Town chapter 79: Romatto

n.o.bles gathered in the royal city to partic.i.p.ate in the Garden Party. However, there are several days before the Garden Party begins. How do the n.o.bles spend their freetime in the meantime?

They could rest peacefully, some spend time sightseeing, others spend time with friends. But there was another way to spend time here.

It is a residence in the king's capital of Duke Wennerbari, a blood relative of the royal family. Duke Wennerbari and his factions were having a feast with alcohol and food, just as if it were a festival on the eve of the Garden Party. But this time, the party organizer, Duke Wennerbari, has another purpose.

"Master. 'that person' has arrived. I have him waiting behind the door."

"I see, good."

A servant who enters the banquet hall listens to Duke Wennerbari. Duke Wennerbari nodded with a face that seemed to be satisfied even though he said that he was finally ready, and said to the partic.i.p.ants of the feast.

"Today, I invited a few special guests!"

Who did the duke invite? Everyone whispers to each other. But they don't know. In such a situation, Duke Wennerbari keeps his face high and invites the 'special guest' with a loud voice.

"Now, enter! Romatto-dono!"

Like a wave, the surprise on everyone's faces came suddenly with their shock, excited chatter rose.

"Is it Romatto?"

"Reversi, the undefeated champion of chess, that Romatto-dono!? Was the rumor about him partic.i.p.ating in the Garden Party true?"

While the hall was filled with excitement, the door of the entrance opened with a noise and a dignified man appeared. That man is today's "special guest", Romatto. There is also a little girl――the only disciple of Romatto.

Romatto. The family name has been stripped and no longer exists. In addition to being the creator of reversi and Chess, he is an absolute champion who has never lost in both games. His name is known all the way from the Pope of Ras.h.i.+a to the children of the general public, and it is no exaggeration to say that he is famous next to the Pope on the continent. Therefore, everyone was surprised.

"Oh, Romatto-dono. I often went to your house. That's why I invited you today to this small house"

Wennerbari, who is in Duke's position, greets Romatto, who doesn't have any official rank politely, because his personality is low. That's because the man named Romatto is worth it. Duke Wennerbari continues his words.

"Alcohol and Meals will come later. Today, I brought the best reversi and chess master in my territory. First of all, I would like to ask them to take a step forward. Gonzalez, Gomez, say h.e.l.lo"

The two men, Gonzalez and Gomez, who appeared from both sides of Duke Wennerbari, bowed to Romatto with a confident smile.

By the way, having wonderful va.s.sals are the pride of a lord. Especially the strongest knight and the best wisdom is what every lord wants.

Perhaps because of that, there are many people in the world who claim to be the strongest knights. What does this show? It is very easy to name yourself the strongest, but it is very difficult to prove to be the strongest.

But proving the best wisdom is easy. Reversi and chess as games that use the head, and if you ask a hundred people, the best in these two games will be a Romatto. Only Romatto is currently called the most wise, and if someone defeats Romatto in reversi and chess, that person can call himself the wisest on the continent.

In other words, the purpose of today's banquet was to have Duke Wennerbari's va.s.sals challenge Romatto.

"Very well."

But Romatto responded with a champion's persistence. Immediately, a small desk and chairs are prepared in the banquet hall. A reversi board placed on the desk and two contestants facing each other. In addition, Duke Wennerbari and his faction surrounded them.

The first opponent of Romatto is Gonzalez and the game begins. During such a serious game, everyone refrained from speaking. Only the sound of stones echoed in the banquet hall.

"Ah."

Before long, Gonzalez, a reversi master, raised a small voice to break the silence. He realized his mistake. In this way, the trend is inclined towards Romatto. When the exclamation of "Oh" leaked from the spectators' mouths, most of the stones belonged to Romatto.

"Gu......how about chess?"

Duke Wennerbari looks regrettable as he says that. Romatto's chess opponent is Gomez. "Oou" Gomez sat down with the spirit of going to battle.. However――.

"Checkmate."

After a while, Romatto muttered that. Also in chess, Romatto won a quick victory.

"Ummu....... No, as one would expect from Romatto-dono. He is as powerful as the rumors say.

