Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 153

 The diplomatic mission has set out. Represented by Middle Counselor (Chuunagon) Tokugara Masumichi of Senior Third Rank, three court nobles, and approximately 10 government officials are accompanying the delegation. In addition, there are 200 warriors (samurai), 24 exorcists, 80 individuals from the servant and Hidden Group, and over 300 laborers serving as caretakers, and more.

 The delegation, consisting of over 600 members, is mainly composed of individuals not directly affiliated with the court, for political reasons. This decision may also be attributed to matters of prestige and military rationality.

 From the court's perspective, even if Tengu can engage in meaningful conversation, they are ultimately considered mere creatures. There was no expectation of them being equals. Therefore, dispatching Middle Counselor (Chuunagon) as an mission was already an exceptional act of mercy, and it was inconceivable for the court to directly manage personnel, including guards, for such a mission.

 Another reason is that many samurai and exorcist families from all over the country have entered the capital due to the high-pressure Joraku request. Many court nobles expressed reluctance to deploy armies near the capital for rebellion vigilance. Exploiting those who have visited the capital (Joraku), mainly rural individuals, serves to publicly illustrate the hierarchical relationship with the court.

 The foremost reason lies in their military utility. The armies organized by the Ministry of War are fundamentally trained for interpersonal and large-scale combat. However, the upcoming venture is into a nest of monsters, making their deployment clearly unsuitable.

 And the exorcist families, along with the warrior families in Fusō-kuni, originated from self-defensive farmers heavily armed for combating youkai during frontier colonization. Warriors in remote areas still regularly hunt and kill youkai, filling the gap left by insufficient exorcists. In this context, the decision to bring them along is accurate.

 Besides, the warrior group that was mobilized this time was organized with personnel extracted from the southern regions. The warriors from the south are known for their wild and fearless nature. While the warrior families from other regions, such as the Western region, have been considered weak for a long time, they were indeed expected to be a significant force.

 Yes, in terms of strength...

 "Is this the room borrowed by the prestigious Onitsuki family from the Northern region?"

 The speaker's heavy accent and mocking tone made it seem like they deliberately emphasized their accent. It seemed to be a speech filled with sneering and sarcasm.

 It is one of the rooms assigned to the Onitsuki family, a prestigious and influential family from the Northern region, in Fusō-kuni Center region, Mt. Anma town, along the mountain trail. Three warriors (samurais), who are outsiders, have come to visit there...

 "Oh, samurai, is it? What brings you here..."

 "Stop, Magoroku. So, what is it?"

 I held back Magoroku, who was about to rush forward, and stood up. I responded with a slightly condescending tone, different from my usual self. It was the position of being dispatched as a guard from the Onitsuki family that made me behave this way.

 ...Or perhaps it was because I sensed that one of them was about to draw their sword.

 "Hmph. I heard that a member of the Onitsuki family household was assigned to accompany the delegation as a servant. Could it be you?"

 "...Indeed, it is me."

 They probably predicted it from my appearance, but still, they deliberately asked, emphasizing the word "servant"... Well, they weren't exactly friendly in their attitude when they came here in the first place.