“There’s no mistake. I’m a magician.” (Origa)
Swapping the iron-ribbed fan into her left hand, she holds out her right hand in front of her.
“! Watch out!”
The man, who instinctively sensed the danger, covers the woman by turning his back on Origa.
In the next second the man’s back is cut deeply. He collapsed in the puddle of blood he had produced himself.
“Eh?”
In front of the woman, who couldn’t even react now, the opened iron-ribbed fan was swung at the time she finally perceived Origa.
“Too slow.”
The woman’s head fell before they eyes of the man, who was barely conscious. Her facial expression was that of not having been able to understand anything.
“Fuck… why…”
Once she made sure that these became the man’s final words, Origa surveyed the surroundings.
The territorial soldiers from Fokalore are assembling by running quickly.
“Are there any witnesses?”
“There are none left. We disposed of them all.”
“Then go to the place of the monster that had been put to sleep before and dispose of it as well. It’s a problem if it can be seen from outside. Next time incise the chest and bury it deep within.” (Origa)
Once they had dumped the corpse of the man in a thicket close to the highway, Origa commands the soldiers and leaves the highway.
“Hifumi-sama… I will show you that I can definitely accomplish this task…” (Origa)
Her muttering vanished due to being covered by the sound of pushing aside the weeds without anyone hearing it.
☺☻☺
Only limited people within the castle, such as the knight orders and a part of the civil officials, were told about the princess’ coronation.
That’s for the sake of changing all the arrangements depending on the negotiations with Hifumi.
“So, because the report of my victory will happen at the same time as the coronation ceremony, I will have to guard Imeraria while at it?” (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who finally arrived at the capital, came to the royal castle after being called out by a soldier.
The two people, who are sounding out Hifumi, are Prime Minister Adol and Sabnak, who became the captain of the Royal Knight Order.
Hifumi looked at both’s tensed expression as he was sitting in the sofa in front of them and tasting the black tea.
“I want to return home quickly since I also got further plans though…” (Hifumi)
“It’s not like I won the war if I only killed as fit without caring about victory or anything else”, Hifumi says.
“If I heard correctly, you have also reorganised the knight orders. There is probably no opposing faction left. Is guarding actually necessary?” (Hifumi)
“There is still some opposition left. We were able to drive it out to some degree, but…” (Sabnak)
He answered in a rush, but doesn’t continue after Hifumi glares at him.
“Don’t rely on external people for that degree of troubles. I think it’s it’s only natural to first use your own skills and structures.” (Hifumi)
“Uu…” (Sabnak)
In all honesty, given that we aren’t able to catch up with the replacements of the diminished number of knights due to the big battles with Hifumi and the war with Horant, I want the sole cause of it, Hifumi, to follow-up, but the decrement of our knights is substantially the payment for our own mistakes, Sabnak is understanding that as well.
Although the other side will understand it if we request it with reason, the problem was the reason being riddled with holes to stab at. (T/N: Author phrased it more elegantly as in putting in tsukkomi‘s in a comedy routine, but that is difficult to understand without the Japanese culture as backing knowledge, so localized it)
When he steals a glance at the prime minister sitting next to him, it becomes apparent that he intends to leave the entire situation to Sabnak. Although he somehow understands about the aim behind that, Sabnak doesn’t want to know of it.
“It will be different if they stand in my way, but don’t make things convenient by making me deal with your enemies.” (Hifumi)
“We don’t intend to do that, but…” (Sabnak)
While he was choosing his next words, the Knight Order Captain Lotomago knocked and entered the room.
Lightly nodding towards the prime minister and Sabnak, Lotomago turned to Hifumi and bowed very deeply.
“I’m the former Third Knight Order’s captain and the present knight order’s captain, Lotomago. I was informed about Hifumi-dono visiting the castle and came in order to extend my deep apology.” (Lotomago)
Staying silent, Hifumi affirmed the wish of Lotomago, who requested to be present here, by nodding.
“Thank you very much.” (Lotomago)
Lotomago, who had Sabnak yield him the seat directly in front of Hifumi, makes eye contact with Hifum as soon as he sits down.
“First off, Pajou, who had been my subordinate, and, although from a different order, our country’s knight orders caused you troubles. As someone in charge of managing this country’s knight orders, I wish to express my apology.” (Lotomago)
“Apologies are not necessary. All of them compensated for their mistakes with their lives. It’s fine with that.” (Hifumi)
Lotomago bowed his head twice due to Hifumi’s words.