Duke Wennerbari regretted, but praised Romatto for being unbeatable. There is no doubt. He admitted that Romatto was the best wisdom. Following it, everyone who was there applauded to Romatto.

"Let's have some alcohol! Romatto-dono, you will be treated with the finest alcohol and food. Let's enjoy eachothers company."

When Duke Wennerbari and Romatto sip on their alcohol, other people started to gather and talk to Romatto.

"Romatto-dono, please teach me your chess tricks!"

"No, no. Would you tell us the stories of the talented people that Romatto has played against so far?"

It was good to say that Romatto was a first-cla.s.s entertainer. Because of his name recognition, everyone wants to meet and speak with him.

The same can be said for Dryad Kingdom's aristocrats who value only formalities. Formality is a product. Because the Dryad n.o.bles value the goods, reversi and chess, which can be said to be quiet games using wisdom, were accepted, and Romatto, the unrivaled champion, was a person to be honored.

Thus, at the banquet hall, the battle of Romatto began and Romatto responded stunningly with the style of a champion. ――At this time, no one has noticed that Romatto's nostrils were swollen.

Romatto was in good shape. He was invited to the Duke's house today and he felt very good from what he could hear. Romatto was drunk in his current position as the reversi and chess king.

But this popularity is recent. Until then, he was in good condition, but you could say that there were a lot of people who were excited.

Let's look back from several years ago. At that time, Romatto lost his aristocratic rank in the Sandra kingdom after being told so by his parents. When he had trouble what he shall eat without money, he tried to sell reversi to a company and it spread throughout the capital in less than a week.

It is an impossible speed. In addition, the merchant was an expert and sold Romatto as an absolute champion, making him valuable to be strong in reversi.

This led to Romatto becoming a popular figure in the capital city. In Sandra Kingdom, he is often called a king and the newly released chess is well received by intellectuals in the world and the name of Romatto begins to be known in other countries too.

But these things made Romatto terrified. Because Romatto devised reversi and chess was a red lie. The truth is that it was something that he once learned in the beastmen town that n.o.buhide Fujiwara ruled.

What will happen to him when this fact is revealed? Wouldn't it be possible to fall down from his current position because of spitting lies?

Such uncertain anxiety attacked Romatto, day and night. For example, when he was a child. It was a feeling when he broke an expensive jar in his house and was intimidated when he approached his parents.

However, contrary to the calim, the name of Romatto crossed the border and spread to every corner of the continent with reversi and chess. Romatto no longer seems to tremble.

The lie with a light feeling gradually grew out of hand. He was invited by powerful people from all over the continent and eventually took a look at Pope Ras.h.i.+a, the most powerful person on the continent. He missed the time when he was wondering what King Sandra didn't understand, saying, "This is the hand of fate. Nothing can go against fate."

Therefore, Romatto made the secret that he knew about reversi and chess as an absolute secret. Every time he was asked, "How did you devise such a thing?", he felt regretful against the beastmen, but a lie was painted on a lie with an unfamiliar face.

Everyone believed what Romatto said. Of course. Romatto is not an absolute champion and there are not many people who interacted with the beastmen town.

But once, he was surprised that his heart was jumping. It was when a man came to the famous Romatto's house――a huge mansion fitting for a n.o.ble.

Romatto was playing reversi against that man who had a referral letter from another country. There was no doubt that the game was easily won by Romatto, but the words that the man spoke at that time.

"Chess in this reversi. Isn't that what you thought?"

He was thrilled. When Romatto looked closely at the man, the black carved face is shallow and it resembles that of Fujiwara somewhere.

"Wh, Wh,What is that? This is what I devised. My strength is the proof."

Although it was an unexpected question, Romatto was so scared that he desperately cut in. However, the pursuit of the man didn't stop.

"Let me say it directly. You're j.a.panese."

At first Romatto didn't know what was said.

"Did you transfer to a local person? Our leader is the same, so it's found out."

Romatto didn't understand what the man was saying.

"Our leaders are going to make the country a great place. That's why we're looking for the same j.a.panese people."

