135-Episode 118 Pre-movement Warm-up

'Do,how ......?'

The day after she had talked with Demilly and the others in District 40.

Estella had come to eat at the sunny restaurant as promised.

I didn't see her at the donation time, so I thought she was still depressed. ......

'I thought I'd write to you first and say thank you. You see, I'm shy.

'I'm shy,' he said.

I'm sure you'll agree.I'm trying to appeal to you to be more cheerful. ......'

That's why it's a decapine.

You should have acted more normally. ......

Estella is a little restless today.

Well, it's not so easy to change when you've made up your mind.

It will be a period of spinning for a while longer.

Estella's letter was very simple, yet sincere.

First, she explained how she had realized her inadequacies and apologized clearly in writing for everything that had happened. He apologized in writing for not attending the funeral of his predecessor, and for not being present at his lord's unveiling. He has not attended the funeral of his predecessor, nor the unveiling of his new lord. ...... Well, since the lord hasn't retired yet, the question of following the rules is a delicate one, don't you think?

And Estella's remorse for the insensitivity of having done it all in a letter was clearly spelled out in her words.

Finally, she wrote a request for me to apologize to her face to face when we meet again.

'Suddenly barging in and unilaterally apologizing is ultimately for my convenience. ...... I didn't know what the best thing to do was, but I thought this was the best thing I could do right now.

'Well, that's good, isn't it?

I told him I wanted to meet him and apologize, not just write him a letter.

I don't think there's anything to be upset about this letter.

'We haven't set a date for the three-way meeting yet, but I'll make sure it's on ...... by then.'

Estella clenched her fists tightly.

'I'll have to learn to control the urge to punch Ricardo in the face!

'...... You've been resisting the urge to punch him.'

This guy was quiet and a little shaky in front of Ricardo, wasn't it because he was nervous? ......

I hate them more than the bugs that jump into the soup I'm about to eat.

He said it with a very refreshing smile.

Well, the fact that he can say such a thing is probably a sign that something has been sorted out in his mind.

He wouldn't even have been able to say such a thing before.

'Well, I have to admit that I was not polite as the acting lord. But if I had the chance to meet him as a mere childhood friend, I would hit him four times.

I don't know if lords have off days, but if you're just childhood friends, you can do whatever you want.

Just don't overdo it.

'And kick him six more times.

'What have you been doing to me, so far ......'

You're going to do some serious damage, like cracking a bone or something.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to stand up if he kicked me low six times.

'Ricardo might have liked you, you know?

'Hahaha, Yashiro~............ I'll take you to court, okay?'

'...... Your face is really scary.'

Do you hate it that much?

'But when you're a kid, you try to bully the girl you like to get her attention.

'Ricardo's is not like that. ...... We were the lords' children, for better or worse.'

Anyway, there was a rivalry, Estella said with a wry smile.

Ricardo, too, could not afford to lose to the daughter of a lesser ward. So he might have bullied her at every turn to inspire her that he was better than her.

Well, I can only speculate.

But if he's been doing that for a long time, it's no wonder he's hated by the ............ scorpions.

As for Estella and Ricardo, if you ask me, they are both on the same side. Of course, the odds are slightly in Estella's favor.

Ricardo is a small, narrow-minded man who has been hostile since he was a child and is still irreverent even now.

Estella, who could not draw a clear line between her childhood and her position as acting lord.

If the outside world makes a fuss, it's inevitable that they will argue that their acquaintance is absolutely right.

If that was the case, it would be much more constructive to put aside all the conflicts and talk about the future.

Estella has already shown her sincerity.

Now it's just a matter of how the other side will react.

'Well, either way, there will be some time before the three-way meeting. Let's take our time until then.

'Yeah. I guess so.'

With a slightly radiant expression, Estella slurps up some pasta.

...... I guess this is a culture where people sip noodles. There are also chopsticks, so it's similar to Japan, right?

I'm going to be sorting out some paperwork later today. ...... Oh, I'm so depressed.

I stick my fork into the pasta. It won't stick, probably.

I'm not sure.I'm not sure what to do.

'Don't use it lightly.'

'Yeah~...... yesterday you said ...... that,...... if you're in trouble, you can count on me... ...'

