Chapter 109 The Gorgeous City, Kujo

It was a pleasant night, the chirps of insects echoing. Hildegard guided me.. or rather held me by the collar and dragged me to a wooden fence-like wall that seemed to be fairly sturdy.

Then she let go of me and began to touch the fence.

.What are you doing?

Kid, dont worry about it.

She said without hesitation and just kept patting the fence.

.she was still patting.

.You. dont happen to know the exact location of the passageway, do you?

Maybe she didnt know exactly how to enter, or she was just really bad at finding things, but Hildegard stopped moving.

.Kokuto, cut.

Huh?

From what I saw this morning, your skill is quite good. So slash it!

She folded her arms and ordered me to cut the fence, signaling at it with her chin.

Youre not really explaining yourself well.

If you cut it here, theyll know theres an intruder.

Theyre dumb, but theyre not that idiotic. They must have figured out Id be breaking in any time now. So a little brute force is unavoidable. She replied.

But werent we going to use a passageway, a hole? Wont doing this just bother the people who made this?

Personally, I didnt really see much difference between this and forcibly passing through the gates guard in the morning.

Hmmm.. Its just that the arrangements have changed.

The arrangements have changed? Before we even entered the city? .maybe you should actually rethink that plan. We did nothing but ear rice balls and grilled fish and fall asleep.

.hmmm!

Hildegard impatiently told me to cut at the wooden wall by quickly nudging her chin again at its direction.

She was indeed a very pretty girl

Wait a minute. Let me check it out a little more.. There must be some kind of trace left of the passageway you talked about, and Im sure I can find it if I can examine this wall more carefully.

and alas

it seemed that men would always toil for pretty women.

I began patting the wall for Hildegard, who had become completely sulky.

In the dark, with my night vision, I can get it done before the patrolling guards arrive. Its an easy task.

The patrolling guards will be here soon. Give up and cut it.

Oh, Im so frustrated!

Stop yelling, you idiot!

I got my head smacked.

Damn it! This was driving me crazy! Im not able to find any mechanisms or passageways!!

Ive checked every inch of the wall and confirmed that theres no gap big enough for a person to fit through. So there must be some kind of mechanism, or trick that allows one to be able to pass through.

I could just jump over the wall with Hildegard in my arms, but I cant allow that anymore! Ill definitely find anpther way in!

Nonsense! Why dont you just cut it down instead of looking for it with bloodshot eyes, you stubborn bastard?!

I wont! Im here to change my attitude I cant just destroy everything!! (1)

I dont care.

Thats cold! Thats not words someone whos trying to break in with me should say!

Why dont you believe in our collective power? We can do this! Just hang out with me a little longer! Ill get you in safely!

weve spent enough time on this. You and I both failed, just admit it and get on with it

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An entire part of the wall behind me shifted to the side as Hildegard stomped around and lectured me, red in the face.

.Oh, Hildegard-sama! All of us have been waiting for you. Welcome.

.Mhmm, lets go!

The person who appeared from behind the open wall was a gentle-looking girl about Celestias age, and as soon as Hildegard saw her, she readily entered through the open passageway.

As usual, while dragging me along.

It was a sliding door. hehe, its all blank. Im burnt out, hehe, all blank.

What, what is that kid doing.? Why is he laughing like that creepily, in an exhausted manner? The gentle-looking girl asked.

I guess this is what. is called a sense of defeat..

Leave him alone. Tell me whats going on. Where are they? Hildegard asked in return.

Yes, I will. But for now, lets go to the inn. Follow me.

The mysterious girl was followed by the clumsy Hildegard closely.

It was just as Marco and Marie had told me.

.This place is amazing. No wonder Hildegard likes it.

The view in front of us was pure Japanese style.

Shrines, castles, houses with tiled roofs, pine trees, brothels

A nostalgic but somehow different landscape from that of Japan.

A city that had flourished over a long period of time based on the culture of a country far to the east, a culture which was said to have been brought here by the first Sword Saint, Jube.

The gorgeous city, Kujo.

In fact, I brought a sword that matched the Japanese atmosphere of this city.

The sword you carry is also from the culture that this city was modeled after. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom this time of year, and the tourists who come to see it are bombarded with so much of this culture continuously during their visit that some become slightly sick of it.

