The Final Showdown And Motsunabe - Part Four

Time shifts back a little.

I collected the necessary ingredients from the warehouse and carried them into the kitchen.

Eighty percent was delegated to Garn-san. Me? Because I lack the stamina…

“And so, what do you intend to do with this? How do you plan to use up this mountain of ingredients?”

Garn-san asked me while carrying the ingredients.

“Well, you see, I’ve been thinking.”

I was busy gathering every pot I could find.

“As I said before, we must first weaken the influence of both factions. The indiscriminate expansion of opposing factions is, in the end, nothing but poison to the territory and the country.”

Because both factions were running wild, desperate for power.

If left alone, they would selfishly and greedily consume the wealth, leaving the land parched.

“So, I will have both sides spit out what they’ve been hoarding. In the form of alms for the people.”

“Will that really work?”

“If Garn-san is skeptical, perhaps it might not.”

I cannot understand the political machinations of statecraft.

“But, all I can do is cook. I will distribute food to the people with the momentum to drain all the hoarded ingredients.”

“But…”

“If this were gold and silver treasures, there would have been nothing I could do. But fortunately, the hoarded wealth was food.”

I have no eye for appraisal, so I wouldn’t know how to handle those.

“However, if there is food, that is my battlefield. From here on, it is my fight.”

Yes, if it is a stage for cooking, that is where I fight.

Using the ingredients before me as weapons, confronting the people who will eat them head-on is my duty.

“Besides, with this much hoarded, the people of the castle town must be hungry, right? Let’s eat something delicious and brighten things up.”

“…Understood. So, what do I need to do?”

“Then, please wash these.”

What I quickly handed over was pig offal.

The moment he saw it, Garn-san was very surprised.

How much? He literally jumped, you know.

“This, isn’t this internal organs! What happened to the meat!”

“Eh? We will use the meat too, but we are using the organs. Where I came from, it’s called motsu.”

“Are you an idiot! Offal is just smelly! Rethink this!”

“That’s why you need to wash it… Ah, once washed, please remove the water thoroughly. The reason offal smells is because of the water content in it.”

“Eh, gu, ku, damn it… Understood…”

Carrying the mountain of motsu in the pot, Garn-san began to wash them reluctantly.

It’s troubling to be surprised by organs… In some countries, they eat dog, scorpions, and geckos… It is a food with medicinal properties, though…

Now then, leaving that to them, I must first make the dashi broth.

The concept for this time is spicy motsu-nabe.

Using the spicy akana, I intend to make a large amount of stimulating hot pot.

I gathered as many pots as I could, enough to be considered foolish. I am using over a hundred, very large pots.

I also secured cabbage, bean sprouts, and leeks.

This time, I prepared akana as a substitute for Chinese cabbage, so it should be reasonably delicious.

If I could, I would want Japanese-style dashi stock, miso, or gochujang, but since they aren’t here, I will compromise. There is no soy sauce either. Can I manage with fish sauce? Just in case, I used scallions to remove the odor as I did last time, but…

There are things I must prepare first after prepping the ingredients.

It is chicken bone soup.

Whether you have this or not makes a huge difference.

If possible, I would like to make it Western-style, but since I cannot find celery, I will shift to Japanese-style.

I prepped the whole chicken. I put a large amount of water in a pot, boiled it, and added the chicken.

I simmered it thoroughly. Once the color changed, I removed it, and then cut it up. Dividing the whole thing into three parts is fine.

I roasted those bones slightly. Once they had a savory browned color, I changed the water in the pot, added the chicken, long onions, and sake, and simmered it thoroughly.

I skimmed the scum that rose to the top, and repeated the process endlessly.

“Hey… I’m done washing…”

“Ah, thank you. Are you tired?”

“Washing internal organs is a first-time experience for me…”

“I’m sorry about that. Then, please put all these vegetables into all the pots.”

“Hah!? You prepared this amount of vegetables by yourself!?”

“We are a mercenary band, and we have been making large quantities of food for a long time. Something like this, I’m used to it.”

We made meals for nearly a thousand soldiers with just five people.

It is no wonder my culinary skills have improved.

“…And, it’s about time.”

After simmering for nearly an hour and straining it through a clean cloth, I added konbu (kelp) and brought it to a boil.

With this, the Japanese-style chicken bone soup is ready.

“Garn-san, are you done?”

“Yeah, I stuffed the pots with vegetables as much as they could hold.”

“Please be careful with the amount of akana. I don’t know how spicy it is, so if you put in too much, it will be a disaster.”

“O, oh. Understood.”

Garn-san, I can hear your muttering of “I didn’t hear about that… is this alright.”

I took a peek, and yes, it is a lot.

There is too much akana, and it is bright red.

“Garn-san, pardon me for a moment.”

I took one piece of akana and put a scrap of it in my mouth.

“Un… It’s not that spicy. Sweet and spicy? Perhaps.”

It feels like the sweetness of boiled Chinese cabbage and the slight spiciness of chili peppers.

If it’s like this, I don’t have to worry even if I add a lot.

“The problem is color transfer, though…”

I tried putting it in a pot that I had left boiling, and put it on the fire.

“…It transfers quite a bit…”

It is bright red.

It transfers more than I expected. This is… even if the spiciness isn’t that strong, the visual aspect might be ruined…

“Pardon me, Garn-san. Please reduce the amount of akana slightly.”

“The spiciness is fine, right?”

“The problem is the color. It transfers more than I expected.”

“Isn’t color irrelevant?”

Oh, are you going to talk about cooking like that?

“Where I came from, there were indeed shops that attracted customers with bright red, spicy food… Well, that was because it looked spicy and had amazing flavor, so it was accepted. This is, after all, a pot dish for everyone to eat. If it looks bad, people might not want to eat it.”

