"Hayashi Gen-dono, your jokes aren't very funny... Alright, let's take our leave then."
I was about to argue, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. With a sigh, I bowed and declared our departure.
"Iruka, let's go back."
"Ah... understood."
After bidding farewell to the monk, I called out to Iruka. She responded somewhat awkwardly. After greeting the monk in a similar manner, she uncomfortably followed me down the stairs of the unmarked Grave.
"...I'm not fond of that kind of old man."
"Even someone as rough as you has people they don't like?"
"Hey... what do you think of me?"
I retorted with sarcasm to Iruka's complaints, and she countered with a snap.
"At the very least, you can't be called a lady."
She's the type who sits with her legs crossed, snores loudly with drool, and takes naps during the day. She's so blunt that she wouldn't hesitate to expose her skin if necessary. Her nerves, both as a woman and as a person, are excessively thick, including her ability to boldly voice her demands without caring about the atmosphere around her.
"I know that well. ...When you tease me without any ill intent. But it's easier for me to handle when it's openly hostile."
Iruka is someone who speaks and acts impulsively, but it doesn't mean she recklessly lashes out at everyone around her. I've come to understand from my past experiences that her violence and ill intentions are directed solely towards clear 'enemies'. Therefore, even if she's teased, if she doesn't consider the other party an enemy, Iruka's fists and sharp tongue tend to lose their edge. Well, that's how it is...
"Coming from someone who caused a commotion in the capital."
"Well, what are you talking about?"
Iruka's response came with a hummed tune. It seemed like she didn't want her questionable past to resurface. Or maybe she just didn't want to be reminded of it. Well, she's quite good at humming, huh?
"By the way, what are you going to do now?"
"Hmm? Well... I don't have anything to do today since it's my day off."
I had planned this day as a rare day of rest, and I had already finished most of the necessary paperwork yesterday. There was no need to visit my subordinates for a handover; it would only burden them. As for training, it was part of my daily routine, done early in the morning. I had entrusted the cleaning of the unmarked grave to Hayashi Gen. So, there wasn't much on my schedule...
"What? Seriously? You have nothing to do? Nothing?"
When, she said so, I was slightly shocked by this fact. I had become so accustomed to work and training that I had forgotten what it meant to enjoy a day off.
"D*mn, I become a workaholic..."
I felt deeply discouraged realizing that I no longer knew how to enjoy a day off. Maybe I should just go home and sleep?
"Hey... in that case."
"Huh?"
Glancing at my dejected figure, Iruka stroked her chin and called out to me with a mischievous smile. She pointed her thumb behind her, indicating something, and a wicked grin appeared on her face.
"Just a little... come along with me."
She proposed with a sly smile, her thumb pointing towards the back.
* * *
Onitsuki Village, located at the heart of Onitsuki Valley and just a stone's throw away from the main residence of the Onitsuki family, is officially registered as a large village with a population of over 1,500 people. In reality, there are also many individuals who are not registered in the official records, and there may be even more people who migrate from several small villages scattered within Onitsuki valley for seasonal work. Regardless, although it is referred to as a village, it is closer to being a city.
Of course, while the village may be considered large as a village, its population is by no means substantial compared to average provincial or county capitals. However, thanks to the presence of high-quality spiritual veins, even in areas not as prominent as Hotoya village, the blessings of nature are abundant, and the harvest of crops is guaranteed to be plentiful.
Onitsuki village is relatively close to Shiro'oku, the largest city in the Northern region. The village benefits from good public safety, mainly because of its proximity to the ancestral home of the Onitsuki family. The residents here enjoy a relatively comfortable life compared to other villages in the area, thanks to the well-supplied market made possible by the recent opening of a branch by the Tachibana Trading Company. Back when I was an apprentice as a miscellaneous apprentice, I used to frequently visit and play with Hina.
...Well, nowadays, the only time I come down to the village is for purchasing offerings.
(Now that I've entrusted shopping and such to Magoroku)
With these thoughts in mind, I put my concealing coat (the 2nd gen) and stand on the main street of the village, gazing at the fading twilight while shifting my gaze between various directions, comparing the village scenery with memories of the past. At the same time, a bitter expression forms on my face as a consequence of my own actions.
During my days as a miscellaneous apprentice, thanks to my position and acting skills, I was able to establish reasonably good relationships with the villagers. However, after falling to the status of a low-ranking servant... Even if there's no overt malice or hostility directed towards me, I was met with disdainful glances from passersby and received indifferent treatment at shops. This is one of the reasons why I've come to rely on Magoroku for shopping and why I'm wearing the Concealing Coat (the 2nd gen) now.
"So, what's the purpose of coming all the way down to this village? Just so you know, my purse strings are tight."
"Why do you assume I'm expecting you to treat me?"
On the same main street, I direct these questions towards Iruka, who stands there with her face exposed, only hiding her wolf ears and tail with a hood and waistcloth. I can only attribute Iruka's retorts to her usual behavior.
"You've got a terrible way of speaking, huh? ...Oh, there they are!"
Iruka clicks her tongue but then starts running towards a figure she spotted among the pedestrians. And who is that person...
"Oh, Iruka? Weren't you supposed to be at home today?"
"Yeah, changed my plans."
A young girl with a hint of boyishness, adorned in a kimono and hair accessories, smiles upon seeing Iruka. She wears a genuinely joyful smile.
