41 Bard (2/2)

'So, I'll return this shield and package to its owner. Please open the door, I need to see the people inside.

I understand, my young master.

The guards open the door.

Once inside, there is nothing inside, all the furniture must have been taken out. Someone is sitting in the corner of the room. Perhaps he is the bard.

He realizes that they've come in and stands up.

'Excuse me. You are a traveler. I'm sorry to see you like this.

He bows his head to the bard.

'No, look up, prince. I don't mind. It appears that you came at the wrong time.

The bard will forgive me. And how did he know he was a prince?

Okay.

He looks up and sees the bard.

He is a man about his own age. He has dark hair and a well-defined face. If you look closely, he may be more handsome than Parsis.

But he doesn't have a very conspicuous appearance.

His clothing is also plain. If I dressed up, I might be able to get women, but maybe I don't like flashy clothes.

That's what I'm thinking about.

I can't tell what he is from his appearance. But for now, let's give the package back.

I'll return your luggage to you.

He urges the guards to hand over the instrument and the package he was carrying.

He takes the instrument and the package in his hand.

'And here's another ......'

I hold out the shield in my hand.

But he doesn't take it.

”The shield is for you, my prince.

””What?!”

The two men behind me make the same noises.

'Something terrible must be about to happen. If that's the case, those shields should be useful.''

Did you happen to overhear the conversation outside?

It's not like this house is supposed to be soundproof. Maybe that's why he could hear them talking outside.

The bard scratched the back of her head as she laughed, ”Hahaha.

''No, I'm surprised to receive such a precious thing: ......''

Magic armor is a valuable commodity. Some wouldn't even sell it, no matter how much gold they loaded up.

And I couldn't believe that they would give it to me instead of lend it to me.

'You should have that shield, Prince. It will help you. So that you can protect those you care about.

But the bard shakes his head and replies. Who are they really?

Keep it, Omiros!　But you're still a good guy, man!　Come on over to my place and I'll treat you to a meal of beans!

Macusis says, tapping the bard on the shoulder.

'I doubt if pea dishes are a treat, but they're the only food we can serve in this country.

'Yes, it is. We will have a werewolf in this house. Therefore, you are welcome to come to our house. We will thank you for your shield.

He invites them to dinner, as does Macusis.

I don't know who this one is. But Macusis is right, we should thank him.

'No, it's fine right here. I'm afraid something big is about to happen.

But the bard shakes his head and declines.

'But there will be a werewolf in here.

'It's okay. The werewolves seem to be chained up, so ....... Besides, I'd like to talk to the werewolf as well.

'I see. ......'

He is an odd man to want to talk to a werewolf. But I've heard that many bards are curious. Perhaps he is too.

'So don't worry about it.

The bard laughs and replies.

'Heh. You're an odd one to want to talk to a werewolf. Then I'll get my sister to bring you some food later.

Macusis laughs. Macusis says instead what he thought but didn't say it. Isn't that rude?

So what's your name, then?

Macusis continues to speak.

Come to think of it, I don't know the bard's name.

When asked his name, the bard makes a little thoughtful gesture before answering.

'My name is Kuro.

Black is a name you don't hear very often. He said he came from the Kingdom of Roxx, but maybe he was actually born in a more distant country.

''Black, that's a strange name.

Macusis!

Macusis says another rude thing.

'My companion begs my pardon, Lord Black.

No, I don't really care.

Black replies with a wave of his hand.

'By the way, Prince. I heard that there is a hero in this country named Parsis ......?

What's up with you, man? You here for the pulsis?

The bard likes to sing of heroes.

Parsis has become famous in neighboring countries for slaying goblins, a man worthy of being called a hero.

No wonder he is heralded as a bard.

He would love to meet Parsis and compose a song.

'Parsis is in the country, to be sure. But he's away for now.

'I see. ......'

Black looks a little disappointed. He must have wanted to see Parsis.

