Chapter 5

With the escort of the maidmer princesses and the manmer lords, we arrive at the Seisakoku port before sunset.

Ive only ever seen Dejima[1] in textbooks and periodic dramas, so I cant compare, but at least this is different from what I imagined, and the atmosphere is pretty peaceful too.

I cant hear the yells of traders here, neither do I see kids scampering across the roads. The camel-colored two-story brick buildings line the streets neatly and in order, but only a few of the shops are open for business, so theres not even a hint of the hustle and bustle of a port.

And yet, there are definitely a lot of people here, the passers-by on the roads being mostly healthy and friendly-looking adults. They smile at the foreigners going to customs, and a few of them say a few short words, probably greetings.

And theyre just like the shinzoku weve seen before, with blonde hair so pale its almost white, and their eyes are a pretty golden color too. People with dark hair and eyes are rare, so everyone looks surprised at our appearances at first, but there is no contempt in their reactions.

What a relief, I was worried what to do if they treated us like rare animals!

Who knows, maybe the people of Dejima are used to contact with foreigners? And they should have received a certain degree of education. The deeper into the continent you go, the simpler the people.

Josak rolls up the sleeves on his apron, turning his head to look at me, who was sighing in relief,

We cant judge a country by its main gates alone. At the very least we have to see the porch and back door.

I see. Youre so smart! Josak.

Hehe, you really know how to win my heart, this is the first time in my life someone called me smart! But too bad, it has nothing to do with my wits, its actually the accumulation of experience. Oh, dearactually its because Ive been to a lot of places, though I was spending my boss money the whole time.

So youre studying on scholarship? That makes you just like Mori Ogai[2]~

As a result he gives me an expression that says, thats why I cant just sit by and do nothingLooks like I said something dumb again.

The customs officers who greet us ask us this and that as they help the tourists change clothes or wash up. These workers look around the same age as those young girls working in Japan, maybe its because their outfits and hairstyles are all uniform, every girl looks the same.

I observe closely for a while, and realize that there are duos who look the same everywhere.

Thats when I finally remember, that the rates of shinzoku having twins are really high. There are identical twins like Jason and Freddy who looks so similar its unbelievable; and though Zeta and Zuusha are sister and brother, they still look very similar. Although I havent seen the siblings of that girl and that helms expert, its highly likely that they were mingled with the group in that boat.

Speaking of which, I wonder where Jason and Freddy are forced to work at? I look around, trying to see if theyre among this group of girls. Not far away from me, though, Saralegui is causing a ruckus. Although hes young, but hes still the king of a country, for him to receive the same examinations at the customs like a normal visitor, must make him feel really insulted, huh? For all I know, being as composed and low-confidence like me is the problem here. Lord Weller is comforting him with a pained expression it sure is tough to take care of others. I cant help but smile bitterly, and only then do I realize that my mouth is so dry my tongue is almost glued to the ceiling.

Its not just my throat thats dry.

AhIm so hungry my vision is blurring

Thats bad, are you dizzy and nauseous? Should Gurrier apologize to everyone out there whod eating right now?

Although Im nauseous, I can only puke out stomach acids. It should be okay! As long as we dont suddenly have to eat a full course French meal.

A pair of sisters come up to me with brand new white cloths, the girl on the eight smiling as she hands me the warm towels.

Comment allez-vous? (French for How are you?)

S-shes speaking French! Just when Im at a loss about how to reply, she has already taken the steamed towel and is wiping my facecompletely unafraid of my position.

Azabu-jban[3]Mn.

Thats the Toei edo Lines Mn

Waa tai izzit nah? (What time is it now?)

That is impossible. As I recall what I saw in my old mans Conversational English Booklet, I try to say saitsheeing (sightseeing), and as a result the girl who was helping me tidy up actually blushed and ran away. Looks like shes not good at dealing with foreigners and strange accents.

The completely calm and collected spy Josak, on the other hand, easily solves the language problem. All he does is occasionally raise his palm and smile, occasionally make a fine, fine movement, signaling for them to leave.

Thats amazing, Josak understands what theyre saying?

How can that beIm just making weird gestures as I like! As long as I make such contradicting reactions, Im sure even they will get a headache and find a translator.

Impressive! Then let me make some weird gestures too.

And then I stick out my tongue, scaring three people to tears. Looks like my techniques still arent up to par.

Really, Young Master, Gurrier is an adult with a young girls heart, you know.

And just as Josak said, the panicked translator immediately rushes over, so from now on the ones handling all our matters, are all bearded middle-aged uncles, while those girls stay as far away from us as possible, treating us as people to pay special attention to.