“And, while being aware of my rudeness, I have a single request.” (Lotomago)
“If it’s about the guarding, I just now refused it though?” (Hifumi)
Being glanced at, Sabnak cast his eyes down.
“I don’t expect Hifumi-dono to act as guard personally. After all that’s the job of our knights and soldiers.” (Lotomago)
Upon Lotomago’s words Sabnak became even smaller. The prime minister awkwardly turned his face away.
“We are indebted to Hifumi-dono for Münster. There is a person called Vaiya, formerly affiliated to the Second Knight Order. Now he has attained a very high rank as vice-captain of the Royal Knight Order below Sabnak here, however… After he returned to the capital accompanying Hifumi-dono’s territorial soldiers of Fokalore, he told me a great story.” (Lotomago)
He wets his mouth by drinking the new black tea brought by a maid.
“I’m told that they are adopting unique training regimens and battle techniques following Hifumi-dono’s guidance and that the result of that guidance also led to the successful defensive battle of Arosel.” (Lotomago)
“Hee…” (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who showed a stern facial expression that could be even interpreted as pouting, laughed happily after hearing this story.
“Vaiya, huh? I’m remembering him. I considered him to have a good judgement, but it looks like has good eyes as well.” (Hifumi)
“Therefore, while we will guard the castle, I want to request Hifumi-dono to guide the knight orders and the soldiers, but what do you think about that? Actually there is also the fact of Vaiya going to Hifumi-dono’s territory to ask for coaching.” (Lotomago)
“This request is from Sabnak as well”, says Lotomago. Together with the prime minister, the three bowed formally.
“… I guess it’s fine. If it’s one week, I will make some time. I don’t mind if you participate in the training in the territory either. From the beginning I told you that it is your free decision without hiding anything.” (Hifumi)
Sabnak lifted his head quickly all smiles.
“T-Thank you very much!” (Sabnak)
“However, you will have to accept the conditions I’m going to tell you now.” (Hifumi)
And then he gave his conditions.
– Everyone will obey Hifumi’s instructions. The removal of defying people will be left to Hifumi.
– Construction work within the castle will be led by him as well.
– 30 territorial soldiers will be called to the capital and lodging will be prepared for them.
“Removal of defy
ing people means…” (Adol)
As the prime minister timidly voiced his concern, Hifumi laughed scornfully.
“Be relieved, I won’t go as far as killing them if they don’t try to oppose me directly.” (Hifumi)
“Then there’s no problem.” (Lotomago)
Lotomago said plainly.
“C-Captain…” (Sabnak)
“I’m not your captain anymore. Get a grip of yourself.” (Lotomago)
“I-I’m sorry…” (Sabnak)
Lotomago corrected his seating position.
“I have heard about it from Vaiya. I heard you place importance on the cooperation in the movement of the troops. If there is someone obscuring that, they will go through a bitter experience. If they are hindrance even after that, they should be quickly removed, I think.” (Lotomago)
“Because drawing Her Majesty the Queen’s guard and the castle’s defence away isn’t entertainment for the nobles'”, Lotomago said.
“Well, then let’s begin from tomorrow. Gather those scheduled to guard within the castle and its surroundings. Summon the carpenters in the afternoon.” (Hifumi)
“Please take care of us.” (Sabnak)
While bowing once again, Sabnak became depressed that he himself would be required to participate as well.
☺☻☺
In the hands of Vaiya, who arrived at Caim’s location, he grasped the shuriken and kusarigama he had borrowed from Pruflas.
“Caim-dono, it would be a great help, if you could spare some time for me, however…” (Vaiya)
Vaiya, who knows about the busy style of the civil official slaves after his stay here for a few days, shyly called out to Caim.
Caim, looking at his figure in silence, forced all the documents he held onto Duelgar*, who was coincidentally drawing up official papers in the room. (T/N: *name change from Doelgar, author miss or I missed something here)
“O-Oi!?” (Duelgar)
“Handle this please.” (Caim)
Since even Duelgar knew that a slave can’t decline a request of a knight, who is a noble, he reluctantly decided to take hold of the documents.
Ascertaining that expressionlessly, Caim stands in front of Vaiya once more.
