Madan no Ou to Vanadis:Volume 06 Chapter 3
Chapter 3: A Foreign Land
It was at the time Tigre was still on the sea when Gerard Augres visited the Imperial Palace of LeitMeritz.
The youth in his mid-twenties with his quirky brown hair and bronze eyes, was wearing an official uniform of red and black.
That official uniform showed the officer's rank of the Brune Kingdom, and the design of the Red Horse that was the symbol of Brune was sewed up to the chest.
"Though as expected, I certainly become used to seeing it since it's the third time..."
While he had Ellen pass it on at the main gate, looking up at the Imperial Palace rising highly, Gerard gave a small sigh.
A year ago he did not even imagine that he would become the secretary of Brune and would visit Zchted regularly.
Inheriting the peaceful ground of Territoire where vineyard spread from his father, he was thinking about spending his life without disturbance and also without fame.
All was after he met Tigrevurmud Vorn.
In the civil war of Brune, Gerard was entrusted heavy sheath under Tigre and demonstrated an excellent ability to the allocation, adjustment of food, fuel, and armory.
That ability was well evaluated, and after the civil war ended, he served the Imperial Court of the Kingdom of Brune.
Visiting LeitMeritz once in two months, and reporting to Ellen the progress of the construction of the mountain pulse of the Vosyes town was one of Gerard's work.
It was the third time now.
And since the gatekeeper also remembered the name and the face of Gerard, he was able to enter the Imperial Palace without being kept waiting too much.
He was guided at the office after his luggage and clothes were inspected.
His luggage was a hempen carrying on his back bag which contained a bunch of writing letters.
He was also checked at the main gate, but that would make sense since he had luggage this time.
When it ended, Gerard passed through the door.
"Long time no see, Mr. Secretary."
Ellen, who wore a formal dress based on blue, was sitting on the office desk.
The expressionless Lim was standing quiet beside her.
"It's good to see that both Vanadis-sama and also Limlisha-dono seem to be healthy above all."
Gerard made a fake smile for social etiquette and bowed with an exaggerated gesture.
Ellen nodded generously, and Lim returned the salutation by non-thunder.
Though Gerard's smile was basically social etiquette, it was also mixed with the smile coming from his heart.
In front of Ellen, it would be forgiven even if he did not adopt a formal attitude.
When dealing with great aristocrats and chief vassal of Brune, he must pay attention to his way of speaking and even to the motion of his limbs.
"Without delay, I will report the situation about the mountain path of the Vosyes mountains."
This was the agreement that was established in accordance with the mutual non-aggression pact between Brune and Zchted which was signed half a year ago.
If the mountain path was upgraded, the shortest highway linking the King Capital of both countries would be born.
Neither commercial input nor travelers should take advantage of this, also LeitMeritz that was in the middle of the highway would have benefited.
The reason why a mountain path was not upgraded until now was because the mountain chain was in the border of Zchted and Brune.
If large-scale construction was performed near the border it couldn't help but be cautious, and a highway being made was also becoming easy to invade.
Originally it was not a talk that would be swallowed no matter how, as Brune was indebted to Zchted, even if a non-aggression pact was concluded, moreover the contract was exchanged partly because of various circumstances and speculations.
Familiar with it, while Gerard read aloud the report he has prepared, he also answered smartly to Ellen's questions which were thrown from time to time.
About the current state of the highway, he passed there when he came here from Brune.
He was not at loss for answer.
When she finished hearing Gerard's report, Ellen smiled contentedly.
"Yeah. It seems to be going smoothly. Good work, Mr. secretary."
"To be able to receive such words from Vanadis-sama, even I felt relieved. We would also convey as such to our lord."
Gerard bowed in an exaggerated gesture in the same way as the time when he entered the work office.
After that, the topic moved to small talk.
Even if it is said small talk, the main topic was the situation of each country.
A certain aristocrat made such a remark, the one of getting into trouble where, the talk about the movement of Muozinel or Asvarre accounted for most.
"What position does Brune take concerning the civil war in Asvarre?"
"As for our country, as sparks of the war does not affect us, we intend to watch it calmly. Fortunately, the interest of Sachstein seems to be facing to Asvarre, so we are thankful for there not being a menace on the west side of Brune."
"Currently, there are three main forces in Asvarre. Prince Jermaine, Prince Eliot and Princess Guinevere... If one among those sought assistance of Brune, what does Her Highness Princess Regin plan to do?"
"Obtaining desirable result by thrusting one's neck into a quarrel of others is probably something possible only in the world of heroic tale or dramas. Much more since, for our country, the damage of half a year ago is hardly cured, too."
Gerard lifting more irony pot the edge of his mouth, shrugged his shoulders.
Though Lim frowned at his behavior which lacked in etiquette, he was soothed by Ellen's gaze and remained silence to some extent.
"That's right, isn’t it? Please sincerely tell Her Highness Regin to take care of herself."
"Thank you for your warm words. I will certainly convey every single of those words."
Then, just before finishing the small talk and leaving, Gerard expressed one wish.
"After this, I would like to greet Lord Tigrevurmud."
This was what he applied for whenever he visited LeitMeritz.
Tigre was currently a guest of honor here.
Though a trivial thing, there was no troublesome people who set aside permission to Ellen.
For Gerard until now like this, he had thought that the only thing to be said there would be “go and meet him”, but it was different this time.
As Ellen's face looked glum, she shook her head with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry. Lord Tigrevurmud is not there today. He was called by His Majesty the King about ten days ago, and went to the King Capital Silesia."
"By King Viktor? For exactly what kind of business?"
Speaking with a very troubled voice, Gerard frowned plainly.
However, Ellen again shooked her head.
"I was not told, either. However Lord Tigrevurmud is an important guest, even for His Majesty. So there is no need for Lord Gerard to worry."
"...Is that so. It's regrettable that I'm not able meet Lord Tigrevurmud."
Though Gerard made an expression of disappointment, he backed down quietly without further questioning.
He did not think that he could get something out from Ellen even if he continued to ask questions.
"By the way, there is something I want you to hand over when Lord Tigrevurmud returned, may I request it to Vanadis-sama?"
"I will take over. What is it?"
As Ellen asked, Gerard carried it on his back, took out a bunch of letters from his bag, and put which was held to full of both hands on the work desk.
Both Ellen and Lim stared in wonder.
There were nearly twenty letters.
"...What...is this?"
"There are 17 letters. Three of them are application for marriage meeting. The remaining 14 notes are letters of wish liking to consider a daughter and a niece as Trainee maids and to attach them to his side."
"Marriage meeting? And moreover letters of wish?"
Making a face as if she swallowed a bitter medicine, Ellen stared at the bunch of letters.
Lim broke her expressionless face, and asked Gerard without being able to hide her embarrassment.
"Excuse me, but... Are Her Highness Princess Regin and Lord Massas aware of that?"
Massas was Tigre's father Urz's best friend, and the man who took care of Tigre all the time even after Urz died.
