Volume 3
Side Story 2
The Answer is
Far Away, Confirmation Comes to a Conclusion 1
Translator : PolterGlast
―At Suzuyashiro, Kabeju Province.
Naotoshi Fuwa, passing
through the ticket gate, took one glance at Kabeju Province's capital, which he
hadn't seen in six years.
"―Nothing has
changed."
"For me, this is
my first time in the capital, so everything is new.
...... It's especially
daunting to see so many people gathered here."
Naotoshi's emotion
leaked out unintentionally, but was replied to by a soft voice from behind.
After clearing his
throat with a wry smile, Naotoshi turned his attention to his wife, who was
following a step behind him.
"I see. Tae had
never visited Nanatsuo (the capital of Kukuten Province) before, huh?"
"Yes. Although it
was mentioned in the magazine, there is a difference between reading about it
and seeing it in person, where so many people come and go even though it is not
a festival."
Fuwa Tae, Naotoshi's
wife, is Ugetsu Tenzan's second cousin and one of the youngest of the Ugetsu
lineage. However, it is common knowledge that once one is separated that far
from the family, one is almost always considered to be of a different lineage,
even if one calls oneself Ugetsu.
Although she is a
relative of the first rank of the Eight Families (the Ugetsu family), Tae had a
history of marrying Naotoshi Fuwa without knowing much about the world, perhaps
because she was raised in an introverted family.
Naturally, it was Tae's
first experience to see more than a hundred people in one round of vision.
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, for a while Tae had a slight look of
fear on her face.
"Even so,
Suzuyashiro is less developed than the other capitals.
Although there are
highways and a railway system, it's still, you know..."
"The fact that
the civil war of 400 years ago is still lingering here shows how deep-rooted it
is."
Naotoshi gave
instructions to the group of Onmyoji who had passed through the ticket gate
later than Tae, and left the guide role to the official who had greeted them.
Naotoshi groaned
bitterly as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Tae, who was still frozen in
place, cowering.
"I heard that a
lot of damage took place, that it left a lingering mark on Hariin and Jinrouin,
and that the boundary between the two provinces has been narrowed considerably.
It is recorded that Fuwa was the one who started it all, so I feel awkward
about it."
"Before I married
Naotoshi-sama, I was told that men in Kabeju Province tend to be rough and
crude.
I was quite afraid of
them, but I remember how relieved I was when I meet you, Naotoshi-sama."
"Ah,
that's......."
He looked at Tae, who
was laughing lightly, with a complicated look on his face, and gently averted
his gaze.
Beyond his vision, the
sight of a muscular man loading fresh fish onto a large cart jumped into view.
He tried to look away
from the man, who resembled the very definition of a roughneck.
But even beyond that,
he could see similar men, large and small, coming and going.
Suzuyashiro is the
only place in the capital that borders the inner bay.
If Kamotsu in Shumon
Province is the gateway to the rest of the world, Suzuyashiro is the hub of
inland sea distribution.
Although the
transportation sector has been taken over by railway companies, ships are still
indispensable for large-scale transportation.
The inner bay,
protected by ocean currents and calm waves, has a thriving fishing industry,
and the sight of rough-looking men of the sea walking around is an everyday
sight in Suzuyashiro.
......Naturally, they
have the same temperament as Tae had imagined.
If one were to walk a
little to the east along the road, the ocean would soon come into view.
It was an amazing
view, so he was planning to take her sightseeing, but at this rate, it might be
better to change the destination.
While wondering where
to go for sightseeing, Naotoshi went to Fuwa's mansion in the capital.
A telegram had already
been sent beforehand.
―Fuwa Noriyori, Naotoshi's older brother, was supposed
to be waiting for him at the mansion.
♢
"Sister-in-law?"
"Display it in
the back, please! Aa, geez. There's no time.
―That husband of mine, even though I already asked him
to at least dust it."
"I believe he
already did it.
Sister-in-law, you're
way too nervous."
The moment Naotoshi
and his wife entered Fuwa's front door, they were greeted with a constant
barrage of noises.
With an almost angry
exchange of words, the relatives, whom Naotoshi was familiar with, repeatedly
took and put back the pottery and the hanging scrolls. Apparently, they had no
time to notice that Naotoshi was standing at the entrance.
Naotoshi, whose brow
furrowed, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Tae, who looked on dumbfounded, and
calmly called out to her.
"......Sister-in-law,
what are you doing?"
"N-Naotoshi-san!?
