Chapter 68 – Come Together (2/2)

While saying “You should listen more closely to what people tell you”, the eyeball flies off due to Hifumi pulling out the katana and shaking the blood off it.

At the same time as the dead soldier fell, screams rose from the surroundings.

“Shut up!” (Hifumi)

Due to Hifumi’s roar, the people, who tried to escape, stopped their feet as well.

The other soldiers came rushing over as well. From the fact that all of them are wearing a similar-looking leather armour, Hifumi understands that apparently are soldiers of Horant.

A single one among them stepped forward and looked at the collapsed soldier.

“… What the heck is this about?” (Soldier)

“I killed him because he came slashing at me with his drawn sword.” (Hifumi)

He is holding the drawn katana in his right hand.

“I will ask once again, what are you doing? Though, judging by appearance, it seems there are two choices to pay money to pass through or otherwise be sent away.” (Hifumi)

“We are prohibiting the travel that hasn’t been approved by either the king or a feudal lord. Only those paying the price to obtain permission can go on!” (Soldier)

Throwing out his chest as if trying to daunt him, the soldier stares at Hifumi atop his horse. In a casual manner he puts his hand on the sword at his waist.

“Permission, eeh… ?” (Hifumi)

Hifumi surveyed the uneasy looking commoners in a circle.

“However, doesn’t it seem like there isn’t any guy handing over such official papers? In short, I wonder if it’s a story of giving a bribe? Do it more boldly.” (Hifumi)

Hifumi, who laughed scornfully without warning, continues further on,

“So, even setting those guys aside, are you going to take money from me as well?” (Hifumi)

“Tsk. Bastard, tell me your name and aim! Whether you pass through depends on the amount of money.” (Soldier)

“If you are a citizen of Horant, it is only natural to repay us for working for the sake of the country.” Continuing to listen to the words of the soldier, Hifumi ended up being unable to contain a loud laughter.

“Ahahahaha! What bad luck! I’m not a citizen of Horant.” (Hifumi)

He took out the traffic permit signed by Imeraria from his pocket.

“I’m a noble of Orsongrande. Since I want to return to my territory, hurry up and open the way.” (Hifumi)

The soldier, who took a long hard look at the document, opened the path while shivering in anger or fluster.

Just as he reached a position, where he was surrounded by the soldier, Hifumi stopped his horse and turned his sight towards the people, who were on the highway.

“Ah, which reminds me, I’m one of the feudal lords as well. The place is known as Tohno territory which has the city Fokalore as its core, but…” (Hifumi)

The people, who heard the name Fokalore of the Tohno territory, began to suddenly get noisy. If the story of the merchant was true, they were headed towards that place.

“If you are going there, you will be welcome. As Earl Hifumi Tohno, a noble affiliated with Orsongrande, I’m approving your passage as applicants. Of course, free of charge.” (Hifumi)

The people almost raised their voices in joy due to Hifumi, who unexpectedly proposed this matter on his own accord, however a soldier was the first to raise his voice.

“Don’t screw around! What are you pulling here as noble of a foreign country!?” (Soldier)

“However, didn’t you say any noble and any feudal lord before?” (Hifumi)

Though it is completely a sophism, it will be perfectly fitting if the goal is to provoke them, Hifumi is smiling.

“All of you, draw your swords! This guy is a criminal who only calls himself a noble!” (Soldier)

Upon those words every soldier present drew their sword.

“You drew them, eh?” (Hifumi)

Looking around by turning in a circle, Hifumi made sure that all soldiers set up their swords and muttered a single question.

Promptly jumping off the horse, he bisects a single soldier without hesitation.

While standing up, he wards off another’s sword to the side and slices him with a reverse hassou stance. (T/N: Now this one was a major pain to translate. The way he kills the soldier is a kendo move called suriage [gives a point in a kendo match], describing the motion fully is way difficult so your best choice is to watch a video or a kendo anime. The hassou no kamae is a stance of having the sword grabbed with both hands and raising it upwards at one side near the shoulder, now do the reverse and you got it… whatever that would actually mean in kendo stances)

As the encirclement was broken by two soldiers having collapsed, he let the horse get away.

“Hey, if you draw, you have to slash. If you hold your weapons, you have to kill.” (Hifumi)

“Gugugu… get him!” (Soldier)

The soldier, with a deep red face, chose to have them, including himself as well, slash at Hifumi at the same time, but the outcome was something tragic.

