Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 74

The action was swift. After sending off two Shikigami for reporting, including one in reserve, I hurriedly returned to the village while escorting the main character and Kayo. By the time I returned, armed mercenaries and men from the trading company, as well as servants from the Kizuki family, who had been informed of my return, were already at work guarding and protecting the village, centering on the residence of the Hotaruya family. For the time being, I handed Chidori, which I had been carrying, to Mikage who came running towards me.

　"T-Tomobe-san...!?"

　"Miss Kayo, you should go to the house with your attendant. As for Miss Hotaruya, you too, please go to your family house with the guard."

　Passing through the gate of the house, I handed Kayo and the boy over the men from the trading company, and then urged the main character and her maid to evacuate as well.

　"B-but...!?"

　"There's no 'but' about it!! Please put your own safety first!!"

　I reprimand the main character who tries to stay there somehow, and force her to stay with the servants of the Hotaruya family. If she dies here, it would be troublesome...!!

　"Miss, please calm down. Let's just follow the instructions for now."

　The maid Suzune restrains the main character from clinging further. She whispered something into the main character's ear and from the mysterious look on her face, the main character finally nodded her head repeatedly to follow her suggestion. It seemed more like she was trying to convince herself rather than being truly convinced.

　I was curious about what they were talking about... but unfortunately, I had no time to pay attention to it in the midst of the bustle and the lack of time. My position did not allow it.

　Therefore, once I had completed protecting the escort target, I hurriedly turned around and returned to the front yard of the house. Amidst the many people moving around, I found a particularly fat figure and headed toward him, kneeling down in front of him.

　"I am a member of the servant. I have just finished escorting the members of the Tachibana and Hotaruya families who were under our protection."

　"Very well."

　Uemon said arrogantly and condescendingly, as he sat heavily on the low table, arms crossed.

　"You did well for someone of your station. Even if you're only a servant, it would be a big problem if anything happened to the two of them while they were under our protection."

　Uemon snorted and looked towards his retainer. The retainer nodded and asked me.

　"We have received the beast hair in question from the shikigami that you sent ahead. It must have come from one of your men?"

　"Yes. I asked my subordinate about it and he said that he grabbed it as soon as he saw the attack."

　I had heard about it from Chidori while evacuating in advance. He said that he sensed the presence of something during his patrol, but was attacked from behind while searching for the presence. He said that he immediately extended his hand and grabbed the attacker, but his hand was shaken off. However, it seems that the fur of the beast remained on his palm at that time.