He helped Tigre in the civil war of Brune, and Lim which acted as his assistance trusted that character.
After the end of the civil war he let his son inherit his title and his territory, though he was requested by Regin and Prime Minister Bodwin to serve the royal court, she could not think at all that he overlooked these.
"Of course. Since I brought it simply because I was able to get the approval of those two."
As Gerard answering as if it was a matter of course, Ellen and Lim looked at each other.
Ellen knew that Regin held light feelings for Tigre that exceeded social status or position.
Even Lim vaguely noticed it.
Despite that, she let the Noble Lords send such letters. What was the meaning behind it?
Didn't they notice Regin's feelings, or were they aware of that and pretended not to know?
"...Mr. Secretary."
With a cough Ellen somehow regained her composure, she asked with a careful way of talking while poking the letters with her fingertip.
"What do these people think of Princess Regin and Lord Tigrevurmud?"
"They have naturally pledged allegiance to Her Highness the Princess. The assessment of Lord Tigrevurmud should not be low, either. He was the hero in the previous war, Her Highness the Princess, Lord Massas, and even the knight squadron have deep trust in him. They also expect an edge with Zchted. They would like to conclude good relations."
With his barefaced smile, the secretary with brown hair gave a model answer as a bureaucrat of Brune.
Ellen realized that she got the wrong way of questioning.
It seemed that she should say it more directly.
"I wonder if Princess Regin doesn’t think too much about such an act. Apparently, the Feudal Lords in the country of the secretary Palace seem to hold a different thought."
"...As for Her Highness the Princess, her life was certainly saved by the efforts of Lord Tigrevurmud, and she became the leader of one country as the successor of the late King Faron. Suppose that gratitude becomes affection, and Her Highness becomes a maiden in love and continues to yearn earnestly for Lord Tigrevurmud."
After saying up to there, Gerard suddenly changed his expression to a severe one.
"...There cannot be such a thing. They (Feudal Lords) think so. Lord Tigrevurmud is a person born from a Earl House in the frontier, and he doesn’t have anything to be proud other than his archery. Such a person cannot be suitable as the King of the next generation. Her Highness should also be thinking so."
Ellen did not answer back to that, and sullenly looked at the bunch of letters.
It would not be a lie, that Tigre's assessment was not low.
Also the point that a compromise could be reached if she became as a partner with friendship, she could just say that she would not give up if it is the object set on the throne.
And they believed that Regin also thought in the same way.
---It can't be helped.
Since Ellen, Lim, and Gerard were in the "Silver Meteor Army", they knew that Regin was trusting Tigre.
However most of the Feudal Lords did not know it.
Even listening to the rumors of the triumph in the King Capital Nice, it would be indeed impossible to imagine so far.
Therefore, Lim asked Gerard whether anything might have occurred.
"Has Princess Regin said anything about Lord Tigrevurmud?"
"Her Highness is very concerned about Lord Tigrevurmud's situation. she said that she cannot use goods, Territory, or wealth to express her gratitude, and that upon his return to Brune she will reward him accordingly."
"W-Well, it is natural. It is thanks to Tigre..., Lord Tigrevurmud that she is currently there."
Ellen's face became stiff, though she was about to return to her usual tone, the Vanadis with silver white hair somehow corrected her track and nodded.
Not be able to express her gratitude with only goods or territory.
So what on earth was she up to?
"Then, speaking about the fact that even though Lord Tigrevurmud was bestowed the title of "Knight of the moonlight" by His Highness the Princess, the ground of Alsace which he inherited from his father is requisitioned and in the co-management of Her Highness the Princess and Vanadis-sama. In addition Lord Tigrevurmud himself was forced to leave the homeland, where he was born and raised, to Zchted..."
Thereupon Gerard cut his words unnaturally and bowed with an exaggerated gesture when saying sorry for complaining about it.
It seemed that his cynic daring did not change so far, though it was the hit of a sarcastic man who withdrew from the words which could be taken as the criticism to Ellen, and called it an omission.
Ellen immediately understood the meaning of such a way of talking of Gerard who should have heard about the story from Tigre.
Probably, this had also led to the firm belief of the Feudal Lords that there was no way Regin would love Tigre.
---We decided so like that, Tigre has also consented...
Ellen, folding her arms, dropped her gaze on the bunch of letters again, and sighed.
In a situation she could not publicly say her thoughts, and moreover she did not have a reason to stop it while knowing the schemes of Feudal Lords; she felt sympathy for Regin who could only confirm these letters with a depressed face.
Lim also again imagined Massas which would sort the letters with a bitter face and bore a wry smile.
"...I understand. When Lord Tigrevurmud returns, I will hand these over. I promise to keep it firmly so as not to show it to anybody till then."
"Thank you very much."
Having a face that felt relieved of his burden, Gerard left this time for sure.
When the door was closed, Ellen and Lim looked at the bunch of letters by contrast with a trouble face.
Gerard who left the work office did every request at the soldier who was going to send him at the main gate.
"Sorry to bother you, but would you be around for a while. There is someone that I want to greet. Of course I get the approval of Vanadis-sama."
The latter half of the dialog was a lie.
He judged that he would not confirm it right away and talked at random.
The soldier consented uneventfully without doubting, as he told the name of the person that he wanted to greet.
---Though I was not able to ask neither Vanadis-sama nor Limlisha-dono...
Gerard wanted to know by all means what kind of life Tigre was leading nowadays.
Though it was not as if he was personally interested by it, there was a reason behind it.
Regin and Massas would be very glad if he talked to them about Tigre.
Especially Region who brightened her blue eyes shining like a child, and seeing the change of her facial expression was indeed interesting.
As Gerard had greed for success in life like everyone else, he could not afford himself to go home empty-handed in order to improve his boss's memory about Tigre, too.
As he walked down the corridor of the Imperial Palace, Gerard soon spotted a person of mark.
In maid figure of white apron on top of the black long sleeves and skirt, It was a girl who was in a twin tail chestnut hair.
Gerard called out to her with a radiant smile.
"Long time no see. Teita-san"
the girl, Teita also nodded to Gerard politely with a smile, too.
"Gerard-san. Did you come here?"
"Yeah. I just finished my business with Vanadis-sama earlier."
And then for a while, Gerard had fun with Teita about small talk
There were many topics that she was interested in, like Alsace's situation or matters about Massas who was fed up with the royal court duty.
Teita also again, happily talked about the events of Tigre's life recently in the Imperial Palace.
"Is Massas-sama doing well as usual?"
"His Excellency the Prime Minister Bodwin-sama and him often argue."
"Like Gerard-san and Rurick-san?"
To the innocent words of Teita, the secretary of Brune was at loss for words.
Though he would just be going to think of it as irony or some kind of sarcasm if it was another person who said it, and because he understood that this girl would not do such a thing, he was troubled about how to react.
Suddenly removing his gaze, Gerard saw the soldier who was standing silently nearby.
Because he bore the duty to guide Gerard to the main gate, he made a smile as hard as possible and was waiting faithfully for the talk to finish.