Some have their heads sent flying, some are dumbfounded at having their bellies sliced and are staring at the sight of their own organs spilling out and some have fainted in agony due to losing their limbs…

The last remaining soldier came assaulting with his sword in total desperation, however having him drop the sword by striking its middle part with the left hand, Hifumi makes a full revolution holding the katana and cuts off the lower part of the soldier’s right arm.

“Aguu…” (Soldier)

While shedding large quantities of blood from his arms, the fallen soldier before long dies of blood loss.

The people, who saw the entire spectacle unfold, are looking at Hifumi with completely frightened facial expressions.

“Good grief…” (Hifumi)

At the time he put his katana back into its scabbard after wiping it with a paper, the soldier, who had his arm loped off, died.

“Because my area’s territorial soldiers will come here a few days later, it’s fine for you talk to them if you feel like it. Rather than those fellows, they will treat you properly, probably.” (Hifumi)

Hifumi, who found the horse that had come back, ran up to the horse in joy and gently brushed it. Once he nimbly mounted it, he quickly went his way.

While the people, ending up not having to pay any money, don’t comprehend what has just happened, they pull themselves together and continue walking.

☺☻☺

“Am I fated to be chased by work no matter where I go… ?” (Sabnak)

If it was to be like this, it would have been alright to rest at the place of brother-in-law for a bit longer, Sabnak lamented in his newly provided office within the king’s castle.

At the same time as Sabnak returned to the capital, an official ceremony was held for the first founding of the Royal Knight Order due to Imeraria’s coronation. The captain was Sabnak and the vice-captain was Vaiya. Several people were chosen from each, the Second and Third Knight Order.

Consolidating all the remaining knights, those were reshuffled into an organisation that was merely called knight order. The former captain of the Third Knight Order, Lotomago, was appointed as its captain and there were three vice-captains including Midas.

There is no hierarchical relationship between the two knight orders. The main duty of the Royal Knight Order is the protection of the royalty as well as the castle. The knight order leads the army to maintain the public order and for military activities.

Having been appointed in a hurry, Sabnak was dressed in the new order’s uniform that was handed to him by Imeraria herself. The first assigned task for him is to draft and practise the security protocol of the coming coronation ceremony. It was major task.

“Why is there so much work?” (Sabnak)

Having dispatched Phyrinion to the Fokalore territory as my replacement, I feel relieved in my heart, but being responsible for that side might have been better if it’s like this, he clearly judges.

At any rate, since it is a fresh unit that has been formed just recently, let alone cooperation, the order’s members just finished meeting their comrades. No matter how much Imeraria is the only protection subject, I can’t help but feel there will security holes in this wide royal castle and its surroundings even if I wrack my brain devising a plan.

“Excuse me.” (Maid)

The one to enter the office was the new maid, who was assigned to Sabnak.

“A letter has arrived from Royal Knight Order Vice-Captain Vaiya.” (Maid)

“Ah, thanks.” (Sabnak)

The given letter was a rolled up parchment having a thorough wax seal.

“What!? Such exaggeration…” (Sabnak)

While tearing off the wax and reading the contents, Sabnak spilled tears.

The letter from Vaiya states that while waiting for Hifumi in Fokalore following Imeraria’s instruction, there are requests from other fiefs flooding in to train their soldiers and educate their civil officials. He lightly and in a comprehensible way writes that even the former Vichy territories are in the process of switching over to the same political system as Fokalore. At the end he wrote to report about the “Engagement to Phyrinion-san” to report about it to his superior officer, Sabnak.

“What the hell is this? Though I’m not able to enjoy food and women as I’m busily running about…” (Sabnak)

“Captain-sama.” (Maid)

“Isn’t this way of calling me weird? So, what is it?” (Sabnak)

As he asks while holding a handkerchief to his eyes, the maid says expressionlessly,

“If you like, you can join me for dinner?” (Maid)

“… Won’t you stop it, if it’s out of pity?” (Sabnak)

“No, it isn’t.” (Maid)

This maid is outrageous, he shook his head.

“I just wondered whether this was a chance to gain money and power by marrying a rich and powerful man.” (Maid)

Sabnak cried. (T/N: Owned, lol)