“Is that so?”

“Let me ask you, do you want to eat bright red food? The ingredients and the soup are all bright red up to the edge of the pot. I would like to refrain.”

“…Indeed.”

“I will teach you from here on, so please remember it.”

“O, oh! Understood!”

“Then, let’s separate the motsu and put them in the pot.”

If I don’t do it quickly, offal meat spoils easily.

Even without that, it was left there whole in such a place.

“Please put this in.”

“Oh… are we really eating this? Things like the heart and stomach…”

“You will understand when you eat it.”

He’s reluctant, this man…

By the way, this time, considering the state of preservation, I will process the offal meat.

I put it in boiling water and cool it with water.

It is like Chinese boiled pork, Pai-rou.

I kill the bacteria with boiling water. I kill it thoroughly.

After that, I put the meat, offal, and vegetables in a pot, add chicken bone soup and fish sauce, and simmer.

When it boils, sprinkle leeks over it and it is done.

“It’s… red.”

The akana brought out more color than expected. It is bright red.

I taste it timidly.

Un, it is not that bad.

The odor of the fish sauce is suppressed to a certain extent, and the spiciness of the akana is just right.

I see, it becomes a taste like this.

When I tried picking up and eating the akana, I see, the akana that has lost its color has mild spiciness and has the sweetness of Chinese cabbage.

Perhaps the color itself has spiciness, and if you boil it and let the color fade, it becomes indistinguishable from Chinese cabbage?

It is not as if the flavor is completely gone, either.

This is close to Kimchi Motsunabe.

“Garn-san, please try it for a test. Together with the motsu.”

“Eh? No, just the vegetables.”

“Well, go ahead, go ahead!”

I forcefully shoved it into Garn-san’s mouth along with the offal meat.

“Hafu, hafu! Ah, afu. …Delicious. What do you call this? I thought there would be the odor of internal organs, but there isn’t. The spiciness is just right, and the soup where the umami of the vegetables and the chicken has dissolved is irresistible. The motsu is also good. It has a unique texture, and a deliciousness different from meat. It is chewy, and crunchy. This is delicious.”

“Right? You realize offal is not to be underestimated, right?”

“Yeah. It’s strange why I haven’t been eating it until now.”

“It spoils easily, and normally you wouldn’t think of eating it, would you.”

Motsu spoils very easily.

It rots in a week or two.

I recommend everyone either eat it early so it doesn’t rot, or cook it thoroughly.

“Can I have a little more?”

“No. We will finish everything.”

I won’t let you eat it all just by tasting it.

While keeping an eye on Garn-san so he doesn’t snack, I continue the work.

Since I understood the knack for the combination of akana and chicken bone soup, the work progressed rapidly.

However, since the chicken bone soup turned out better than I expected, the range of cooking seems to expand from now on.

‘Rather than the range of cooking, hurry with the Hamburg Steak!’

Hah! Was that an auditory hallucination!?

“Garn-san, did you say something?”

“No, didn’t you say it? Something about a Hamburg Steak or whatever.”

It wasn’t my imagination?!

As a result of continuing the work while feeling a bit nervous.

“Done-!!”

I made Motsunabe for one hundred portions in large pots.

Well, if you have the will to do it, it can be done!

“My arms are… my legs are… my back is hurting…!!”

That is, excluding Garn-san next to me.

“If you get discouraged by this much, you cannot be a cook. Normally, I would have you do it starting from prepping the ingredients.”

“Cooking is hard, isn’t it.”

“But it is interesting.”

I smiled nihilistically at him.

“You’re creepy.”

That was a one-hit kill.

While feeling a little depressed, I did the finishing touches.

Putting lids on the pots, and consulting about which region to place them in, and so on.

That was when.

I heard voices shouting from afar.

“?” What is it?“

“This is… could it be!”

Garn-san, whose face turned pale, ran out into the hallway.

And, when he returned a little later, he told me with a blue face.

“It’s terrible! Gungrave and the others have launched an attack!”

Eh?

“What do you mean? Are Gungrave-san and the others coming?”

“Yeah, actually I heard that Gings-sama was calling for Gungrave and the other squad leaders.”

“Is that true?!”

“Yeah, I haven’t heard the reason. He suddenly sent a letter without even giving a reason. I heard about it after the fact, but to think they would launch a counter-attack!”

No, in a way, it is just as I expected.

If it’s Gungrave-san, it seems like something he would do…

“So, are the people of the castle defending?”

“Yeah. But not one person is dead. Why? Why are they advancing without killing?”

Garn-san is deep in thought, but I somewhat understood.

Perhaps, they are being considerate of me.

Actually, I have never seen a corpse while being in a mercenary band.

I knew that Gungrave-san was trying his best not to let me see corpses.

Well, I have attended my relatives’ funerals, so I have seen the deceased, but…

But I have never seen a fresh murder victim. It goes without saying.

I wonder if they showed me corpses so I wouldn’t be scared.

“Garn-san. Can you predict where Gungrave-san is heading?”

“To Gings-sama’s place, probably. By now, Ecres-sama should be there too. What do you intend to do?”

“Let’s stop this commotion. If they know I am safe, there is no reason to fight.”

Because I don’t have a single scratch.

“Can you do anything by going there?”

“I have to do something. Before Gings-sama and whoever else makes Gungrave-san angry.”

I put the lid on the last pot and faced Garn-san.

“Let’s go. Please guide me.”

“Understood…

You seem to have a firm resolve. So it’s probably useless to stop you.

However, do not leave my side. You never know what might happen.“

“Understood.”

We jumped into the hallway and started running toward Gings-sama’s office.

