On the way to the capital of Rastinel territory.


　Due to the temporary blockage of the mountain road leading to the capital, we accepted the guide's suggestion and changed our route.
　Led by the guide, we turned off from the main road connecting east and west and walked through the trees for a while.


　As we proceeded through the trees, we soon saw a structure built by human hands in the distance.
　It is a simple barrier wall with uneven logs protruding from it, as seen in Western paintings in the world of men.
　Perhaps because of its appearance reminiscent of fortresses in fantasy or historical stories, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh! I exclaimed in surprise.


　As I walked toward it, I saw a line of people and carts ahead of me.
　Apparently, there were other people who had been affected by the roadblock.
　Now they seemed to be queuing up in front of the gate to get permission to enter the village.
　Looking at the length of the line, I was thinking that it would take some time to get through, when the guide turned to me over his shoulder.


Would you like me to go ahead and talk to him?

No, I don't want to get into trouble.


　The guide offers to let me in first, but I don't want to get in trouble with the people already in line.
　We rode our horses to the end of the line and waited quietly for our turn to come.
　When I stepped out of the line to see what was going on, I found that there was a crowd of people at the front of the line.
　Standing in front of the gate were the young men of the village and some older men who seemed to have some insight.
　They were probably checking, albeit briefly, who was allowed into the village and who was not.
　All of the young men were armed, and they were also inspecting the carts, albeit briefly.


"Oh, they do that kind of thing, do they?

We don't want any crazy people in our village, so we do this to make sure there is no danger.


　When I casually mentioned it, the guide answered.
　I guess the village doesn't like it when people bring in forbidden items, even if they have no choice but to carry weapons. While the guards were ignoring the long-handled weapons and bows, they seemed to be asking about the cargo, and were talking about it incessantly.


　When the merchants in front of him finished entering the village, the guide dismounted.


The guide dismounted from his horse and said, "I will go and talk to them, so please wait for a while.


　With that, the guide disappeared into the crowd of villagers.
　When the guide raised his hand in greeting, the villagers smiled at him.
　Perhaps they knew each other.
　The guide exchanged a few words with the villagers, and then came running back.


"Are you okay?

"Yes. Yes, I've heard good things about this village, which I also visit from time to time. And .......

What is it?


　When I asked him that, he looked at me strangely.


I've told him that Master Arx is a nobleman, so I don't think it's rude.

"...... Oh, I see. It's okay. I understand.


　The man who was guiding them was probably worried about trouble with the villagers.
　This is a place where people of high rank don't often appear. They have no way of knowing how to behave with the nobility, so they want to be tolerated.


　As I approached the gate, an elderly man walked up to me.


I'm the head of this village. I'm the head of this village. There's nothing here, but please make yourself at home.

I apologize for the intrusion.

I'm aware of the situation. It must have been a terrible disaster to have the mountain road blocked.

Indeed. How often do things like that happen around here?

There's been an increase in the number of bandits in the territory lately.


　Is it that frequent?
　I looked at Noah, Kazi, and the man who was guiding me, but all three of them had suspicious expressions on their faces.
　So this must be a very rare situation.
　Should we assume that a large band of thieves has entered the territory?


　While I was thinking about this, the village chief suddenly showed an apologetic expression.


And by the way, .......


　The village headman looked around behind him and saw a group of young men who were having trouble greeting him and were slumping.
　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.


It's been a while. We're all country folk, so please forgive us if we're not in tune.

It's okay. You don't need to worry about that.

"Thank you very much.


　Noah stepped forward as the chief thanked him.


Now, I'd like to discuss the money to be paid for your stay.

Oh!　Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. It's hard for us to talk about that ......".


　I suppose. Asking for money from a nobleman must be frightening to them.
　On the other hand, a stay in Japan requires a lot of things. You need water, food, and if you haven't brought a tent, you need a place to sleep. None of this is free, and if you don't ask for money, the village people will have to pay for it.
　With the problem solved, the village chief and the young people around him seemed relieved.


　Then, Kazui said.


Then, Kazui said, "Why don't you make a mark on it?


　Kazui said.


"The Mark?

Yeah. Engrave it on farming tools. That's easy for you, right?



Well.


　I've brought the tools and magical silver needed for the imprint in case something goes wrong, so it's not impossible.
　But...


Is that what you want?

No, it's not. ......

Master Arx, engraving is a profession.


　When I asked them, they were taken aback.
　Since Crabbe made me do it early on, I tend to forget that it's a special skill.
　And while it's a special technology, whether it's needed is another story.
　Then, Kazi said.


The Mark is not something you can do easily in a place like this. You'll be glad you did.


　He said.
　In the capital, engraving tools are widely available in households, but in small villages, they are rarely available.


"...... can you engrave it?

Yes.


　In the event that you are not able to get a hold of one, you will be able to get a hold of one.
　He looked at the people in the village. They were skeptical that such a child could really have such skills.


But I sell my products to the big stores in King's Landing. This is also something I made. Here.


　When I showed him how to use a simple ignition device (lighter), he made a small sound of surprise.
　The chief looked at the people around him again.


The chief looked at the people around him again and said, "May I ask you a favor?

I can't give you too much because I need to keep some on hand.

Yes. I'll just pick what I need.

Okay.


　The village headman's cheerful smile had clearly turned into a beaming face.
　The smile on the village chief's face turned into a smile of joy, which meant that he was happy for them.
　Some of the people who were there hurried back into the village. They must have gone to get something they might need.


"Now what?

"It's easier to live in a village when the people are friendly.


　I asked Kazi, who had grown up in a farming village, and he answered.
　These places are closed communities. Basically, many people don't like strangers.
　But if you do something that pleases them, it makes a difference.
　The comfort of your stay depends on the feelings of the people in the village.
　Even if you are not entertained, you do not have to worry about being overwhelmed just because you are not looked down upon.


　...... When we entered the village, there were already several tents pitched in the vacant lot.
　Since there was no lodging in this village, those who were prepared to stay in the field must have prepared their own tents in this way.
　We waited for a while until we were shown to the village chief's house.


...... bandits, huh?


　I said casually.


This must be a bad omen for us, since we've just spoken to Master Arx.

"Then it is. At this rate, I'll probably be attacked tonight. Khihihihihi.


　The two of them take advantage of the fact that no one is around to start talking about things.


"You guys. ......


　Naturally, you can't help but be taken aback by that.
　I let out a big, loud sigh and turned to look at them, but they looked at me strangely.


"What's wrong?

What's wrong?" "There's nothing wrong. You'll get attacked if you say that.

There's no way that's going to happen.

Yeah. Mr. Arx has a tendency to think too much in the wrong direction. In the future, that could make you a skeptical person. ...... No, it's too late for that.

"Khihihi!　That may be true!


　The two of them are still having fun with my husband.
　I'm not sure what to do.
　But the problem is the inadvertent conversation just now.


...... You don't get it, do you? You don't understand how magical words can be. If you say something like that in a situation like this, the law will kick in, the law will kick in.


　I said with a grim face.

"The law?

Is there such a law?

...... Maybe it's a law of attraction or Murphy?


　When asked again, I'm not quite sure what the law is.
　Both of the things I just mentioned seem to be similar but not the same.


　Of course, if you don't know the master, you don't know the servant.
　The three of us just stood in the middle of the village square, tilting our heads in wonder.
　Anyway.


"If we get attacked tonight, it'll be all your fault, right?


　This is the worst flagellation in a long time since Suu.
　I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about that.