186 5.75 Sango And Kohaku Moved Into Jiyu Residence! (1/2)
The four of us had reached the outskirts of Kitakata Village and Kinrara that had transformed into a Bakeneko earlier to transport Sango and Kohaku on its back had transformed back into a nekomata. Hiko-sama and I dismounted from our horses and walked together with them and headed to the perimeter of the village.
The moment Sango and Kohaku saw the village that was expanding due to the development of future residential dwellings, they were awed at the number of men working on the grounds.
”Himura, are these men working to make new plots for land development for new residents you were telling us about? Wow... It is no joke! So many workers here and so many people in this town. We have never been here before and most of the villages we had been are mainly smaller settlements like a few thousand people.”
”Yes, Himura...The settlements that we had been are normally targeted by Youkai but in a village of this magnitude, the youkai normally stay at a further distance because of a barrier that was created by a Hoshi assigned in this village.”
”Sango-Chan, Kohaku... I didn't know that a barrier is installed here in this village by a Hoshi. What does it actually do?”
”If a youkai enters this village, their powers will be significantly decreased and would be easily defeated by a few Youkai Taijiya or at least a dozen soldiers. They would not be able to exercise their full prowess upon entering this village and that's the good point of it.”
”Yes, Himura. That's why youkai seemed to be abundant near small settlements and not a town like this because of the spirit and willpower of its residents would be too overwhelming for them.”
”No wonder Hiten and Manten didn't approach our village that time and was wondering a few distances over at the duelling grounds and also happened to be an abandoned final resting place. A cemetery...”
”What's a duelling place?” asked Kohaku who was curious about a place that only existed in Kitakata Village.
”A duelling place is a dedicated ground for those who wished to settle their differences. It is at the northern side of town where a separate gate was assigned to access that area. Normally duellers would either end up as victory or losers or even both may end up as losers that lost their lives.” Hiko-sama explained in detail as Kirara was carried in Kohaku's as it felt a bit affected by the village's protection barrier.
”There is a rule here in this town that no one is allowed to draw their weapons, and the moment a person draws its weapons from the sheath, patrolmen would appear from nowhere and apprehend the offenders. This applies only to bladed weapons like Kodachi, katana, shortswords, sabres and even a dagger or karambit.”
”How about this Kurisagama that Kohaku is holding next to his obi?” Sango asked with concern as the weapon that Kohaku carried had no sheath whatsoever.
”Don't worry about it, a Kurisagama is considered as a low-level threat cold weapon and normally these are handled by farmers, same like rakes, shovels and hoes.”
Sango and Kohaku felt relieved at the reply that was given by Hiko-sama. As we walked through the outermost District, the residents greeted us and we replied. It's was a busy district with the residents who weren't employed milling about to perform their daily task.
As we walked, Hiko-sama explains how this village had separated the residential district into 5 clusters, the governmental employees and their families in the first, the nobles on the second cluster , those serving the Mayor as a Samurai or Imperial Guards on the third cluster, the commoners on the fourth and lastly the plebs or General workers.
Hiko-sama explained that the plebs on the outermost cluster had been coined as commoners now since they had been employed by a corporation here, had permanent jobs and salaries, improved their standard of living as well as being accepted as residents of Kitakata. Previously, they were considered as an outcast of society.
”It is pretty warm here in this town, we have to remove the battle gear that we are wearing underneath our kimono. And change back into this. Its a practise that we do and be ready for battle at a moments notice, can we, Oneesama?”
”It's a good idea, Kohaku. Furthermore, with a protective barrier installed, we won't be expecting any trouble. Look at Kirara, even it had become a normal nekomata already.”
Sango showed to us Kirara, that had turned docile due to the effect of the protective barrier and turned into a cute little two-tailed cat.
When we reached our corporation grounds, both Sango and Kohaku were witnessing hundred of workers laying out the foundation of buildings and were erecting the skeletal structure of barns, as what Kohaku termed them.
”Ohh...who is building so many barns for? Is this a residential project or part of keeping animals and livestock like horses, cattle and sheep?”
”Hehehehe...That's what people would see when they see these buildings that resemble barns. Come, follow us into this barn here and you would get your answer.” I said as I beckoned them through the courtyard and went into a warehouse where they were producing Hae Shanpu. The moment both Sango and Kohaku entered, the mixed scents of fruits trailed into their nostrils and they were refreshed and felt invigorated and energised.
”Wow... So many people working here! And all are girls. These are the residents from the outermost cluster?”
”Yes Sango-Chan, these are the residents from the outermost District. They are working here on their 2nd shift now and what they are making is a product called Hae Shanpu. It's a variety of 10 different scents and were offered at discounted prices for the residents on the 4th and 5th District.”
”It smelled so nice! It's like fresh fruits that you could find all season, and you shower in them?” asked Sango in excitement as the thought of shampooing her hair whenever she has a shower excites her.
”ROOM! Good afternoon Senpai!” a girl greeted and all work halted for a moment as they stood up and greeted us before continuing their work again.
”Hello, Senpai! How are you? You brought visitors here in this production line?” asked Izumi and I introduced Sango and Kohaku to the newly appointed Plant Manager.
”Ah... These are our friends from a nearby village. It's a small settlement and they would be here in Kitakata and putting up with you in Jiyu Residence. Hmm, could you arrange for their accommodation when they are here?” I asked Izumi to assist our new visitors to Jiyu Residence as they would be sharing a room together.
”No problem, Senpai. I would allocate Hanna and Gin's room to accommodate them, by the way, my name is Izumi and this is Riko. What's yours?”
”Eh... Eh... They have a cute cat! Even if the cat looks weird with an extra tail... Meong meong... What is your name?! Wheee... It looks so fluffy!” that's Riko, as usual, shooting off her mouth in a friendly manner.
”Oh, I am Sango and this is my brother, Kohaku... And this nekomata here is Kirara. Nice to meet you too!” they both exchanged pleasantries and when Riko was petting Kirara close to Kohaku, he felt a little embarrassed because this is his first time being so close to a girl his age.
”Senpai... Can I play with Kohaku and Kirara after work? Can I, please? This cat is so cute... I have some grilled saba, I think Kirara would love some!” pleaded Riko with her hands clutched together under her chin.
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”Hahahaha... You have a lot of time in the morning before your shift. They had travelled from far and is tired from the great distance, let them rest first and you can play with Kohaku and Kirara in the morning.” I advised and Riko pouted in a fake disappointed manner.
”Okay, we get back to walk the grounds first and help out the rest if they needed. We meet again, Kohaku, Kirara and Sango-Chan!” Riko said to us, bowed and left to continue helping the production line in mixing another cauldron with coconut, olive and lye mixture with the assistance of the storekeeper.
”Wow...! I am amazed...! You mean these barns had these girls working to produce these products? The same goes to the rest of the barns too?” asked Sango in utter amazement.