36. Sano and Nobuhide
“The first step is a success.” Sano grinned as he left the commanders’ camp.
He was able to successfully curry favor with Mireille, and made her trust him. Even if it incurred displeasure from some senior knights, it doesn’t matter. After all, they were opponents which he would quickly surpass. But more importantly, it’s time to gain achievements. Sano renewed his determination.
The next morning...
Sano, who had received the command from Barbarodem, rode a horse and rushed towards the beastmen’s town. As he neared the town, he could see the beastmen drawing their bows from their positions on the stone wall.
Beside them, he could see something covered with cloth curtains that were placed equally apart on the stone walls. Sano was a little bit interested, but since he had other things to do now, he pushed it out of his mind.
“I am only a messenger! Please don’t attack!” Sano waved his hand vigorously and shouted as loudly as he could.
It would be stupid if he died here, so it could be said to be a reasonable reaction. However, contrary to his behavior, Sano didn’t worry too much about being attacked. The reason is the behaviour of the beastmen’s town.
Sano had heard some stories about the beastmen’s town. It could be said that everything he heard was how rational and humane they were. On the contrary, it was the humans who were all about invading other territories.
Sano came from a world where ethics and morality were strongly emphasised, so there was no way he could not recognize which side was evil. But, even when he noticed it, he didn’t intend to do anything at all.
A strong man will have high self-confidence. In this world where it’s the survival of the fittest, it’s convenient for Sano’s sense of values to change. Yes, in this world preaching about the survival of the fittest, Sano conveniently believed that he’s strong enough to come out on top.
“What about the army behind you?!” Someone shouted from the top of stone walls.
Those words came from someone who could be said to be different from the rest of the beastmen.
(What is that?)
The man was wearing a helmet, orange goggles, and covered his mouth with black cloth. He wore sand colored clothes, thick black body armor, and was holding a rifle in his hand. That man was dressed like a soldier that was often seen on tv.
(It’s him!)
But, he tilted his head to the side in bewilderment at the same time. If the card he received from God was a [Gun], then what about the rest of the equipment he was wearing? Sano thought for a little bit, and an answer came to his mind right away.
(I guess the card is probably a [Military Equipment Set].)
“My name is Sano! Tsutomu Sano! I have heard about your name! You are also Japanese, right?” Sano turned around and shouted to the man who dressed like a soldier.
There was no reply. Sano thought that the man was merely silent from surprise.
If that man was really shaken from his presence, then things would turn out well for Sano since the opponent’s cognition abilities will decline, and Sano, who was calmer, would be able to take the lead in the talk.
“As fellow countrymen, I requested to be a messenger because I couldn’t stand this! I don’t care about the views of this world! I want to talk to my fellow countryman who has the same values as I!” While Sano cried out, he was trying his best not to laugh out loud.
Then, the reply finally came.
“Alright! But first, get down from your horse and put down your weapons!”
Hearing that, Sano clicked his tongue silently. But, there was no choice other than to obey the instructions given. With this, one of his potential cards that could be used to hold the opponent hostage disappeared.
(Even though we are from same country, it is still not easy to trust each other, huh? It seems like he is not like that good for nothing Suzunose. But, I think it that this should still go well...) He grumbled internally.
Sano dismounted from his horse and threw his sword onto the ground.
“Wait a moment!” With that, the man disappeared from the top of stone walls, and the sound of gongs rang out from the town.
Sano was about to grab his sword again, but there was no movement from the beastmen.
(What? Does that sound have any meaning at all? Is it a signal for something? If it is, then what does it mean?)
Sano thought while observing the surroundings.
Anyway, that sound was so loud that the surrounding noise seemed to disappear. It could probably drown out the sound of a car’s engine with no problems at all.
Eventually, the gate opened. What appeared was a man who rode a big camel. Sano never thought that a camel would appear. He was so startled that he took a step back, but he managed to steady himself shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, a beastman appeared at the side of the camel, and picked up Sano’s sword that was on the ground.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” The man asked indifferently.
(It would be bad to be agitated.)
“Are you Fujiwara-san?” He asked after taking a calming breath.
The man nodded as if saying ‘yes’.
“I will introduce myself again. I am Sano, Tsutomu Sano. When I first came to this world, I was still a high school student. But, I am already over twenty years old now.” Sano explained with a friendly smile. “Ah, by the way, my card is [Pretty Good Shield]. It’s a one star card. But, I didn’t bring it with me because it’s an obstruction when I ride a horse.”
In the self introduction, he mixed in the contents of his card casually. Of course, the contents were a lie. The reason why he gave information about his card was to set the scene. That way, even if the other party does not want to talk about his card, Sano would be able to ask about without feeling out of place.
“I am called Fujiwara Nobuhide. I was an on-hire employee before I came to this world.”
It was a brief self-introduction. This man, Nobuhide, did not talk about his card at all. In addition, the sudden usage of honorifics....
For a moment, he thought that this man the timid type like Suzunose, but it seems like he’s different, because Nobuhide spoke smoothly, very much unlike a timid person.
“Um, should I also use honorifics?” Sano asked.
“I do not mind if you speak normally. It’s just a habit of mine.” Nobuhide replied curtly.
“I see. Then, I shall just speak normally... Well, I am certainly a messenger from the army. I think that you will be able to guess the contents of the message easily. It is an advice to surrender, more or less. However, that does not matter. My real purpose was to talk to you.” Sano smiled disarmingly. “I heard of your name from my superior by chance, so I knew that the lord of this town was in the same situation as me. Thus, I felt that becoming a messenger was a surefire way of getting in contact with you.”
“If you are a messenger, then will our friends not be worried if you do not go back soon?” Nobuhide inquired.
