Chapter 320
To change something.Depending on what it is, the effort required varies, but it's a common factor.
Change your commute route, and your travel time and distance change.Change your occupation, and your relationships and work content change.Change your regular eatery, and the food you eat changes.
Big or small, effort is generated when making a change.
"I had heard he was a warrior, but what kind of person is he exactly?""Challenging him to a duel right off the bat is a no-go, okay?""I know. That's why it's fine even without Amina and Nel standing by.""In that case, please deactivate that 'raring for a fight' mode of yours."
I changed the fate of Genjirou Shizuma, the last of the 'Three Madmen' we players called the Satsuma Samurai. As a result, I cannot predict what events will occur.
However, even so, I scouted him because I found his original personality and abilities appealing.While his original strength is based on my FBO memories, Kon has corroborated that he is indeed skilled.
That's why I decided to scout him, but...I carelessly ended up telling Claudia about Genjirou's abilities, which made her say she wanted to meet him, and her expression at the time looked rather pleased.Just in case, thinking 'it couldn't be...', I had Nel, who can overpower him physically, and Amina, who can strengthen allies, standing by to welcome Genjirou.
"...... Isn't it fine? Opportunities to fight a samurai from the Eastern Continent are rare.""No, Ms. Claudia, please have mercy. Even my renowned samurai would be far too out-leveled."
Kon is also here with us for this meeting.The reason cold sweat is running down his face is undoubtedly because he knows Claudia's true strength.He has finally joined the training and is growing stronger steadily, which is why he also participates in Supervisor Claudia's training sessions.
One could say he now understands just how weak those who leveled up normally are.
Even I don't think for a second that the current Genjirou could beat Claudia.It's doubtful if he could even put up a good fight.
"......""Understood, I'll prioritize strengthening him, so please let it go for now.""I'm counting on you."
Somehow, I need to find a countermeasure for Claudia's heightened motivation when it comes to combat.
"Ah! They're here!!"
Just as I thought that, I heard Amina's voice. She had been circling overhead, watching for the arrival of the people we were waiting for. Turning to face the front, I saw a group wearing rare *Kimonos* for this continent walking towards us.
Looking at the man walking at the front, I strained my eyes.His appearance was somewhat younger, but it was undoubtedly Genjirou Shizuma.
The him I knew was stained with madness, his eyes bloodshot, carrying an aura that made one feel he might go berserk if he didn't cut something.
However, the current him carried no such aura.
There stood a single samurai, walking proudly with his comrades, his heart engraved with the pride of a warrior.
And in his hand, he held the reins of a horse carrying a woman and a child on its back.
"Thank you for your long and arduous journey. I'm glad to see you arrived without issue.""Lord Jinsai. I sincerely thank you for your consideration this time. Including myself, all sixty-three of us have arrived safely."
Seeing him like this, it was clear he wasn't mad and that he cherished his family.A sense of relief welled up inside me, and I steeled myself, thinking I must welcome them properly.I watched as they stopped before us and Kon handled the greetings.
"If you wish to give thanks, please direct it to this person. The one who said he highly values your skills and absolutely must have you—the Apostle of the Goddess of Wisdom, Lord Liberta.""Pleased to meet you. I'm Liberta.""Oh! So it was you. This is our first meeting. I am Genjirou Shizuma."
After the greetings, the flow led to Kon introducing me to Genjirou.Upon the appearance of someone who could only be described as a child, his eyes widened for a moment, but there was no contempt in his subsequent emotions.Was it gratitude for being saved, or gratitude for being scouted based on his abilities?
As he bowed his head, the woman who seemed to be his wife and the child dismounted and also bowed, followed by his subordinate samurai.
"Lord Liberta, I hear you saw potential in me through the wisdom of the goddess. I wish to serve you with all my heart, soul, and loyalty, striving to meet your expectations."
Listening to his polite words, a stray thought crossed my mind—'So this proper demeanor, when stained with fanaticism, becomes *that*?'
"I too will do my utmost to live up to your trust. You must be tired from the long journey. Living quarters have been prepared. You all might be fine, but your families should rest. We can discuss future matters after that.""I appreciate your concern."
Such a long journey might be fine for the samurai, but it's hard to say the same for their families.The adults might try to hide their fatigue, but the children cannot.
For now, I guided them to the mansion owned by His Grace the Duke, which was ready to receive them.This mansion is located in a different area from the Duke's main estate but is not too far away location-wise.
"Oh my, does Lord Liberta possess such a splendid mansion?""No, this mansion belongs to a ducal family of this country. I prepared it for you, Genjirou, and your people to live in. It's a foreign land, so I thought it might be better if everyone could live together at first.""What!? For our sake!?"
I'm calling him just 'Genjirou' because he said it felt awkward for the person he serves to use honorifics, and he asked me to drop the formal speech altogether on this occasion.
