“So this is Grand-Ende…”
I peek my head out from the covered wagon to take in the scenery while Ryufa talks with the capital’s gatekeeper from the driver’s seat.
Finally arrived at Grand-Ende… arrived? Well, whatever. What I see before me is…
It’s like something out of a historical drama. A nation that seems to be a fusion of Japanese tradition and fantasy world culture.
The difference from Nouviche is that it leans more heavily toward the Japanese style. Nouviche has this world’s version of Japanese style.
But Grand-Ende’s style is closer to actual Japan.
…Is this a coincidence? No way it could be.
Ever since coming to this world, I’ve noticed unsettling things here and there. I might finally understand what they mean.
“What are you looking around for? You’re the mission target. Stay put.”
Ryufa comes over to me after apparently finishing his conversation.
“Get out. We’re walking from here.”
“Walking?”
“We’re leaving the wagon here. All the supplies too. The castle staff will handle it.”
“Where are we going?”
“There.”
Ryufa points to a castle.
It’s definitely a stone castle… not a Japanese one. I’ve seen plenty of castles in this world, but this one isn’t very tall. Even from here it looks about three stories? Since most buildings are only one story, you can see the castle from here. Talk about a good view.
But it’s big. And properly surrounded by castle walls. The defenses look solid.
“Follow me.”
“Oh, okay.”
I hurry to catch up as Ryufa starts walking briskly ahead.
Looking around the streets, there’s a lively atmosphere. People’s faces don’t show the shadows typical of wartime. Their expressions show they’re enjoying life and finding meaning in each day.
The shops are well-stocked with quality goods. Oh, those fish over there look so fresh… what amazing soups and grilled fish dishes you could make! What a waste!
And those fabrics there, while subtle in color, exude such elegance. You don’t often see such quality… there are even colors that would suit Arius well.
The weapons here are unique too – they have both double and single-edged swords. One-handed swords, two-handed swords, spears, naginata, longbows and shortbows, and arrows with three-feather fletching. Such good quality.
They’re also selling magic crystals and magic engineering tools. These definitely can’t compare to Arturia’s magic crystals or Lill’s magic engineering tools. But the prices are cheap…
As I observe all this while walking, we arrive at the castle’s main gate.
Quite the deep moat and impressive castle walls… Though the walls aren’t too high due to the castle’s height, the stonework has arrow slits, and the length of the bridge over the moat, plus the moat’s depth… it boasts considerable defensive power.
“Are we going into the castle?”
“Not through the front. This way.”
Ryufa says this and starts walking in a different direction from the main gate. I hurry to follow.
We’re going around the castle… is there a back entrance?
When we reach the back of the castle, Ryufa raises his hand toward the other side of the moat.
What’s this about? I wonder, when part of the castle wall moves and opens by sinking into the ground. What an amazing mechanism!
A boat emerges and docks on our side.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Ryufa.”
Someone who appears to be the boatman rows over and bows to Ryufa. Seems like they’re associated with this back entrance.
Ryufa responds with a raised hand and quickly boards the boat.
…Um, am I allowed to get on?
“Lord Ryufa, what about this person?”
“He’s related to ‘this man’ mission. I’m taking him with me.”
“Understood. …Please board, sir.”
With the boatman encouraging me and Ryufa giving me a stern look, I resign myself and get on the boat.
The boat slowly moves forward… and arrives at the back entrance.
After thanking the boatman, we head inside.
“Take off your shoes here.”
“Huh?”
“Remove your shoes. No outdoor footwear inside.”
I notice there’s a shoe rack installed for storing shoes. How unusual… this is the first time I’ve seen this since coming to this world.
I silently follow Ryufa, but… this is inside the castle, right?
Compared to the stone exterior, the interior is wooden. What’s impressive is that it seems designed to calculate airflow – despite being inside a castle, cool breezes flow through, making the humidity and temperature comfortable. There are signs with room names, hallways just wide enough for two people to walk side by side, floorboards that creak when you step on them, and yet it’s all arranged by department to make it easy for the residents to move around.
“Beautiful interior. The cleaning is thorough and everything is well-organized. You can tell the servants are highly skilled.”
“No idle chat. …Here we are.”
Huh? We arrived surprisingly quickly?
Ryufa has led me to a room located in the center of the first floor.
Is… the person we’re looking for in here?
“Your Majesty… It’s Ryufa. I’ve returned. I’m about to bring in the target person.”
Ryufa says this into the room, then looks at me.
“From here, you go in alone.”
“M-me? By myself?”
“Yes. …’This man’ has another mission.”
With just that, Ryufa leaves for somewhere.
…Eh? Really just me?
Well… standing here won’t accomplish anything. I should go in.
“Excuse me.”
I open the door… or rather, the fusuma sliding door, and enter.
Inside, I see two men in the spacious room.
“So you’ve come. Are you Shuri?”
One is a small-statured man. A small man dressed in fine Japanese clothes. His reddish-brown hair is long and unkempt, as if he has no interest in styling it. Though his face is young, he has an intimidating presence, and from his position and demeanor, he seems to be the highest-ranking person here.