On the way, there are injured people, injured people, injured people…

No one is dead, but while there are people who ended up with only minor injuries, there are also people who ended up with quite serious injuries.

It was a scene that made it clear how angry everyone was.

They are not killing, and they are not inflicting serious injuries, but it is clear that they intend to make them pay the price.

It is a little scary.

“Shuri, this is not your fault.”

At that moment, Garn-san, who was running in front, said.

Without looking back, and without even running out of breath.

“This is all our own doing. It is punishment for greed. It is not something you should worry about.”

“Is that so…”

Even if you say so…

“Ah, damn it! Shuri, we’re taking a different route!”

“Eh?”

When I was lost in thought for a moment, Garn-san had stopped.

Looking ahead, it was quite something.

What was once a hallway is twisted and blocking the road.

Literally, ‘twisted’. It is an overwhelming trace of destruction, as if the entire space had been twisted.

Couldn’t this be considered art, rather?

“It’s Gungrave and the others! They probably blocked the road so pursuers couldn’t come!”

“Do they normally go this far?”

“They don’t! This kind of technique, which is a super difficult challenge for current magic or magi-engineering, they wouldn’t showcase it in a place like this! That is how much they are enraged!”

Wow…

“Am I popular?”

My head was slapped by Garn-san.

“Don’t say stupid things, we’re taking a different route!”

“A different route?”

“It will be a detour, though! We’ll return once, go to the Lord’s office, and go up the emergency stairs from there! Damn it, it’s such a detour!”

“Wait a moment.”

There was a word I couldn’t let pass.

“Come to think of it, what are the senior vassals and the Lord doing?”

“Huh? Well, they are hiding in some room, right? Saying it’s an evacuation or something.”

Evacuation…

“You said Gings-sama called Gungrave-san and the others, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right, but…”

“Why did he call them?”

“Well, to interrogate them about your incident.”

Here, Garn-san stopped.

“That’s right, the timing is unnatural, or rather, he called them at the only possible time. Soon, Princess Tebis will come from Niewbist. If Tebis comes, there might be sanctions due to a trade review. Because you were unjustly captured. Did he intend to capture the squad leaders before that and hand you over to Niewbist?”

“Does that make sense?”

“Hardly. They are demanding ‘your person’ to the end. Even if he tries to prevent the ‘trade review’ by acting first, it is meaningless if they don’t play that card. Rather, if we play that card suddenly, it will make them angry, saying ‘You are going to take political measures just because a cook close to Niewbist was harmed?’ It gives them a pretext to impose sanctions on us as an ‘insult’. The Lord would never allow such a thing.”

Again, Garn-san had a face of having realized something, and his expression turned to anger.

“I see, is he holding him captive! If a Lord’s son imprisons a Lord, even if it is his father, he cannot escape the death penalty! He took the worst measure!”

“The worst, is it.”

“Yes, he cannot escape the death penalty, and if he does something like this, the people will mistake it for a coup, and the territory will be in chaos! What to do…! Is it better to liberate the Lord and the others first? Or stop Gungrave?”

“Understood.”

Since I finally understood the flow of the story, I proposed this.

“Since you told me the route earlier, I will go by intuition from here on. Garn-san, please liberate the Lord and the others. You can still make it in time, right?”

“Are you an idiot! I can’t let you go alone.”

“But I am the only one who can stop Gungrave-san. Garn-san is the only one who can liberate the Lord and the others. It is the same as cooking. It is a division of labor.”

“You…”

“Let’s stop it, Garn-san.”

I said while retracing the path we came.

“This stupid fight, that is.”

Again, I say nihilistically.

“…You idiot. Understood. I will follow you until in front of the Lord’s room. From there on, it is a single road. Do not get lost.”

Yes, nihilistic success!

Wait, this is no time to be fooling around.

I can read the atmosphere too, you know.

As I was running back retracing the path in a hurry, I suddenly saw someone in the corner of the hallway.

It is a person curled up holding their knees.

Even though it is a big man, he looks small.

“Garn-san. Who is that?”

“Huh? W, isn’t that Adora!”

Garn-san stopped with an emergency brake and rushed over to the person called Adora.

“Hey, are you alright Adora!?”

“Hmm? …Ah, Garn. It’s been a while. I’m alright.”

“Alright my foot! What on earth happened, did Gungrave and the others attack!”

“Yeah, that’s right…”

Adora-san says in a small voice that doesn’t befit his physique.

“At first, I thought it would be easy… When they came to the front of the castle, I tried to capture them, but my comrades were falling down one after another… I didn’t understand, I didn’t know what kind of magic was used… At the entrance, due to overwhelming archery skill, over twenty soldiers were neutralized by just one person… I heard that from the messenger, and I intercepted them here as the last bastion… Then this is the result…”

“What do you mean? You have no injuries, do you.”

“That’s right, I didn’t even get injured, I wasn’t even an opponent, I couldn’t even be an enemy!!!”

Suddenly Adora-san shouted.

And he is trembling, hugging both his shoulders.

His eyes were unfocused, and he was terribly frightened.

“Those are monsters…! They blocked my attack with two fingers, and my full-powered blow couldn’t even cut the swordsman’s arm… I cannot forget those eyes…! Those eyes that look at something less than an insect… They are not human…”

W, what is it?

Why is this look of seeing an inexplicable monster?

“Garn-san. This person is?”

“Yeah. One of my few acquaintances, Adora. He is well-known as the castle’s best warrior. Actually, there is no one in this castle who can beat him.”

“Why did such a person end up like this?”

“Well, you know… it must be Gungrave and the others’ doing.”

“That’s right…”

Adora-san, who seemed to have calmed down, said.

“The one I fought was a man named Kuuga…”

“Oh dear…”

That is just too bad luck.