"Excuse me, but I want to talk with her a little more. Since I will feel bad for making you wait any longer, I think that I will ask her to guide me to the main gate."
Though the soldier looked perplexed, Teita was the maid of the guest of honor Tigre, and also trusted by Ellen and Lim.
Living here for half a year was also not short at all.
The soldier briefly explained the situation to Teita, and asked if it was okay.
"I understand. If it is something like that, I will bear the task to see off Gerard-san properly to the main gate."
Like that seeing off the soldier walking away with Teita, Gerard gloated inwardly.
Up till now it went as planned.
"By the way, Teita -san. About Lord Tigrevurmud."
with his radiant smile intact, Gerard changed the topic of discussion.
Teita looked at Gerard with a puzzled face.
"Is there something wrong with Tigre sama?"
"I heard from Vanadis-sama that he went to the King capital Silesia, but... Has Teita-san not heard some details from Lord Tigrevurmud?"
"... Not, especially."
Teita shook her head, but her eyes swam for an instant, and Gerard not overlooking her depressed voice did not miss it.
His intuition telling him there was something up, he leaned his body forward and looked into Teita's face.
"...Really?"
Teita flinched from Gerard's abrupt action, Barge and play after shaking the without one. (to correct)
Gerard took one step forward promptly and shortened the distance to her.
"Th-That..."
Seeing Teita shaking her head unwillingly with a troubled face, as expected, even Gerard inwardly hesitated.
However, it was unavoidable in order to find out what she was hiding.
"Stop that."
A voice suddenly came from behind.
A shock and a pain ran to his head, and Gerard staggered.
When he looked back while holding down his head, One young man wearing an armor was standing there.
with a well-featured face and a slippery head without even one hair, he had a sword normally put in the sheath in his hand.
It seemed that he knocked Gerard's head with it.
"Even if it was just for one moment, what intention do you have to threaten the maid of the person whom I serve, you malicious person of Brune? Depending of your answer, I might knock you again."
"When I wondered who it was, it was only you... "
Gerard groaned annoyingly.
The man's name was Rurick.
Despite his short fellowship with Gerard, they had (what we might call) a close bond relationship.
"It is bad for my reputation for you to say I threatened her. I would not possibly do something like that to her."
"It only seems to me that even a child of 5 years old would be scared if you look him like that. You bastard, what are you trying to do?"
So that to protect Teita, Rurick interposed his body between the two people, and turned harshed eyes to Gerard.
The secretary of Brune sighed.
"I might not have you understand even if I explained it to you who had clouded eyes and a muddy brain, but I was only talking with Teita-san about Lord Tigrevurmud. Since it might be a little interested, I leaned forward carelessly."
"...Isn't such a man sly and insidious, Teita-dono?"
Looking back at Teita, Rurick asked with a very earnest face and tone.
Teita, with a troubled face, alternately looked at Rurick and Gerard's faces.
"E-Err... What Gerard -san says is true. While talking about Tigre-sama, we mutually became very keen on that."
Tough Gerard was inwardly relieved to the brave words of the maid with foxtail millet colored hair, Rurick seemed to be still suspicious.
"Teita-dono. You don't need to force yourself to cover up for this man. Even if you are afraid of a retorsion, in place of Lord Tigrevurmud, I won't let him lift even one finger on you."
"Do you put on air of a knight?"
"I'm a knight. That's why."
Replying immediately to Gerard's misnomer, Rurick stared at Teita.
As Teita unintentionally laughed, she slightly bowed to show her gratitude.
"Thank you Rurick-san. But I really wasn't being threatened."
"...I understand. If Teita-dono says so."
Though he could not consent, if she said it like that, even Rurick could not hold on any further.
However, seeming to feel the need to give a warning to Gerard, the bald head knight turned toward the secretary with brown hair.
"I must report about what I saw just now to Limlisha-dono just in case."
"Wait a minute. Why is it necessary to do something like that?"
Impatience is mixed with Gerard's voice.
As for what was bad for him, Lim was friendly with Massas.
In the worst case, she might convey this matter to Massas in a letter or something.
"It will be only natural to report to the top if something unusual happened in the castle."
Folding his arms, Rurick answered dignifiedly.
Gerard was not able to just retort to this sound argument.
Though he requested help to Teita with a gaze, only an apologetic smile was returned.
---It seems here that I have no choice, but to withdraw...
It was certain that Rurick would become a hindrance if he kept up any further with this conversation.
Besides, He was able to obtain something of that small talk about Tigre's life nowadays.
As tales of his travel to Regin and Massas, even if it was not complete, that portion could certainly be satisfying.
---And if I tried to find about the rest myself?
First of all, he dispatched someone in the King Capital Silesia and must examine for what kind of business Lord Tigrevurmud was called by the King of Zchted.
"Well then, I will leave soon and, first. since I will apparently be haunted by an unpleasant gaze if I stay here."
"Ah, then I will see you off to the main gate."
As Teita remembered and said so, Gerard was accompanied to the main gate by both Rurick and her.
Despite of repeated misnomer exchanges with Rurick while walking down the corridor, it did not reach extreme disparagement, and would end with an incomplete burning feeling since Teita was near.
"The blessing of the gods be with you, Gerard-san."
Returning the wave of hand to Teita who waved her hand, and deliberately ignoring Rurick's presence, Gerard left afterwards the Imperial Palace.
◎
It was seven days later that Tigre reached Asvarre across the Breton Peninsula at the northwest edge of the kingdom of Brune since he got on the 'Proud White Dolphin'.
When the port city which was the destination could be seen in the distance, Matvei feeling relieved took a short rest, a color of relief spread through the sailors' faces, and the strain that covered the ship was removed after two days.
"It seems we end our travel without incident somehow or other."
Matvei looking back at Tigre and Olga on the deck smiled brightly.
Even if he said that while smiling, in the case of this man, the fact that it only seemed that he was plotting something while chuckling was troublesome.
However, Tigre, who got used to see that in this sea trip nodded with a smile.
After passing the peninsula two days ago, the sailors became laconic, their behavior were somewhere frenzied and they seemed to put their body in the battlefield.
Even passengers also took in such a mood, and kept their weapons beside whenever and wherever they were inboard.
Tigre, Olga and Matvei were the only people calm.
"The pirate appeared."
To Tigre who asked about the strange mood, Matvei replied disheartenedly.
"Though I think Lord Tigrevurmud is aware of that matter, among the two princes who are currently fighting in Asvarre, Prince Eliot employs pirates as subordinates. Prince Eliot's base is Asvarre island, and that area is like the yard for the inside of fate."
Matvei frowned and explained while drawing a map on space by a fingertip.
"Aren't they supposed to aim at the merchant ship of Zchted?"
It was Olga who asked so. She wrapped herself in a mantle, when coming out of the deck, and she was being covered with the hood over her eyes.
"Sadly there is convenient words of "having mistaken" in society."
As Matvei shrugged, he said that he would look at the state of the surroundings and left from there.
