Kuro no Senki (LN)

"Hey, we're here."

"... ugh, huh?

Tina opened her eyes and rubbed her squishy eyes.

Dry mud falls apart.

Consciousness is frivolous.

I don't understand where I got to.

Leaning his gaze, Roba was looking up at Tina.

I've handled it very well, but it seems to have followed me properly.

Oh, you got to Linol, and Tina woke up and got herself off the carrier.

How long I slept, the city was dusk...... stained with some kind of carelessness and loneliness.

Linol is an old city.

The building facing the boulevard is old and looks like a ruin waiting for a decaying day.

Of course, I'm only impressed...... I just felt it that way and I'm not actually that lonely.

It is only natural that in the evening it will become less popular, and it is rarer for shops to eagerly try to attract customers from this hour forward.

"Ahead, it's in the square."

……

Soon Cole, who was moving next door, points to the end of the boulevard.

"I'm opening a shop in the square tomorrow"

"Is it that easy to open?

As Tina pointed out, Cole laughed niggly.

It's just a bit of a mean grin.

"You don't know anything about travelers. We're gonna need a little procedure, but anybody in Viscount Hamal, Marquis Elakis, or Count Khad is gonna open an outdoor shop."

Tina was just a little mucky looking like she was being ridiculed, but her objections shriveled quickly.

Cole was proud.

He's like a kid bragging about a toy he keeps.

I'm trying to innocently tell him that it's amazing, amazing.

Tina can't understand Cole's feelings.

Because anyone thinks that the system of opening an outdoor shop was created at the convenience of a lord.

Cole is different.

I'm sure Cole finds his own value in a system created at the convenience of his lords.

That made me jealous and want to do it a little mean.

"When I travel between territories, I think there's a transit tax?

"The three territories I just mentioned don't need a transit tax, this is it."

"Well, you can easily make money by looking at the prices in the three territories,"

"If only he wasn't thinking the same thing."

Tina's meanness ended in emptiness.

"Let's get some rest at the inn today."

"Ugh, but I don't know what to do."

Tina was stuck in words.

Accommodation for a carriage is expensive.

"You'll see. I know it's sweet. We have a situation here too. I can afford to be nostalgic, and I want to make sure I don't have to sleep poorly for a while."

Apparently, Cole didn't help me out of good intentions.

"Look, if I leave you alone, you're gonna die, right?

Rude! I thought Tina, but she didn't say it.

Because if Cole hadn't picked it up, I'm pretty sure he would have been miserable.

"... I'll take care of you"

Tina bowed her head to Cole with pity.

The inn was better than Tina had ever imagined.

The building is two floors long and the dining room seems to be cramped for guests only.

Inside the building there is a warehouse that stores loads for pedestrians like Cole, and outside there is a well-built stables and space for vehicles.

Cole just went to the tavern when he finished the reception looking familiar.

I am thoroughly handing over my replacement clothes.

Tina felt a little anxiety, but headed to the bathroom in a separate building.

The bathroom seems to be the type to take turns one person at a time.

When I took off my clothes at the stripper, the dry mud fell to the floor in pieces.

Tina walked into the bathroom looking like she was born and was discouraged.

The bathroom wasn't as splendid as I'd hoped.

There is a large barrel with hot water, and there are other handkerchiefs and a large tarai.

A small window in a high position is the only source of light.

Tina went into Tarai and covered her head with the water she had drawn in her handkerchief.

Muddy water, no, muddy water conveys Tina's skin and accumulates in Tarai.

I wear hot water from my head many times and change the tarai water.

When the water accumulated in Tarai became transparent, he left the bathroom.

Tina wiped her body with a cloth and looked down at her body.

Skin is white, body lines are thin.

My chest is a little swollen but with a body like a boy.

Change into the clothes passed to Cole and fold the sleeves and the rest of the hem.

Looks like the innkeeper recovered the dirty clothes and underwear.

When we went back to our room, Cole was lying in bed.

The inn room only has two beds.

"Oh, you're back?

Cole woke up and sat back on the edge of the bed.

"That's fast, isn't it?"

"Well, I didn't have much information."

Apparently, Cole was going to the tavern to gather information.

Then I wish Tina had told me so, and Tina lowered her back to the bed of the one who was available.

"You look so pretty."

I'm a man.

"I don't have a manly ass, either."

When Tina restrained him, Cole said in a grumpy manner.

"Mr. Cole..."

"I don't need you. Then tame mouth is good."

Tamemouth? and Tina tilted her neck.

"Tammy mouth is like I'm talking."

"Okay. Is Cole, uh, a long time since he became a pedestrian?

