Otoko Nara Ikkokuichijou no Aruji o Mezasa Nakya, ne? Vol 1 Chapter 66

Chapter 12 - (Chapter 66): Crossroads of Life
 

Year 7442, Month 4, Day 29

 

It was a refreshing and good waking. The alcohol from last night is already no longer remaining. I suddenly realize that the sun has risen and it's probably 8 or 9

am in the morning right now. If I sleep in this much then I guess it's only obvious it would be a good awakening. I'm hungry but training is first. There's an event

in front of the government office before noon today as well. It should be fine if I go a bit early and eat something at a restaurant near the government office I'm

sure.

 

I head out to do my running with my rubber protectors on. There should have already been several hours since people started getting active in the town of Keel but

the number of people is less than at night. Even though it's a town where the population exceeds 10,000 I wonder why there's such few people out. I think about that

while running through the side streets in order to not get in the way of anyone. I ran until I got outside of the town turned around and ran down another path.

 

I continued running while using the towel on my neck to prevent sweat from getting in my eyes. It's been about an hour soon. Just halfway more. Starting from here is

the true part of running. Give it your best, me. I encourage myself as I bully my body. I haven't run in the week since I went to Doritt the other day so I thought

my body would be stiff but that wasn't the case it seems. Hmm, the body of a 14 year old is amazing. It's super energetic every morning after all. It's the angle of

a thumb after all. Doesn't it hit the belly b.u.t.ton?

 

When I was about to give it one more and running towards the outskirts of Keel, I noticed that a group of horses was approaching from the front. What is it? is what

I thought but that can't be anything but Webdos knight group. Most likely they're going to do some training outside of the town I guess. In order to not get in their

way I move to the edge of the road and watched the march of an official knight group. There were close to 20 knights on horseback, there's also another group of

dozens following along with the knights, probably squires.

 

Amazing~ How cool~ They're all wearing armor and equipped with swords and spears. It's my first time since I was born seeing this many knights and squires marching

so I got excited watching it. I'm sure my eyes must have been sparkling. The one standing at the front is Leader Sendhel I guess? He's wearing a helmet with a visor

so I can't see his face well. Hmn, it has a different type of intensity to a parade of the Self-Defense Force. Their armor is all different and it's not like their

equipment is standardized but this is cool. I wonder if the march of the horse warriors from the Sengoku era was like this?

 

As I was s.p.a.ced out and watching the gallant march get closer when they pa.s.sed in front of me the knight at the front raised his left hand. And then the knight right

behind him send out the order "Everyone, stop!". What is it, what is it?

 

The knight at the front raises his visor and calls out to me.

 

"Ya~ Alan-kun. You got right to making some grand achievements. I heard the report about last nights incident. As expected of Farne's little brother. You did a good

job."

 

As expected it was Leader Sendhel.

 

"No, I didn't do anything significant, rather the matter last night was resolved quickly thanks to the decisive judgements of commander Lord Goful and
his

subordinate knights and squires rapid actions. I didn't do anything more than offering him a bit of materials for him to make judgements."

 

I kneel just as I was taught my older brother and meekly responded.

 

"Fu..Alan-kun, if modesty goes too far it sounds like sarcasm. I heard the report and we've been packing them all into the knight group headquarters since last night

for interrogation. The report on the offenses went to my father's side early this morning. On that occasion it was also reported about you. After all, I was the one

doing the reporting. After returning to the headquarters, I was planning to send a messenger out to the inn you're staying at but this is good timing. The

punishment of Begulu's group will be given today at noon in front of the government office. Come to that place. Okay?"

 

Leader Sendhel grinned as he said that.

 

"Yes, just as has been requested of me I will appear before the government office today at noon."

 

"Yeah, putting that aside, what are you doing? It seemed like you were running with your armor on but.."

 

Ah, I still had my towel wrapped around my neck. I take my towel off in a panic as I turn red from embarra.s.sment, I couldn't help but talking as I put it in my pocket.

 

"U..Umm, I was running to train my body. I would run everyday in the village with my older brother and..that is...um.."

 

"Ho~ you can train your body by running?"

 

Really, why does he get so into it. Just ignore it.

 

"Ha, if you're in combat for a long period of time then it makes it less difficult for your breathing to get rough so it trains it a bit..it doesn't cost any money

aft all.."

 

"Hahhahaha..Certainly it doesn't cost any money. Ku, fufufu. However, it's a good way of thinking. And I like the fact that you're continuing the training you did

with your older brother even after leaving the village!"