As Tigre was looking at the scenery of the small port city that gradually approached, he was pulled to the sleeve of his clothes by Olga.
"Tigre. Can you shoot that down?"
Extending her arm straight, what Olga pointed to was every bird flying gracefully under the cloudy sky.
After observing the sea bird for a while, Tigre shook his head.
"It is meaningless, even if I shoot it."
Seeming not to understand Tigre's answer, Olga tilted her head.
"It will only fall into the sea even if I shoot it down. Though this ship is loaded with shallop, I may not possibly borrow it to collect only one seabird."
He explained so while looking at the sea bird, but Olga seemed to interpret it as making excuses.
She narrowed her eyes at the back of the hood and said with a bored voice.
"You travel only with a bow and handled it with great care, I thought that you would be very confident...Or it sounded like I said it ill-tempered."
"I do not think that you said it ill-tempered. But it is a difficult target."
Tigre replied to Olga with a gentle expression and voice.
This was because he knew that she didn't say it just on a whim.
Although talking about various things, both living together in this ship, she was heartily surprised that Tigre held a weapon in only not more than a dagger with a bow.
"Is it so unusual?"
Instead of being curious Tigre asked again, Olga was surprised, or amazed.
"Most people have a sword and a hatchet. And after that many are spear and ax. Even if there are people who use the bow in addition to such a weapon, I have never seen people using only a bow."
"A hatchet is good. I will prepare that from the next time."
Tigre also carried a hatchet when hunting.
It was because it was convenient to cut away highly spreading weeds, obstructive branches and leaves.
However, there was no way of thinking of carrying it in a trip.
To Tigre who was impressed, Olga asked.
"Are you confident with the bow that much?"
"more than with a sword or a spear."
Though he stated the fact, Olga having difficulty to say anything turned her gaze at Tigre.
While recalling such a conversation several days ago, Tigre observed the seabird again.
Though it was not so fast, the sea bird was flying pretty high.
The wind was blowing, and since there were on a ship, the scaffold was also unstable.
It would probably be difficult for someone of ordinary skills to make an arrow hit the mark.
---To begin with, Can that bird be eaten? Since I see such a bird for first the time...
Tigre returned his eyes to the port city while intending to ask Matvei later.
There was a small hill in the immediate place from the shore, and cityscape spread along gentle ups and downs.
He saw a building that seemed like a mansion on the hill.
He might overlook the sea from there.
The ship's captain was loudly giving instructions, 'The Proud White Dolphin' folded the sails and began slowing down little by little.
The power was changed to an oar, the ship were pulled and guided to the harbor.
Mariayo was one of the very common ports city in the kingdom of Asvarre.
The harbor was crowded with people busy with taking up and down of load, street stalls scattered among merchants and travellers, the housewives who appeared for the shopping come and go and were wrapped in an indecent atmosphere.
A certain big fish, that also had adult stature, was chopped into chunks on the spot and was sold.
There were baskets of small fish that seemed to be fresh and still jumping (splashing) with pichipichi, and the sea water dripped from the shellfish piled in heaps to a wood bucket.
Moreover, there were also those who put in order and sold mushrooms, cabbages, and wild grasses to the straw mat.
"It is lively, but not as much as in Libnah. I wonder if it is because of the civil war."
When Tigre said his honest impression, Olga beside him also nodded.
"The number of ships is different, though the port size is about the same."
To those words, Tigre looked at her with a surprised face.
It was so even when she talked about the archery, but this girl was very much used to traveling despite her age and was calm.
The only thing that surprised Tigre when leaving Libnah was that he did not observed well both the port and the ship.
'The Proud White Dolphin' was pulled up on the wharf, and passengers got off in sequence.
Tigre and Olga waiting for Matvei got down last.
Though it was Tigre who applied his foot on the hard ground after a long time, he felt a sense of incongruity to his body and stamped several times on the spot.
Olga asked him with a wondering face.
"What are you doing?"
"I may only be tired, but I feel like my body is still shaking."
"...I also feel that, too. What is it?"
the two looked at each other tilting their head.
It was Matvei that gave them a clear answer.
"We are calling it wave motion sickness (drunkenness), but the body has got used to the state of vibration. It will be mostly settled if you leave it."
"How long will it be if we leave it?"
Olga asked with an uncanny voice.
While leaping some chicks eyebrows, Matvei answered.
"If you walk just for a moment, your body will get used to the hard ground. Although there are rare cases where the person turns worse like illness, you will probably be alright since you did not get seasick. Shall we go eating for the time being?"
Matvei led the way out of the port walking down the street.
---As expected, it is different from Brune or Zchted after all.
The fence surrounding houses, the material properties of wood and the way of combining it, the pattern of the walls, The structure of the cliff root.
The difference among such fine portions, and the conversations of people, that leaked to the ear strengthened the thought of having come to a foreign country.
The characters (letters) which sometimes stood out was the only thing which was not readable.
Before long, Matvei chose one shop and entered.
Tigre and Olga also followed.
A fragrant smell assailed their nose at the moment they passed through the door, and the noise struck the earlobe.
In the snug store, more than half was already buried.
The visitors were not only the residents of the town, but also the travelers and the sailors.
When we sat around a round-topped table in the back, Matvei ordered sake and dish to the daughter of the waiter who pushed visitors aside.
Tigre looked around the store inside.
Such places did not change wherever he went.
"After this we are going to meet a person."
Tigre looked at Olga covered with the hood over her eyes also in the store.
Although it might as well be such that she was a mysterious person, other guests were also far from being decent.
He decided not to mention it.
"We plan to leave this town today at the earliest. What will you do?"
Olga to whom he asked, cast down her eyes to think.
She paused, and opened her mouth at intervals of about three count.
"May I be allowed to accompany you on the way? Concerning meals and lodging, I will prepare my share myself. I won't do something like causing trouble."
"If you tell us the purpose of your trip."
Tigre replied so.
Olga remained silent once again.
Perhaps going to intercede on her behalf, holding back Matvei who was about to say something, Tigre continued his wording.
"I won't ask you to explain in detail. Like I say just now, I will see a person, it will be good if you tell to a certain extent. I won't even ask your identity. However, I want you to speak about that at least."
When he was sometimes free, during the sea trip, Tigre had thought about Olga, but did not reach a conclusion.
Anyhow, she did not just fit that age.
She also seemed to be accustomed to traveling, and she also had a splendid ax hung to her waist.
Even she was in front of him or Matvei, she was not perturbed or scared, and she also tried to put a dignified attitude.
If she was an itinerant entertainer or a bard, then it was strange that she did not have a tool for work.
If she was a fugitive guilty of some crime, her behavior was sloppy.
Even if he would not learn anything here, he did not also talked too much about himself.
It was like saying "please, I am suspicious".
He considered in some way the possibility of spy to be an extreme conception, but, as expected, she was too young and it would be rather conspicuous.
It seemed long like a silence of a lifetime.