Far from knowing what that man is talking about, it is a remark that seems to be plotting treason. Romatto doubted the man's sanity.

『Hey, let's do it! You understand these words! What do you do without helping the same j.a.panese people!』

Finally, the man began to speak a mysterious language. The man was speaking j.a.panese, but of course, Romatto couldn't understand. Romatto told a servant of the mansion that this man was a wicked man and sent him to the guards. The man disappeared from the residence after he had done large turns to the guards who had come before long.

――Well, there were a lot of things about reversi and chess. However, if anxiety continues to be next to him, Romatto will get used to it. Gradually, the fear disappeared and eventually Romatto began to get in shape. Anyway, both the king and the pope have an eye on him. If he walks outside, everyone will admire him. It is strange that he isn't in tune.

Although he was reluctant to study reversi and chess, only Romatto's heart was very pleasant. No one can win against him. Everyone praises and he praises himself. Romatto was feeling very comfortable.

But sometimes he thinks. That's not enough. Whether reversi or chess, his opponents are too weak. At those times, Romatto looks south and misses that town.

In the Beastman town, the level of reversi and chess players was different. He knows it because he has played against many people now. What they were hitting was a set stone that had been piling up for decades. Since Romatto was learning in that town, his strength was natural. What Romatto didn't know was that n.o.buhide read reversi and chess books to play against the wolfmen to show the game and began losing a lot thereafter.

Suddenly, a young man with a wolf face who Romatto has never won against comes to his mind. At that time, when he was a prisoner of war, Romatto just wanted to win and continued to be beaten by him. It was as pure as a childhood.

Nostalgic. Although he was a prisoner of war, he felt nostalgic at that time when he felt comfortable.

Although he wants to fight the beastmen once again, it doesn't come true. Princess Mireille told him that n.o.buhide and the wolfmen had left the town, but were still alive. Where did they go? Romatto sometimes thinks about it.

It is the day of the Garden Party. Romatto, who was given a room at the castle as a state guest, goes to the venue with his disciple. This disciple, called Romanche, has a charming short chestnut hair and is still less than fifteen. She is from a quickly rising house, but once she was fascinated by reversi and chess, she followed Romatto and asked him endlessly, till he was forced to let her become his disciple.

"It's gorgeous, teacher. As expected, the capital of the famous Dryad Kingdom, Dorisben."

The corridors of the castle are decorated and there are ritual soldiers lined up everywhere. The sound of the music coming from the audience was very elegant and calm, and it entertained the ears of those who listened with a quiet mind.

(Um, it's a good tone. The decorations also have a history-like touch.)

Romatto had the same opinion as Romanche. But, yes, it's just a person who agrees. Romatto, who is riding in good condition, has a smooth tone.

"It's good, Romanche. Don't be trapped only by its appearance. The same goes for reversi and chess. Even if you are covered with mud and crawling on the ground, you will eat the other party at the end. That's the scariest way."

"I see, as one would expect from teacher. This romance has another insight."

Romanche agreed lovely. On the other hand, Romatto also said, 『As one would expect from me. I said something good.』 he praised himself in his heart.

Eventually they arrive at the Garden Party. The venue was a wonderful garden, very well-maintained. The venue is very liberal allowing people to enjoy themselves and chat. Though, the real event is from the dinner in the afternoon. Basically, the higher the rank, the slower they will come to the venue.

There were musicians playing comfortable music in a part of the garden. In another, there are desks with wine and a k.n.o.b that doesn't swell.

Many aristocrats were already chatting with each other. Some also enjoy dancing with aristocratic children. But by the side, Romatto realized that there was a strange crowd.

"Oh, Romatto-dono. Thank you so much for yesterday."

A man who was at the banquet of Duke Wennerbari came close after finding Romatto from among the crowd. The man says.

"Actually, there are some sa.s.sy people. Could someone please break the septum of that person."

The story was this. An aristocrat who has never been to the venue came. Asking the person in charge, it seems that he was an uprising person who bought a territory in the north and became a n.o.bleman. Everyone wondered why such a person was here. Today is the traditional Garden Party. Only those who have a long history should be able to partic.i.p.ate. However, when they asked the person in charge, that person was surely invited.

