Chapter 8

Just as Im about to ask why theres a light shining from the right, the surroundings are instantly dyed red, overwhelming the darkness.

I whip around in shock. After all, after what happened yesterday, I thought it was flames.

Its the sunrise, dawn has broken.

Saralegui says tiredly. I turn to face the sunlight, covering my eyes because the brightness is too intense.

Yuuri, the one who really wants to cover his eyes is me. I cant withstand light rays that are too intense.

In that case, you should bring sunglasses with you.

This is my first time greeting the sunrise in a desert.

Of course I have welcomed the morning in the desert before, but in the past I was either in a building, or in front of a campfire, and I was with protectors I could trust, so no matter what the surroundings were like, I never felt uneasy.

But standing in the middle of a road in the limitless desert, and with no companions nearby, moving ahead as I face the uneasy morningthis really is my first time.

The only ones with me are two horses and Saralegui.

But you really are surprising.

The swaying sound comes from somewhere to my left, at about the same height. If we just let the horses run at full speed, we would be able to reach our destination in within a day, but were both amateurs when it comes to riding, so we can allow the horses to advance slowly. After all, Im not good at riding on my own, and with my vision still blurry, theres no way I can run full tilt.

Surprising?

Thats right, Im truly very surprised. To think you could ride a horse on your own even when your eyes cant see.

To me, youre about the same. Always putting on an I usually ride carriages look.

The truth is, the same goes for me. Although Ive practiced quite a few times in the city, but Im still far from being able to ride freely and easily. Even if the horse is barely trotting, my butt will still float above the saddle, and if it speeds up a bit, my body will keep knocking into the saddle. If I really wanted to let the horse go as fast as it can, Ill probably be reduced to crying and hugging the horses neck.

And your suggestion, too. I didnt think you would suggest such a thing to me.

What do you mean by that?

Isnt it true? After all just a few hours ago, your subordinates packed me in a sack, and stuffed me into a tool closet.

Hahaha~~ Saralegui laughs adorably, as though hes completely forgotten why he was treated that way.

To think were traveling alone like this again.

This little bit of distance doesnt count as traveling, does it? It just takes a day to ride to the north-east equestrian tribes lands.

Traveling is traveling, an excursion is still an excursion until were back home.

Then bananas count as dessert, huh.

I avoid the large amounts of yellow sand trying to fly into my eyes and mouth, as I grip the ropes tightly. In the vast desert, all I see is a sea of pure white. Theres a figure next to me that looks like Saralegui, but other than that I cant differentiate the sky from the earth.

And I didnt think you would still rely on me.

Im not relying on you, this is a deal. I dont want to owe you anything, so didnt I say I wanted to make a deal with you?

True, but I havent decided the conditions of the deal yet, so everything up till now is all you being one-sided, right?

Hurry up and decide.

About that

He obviously enjoys this situation. Be it deftly avoiding the surveillance to escape the room, stealing the horses and preparing to escape, or even when I discovered him, he never once looked panicked.

Actually back then if he truly wanted to escape, he could have easily beaten me and left. After all my eyes cant see, and I dont have the power to stop him, but for some reason he doesnt do that, just laughs, How did you know it was me, Yuuri? Dont tell me you have a minds eye?

Even when he was listening to my suggestion, he was completely unfazed. Only now does he say something about feeling surprised, but thats just talk.

Still, your suggestion is really something. Without a certain degree in exchange, I cant simply agree, yknow.

I know.

After all, you want me to pretend to be Yelshi.

Since you guys are twins, its worth a shot, right?

Since setting fires and fighting is all part of the Edo spirit, then a good ol switcheroo tactic would naturally require twins.

Saralegui and his little brother Yelshi, look absolutely identical from every angle. In the past when they swapped identities, even Yelshis people in Yelshiurad couldnt tell them apart. Besides, this is an isolated desert far from the capital, and no one has any experience serving the emperor of Seisakoku or the Shou Shimaron king at close distance.

So theres no way well be found out.

If its the Emperors decree, the equestrian tribes would likely obey as well.

How should I put it? This water source is mine, so stop fighting, you guys or something like that?