How long have you been there!?"
A startled voice
traversed the room and the residents of the mansion stopped moving.
*Clack*. Silence
overtook the commotion, which was not even New Year's, and the framed picture
hanging on the wall fell down from the recoil.
Silence lingered over
the unsettling reunion, and then a large man appeared from the back of the
mansion.
"Oh, you're here.
It's been a while, Naotoshi. Come on up."
"―Yes.
It's been a while, brother."
A
man dressed in a modest kimono who would hardly be recognized as a member of
the noble family, Fuwa Noriyori, the head of the Fuwa family, gave Naotoshi a
greeting with a sour expression that did not reveal a hint of hospitality.
Upon entering
Noriyori's study, a dusty stale smell, probably because the room was rarely
used, hit their noses.
Perhaps it was because
of the smell he had grown accustomed to since his father's reign, but it
suddenly brought a sense of nostalgia to Naotoshi's heart.
"This study
hasn't changed either. You haven't touched it much, have you, brother?"
"Hm? ......Yeah.
Every time I stopped by the capital, I'd give you a talk about the ideal study.
―Did you remember that?"
"I thought that
since you were flaunting your talent so majestically, you must have a
glittering piece of brocade on your wall.
―I was rather anxious, but that was the reason I missed
this unaltered room so much."
Noriyori cleared his
throat and sat down, perhaps remembering the old days.
Naotoshi gazed
dazzledly at Noriyori's figure, who had replaced his father, sitting in the
same seat where his father had sat before his death.
"Since I became
the head of the family, I use the mansion less and less,
There is no need to
spend money on a room that I rarely have a chance to sit in twice a year.
―I'll leave that ambition to my son's generation."
"As
I recall, when our father heard your speech, he gave you a rather lukewarm
stare."
Did
he? In response to Noriyori's blank stare, Naotoshi suppressed a smile that was
about to slip out.
In
the past, when they dropped by Suzuyashiro's mansion, their Father's study was
always a topic of conversation among them.
The
room is not even spacious enough to be called a study, but is a simple room
with only a small table and a writing utensil. Even today, the only new thing
in the room is a foreign pen lying on the table.
The
family may be on the decline, but they are still one of the Eight Families. At
the time, Noriyori was blabbing about his ideal study, saying that it would be
nice to have at least one study where he could be absorbed in his hobbies.
―Although their father was always
strict, remembering the way their father warmly supported the older brother, he
must have once been determined to do the same thing.
Naotoshi,
too, was able to recognize his father's feelings after all these years when he
saw this room.
"It's not a sake,
but... ―well, have a drink."
"I appreciate
it."
Noriyori poured water
from the iron kettle into a teacup and gave it to him, which he drank down in
one gulp.
The nostalgic fresh
water, which had a slight sea fragrance, permeated into his weary body after
the long journey.
"I understand
that the Samidare territory cannot spare any more time.
However, please convey
my thanks to the Lord of Ugetsu for agreeing to the contract and providing us
with Onmyojis."
"Indeed, Kokuten
Province is currently facing troubles, and Kabeju Province, which is located
downstream, is no exception.
......I heard that
Hakudō Province, which is located upstream of Kokuten Province, also suffered
from the stagnation of the dragon veins, but the number of Onmyojis there is
second only to Kokuten Province. Now that the situation has calmed down, the
Lord of Ugetsu understands that Kabeju Province is the one that urgently needs
to be resolved."
"That's good
then. ......What about the Onmyojis?"
"Tomorrow, they
will begin purifying the dragon veins. Based on the density of the miasma, it
will take about half a month to complete the purification.
―Don't worry, we'll have it under control by the time
of the Kannamesai Festival."
"Very well."
Noriyori
breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Naotoshi's comforting words.
The
problem of the miasma seemed to have calmed down before it showed any signs of
escalation.
The
current situation seemed to be in a lull. This will allow them to survive the
upcoming autumn harvest.
Despite being a
guardian of wood-element, Naotoshi is strongly devoted to the art of
Onmyoujutsu, and has finally made up his mind to settle down in Kokuten
Province's Ugetsu.
Noriyori took a
probing glance at his younger brother, who had a tendency to get himself into
trouble, perhaps due to his good nature.
"Naotoshi, the
next head of Ugetsu ...... was it Souma-kun? I heard that he has joined the
teaching staff."
"Ah. Since it's
not something worth talking about, I didn't include it in the letter.
Are you worried about
something?"