 

After saying that Leader Sendhel raises the visor again with his left hand and grabs the reins of the horse.

"Everyone, forward!" along with that order the gallant march started again. I just continued watching in a daze as the knight group pa.s.sed by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After I finished my remaining running and returned to Bins Manor it had pa.s.sed 11 am. I take a quick shower at the well in the back and since I didn't have a

scabbard for my sword I put the bayonet together and put the scabbard on just the tip before throwing that over my shoulder and heading to the government office.

Since I didn't have any time I was going to grab some skewers on the way but all of the stalls were closed. It wasn't just that but a considerable number of

restaurants were closed up. Could it be that they're going to watch?

 

Just as I thought, when I arrived in front of the government office it was already jammed with people. Is it a festival or something? Is what I was thinking but I

remember that whether it was j.a.pan or Europe enforcing the sentences of criminals was a good show. I see, it was a festival as well. This is the reason why there was

almost no one in the back roads. It seems that there's stalls as well. Thank G.o.d. I was in trouble with how hungry I am. I bought a number of yakitori and greedily

ate it. Delish~ It's only a simple flavoring with salt but no matter what you eat when your stomach is empty it's good. Ah, if I had some soy sauce I could eat sauce

fry. I'm in the faction that uses sauce on their yakitori. I don't hate salt but sauces are different for every store and I liked searching for stores with sauce I

like. Come to think of it, Shiina said that she liked sauce on yakitori as well.

 

I suddenly remembered my past life but it's more important to devour the yakitori in front of me right now. I eat the hot meat with the skin still on it while

wondering why the yakitori in Orth isn't split up into different menus based on the pieces. The menu for skewers for pigs is roast, stomach, fillet, and there's

different menus for each part but for chickens there's only yakitori and no menu. They're all cut straight into bite-sized bits that are stabbed on to a skewer and

cooked just "yakitori". This can't be forgiven. I like bonchiri.

 

I stroll around while thinking about pointless things heading towards the front. The plaza in front of the government office is like a 400 m track in width so even

if I say it's crowded with people it's not as tight as the Yamate track during the commute to work. Since it's like the Shinjuku station at noon, anyone can go

wherever they want without any problem of b.u.mping into someone. I think there's about 10,000 people?

 

Just like that by the time I finished my yakitori I arrived at the front row and sat on the ground. Since there's a simple border made of rope I'm sure it means

don't go any further than that. There's a 3 m high stage in front of me. It's not very big but if the Marquis Webdos is going to give a speech then it's plenty high

enough. On my way here I looked around the surroundings but I don't see Kuro or Mary. Well it can't be helped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was using one of my remaining skewers from my yakitori as a toothpick and s.p.a.cing out waiting, it seems that the underlings of the knight group are looking

around at the people's faces from behind the rope border. I wonder if they're searching for someone. And quickly one of the underlings came over to me.

 

"Umm? Are you Alan Greed-sama? The one from Bakuddo?"

 

Eh? They were searching for me? I nod and they said to follow them. It seems that leader Sendhel is calling for me. However, I'm surprised they knew my face, is what

I was thinking but it seems that they had an idea that I was from Bakuddo because of the protectors I'm wearing. I see.

 

Lead by the underling I went the main hall of the government office and the knight group leader and Marquis were there. It seems that the two of them are talking

about something but after noticing that I'm being lead in they waved with their hand to invite me over. I leave my bayonet and knife with the underling that lead me

this far and go to their side and the Marquis says

 

"I met you during Shani's wedding I think it was? It's delightful that Shani doesn't just have a good husband but a capable brother-in-law as well. It seems that

you're an adventurer right now. If it's like this then in the future you might conquer Baldukk. Hahahaha"

 

Said that and laughed. Baldukk is the underground dungeon in the area near the capital Rombertia. Putting aside conquering it, it's my current goal to challenge it.

It's not that I'm particularly hiding it so he must have heard from someone.

 

"Father, more importantly than that but what should we do about the reward? I'm thinking of the case this time as something that you can't return with just money

but.. in any case since we weren't just given spies but we were able to capture the entire Begulu group that's been the source of headaches for recent years."

 

Oh~ I was wondering what it was about but it seems they're consulting over giving me something. Alright~ I use my iron will to keep my face from naturally turning to

a broad smile and maintain a quiet expression.

 

"Oh~ That's right. However, isn't it fine as money? If he has anything he needs then he can buy it after all."