One of the men has a name card saying, Translator: Ajira, though the third word is a mirror image of the real word. Behind those heavy lenses, his golden eyeballs are so big its scary. Looks like even shinzoku, seem to get short-sighted. He has a soft beard on his face and chin, looking as though theres white mold growing there.

Following that mans lead, we leave Dejima, and prepare to enter Seisakoku borders.

You, horse?

Ah?

I cant help but want to ask him whos the horse here. After a rather long time, we finally understand that he has a habit of abbreviating the verbs when he talks. Turns it he was asking, You want to ride a horse? We left transport up to him, but the thing Im more worried about is, does he understand what kind of a group we are?

At the exit of the port, there are people desperately waving. Normal people wouldnt simply wave at the prime minister of another country, right? Even though they dont have relations, Shou Shimaron is still a large country. Seeing that he doesnt seem to be respected by the commoners here, Saraleguis mood doesnt seem too good.

Basically Seisakoku isnt exactly what its name suggests, because this isnt a place where all you see is sand.

Theres greenery between the mountains, and red earth along the roads. In a white desert you cant see in one glance, after experiencing the cruelest trip on camelback, finally reaching an oasis with one coconut tree I was initially imagining a place a lot like the Sahara Desert, but the result is vastly different.

The temperature here is barely different from the harsh winters of Japan, though, even pulling up my collar cant block out the cold winds blowing from all directions, and the air is extremely dry, too.

It could be because of the climate here, but theres very little greenery on the plains. Looking out the coach windows, I can only see very few places that could be called farms. Maybe this country isnt built on agriculture?

Not only is the scenery as were moving vastly difference from my imagination, even the first city that we finally arrive at, has a level of splendor that truly shocks us.

The buildings are all fixed and uniform, with not one house standing out. Because of the time, the shops havent opened for business yet, but the windows of each house are brightly lit with lanterns, and steel gates that lead in and out line the smooth road. According to Ajiras proud explanation (though he still does away with the verbs), even the underground waterway and heating systems here are very complete.

Whats even more surprising to us is, there isnt a wall surrounding the city.

The city area around Blood Pledge Castle, is surrounded by tall walls, mainly as a defense against thieves at night and enemy armies. But Seisakoku doesnt have city walls.

So cool! Looks like the security here is very well maintained.

Is that so~

Josak mutters as he heads towards the place were staying for the night. Right now he seems to be more nervous that he was at Dejima.

Looks like that stretch of ocean should be a natural defense, huh And also

Josak, whats the matter? Look at you, stuttering like that. If you think anythings not right, could you please talk to me about it?

Right now its still okay. Before the king here meets us, he would probably hope were unharmed as well.

Seems like theres a double edge to his words. Based on many years as a spy, his sixth sense isnt something to be underestimated!

There are still three days and three nights to go, until the summit to be held in Seisakoku.

Although our traveling involves rushing in the day time, we stay in five-star hotels at night, so even the extravagant greenhouse-flower Saralegui cant complain about it. As for me, ever since the second day after we landed, I havent felt tired at all, instead I feel so energized I cant sleep.

Maybe its because my inability to sit still has even been noticed by third parties, so not only Josak, but even Saralegui asks me if Im unwell at some point.

Im guessing it might because Im too wound up. Rather than call it gastric pains its more like I ate too much and feel tight in my chest.

Could it be a cold? Maybe you were too worn out that time when we were drifting on the sea.

And sometimes I get headaches and horrible chills too, very evidently the pre-symptoms of a cold.

Yuuri, I think you should ask the translator to help bring you some medicine! Although its shinzoku medicine, it shouldnt be completely ineffective to mazoku.

If I ask him to bring me medicine, but instead he gives me a cup of super-bitter tea, thatd be a bother. Im okay, sheesh! Ill just ask him to bring an extra blanket Sara, sorry, I made you worry.

Of course its not as though I think the medicine here is ineffective, its just the moment I hear about taking medicine, I remember Gnters advice, Dont eat the food offered by strangers. As a principle I still eat the normal three meals, but I will never take any special food no one else has eaten. Thats the most basic of precautions.

And I deduce that this sense of discomfort isnt a cold, but due to pressure. Ive been in a series of emergency situations since Shou Shimaron, and I didnt have any friends during the voyage. Josak is definitely a comrade I can rely on, and is a trustworthy guard, but thats different from the sense of safety Wolfram gives me. Because we cant banter with each other, and comfort each other.

Although the things Im worried about has lessened a little since we landed, but something else that makes me uneasy immediately appearsthat is the stress from the summit that will Ill have to face soon.