That person has cut through a rock with a sword before.

He has also shattered armor with his fist while saying “Isn’t it amazing!”

It was so inhuman that I was taken aback, that one.

“Um, Adora-san?”

“…Who are you”

“Uh, well…”

If I said I was from the Gungrave Mercenary Band here, it would probably get complicated.

“I am an acquaintance of Garn-san. With Kuuga-san, I am an acquaintance or something like that…”

“Just leave me alone, already…”

Ah, this is no good.

His spirit is about to break.

“Adora-san, is there nothing else you can do but fight?”

“Huh?”

“So, I am asking, is there nothing else Adora-san can do but fight?”

“There isn’t…”

“Then, won’t you come with me?”

“Eh?!”

The Garn-san next to me is extremely surprised, but I continue.

“I was just looking for someone who can do physical labor. When this commotion ends, won’t you quit being a guard and work as a cook with me?”

“Why should I do such a weak job as a cook?”

“Then, will you continue to be a warrior? Can you continue to fight?”

That would be impossible, right…

Adora-san also shook his head weakly.

“The battlefield is not just a world of swords, bows, and magic. A cook’s kitchen is also a war.”

“W, war?”

“Yes. The person who makes it, and the person who eats it. This is a ruthless battle between these two. If I can make them say it is delicious, the creator wins; if they can say it is bad, the eater wins. I make food that makes it impossible to even hold a grudge or find faults, and convince the eater. This is the cook’s battle. I find a reason for living in this battle.”

Still, at the root, it is the fun of the person who eats it being happy.

“How about it? If the current battlefield doesn’t suit you, why not look for another battlefield?”

“Another… battlefield.”

“Everything in this world is a battle with something. Whether one seeks that battle outside, or within oneself, is up to each person. I sought the battle inside. The tension, impatience, and concentration of cooking… they are so tough that they defy your imagination. Because it is food I am having someone eat. Because I absolutely don’t want them to say it is bad. The skills and courage I gained that way are still my treasures. Now, they have become ‘weapons’ for my comrades.”

Actually, when I was first asked to cook at a company drinking party, I was on edge because I didn’t want to fail.

I mobilized all my accumulated culinary knowledge and skills, and made it desperately.

As a result, everyone was happy.

But I wasn’t convinced.

That soup could have been thicker, that meat could have been fresher.

The more I noticed, the more faults I kept finding.

That is my internal battle.

As a result, I have been doing well so far, and I have improved.

“Adora-san. If you seek a separate battlefield outside. It is fine if you feel like it, so please fight with me. You don’t have to answer right now. Because we are also in a hurry. Let’s go, Garn-san.”

“O, oh.”

We ran again.

However, I reflect on the conversation from earlier.

Embarrassing!!!

What was that about posing and the inside and the outside!

I said exactly the words I saw in a manga, but when I look back on it like this, it’s just dark history!!

When we returned to the entrance, it was already pandemonium.

There are many people who suffered injuries from arrows receiving treatment, and people groaning from the pain of the treatment.

“Shuri, don’t think.”

“Y, yes.”

That’s right, I mustn’t think.

If I empathize too much, I’m going to vomit.

“And… Shuri. This is as far as I go.”

“Eh?”

When I noticed, Garn-san had stopped.

“Go straight from here, go up the stairs, and turn left; the room at the end is Gings-sama’s office. I’m counting on you. You are the only one I can rely on anymore. The fact that even Adora couldn’t stop them means there is no one in this castle who can match Gungrave and the others. You are the only one.”

“…”

Seeing Garn-san bow his head, I nodded.

“Understood. I will stop them.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Ah, also. When you save the Lord, please bring him.”

“What?”

“We have to talk, right? As parent and child.”

It would be sad if they stayed imprisoned and fighting, wouldn’t it.

“So please.”

“…I won’t guarantee it.”

“Even if it is just an effort.”

“Understood.”

“Then, I am going.”

I ran.

Running through the hallway, going up the stairs, following the route I was told earnestly.

Fortunately, I didn’t pass anyone, and I didn’t encounter any danger.

What I think about on the way is what I should talk about when I meet them.

Is it okay for someone like me, who has nothing to do with noble disputes, to say something?

I have only fought with others on my hands, in the single digits, when I was a child.

I got along well with friends, and my relationship with my parents was not bad.

That is to say, I have avoided disputes.

Perhaps I have never fought with anyone seriously as an enemy.

But, even so, I.

If I can bring this dispute to a conclusion.

I think I must do it.

And the words for that don’t come to mind very easily.

The maxims I saw in manga and anime.

I realized they were thin before reality.

That is because the characters in those stories say it in that scene, so it has meaning.

It has no meaning even if I say it.

Still, there are things I want to say.

I will say them.

“I arrived…!”

It was when I finally reached in front of that room and put my hand on the doorknob.

Voices could be heard from inside.

“What I want to say is that you should return Shuri. I talked messily until now, but that is all we seek. I don’t seek your apologies to that extent. However, if it is an apology, pay it with something in a tangible form. Like, territory, money, or something.”

This is! It is Gungrave-san’s bad voice!

“We ended up as criminals, were imprisoned, and our comrades were captured. If you call it an apology, it’s equivalent to—”

This is bad, the conversation is turning into a threat!

“It is unneeeceeeesssaaary!!”

Because I was in a hurry, the door opened faster than expected, and I fell.

But, I rolled like a forward roll and showed myself in front of everyone.

“The fight is over!”

I ended up with a third-rate hero-like way of appearing. This is black history number two. But, it seems the impact on everyone was amazing, and everyone is frozen looking this way. Huh? Is this a success?

“Long time no see, Gungrave-san.”

“O, oh…”

Something, is Gungrave-san trembling?