In a place where the waiter carried the bier with which the big glasses of ceramic was filled to the brim, and put them on the table, Olga finally spoke.
"...Is it no good if I say that there is something that I want to see?"
Matvei ran his look at Tigre.
His face was showing that he did not agree, though he did not object.
"Does that mean there is a place where you want to go?"
To Tigre's question, Olga shook many times her head.
"It's just that I want to walk around this country properly, and hear various stories in towns and villages at which we will drop in. I want to go those towns and villages, meaning there isn't particularly any place where I want to go."
It became more and more incomprehensible.
Anyway, it wasn't Brune or Zchted currently with no sign of war, it was Asvarre here.
Tigre violently rummaged his darkish red hair and sighed.
He looked at Matvei.
"Since I told myself that I will help you."
it seemed that he entrust him the decision.
Thus as Tigre asked him whether it was fine with his gaze, the scary-looking sailor said with a happy smile.
"Unexpected incidents occur as many as one likes on the sea. If I get flustered to one small girl, the white dolphin on my back will become disaffected."
Tigre felt grateful and at the same guilty to him.
Rather than being Tigre's subordinate, He was only cooperating because it was Sasha's request.
But he was willing to respect the will of youngster who would probably not have live at least half of his age.
"I would like to hear from that man looking good with the white dolphin, our future plans?"
"We will leave the town as soon as we can supply horses. We will arrive at the destination city after two or three days. Though it is a camping-out tonight, we will stay at a small village along the highway tomorrow."
Matvei which would expect a question answered smoothly without settlement.
Tigre especially made a severe expression and turned around to Olga.
"We don't mean to stay long in Asvarre. We will return to Zchted quickly after we finish our business. Therefore, our trip together will be until that town if it is good with you."
Tigre and Matvei did not necessarily have profit of about Olga's accompanying them, either.
But if he took a child, that could cover the fact that he was an emissary.
"...I understand. Then, until that town."
Olga moved her small body and bowed to Tigre and Matvei respectively.
"Well then, let's give a toast in the hope that our journey in this country will be good."
The three people picked up their glasses respectively, and hit them lightly.
They gulped down the beer vigorously.
When resting after drinking the half, Tigre made a grimace.
"This is very bitter."
Though he also drank beer in either Brune or Zchted, there was no bitterness remained in his tongue so far.
Distorting her facial expression in the back of her hood, Olga seemed to think about the same thing.
It was only Matvei that still had a smiling face.
"There is also a way of drinking it while diluting with water, wine or herb. Or, would you drink another liquor?"
While being lost, the dish had been carried.
In addition to Asvarre's peculiar dish such as the rice porridge karasumugi (wild oats)and the thing which stewed beef with liquor, probably because it was a port city, a soup of salmon, shellfish and cabbage, there were many things that treated the fish and shellfish such as the cod that takes out the internal organ and pack in the abdomen and burnt smell grass and mushroom.
Such as fried soybean, sheep meat and bread topped with potatoes mashed were also lined up in the table.
All this was filled with fragrant smells in the steam, and just by looking at it, saliva accumulated in the mouth.
They were at loss of which they would attach their handle from.
The rice porridge of karasumugi had a unique smell and texture, and since the sake of beef stew had a strong flavor, it was just right eating it with bread in turn.
Salmon used in soup in what had been salted, the dissolving salt was well effective.
While Tigre and the others smacked their lips over those many dishes, though they were talking about their cruise until today and their impression of this town, they were listening also to conversations that could be heard from other tables.
"...It seems that before we leave Zchted the situation here had not changed."
It was about the fight between Prince Jermaine and Prince Eliot.
Although small-scale battles occurred frequently, either still did not seem to be superior.
"It is likely going to move from now on. Because it seems that Prince Eliot left the island of Asvarre that is his base, and came to the continent."
Similarly overhearing the end of a conversation, Matvei said.
"It is probably to encourage the soldiers of his army."
"There is also the possibility that he gives directives himself. As for the number of soldiers, the fact that Prince Eliot's side is superior didn't change."
Matvei answered while carrying a fish to his mouth.
Stopping her hand that drank beer, Olga asked.
"Though I hear Prince Eliot's troops had pirates accounting for great numbers (is composed mostly of pirates), are they so many?"
"Half a year ago, a civil war occurred in Brune. I have heard that just thousand of the pirates were indeed remnants of the defeated army who fled to the North at that time."
To Matvei’s lines, Tigre was almost choked by the food in his throat.
"Besides, those called mercenaries of Sachstein and marine people by others are quite various. Moreover, as such bleak situation is prolonged, Those who fail to get a job and become penniless will appear. Since they cannot be for not being subject to Zchted and its influence. For example."
Stopping his hand that was eating, Matvei suddenly put on a serious expression.
"As there are those who are making a living in the trade with Asvarre merchants, what will happen when they are no longer be able to trade if those merchants were killed due to the civil war? You may say that they should look for new trading partners, but, if such a thing was easily found, they would not have a hard time."
Listening to the conversation of the two people, Tigre tore bread roughly and threw it into his mouth.
Even if it was to escape from starvation, becoming a pirate was not something allowed.
The misfortune could never become a reason to dispossess (to deprive) an innocent person.
So, instead of becoming a pirate, was it better to starve and die?
No. What should be done was…
"Lord Tigrevurmud."
Unwittingly, Tigre fell into silence with a serious face.
Matvei said with a soothing tone and a threatened expression.
"Are you tired from the sea trip? Food will cool down, you know?"
"Ah, no, I was just thinking about the upcoming thing."
"For us here is a foreign land. Although it may not help, I would like you no to be discouraged."
"...That's right. Thank you."
It was for consideration towards Matvei that Tigre expressed his gratitude.
After Matvei understood about what the young man was getting angry about and worry, he indirectly felt anxious.
Tigre fiercely stretched out his hand to the remaining food on the table.
To face Jermaine in an adequate condition with stamina and energy, He persuaded himself that he must properly eat from now.
◎
Along the road flanked by a small hill, a small village came into view when they exited the forest.
It was two days later since they left the port city of Mariayo.
The three people were on horseback and had tied their luggage to the saddle.
Matvei led the way, followed by Tigre and behind could be seen Olga’s shape.
Though Tigre thought Olga to be used to traveling, she was proving it by action.
When they camped out yesterday, she hunted hares of two wings only over the past half-time (in only a half koku).
Although Tigre also shot down two wild birds, and the supper of that day became very much gorgeous, Olga pulled off (did a good job indeed) really well when handling the birds and hares.
She continued the work without faltering (fluently) drawing out blood, tearing off the skin and pulling off wings for instance, Tigre was impressed.
"Though it is still daylight, we will rest in this village for today."
While looking up at the bright sunshine in the cloudless sky, Matvei that was at the vanguard said those words.
"If we leave on the early morning of tomorrow, we may arrive at Valverde which is the destination at afternoon."
After finishing the harvest, straw color of dried grass were scattered sparsely in the field, and farmers were resting in a position of their own way.