Hey, hey, hey. If you're embarrassed to say it, don't say it.

In the first place, I didn't say that to take care of your chores.

'Estella-san'.

Ginette, who had come to pour water, gave Estella a soft smile.

'If your work is difficult, please contact me. I'll help you in any way I can.

'There, I've made you feel better.

'Oh, no, no, no. I'm just kidding, Jeannette. I just want to thank you for making me a delicious meal.

Estella smiles and sips her pasta. ...... Don't skip the sauce. Like a child.

'Yashiro-san.'

''Hmm?''

Ginette smiles at me, holding the jug in her hand.

'Are you all right, Yashiro-san?Are you straining yourself again?If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

...... I'm a little embarrassed when people look at me like that because it was yesterday. ......

'It's all right!

'What kind of character are you, then?

I'm not.I'm just being honest!

'If it's ......, it's even more serious.'

Estella looks at me with a serious expression.

You're an idiot. Your cuteness skyrockets when you end your words with 'ra'!

I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing. I'm not sure what to do. ...... It's rather cute.

Now, I'm going to do what I have to do.

'Jeannette. I'm going to go out for a bit.

'Yes, sir. I was wondering if I could ask you where you're going ......?'

'Hmm?Yeah. I'm going to the 41st district.

'...... Are you alone?

Ginette looked uneasy.

I'm not sure if it's because I've met the lords of the districts yesterday and the day before, and they've made me think a fair amount, but they seem to think I'm getting into trouble again.

I wonder if I was making a face that would make Jeannette think that.

'Don't worry. I'm just going to take a look at the city.

'It's not dangerous, is it?

Mmmm ...... I might have to do some reflecting on this one.

The fact that Jeannette is so worried about ...... me must mean that I've been looking very scary.

...... I just couldn't face her yesterday in a different way. ......

'The talks are moving in a peaceful direction. There's nothing to worry about. I just thought you'd want to know, you know, about them.

Especially about the kitchen.

'I see. ......In fact, I wish I could come with you. ......'

We've got a good crowd today. It's not good for Jeannette to leave without any preparation.

'It would be a shame to take Jeannette on a visit like this.

'It's a waste ......?

'If we're going to take a vacation, let's go to ...... a more fun place. Like shopping.'

'...... Yes. By all means.'

He was surprised for a moment and then nodded with a soft smile.

It's a moot point, but if it eases Jeannette's anxiety, so be it.

And it's not like I'm going to be in any kind of danger just because I go to the 41st district.

You're not ............, are you?

I'm getting a little nervous about this. If you get tangled up with those ruffians,.................., ......, you might not want to go. I think I'll stop.

'If you're that anxious, I'll go with you.

It seems that the river fishing guild isn't fishing today, so she's helping us in her spare time.

'That's true. I'm sure you'll be safe with Delia.

'Oh!Whether it's a thug or a hexenbiest, I'll just whip it around.

It's a very cute and reliable statement.

A girl who kuru-poi a hexenbiest is undoubtedly a dangerous person, but if she is on ...... your side, you can count on her.

'Then I'll ask her.

'Okay!Then let's get started!

I'm not sure if I'm in a good mood or not, but Delia is in a better mood than usual and says to hurry up.

She's probably not the type to go out too far. Maybe he's happy to go away.

I'll buy him something sweet if I can.

I'll be back in a bit.

'Yes, sir. Take care of yourself.

Ginette saw us out of the sunlit pavilion, and we walked aimlessly down the main street.

Today we're going to pass by the lord's mansion and go outside the district. If you're going to District 41, this road is easier to use.

'Where are we going?

'The forty-first district. I haven't decided on the details, but I'd like to see the atmosphere of the city.

'Well, you might want to walk down a few alleys off the main street. That's where you'll find the real scenery of District 41.

Delia said with a knowing look.

Is this guy familiar with the 41st district?

'I often go there to see Masha. I sometimes eat in the 41st district, and I have a favorite restaurant there.

'A sweet shop?

'No. It's just a regular bar, but they have good fruit.'

It seems that Delia prefers sweets to alcohol.

There may not be any sweet shops in District 41.

Sugar has never been common in the city.