 

Yeah, that's right, no matter how much money you have it's not something that's a problem. Even if I just receive 1 gold coin it would be a tremendous profit. If

it's 2 pieces then I have nothing more to say. In order to earn 1 gold coin I would have to make deliveries to Doritt 10 times. Of course the necessary expenses are

out of my own pocket as well.

 

"Hmn, since he is a n.o.ble I thought of giving him a horse but Farne already said he was giving him a horse after all~"

 

Uah...A..A horse! 6 gold coins! If I have one more horse I could even use a carriage. I guess it would be fine if I did some business as well. If I'm given the same

amount of money then it might be good to buy a horse with that as well.. In my head some over-optimistic calculations have started but of course I don't show it in

my expression. After seeing me the Marquis opened his mouth.

 

"Do you have any wishes? It's fine to say anything, ask for it without restraint."

 

"That's right, Alan-kun. Since it's this occasion try saying whatever you like. We'll be able to grant most things."

 

Muhho...Wh..Wh..Whatever I want is fine? Obviously I'm sure 100 gold coins would be rejected though, I guess something realistic would be good huh...A small carriage

that one horse can pull seems convenient. Hn? Here I should..

 

"Then Marquis-sama. Relying on your kind words please allow me to speak my wish. The thing that I want is.."

 

 

 

 

 

 

I returned to the plaza again. Since my throat is dry I guess I'll buy a beer from the stalls. Or else, it seems like things are about to start so I'll endure it for

now and watch first..

 

Oh~ I see the Mary-family over there and the bonus Kuro as well. What the, that guy Kuro, already completely acting like one of the family? Just joking. There's no

way that would be the case. They probably just discussed things together with Kuro since then I'm sure. Since they're both related persons and since he was a

frequent customer in the first place I'm sure he was reasonably intimate with the Binsil family. Well, they still haven't noticed me yet so I'll go to a different

area. I don't want to talk to them now after all.

 

After a short while not just the underlings of the knight group but the knights themselves came along to the plaza on the other side of the rope. This time the

knights stand at the stakes holding up the rope and the underlings enter the crowd of people and start calling out to organize them. It seems they're telling the

people in the front row to sit down. He~ watching like this it seems that they've done training for suppression of a group.

 

I sit down at a place about 30 m away from the Binsil family and look at the stage. I wonder if it's about time for the Marquis to appear? The double-doors of the

government office opened. The voices of the crowd that were noisy until now completely stop. The only thing you can hear is the crying voice that seems to be from

infants or babies. I'm sure it's impossible to control that far so it's plenty to call it quiet.

 

From the door leader Sendhel and after him Marquis Webdos appeared, after that several men that seem to be officials slowly appeared and walked towards the stage.

There's several chairs prepared on the side of the stage and they all sat down there. And then another man appeared from the doors alone. He's a mature 50 year old

Dog-race man. I felt the urge to use Identify but unless it develops into combat or is a situation where it could end in harm to me I'm trying to stop using Identify

as much as possible. Since I think it's worse to use Identify on someone just out of curiosity than it is to suddenly use Status Open on someone you're meeting for

the first time. The fact that they don't realize the Identify is another reason as well. Putting aside when I was a child or didn't know the common sense of the

world, but I don't want to use Identify without any sort of goal. It's different if I have a goal though.

 

The man steps on to the stage and starts talking in a loud voice. It seems that the man is the head of the officials of Keel. Managing the practical work of the

government office, if you were to put it in terms of j.a.pan, he would be in the position of a.s.sistant official of a city or town. He's saying that from here on

they're going to hand out sentencing based on the law. I guess he's not normally used to raising such a loud voice, his voice died down by the end of it.

 

Next the leader got onto the stage and the criminals were all dragged out. They're all the members from yesterday. There's also some other people that I don't know

and there's several women as well. A total of 24 people. There were 13 carried away yesterday. Other than that there's 5 women and 6 men. They're all made to kneel

on the front of the stage. Furthermore, the 13 carried along yesterday all have either an official or an underling from the knight group carrying them from both

sides. I wonder if their feet had become frostbitten.

 

Marquis Webdos stands up and rises up on to the stage changing places with the a.s.sistant official. He stands on the left side of the leader on the stage and raises a

loud voice. It's a volume that is several levels higher than the a.s.sistant official just now. I'm sure there's various chances you have to speak to crowds if you're

a Marquis. He's saying something or other about enforcing the punishments of the criminals from here on out. After the Marquis finishes talking the leader next to

him opens his mouth. Starting with the first one. A man I don't know. It seems it was theft. The leader asked the man if he admits to his crimes. The man continues

to hang his head while consenting. And then he was handed the punishment of 5 lashes with a whip.