Made beyond the field on the roof which piled up the flat stone stucco walls, the houses made of structure were lined up.
Remembering the villages of his hometown, nostalgia crossed Tigre’s eyes.
Suddenly one farmer turned around their way and noticed Tigre and the others.
His calm face changed radically into that mixed with fear and suspicion, and he called out to other farmers and run hurriedly.
"…What is it?"
For villagers to be wary of strangers was not a rare sight.
However, Tigre sensed a different atmosphere from there.
"Isn’t it because Matvei-san’s face scared them?"
Olga muttered so, and Matvei showed an exaggeratedly sorrowful face.
Even Tiger could not refrain from laughing.
It was unusual for this girl to speak of a joke, and thank to that the strain mood softened.
"In any case, I do not want to scare them too much. Let's go down from the horse."
Since talking on horseback would wither the other party.
Getting off the horse, the three people went to the village by pulling the reins.
One man walked their way.
His linen clothes were stained with soil, and his face had the trace of wiped sweat.
It was an understandable figure in a day when considering they was working on the farms until just a while ago.
"Mrs. Travelers, what kind of business do you have with this village?"
"We would like to ask for food and overnight accommodation. Also for horses."
It was Matvei which could speak Asvarre’s language fluently that answered, and he took out several pieces of silver coins from his breast pocket and handed them to the man.
After looking at the silver coins, the man glanced at Tigre and Olga.
Tigre said with a smile to reassure him.
"There were also such villages in my home. I do not intend to loiter and to interfere with your work."
Matvei conveyed it again in Asvarre’s language.
The man let out a breath of relief, and seemed to loosen some wariness.
Tigre and the other two were guided in the man's house.
The man seemed to be the village mayor and he was living in (it was) the only 2-story building in this village.
There were a hovel and the cereals storehouse near the house, too and he had his family help move the horses there.
Tigre and the others were provided with the spare chamber on the second floor of the house.
Though there was nothing in the room, if there was something they desired, it would be said to prepare that as long it was possible.
Tigre left negotiations to Matvei and walked to the window.
He could overlook the aspect of the village from the window.
He saw the entrance of the village where they came.
Because children were looking up at Tigre standing at the window with great interest, and when he waved his hand, some would hide quickly or run to escape, but there were also several people who waved their hand awkwardly back.
"Lord Tigrevurmud. The talk was settled."
At Matvei’s voice, Tigre turned toward him.
"It is impossible to sleep on bed, but it seems that they have prepared three thick blankets, so one per person. The meal will be a moment later. He said that we will have one smashed chicken with soup and bread. After that, three cups of hot water in a bucket."
After saying to there and suddenly lowering his voice, Matvei added happily whether or not he would be sticky about one part of the chicken.
Tigre shook his head with a bitter smile.
Rather than having to withhold from the village, he avoided stimulating be worried about how scared he was when he first saw, it was correct.
Laying the blanket which had been carried on the floor, Tigre lied down on it.
As the relaxation of stretching at ease his limbs, Olga displayed an astonished expression.
when the person of the village left the room, she removed the hood that she was wearing.
"It is untidy..."
"Because they didn't use this place for a while."
"Certainly. I wonder if I can also taste the freedom throughout the whole body for a while."
Matvei agreed, as he also laid on the blanket in the same way.
As the dimly expressionless Olga looked down at the two men, she laid her body on the blanket.
For a while, the three people did nothing, they were like that without even saying a word.
Then, the time that passed was only about a half koku.
Tigre frowned suddenly.
He had a feeling that he heard something like a scream in the distance (far away).
Tigre and Olga woke up almost simultaneously.
One breath minutes later Matvei got up rather slowly.
Tigre grabbed his black bow kept in his hand hauling the quiver with arrows and compromised to the window.
He inquired the situation outside carefully.
---What are those guys?...
There were thirty, no about forty men in the village.
They wore a discernibly rough atmosphere, and despite being armed there was no uniformity in their equipment.
If there were some people who were wearing leather armor which struck the rivet, there were also those wearing chain mail.
The weapons were also swords or spears, the ax with a pike mallet was not uniform.
And each house of the village shut the door firmly.
As if waiting for the storm to pass while holding their breath.
Only several people who had come out to the field were keeping standing on that occasion together with their horses or cows.
When the men had their eyes on one house, their flung spears and pike mallets against the door while booing aloud (loudly pouring the jeers).
Stepping over the wrecked door, several people went into the house, and many screams broke out.
"Are they... Brigands?"
"It is possible that those bandits have their stronghold in the neighborhood."
Matvei which was looking at the situation across the window from the side opposite of Tigre, replied in a calm tone.
---But considering they are brigands, it's strange.
Tigre frowned.
For an attack the attitude of those men was too laid-back.
The villagers also, rather than running away, were just only shutting their door firmly.
Even while thinking, and those who attacked the houses were different men, or those who went towards the field surrounded and beat the farmers.
Even those who bludgeon livestock to death seemed to be laughing happily.
It was certain that they would tremble violently if they were people weak in mind.
It was a terrible spectacle that could get Tigre sick just by looking.
When the right hand of Tigre which could not bear anger lengthened to the quiver, the door of the room was knocked on.
Matvei moved quickly and went for the reception.
A woman in her mid-40s was there.
She was from the village chief's family.
Though her face was paled, since she was safe when she was here, she said that she wanted to close the sliding shutter and would like us to remain still.
"What are those guys? Bandits?"
To Tigre's question, the woman shook her head with a look.
"Those people are the soldiers of His Highness Jermaine."
Not only Tigre, even Matvei and Olga stares wide-eyed at that answer.
" Prince Jermaine’s Soldiers...? Those guys?"
It was suddenly an unbelievable story, but there was no reason for this woman to tell them such a lie.
Above all, their behavior also and even their correspondence of village entrance was understandable (if it was the case).
At that time, the woman's look turned to Tigre's hand.
To the left hand which grasped the black bow tightly, and the right hand which was extracting the arrow.
"W-What do you plan to do?"
The woman's voice was shaking in fear.
She ran up ahead of Tigre's answer trotted out and clung to press down the hands of the youngster.
She appealed in a face and a voice that seemed to burst into tears at any moment.
"Please. Don't do anything strange. Please..."
"But... But, you should not let those fellows run loose."
When Tigre painfully spit out those words, She blotted tears to the edges of her eyes and twisted her expression.
"You will leave here tomorrow, right? We will live in this village not only tomorrow, but also the next day and the next day of that day."
Feeling bitterness spreading within his mouth, Tigre was not able to answer to her mournful voice.
Even if Tigre sent away those soldiers here, the situation would not improve.
They will revenge themselves on this village soon after (in the near future).
In the worst case, they might burn the village saying the villagers defied Prince Germane.
I must endure it until their tyranny passed.
Even if they made sacrifices.
It was the way that this village chose.
Although the woman tried to continue her words further, the scream which had been heard scratched it out.
When only moving his head, Tigre looked outside from the window, as several girls were pressed down by many soldiers, they were dragged in the center of the village.