''Ha, wasn't Kuro-dono really planning to give this shield to Parsis?　If Parsis comes back, shall I give it to him?

Magic weapons and armor are more appropriate for heroes. Maybe it's better for Parsis to have this shield than for me to have this shield, especially if I have no abilities.

So I say that with a laugh.

''Aye, yea!　You can't do that!　Prince!　Never give that shield to the Parsis!　You should use it!

Suddenly, Black says as if in a panic. His calm demeanor from earlier seems to be a lie.

''What? Oh, yes? Okay. ......

He replied, his momentum pushing him to do so.

'I'm sorry, prince. I'm so distraught.

Black said and laughed haha. Who is he, after all? It's a little suspicious.

But you wouldn't know it by looking at it.

We've talked about this a little too long. I think it's time to go. We need to fortify our defenses before the Dark Knight and the Ogre arrive.

Well then, Black-dono. Well then, Black-dono.

Then he bows to Black.

'No, no,'

Black also bows his head.

Then they themselves leave the house.

'Macusis. What do you think of Lord Black?

I leave the house and ask Macusis a while later.

'Come on, ....... I just have a feeling that we're not just talking about something else.

Apparently, Macusis didn't think Black was just another person.

But isn't he a good guy who gave me his shield?

But then you go on to say something lighthearted.

”You...” ......

But Macusis was right, he didn't seem like a bad person.

'What do you say. Do you want me to take you to those girls?　Maybe they've got bugs embedded in their bodies.

He was certainly suspicious. So perhaps he should report it to the girls.

But I shake my head at the words.

'No, I won't: ......

If they were working for the Ogre, they should take him.

But something feels different. He's too suspicious to be called an ogre's interrogator.

Besides, if you're going to implant bugs, it's faster to get them directly into someone in Algore. There are plenty of gaps in that. There's no need to use an outsider for that.

So I don't think he's working for the ogre.

So who is he? If he doesn't work for the ogre, does he work for the Dark Knight?

It couldn't be the Dark Knight himself, could it? But it could be a minion. I don't know why he gave me the shield, but he might have some kind of plan. However, I'm going to dare to go along with it.

That's why you don't have to say anything to them.

”I see. ...... If you say so, I won't say anything.

I'm sorry: ......

Good. Have it your way: ......

Macusis, for lack of a better word, is thinking of himself. I have to thank him for that.

'Shall we go, Macusis?'

Yeah.

Then he starts walking.

◆Kuroki the Bard

'You managed to meet nicely: ......

I disguised myself as a bard to sneak into Argoa to meet Omiros.

I wanted to meet him once to see what kind of person he was. He seems to be quite a nice guy. I have a feeling that he can be trusted with Regina.

That's why I asked the dwarf Dario-dono to make it specially for me.

Nevertheless, my plans were a bit off. I didn't expect to be detained. If I was going to be taken to Syrone and the others, I would have had to flee.

Touch the broken instrument. It used to be a lyre.

'I've heard that bards can enter the country with ease: ......

An old woman in Ljena told me that being a bard would make it easier to enter the country. Then I came to Argoa in disguise.

I didn't use a cloak because I wanted to meet him head on and talk to him openly. I wanted to know what kind of man he was.

If I approached him in a cloaked form and met him, he would be wary of me and I wouldn't be able to talk to him properly, and I wouldn't be able to get to know his character.

Well, after all, he was somewhat suspicious of me. But I think I've gotten to know his character.

All we have to do now is eliminate the pulsis and confirm Regena's will.

But we don't know where Palsis is, and at Regena's side are Shirone and her friends.

Pulsis' aim may be to kidnap Regena while he and Syrone and the others are fighting. So, we must take action.

Coona jumped out to say that he would take care of Syrone and the others, but where did he go? I honestly have a bad feeling about this.

I may not be able to keep my hands off of Kuna or Syrone. I may not be able to do anything about it myself when Parsis makes his move.

If anyone could save Regena, it would be Omiros.