'Maybe it's a good thing we brought Delia along.

'Right?All right!Then let's get on with it!

I'm afraid that Delia's words sound like 'invading'.

'Yashiro-san~!

I was about to leave the 42nd district when I heard a voice calling me from behind.

I turned around and saw Imelda running towards me, her tits shaking without fear of anyone.

'...... Reminds me of American Cracker,' she said.

'Hmm?What's that?

'No, it's nothing.

Delia wouldn't understand, I'm sure.

Anyway, it's a rampage of bang bang bang.

While we were having this useless conversation, Imelda came up to us and shook her shoulders in a big way to catch her breath. Every time her shoulders go up and down, her boobs go up and down. ......

'You remind me of ...... slime.'

'Hmm?What's that?

'No, it's nothing.'

Delia wouldn't understand, I'm sure.

It's just pliable.

'Haha ...... haha ......, what a coincidence!

'There's no such thing as a strange coincidence with such a breathless .......'

'I can accompany you ...... hahahahahaha ....... I'd like to go with you ...... haha ............ haha ......'

'So you want to go with me?

'...... haha...... yeah...... haha...... well... ...haha............ haha......'

He was too tired to give up his vanity.

Well, it's true, I haven't had much time to talk to Imelda lately.

It's just a casual visit. It won't be a problem if she stays.

'Then let's go together.

'If Yashiro-san says so much, then it can't be helped.

'You're back early, aren't you?

I don't know what it is, but I've got more companions.

Is the woodcutter's daughter famous in the 41st district?If so, she might be able to give us some information.

On the other hand, you can't say that you won't get into trouble, but ...... I'm sure Delia will take care of you in that case.

'Nice to meet you, Delia. ............ Hey, are you in a bad mood?

'......Not really.'

Delia's cheeks were puffed up.

No, no, no. It wasn't really a date, it was just a visit. ............

'Let's go out for something sweet sometime, okay?

'Just the two of us?'

'Yeah. I'm going to ask you out on a date. ...... Fix your mood.'

'I can't help it!You promised!

He punched me in the back. ...... Hey, Delia, you didn't have a log or anything, did you?I'm not sure what to make of this shock,......, but I think my bones are going to fracture from fatigue if I take one more hit.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of people who'll be able to help you out, I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I feel like I'm looking at my niece or something, even though she's this big.

'Come on, I'm coming!Follow me, sir!

'Hey, jump in. You're not in charge.

With a smiling Imelda in the lead, we entered District Forty-one.

The forty-first district looked somewhat tired today as well.

As soon as we left the main street and entered an alley, the glamour of the district disappeared.

Several stores stand side by side in a dimly lit alley. The number of customers didn't seem to be good.

'Oh, you're a big girl. Are you a member of the hunting guild?

Delia was being approached in front of a store selling weapons.

'No, I'm from the river fishing guild.

'Oh, I see. ......'

As soon as he realized that he wasn't from the hunting guild, the man who seemed to be the shopkeeper instantly lost interest and walked into the store.

'You're acting as if you're not a customer except for the hunting guild.

'This town seems to be run mainly by the hunting guild.

Perhaps this unusually narrow alleyway is the result of trying to expand the main street to accommodate the hunting guild. In order to expand the main street. The stores at both ends of the street have been pulled down little by little.

...... is a possibility.

'Let's go one more street back. The people on the first street have a strange pride and are hard to get along with.

In the 41st district, it is said that those who are based in each alley from the main street are called 'first' and 'second'.

The further back you go, the poorer you seem to get. Perhaps that's why they have a strong sense of camaraderie.

'So those based on the main street are celebrities.

'It's an apples-to-apples comparison. They don't have any money. That's why they have nothing to be proud of.

The pride that only exists in this region, that you're the 'first one'. ...... Electorate ...... nonsense.

'The hunting guilds are getting the best of it, and the common people are getting the worst of it.

I'm not sure what to make of the lumberjack guild.Aren't they in a similar position?

Imelda was dumbfounded by the state of the 41st district. But isn't the Woodcutter's Guild in District 40 in a similar situation?

I'm not sure what to make of that.There are many professions that use wood in the first place, and we have a well-balanced coexistence and co-prosperity.

