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Their Motives are Far Too Impure

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At exactly the time Leon’s party landed in the Yamato country, the three female adventurers were somewhere within Yamato’s borders.

“Do you really think we’ll be able to meet Leon-han in a place like this?” (Henriette)

“Where are the loli-shota? Where are the loli-shota?” (Kanae)

“I’m not sure, but that fortune teller said it would be good to go to the island country in the east.” (Tina)

“That fortune telling was kind of suspicious though. Do you think it will really come true?” (Henriette)

“Where are the loli-shota? Where are the loli-shota?” (Kanae)

“We don’t have any other leads, so we have no choice.” (Tina)

They were the adventurer party of Henriette, Kanae, and Tina.

No, there was actually one more person.

“Henriette-dono is right. Since we haven’t obtained any information for a long time, we have no choice but to search blindly. That means we have to rely on fortune telling or something.” (Filia)

She was a tall, blonde elf. Her name was Filia. Although she was the sister of the current king of the Elf Principality, since the mysterious boy Leon escaped from her, she had actually left her homeland alone and had been searching for him ever since. On the way, she met Henriette and the others, who were also looking for Leon’s party, and from then on, they had been traveling together.

“Although even if we meet him, there’s a possibility he will run away again.” (Filia)

“Why would he run away… when I love Leon-han so much… slurp…” (Kanae)

“Where are the loli-shota? Where are the loli-shota?” (Tina)

“Both of you have far too impure motives…” (Henriette)

Annoyed, Henriette began to think it might be better if she searched with Filia alone.

“Henriette-dono, why are you looking for Leon-dono?” (Filia)

“I want to know the secret of his strength, and I want to become stronger. Still, I feel just going on this journey was already very meaningful. I’ve been able to gain many experiences, and I can feel my sword skills improving little by little.” (Henriette)

“I see…” (Filia)

“And you, Filia-san, why?” (Henriette)

“Actually, my reasons are similar to yours. I want to know the secret of his strength, and also his true identity.” (Filia)

“R-really? You don’t have any evil reason like wanting to do something bad to Leon-kun or those twins, right…?” (Kanae)

“I am an Elf. I do not lie.” (Filia)

“Filia-san… I’m really glad I met you…!” (Henriette)

“…?” (Filia)

Having been led around by those two crazy people until now, Henriette instinctively gripped Filia’s hand with tears in her eyes. She strongly felt it was better to be alone with Filia. While they were talking like that, the building they were looking for came into view. Since Yamato country had abundant timber, most houses were wooden. The roofs were covered with unique building materials called “kawara”, and this building was no exception.

“That’s the ‘dojo’, right?” (Henriette)

In this country where swordsmanship culture flourished, many such “dojo” facilities existed throughout the town. Simply put, they were places for practicing swordsmanship, but some were so popular that hundreds of students belonged to them. One could call oneself a “samurai” only after being recognized for their sword skills by the instructor. By the way, “samurai” used to refer only to some ruling classes, but now anyone who masters swordsmanship can become one.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how far my sword skills hold up now.” (Henriette)

Henriette’s decision to come to this island country was not solely because of the suspicious fortune telling. She also intended to further hone her skills by learning Yamato’s swordsmanship.

“This is strange. I heard that disciples are already undergoing intense training at this hour, but it’s pretty quiet.” (Henriette)

“That’s true… Excuse me!” (Kanae)

They called out at the gate, but no one seemed to come out.

“What’s going on?” (Tina)

“I’ll go check.” (Kanae)

“Ah, wait, don’t go in without permission…” (Henriette)

Kanae and Tina entered the premises without asking. Sighing, Henriette followed after them. There, in front of the dojo, they found a man lost in thought. His black hair, dark skin, and small stature were typical features of this country.

“What is it? Are you hoping to join? Sorry, but I no longer have the qualifications to teach swordsmanship.” (Man)

Noticing them, he said calmly.

“What happened…?” (Henriette)

“You can understand if you look here.” (Man)

“…?” (Henriette)

The man pointed to the wall beside the dojo’s entrance. There was a mark left as if something had been hanging there for a long time, but Henriette and the others couldn’t figure out what it meant.

“Um…” (Henriette)

“Looking closely, you must be foreigners.” (Man)

“Y-yes. We just arrived and don’t know much about this country…” (Henriette)

“That used to be where the dojo’s signboard hung.” (Man)

“A signboard?” (Henriette)

Henriette and the others, unfamiliar with this country’s culture, somehow understood that it meant the dojo was closed.

“A few days ago, a dojo breaker appeared. In a one-on-one duel, I lost. The opponent was unbelievably strong, but I won’t use that as an excuse. I was just too weak. A master who loses a duel has no right to continue running a dojo.” (Man)

The man shook his head and added,

“No, a master who loses a duel has no right to live!”

He took a small knife from his pocket and tried to stab it into his own belly.

“““Harakiri…!?””” (Henriette/Tina/Kanae)

Even Henriette and the others from overseas had heard of this famous traditional culture of this country.

Though shocked to be shown this right in front of them, they hurriedly restrained the man.

“Let go! Do you want to take even the soul of a samurai away from me?!” (Man)

“P-please calm down!” (Henriette)

They took the knife away from him and somehow stopped him from committing suicide.

 

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