"Oh, I've been doing this for over a decade"

"Huh?"

Unexpectedly, Tina listened back.

"Just in case, I'm eighteen this year."

Hmm? And Tina tilted her neck.

Doesn't eighteen mean... seventeen now?

"Why do you say that in such a confusing way?

When Tina asked, Cole pounded his tongue.

"... when you're young, you can lick it"

Then it seems like it would be nice to spit a lie, but maybe I have a conviction that I'm a call away.

"So how old are you?"

Fifteen.

Oh, and Cole nodded.

"Cole is amazing. You're only two different people, but you're a good businessman."

"Praise me, there's nothing out there."

With that said, Cole doesn't even seem to be full.

"Hey, am I a good merchant?

"Yeah, it's fine."

Tina nodded, Cole rubbed her nose to cover it up.

"Well, I'm diving through a lot of training grounds, too. I'm sure it's because of that. I've met bandits before."

"Huh! You're safe, aren't you?

"No, that's where I took the wheel."

Cole gestured and told a funny and funny story about what was going on at the time.

The story lasted until late at night.

The next day Tina looked at the square and turned her eyes round.

The outhouse was filling the square.

At first glance, it looks disorderly, but if you look closely, you realize it's regular.

It would be the result of a trial and error to accommodate many dewstores.

Many of the products in the outdoor store are preserved food.

Cheese is not very rare, but fish dried or salted is rare.

Viscount Hamal and Viscount Sheratan territories are not so far from the sea, but in the days of the former Marquis of Elakis there was a high toll and sea fish were the food of the wealthy.

"Wow, that's amazing."

"It's becoming a familiar sight for me."

Cole handily assembles the dewstore.

The outdoor shop is a simple piece with a fabric roof on a wooden frame.

There are many other wooden boards.

The ends are uneven, so I guess I'll use them as display shelves in combination.

"It's really amazing."

Tina said in a sigh.

The condition of the square was surprising in two ways.

One was so different from his own territory that the other was to know the former Viscount Hamar territory.

Yesterday, the impression I had was misplaced.

There is no such thing as ruins waiting for the day of decay.

It was the kind of sight the city was complaining that it could continue to grow and develop more.

"Why not?

"Well, I have a supplier of goods, I can travel safely, and I don't need a transit tax. Besides, the store opening process is easy, and any guy will get together."

Cole rested his hands and counted the reasons why Linol's square was busy.

Tina leaned too down in embarrassment.

I didn't realize that I, the lord, even understood a businessman.

"Nevertheless, Viscount Hamal would do what he thought he would do to eliminate the toll tax,"

"That's all you've been desperate for, isn't it?

"Desperate?"

Tina tilted her neck.

"Back then...... about a year and a half ago? Well, anyway, there was a lot going on when we just had a port in Count Cad territory. So I guess Viscount Hamal was desperate not to be left in the stream."

"What kind of things?

Cole glanced at Tina with a nasty eye telling her not to get in the way too much.

"We can have a Sinner trade union, we can no longer use the trading routes used until then by major chambers of commerce, we can have a pedestrian union... well, a lot of things"

"It is."

Really amazing, Tina praises Viscount Hamal in her heart.

Viscount Hamal noticed that there were fewer merchants passing through his territory and immediately struck his hand.

I guess that's why the city of Linol is so busy.

That? and Tina tilted her neck.

Viscount Hamal noticed that the number of merchants passing through his territory was decreasing.

So why didn't my father take measures?

At least, it didn't look like my dead father did something.

"Hey, can I help you with Viscount Hamal's mansion?

"Hmm? Yeah, I was"

Tina shelved her doubts and headed to Viscount Hamal's mansion.

The White Ya Hall is at the end of your gaze.

The trees in the garden have fallen leaves, but even in that condition, the gardener's polite work seemed to convey what Viscount Hamal wanted in the garden.

Tina stood in front of the gate and exhaled in relief.

It was in my uncle's way, but thanks to Cole, I was able to get there safely.

You have to thank Cole.

No, Tina laughed if she hadn't revealed her identity before that.

Cole could get angry, but he laughed when he imagined him panicking.

"... you, what can I do for you at the mansion?

When I saw those who spoke, an old man stood.

Pretty old, I guess.

His hips are bent and his hair and mustache are yellowish white.

Clothes are dirty with mud, but I have no dirty impression.

A servant from the mansion must have come to see how things were going.

"You, what can I do for you at the mansion?

The old man repeated the same question.

The eyes are sharp, but that's not all.

There lived a light that sees the poor child.

"... you"

"Oh, excuse me. I... I am the use of Viscount Sheratan."