While wondering if that's the right distance, it's more comfortable for me too, so when I did as he asked, he nodded contentedly.
As expected of a place used by nobility, the building is splendid.It's designed to accommodate servants as well, with many rooms, so it managed to house all of Genjirou's people.
They seemed anxious about their living arrangements, but if they're going to serve me, I must properly provide for their clothing, food, and shelter.Otherwise, I'd be scum who calls people over only to make them camp outside.
"That's how much I'm expecting from you. It might be an unfamiliar environment, but do your best.""Yes! I shall strive diligently to meet those expectations!"
Thinking that would indeed be terrible, I asked His Grace the Duke to prepare this mansion.It's a good thing I built up plenty of favors.Clarice, Kon, and Barbados are being handled at the national level, but Genjirou and his people are essentially those *I* summoned personally.I must do what I can properly.
"I heard beforehand, so I only prepared furniture and food, no servants... are you sure that's alright? I can send some people to help until you get used to it.""Even at our previous residence, we took care of the mansion's upkeep ourselves, so it is not a problem.""The samurai did?""As I mentioned before, our treatment was not particularly favorable. After all, we are 'hornless.' While I am confident none can surpass us in handling the sword, this fact alone is something we cannot change."
As if to say my worries were unfounded, they quickly grasped the mansion's facilities, understood how to use them, and immediately began moving in.Along the way, joking about the reason they were looked down upon, he lightly tapped his *chonmage*-topped head, demonstrating their efficiency.
The fact that Kon smiled wryly upon hearing this suggests it's a deeply rooted discriminatory sentiment in the Eastern Continent.I knew about it in FBO too, but seeing it in reality like this really highlights what a troublesome norm it is.
Basically, the samurai are the core, but normally they wouldn't handle tasks like carrying luggage.Lower-ranking odd-job workers would take on that kind of work exclusively, while samurai like them specialize in fighting.However, here, the samurai, along with the women and children, were briskly carrying luggage and deciding room assignments.
"From the start, promotion was not expected. We held no expectations for the next heir we were to serve either, so this offer was like a ship to carry us across for us. I thought we might be scorned for changing masters, but when the other party is the Apostle of a Goddess, well, one can't very well say such things, can they?"
Genjirou, who was supervising this, showed a cheerful laugh, unconcerned with misfortune, as if to say, 'An unexpected promotion!'
Several samurai nodded upon hearing Genjirou's words.When I looked at Kon to see just how bad their treatment was back home, he could only smile wryly.
However, this kind of discriminatory thinking exists on every continent, so one can only ignore it.Here in the Southern Continent, noble power is so strong that similar things happen.
"I see. Well, for now, as long as you are under my command, I won't allow such things. However, I also won't permit laziness, resting on the privilege.""That is my wish!! You can expect great things from us in battle!!""Understood. Starting tomorrow, we will form contracts sequentially and then begin training. I apologize, but time is short. The training will be spartan.""I take it this concerns the great battle I've heard about?""That's correct."
Thanks to the former Duke Boldorinde, one of those powerful figures, causing trouble, we must deal with it promptly.
"For that purpose, I have a job for you first.""Anything, just tell me what I must do."
We need to prepare as much combat strength as possible.We cannot deploy the spirits on the front lines in the battle against Azidahaka.
That means we have no choice but to fight with human hands.
"Eat a proper meal and go to bed early today. Making your physical condition perfect is the job for Genjirou and his people today. Light exercise is fine, but intense training starts tomorrow."
To train such personnel, heart, skill, and body must all be in sync.
If the mind and body are tired, one cannot perform at their best when the time comes.
"...... Understood."
So I told them to eat well and rest properly to prepare for tomorrow. Genjirou's eyes widened, then a smile formed on his lips.
"I asked Kon to prepare rice too. Ah, and make sure your families eat as well! It would be terrible if the children or your wife couldn't eat and you got worried.""Understood."
He nodded firmly.Understanding that it wasn't just Genjirou who would get to eat, his family also looked relieved.It's the principle of 'good work deserves good reward.'
It's unthinkable to skimp on meals for those who are risking their lives for me.
"Ah, and I'll call a blacksmith later, so make sure to get measured for armor and such.""You provide us with clothing, food, and shelter, and even take care of our weapons? This is service beyond expectation. I'm almost afraid to hear what you will demand of us tomorrow."
However, perhaps because my treatment was *too* good, Genjirou tilted his head slightly in doubt. But from my perspective, I'm just trying to get my combat members into the best possible condition.
"This means that if you can't accomplish anything, it's because you lack ability. Perhaps by placing heavy expectations on you, he is testing you.""I see. Indeed, having received such benevolence, if we cannot accomplish anything, we would have no excuse if called incompetent."
Genjirou and the others became fired up by Kon's words, which missed the mark of my intentions.Well, if they've become motivated, I suppose it's fine. I didn't correct him.