I'd like to help Regena as much as I can. But I don't have that much power. If I had more power, I could help her more, but I can't think of a good way to do it.

That's why I want Omiros to do his best.

That's why I gave Omiros the shield.

Originally, the shield was one of the things I was going to give to Regena as a parting gift when she left me.

There would be no problem in giving it to Omiros.

Also, I'm going to eliminate as many obstacles as possible for him.

I see a werewolf brought into this room. I know this werewolf from the side of the room where I heard someone from this country talking about it, but I believe he is a servant of the ogre.

I don't know much about the ogres. Why are they targeting Shirone and the others?

Maybe it could be an obstacle to Regena and her friends. That's why I wanted to get some information on the ogre.

I approached the werewolf and removed the chains that were blocking his mouth.

''Kuhaha!

His mouth comes free and the werewolf exhales heavily.

'Hey, dude. Free me!　Do that and I'll tell Master Kuzig to spare your life at least!

The name of the werewolf sounds familiar. It's the name of the ogre I met on Velos.

'Well, sorry ....... I'd like to ask you a few questions about that kuzig, the ogre.

I lower my head and ask the werewolf.

'Oh!'　Are you out of your mind?　I'm telling you to untie me quickly!

Apparently, it's impossible to hear them out normally.

The werewolf says he'll only save his life, but he's shooting a killing shot at himself. It looks like he's going to kill himself once he breaks his chains.

'I guess I don't have a choice: ......

Even though he was a werewolf, he didn't want to use this method too much.

The magic of fear.

It's a magic that manipulates the mind in the same way as the magic of fascination. Those who are subjected to this fear spell will have an unbearable fear of their opponents.

That's why I don't like this magic. I don't think it's a good idea to manipulate any person's mind, even if they're not a good person.

But I wouldn't hesitate to use it in some situations.

I put my hand on the werewolf's head and activate the magic.

'Oh ...... oma ...... you are ......'

The werewolf begins to tremble. His eyes are open to the limit and his mouth is fluttering.

”Werewolf, say your name.

'Duh. ...... It's Daegan!　You're a horrible man!

Well, Daegan. From now on, you follow yourself.

'Ha, ha, ha!

'Then it's Daegan. What I know: ......

I was about to ask Daegan what he knew.

Suddenly the door is opened.

'I've brought you a meal.'

A girl of about ten years old comes in through the door. There are two plates on a trolley that the girl is pushing.

'Thank you, Miss,'

I thank you.

It's impossible to get them to listen to you if this kid is here. I want you to leave as soon as possible after I put the food down.

The girl brought some kind of bean soup.

The beans do not require large areas of arable land and can be grown even within the walls of the city, and are eaten in every country in the world.

'What beans? Give me some meat. ......

Did they know it was pea soup from the smell? Daegan mumbles something extravagant as he gets his food brought to him. I glare at him a little.

'Nope, those beans look delicious. I'm a big fan of beans!

Maybe it was my own glare, but Daegan reiterates.

'I didn't know you liked beans ......, I thought wolves liked meat.'

The girls give me a strange look.

The girls place the soup in front of them and sit down in front of themselves.

''What?''

Why am I sitting in front of myself?

Hey, you're a bard. Sing me a song!

The girl looks at me with expectant eyes. Come to think of it, she was disguised as a bard.

'The bard who came before me had a funny song. Uncle, sing something for me too!

It hurts a little to be called an uncle. But from the point of view of a girl of this age, I may be an uncle myself.

A bard's song is a song story that tells a story to music. It can be a myth of this world, a heroic tale, a love story.

'I'm sorry ....... My instrument broke on my journey. I can't sing right now.

I show myself a broken lyre.

It is a lie. Even if it isn't broken, you can't sing. I brought a broken instrument here on purpose.

If the bard asked me to sing in disguise, I was going to show him the broken instrument to get through it.

'Eh, boring!　Everyone seems to be busy, and no one is willing to deal with me. ...... Hey, you could at least tell us something.

I'm puzzled by what the girl says.