I dont know how to put it, but this place sure is beautiful. I muttered.

Cherry blossoms in full bloom..

They may not be the cherry blossoms I know, but they were blooming in a very similar color scheme.

From the top floor of the ryokan (2) Hildegard runs, Kagetsutei, I folded my arms together and took in the magnificent view of the city.

The moon floated in the darkness, and the streets were lit by red lanterns.

The brightness of the ambient lighting made me feel strangely relaxed and calm.

Hildegard-sama, your kimono is ready.

The sliding door of the Japanese-style room opened.

Instead of the girl from before, this time, a rather well-built and good-looking boy in a kimono-style dress that looked like a ryokan uniform bowed his head.

Hide, or.. actually, Kokuto, follow me.

Okay, lets go!

Even if I refused, Id be dragged along anyway, so I rather actively listened to what she said.

For some reason, the boy looks at me with widened eyes, but Hildegard took me with her to another Japanese-style room before I could think about his peculiar expression.

Oh, um, why is this kid here..?

In the room, several girls, wearing luxurious kimonos, were waiting for Hildegard.

They were all giving me suspicious glances.

Hes going to work here too.

Yes? I exclaimed.

I told you Id give you a job.

Hilde, are you really talking like that again? Ive never heard you mention that before. Besides, I have other work to do

Youll have to get him something to wear, too.

She cut me off and walked up to the almost too revealing kimono she usually wore that was prepared for her.

I guess there must be a lot of kids at this ryokan, right?

Hey, did you hear that?

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Oh, yes, Im sorry! Ill have it ready right away!

The girls looked at me in astonishment, but Hildegards fierce glare made them jerk into alertness again.

Wait a moment. Tamaki will be here soon with a change of clothes.

Im fine as I am. I could just wash my clothes in the river nearby.

Kimonos are common in this town. You will attract attention in that way.

Saying this, she boldly began to take off her clothes.

Well, Ill wait outside the room for you to finish changing, call me when youre done.

No. No. You might jump off the roof and run away. Stay there.

Its pretty high up here.?

Well, I could do it, but still

Then, the girls who had been watching the situation looked at each other and began to dress Hildegard fearfully.

Of course, I did not look at her. There was no need to be rude and peek at her while she was getting dressed.

The only person I peeked at was King Light, because I wanted to see how he changed his clothes. The only thing that stuck with me is that he had quite the hairy chest.

Not bad.

Huh?

Hildegard, who had just finished getting dressed, looked more bewitching and devilish than usual, perhaps due to the effect of her red kimono.

Whats the matter, are you speechless with awe?

She said with a smug look on her face and an arrogant attitude, puffing her chest out in pride.

Yeah. You dont look at all like a girl who had been desperately flapping at the fence. The kimono looks great on you, and that butterfly hair ornament

Shut up.

I tried so hard to compliment her, but she just smacked me on the head!

Oh, uh, Hildegard-sama. I found a change of clothes for the child there.. We had a new recruit just a few days ago, so I could only find a spare adult kimono for him..

The girl named Tamaki appeared with an adult kimono.

It was not a samue (3), but a plain-colored kimono that was easy to move around in.

Give me that. Thats fine.

Its not fine. If Im going to wear it, I want it to look nice..

Hildegard dressed me herself, leaving the short-sleeved shirt and stretchy pants I was wearing on, putting the kimono on top.

Then she quickly fixed the hems that were too long with strings and the the like.

Oh.youre good, Hilde.

.work with that for now. What can you do?

What can I do.? Well, I think Im pretty versatile, but Im most confident about being a bodyguard. I can take down any ruffian with just the tip of my finger.

A chuckle escaped from those around me. I didnt mean to lie, but I think I showed a unique gap between my appearance and my words.

We dont need professional security unless its an emergency. Hey, put him in the kitchen.

Oh? Thats not a bad idea. Thats not so bad. Im rather excited.

Ive been losing my mind over Celestias soup stock for so long, that I wanted to learn how to cook for real. Plus, I might get an idea for a new dish for the casino. Two birds with one stone.

Cooking.? Laundry and cleaning seem more appropriate for a newcomer..

Hes much better with a knife than the rest of us. He wont get hurt. Put him in the kitchen.

As you wish, Hildegard-sama. The kitchen work should be over today, so I will inform the chef first thing tomorrow morning.