Be a little more serious, would you? You are still the king of a country, at the end of the day.

Then why dont you demonstrate for me, Your Majesty? Youre the king of a country too.

The truth is, all we have to do is order the equestrian tribes with something like, All the land in Seisakoku, including this lake, belongs to Emperor Yelshi, no one is allowed to intrude. Those equestrian tribes fighting over the rights to the desert are also people of Seisakoku, they should listen to His Majesty the Emperor.

Although acting on our own without first consulting the Emperor himself, and in someone elses country at that, makes me a little uncomfortable, but theres nothing wrong with the content. That isnt something we came up with, were just reaffirming something thats a matter of fact.

While not interfering with the internal politics.

Although it does feel like were impersonating Master Mito Komon, thankfully our aim isnt to eat and run.

This is the plan I spent all night coming up with. After all, its all my fault that the townspeoples houses were razed to the ground, the streets flooded, and some people hurt. Everyone has suffered. I dont think doing this can make up for anything, but its better than not doing anything at all.

So I discussed it over with Saralegui, about to make a run for it, and borrowed two horses, leaving the town before daylight.

The reason I didnt bring guards with me, is so that our identities wont be discovered. If it were just me, I could still say that Im a traveler from a distant country, or his companion. But to Saralegui, acting as his brother Yelshi, itd be even more cumbersome to have mazoku bodyguards.

As the shinzoku emperor, if Yelshi had mazoku soldiers with him, it would be way too unnatural.

Once we meet the equestrian tribes, Saralegui will step up and state that hes here to observe the royal tombs and the facilities in the north, only to have separated from his guards in the middle of the forest. As for me, Ill be a follower whose eyes and throat were injured. Even if anyone suspects me, the follower with out-of-place looks, they wouldnt go as far as to challenge His Majesty the Emperor.

But this idea of yours sure is bold, asking me to impersonate my little brother to trick the equestrian tribes.

This isnt trickery, its just reaffirming a fact. Its a good thing for His Majesty the Emperor as well.

Who knows? If we were discovered, the one Yelshi scolds would be me. Looks like I have to ask for an appropriate price in return.

Have you decided?

Mn

Saralegui seems to be fairly frustrated, muttering to himself. After a deliberate pause, the condition he finally comes up with for the deal is somehow very abstract.

It should be life, right?

Life?

Thats right, life. If it was a certain someones life, I might be able to make the deal.

Shocked, I cant help but ask,

Whose?

That depends.

And then he laughs.

What idiotic idea is this obstinate boy king harboring now?

Anyway, why dont you guys stay in Shou Shimaron for a few days first. After that Ill figure out how were going to play properly.

Thats why Im asking you, who

But this will have to wait.

Because on the sand dune in front of us, there are a few swaying shadows.

Its the equestrian tribe.

Saralegui says in a small voice.

Sara, how many are there? Can you see? Do you know which tribe theyre from?

Four, five, six Six of them, but I dont know which tribe. That part is really very hard to differentiate, if only we could tell from the color of the clothes.

Theyre wearing hooded cloaks that float in the wind, and feel just like residents of a desert would. But the Seisakoku deserts arent hot, theres foolproof insulation from the cold underneath that material flying in the wind. Apparently the cloaks arent just for decoration, sometimes they can be used as carpets, other times as tents, or even scarves.

Its just that they dont use different colors according to their different groups. Even if theyre from the same tribe, they can still wear white, or other non-colored material. It seems that anything pale-colored goes.

For some reason Saralegui looks exhilarated, grabbing my arm as he says,

What to do, are we going to start fighting? Are you going to perform that kind of shocking magic from last night?

"I won't do something so reckless again."

But at this rate well be captured.

That will be even better for us. Rather than walking slowly like this, we can reach their base faster. Listen up, when we get to their place you must call yourself Yelshi, or theres no guarantee they wont suddenly come at us with knives.

How rare it is, for my judgment to be so accurate.

Faced with Saralegui calling himself the Seisakoku emperor, the equestrian people dont dare to do anything rash. Because those folks dont if Saralegui is the real thing or a phony. Besides, for these people living in poverty far from the city, most of them go their entire lives without seeing the kings true face even once.