The other man has his eyes closed. He has a sword slung over his shoulder, and his nearly-black purple hair flows behind him. His sitting posture is dignified, his back straight, and the upper arms visible from his dōgi sleeves are incredibly well-muscled. An aide, perhaps?
“Um, yes. I’m Shuri…”
“Hmm…”
The small man looks me up and down, then smiles with satisfaction.
“Well, that’ll do. I’m the ruler of this country, Guive Grand-Ende.”
“…I am His Majesty’s attendant, Kuara Hien. Ryufa’s older brother.”
…!? Ryufa’s older brother!? And this person is the ruler of Grand-Ende!
“Um, thank you for the introduction.”
“Well, standing must be tiring. Come here and sit.”
“…Yes.”
I move away from the fusuma and sit at what I judge to be an appropriate audience distance from Guive.
“Umm?”
“You’ve got that look like you don’t understand what’s going on. Can’t blame you, since we ignored all the proper procedures!”
“…Your Majesty. Perhaps we should get to the main point? Shuri seems confused.”
“That’s right.”
Guive turns sharp eyes toward me and says:
“Let me be direct.”
“That’s right.”
“…We brought you here because His Lordship wished it.”
…………?
Huh? His Lordship?
“His Lordship? Who is that?”
“Your Majesty. You’re skipping too many steps. May I explain?”
“Aye. Go ahead.”
Kuara turns to face me after getting Guive’s permission.
“Shuri. Let me explain.”
“Thank you.”
“First… how much did Ryufa tell you?”
“Nothing. I have no useful information at all.”
“I see. Hmm, very well. Then let me explain everything carefully, one point at a time.”
Kuara shifts the sword to his opposite shoulder and continues:
“First, Ryufa Hien did excellent work. As one of the Three Oni and One Demon Generals, it was impressive.”
“? Three Oni and One Demon? Not the Three Treasured Generals or the Sword Treasure?”
Hearing this, Kuara looks dumbfounded for a moment before laughing.
“Hahaha, it seems our information control to other countries has been working well.”
“So it’s different?”
“That was a cover to hide one of the generals. Accurately, there are four generals – the Three Oni and One Demon.”
“Four people?”
Oh? Now we’re getting to some useful information.
Not the Three Treasured Generals and the Sword Treasure, but Three Oni and One Demon.
“Ryufa is the ‘Demon’… the strongest warrior with the title of Demon Person.”
“Demon Person…”
“The others are the ‘Demon Oni’ who mastered magic, the ‘War Oni’ who mastered all weapons, and the hidden general, the ‘King Oni’ who excels at leadership and military strategy.”
“Are the Demon Oni and Demon Person… related in any meaningful way?”
“No. The Demon Oni is one who has mastered magic, while the Demon Person is one who has added demon qualities to human abilities.
…Ryufa alone is my younger brother. That’s why I call him brother.”
“What about the Hien family name?”
“It was simply the family name of the first Ryufa. …My family just carries on that duty.”
This is no good, suddenly there’s too much information for my brain to keep up…
What I understand is that in Grand-Ende, besides the Demon Person Ryufa Hien, there are three other generals.
“The others are… where now?”
“At other battlefields. The King Oni should be returning soon.”
“Is that so?”
“Now then, that’s enough about Ryufa. Let’s get to the main point.”
The main… point?
“There’s a reason we called you here, ignoring all proper procedures and diplomacy. That’s because this is a matter that would never be approved through proper discussions.”
“Never be approved… like headhunting? Though I realize that’s a conceited thought.”
“It’s not conceited. I think it’s a fair assessment.”
When I make a dumbfounded face, Kuara sighs and says:
“Haven’t you noticed? All the dishes you’ve introduced show unusually high technical skill.”
“…”
This tone, this attitude… could it be?
“Perhaps you’ve figured it out?”
“You’ll understand when you talk with His Lordship too. …I’ll tell you now, this isn’t about headhunting.”
“If not headhunting, then what?”
“That’s right. As His Majesty said earlier, His Lordship wished to meet you. That’s why we brought you here.”
“…You went this far, for that?”
“Yes. We follow His Lordship’s commands, even if it means ignoring proper procedures and risking diplomatic isolation. That’s all there is to it.”
“Did you understand?”
Guive says this as he stands up.
“Well then, Shuri. I hear you’re good at cooking.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Then make some chawanmushi.”
“Huh?”
What? Aren’t we going to meet His Lordship?
“It’s His Lordship’s favorite dish. Take it as a greeting. Alright?”
“What do you mean-”
“It means exactly what I said. Hurry up and make some chawanmushi!”
Guive declares this decisively, ignoring my surprise.
But, wait, what?
Does this world even have chawanmushi?!
The dishes I’ve been making are from Earth. Most of them are dishes that aren’t made here.
Yet now they’re asking for chawanmushi? What’s going on? A favorite dish? So this His Lordship is someone who knows about chawanmushi?
That means…
“Understood.”
I stand up and look straight at Guive.
“It seems I do need to meet this His Lordship after all.”
“Aye, that’s right.”
Guive grins and says:
“His Lordship said so too. If we mentioned this, Shuri would definitely bite.”
“That’s true.”
“Well then, make some chawanmushi that’ll satisfy His Lordship. Got it?”