Imelda exclaims confidently.

Rip it off!Rip it off, the bosom of my shirt!

'Yashiro. Don't stare at me like that.

Delia puffs up her cheeks again.

No, Delia's is bigger than mine, but I feel like I shouldn't look at Delia like that. ......

'Hey, Delia. If you've ever eaten around here, have you ever heard of it?Have you heard any rumors ...... about lords or hunting guilds, especially grumbling?

If they're the kind of people who call out to each other in a few alleys, they've probably developed a strong sense of camaraderie. A strong sense of camaraderie makes it easier to turn against those who are not your relatives.

It is called "peer pressure.

It's the kind of pressure that says, 'He's a jerk,' 'That's true,' 'Oh, I thought so too,' 'Hey.

If you want to complain, they're always complaining. If you want, why don't we go check it out?

'Sure.'

It's still early for dinner, but I'll have a look at .......

Delia took us to the third alley.

The streets and buildings were getting dirtier and dirtier, and Imelda's brow was wrinkling deeply.

'...... It stinks,' she said.

'Isn't this one of the better ones?

'Is there anywhere more intense?

'After the fifth one, even I can't do it. I don't even want to eat.'

What kind of place is it?

Isn't it worse than the old 42nd Ward?

So the lowest wards are just as bad after all.

The third alley was full of eccentric characters, including a drunken man sleeping on the side of the road, a man sitting and staring blankly at the sky, and a suspicious man staring at us from the fourth alley. ...... Can I go home?

'Imelda. You're regretting following me, aren't you?'

'No, I don't ...... have a bit of that. ......'

Imelda's expression twisted as she held her nose with a pure white handkerchief.

This place must be unbearable for Imelda who loves beautiful things.

'Here it is. The fruit here is sweet and delicious.

The tavern was located at the end of the third alley.

It had a modest signboard, as if it was owned only by its regular customers.

When I entered the bar, there were about a dozen customers.

It was a big crowd, even before dinner. ...... Don't these people work?

'Master!Long time no see.'

'Oh, ...... the bear cub.'

Oh, no, not like the guy who was watching us play hide and seek.

...... Are you going to show your ass?I'll give you a first prize if you do.

'See, there's the usual.'

'Oh!Yashiro!Yashiro!Here, here!This is the good stuff!

The fruit Delia was so excited about was the mango.

Well, they sure are sweet, aren't they, mangoes?

Maybe I'll make some mango pudding next time.

'I'm sorry ......, but it's delicious!

'Right?'

The two of us sat at the counter tasting the mangoes.

I don't really care about mangoes, so I decide to talk to the master.

'What do the people here usually do for a living?

'Various things.

The Master says in a quiet voice as he wipes the cup.

He looks like an old man over sixty, but I wonder what the retirement age is like in this world.

'He's growing mangoes in his orchard, and that guy over there is making weapons.

'Does he benefit from the hunting guild?

If you're a weaponsmith, you should be very happy with the demand for weapons used by the hunting guild.

But ...... looks shabby.

'The weapons used by the hunting guild are on loan from the lord.

'Loaned?

'The weapons are given to the hunting guilds in exchange for taxes. They don't give them back. If it breaks, we destroy it.'

In order for the hunting guild to continue hunting, the lord provides the weapons.

It seems reasonable to me, but ......

If the weapons paid for by the taxpayers are being misappropriated, where are their profits coming from?

'In this city, the hunting guilds are the best, and everyone else is competing for the little money that falls out of them.

'How come there's no rebellion?

'Only a fool would fight a war he can't win. ...... If you can hold out, you can make a minimum living.

How's that working out for you?

Well, you're making enough money to go out and drink.

'With the hunting guild, the 41st district won't go bankrupt. I'm sure the economy will pick up sooner or later.

With that, the Master took the wiped cup to the kitchen.

Turning his back to me, he seemed to be saying, 'Don't ask me any more questions.

'd*mn, I can't do this. ...... I work day in and day out, but it never gets any easier. ......'

'You're lucky you can drink.

'That's true, but...'

In the back seat, a group of men are talking nonsense.

'Do you have a minute?

Two men sit at a table for four.