Even if someone here has seen their countrys emperor before, the likelihood of them calling our bluff is really low. Because the boy king of Shou Shimaron and the young emperor of Seisakoku look exactly the same.

Those guys treat Yelshi no, they treat Yelshi-impersonator Saralegui with a ton of respect. Sending water, even offering fruits to His Majesty the Emperor, exhausted and having barely escaped with his life. In order to not seem rude, they even let him ride an old horse, bringing him to their home.

A follower whose eyes and throat are hurt like me, is nothing more than cargo to them. And as cargo means, Im pushed onto a large horse thats uncomfortable to ride, following the north-west equestrian people back to their home. Since my character has a wounded throat, I cant complain or yell. Though even if I could speak, they wouldnt understand my grievances.

The one that pisses me off even more is Saralegui, who doesnt utter a word at the treatment Im receiving. If he was just a little bit better to his follower, he would at least say some nice things for me.

The place where the equestrian people live is fairly different from the oasis town.

There arent any buildings here, just a camp consisting of simple tents made from a frame and cloth. They should have some things to block the wind and the sand inside, but I cant tell how they survive the chill of the nights. Compared to the town of bricks, all I can say is they live very simply.

But there are benefits of this, too. Once they get wind of an enemy attack, they can immediately pack up and move. Even if there was a fire, their homes wouldnt be too badly damaged. Because only God can take away something that never existed in the first place.

It must be Saraleguis first time seeing a camp of tents, his narration obviously rather excited,

How shocking, Yuuri! Its a bunch of tents! To think people could actually live in these things! This kind of space is narrow and thin, you could hear everything from next door perfectly clearly too, theres no secrecy whatsoever. Oh, right, have you stayed in this kind of house before?

Although his non-stop ranting is annoying, but he is the master after all, and Im the follower, so I can only keep listening to him obediently. A lot of Japanese high school boys have camping experience, so Im not surprised by this collection of tents. This is just like him, thats why I feel greenhouse flowers are so hard to deal with.

There are over a hundred of them!

Over a hundred That is rather large scale.

By the time he says that, Im also thrown onto the ground. Before this I was treated as cargo, and carried by six strong men. If they threw me just a little further ahead, at least there would be something that looks like a brown mattress. Thanks to them, the sandy ground breaks the skin on my chin.

Since I cant see the afternoon sunlight, I deduce that Im now in a tent. The man standing in front of me is saying something in a loud voice, and of course hes not speaking in the common language. Saralegui replies, but hes speaking in Seisakoku language, so I dont understand that either.

Damn, this is so inconvenient. Doesnt this camp have any translators!? Only now do I finally understand Mr Ajiras importance.

Wheres the person in charge here!?

Saralegui suddenly uses the common language, and I cant help but raise my head to look at him, thinking this is some sort of signal. Anyway his words tell me that the man in front of us isnt the person in charge.

Sara, theres no need to talk to anyone whos not the chief! Our final ace must only be shown at the most critical moment.

Thats strange, I thought you cant talk?

Ah!

Crap, I forget my throat was supposed to be hurt.

How about we say youre a teenager from a different country that I hired? Not only is that closer to our true relationship, its easier for you to act out too.

Im starting to understand what you think me as better and better.

Then let me explain, my follower. This man says just a few days ago he was still the top gun in this camp, but a few days ago the legendary messiah showed up, so he willingly suggested handing over the power to the messiah, only that man doesnt seem to have accepted yet. Goodness~~ To think there are still legends of messiahs and all that.

When I think of messiah legends, three super famous people pop up in my head. Other than them, I really cant think of anyone else. Thats right, its those people from the messiah legend of the centuryKenshiro and Amiba and Heart. All you can see are bulging muscles, muscles, muscles, as well as scattering tendons. Oh, right, and theres another one called Raoh too[1].

Mm, ha

Whats the matter, Yuuri?

N-nothing.

The extreme envy almost made me drool unconsciously.

If so, lets ask this chief and the person pretending to retire, who we should tell His Majesty the Emperors decree to.

Of course Ive asked. In the end he said theyre drumming up stuff

Drumming?