It's Hotoya Tamaki, smiling.
"You're such a free spirit. It would be nice if you could at least say a word."
From behind Tamaki, a maid with a stern expression appears. She reproaches Iruka's actions, but Iruka herself remains unaffected, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
(Suzune, the protagonist... So she came down to the village to play, it seems?)
Regardless of the quality of the spiritual vein, Hotoya Village had a population of around 800 in the main village alone, not to mention the surrounding small villages, which totaled around 1,200... I think. Onitsuki Valley had twice the population of a simple size, and considering the influx of people and goods due to transportation and geographical location, one could say it was even more bustling.
In the original story, Tamaki didn't know anything about the outside world until her hometown was destroyed, and in this timeline where she is a princess or young lady, she was even more sheltered. Moreover, the capital city of Hieda County not only suffered from a low population but also lacked vitality. Therefore, Onitsuki Valley appeared to be the most lively place Tamaki had ever encountered. This was evident as Tamaki looked around the village with curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Hahaha, don't say that. Humans often change their minds, you know? Well, look, I've brought a reliable ally in exchange."
"Hmm... huh?"
Iruka, who boasted so confidently, pointed at me. I was momentarily puzzled and unsettled by Iruka's actions, inadvertently tilting my neck.
Not only me, but Tamaki and the others were also confused. Perhaps due to the concealing effect of the coat, Tamaki and the others fell silent for a moment and then... hesitantly asked.
"Um... Tomobe, is that you?"
"..."
The puzzled question was probably due to the concealing coat. Could she have recognized me because of the quality of my voice in the form of a question? In any case, I answered with a bow.
Upon hearing my reply, Tamaki opened her mouth in astonishment, looking at Iruka with a puzzled expression.
"He's off duty today and have nothing else to do. Isn't it just perfect for him to be your guard and carry your luggage?"
"Wait a minute."
I was the first to interject at Iruka's suggestion. How dare she pass her work on to someone else?
"Huh?"
"Iruka, you seriously..."
Naturally, both Tamaki and Suzune were negative about Iruka's actions. Of course, Iruka had a counterargument.
"Well, you see, it's because he has nothing to do. Besides, he knows his way around here, right?"
"That's true, but..."
With a troubled and yet upward glance, Tamaki looked at me. Her appearance somehow stirred my protective instinct.
Well, even without that, I didn't have many choices to begin with.
"...If Miss Tamaki have no objections, I will gladly perform the duties of a guard and luggage carrier."
Walls have ears and sliding doors have eyes. It's better than rejecting it and having bad rumors spread from all over. No, even if I accept it, bad rumors would probably still spread, but relatively speaking, it was still better.
"Um, um... Is it okay?"
"Well, there's no other task for me to do anyway. Besides, Iruka is right. You do need a guard and someone to carry the luggage."
It took some effort to refrain from saying that it's Iruka's job.
"Well, um... Are you sure about this, Iruka?"
In a hesitant manner, Tamaki muttered and directed her question to Iruka for some reason.
"Oh? I don't really mind... Actually, it's easier for me that way. Does it bother Tamaki?"
"N-No! It's not that, it's just... Yeah. I understand, then... Sorry, but can I ask for your help?"
Tamaki nodded repeatedly, wearing a look of understanding, and finally sought confirmation. She asked with an upward gaze. Naturally, I didn't deny it.
"Hehehe, be grateful, okay? You'll be able to keep an eye on Suzune right before your eyes."
To the content whispered in my ear by Iruka, I returned a gaze that couldn't express anything...
* * *
In Onitsuki Valley Village, there are over 300 buildings of various sizes, with more than 60 of them being shops, and several stalls set up by neighboring villages and wandering peddlers. Many of them are located along the main street.
Blacksmiths are prohibited from selling weapons to anyone without authorization, so they display daily necessities such as pots and knives. The liquor store also doubles as an izakaya... Hmm... Let's pretend I didn't see the blue-haired woman chugging from a sake bottle and causing a ruckus with other customers. The Sake shop has a large mansion just like the liquor store. The bookshop, which mainly deals in rental books, secretly participates in the information control within the Onitsuki family's territory in exchange for selling tile block print (newspaper in Tokugawa period).
There are tea houses where people can enjoy sweets like dango while resting at the stall selling simmered dishes. During the winter, there is always a long line at the Sweet Red Bean Soup shop. Additionally, there are shops selling tofu, fresh produce, candies, secondhand clothing, and miscellaneous items. Interestingly, the tatami shop offers not only tatami mats but also shoji screens, pillows, and futons. Surprisingly, the ear-picking booth on the side street enjoys unexpected popularity.
In the vacant lots, there are stalls selling grilled chicken skewers (yakitori), fruits, rice cakes, senbei, and tempura made from vegetables and river fish. Traders of antiques, decorative items, and old books from outside the valley also set up shop, along with fortune tellers. In the sideshow booths, wandering performers who have obtained permission from the Onitsuki family delight the villagers with their performances, music, and magic tricks.
The streets are not only filled with shoppers, but also various other vendors. One can spot sellers offering scrap papers, ashes, wooden sandals, oils, and even live river fish kept in barrels by a fish vendor. Due to the possibility of auditors from the imperial court disguising themselves as itinerant peddlers, who travel from town to town, they are given money and sent away before entering the valley.
"Wow, there are so many shops here."