Tina blocked the old man's words and offered him a letter.

The luggage was stolen, but I only had my own personal protective dagger and letters.

Most importantly, this letter is preliminary.

If nothing happens, the servant who left earlier as a servant must have delivered a letter with the same contents.

"I'll deliver it to your wife."

"Oh, uh, to the former Viscount Hamal... it's nothing"

Tina leaned down stared at the old man.

Honestly, I don't like the former Viscount Hamal.

The former Viscount Hamal has a gentle temper, but the Lady has a fierce temper.

Upon receiving the letter, the old man walked out towards the mansion.

"But that's it"

If the former Viscount Hamal had made it clear that he would be the back shield, the current lord...... Brad, the head of the Fifth Kingsguard Knights, would not be able to handle Tina unhindered either.

Tina smiled dreaming of a bright future.

"... that? That's crazy? I can see the sunset."

That's crazy, that's crazy, Tina rubbed her eyes, but the sunset won't go away.

Naturally.

It's been hours since I broke up with the old man.

The sun was moving as usual.

Nothing strange has happened.

"... I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

"No, not at all! I'm not waiting!

"Didn't I keep you waiting?

As Tina turned around and said, the old man had a facetious look on his face.

"So, how was it?

"Um, I left a letter for you from your wife"

When the old man gave Tina the paper broken in two, he went back to the mansion.

Tina hastily opened the paper and read the text.

"'My husband is going to the Marquis of Elakis'... too harsh!

Tina cried down on the spot.

That was a lot of response.

If it's terrible to have kept you waiting for hours, it's terrible to use paper in the exchange between nobles.

"Ah, it looks like you didn't achieve your goal."

When I looked up, Cole stood with an awkward look on his face.

"Cole, did you come to see me worried?

"Shit, that's not it."

Cole turned his face bright red and denied it.

"Yes, that's right. Cole has a job to do."

……

When Tina laughed in tears, Cole scratched her hair like she was pissed off .

"I'm here to see you worried! So don't look like that!

Cole said out loud and took the paper from Tina.

"... the Marquis of Elakis"

Cole looked sinister.

"I don't have a choice. I'll take you to the Marquis Elakis."

"Is it good?

"If you leave him alone, he's going to kill you."

Tina had no choice but to drip.

Early the next morning, Tina and Cole left the city of Linol.

I gave the horses a break on the way and the two of us ate.

It was a menu called hard bread, dried meat and raw warm water, but it felt strange and delicious.

It was that evening that we arrived at Hashel.

"Oh, shit, don't be kept waiting"

"What's wrong?

"I can see it."

Tina stepped herself out of the carrier and understood what Cole meant by words.

A line of people and carriages stretched out to the castle gate.

Was it trouble, too, with nearly ten soldiers monitoring the line?

"We have to wait."

"You can't say that either. Hold on, hold on. I'll show you the merchant's business."

Cole stepped out of the carriage and approached the soldier standing slightly further away.

He's a tiger beast with a fine sword on his back.

Apparently, Cole looked at the gear and decided that the Tiger Beast Man was the site manager.

Cole approached the Tiger Beast Man with a rubbing hand and talked to him intimately.

I don't know what you're talking about, but Tiger Beast Man looks annoying.

Cole familiarly touched the Tiger Beast Man.

The next moment, the tiger beast man twisted Cole's arm up.

Tina tried to escape aggressively, but couldn't.

Because the moment I set myself up to escape, the arrow stood in your throne.

"Co, Cole, what did you do?

Tina raised her hands in tears.

A speared soldier was packing a tight distance.

Tina and Cole were taken to a soldier's stall just off the castle gate.

The stuffing was a brick building that looked sturdy.

The exterior is a longitudinal rectangle...... there is a staircase behind the ground floor so it looks like at least two floors.

I guess upstairs is also a rest stop to observe from the point where soldiers are coming and going.

There's no way to be sure what's going on upstairs in the stuffing, but I know exactly what the first floor is for.

The ground floor combines an interview room.

A table is placed in the centre of the ground floor, with a desk in the back and a chair on the wall facing the street.

Cole and the elf woman are across the table.

It's the elf woman who's headed for the back desk, too.

Tina was sitting on a chair between the walls.

Cole is drooling like a pussy.

If they were only Elf women, they might not have gotten this far.

But behind the elf woman stood Minotaur and Lizardman.

We both have a soldier atmosphere of war.

Well, even without that atmosphere, most of their opponents would atrophy if they looked at their marutai-like arms.

The elf on his desk is taking the paperwork.

Incredibly, the elves write letters.