“Shuri!! You were safe!”

“Shuri!”

“Were you okay! Shuri!”

“Hambur… Shuri, I’m glad you are safe.”

“Really, you worry us, you idiot!”

Oh my!?

Gungrave-san patted my shoulder.

Arius-san said tearfully that it was good.

Teg-san patted my back.

Rir-san was drooling for some reason.

Kuuga-san massaged my head.

Ah, I think about various things, like I am loved by everyone, or I caused them to worry.

“Ouch, it’s okay, I’m okay. It hurts. Rir-san, you are drooling.”

“Oops, excuse me. Slurp.”

While Rir-san was wiping her drool, I escaped from Kuuga-san’s restraint.

I looked at Ecres-san and the person next to her.

“Um, Gings-sama, is it?”

“That’s right.”

Gings-sama looked more tired than I thought.

He has silver hair, darker than Ecres-sama’s, cut short, and is a handsome man with fox-like slanted eyes.

And he is a lean muscular man. Damn it.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Shuri Azuma. May I have a word?”

“What? There should be nothing to talk about. It is a story that will end if I die.”

“I heard a glimpse outside. Something about an apology in form. It is trivial.”

“What did you say!!”

At my one word, Gings-sama was enraged.

“That is why, it is trivial to die in the form of an apology. Like receiving territory or apology money. For now, I am safe, so why don’t we end it?”

“Don’t screw around! This is a political problem! You suddenly appear, what do you understand, and with what face can you say you will end it!”

“No, I am the victim, and I am saying let’s end it, so isn’t it already fine?”

“Even if you say let’s end it, there are problems that won’t end! Either I die, or you follow obediently!”

“Then, is that fine? I heard the story. That Ecres-sama was female, Gings-sama schemed it, and Gungrave-san got angry. Based on that, to die is the worst means of escaping reality, isn’t it.”

“A problem that can be ended with one head of a Lord’s family, you cannot group it with words like escaping reality! Responsibility problems do not end unless the person takes responsibility and receives punishment!”

“By choosing to die for that, you are escaping from responsibility.”

In old stories, there is seppuku, and so on.

I think about that. There is no responsibility or anything.

Death penalty as punishment for a crime. In that regard, it might be an ant if the wounds of the victims and the bereaved families are healed even slightly. But, there are people who are not healed by that.

Because lost things do not return. Or perhaps, it exists for one closure of feelings.

However, this time it is different.

I am alive. I am not dead.

And I, the person involved, do not seek the punishment called death.

That is correct. Even if I was thrown into a jail, thanks to Garn-san, it was not that painful.

That is why I do not want Gings-sama to die.

I do not wish for a large amount of compensation or territory.

I was able to meet everyone safely. Because that is enough.

It cannot be helped if it is called naive. In this Warring States period, in this world of rival warlords, such thinking might be considered fatal.

But, this is me.

This is what kind of person Azuma Shuri is.

“If you want to take responsibility, please live. Keep apologizing forever. Even if it is not forgiven, even if it is abused. Do what you can for the opponent. Keep apologizing. And in several decades, those ‘forgive’ words from the opponent. To wait forever without seeking it. Isn’t that the way to take responsibility?”

“There is no such stupid way.”

“Yes, it is stupid, isn’t it. But, you will be stripped of your succession rights as a Lord’s family. That way of taking responsibility is only accepted by the people in the castle. We cannot accept anything by that. So, it can only be conveyed by the words ‘I’m sorry’. And please act in ways other than money.”

When Japanese politicians and corporate executives break the rules, too.

I think the footage of them bowing their heads at a press conference is often shown.

For me, I couldn’t accept just ending with an apology and a fine.

If you are truly sorry.

I always think it would be nice if there was some action.

“That is the ‘apology’ I seek.”

“…By such a method, there is no way you will be convinced.”

“No, I also think it would be better to do that.”

Suddenly, another voice echoed.

When I looked toward the door, the Lord and Garn-san were standing there.

“Garn-san.”

“Yeah, I was able to save them. As told, I brought them.”

Since Garn-san gave a thumbs up, I returned it.

When the Lord stepped into the room, he passed by me and stood in front of Gings-sama.

“You idiot!”

And, a grand sound rang out.

The Lord was dropping a fist on Gings-sama’s head.

“How much trouble are you going to cause to those around you until you are satisfied! Not only me, but involving mercenary bands and other countries! This territory is in a crisis situation due to your shallowness! Do you understand!”

“…I’m sorry.”

Gings-sama did not even rub his head that was hit, but hung his head and apologized.

“How do you intend to take responsibility! Tell me!”

“Yes… the punishment for me.”

“It is not a problem that can be solved only by your punishment! Stripping of succession rights is a matter of course! Succession rights shall be Ecres’s only! The punishment for you is to be sent to a low-ranking position and stripped of control over the military! The apology to Niewbist shall end with Garn’s death penalty! Ecres, you too! Be prepared for the punishment for not stopping your younger brother’s runaway, even though you are the older sibling!”

“Hii, stop for a moment.”

Since the story seemed to be going in a ridiculous direction, I stopped it.

“Lord. Please wait a moment.”

“Ah, Shuri-dono. I’m sorry. Disgrace in the family should be in the family…”

“Family, or rather, the cause is with you too.”

I must gather my courage and say this here.

“Why did you not return Ecres-sama’s treatment to how it was when Gings-sama was born after Ecres-sama?”

“That is a family problem, Shuri-dono.”

“No, I am involved, so it is already helpless. Lord. I think. Wasn’t all cause and effect born from the Lord’s frivolousness?”

“What did you say…?”