“So, what’s the intention behind your business?” (Caim)
“A-Ah. What’s this… ?” (Vaiya)
Caim nodded once due to Vaiya showing the kusarigama and shuriken anew.
“It’s a replica of the weapons used by Lord-sama and Origa-sama. Those things are called kusarigama and shuriken. I’m not very well-informed about weapons, but I’ve heard that these are rare things you won’t even find in foreign countries.” (Caim)
“I’ve been told by Pruflas-dono that Caim-dono is skilled with these weapons. Given that I want to incorporate these weapons in the knight order if possible, I considered to receive Caim-dono’s guidance.” (Vaiya)
“Certainly.” (Caim)
Not only Vaiya was surprised by Caim’s immediate reply, but even Duelgar, who heard it unintentionally, was.
“P-Please wait a moment! The work won’t proceed if Caim goes missing!” (Duelgar)
“Lord-sama…” (Caim)
Raising his right hand to rein in Duelgar, Caim calmly says,
“… wants to actively promote the skills of administrating a territory and the combat techniques of this Tohno territory. Our decentralized deployment has been included within this plan. It will be worrisome if the tasks are delayed with only me not being here. Besides, it’s not like I will use the whole day for it.” (Caim)
“O-Of course. If you can help me for 2 or 3 days, it will be most helpful, I think.” (Vaiya)
“Then, let’s carry out the training session in the mornings. I will find a location. Let’s have Pruflas arrange for several weapons, too.” (Caim)
Vaiya, smiling all over his faces, shook hands with Caim due to the unexpectedly favourable terms, however Duelgar wondered with teary eyes whether his workplace, that had finally calmed down, became a thing of the past.
“Duelgar, please explain the matter to the other civil officials tomorrow morning.” (Caim)
“… Understood.” (Duelgar)
I absolutely can’t imagine how I’m to escape the future of “Why didn’t you stop him?” from female camp. Even under normal circumstances, with the bad-tempered Miyukare at the top, there’s no doubt that tomorrow’s morning will become a great disaster. Rather than this, I prefer to do any work, Duelgar thought with a gloomy expression as he faced the documents.
Chapter 71: Faint
Early morning.
On the excessively spacious practise field of the soldiers, located in the outskirts of the capital, the knights, with exception of those on public order duty, gathered. The figures of Royal Knight Order Captain Sabnak, Knight Order Captain Lotomago and Knight Order Vice-Captain Midas are there as well.
All members number 60, including one part being newcomers. It’s no more than a third or less of the numbers from their golden age, but although the veterans feel lonely, the gathering of this many knights all at once is rare as well.
In front of them, not knowing when it was built, a simple hut, that was only the frame of an one-story house with walls and door installed, was standing.
Coming out from that hut is the Earl, whose name and face is now known by anyone from the knight orders, Hifumi.
“Good morning.” (Hifumi)
“”Good morning, sir!””
Once Hifumi nodded due to completing the greetings, staff members from the royal castle distributed the weapons they brought along.
Those are wooden short spears that have a length of reaching up to the chest of an adult man.
“Those were made out of wood in order to practise using short spears during the patrolling within the castle. They have no weight, however it will probably be fine if you only learn the style for starters. Each of you will take the one you’re holding home and bring it back for the next time we train.” (Hifumi)
Once everyone got a weapon, Hifumi pointed at the frame-only building.
“For now we haven’t been able to make more than one house, but the plan is to build two more of them.” (Hifumi)
“For what the heck will those be used?” (Sabnak)
Due to Sabnak’s question, Hifumi said “It will be faster if I show you” and had three people enter into a room of the frame-only house.
And then he enters holding a short spear himself as well.
“For the time being, the three inside, attack me at the same time. No worries, I will go easy on you.” (Hifumi)
Thanks to that line, the knights, who were pride of being the elite, although they were assembled at random, angrily set up their spears.
“Thank you. I judged that your experience of fighting indoors is small. It’s faster to show you the way to answer your question.” (Hifumi)
Lightly gripping the spear in his right hand, Hifumi is waiting for the three to come attacking.
As on of them stabs with his spear, he lightly avoids that by taking a distance in order to push it away with his foot and then says,
“There are three of you for a reason. Synchronize your breathing.” (Hifumi)
Summoned Slaughterer - Book 4 Page 15