"Well, it's not
that I'm worried. I just think it's a little weird."
"Weird?
......Besides, did you ever have a chance to get acquainted with him?"
Noriyori shook his
head slightly as he tilted the kettle and poured water into his own teacup.
He has never met him.
As far as he has heard, there is no bad reputation either.
He looked into his
behavior at Tenryō Academy and found that he was the very epitome of a
brilliant and quick-witted boy.
"Three years ago,
I sent a letter to Lord Tenzan, hoping to meet him in time for our father's
death."
"Oh......."
He remembered. It was
really bad fortune, as the death of Fuwa's head coincided with the death of
Ugetsu's former Mistress.
In other words, it was
also the time of Ugetsu Akira's banishment and the transfer of teaching to
Souma.
A very sensitive time.
Naotoshi Fuwa, in concession to Tenzan, who was afraid of information leakage,
was forced to bid farewell to his parent's death in a distant place.
"It can't be
helped. Ugetsu Touji's life is at its end, and father's is- ......"
"That's fine. I
had my doubts about whether you'd be able to come when I sent the letter in the
first place.
......However, looking
back on it, I did have my suspicions."
"Did you find anything
strange?"
"Naotoshi. Your
current position must have been rather ambiguous, since your request for the
relinquishment of the Fuwa surname has been refused, so your position in
Amezuki must be in considerable jeopardy at this point, right?"
Naotoshi only nodded
bitterly in affirmation of Noriyori's point.
He has repeatedly
petitioned Hariin and Ugetsu for permission to relinquish the Fuwa surname, but
he has not received permission from either of them.
It was probably
because Ugetsu could not obtain Hariin's approval, but the reason for Hariin's
refusal to permit it was unclear.
In particular, this
matter has been making his wife, Tae, feel very uncomfortable.
He'd like to do
something to resolve the problem, but he hasn't been able to make any progress
in the matter.
"I know it's
going to be a problem if things continue like this."
"That’s it."
Naotoshi lifted his
gaze at the muttered words.
While sipping from his
teacup, Noriyori looked over at Naotoshi, who looked surprised.
"Regardless of
the process, you are not trusted.
Even if without
considering Ugetsu's current situation, it is not difficult to conclude that
they don't trust you."
"It's not
something we can say with certainty, but it is what it is."
"But on the other
hand, you are in charge of teaching their next head.
......This is
important. Being in charge here is like a guarantee of becoming a chief vassal
in the future."
Indeed. Although he
did not notice it because it was an option he was not particularly interested
in, Naotoshi's lineage is Fuwa, the 8th rank among the Eight Families, which is
a precarious position. On the other hand, he was also entrusted with such a
task, which made it easier for him to build a relationship of trust.
"Moreover,
experience must be highly valued when it comes to teaching the next head of the
family.
Given Tenzan-dono's
character, you would not even be an option if you didn't have a solid track
record to support it."
"..........................."
Although Noriyori had
never met Souma, he had conversed with Tenzan several times since he became the
head of the Fuwa family.
Naturally, he was
familiar with Tenzan's personality, which was evident in their conversations.
For better or worse,
he has the typical character of the head of the Eight Families. If that were
the case, Naotoshi would not be even an option if he appeared to be defective.
Officially, Ugetsuki
Souma was the first person Naotoshi was entrusted with the guidance of.
However, it was also
true that, given Tenzan's character, unless there was a precedent there, it
should be viewed with skepticism.
Naotoshi was forced to
be silent, but Noriyori waved his hand in the air as if he was unconcerned.
"―Sorry.
Honestly, it's just my way of nagging.
Father never thought
you'd go practicing Onmyoujutsu to the extent of leaving the province.
He was worried about
you even on his deathbed, and this is my way of getting back at you.
......Don't take it so
seriously."
"I'm sorry,
brother."
"Once you've
calmed down, show your face to Takamura territory and visit his grave.
Tenzan-dono won't be
so stingy as to forbid you from offering even a single incense stick."
"Very
well."
"Today,
Yoshino was getting too worked up. ......
That's what the ruckus was about earlier.
And
since she's been to the market buying snapper, tonight's meal will be
sumptuous. You can look forward to it."
Noriyori
stood up while laughing and put his hand on the sliding door to go outside.
His
figure overlapped with that of Tenzan, whom Naotoshi had met the other day.
―A question that had never occurred to
him before naturally popped into his mind.
"Speaking
of which, brother.