Villagers who apparently tried to stop it, was beaten and crouched down the Jizo.
"Matvei."
Tigre suddenly called the name of the sailor of white dolphin.
To the dreadfulness with which the voice was tinged, Matvei's shoulders shook with a startle.
"Tie up this person. No, tie up all those present in this house and roll them on the first floor. And then, block up the first floor with whatever you can use. Even doors and windows, everything."
two persons, the woman and Olga made an expression of astonishment.
Matvei understood immediately Tigre's intention, he bound the woman's arms from behind.
"What do you try to achieve?"
Tigre did not answer back to Matvei's question.
Carrying an arrow piece to his waist he applied his foot to the window frame.
In the next moment he clung to the wall on the outside with a light motion and quickly climbed up on the roof.
No one among the soldiers on the ground noticed.
Tigre set up the bow when settling down on the roof and nocked an arrow.
He aimed at the soldier who was going to cover the girl.
The distance was approximately 100 alsins.
Without difficulty.
The shot arrow cut the wind, flew and went through the head of a man so that it was inhaled.
The body of the man who ceased to breathe inclined and fell down beside the daughter.
Several persons doubtfully turned their eyes to their friend, and as they found fault with the arrow in his head, two flat knots were already released.
The arrow which stuck in the scruff went through the throat, and the second let a bloodstained sickle peep out.
The man fell down to the place and writhed painfully without being able to utter voice.
The men finally noticed the existence of an enemy.
On the other hand, Tigre not changing his cold expression in not even one bit, shot the third arrow and killed the third person.
Flickering in his mind was the memory of one year ago.
Alsace central city Celesta that is his hometown.
The son Zaian of the Duke Thenardier did an invasion with his soldier, many private houses were crushed and baked, and many people lost their life.
The state of the girls held down by soldiers just reminded the young man the account of hundred million (many times) when Teita was being once attacked by Zaian at one time.
When he thought of the scene that he saw at that time. It was not Tigre to be able to overlook it in silence.
When Tigre shot and killed the third person, Matvei was tying up the woman skillfully at the back in the second floor under the roof.
He did it carefully with a gag, and pushed a dagger against her scruff.
Although he would not do something like hurting her, he made a scary face to stir up respect by fear.
"Even Lord Tigrevurmud gave a cruel order. It might be a little painful, but please forgive me."
"...Explain."
It was Olga who watched the course of thing in silence until then that asked Matovei.
Doubt and suspicion were swirling in her black pupils.
"Don't you understand? No, excuse me. Let me explain it later since my hands are busy now. It will be faster if you help me."
To the answer of the Matvei who seemed happy, the dimly expressionless Olga slightly changed, and wrinkles appeared in the middle of her forehead.
Being lost in her thoughts, her eyes went around the inside room and then were directed to the outside of the window.
"Will it also counted as help if I cut down those guys?"
Matvei which was going to leave the room with the woman whom he restricted stopped.
Although he was also surprised that Olga's tone lost the usual politeness, and became even more colder, the scary-looking sailor couldn't help turning around.
He tried to open his mouth to ask what she meant, but was forestalled
"Yes or no? Answer only that. Your Hands are busy, right?"
"...It would be convenient that you could do so that even one person don't die."
Having answered so was utmost, and when he finished saying, Olga was moving.
She kicked the floor, slipped through the side of Matvei and the others and ran in the hallway.
After Matvei opened his mouth as if having grown senile and saw her off, he finally came to his senses at the gaze of the woman.
Outside the house, Tigre just shot and killed the sixth person.
---That was a terrible miscalculation...
As for the soldiers, though half was running about in confusion still reeling from the surprise attack, the remaining half was trying to counter attack following the directives of a man who seemed to be the adjutant.
Tigre had already shot and killed the commander who led them.
At first he took down the commander to confuse them, and furthermore reduced their number and retreated.
Though Tigre planned so and it went smoothly until the first half, the adjutant who fled quickly into the shade of the building desperately scolded soldiers and restored their morale.
When the commander fell down, it was natural for the adjutant to act as a substitute, but the fact that this adjutant splendidly took the reins of troops could be seen as miraculous.
Even a decent army, rarely bounced back early this much.
---Well, how do I pull it down?
While nocking an arrow to the black bow, Tigre thought calmly about the next development.
It was looking as if he was predominantly advantageous, and, in fact, Tigre knew that it was not the case.
Tigre could not help but surrender if the soldiers of Jermaine held a villager hostage while hiding themselves to the shades of the buildings.
Even if Tigre forsook the hostage, they would use the village as a shield to the arrows as it was.
In that way the fight would become difficult if he surrounded this house while protecting himself.
"The enemy is only one person, you know? You, 'Ranra', What are you afraid of?"
"I didn't think I could do something like this alone! How about you step forward without letting only your underlings do it and hiding on the sly."
Covering the jeers of the man, Tigre also reverberating inside the village just shouted at him
He had already shot down 8 people.
Since they were sniped in a high place, Jermaine's soldiers backed away (got cold feet).
They wanted to overcome the resistance (to face down the opposition) like that.
One of soldiers threw an adze (hand ax).
Although Tigre avoided it at once by twisting his body, he destroyed his posture and slipped.
He avoided falling down from the roof, but the adjutant cried out without overlooking the chance.
"Runnn..."
In response to the instruction, four soldiers ran.
Went to the house in which Tigre was standing.
"Oh no-!"
Though Tigre shot an arrow quickly and took down one soldier, the three remainders rushed quickly at the door.
It was at that time.
The door was opened with sufficient vigor from the inner side, and a girl who wrapped her body short in stature in a mantle ran out.
It was Olga.
when the soldiers of Jermaine understood that the opponent was a child though she stood reflectively, they were merciless and swung down their weapon which they had in their hands.
A dull sound was chained and blood splash danced suddenly.
Tigre was about to appeal for her name in surprise, but it was Jermaine's soldiers who screamed the next moment and fell down.
Olga as always with the hood covering her eyes, was silently standing inside the puddle of blood which was spreading
In her hand, there was now a dark red ax stained with blood.
---In one blow? No two blows...
It was not only Tigre, even the village girls who had late run away and the soldiers of Jermaine who hid themselves in the shade as well failed to get out in time and stared at the girl with an stunned face.
It was a dreadful skill.
Among the three soldiers that attacked her, two wore chain mail and one was in leather armor reinforced in metal piece.
The girl's ax cut and tore their belly.
A girl of only 13, no 14 years old who wielded an ax.
Olga, as if unmindful of the surrounding in dismay, was observing the state of the men.
The soldiers of Jermaine shuddered to the enemy who appeared newly and was not ordinary.
Some turned their eyes to the adjutant for instructions.
Olga was waiting for their reaction.
She started running towards the adjutant fiercely was she was thinking whether she was easy and stepped over the body of the step.
The adjutant got impatient and cried.
"B-Bring her down."
Receiving that order, two men attacked Olga.