 

It seems that the punishment is enforced right away. He was dragged in front of the criminals and then whipped by an underling of the knight group. The whip tears

into the back of the man who's upper body was tripped as he groans. It seems that by the 5th time the man had pa.s.sed out he was completely limp.

 

Just like this the enforcement of the punishments proceeds. The stingy theft is 5 lashes. Rape is 5 lashes as well. Fraud is 1 time and a fine. Robbery is 15 times.

Murder is having one leg cut off. The man who had one of his legs cut off with a giant axe was screaming. I thought he would die if they just left him like that but

it seems they immediately used magic to do the bare minimum treatment for the bleeding. Since it was just the bleeding I'm sure the pain still remains. Since he just

kept screaming he was brought off somewhere.

 

Furthermore, if you denied the charges when asked again the witness is called in a loud voice by the leader. And after letting the witness provide testimony the

Marquis listens to the points of both the witness and the criminal and gives verdict on it. There wasn't a single one that was overturned but there was one who

under circ.u.mstances was given a lighter punishment. It's an immediate trial without lawyers. Ah, I guess the defendant them self is acting as the lawyer as well. The

prosecutor and judge are separate as well. Thinking that then I guess it's better than Bakuddo? In Bakuddo father held the post of everything but the defendant. If

he wanted to do something arbitrarily then he could have done it. There were no crimes like murder or rape and at most there was theft.

 

And 6 men and 1 woman for a total of 7 were judged. It seems that the remaining 4 women were members of Begulu's group. The first crime the knight leader said was

the one from last night. Obviously the four women denied it but the men all consented. The leader called for the Binsil family and Kuro. Also, me as well. I wonder

if the Binsil family knew they would be called as witness, their clothes are neat. Even Kuro is a bit better than usual it feels like. When they meet faces with me

they didn't say anything and just faces down. It can't be helped, I guess after all they don't want to suddenly become adventurers.

 

Just as the leader said we gave testimony. Obviously the women weren't involved in the incident last night so it was just the men. The crimes were blackmail and

fraud. It's 2 lashes with the whip and a fine. After the testimony ended, for the time being we were told by the official or knight or squire or something to standby

so we moved to the edge to wait so we weren't in the way.

 

The punishment still hasn't been enforced and it seems that the charges will continue. The knight leader says the charges but several crimes came out. Murder is

included in them as well. The case of them attacking the caravan of Geluf company was included as well. They're all details that I had them confess to at Binsil's

restaurant last night. The leader says these aren't crimes that someone brought forth but all ones that were confessed and the criminals all faced down, there was

some that were crying as well.

 

In the end the punishment turned into something absurd with a fine of 2 gold coins and 25 silver coins along with 87 lashes of the whip, 3 legs being cut off, and 2

arms being cut off. Only the women got 85 lashes with the whip. Hmn, if it was all done wouldn't they become Daruma? Ah, the women don't have 3 legs. If it was me I'd

be begging them to just kill me in one go. It's only obvious they'll die if all that is done to them.

 

In the plaza that fell silent there was only the sobbing sounds of the babies and the criminals remaining. The Binsil family and Kuro were looking at the silent

leader. After the leader looks at the criminals he declared in a loud voice that the punishment will be enforced. However, since there's far too many punishments so

it'll be the death penalty. There's no way they can pay the fine as well. It seems to be death by hanging. The punishment will take place an hour later so until then

they're on show for the crowd.

 

Well then, since we've reached a pause I face the Binsil family and Kuro. I say to the old man who flinched.

 

"What about it, were you able to organize your feelings?"

 

And then it wasn't the old man who responded but Kuro.

 

"Al, you... Even if you want allies isn't this too overbearing? Taking advantage of weakness and saying things.."

 

"Well, isn't it fine, I was just requesting it. If you guys refuse then I think that it can't be helped. In the first place, were you properly listening to what I

said yesterday? I said to give me a reply today. I never said a single word about forcing you to come along with me. I said I don't need any money as well."

 

They're all looking at me with surprised faces.

 

"Eh? Ah, it.. it's okay to refuse it?"

 

Kuro said it as if he was playing dumb.

Mary's parents were also looking at my face with a surprised expression.

 

"I..I mean, you said as thanks for saving us to become your ally..Ah."

