NOVEL WEB Chapter 202
Chapter 202. Revisiting Outer Town
The outer town’s defensive walls come into view. Although they are built with concrete and guarded by heavy weapons, they still seem weak. I’ve come to know that if a fierce monster appears, these walls will likely be easily destroyed. Shielding my eyes from the midsummer sun with my hand, I squint and think while gazing at them.
Sakimori has come to the outer district for the first time in a while.
While it appears the same as before, there are also differences. Many people are coming and going. Merchants are accompanied by a few guards and groups wearing old clothes. There are no longer those with tattered, filthy clothes and a stench that makes you want to hold your nose as they pass by, looking gaunt and worn out with no hope for tomorrow. Now, many people are dressed in relatively clean old clothes, appearing energetic.
Well, there are still those who chat and complain about work and their spouses. Even this aspect, though different from the familiar old scenes, brings a smile to my face.
The line is longer than before, and the increased number of gatekeepers are busy with inspections, though it’s just for show.
These people start whispering when they see us.
“Hey, it’s the survivor T who contributed to the special district.”
“It’s been a while since T was recognized as a survivor in the inner district.”
“I’ve seen him for the first time, but he’s dressed just like in the newspapers.”
“Can he speak Japanese?”
“Do you think he’d eat a snack if we gave him one?”
The whispers are about the popular survivor T. I give Ohki-kun a cheerful pat on the shoulder.
“You’ve made it, huh? I’m jealous of your popularity, Ohki-kun.”
“…Wearing this… it’s frustrating, but it makes me popular with women.”
Ohki-kun answers, looking upset and moving his mouth as if he wants to complain but can’t.
“Appearance is important. Good for you.”
I’m glad I gave him the best gear.
“Since you’ve got magical equipment, make sure to use it well, Ohki.”
Even Shingen, while smiling wryly, tells Ohki. Understanding the need for image strategy, he suppresses a laugh.
Ohki-kun, wanting to complain about his appearance but knowing that barmaids are pleased with it, quietly wears it. Treated like a mascot character, he’s popular in a different way, but I kindly refrain from telling him.
The gray bear fur has a spell to deflect arrows, the fang necklace increases physical attack power by 2%, the leather clothes increase magic resistance by 3%. The red spear increases attack power by 3% during combat, is durable and hard to break, and negates weight, making it hard to use weight-based attacks.
Given magic equipment from Narashino City without hesitation, Ohki-kun’s outfit ended up like this. Coincidence can be scary.
Aside from the weight negation, the effects were determined by feel. I didn’t lie. Mascot characters are necessary.
Incidentally, the camouflage paint is self-applied, and he seems satisfied with the attention.
With people in line focusing on Ohki-kun, Shingen and I, mindful of the popular Ohki-kun, quietly step aside and move to the front of the gate.
The soldiers, carrying automatic rifles and casually checking the line, notice us and run over.
“Hey, Ohki. Here to drink again today? Or promoting in front of the store? That outfit is quite popular.”
The soldiers, probably friendly with Ohki-kun, talk to him casually, and Ohki-kun, flustered by their words, responds.
“A~hem. I’m here to escort my brothers today.”
Turning his back to us, he clears his throat. He pretends not to notice our exasperated glances. A troublesome man.
The soldiers shift their gaze to us and, upon realizing, stand at attention and salute.
“Could you be Amano-dono from Amatsugahara Corporation?”
“Yes, I am. I’d like to enter the outer town today.”
“Understood. Please go ahead!”
The stiff, nervous soldier guides us, allowing us to pass through the lined-up crowd.
I stop myself from pulling out a thousand-yen bill from my pocket, thinking I’d need a bribe, but it turns out unnecessary.
With curious eyes on us, I shrug and proceed. Somehow… it seems I’m more known than I thought.
“Lately, just seeing you is intimidating.”
“What? Can that really be?”
Noticing my confusion, Shingen explains. Eh? Am I really such a figure now?
[Shizuku-san, Shizuku-san, don’t I just look like a slightly dangerous middle-aged man? Not more intimidating than a thug around here?]
Sure, the hands may be covered in blood, giving off a dangerous vibe, but there are plenty of people like that in the ruins. Do I really look like I’m lumped in with those people?
[Sakimori-san, you give off the kind of dangerous scent that makes people think they’ll get punched if they call out to you from behind. But you’re not like the fool who gets arrested for hitting a call girl, more like the late-stage, silent killer type.]
[Do I really look like a killer?]
[No, you look more dangerous. It’s like if someone touches you, they wouldn’t just get burned; they’d be reduced to ashes. It’s wonderful.]
With a twirl, Shizuku, with her cheeks tinged red, places her hand on her face and smiles, saying words that aren’t pleasant to hear.
Seriously? Am I more dangerous than a killer? I never thought I was giving off such a dangerous aura since even little girls have warmed up to me.
[This is bad… Do you know why this is happening?]