After this Ill meet the king of an unknown country that Ive never seen before, and hold a talk with the reputation of two countries on the line. And this isnt a one-on-one summit either, the Shou Shimaron king will be present, too. Faced with two kings who have received the proper kingly training, is a normal high school student with no talents like me a worthy opponent?

After all half a year ago I was still a baseball boy like any other you could see on the street. Completely clueless about any diplomatic ways, much less any negotiation techniques. Id much rather let that brother of mine, who bragged that he would someday be governor of Tokyo, take my place instead.

The strategist that I can rely on, Gnter, isnt with me, and Murata, who can help me best at times like this is nowhere to be seen either. Theres not a single person I can discuss this with beside me.

No wonder I feel the pressure piling on.

I might get crushed to death by the pressure.

I mumble in a voice no one else can here, and kick the floor of the coach once. Since this is the eve of the destined match, its completely unsurprising that I feel this way. But a benchwarmer like me has almost never experienced any large-scale matches, just the EXP difference itself is huge.

Yuuri, look! We can see the capital! Ah~ Im so excited, I wonder what kind of a city has it become? Is the king here okay? Is the previous monarch healthy?

Saralegui, who doesnt seem to know what pressure means, says happily as he leans out of the window.

Lord Weller, who has been quiet this whole time, advises in a monotonous voice,

Your Majesty, its best not to overthink things.

But Im really looking forward to it! My heart feels so excited.

His tone sounds like hes met the other person before Speaking of which, he did mention on the voyage that that was his second time crossing that dangerous stretch of sea.

Sara, you

Because of the improvement in the quality of the road, the speed of the carriage starts picking up, too, making me swallow down my suspicions together with the sound of the wheels. Dont ask, so what if I know more about Saraleguis past? Itll just make me feel more regretful that I didnt learn the necessary knowledge, make me feel smaller.

The capital of Seisakoku, Yelshinrad, seems calm and carefree under the sparkling evening rays.

Faced with such huge, majestic buildings, were completely shocked by its different style.

So this is the kind of the city they meant by a metropolis, this is the kind of country they meant by a powerful country

Impressive

The original color should be white or something pale, right? The orderly roads and walls have been dyed crimson by the sunset. The castle is in the heart of the city, just looking at the top of the tower forced me to crane my neck, the height itself leaves me at a loss for words.

There are streets leading into the city and away from the castle in every direction, all the buildings built around that center in a circle. If the Tang Dynastys ChangAn looks like a chessboard, then this one

How to describe it Its like a baumkuchen[4].

Why am I so unimaginative?

Looking at the city from the center tower, gives me the feeling of a solemn concerto getting louder and louder.

Some people cry.

The translator, Ajira, is as simple and concise as ever. He probably means to say that Some people are so touched when they see the castle for the first time, they actually cry, right? Im begging you, dont abbreviate that much!

In contrast to the happy and rowdy atmosphere, Saralegui has become quieter, hes probably very nervous too.

As for me, my gut and temple starts hurting, and I even feel cold sweat beading on my back and neck. To make sure no one else notices, I secretly wipe my forehead. But the overwhelming pressure makes it hard for me to breathe, and I can no longer tell if its gastric pains or something else, so I cant help but grip my chest tightly with my right hand.

Underneath the borrowed clothes, theres only my rapidly accelerating heartbeat.

Yuuri?

Hm? Mn, whats the matter?

There are four tall and intricately-carved pillars at the castle entrance. When I place my hand on the smooth surface, the coolness immediately moves to my arm through my fingers. The carved stone walls and ground sparkle, the pale green patterns indescribably beautiful.

In the past Ive seen many mansions and castles, but compared to this palace, the extravagance is on a completely different level, even making me feel as though the Blood Pledge Castle we live in is a coarsely-built bunker.

Right then, in front of the people who looked live palace servants with their heads bowed, Saralegui says to me,

Dont embarrass yourself in a place like this, kay.

And then that pretty face blooms into a smile.

The white face, pale-colored glasses, and slender limbs are all dyed by the orange backlightmaking him look like hes bathed in fresh blood.

Its not the cold and not the overwhelming pressure, but an unknown reason that makes me sway on my feet, and as a result I miss a step on the not-too-high stairs. But before I can fall, a hand holds me up firmly.

Your Majesty.

It cant be, its completely impossible.

My throat feels like its being blocked by something heavy, and the oxygen cant get through my windpipe.

He is so friendly. He was always like that, and he should always be like that.

Why must I be so suspicious of everything? If I suspect everyone and everything, then wont there be no end to it? But suspecting him is easier than trusting him.

Your Majesty.

Which Your Majesty are you calling?

