Chapter 144 – Psychosocial (1/2)

From time to time a person’s actions are incapable of being in line with the aspirations and imaginations of another person. What should or should not happen in the end goes no further than being disconnected from someone’s wishes.

It’s the same with many things. Imeraria’s order (or wish) also ended up being futile and in vain.

“It became somewhat noisy. Did something happen, Sabnak-san?” (Imeraria)

“Uuh, Origa-san…” (Sabnak)

Sabnak served as host of Viine and the others instead of Vaiya who was busy with the preparations for the planned arrival of the reinforcement’s main forces from behind.

On the way leading them to the tents for visitors, which were prepared from the spares, they ended up suddenly coming across Origa who carried baggage she bought in Münster.

Viine’s group, who doesn’t know about Origa, turns their looks towards Sabnak in search of an explanation as no one understands the beautiful girl who appeared in front of their eyes. However, Sabnak isn’t in a situation where he can respond to that.

“U-Umm…”

“Did you decide on some strategy? And, the people over there are… well, beastmen and an elf? It’s the first time I’m seeing either, but what’s wrong?” (Origa)

Sabnak had not come up with even a bit of explanation in the case that Origa got in touch with the beastmen. Since he had wanted to ponder on it slowly later on, he had yet to determine if he will try to bounce opinions off of Imeraria to obtain a fine-tuned integrated whole

Being abandoned by Sabnak who became pale while dripping sweat, Viine’s group bowed.

“Nice to meet you. I’m the rabbit beastman Viine. I came from the slums of Swordland on the other side of the wastelands.”

“Oh, how very polite. I’m the wife of Fokalore’s feudal lord Earl Tohno, Origa.”

“Ah, you are master’s madam! Wanting to go to master’s place, I came to this place!” (Viine)

“Eh?” (Origa)

“Eh?” (Viine)

Watching Origa and Viine staring at each other, Sabnak looked up to the distant sky while thinking if it was the period when I was a low-ranking knight, I would have likely run away long ago already.

The person himself didn’t realize that his own right foot had started escaping by one step.

◆◇◆

“I see, you were bought by my husband in the wastelands?” (Origa)

“Yes, I was immediately released after that, in addition to that I received education and an environment where I could live safely… wanting to return this favour somehow, I thought that I should meet with master.” (Viine)

Inside a guest tent a conversation began in a harmonious atmosphere by the guests receiving black tea personally served by Origa, and Caim’s special baked sweets.

The males of the beastmen admire Hifumi’s wife, Origa, as a beauty. Puuse and Viine talk about the events up till now. Sabnak pondered whether he should go inform Imeraria, but decided to confirm the outcome of this conversation first. During the flow of these talks I might have to protect the beastmen by risking my own well-being.

(This is another battlefield, I guess? Though it’s also a strange matter to interfere with the love affairs of others. Ah, if Shibyura was here, I could have consulted with her. I want to go home soon.) (Sabnak)

He takes a sip of black tea while feeling like crying. Just as said by Origa, who discovered the fine tea leaves in Münster, it has a refreshing sweetness.

“S-So, I accompanied Viine-san to make it possible for her to meet with Hifumi-san. There’s something I want to talk about as well.”

“I believe that I want to serve at master’s side, if possible. I also reached the point of being able to use magic after keeping at it. I will take care of him and even use this body as a shield in an emergency.” (Viine)

“Really?” (Origa)

Origa, who emptied the cup slowly in order to make sure of the black tea’s flavour, watched Viine pleading desperately and smiled sweetly.

“If you are saying that you will be able to serve as maid of my husband, of Hifumi-sama, I will welcome that. However, there’s one thing you should know. And that’s a condition I want you to honour.” (Origa)

“W-What might that be?” (Viine)

“What you should know is what Hifumi-sama is aiming for. … You, do you have the resolve to kill someone else for Hifumi-sama?” (Origa)

Whispering that while still smiling, it’s said in a light tune completely as if asking someone about their hobby while bearing a weight similar to a final trial.

“Kil-…” (Puuse)

That mood. The mood of not hesitating even a little about stealing life, lightly and easily as if fluttering in the wind.

Puuse, who sensed in Origa once more what she had felt in Hifumi, became speechless.

However, Viine’s resolve is firm.

“There’s no problem. I decided to practise for that reason.” (Viine)

“Is that so?” (Origa)

Feeling that the pressure from Origa has calmed down somewhat, even the male group, who was tense, dropped their shoulders.

“Umm, What’s this one other condition?” (Viine)

“That’s simple. Viine-san, you just said that you will take care of Hifumi-sama by even sacrificing your body, didn’t you?” (Origa)

“Yes, of course.” (Viine)

“That’s my duty. Please do so once my life has been extinguished for the sake of Hifumi-sama, if you are going to do it.” (Origa)

With Origa showing any signs of listening to a reply, she faced Sabnak once she finished declaring that.

“Sabnak-san.” (Origa)

“Y-Yes!” (Sabnak)

“So, can I have you tell me the reason why this encampment has become this noisy?” (Origa)

“Uuh… I got it…” (Sabnak)

After that, the beastmen, who finished meeting with Alyssa as well, were taken charge of by a person from Fokalore and not from Imeraria’s side.

☺☻☺

“The matter, which is most important above all, is knowing faster than your enemy does”, Hifumi explains.

The one who listens attentively is a magic researcher of Horant, a young man called Gaap. Having been summoned to the room of Horant’s Prime Minister Kuzemu, he listens to the conversation in the prime ministers office alongside assistants he brought along.

“How and where will the opponent enter? Did they get close? What equipment are they using? You probably understand that it’s advantageous even if you only know those things in advance.” (Hifumi)

“Yes. However, there are sentries and patrols for that reason. They are guarding while checking the vicinity with a magic light tool.” (Gaap)

“Then that means it will be over once they are done in. Just like the current situation.” (Hifumi)

“That is… something called individual ability. There won’t be any problem if the sentries are stronger or if the assailant is a lot weaker.” (Gaap)

“You idiot.” (Hifumi)

Due to the voice of Hifumi, who interrupted Gaap’s words, even Kuzemu, who is working at a separate desk, trembled.

“You have to consider it from much higher level than individual strength. Basically think of it as “something even an idiot can do” in case of the masses.” (Hifumi)

“For example”, he pulls out a suitable parchment from Kuzemu’s desk and flips it over.

Drawing two circles, he flicked it with a finger.

“There were magic tools where one is broken if its counterpart is destroyed, right? Making it more fragile and preparing two of them, You install one of them at the front of the body of the guy on duty. By doing that, even if the wearer got defeated by something before sending a signal, those inside the building would be informed of the abnormality by the counterpart breaking.” (Hifumi)

Drawing a diagonal line through one of the circles, he added an X-mark to the other one.

“I-Indeed.” (Gaap)

“It’s the same with physical defence. If it’s the walls of this castle, I can climb them barehanded.” (Hifumi)

“Normally that’s impossible.” (Gaap)

“But, aren’t you able to accomplish that easily if magic is used?” (Hifumi)

“Nevertheless, if it’s disrupted, a loud sound will…” (Gaap)

“It’s something else. Is there anyone amongst you who can use earth magic?” (Hifumi)

One of the assistants raises their hand due to Hifumi’s question.

Facing that man, Hifumi made a gap of around 40 cm with his hands and showed him.

“Then, how long will it take for a soldier to create a hand-sized stone of this size?” (Hifumi)

“I-If it’s one per soldier, as much as 30 seconds.”

“In that case, at least the soldiers of this place will be able to have them on hand if they have several minutes of time, right?” (Hifumi)