It’s troubling if it interferes with daily life. I’d be in trouble if the answer was “because that’s how you are.”.
[It has to do with your mana. Sakimori-san, your mana has increased. Also… there seems to be a mysterious power involved… Hmm, I’m not quite sure.]
Narrowing her eyes, Shizuku offers her guess, and I nod in agreement. I see, it’s the mana… Though I don’t understand this mysterious power, if it can be concealed with the Ring of Illusions, then the mana is likely a significant factor.
If my mana is being noticed by those around me, I need to control it. As I walk, I become aware of my own mana. It’s easy to become aware since I focus on it all the time. I should gather this mana just under my skin.
I tuck away the tingling sensation of mana. I don’t feel much change myself, but how about now?
[The intimidation has lessened slightly. You only look like a somewhat dangerous man now.]
[If Shizuku says so, it must have decreased quite a bit. I’ll keep this in mind from now on.]
Shizuku likes understated expressions. I wonder how it seems to the average person.
“Hmm? Did you do something?”
Shingen, having already noticed, frowns and looks at me suspiciously. What a perceptive old man.
“I lowered my appearance a bit. This should be okay, right?”
“Eh? Did something change about you, brother?”
Let’s ignore the insensitive plant-like barbarian T. Shingen smiles wryly and nods.
“Well, it’s like… You look like a seasoned warrior now. Earlier, you looked as dangerous as a tiger, but now you look more human.”
“Did I not look human before?”
Seriously? I’m glad I noticed. What’s with the tiger analogy? Even if I meow, it wouldn’t be cute coming from an old man.
Well, if it’s fixed, that’s good. As we proceed through the outer town and pass the black market, I feel a slight sense of unease. The black market is much livelier than before.
As we move through the hustle and bustle, there are more stalls selling food and drink.
Suidon shops have disappeared, replaced by many soba shops, and a lot of diluted ale is being sold. Suspicious rice shops, grilled galette, and corn bread stalls are also lined up. Smoked meat seems to be cheap, suggesting they’re raising a lot of pigs. It must be pork. I’m definitely not eating it.
The variety at second-hand clothing shops has increased, probably because new clothes are being sold more frequently, leading to more people selling old clothes.
The black market is lively, but there are fewer shops.
“Soba for 200 yen, 200 yen!”
“Pure ale for 500 yen, 400 yen from the second cup onward!”
“Smoked meat galette, it’s delicious~”
The bustling market is filled with shopkeepers shouting to attract customers, and business seems to be good.
“While it’s good that there’s energy, why are there fewer shops?”
“Oh, that’s obvious, isn’t it?”
About to ask what he means by obvious,
“They’re all moving to Amatsugahara Special District. The black market is full of those selling goods illegally. Of course, they’d move to a place where they can make more money.”
From a ramshackle tavern, a hoarse voice is heard, and I turn half-lidded eyes.
“Why are you here, old man? You’ll get assassinated.”
“Tch. If I die, it means I was only worth that much.”
“Bringing a lot of bodyguards will inconvenience the shop. At least order a drink.”
Feeling sorry for the pale-faced tavern owner serving drinks, I answer. At the end of my gaze is an old man sitting in a wobbly chair at a shabby table with roasted smoked meat and a wooden cup of ale, laughing heartily.
There sat the old man, Takauji Ashikaga. One of the top figures of the inner district, in an outer town back-alley tavern. Holding a cheap, lukewarm ale.
Behind him sits Numata, who has turned to stone with tension and fear. The man who was supposed to be today’s conversation partner has petrified.
“That’s right, you guys order too.”
The energetic old man, Takauji, tells his guards.
“You should tell them to drink. So, what are you doing here?”
Ordering drinks, huh? Not drinking, though. More importantly, why is the old man here?
“Of course, I came to drink. Right, um… Numata, was it?”
Takauji speaks to Numata as if they are old friends. Numata is one of my subordinates, active in the outer town. Wearing new clothes, he’s adorned with flashy rings.
He’s a big shot in the outer town, responsible for handling alcohol. The wealthy man, now like a borrowed cat, nods vigorously.
“I heard an interesting story. I happened to meet Numata and thought I’d drink and see if I could meet you.”
“I see. What a troublesome old man.”
Quick to catch wind of things. What a bother. Well, can’t be helped…
“Shingen, talk with Captain Anayama about our future dealings. It’s already decided, so it shouldn’t be troublesome. Ohki-kun, you guard Shingen.”
“Understood.”
“Got it. I won’t let anyone lay a finger on Shingen-sama.”
Shingen nods, and Ohki-kun clenches his fist and speaks determinedly.
“Hey, grandpa, would you like to buy a flower?”
A child tugs at Shingen’s hem, showing a basket of flowers. Shingen buys one, and Ohki-kun repeats.
“Understood. I’ll make sure Shingen-sama is safe.”
I’m counting on you. Now, for a conversation partner with this old fox… talking with him is tiring.
Yeah, having my ears cleaned feels nice.