One of them is completely finished and drunk. The other hadn't had much to drink, perhaps to keep an eye on this drunkard.

'You seem to be very unhappy.

'That's right, if they're so blatantly disparate, ...... you'd think so too, wouldn't you?

'Certainly. But complaining about it won't get you anywhere. I'm going to work hard and buy a house in the 40th district someday.

'Hahaha!Impossible!For you, forty-two wards is the most you can afford.

Kachin......

'Ah, lord......'

''What?

The man who had been drinking suddenly straightens up and looks around the restaurant.

'Oh, don't scare me!You're going to turn me into a frog!

'What is it? I was just trying to ask you a question about your lord.''

Well, that's a lie.

'Yes, you did. You just misjudged it. Sorry, bro. He didn't mean it either. Please forgive him.'

'That's fine, but ....... Hey, the lord here is still a young man, isn't he?Isn't it his fault that we're in this situation?

'Young man? ............ Hey, bro. Don't ever say that. If the military police find you, you'll be in a lot of trouble.

'Are you even oppressing me?

The less drunk man warns me in a whisper.

Are they controlling speech in this town?

'No, it's not. The soldiers around here are all in love with the lord. Anyone who speaks ill of the lord will be purged so that the lord won't find out.

...... That's scary.

You're a complete fanatic.

'Don't you ever think about leaving?

'There are people like that. They get into trouble and leave here. ...... These days, the exodus of residents is becoming more and more serious.

The fewer people there are, the lower the tax revenue will be, and the more the city will suffer.

This will lead to higher taxes and higher prices.

It's important to avoid the outflow of people at all costs.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

...... Is he just an idiot or is he ............

'But well, ......'.

The less drunk man gulps down a lukewarm ale.

'I can't hate ......, can I? After all.'

That's all I muttered, and I was deeply immersed in my own world.

What you can't hate is the lord or this town ......

It is not wrong to try to rebuild the economy around the hunting guild.

It's more likely to work if you use bold policies to secure profits and then distribute the benefits to the people, rather than totalitarianism that will leave you destitute.

However, such a method is likely to arouse antagonism.

If left unchecked, some people will lose motivation and vitality like the people who are talking here .......

When there is no way to stop them, this city will end.

It's a high-risk gamble.

It's been less than two years since the last lord died. ......

If the policy of giving preferential treatment to hunting guilds was inherited from his predecessor,......, it seems that the results have not been good since Ricardo took over.

This is evidenced by the dead eyes of the people.

The heavy rains and the changes in the 42nd district may have been stressful for the 41st district.

There may have been a number of factors, but Ricardo has yet to see any clear results.

That's more than enough reason to lose the trust of the ...... lords.

A lord must have a certain charisma.

The lord must have a certain charisma and make the people believe that they are safe with him. Otherwise, the territory will not be able to hold together.

Ricardo......, you must be in a great hurry right now.

You're like the ...... Estella of old, not paying attention to every corner of the territory.

I need a breakthrough.

You think so, don't you?

If you don't, you're not a lord. You've come to the point where maintaining the status quo is no longer an option, your 41st district.

'Yashiro~, Imelda ate them all because you were too slow, mango.

'Huh!Ah, you ate two more slices than I did!Please don't blame others!

''No, I don't really care about mangoes.

''What do you mean you don't care?

No, you're scaring me.

Are girls' love for mangoes the same all over the world?

Anyway...

I'm glad I came to visit.

We finally have a clue to the solution.

I can't wait for the trilateral talks.

We'd better get ready before then.

After that, we looked around District Forty-One a bit more, and then we headed back to District Forty-Two.

'Don't forget your date!

Delia said sternly as she skipped away.

...... Maybe I'll take her to the sweet shop "Graduates".

I'm not sure if you've seen this before.

Imelda said with a clear face, humming as she left.

...... No, I didn't make any promises to you!

...... At all.

I'm trying to figure out how to get around this. ...... You're so easygoing.

'My head hurts ......'.

But I didn't know that.

But what I didn't know was that the next day ...... would bring more headaches. ............

That is, until I heard the earth-shaking footsteps in the early morning. ............

'Is my Yashiro here?

In the forty two districts, Medora attacked............ who is yours?