“If I do not return within two hours, they will automatically commence the attack.” Sano stated noncommittally.
This was also a lie. Whether Sano returned or not, the army will attack three days later. Until then, they will build a camp while restoring their energy. This was the army’s plan.
To have 5000 soldiers stationed right in front of the town has its own benefits. With the army being there, those in the town will be intimidated, so he doesn’t have to worry about his safety. However, the beastmen may try to attack the camp if they become anxious. If so, it will be what the army hoped for. An open field battle was what they wanted.
“...Fine. But, since you are an enemy soldier, would you mind if we inspect your body?” Nobuhide asked.
“I don’t mind.” Sano nodded.
Two beastmen approached Sano, and a body check was done. But, there was nothing wrong. Sano didn’t even have a knife on him.
(Hm, such a distrustful person.)
Sano sneered in his mind.
The fact that repeating something like this would lead to trust was something he learned automatically while flattering those knights when he was still an apprentice knight.
When Nobuhide invited him inside the town, Sano followed him quickly. The contents inside of the stone walls was like a different world.
“Are... Are you serious..?” Sano sighed unconsciously.
It was an old Japanese townscape.
“Wha... What the hell is with this town?” He demanded.
“I made it with the beastmen. I was doing the work related to architecture.” Nobuhide shrugged.
Because he heard that he was a temporary employee, he made fun of him in his mind. He thought he was just a dropout who couldn’t become a regular employee, and that he was just a lucky bastard who pulled out a good card called [Gun].
But, this wasn’t ordinary. He can’t make light of this temporary worker. It was unusual for Sano to revise his evaluation of his opponent.
They entered the nearest house. It was a tatami room which he had not seen for a long time. After sitting down, a cup of water was served immediately. Sano drank all the contents in one go.
Nobuhide sat the opposite of Sano. He removed his helmet, goggles and the cover over his mouth.
He doesn’t recognize that face even after it became bare. It had already been five years. At that time, even if he saw him at that white room, he can’t remember him at all. More than that, Sano was more concerned about the handgun on his waist than his identity.
(If I am able to take that and take Fujiwara as hostage... No, surely there is a safety device on that gun. While being confused, I will be killed by the beastmen outside the room.)
While thinking such a thing, Sano placed his cup onto the table.
“...Have you ever met other people from the same country?”
The one who started the conversation first was Sano.
“No, I haven’t. What about you?” Nobuhide answered simply.
“There was a guy who was transferred to this world together with me. We were able to help each other and stay alive somehow. But, it was hard work... The other guy is called Suzunose, and he got sick. That is why I am risking my life this way to earn money to buy medicine for him.” Sano rambled.
It was a lie to pull a sympathy. Sano understood that it was useless to push with power.
“...If you’d like, would the both of you come and live here?” Nobuhide invited.
“No, that fellow can’t come here right now. He doesn’t have the strength to. I will be able to support him somehow...” Sano grasped his fist tightly while trying to hold back his tears.
“Is that so...” Nobuhide followed up.
“Well, because there is Suzunose, I feel like I can do my best somehow.” Sano showed a forced smile.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly become solemn. Then as if he wanted to lighten up the atmosphere, Sano said the next words brightly.
“I was interested since a while ago. That’s a gun, right?”
“Yes.” The man nodded.
“Did you get it from your card?” Sano asked eagerly.
“Well...” Nobuhide hesitated visibly.
“Do you have any problems with the bullets?” Sano continued his questioning.
“...” He remained silent.
When there was no answer, Sano smirked in his heart.
(As expected, the bullets are limited. He should not have many bullets left.)
With this, there was no need to fear if he could return safely or not. But, Sano thought that it wouldn’t become a problem either. A lie about someone from the same country suffering from an illness... It’s working quite well.
(Suzunose. You finally became useful to me.)
Sano remembered the appearance of Suzunose, who was still in a distant village.
“Sorry for telling you some strange things. Everyone has their own viewpoints on certain things. Well then, are you not going to surrender? If it’s now, it might still be possible to get good remuneration.” Sano urged.
“I’m sorry.” Nobuhide apologised.
“I see...” Sano sighed regretfully.
Then, silence followed. The silence was good for Sano. It was the evidence that he dominated the situation. Sano thought that everything was within his expectations.
From there, they talked about trifling things. Sano also asked about [pepper] and so on, but Nobuhide changed the subject skilfully.
“Well then, I need to return soon. If I stay too long, I will become attached, and it will be hard in the future.” Sano excused himself.
They stood up and left the house together. In front of the gate, a beastman returned him the sword and his horse. The distance between him and Nobuhide, who is seeing him off, was about 3 meters. Furthermore, the beastman was waiting next to Nobuhide. When Sano approached Nobuhide by just a single step, the the short spear wielded by the beastman twitched.
It seems like it would be impossible to take Nobuhide hostage from this position, or so Sano judged, especially since the opponent also has a gun.
“It was nice to meet you today. Let’s each do our best in this world.” After saying that, Sano mounted his horse and dashed back to the camp.
There were some gains from this trip. Sano saw that there were only two guns, and both of them were on Nobuhide only. The others didn’t possess any. It was also obvious from Nobuhide’s reaction that there were not enough bullets for two guns.
(I wasn’t able to take Fujiwara hostage, but this amount of information is enough for now.)
With the fear of the strange magic dissipating, they would be able to broaden their tactics. It was certainly a meritorious deed.
Furthermore, if there was another chance, he would advise Nobuhide to surrender after a prolonged war.
(Fujiwara. In order to increase my chances for promotion, please work hard so you don’t lose too soon.)
While cutting through hot, dry air atop his horse, Sano muttered out what in his mind.
[TLC note: Carnation you Sano, just wait for a few chapter.]