So the n.o.bles plan to embarra.s.s that person. They invited him to dance with their daughters, invited him to drink alcohol, confirmed his manners of eating and finally talked about the history of the country.

The uprising n.o.ble managed to do it safely. For the time being, he seems to know the common sense as a n.o.bleman. But that doesn't help the n.o.bility. So, a n.o.bleman decided to invite him to chess.

Reversi can be played by the common people, but chess is impossible. Because of its simplicity, reversi spread explosively throughout the continent. Along with that, chess that requires more time and knowledge became more popular for the aristocrats who had a lot of study and spare time. Reversi is an entertainment that can be done without abilities, and chess needs wisdom. This is the common sense of the continent.

Even if you know the rules of chess, you can't learn the technique overnight. In other words, the n.o.bles want to make the uprising n.o.ble lose and shame him with chess.

Thus, an early chess game using an hourgla.s.s began. Everyone antic.i.p.ated the brutal defeat of the uprising n.o.ble and looked forward to how he would lose bitterly.

But it didn't happen. Contrary to their expectations, the person is moderately strong and seems to have already defeated two n.o.bles. Now the n.o.bles are currently obsessed with challenging the uprising n.o.ble with chess but must not be ashamed to lose. And then, Romatto appeared here.

"Please leave it to us. If its teacher, that fellow won't be an opponent."

Before Romatto responded, Romanche answered without permission. Since Romanche believes in Romatto, she often rushes alone to let everyone know the strength of her teacher. Well, Romatto thought this was also a master's duty, so he replied, "Let's do it".

"Open the way, Romatto-dono is here."

"Open the way for my teacher!"

The crowd was first awakened to the appearance of Romatto.

"Oh, the undefeated champion Romatto-dono!"

"The King of Kings, the King of Chess, has arrived!"

"Romatto-dono? That uprising n.o.ble......will lose......"

It is already well known that Romatto will partic.i.p.ate in today's Garden Party, thanks to the bragging stories of those who attended the Duke's banquet yesterday. In the eyes of the gathered aristocrats, the color of expectation for Romatto was seen.

"Teacher......Romatto-dono will now win and the uprising n.o.ble will lose!"

Romanche's declaration that reaches far into the sky. Ooo! And the n.o.bility cheers.

"Romatto!"

Someone called out his name with a loud voice. Once again.

"Romatto!"

This time, the name was called elsewhere. What happened then? The ripple quickly became a big wave and wrapped up the garden.

"Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!" "Romatto!"

A "Romatto!" call occurs. The music played by the orchestra has also changed from an elegant song to a majestical fighting song. All for Romatto. The garden was in Romatto's favor.

Romatto had a smile that was unsettled in his heart, but the outside looked stunned and responded by raising his hands. Eventually, there will be a hole in the crowd and a road is created. That is the way of the champion. Romatto stunningly walked through the road.

And ahead of the road. Romatto thought as he saw that person. A man with black hair sitting in a chair. He felt like he had seen him somewhere.

"N, that, somewhere......"

The other party also uttered words as if he know Romatto. Romatto has also heard that voice before.

Who was it? Romatto sought his memory. Remember instinct! It was like screaming.

"Teacher?"

He doesn't react to his disciple's voice. Romatto is buried deep in his thoughts, while standing.

(Black hair. Shallow carved face. Good at chess......? ――Ah!)

And he got it. The memory that was forgotten.

"A, Ah......Aaa......!"

Romatto moves his mouth like a goldfish. At this time, the n.o.bleman who laughed unintentionally turned away from Romatto and stared at Romanche.

"What's the matter, teacher!"

Romanche worried about Romatto and called out to him. Others also talk with their neighbors about what happened and their suspicions. The music played by the band has also stopped.

The unusual situation of the absolute champion before the chess game was confusing to everyone in the garden. However, it is no wonder that Romatto is surprised. The man in front of him was n.o.buhide Fujiwara, the owner of that beastman town that seems to be the true inventor of reversi and chess.