“Just as the words say. Forcefully turning Ecres-sama into a successor, leaving it as is even though Gings-sama was born, causing discord between brothers, and on top of that, hiding the existence of the eldest son and entrusting him with secret work. It is cause and effect born entirely from the Lord’s shallowness and frivolousness. On top of that, weren’t you actually aware of it?”

Everyone except the Lord is surprised.

The Lord frowned a little.

I tried to fish, but it seems I hit the mark.

In the first place, it is strange.

An allergic reaction entails suffering and pain for the person that others cannot understand.

It is suicide for the person themselves to continue consuming a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Just looking at the reaction of inflammation even by holding it in the hand, it is impossible for the person themselves not to know.

So I thought.

One, using it without knowing, not knowing why it happens, and continuing to use it.

However, this is too unnatural. Judging by that reaction, it should be painful just to hold it in the hand. It is impossible to keep a cool face at a banquet.

The other is that it doesn’t make them notice with special processing. This is too unrealistic, so I excluded it.

The last possibility I thought of was the most impossible one.

Using it, knowing.

The possibility of enduring the pain of an allergic reaction and continuing to use it, using it on purpose.

When I reached this point, I tried to laugh it off and deny it.

But, since I couldn’t think of any other possibility, I tried to ask by fishing…

It seems this is a hit.

“Why? It should have been terribly painful. If you hold it in your hand, that part would have, without exception, had hives and itching. If you drink it like that, it should have been accompanied by pain and itching in your mouth, throat, and stomach. Why were you using it?”

“That is…”

“Garn-san, why do you think?”

“Huh? Me?”

Garn-san, who was suddenly addressed, was bewildered, but thought for a moment and said.

“Well, yes… because there is someone who benefits from you collapsing. Or, because there is an opponent you want to cause disadvantage by you collapsing. Or a suicidal desire.”

“Lord, what is it?”

I was also thinking about the possibility I just mentioned.

If it benefits, for whose sake is it?

Who is the one you want to cause disadvantage?

In the jail where information was limited, I couldn’t find an answer at all.

Now, what is the answer?

“…Shuri-dono has quite the wit, contrary to his appearance. I didn’t think I would be told up to that point.”

And, the Lord spoke as if he had resigned.

Resignation.

It could be felt from his entire body.

“Who I wanted to benefit was my children. Garn, Ecres, Gings. Who I want to cause disadvantage to, both now and in the past, is only one person. My lawful wife.”

Time stopped.

What did you just say?

Cause disadvantage to the lawful wife?

“Gings. This plan was not thought of by you alone, right?”

“Eh?”

“That’s wrong. You wanted to achieve military merit after I collapsed and gain succession rights. But, the lawful wife was thinking of something beyond that.”

“S, such a stupid thing. There was nothing from Mother.”

“She knew.”

The Lord said.

“With your ability, it is transparent. Taking advantage of your plan, the lawful wife was maneuvering from the shadows. When you ordered your subordinates to make an iron wine glass, you originally intended to include only a little iron, didn’t you? Excessive iron was used in that wine glass. I decided to take advantage of that.”

“W, wait a moment, Father. I didn’t know that either. Certainly, the lady has a bit of a jealous side, but…”

Fu, the Lord laughed.

That is a laugh of mockery.

“Jealous? No. She is not just jealous, her ambition is too strong. When she knew that Gings had no ability for internal politics, the lawful wife was jumping for joy, secretly. If she installs Gings as the Lord with this, she can grasp power as his guardian afterwards. And, if she has Gings’s military ability, there is a possibility that she can expand the territory. If she does that, the amount of money she gets will also increase. She is that kind of person. She.”

Looking at the state of the Lord, whose expression changed from a mock laugh to a serious face, I finally realized.

This person, he has been enduring until now.

Allergy before that, he has been enduring and bearing the distortion arising from the cracks in the family forever.

“I actually loved Garn’s mother and my concubine from the bottom of my heart. To avoid misunderstanding, Gings. I love you too. However, the lawful wife cornered the concubine and expelled Garn’s mother. It was too late when I noticed. I hate her from the bottom of my heart. Why did she have to do that much!”

“Then, where is the lawful wife now?”

“Ah, as for her, she must have thought that the situation had worsened, taking advantage of this commotion. She ran away quickly. Together with the fact that a messenger from Niewbist is coming, she must have abandoned this territory as having no future.”

“T, then I am”

“Abandoned. By that woman. Originally, I intended to take advantage of this commotion further, pursue all of that woman’s evil deeds, and condemn her, but… Shuri-dono. Everything went crazy due to your movements. The lawful wife ran away, the son is guilty of treason. The responsibility is the execution of the hidden child. This situation is extremely bad.”

It seems I did something extremely bad…

“That is your argument, Lord-dono.”

At the point where I was about to get a little depressed, Gungrave-san said.

“At that banquet, Shuri acted out of concern for your body. For a person who came from outside to see through such plotting up to there suddenly is an impossible story. Besides, Shuri was concerned about your body. Even if you were to thank him, what kind of attitude is it to blame him?”

Oh, Gungrave-san is angry!

He is saying it without honorifics.

“Then what do you do? With this situation. The dispute between the First Prince faction and the Second Prince faction changes the situation due to the failure of the Second Prince faction rebellion. It is highly likely that the Second Prince faction will be driven out by the civil officials of the First Prince faction.”

“I, if I suppress them”

“Impossible Ecres. The civil officials of the First Prince faction are those who follow you, believing that your internal political ability is necessary for the territory. There is no reason not to attack on this golden opportunity.”

“That is not a peaceful story.”

Here, Kuuga-san interjected.

He is leaning against the wall, folding his arms.

Oh, nihilistic and cool!

“Well, it is a story that has nothing to do with us anymore. Gungrave, isn’t that right.”