Elf...... the Subman has been taught to be inferior to man.

How did this elf become able to write when there are a limited number of people who can read and write even in humans?

I don't have all the doubts, but I'm working on it now.

Tina can only sit on the chair between the walls and stare at Cole, who gets the interview.

Tips, the sound of tricks sounds.

An elf woman is tapping her desk with her fingertips.

"Again, I ask... why, like trying to bribe you?

The elf woman asked Cole in a grumpy voice.

By the way, bribery is what Cole used to mean by 'merchant business'.

"Oh, uh, su, excuse me. I was on track to show Tsuru where I was dressed."

Cole answered with a voice that was still going to cry.

It's not an act.

The stage of acting has passed already.

This exchange has already taken place dozens of times.

At first Cole could also afford to put up a void, but after a process of strengthening, reflection only on the top, inverse gileness and obstinacy, he was finally heartbroken.

Cole, who seemed so reliable, now looks small.

Phew, and the elf woman sighed deliberately.

"So, one more time, I ask, why did you try to bribe me?

"Excuse me."

Cole droops his head and just apologizes.

"... if I'm sorry"

"Oh, isn't that you, Cole, if you think of someone"

The next moment the elf woman turned her willow brow upside down, a voice so serene that it was out of place echoed into the stuffing.

When I saw those who spoke, a gentle grin stood.

Is it about fifty years old?

He wears plain but tailored clothes.

"I know Mr. Nicolas, like?

"Yes, because we have a pretty good relationship with pedestrian traders unions. Um, Cole, did you do something?

The man called Nicola reluctantly said.

"It's like trying to bribe Tiga."

"Oh, that's"

Nicola glanced at her.

"That's enough, I'd like to take it. Looks like the wagon wants me to pick it up later. And Roba."

"Yes, Mr. Cole... and you should go too"

Nicola touches Cole's shoulder like she works.

Then Cole stood up and walked out flustered.

Tina rushes after Cole.

Nicolas is with me.

Catching up with Cole, the three of us go down the road.

"Mr. Cole, this is your first offense, so you took a good look at it, but bribery is illegal in Mr. Krono's territory."

"Is that it?

Nicola laughed bitterly.

"That must have been a combination of warnings for the surroundings."

"Hey, what! Does that mean I've been exposed!

Cole, who regained his energy, looked back and glanced at the stuffing.

"Mr. Aridead and Mr. Deneb just did their job. I resent the two of them because of their differences."

"Well, that's true."

Cole caged his mouth.

I know it's right as a matter of reason, but where did you say your emotions weren't catching up?

Nicola stopped and stared at the stuffing.

"... I used to be very insecure around here."

"Oh, well, that's about it"

Cole has a bad tooth cut.

"The security around here has improved considerably since Master Krono became lord, but that was not achieved overnight"

Nicola's tone was mild.

"I was about to ruin their efforts, right?

"No, that's not all. This time, Cole, you've made several mistakes. At least, Cole, I'm pretty sure your background was scratched."

Ugh, Cole groaned.

"Mr. Cole, if you were there, you'd understand, but we have to work hard too."

"Okay, I will."

Nicola had a self-derisive grin.

Maybe Nicola made the same mistake as Cole when she was younger.

"Mr. Cole, is the inn set for tonight?

"No, not yet"

"I'll arrange it for you if you like."

Cole stared alternately at Tina and Nicola,

"Regards"

And I bowed my head.

Ha ha, and Tina exhaled a long sigh and fell into bed.

I think it lacks elegance, but no one to blame.

I'm sure Cole in the next room is falling into bed, too.

He was blamed for hours in a high-pressure manner.

I can't believe the elves can write letters.

Aside from the fact that subhumans are inferior to humans, the essence of upbringing is affordable.

Only those who can afford it in time and financially after securing food and shelter are educated.

When I leaned back, the lighting magic item emitted white light.

"... magic items in the inn"

Tina shrugged small.

The inn Nicola arranged for me was near the center of the city.

There is no room for stables and vehicles.

The grade of the inn is probably less than Cole and I stayed there... but there are magic items for lighting installed in the inn.

Magic items for lighting are relatively inexpensive, but I will give you ten gold coins.

It's just that it belongs to a cheap category of magic items.

Is this an indication of spare time too?

"... Chrono"

The first time I heard that name was at a ball two years ago.

One son of Baron Claude Crawford with two names: Killer (Slater).

It was also rumored that he had made the former Marquis Elakis guilty of embezzlement.

It's the type that's perfect as a back shield but doesn't want to get too close to you.

"As long as we see each other for a little while"

Tina slowly closed her eyes.