―Do you know what Kanna-no-Mikura
is?"
"......Where
did you hear that from?"
As
if convulsed, the hand on the sliding door stopped.
Naotoshi kept talking,
oblivious to the slight change in Noriyori's voice.
"It's from
Tenzan-dono. When I asked him about it, he evaded my question, so I was just a
little curious."
"It makes sense.
Since you are a direct descendant of the Fuwa family, he got a little bit
careless."
"So you know what
it means?"
There was no hint of
probing in Naotoshi's tone.
Deciding that no lie
had been uttered, Noriyori let out a deep breath.
He retraced his steps
and sat back down facing Naotoshi.
This was the first
time Naotoshi had ever seen Noriyori so troubled.
"Kanna-no-Mikura
is an oral tradition that only the heads of the Eight Families and the next
heads of the Eight Families are allowed to disclose.
It is not normally
allowed to be spoken, especially for the Fuwa family, we must be discreet in
this matter."
"...... Seems to
be a pretty serious matter."
Tenzan's tone of voice
at that time did not seem that serious, yet the shadows falling on Noriyori's
emotions revealed unusual tension.
"Quite so. ―But I
think the Fuwa family should be made a little more familiar with this
knowledge.
After all, this is the
origin of the civil war 400 years ago."
"That's enough.
......It's probably better if I don't know about it."
"Honestly, ―I
can't decide.
It's like asking me to
guess the outcome of a die.
...... But I think at
least you should know. It's a good insurance in case we lose the oral
tradition."
Noriyori responded in
a complaining tone, reminding Naotoshi, who was hesitant, not to say otherwise.
Naotoshi straightened
his posture expecting something serious.
Fuwa's mansion
remained quiet for less than a quarter of an hour.
A messenger carrying
urgent news flew out frantically from Fuwa's mansion to Hariin.
―It was not a few moments later that the brothers of
Fuwa, with serious expressions on their faces, headed shoulder to shoulder
toward Hariin.
♢
―Same day, Shumon Province, Ōtoriyama.
At Kihoin's main
residence.
*Clang*. The pottery
touched each other, and the rich aroma swam fragrantly through Shion's stuffed
office.
Through the smoky
steam, Shion turned an emotionless smile toward the person standing on the
other side.
"Black tea is
quite an aromatic tea, indeed. It has a peculiar taste, but it has little
bitterness and will be popular here as well."
"This is the
second best.
......Baratush Trading
Co. is part of what gave it its current reputation.
I'm a coffee drinker,
so I don't know much about it, but I can understand why Ron Country is so
obsessed with it."
"Don't jest.
Isn't what Ron Country wants the gold vein?
I heard that the
demand for gold is increasing on the Western Tomoe Continent."
Upon hearing Shion's
point, the girl in front of her shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
Who knows what and to
what extent? They gauge each other's level of knowledge from the edges of
casual conversation.
Shion was aware that
the person in front of her was a skilled politician, even though she was not
yet old enough.
"I won't deny it,
but that's not the only reason.
...... We must show
the light of mercy, even though we are pagans, so that we may spread the light
of our divine pillar's authority throughout the world."
"Right. We have
done a lot of investigation regarding last month's incident. ...... Were you
incited by an aberration and treated as a pawn to be discarded for good?
But I was surprised to
see how quickly your country has adjusted to the new situation.
―Benedetta-san."
"This is the
first time I have officially visited Takamagahara.
―Although not affiliated with the [Holy Church of
Ariadne], I have heard about Vincenzo Ambrosio's circumstances. Even though he
was excommunicated, he was a fellow member of the same prestigious order, so I
would like to return his remains to his hometown."
This is her first
official entry to the country, as she had not yet changed her position as an
inquisitor a month ago.
Benedetta Casalini,
brushing aside Shion's strong sarcasm, smiled without hints.
"This is a minor
question, but how did you get Kuga Houri to trust you enough to connect you to
Kihoin? I know he is supposed to be very strict in that regard."
"I've given him a
fair amount of compensation for the disturbance caused by Sir Ambrosio.
...... However, I
can't really call it a relationship of trust. He didn't exactly say yes, but he
didn't reject me either."
Is that so? Shion kept
up an air of hearing this information while only smiling.
Perhaps because the
other party was so insistent on Kanna-no-Mikura's matter that she felt somehow
displeased with it.
How could they just
show up at this troublesome time of the year?