 

Mary said it in the same way.

I nod to Mary as I say.

 

"I didn't say a single words about you guys not being able to refuse it. I mean, you guys should already know I don't have the right to order you. In the first

place, if I wasn't willing to accept rejection then why did I tell you thing about it for a night? If you don't want to then that's fine. It seems like Mary thinks

it's better to have an occupation where you settle down after all. I don't know about Kuro but since you were an adventurer as well I thought you had less mental

obstacles towards it than Mary. More important than that, did you properly think about it last night?"

 

I cut my words once there and continued with an coercive expression.

 

"I don't think it's possible but I really don't think so, but you guys weren't just quarreling and complaining about me all night right? Thinking about it at this

poi...Che."

 

They were all hanging their heads down together. s.h.i.t. Am I the villain here? Even though I saved them I didn't demand money, being treated, and I just asked them to

become my allies, what kind of mean things were they saying?

I endured unintentionally letting my displeasure comes out of my mouth.

 

"You know..Well, it's fine. And, did you come to a conclusion? Let me hear it."

 

They're all exchanging glances with their heads down and fidgeting. Is this a flock of Fidgety-kuns?

 

"What about it? I won't know if you keep remaining quiet."

 

They're all still red and facing downwards as usual. Since they're all embarra.s.sed over it, in other words they didn't think about it, this is.

 

"It's fine already, wait a moment."

 

After saying that I walked by the group members who were carrying the stands out for the hanging and went to call for the leader Sendhel. After I talked to the

knight leader about something, they saw me returning together with the knight leader and all of their eyes went wide at once. Pieces of s.h.i.t.

 

"I'm sure you obviously already know but this is the eldest son of Marquis Webdos and the leader of the Knight group, Lord Sendhel.Webdos. Lord Webdos, I'm sure

their introduction isn't necessary right?"

 

"Yeah, since I just called them up as witnesses myself after all. There's no need for introductions."

 

The leader said it gently.

 

"Now then, let me hear your reply. The knight group leader is the witness. He's the perfect person for the job right?"

 

"Hey now, Alan-kun. You're a bad person. Did you properly talk to them about it?"

 

It seems that the Binsil family and Kuro were a bit afraid. It can't be helped I guess.

 

"It's a bit late at this point but I'll increase your options. You can come together with me, refuse it and continue with your lifestyles just as you have...or one

more, enter the Webdos knight group and have them train you, choose. In the case that you enter the knight group by the time you become official knights I'll come

once more and listen to your intentions. At that time you can choose if you want to come with me, retire from the knight group and return to your old lifestyle, or

continue with the knight group. During the time you're in the knight group obviously you'll receive wages. During the time you're a squire it's supposedly 43,000 Z

per week."

 

After saying all that in one breath I looked at all of them. They're all dumbfounded. Well it's not surprising. The silence continued for about 10 seconds. It seems

that leader Sendhel couldn't endure the silence and started laughing as he said it.

 

"The two of your were 14 years old right? 14 years old is a bit fast but it's the age the sons of n.o.bles can enter the knight group. This Alan-kun's older brother

entered the Webdos knight group at 14 years old and in 2 years received invest.i.ture as a knight. Although, I'm sure it'll be starting from the basics with you two

so it will take a while longer but I don't think it's impossible. After that, I'm sure that you already know this but just in case I'll say it. Normally only those

that are commoners or greater is a condition for entering the knight group. And normally they must be 15 years old or greater to enter. Also, obviously there's an

entry exam as well. It's nothing too special but if we let in somehow is lacking too much in ability enter then it will just take time and money to train them. In

order to exceed these conditions, Alan-kun handed over all of his reward for exposing the spy and capturing the criminal group this time. It's unusual saying this

but normally I'm sure the two of you wouldn't have been able to enter the knight group. Consider this a special chance that is limited to just this time."

 

After the leader said that he took a step back. I'm sure he means that it's up to me from here on. I beckon Kuro and Mary over and put my arms around their shoulders

while whispering in their ears.

 

"Listen well, I said it before but the growth rate of reincarnated people is different from those of Orth. You guys saw me yesterday right? There will never be a

chance like this again in your lives. Either spend the rest of your life in a corner of Keel afraid of everything or enter the knight group and have them train you,

decide right now. Even if you refuse it I won't resent you. It's your guys life after all."

 

 

I whispered that at a fast pace in j.a.panese.

 

 

 

A light appeared in the eyes of the two of them.