“Yeah, that’s right. If you think about it well, it is. Saving Shuri is also over.”

“Understood, Gungrave.”

“Nn, understood.”

“Wait, wait, wait! Please wait a moment!”

Eh, what is everyone saying!?

Everyone has an expression as if it is natural!?

“Eh!? You are going home?!”

“Of course, right? Our purpose is saving you, Shuri. From the conversation now, I knew there was no combat power left in this territory to pursue us. The rest will probably disappear without a trace due to the First Prince faction and Second Prince faction destroying each other and Niewbist intervention.”

“That is correct. What Kuuga says is most reasonable. Shuri, we are a mercenary band. A mercenary band values comrades above anything else. However, we do not show mercy to enemies. It is necessary to live so as not to give any mercy at all. This time, Shuri. The moment we were able to save you, our purpose was achieved.”

“No, no, even so, taking the ladder away here is a bit…”

Speaking realistically, as told, leaving this territory quickly is probably the best.

Because they think there is no plus for the mercenary band even if they stay longer.

But I hate abandoning them here.

“…”

Ecres-sama is also looking this way.

It is written on her face that she wants me to save her.

A person who has been enduring and doing her best forever.

To pretend not to know here and run away.

It is too much.

“Then, if I can solve this problem, is it fine? Gungrave-san.”

“Huh? No, the problem here is already over, Shuri.”

“No, it is not over. I haven’t received the territory.”

“Do you need it now?”

“Then, if you can receive it?”

“No, I don’t want to become like Alturia anymore. If it is land and comrades, I will take the comrades.”

“That is manly… However, this time I also have an idea.”

Leaving the puzzled Gungrave-san aside, I faced the Lord once again.

“Lord. If the dispute between the First Prince faction and the Second Prince faction disappears, will it work?”

“What? Suddenly.”

“Please tell me.”

At my serious way of speaking, the Lord answered.

“If the faction dispute disappears, certainly 40% of the worries will disappear. However, the remaining 60%. The loss of control over the military and Gings’s punishment still remain, but what did you do?”

“I have an idea.”

Even if I say idea, this is a kind of ‘shifting of responsibility’, though.

When I conveyed my idea, the Lord thought for a while.

“I see… Certainly, with that method, the remaining 50% will also be solved.”

“Is the remaining 10% emotion?”

“That is correct. However, if it is emotional theory, there is also a possibility of being solved by time. There might be some who change their thinking by watching the activities of Gings and Ecres from now on.”

“Gungrave-san? Will you cooperate?”

“……It can’t be helped.”

Gungrave-san laughed while scratching his head.

“You also do quite bold things! You idiot!”

“Ouch! It hurts, you know!”

Then he also rubbed my head roughly. It hurts in a dull way.

“Teg! Gather the subordinates in the castle town!”

“Understood.”

“Arius, gather the soldiers in the castle! If you are the opponent, the soldiers will not resist! Especially if you take Gings!”

“Understood.”

“Kuuga is ‘cleaning’! Capture anything that is under his breath one after another!”

“Understood. I don’t feel like it, though. You should just get out of here quickly.”

“Rir, setting up the venue! Swiftly!”

“Highbal…”

“Do it later!”

Leaving Gungrave-san, who was giving instructions efficiently, to the side, I am having a meeting with the Lord.

“I leave the content of the speech, etc., to you. Also, how to dispose of things, etc., to you.”

“That is fine. You do unpredictable things.”

“But, with this, can you take revenge, right?”

“It is the best revenge. Because with this, he can never come back.”

“Then I count on you.”

I finished talking with the Lord, and stood in front of Ecres-sama and Gings-sama.

“With this, 90% of things end. Finally, I can end this incident.”

“You… don’t you hate me? I am the one who imprisoned you. Why can you do that much.”

Hmm, if I am told that, it is so, though.

“Asking me to let you punch me once later, that doesn’t seem like me. Because Gungrave-san and the others have already taken enough revenge.”

“Shuri-kun. I also find it strange. Why can you do that much.”

Ecres-sama…

“I just made food? The rest is your job. Besides…”

I looked at Garn-san.

Now, Garn-san is giving instructions to his subordinates, the spies. For the sake of something I asked him for.

“Because I have a debt of gratitude to Garn-san, you see. The fact that the prison life was not that painful is thanks to Garn-san. It is repaying that debt.”

“No, even so…”

“Besides, Ecres-sama.”

I promised, you know.

“Because if we don’t solve this problem, you can’t leave this territory even if you want to leave, right?”

“Huh?”

“So, won’t you come with me?”

Ecres-sama is stunned.

“Because, in prison, you said you wanted to quit being a successor and come. Was that a lie?”

“…Pfft, hahahaha.”

Eh? Why are you laughing?

“That’s right. We made that promise, didn’t we? I think it’s impossible now, though.”

“Is it impossible? Ah, is it that you were heard by Gungrave-san or something?”

“Yes, yes. I was careless. If that didn’t happen, I should have been able to go.”

“By the way, is it a problem that he heard it?”

“Shuri, it’s a huge problem.”

Gungrave-san grabbed my head.

Eh? I sense a sign of a smile, but I feel the fighting spirit like a lion…?

“This person tried to join our comrades with an indifferent face. Furthermore, it is because the person on the side who captured Shuri said her own position was hated. Can such a person be added to our comrades?.”

“B, but.”

Ahhhhh, he is squeezing meeeee…!?

“But nothing. I will not acknowledge it.”

“Eh, can you somehow…”

“There is no ‘somehow’.”

“Ouch, it hurts, it will break. Various things will come out. From the gap, something skin-colored will leak out.”

“Fufu, it looks fun, doesn’t it.”

“Isn’t that right, so please together… ouch ouch ouch ouch.”