It was kind of strange to see an older-looking girl that was taller than Hildegard looking down at Hildegard and being so afraid of her.

If its tomorrow morning, then. Ill just go sightseeing and make a little extra money. I muttered.

Are you trying to run away? Tamaki, bring a chain. or a stake.

A stake..? Im not Dracula. I get why you asked for a chain, but why a stake.?

What are you going to do to earn money when youre so little, kid?

I just want to make grilled onigiri (rice balls) because I have leftover rice and sell them to late-night workers. Some of them might get hungry at night.

.fine. But be back in two hours. I dont trust you, so leave the sword.

.Ill try to make you trust me.

I borrowed her kitchen and headed towards it, feeling somewhat helpless at Hildegards behavior.

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Kokuto went out with Tamaki, his guide, to begin selling his goods.

She saw them off and began listening about the current situation in the town from her subordinates.

Kaede, where is she?

Yes, Madame is staying in the highest grade room of the Supreme Pavilion, and has left the search for Hildegard-sama to the people who came with her. She seems to be holed up in her room.

I guessed so. The Supreme Pavilion is the only inn that can tolerate her selfish and wishful behavior.

Hildegard stared at the moon in the dark night while thinking about her foe.

After Kaede, a girl about the same age as Hildegard informed her about the current situation, the boy next to her opened his mouth.

She came here once the other day.. She was acting as if she was waiting expectantly for Hildegard-sama. Please do be careful.

Is that all? That woman, she must have ranted before declaring something.

wash your neck and wait for her.

At the older boys words, Hildegards gaze sharpened.

Hm. Im not going to wait for her. Im going to go out there and behead every last one of them myself.

Ill come with you.

No need. Work here as usual.

She immediately rejected his offer and drank the tea offered by the feminine boy, Ran.

Oh, Ive gone to the dojo anticipating times like this! Ill be helpful! Please take me with you!

Dont you understand that if you go there, youll just die?

.what?

At the words of Kaede, who was a girl who usually had a competitive disposition, Hide, who had been desperately pleading with Hildegard, lowered his voice.

Dont make a fuss, dont fight over trivial things.

Hildegard stopped them as she took a bite of the wagashi (4) that Ran gently offered.

Im sorry!

I apologize.

Hildegard continued speaking as the two apologized, their foreheads pressed against the tatami mats,

I understand, but Kaede is right. You cant even defeat the guard at the Supreme Pavilion, let alone her I dont know what she might do. I hear shes got some troublesome cronies.

Kaede began speaking in place of Hide, who is speechless at Hildegards sound argument,

It is said that the [Obscure Ghosts] had their entire mansion destroyed. It was done by a man with a fancy haircut who was requested to do so by a brothel girl Ive gathered information from various sources, and its said that hes unusually strong, unable to be harmed at all, and no one in town has been able to handle him or do anything to him. If my information is correct, hes one of Madames associates.

.I see. Ill take Kokuto to the shrine tomorrow. Ill take care of some things and well get rid of them later.

I understand. Please be careful.

Ah.

Hildegard bit back a sigh, not caring about Kaedes anxiousness.

That strong man has been in and out of brothels all day, the quiet Ran, who was next to her, blurted out.

Well, that makes it easier to find him. Either way, later Wait, where did Kokuto say he was going?

Anyone with common sense would not expect a child to walk up to a brothel to sell his wares, but she asked nonetheless.

I havent heard, but. hes still a very young child (5), so I dont think theres anything to worry about.

.well, thats good.

That boy Kokuto seemed like a smart kid, Im sure hell get bored and come home soon. No normal child would even think of going to a brothel.

Yeah, right. If he was a normal, decent child Hildegard muttered.

Those words reminded Hildegard of Kokutos attitude towards her, which was no different from that of most people.

It was not normal, and anyone who knew him would think of the possibility that it might happen.

Although she thought it would never happen.

Oh, so this is a brothel

(1) For those wondering why hes so persistent, remember the giant outer kingdom wall? *cough* that he broke *cough* and he thinks he has to pay a ton of money for *cough*

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryokan

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samue

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(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagashi

(5) For those wondering, they made a pen*s joke here about how hes too young to lift it and its flaccid or something.

Andddd! Chapter 109 is done~