Drumming, drumming, drumming It couldnt be the younger sister of a cat-shaped robot from the future[2], right? Then they must be drumming up resources. Could it be that the legendary messiah is preparing a feast?

What I mean is they want to treat to me to dinner.

Eh, wait a sec. It should be us, right?

No

Sara slowly shakes his head and says,

Apparently theyre going to have a banquet to welcome the Emperor of Seisakoku, His Majesty Yelshi. As for you, my follower, it seems you cant attend.

Crap, at this point of the plan, my part of a follower is having an opposite effect. From the start I should have set it as a close bosom friend who for some reason is following the Shou Shimaron king instead.

The sky suddenly becomes dark, so I know Im in a tent.

As the saying goes, the autumn sun drops No, the autumn sun sets quickly, but I never asked what season this country is currently undergoing, so I cant confirm if the sun really did drop quickly.

Saralegui, impersonating the Emperor of Seisakoku Yelshi, is talking up a storm with the current chief as they walk to the large tent where the banquet will be held. On the other hand, I get the complete opposite treatment, some soldiers carrying me over their shoulders like when we arrived to another tent, as though I could be tossed into the sky at any time.

The people carrying me keep chanting, Messiah, messiah. This is the Seisakoku word I just learned.

W-wait a sec, guys! What is up with this messiah legend? Why am I carried around like cargo? Is Amiba here to blow his flute!?

They carry me to a tent full of fragrances, and throw me onto the ground just like before. this time theres more than just a brown mat, my chin even touches oily fur.

The equestrian people are still yelling messiah, messiah.

They tie up my arms, and then tie the rope to the wooden furniture before leaving.

I feel around with my hands, looks like this is the leg of a table. There are four chairs around the rough and sturdy table, in other words, Im tied in an unfamiliar room like a dog.

Maybe this is still slightly better than Saralegui, who was tied onto a bed last night. If there were handcuffs cuffed to the table, I could even play detective. There might even be a nice detective sending me pork chop rice. HeyYamada, bring the pork chop rice!

Who the hell am I playing detective with?

I turn my face to the right, where something seems to be moving on what looks like a bed. Looks like someone else got here first, but no matter how I look at it, it doesnt seem to be a person.

That thing is completely round in appearance, with nothing long and slender like a persons limbs. Is it a caterpillar? Or a cocoon? But its too big. Besides, are there really oddballs in the world that would treat a huge caterpillar as a pet? So worrying, thats way too worrying.

Other than the bad visibility, this dark tent isnt a comfortable place no matter how you look at it. I cant see clearly, but since I got nothing better to do, I just keep staring at the top of the bed.

Maybe its just me, but I keep feeling as though that thing is getting smaller and smaller.

The owner of this room wakes up suddenly one morning, and finds hes turned into a huge caterpillar Are these non-scientific phenomena actually possible or not?

Because my mind is full of things like that, I dont notice the footsteps crunching on the sand.

The thing that pulls me back to reality isnt the sound of the men entering the tent, but the aroma that comes with them. Thats the smell of bread, fresh out of the oven, and meat roasted with a lot of herbs, and the slightly charred aroma of vegetables, drizzled with cheese then cooked until they melt in your mouth.

The smells fill the entire tent, moving me to a daze. To a malnourished brat like me who hasnt anything decent in almost a week, this is murder to my eyes No, murder to my nose.

Hey!

The man who seems to be the owner of the house makes a sound that scares me out of my wits, but that voice is very familiar. Problem is, I dont know any equestrian people.

In other words, Im hallucinating due to the hunger. Goodness, malnourishment is scary.

Maybe its because I didnt answer, the man repeats once more,

Why are you here?

Crap, I really feel as though I know him. This voice that can travel so far even during a competition is

I raise my head, trying to get a better look at his face. But the tent is a bit dim during evening, plus my vision is still on holiday, so unlike during the day, I cant even tell where hes standing.

You couldnt be the muscle Adalbert, could you?

Who else could it be. And where are you looking? Brat Dont tell me?

I sense Adalbert holding his breath in his surprise.

Dont tell me you cant see? How did it get to this?

I want to know, too.