyakka, in turn, furrowed her brow and looked down at the floor.

"If Mash says he's forgiving these three, then he can do as he pleases. But Yuki is different. If you're going to forgive him too, then, Mash..." Hyakka glanced at Mizuki.

"Mizuki. I'm breaking off with you two. I'll go my own way." At her words, Mizuki started to say something, then hesitated and stopped. Then, as if she'd made up her mind, she shot me a sharp look.

"I know that Senpai did something wrong. But if Senpai wants to atone for his sins, then I'll help him. If Hyakka gets in the way, then I'll break things off too."

I wanted to ask what this 'breaking things off' was all about, but I held my tongue. Their opinions were at a complete impasse. Yet, they both glared at me, waiting for my answer.

"Yuki's fate is up to the people of Miglutt. He did lead the attacks on the guild and the Crystal Palace in this rebellion, after all."

"But just like with Sameim and the others, if you give your opinion, things will ultimately go that way, won't they?" Rinko looked at me with reproachful eyes.

"I'll leave the city's affairs to the city. I've always done that. That's my policy." I kept quiet about the fact that I just lacked the courage and resolve to judge people.

"Then what about these three?!"

"I worked hard for this city too! I deserve a little reward, don't I?!"

"Hah, we got taken out at the start, so we can't complain, but what about the reward for Hyakka and the others who fought with you? Hyakka's wish is for the heads of those three, isn't it?!"

"N-No, I didn't go that far..." Hyakka replied, her face twitching.

"I fought with Mash too. I have a pretty good idea of what the Messiah was about now, and I know that Sameim and Shirasu weren't fighting because they wanted to. Sameim was just looking for a chance to get revenge for her ravaged village, and Shirasu was just being forced... I don't know about that elf, though!" Hyakka was trying to forgive in her own way. I was pleased and placed a hand on her head.

"You've grown, Hyakka. As a reward, I'll give you this Leafkraut mansion and the right to rule it."

"I don't want it!" She slapped my hand away. I thought about how she planned to live in this mansion and eat for free without doing anything, and we glared at each other. Trusar and the steward were also looking at me with cold eyes, so I raised my hands in surrender.