Honestly, I'm thinking about putting her to sleep with magic, but I'm hesitant to use magic on a girl like this.

''Hmmm, I guess so ....... Well then, let me tell you about the thunder dragon that lives in the sea of clouds: ......

'The Dragon of the Cloud Sea? What is that I want to hear!

The girl's eyes sparkle.

I tell her about the thunder dragon I met before.

'Eww, that's a lie. I didn't know a dragon could give you power.

The girl doesn't believe me at all. It's true.

'But as a story it was interesting!

He laughs at me when he says that.

Yes! I get a gut punch in my mind.

It's nice to see the girl's reaction because she's been scared all the time lately.

'Hey, you need to tell me more stories, Uncle!

'Yeah, yeah, ......'

It was time to talk about the next one.

Daegan storms out.

'What's wrong?　Mr. Werewolf.

The girl asks Daegan.

'I smell it!　Here it comes, here it comes, the ogre is here!

Daegan exclaims.

'Come to think of it, there's something sweet about the smell: ......

The girl was right. Something smells sweet and good.

'The ogre kuzig is here!

Werewolves have a good nose. Perhaps it was really an ogre who came.

I was so busy talking to the girl that I forgot about it.

I get up.

Apparently, I have to move too.

◆Silone, the maiden of the sword.

What, the castle?　It's coming closer.

I go up to the window and look out.

The moon is bright and there is not a cloud in the sky, so I can see far away.

In the moonlight, something huge is approaching.

Is that a castle of sweets?

I nodded at Kyouka's words. Our eyes are so good in this world. The castle is still far away, but I can clearly see what kind of castle it is.

'Perhaps that's the Ogre Kuzig's castle. As I recall from your story, the walls are made of lepkuchen, the roof is made of confectionery, and the windows are made of crystal clear sugar. I'm not sure about the confectionery in this world, but it seems to be made of something similar.

Kaya explains.

By the way, lepkuchen is a kind of cake made with honey, spices, orange and lemon peels and nuts.

What's that? Are there ants carrying a castle?

Kyouka was right, there were a lot of ant-man Myrmidons carrying the castle of sweets around like a portable shrine.

This is ruining the fairy-tale nature of the castle.

The Castle of Sweets stops when it reaches Argoa.

You can see the castle even better when you get closer.

The spires are made of cream. The windows are filled with colorful sugar candy. Baked goods like röpkuchen on the walls. Candy lanterns make the castle of sweets float in the moonlight.

A light emerges from one of its spires. The light is distorted and projects a certain image like a screen.

It's definitely a magical image. That magical image shows a human figure.

The shadow that emerged was familiar.

''That's Kuna-sama!

Regena, who was watching with me, shouts.

Regena is right. The figure that emerges is definitely the silver-haired girl with white hair that I met in Velos.

But why is that girl in the Ogre's castle?

If you look closely, you can see what looks like an ogre at the edge of the image.

I'm not sure what it is, but it looks like it's teaming up with an ogre.

”Come on out! White!　Let's take on Kuna!　If you don't come out!　I'm going to sic those ants on that country!

The girl in the image shouts out.

I look and see myrmidons writhing around the castle of Gotashi.

'It looks like you've been appointed, Sirone.

Kyouka looks at me and says.

'It looks like ....... I guess I'll have to go if you're the nominee.'

I draw the sword from my waist.

Just as well, I wanted to talk to Kroki, but I also wanted to talk to that boy.

'It's not safe for you to be alone, Lady Shirone.

Kaya's worried about me.

'No, I'm fine. I'll run away if I'm in danger. But more importantly, Kaya-san, if Kroki comes, please hold him back!

I say and don't give Kaya time to stop me and jump out the window. Then, I put out my wings and head for the castle of the Gotashi.

As I'm flying, feathered myrmidons block my path.

''Get out of the way!

With a flash of his sword, he cuts down the Myrmidons.

'If you're going to compete!　Let's give you a ride!