“Are you still saying that, you fool.”

Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch.

After that, cooperating with Gungrave-san’s subordinates, I had them carry the pots that were in the kitchen.

“How is the placement? Arius-san.”

“It’s finished without delay, Shuri. Don’t worry. The rest is Gungrave and the Lord’s job.”

Now, we are in the castle town plaza.

I had all the pots carried, and I am arranging them on the road connected from the plaza.

And, I am with Arius-san, dishing out the Motsunabe from the pots onto plates, and distributing it to everyone in the town.

“Hey, can this bright red food be eaten?”

The townspeople are also questioning and asking.

“This is a pot using akana.”

“That? Certainly, when that is put into soup, the color transfers. However, it is rare for the smell to be this good.”

“That is probably so. Because we are using pig internal organs and such.”

“W, internal organs!? Is this stomach!?”

They are very surprised.

This is bad, at this rate they won’t eat it.

“Well well, first, this, boom.”

“Buho!?”

So I put it directly into their mouths.

The townsperson was surprised but tried to spit it out, but…

After chewing it, his movement changed slightly.

“…This is delicious. I thought internal organs or whatever were outrageous, but…”

“It’s a little spicy and the texture is interesting, right?”

“Certainly… even if it has a crunchy texture, it has the deliciousness of meat.

“The flavor of the leeks is also good. It would be greasy without this.

But I don’t know. The soup that lies at the root of this dish. What is this? Chicken bone and vegetables… no, vegetables? No, I don’t know…“

“With a feeling like that, we are distributing a pot dish where you can enjoy the taste, Motsunabe.”

Seeing one person eating it deliciously, it seems the other people also let their guard down.

One after another, they are receiving it, and eating it deliciously.

“However, you did something bold. Shuri.”

Without stopping her hands, Arius-san was laughing while being amazed.

“By consuming the ingredients that are the key to the wealth of the First Prince faction and the Second Prince faction and exhausting them, you created a situation where they can’t afford to continue fighting. On top of that, among those we suppressed, we decided to capture and punish soldiers who were under the lawful wife’s influence. Because you end up pushing all the causes of the dispute to the lawful wife, after all.”

Hahaha, even for me, I did it a little bit.

When I listened to the story, in the end, the lawful wife’s ambition and jealousy were torturing the Lord.

She drove Garn-san, Ecres-sama, and Gings-sama’s fates into insanity.

And taking advantage of the commotion, she abandoned her husband, children, and subordinates, and ran away.

It’s trashy beyond degree, isn’t it.

So, since it’s just right, I decided to push all the responsibility onto her.

She is a person who is not there, and she is the original cause, so well, it’s fine.

When I told the Lord this opinion.

“I see. With this, the lawful wife cannot return.”

He accepted it with joy.

Just how much did he hate her? It must be quite considerable, that.

Currently, on the stage in the plaza made by Rir-san, the Lord and Gungrave-san are making a speech, or giving an award, or something.

They are blaming the cause of this time’s commotion on the lawful wife.

Gings-sama and Ecres-sama were trying to do something about it, but couldn’t act for the sake of the subordinates under her influence.

Gungrave-san and the others freed everyone with a frontal breakthrough.

They are spreading a made-up story, saying that they are celebrating the territory that is newly reborn because the culprit is gone, and decided to treat everyone to celebratory food.

The parties involved must be thinking “What kind of convenient story is this? How could you make up such a story?”

And, as a reward for solving that incident, they are receiving land and medals.

Even if I say so, it seems the Lord thinks they cannot operate the territory themselves anymore.

Well, according to the person himself.

“The elite of the castle were taken down by just five people, you know? It’s disgraceful, and it seems I am also at the time of retirement.”

That is what he says.

In other words, it seems he will actually bequeath the territory to Gings-sama, and put him under Gungrave-san.

Ecres-sama, though…

“Shuri-kun, shall I help with this?”

She has been leaving her post and coming here since a while ago.

Every time she does, Gungrave-san is sending tremendous fighting spirit toward us. It’s scary.

“No, please distribute the food at your post. You haven’t finished, right? Because we used a considerable amount.”

“I was not only distributing food, but also distributing condiments, you know. I came because I had a little free time. This Sky Scallion is made well, isn’t it.”

Ecres-sama looked at the populace.

Yes, when I made the Motsunabe, I used Sky Scallion as a condiment on the side.

I had it chopped so they could sprinkle it in the amount they like, and have it distributed.

Then, Kimchi Motsunabe turns into Jjigae-style hot pot in a flash. It doesn’t go that far, but you can also add sourness according to your preference.

Look, the child over there sprinkled too much Sky Scallion and is teary-eyed.

“However, you really ended the commotion with cooking.”

What? Suddenly you started talking sentimentally?

“Thank you, Shuri-kun. It is thanks to you.”

“I might have spread the commotion even more, though.”

“No, even so, we were able to completely drive out the lawful wife’s power. I didn’t have to become the successor either. I could have Gings inherit, and since the civil officials don’t have ingredients, they are not in a situation to fight for power, so I could urge them to cooperate with the military officials. Thank you very much.”

Ah. No…

What is it, when I am told that much by a beautiful person like Ecres-sama, I am embarrassed…

“Please continue to treat me well from now on, too.”

“Yes, of course.”

Well, because we are comrades from now on, too.

“Good, I got your word.”

“Eh? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. Now, it’s a celebratory banquet. Let’s distribute more.”

“Ah, yes.”

Is there a feeling that the words are cut off?

Well, is it fine?

In the end, with this, Gungrave-san obtained the territory, obtained the country.

It was a long road getting here.

As for the rest…

It is perfect if we can grasp the lawful wife’s whereabouts.

I hope that person is not planning anything bad.