However. One of them was pierced to the neck with an arrow that Tigre shot and fainted in the ground.
Even the remaining one jumped an arm off from the hit of his elbow with Olga's ax, and crouched down on the spot while shrieking.
Realizing he could not escape, the adjutant lie in wait, lowering his posture.
The weapon which he had in his hand had been a spear.
In terms of reach, it was very advantageous than the ax.
The adjutant thrusted out the spear.
With only one slash, Olga blew away The dark gray tip of the spear that was approaching her.
The action of the girl with pinked colored hair did not end yet.
She ran over the edge of the spear which was no longer than just a stick at one go (breath), and shortened the distance.
The adjutant's head flew in the sky leaving a trail of blood.
Olga, without taking notice of the body, thrusted her ax at the man who ran in order to support the adjutant.
"Throw away your weapon."
The man realized instantly, that he would lose his life if he took action otherwise.
Fearing the girl who was only half about his age from the bottom of his heart, he discarded his weapon crossed his hands behind his head and surrendered.
The other soldiers discarded their weapons, suddenly cried and turned their back and escaped.
As the adjutant fainted, there was not the person who was able to command them now.
◎
Tigre immediately released the soldiers that Olga arrested caught.
And gave them a short order.
"Go back and tell. That People of a foreign land wanted to see Prince Jermaine."
Afterwards, Tigre sat down on the doorway of the village facing the highway.
It was at that direction that the soldiers of Germane escaped.
If they waited here, Their comrades would show up sooner or later.
After a while, Olga and Matvei accompanied by horses were walking.
As Tigre looked at the two, though somewhat tinged with gloom, he asked with a quiet expression.
"How is the state of the village?"
"Since one of the village headmen came over to that house, we explained the circumstances while having a look at the inside."
The village though poor, in order to prevent fox or wild boars from entering, was surrounded with the fence of a tall tree.
While tying the horses there, Matvei explained in a cheerful voice.
"Were you able to tie up all the people of the house?"
"Yes. Since the village headman seems to come here later, they would appreciate an explanation from Lord Tigrevurmud once again. And then, they will likely do the burial of hooligans."
"You saved us. Thank you very much."
When Tigre bowed, Matvei smiled wryly and waved his hand.
"Don't mind it. Because I was also on the point to turn a blind eye primarily since I forsook easily while seeing such a scene. One more thing, Lord Tigrevurmud. I would like you to quit soon the polite way of talking. It will also be easy for you, won't it?"
"...Oh! If you say so."
When he seemed to be at loss and scratched his head, Tigre changed his expression and turned toward Olga.
"I must also give you my gratitude. Thank you. Honestly, you saved me."
Without this girl's involvement, though it could not be said that he would be defeated, there was no doubt that he would be force to put on a hard fight
However, Olga shook her head to say that such a thing did not matter.
"Leaving that aside, I want you to explain. Why did you tie up the people of that house?"
Tigre stared steadily at her involuntarily.
Though she was still expressionless.
He felt a strong core (the wick) in her quiet voice.
This might be Olga's true figure (nature).
Thinking a little, Tigre instead of talking as if talking to children, said it while considering the other party as equal.
"While receiving such treatment, the people of this village didn’t resist. As far I have seen the soldiers' attitude and the village's reaction, I conclude such a thing won't happen once or twice. Perhaps, they may also smashed the village as a warning to others."
The expressionless Olga got fogged.
Tigre continued in a serious tone.
"It is the policy of the village not to defy the soldiers. If it oppose, it will rouse the anger of those guys and they will retaliate. Not only that, it will make another flipped through the involvement of other villagers. much more if it caused the confusion between the people in position like the village mayor and the village headmen when doing so. However... if I tied them up so that we weren't be disturbed, it would save face to the village."
Tigre remembered the words of the woman who clung to him.
They must live tomorrow and also the day after tomorrow in this village.
Olga looked down and murmured in a dissatisfied way.
"Isn't there the otpion of escaping, abandoning this village? To a place without outrage and tyranny..."
"Have you ever plowed a field?"
Giving a mild smile, Tigre kindly asked
After blinking several times, Olga shook her head.
Plotting a look, Tigre gazed at the long distance field.
"It's hard, you know. Tough I also grasped a hoe only once. At first, I remove pebbles, weeds and chip of wood as much as possible. It's a hard work. Next, I dig up the soil, but it is still a hard labor because I must put the hoe considerably deeply."
The field of his hometown came into Tigre's mind.
The scenery which he just watched along with his late father.
"While putting in the hoe, if it hits the stones buried into the soil, and the edge bends or is broken, you must repair it. In case there is no smithery mentor and only wooden hoes can be used, it will greatly take both time and effort."
"... if there is a way of making a cow or a horse pull a plow."
"It doesn't mean that chicks also keeps cattles and horses. That is expensive."
To Tigre's answer, Olga fell in silence without a word.
Matvei opened his mouth to brush the atmosphere that was about to be sunk heavily.
"Well then, Lord Tigrevurmud, what do we do from now on?"
"I will wait for a subordinate of Prince Jermaine here. If early, he will come over even tomorrow. Tough it was somewhat strange, it was done as planned."
"Did you come to this country to meet Prince Jermaine?"
Olga blurred an unexpected color to her black pupils.
"Yeah. Therefore, the trip with you will end there."
Although he did not think it would be such a way of parting, Tigre believed it would be OK if it was this child.
Speaking of her good riding of horse, her skill in hunting, and now that admirable fight style, Olga's ability was the real deal.
But the girl of the light pink-colored hair gave an unexpected answer that Tigre was not even think about.
"Tigre. If good, would you not let me accompany you as your attendant?"
"...Why?"
Time approximately two breathing was necessary for Tigre to ask so.
"I want to see the man called Jermaine directly... Is it impossible?"
It would radically change if he thought whether he answered immediately, and he asks with a meek expression like a child.
Tigre folding his arms groaned.
He didn't think that Olga did not understand the risk of meeting Jermaine currently.
He didn't know what to think about at all.
"Who are you exactly?"
After wavering, Tigre asked directly.
"Up to now, we didn't talk of each other, and I thought that I would leave without asking it if we part here. However, it's a different story if you come with me. Please tell me."
When Olga wagged her neck to reconsider it, though she missed his eyes for an instant, she took straight her eyes of Tigre.
"You may not believe me."
On her dignified expression, In a calm tone to let you feel her intention, the image of the traveling girl from the two that got used to seeing did not remain at all.
"I am one of the seven Vanadis of Zchted. 『崩呪の弦武』の二つ名を持つ竜具ムマとブレストの地を賜った『羅轟の月姫』ーオルガーータム. (Translation of this part difficult for me) It's me."
Tigre and Matvei stared wide-eyed and were at a loss for words.
Standing before the two people now was not the girl without sociability who was in some way absentminded.
She was an ikkitousen (match for a thousand) warrior accepted by a Dragonic tool.
She was a Vanadis whom he couldn't help but be terrified if he looked close.
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