Shion gazed at the
blonde-haired, blue-eyed miko standing in front of her while maintaining a
strange curiosity.
"Establishment of
formal diplomatic relations with Vansuir. Establishment of a military alliance
and an exchange program to keep pace between the nations.
...... These sure are
very grand arrangements, but won't these upset your own country?"
"Fortunately, we
have a moderate group of politicians. There will be few people who will be
upset due to the relationship with a mere island nation across the
continent."
"Ah, I heard that
the papal election was underway.
Did you manage to get
rid of Sir Sorrentino?"
"Without a hitch.
Now that authority has been returned to the Casarini family, the people's
dissatisfaction will subside."
Is this her way of
getting back at me?
Shion was not pleased
with how Benedetta described it, but a fact is a fact.
She only felt a twitch
in her expression and kept up appearances to let the subject slide.
―I hope that I had made the other party a little wary
by implying that I had information about the Papal election.
"What do you
think? I'm confident that a long-term relationship with Vansuir is necessary as
an investment for the future."
"......You seem
to be highly valuing us. I thought that the Western Tomoe Continent would be
more interested in Baratush?"
"We are not so
interested in Takamagahara's culture.
I even think your
nation is trying to catch up with us regarding that.
...... However, the
depth of knowledge about the divine realm is different. As the Iron Age is
beginning to dawn, the knowledge to sustain the Divine Realm is something that
we absolutely need."
"......Is that
your purpose?"
"Yes, the
concession to Vansuir must be decided by the entire Takamagahara.
Could you please
convey our request to Tsukinomiya? I have heard that Tsukinomiya has the
authority to make decisions regarding the knowledge of the Divine Era."
―Certainly.
Shion groaned inwardly
in understanding.
Even now, official
interactions with foreign countries are limited only to Kamotsu.
When it comes to
establishing formal diplomatic relations with Vansuir, Shumon Province cannot
simply carry on by itself.
Unless Tsukinomiya
gives its approval and the burden and rights are shared among all five
provinces, the disparity in rights could, in the worst-case scenario, create
unnecessary strife in Takamagahara.
"....... Very
well. I'll try to contact Tsukinomiya.
We'll arrange a
private train to Central Province, so please wait a while."
"Thank you.
―Ah, right."
"Anything
else?"
"Can we nominate
a student for the exchange program to study abroad?"
"I have the right
to veto, so I don't see the problem."
Unable to grasp the
intent behind it, Shion nonchalantly nodded her head in agreement.
Benedetta, perhaps
satisfied with the response, flashed a flowery smile.
"Wonderful.
―I would like to invite Akira-san to Vansuir, and I was
hoping you could help me persuade him."
"......I heard
that he had already rejected that invitation, though."
Is that the real
intention behind the persistent effort to include the exchange program? Shion's
mouth twitched in irritation at the provocative and blatant solicitation.
The shadow of women
will never cease in Akira's future life. If even a foreign noble lineage were
to make a move on him, Shuka's emotions would be shaken to the core.
"I think it's
because he was hesitant to move to Vansuir. If it were just a few years, and in
exchange for cutting-edge knowledge, there would be no reason to refuse.
It will only add a
touch of color to Akira's love story. ...... Well, I think it would be an
attractive option for the royal family of Vansuir to have a drop of
Takamagahara blood dripping into their lineage."
"I must remind
you once again, it is Akira-san who will be the one to decide."
"Of course. Free
love is the way of the next generation, and I would love for him to be the
symbol of that."
Shion snorted
inwardly.
There was no doubt
that Benedetta was speaking from her heart. However, although she appeared to
be giving them the option of free love, in reality, she was only offering them
one option.
But is that really the
case with Takamagahara as well? In the first place, Takamagahara has no intention
of giving Akira this suggestion from the very beginning.
When presented with an
extremely large number of choices, human beings tend to settle on the one they
are familiar with.
If one makes a number
of narrow choices, one will eventually end up with the same result.
Love is a process, but
affection is an outcome.
The end result is
already in their grasp. As long as that was the case, Shumon Province's victory
would be assured.
"Fine, I promise
that after negotiations with Tsukinomiya, if everything is settled, I will set
up a meeting with Akira-san for you."
"Thank you.
...... That assurance is enough for now."
Benedetta responded to
Shion's superficial affirmation with another superficial one.
They exchanged smiles
that were so gracious that it was hard to tell that something was wrong, and
the two, who carried the prestige of their respective nation on their
shoulders, continued to negotiate amicably.
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