Chapter 77 of 100
Chapter 77
16 min read4,041 words
When they arrived at Serika, the land of silk across from Yamata, the sun had already set, and the stars were visible in the sky.
Edgar carried Nobara on his back as a precaution and made his way to the port, but all the ships bound for Yamata had already departed.
More shockingly, Edgar and Nobara were taken aback by the news they heard.
"What! The world has been unified!?" "Is that true!?"
"Yes, about five years ago. A person named Mikoto of the Kamu clan accomplished it."
"The Kamu clan!? How did that happen!?"
The Kamu clan (Kamumu-shu) was a small tribe that controlled Kyo, Osaka, and Kobe. They were only recognized for their nominal authority as the oldest noble family, said to be descended from the gods.
On the other hand, the Mikawari clan (Mikawari-shu), to which Edgar and the princess belonged, was a wealthy tribe that controlled a wide area from the center to the east of Yamata. Furthermore, by forming an alliance with the Azu clan (Azu-shu), which competed for dominance, they were supposed to have become the most powerful force in Yamata.
The man who looked like a sailor replied.
"Rumor has it that Lord Mikoto, who is said to be descended from the gods, used divine power to strengthen the Kamu clan. They defeated the combined forces of the Mikawari, Azu, and Mudate in the decisive battle for the world."
"…So what happened to the Mikawari clan? Were they disbanded?"
The losing side is often ordered to take responsibility, such as beheading or seppuku.
Nobara, who was riding on Edgar's back, clutched his clothes with her small hands, looking worried.
The man at the dock answered with a smile.
"Well, are you from the Mikawari clan? Don't worry. Lord Mikoto is a very kind person. He only ordered the head of the clan to go into seclusion. Everyone else was not punished. No one was beheaded or forced to commit seppuku."
"Why is that!? That's unbelievable!"
"The era of bloodshed is over. From now on, we will compete through specialties and industries. The domestic economy is recovering, and agriculture is being promoted in various regions. Production of specialty products is increasing, and trade with other countries has surged. It's truly a peaceful era. Lord Mikoto is called a rare good ruler and a benevolent king."
"Is that so… Thank you."
Edgar thanked the man and left the scene.
Nobara spoke softly.
"What do you intend to do?"
"If we explain the situation, the princess can return home."
"…What about Azuma?"
"It seems like a world where I'm no longer needed, and that's fine."
Hehe, Edgar laughed with a mix of relief and loneliness.
Nobara frowned in thought.
But soon, she smiled confidently.
"Since there's nothing to worry about anymore, let's eat something delicious."
"Oh, Princess. Is there something you want to eat?"
"Yes! I want to eat the small meat buns from Serika!"
"Got it, small buns it is—let's also buy tickets for tomorrow."
Edgar bought tickets from the ticket seller and left the port.
Nobara, who seemed reluctant to leave, rubbed her forehead against Edgar's back.
◇ ◇ ◇
At dusk in Kyo, the capital of Yamata.
Straight roads ran east-west and north-south, intersecting at right angles like a grid.
Most buildings, except for shrines and temples, were single-story and were dyed red by the sunset.
In front of the single-story residence of the Mikawari clan's head, Edgar and Nobara stood.
A closed gate was in front of them.
Nobara looked up at Edgar with a worried face and grabbed the hem of his clothes with her small hands.
"Are you sure…?"
"Princess, you don't need to worry."
"That's not it. I'm worried about Azuma."
At the princess's words, Edgar smiled with his eyes hidden by his messy hair.
"You don't need to worry. I'm strong."
"But…."
Nobara, with her bob cut, hesitated.
Then, the gate slowly opened.
A woman in a kimono standing inside the gate gasped when she saw them.
"Princess, Azuma, welcome back… The lord is waiting for you."
The woman bowed and said.
Edgar and Nobara passed through the gate.
The woman led the way, and Edgar called out from behind.
"Who is the current lord?"
"Well, after Azuma, there were various events. Now, the eldest son, Hideta, is in charge."
"I see… It's changed a lot…"
Edgar looked around as he walked through the corridors of the residence.
Then they came to the garden of the residence.
Edgar knelt on one knee from the corridor, and Nobara sat in seiza on the corridor facing the garden.
A man with a sword at his waist came and knelt beside the shoji screen.
"Lord Hideta. Azuma and Nobara have returned."
He opened the shoji screen.
A middle-aged man with short hair and a muscular build came from the back of the room.
"It's been a long time, Azuma… You're still alive."
"It's been a long time, Lord Hideta."
Edgar bowed deeply.
Hideta's eyes stopped on the small girl, Nobara, sitting in seiza on the corridor.
"Strange… You were supposed to be dead."
Edgar raised his head and spoke heavily.
"There are people in foreign lands who can bring the dead back to life."
"I see… That's why you left the country."
"I will accept any punishment. The princess is not involved. Everything was my doing. Please save her life."
Edgar put his hands on the ground and bowed his head.
Hideta frowned deeply and looked at Edgar, who was prostrating himself, and the small princess sitting nearby.
Then, he sighed and relaxed his shoulders.
"Alright… I will treat the princess with respect."
"Thank you!"
Edgar bowed repeatedly.
Hideta frowned and stroked his chin.
"Moreover, Lord Mikoto does not desire unnecessary bloodshed. If we approach him with sincerity, Azuma's punishment will be lenient."
Nobara, sitting in seiza, smiled like a blooming flower.
"That's good…"
"However, the fact that you took the princess out of the country and used a suspicious forbidden technique is beyond the judgment of the Mikawari clan. We will seek Lord Mikoto's decision."
"I understand… I will accept any judgment, and I am prepared to be cut off from the Mikawari clan."
"That might be best. …In any case, you have worked hard for your sister. Do your best."
"Hai, thank you!"
"Then, both of you, you may leave for today."
Edgar bowed deeply.
Hideta turned and returned to the room.
A servant came and helped Nobara stand.
He tried to lead her to the room.
Nobara, who had initially followed, suddenly called out.
"Oh, that's right! —A reward!"
Nobara suddenly jumped down into the garden.
She ran to a small violet flower growing among the weeds and picked it.
Then, she spread her bob cut and turned back with a smile.
However, Edgar was no longer in the large garden.
Nobara's young smile froze, and she clutched the violet flower in her small hand.
"He's gone… He didn't take the reward… Will he come back alive? Azuma…"
When the servant called to her, Nobara returned to the corridor reluctantly.
She looked back at the garden and outside many times, but she could no longer see Edgar's messy hair.
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