I retort instinctively. Because that voice is Lord Wellers.

You.

Conrad stands two steps above me, stopping me from saying any more, continuing what he wants to say. Because of the backlight, I cant see his light brown eyesI hate the sunset like hell!

Do you want to go back?

Josak grabs my arm, and I push up against him forcefully. By now Saralegui has climbed up the stairs, and is looking back at us, left behind.

If youre feeling uncomfortable, rest well tonight, and go tomorrow.

How can I!

I ignore their concerns, dashing up the two stone steps. Since Im already here, how can I back down!

I really cant imagine what kind of impressive person my opponent is at all, but I still need to see if hes an enemy or a friend. Besides, I cant get rid of my doubts towards Saralegui in my heart, either. But hes only seventeen, if you just look at the number of years weve lived, theres not that much of a difference. Even if the things we learned are different, the times weve got to use those things should be the same. Since he can do it, I should be able to do it too.

Come on! Get into the batters box. This isnt the practice field, this is the batters box in an official competition. Im going to use everything I have to take you down Though whether Ill get a strikeout or not is another matter.

I turn around and look down from the top of the stairs, and the view really is very beautiful. Not only is it arranged perfectly, there isnt anything that stands out or doesnt fit, either. The people on the street dress and look almost exactly the same, and there are only two or three changes in color. If it was in this country, even if someone only wore their sports uniform every day, they could still walk the streets proudly.

Just as I move my gaze back towards the castle

A boy, junior elementary school age, scrambles over past the guards attempts at stopping him. His pale grey cloths are short, revealing pale and bloodless arms and knees. The little boy suddenly bends down and uses a stone in his hand to draw a huge hexagon at his feet. Before the few soldiers can stop him, hes already connected the line.

Ive seen that shape before, and instinctively I press my left arm beneath my clothes. The scratches underneath my fingers that were almost healed start hurting again. That was the mark left by that shinzoku girl with her short nails before we parted, and it came with the mysterious word, Venera.

After the boy finishes drawing his hexagon, he starts singing. He sings a song I dont understand in a slightly off-key voice. But the tune seems familiar to meits a melody I know well.

I feel as though I heard it somewhere before.

I heard it too.

Then it has to be a Shin Makoku childrens song

But its my first time hearing it.

The two mazoku exchange their opinions, but the boy, meeting opposition, chooses to continue singing in an even louder voice.

The soldiers actions are really roughits just a boy doodling around, but three of them are sent to pin him to the ground.

Hey!

Dont bully a little kid!

Saralegui dashes up front even faster than I do, offering his hand to the boy gently, but as soon as he sees the dirty clothes and dusty hair, those beautifully manicured fingertips are immediately retracted.

What! So its just a worthless little brat.

Sara?

Yuuri, ignore him. Thats the child of slaves.

Slaves What are you saying, Saralegui! Such a small child is being handled violently, and youre asking me to ignore him!? Dont you see the army brutality!? Stop, let go of that kid

Just as Im getting ready to push aside one of the guards, theres a scream from behind the gathering crowd. Rather than fear, its more of a yell of disgust. The angry curses never stop, and add that to the horrible stench wafting around, the reason is quickly revealed.

As the crowd splits to the left and right, a trolley with a wooden bucket on top immediately tumbles down. The lid loosens off, and brown liquid spills onto the road. The intense odor makes it clear that that is that thingthough I dont know if I should call it liquid organic fertilizer, or fertilizer distilled from feces.

Either way, everyone cant use their noses to breathe at all.

The womens screams urge the guards to rush over, and according to my own translation, theyre yelling, Why is there a compost cart here!? Next to the overturned cart theres a petite person squatting there, head covered by a dirty hood. An old lady, looking extremely weak, raises her head as shes scolded by the citizens and soldiers. The hair thats plastered onto her forehead is too golden and bright, so its turned white. And it could be because of her too-advanced age, but her forehead and throat have obvious wrinkles.

She puts both palms on the cold floor, even peeking our way. Rather than saying shes purposely looking at us, itd be better to say her gaze just happens to move this way.

But in those zero point something seconds, Conrad, standing beside me, holds his breath in surprise, I know hes holding back a name that almost escapes his lips, and he even grips his fist tightly. In a voice of surprise that the people cant hear, he says,

How is that possible

Conrad?

Just as Im about to ask, You guys know each other?, I hear Saralegui interrupt my question in a tone of deep contempt,

Stinky old hag!

By the time we realized it, the boy had already made an escape when the old lady and her impressive stench distracted the guards. All thats left is the symbol on the ground.

The hexagon like the one on my arm, a simple diamond sign.