Volume 8 Chapter 11 Samurai
Samurai.
Two strong men with traditional topknots and 2 women in long ponytails wearing kimonos surrounded Elk and Yato. All 4 had 2 swords at their waists. Yato whispered that only Samurai were allowed to carry 2 swords.
The 4 of them were closing in on Elk and Yato. A child, who claimed to be their son, stepped back to watch.
"Hand over your wallet. You don't want to get hurt, right?"
"Um..."
Now, what to do?
Then, Yato said quietly.
"This is Yamato country. Plus, if you pick a fight with government Samurai, it'll be a big problem. Even if we are messengers from the Galatinne Kingdom, it doesn't matter... this is how it is here."
"What should we do? I don't want to give them my wallet."
"I don't want to either Elk. Killing them would be easy, but..."
"Oh, right."
Elk took out a coin purse from his pocket.
He handed it to the Samurai, who snatched it and checked the contents.
"Huh? Is this all you have? If you came from another country, you should have more!! You're not hiding anything, are you!?"
"No, no, I got robbed by bandits on the way here. I barely made it here alive."
"...What do you think?"
The Samurai in front of Elk asked the female Samurai beside him.
"That's a lie. They're hiding a wallet."
"What?"
"Hey, you know about 'ability,' right? This one's ability is 'Insight,' level 20. She can tell if you're lying or not. You... were lying, weren't you?"
"Oh no, I got caught."
Elk flicked his fingers, and the coin purse returned from the Samurai's hand to Elk's hand.
Yato sighed and reluctantly reached for a weapon from her weapon ring, but Elk stopped her.
"...?"
"Leave it to me."
"You!! How dare you mock a Samurai!! I'll sentence you to death!!"
Elk raised his index finger and activated Telekinesis.
The 4 Samurai reached for their swords, trying to draw them───... but.
""""!?""""
They couldn't draw their swords. Not only that, their sandals were stuck to the ground. Even more, their mouths were tightly shut, and they couldn't speak.
Elk addressed the male Samurai.
"I'm sorry for the trouble. Um, can you forgive us?"
"I, I can't!! I won't forgive... you! ...!?!?"
The Samurai's mouth opened on its own, his throat moved without his control, and his voice came out involuntarily.
The Samurai's voice was loud and could be heard by the nearby residents.
Elk bowed his head and smiled.
"Thank you!! And you, kid... I'm sorry."
"Eek..."
"Well, let's go. Let's get something to eat."
"Okay."
Elk and Yato left the scene as if nothing had happened.
By the way, the Samurai were able to move again only after midnight.
* * *
While having lunch, Elk and Yato were talking.
They were eating ramen, and of course, the topic was the Samurai from earlier.
Elk slurped the noodles and said,
"So that's what Samurai are like... mmm, this noodle is delicious."
"Because the government is backing them. It's common not to pay for food or shopping, and if they bump into someone, they might get cut down without question. Seriously... both the Samurai and the Kushinada family, they're hopeless."
"...Isn't that your family?"
"That's an old story. I'm from Yamato, but I don't think of this crappy country as my hometown. My family isn't from the Kushinada family; they're from the Shikiba family."
"Shikiba family..."
"They're a family of mercenaries. I went to the battlefield as a member of the Kushinada family. But I thought it was a chance to trick the Kushinada family... so I faked my death and escaped. I messed up a bit, and it was the Shikiba family who saved me."
"Wow..."
"I was saved and lived with them while working as mercenaries. After some time, I left the Shikiba family, took the entrance exam for Galatine Royal Academy, and became a student."
"You've been through a lot too."
Elk finished his noodles and drank the soup.
Yato elegantly scooped the soup with a spoon and drank it.
"But... I was found. Kaya, who came as an exchange student, got a mission. They want her to bring me back..."
"...Are you going back?"
"Don't make me say it again. I have no intention of going back, and I came here to end my ties with the Kushinada family. I'll say it clearly. I'm now Yato of the Shikiba family."
"...Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah. There's a chance of fighting, but... Elk, I'm counting on you."
"Me...?"
"Hehe. Just kidding."
Yato smiled mischievously and finished the remaining soup.
* * *
In Yamato, at the Assassin Headquarters attached to the Assassin Training Center.
Kaya and Akane were at the headquarters.
They headed to the director's office.
When they knocked on the door, a stern female voice said from inside, "Come in."
They entered and saluted.
"I'm Kaya from the Oniwabans group (Protectors of the Noble House). I've returned temporarily."
"I'm Akane, the captain of the First Assassin Unit. I've returned now."
"Good work."
The woman standing by the window turned around.
She was in her early fifties. Just standing there, she showed no openings, indicating she was a skilled assassin.
She was Shakuyaku, the head of the Assassin Order.
She is currently known as one of the strongest assassins.
"Oniwabans group Kaya. Thank you for your mission. It seems you brought back the third daughter of the Kushinada family."
"...About that..."
"I understand. You're wondering why the third daughter, who was supposed to be dead, is back now, right?"
"That's right. Director, I──"
"Before that... Kaya, you were in contact with Lady Sakuya at Galatine Royal Academy, so why didn't you report that fact immediately? We learned about Lady Sakuya from the Night Festival Courtesan, of all places, you know?"
"Th-That's..."
"Kaya. You are expelled from Galatine Royal Academy as of today, and due to the concealment of information, you will be placed under disciplinary action."
"Wh-what does that mean?"
"Lady Sakuya will also be expelled and will return as the third daughter of the Kushinada family starting tomorrow. That's all I have to say to you... Step back."
"Lady Shakuyaku!! I──."
"Step back."
"..."
Then, an assassin appeared behind Kaya and grabbed her arms. The weapon ring she was wearing and her item box were taken off, and something was injected into her neck while her mouth was covered.
Kaya immediately lost consciousness and was dragged out of the room.
Akane watched the whole thing but couldn't say anything... she couldn't speak.
"Akane. I have something to ask you... about the assassin from Galatine Royal Academy, Elk."
"...Yes."
"Assassins exist all over the world. There are many who do not originate from Yamato, but... the assassins of Galatine Kingdom, known as 'Scarecrow,' are said to be different. Is Elk a potential threat to us?"
"...He is a bomb."
"...I see."
"He's terrifyingly strong. I realized that when I faced him... once he ignites, it's over. He becomes a crow that brings death and bares his fangs at us. Those fangs will likely not only target the Kushinada family but could even swallow this Yamato country."
"...That's an exaggeration."
Shakuyaku muttered dismissively.
But Yamato would come to know. They would learn what happens when the crow, a messenger of death, bares fangs it should never have.
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