Chapter 84 – Departure, Now Time for Nazioni.
Soon after the conversation ended, Katharina returned back home.
By the time the aftertaste left behind by Katharina’s presence began to disappear, Eiji opened his mouth.
His sight was directed at the doorway.
– Well, it seems Katharina has returned back, right?
– Yes. I think it’s okay now, Eiji-san.
Nodding to each other, they both checked if it was safe to hold a new conversation.
It wasn’t the sort of talk that was good to be overheard by others.
Eiji asked Tanya a question so as to confirm and reshape the doubt dwelling inside of him.
– So what’s your opinion?
– In other words, you mean to say she was told to do so by Franko?
– Yes.
I see. This has become quite a nuisance.
Eiji thought it would be nice, were it to be Katharina’s own view.
If she could express total lies, no doubt many of her worries would be relieved.
To begin with, Eiji had thought that the possibility for that was low, but nevertheless…. assuming the content of Katharina’s talk was genuine, it would mean that yet another vexing truth became apparent.
– I’ve come to understand something thanks to this time’s conversation.
– Franko most likely, knows about me making weapons.
– No, you see. I’ve been keeping his words inside my mind when he parted with me.
{Suddenly, it makes me want to question if there's something I should feel guilty about in my job.}[1]
Is what Franko said.
Those were probably not words uttered by a dejected loser who was unable to achieve his goal.
Recalling that moment, Eiji felt a chill running through his spine.
– There’s a chance he mostly believed that way, I think.
– Perhaps, he thought it would be better not to create any deplorable event, were they to admit me into the clan afterwards, you see. And then, the one who was providing Franko with information would most likely be—–
What resurfaced inside Eiji and Tanya’s heads was the face of the same person.
They both nodded in agreement at the same time.
– It’s Katharina-san, isn’t it? Eiji-san, you too would completely agree on that, right?
– Eiji-san has become quite skillful in negotiations, haven’t you?
– I too thought it felt off.
That’s because, the way you spoke was very different from how you usually speak? – Tanya said.
Judging from Tanya-san’s perspective, I wonder what she thinks of me. – he thought.
However, as soon as they both became wife and husband, Eiji believed he should build a fair amount of self-confidence up in himself.
– Still, what’s the motive behind their plan this time?
– That’s right…. What I can think of is that the plan’s role is to suppress any possible mutiny coming from this village, and taking in Eiji-san as a member of their clan is the first step. The first step of making you willing to cooperate. Looking at it in terms of foreign affairs, they probably fear that trading with Siena will become more attractive and preferable to other places than with their city, were we to grow in strength. Their plan is a countermeasure to prevent any Siena-related trade that could lead to mutiny. If we consider the plan’s effect in the long term, there’s a lot they could gain from that, indeed. I hate to admit it, but I think they’ve come up with a good idea.[2]
Numerous causes stirred together came out smoothly from Tanya’s mouth.
Even he wouldn’t be able to arrive at such an idea.
Perhaps, Eiji would, at most, be able to give one or two examples?
As expected, was Tanya’s ability to reason the result of her being groomed as a potential candidate for becoming the tribal chief?
Still, there was a single problem left.
– For me, the problem lies in Eiji-san being the partner of the engagement, you see.
– I wonder if that’s how you feel. Speaking of which, you didn’t seem to be completely against, did you?
Shaking his head desperately from side to side, Eiji denied her statement.
Nevertheless, Eiji couldn’t think of a future where both Tanya and Katharina would smile.
Tanya, who saw his hopeless appearance, began to snicker at him.
For Eiji, it was a shameful experience, to the extent of him emitting steam from his head.
Eiji wanted to change the topic of their conversation, but he wondered if it should be fine to do.
Thinking doubtfully about something, he asked:
– Can you think of any reason as to why Katharina-san became a spy?
– And something more concrete?
– Are you saying it’s the very reason why Katharina was put into the group that came to this place?
– Somehow, it appears they are taking advantage of her weakness. It doesn’t feel like a pleasant story, does it?
– Although Katharina-san is on the side of wrong-doers for us, she’s also in the victimized position, right?
Can nothing be done about that?
However, saying so, Eiji also wanted them to pass on the matter of bigamy.
– Still, it’s necessary for me to take up their offer, isn’t it?
At his question, Tanya kept silent.
For a moment, she made a bitter expression as if being in agony, and had a face that looked like she was forced to swallow something hardly. After that, Tanya nodded down.
– I guess it can’t be helped but to accept it.
– Yes. When the ruling side proposes a marriage, there’s no way for the proposed party to be forgiven were they to refuse. Otherwise, the proposing party will lose face.
– Eiji-san?
At that moment, Eiji was caught up in his own thoughts.
Eiji felt as if an answer that would bring a turnabout for everything was about to come.
Marriage….. Appeasement….. Clan…… Adopted child.
-……Tanya-san! How about this?!
– W, What?
At Eiji’s sudden scream, Tanya became astonished.
Eiji wanted for her to listen to his opinion straight away.
– You see, that is to say, I will ――――.
– However, it should also have lots of advantages. And most importantly, Nazioni will be able to save face.
– Even if we were to be declined, there’s nothing to lose. Don’t you think it’s worth it to give it a try?
– After all, it’s for the sake of protecting our family now, correct? If Tanya-san gives me her support, I’ll be inspired with fresh courage.
Putting a grin on his face, Eiji showed off his biceps.
Tanya blinked her eyes in amazement.
It will be fine, don’t worry. – He embraced Tanya while saying that to himself.
——-
A mountain-like amount of wheat was piled up on a rickshaw[3].
Eiji’s made tools and different soaps were stored inside one of the carriers.
In front of Siena’s inhabitants, who gathered to pay taxes, there was Franko with his horse.
– So you have arrived?
– No, I don’t mind. To begin with, this departure was unforeseen for you, and you probably had to prepare too.
Just like Franko said, even if it was a sudden one-week absence, one had to do their preparations hurriedly.
It also appeared that Eiji and the rest would have to sleep outside.
– Howdy, Master. Come and sit next to me.
– I’m, well, that’s because I’m the son of a ruler, you see. Therefore, I’m receiving special treatment.
– Rather than assisting with tax collection, I was told by my father to help you. Since I’m just following his orders, it’s not like I’ll care if you don’t want to comply.
– Hm….
Eiji, who agreed to Dante’s talk, boarded the bullock cart.
Eiji thought about taking the initiative and about how he should move during their breaks.
Assuming she decided not to return back to her home and see her father after a whole year, it looked like there was quite a reason behind that.
It would be nice if I could at least help a bit in solving her problem during this trip. – Eiji thought.
– Well, we will be leaving shortly, but, do you have anything you left behind?
While saying so, Franko continued to prudently check the carts containing the items paid in taxes.
– Then, we’re departing!
At his voice, the troupe began to slowly advance.
Translator and reference notes:
[1]: I previously made a mistake in ch. 82 regarding Franko’s inspection. Eiji was present at the time Franko left those words when parting, but I jumped into the wrong conclusion, and instead, decided to go with my own version. (Partially, due to the author not specifying that part). Will fix this later in the previous chapter.
[2]: Not 100% sure about this part.
[3]: The japanese term “jinrikisha” means “a human powered vehicle”, but I’m not sure how it links with the rest.
Chapter end
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