If you looked down from Parnam Castle to see the center of the city, the
castle walls that surrounded the city, and the small mountain near the city, it
would look like a vast sea of orange.
There was a shadowy figure bouncing along on top of those orange
roofs.
The figure was running as it bounded from roof to roof, but then
stopped on top of one roof to wipe its sweat. It was around the time that the
sun was high in the sky.
Summer had begun in earnest at this point, and the kingdom was now
seeing hot day after hot day.
"Man, it's hot," grumbled the figure. "It'd never get this hot in the
republic."
It was the guest from the republic, Kuu Taisei.
It had already been two months since King Souma of Friedonia had
formed a medical alliance with Turgish Head of State Gouran, and Empress
Maria of the Gran Chaos Empire.
In order to see how Souma reigned and learn from it, Kuu had come to
reside in Friedonia with his attendant Leporina and his childhood friend
Taru.
He was staying for free at Souma's place, but because he wasn't a
formal vassal, he didn't have any particular work to do, and he was
spending most his time traveling around the kingdom to learn.
Kuu would submit a request to visit and learn about a place, and if
Souma gave his permission, he had relatively free rein to look around inside
the Kingdom. He had gone around to many places that way, and had
registered as an adventurer along with Leporina, making a small amount of
coin on the side by taking on quests.
Kuu crouched on the edge of the roof, looking out over the town of
Parnam.
Still... I know I heard about it from Bro, but this country's even more
amazing than I expected.
There were things he had learned by coming to this country and living
here.
The flashy things had caught his eye first. Initially, that was the
broadcast programs of the Jewel Voice Broadcast. The idea of using the
Jewel Voice Broadcast, which had only been used for official proclamations
before, to provide entertainment for the citizens was amazing.
The singing program where many diverse loreleis sang, the news
program where Chris Tachyon reported the events and incidents that
happened in the country, the weather forecast run by one of Souma's
fiancées, and more... They were all new to Kuu, and drew his interest.
Of them all, the tokusatsu program called Overman Silvan was his
favorite.
It was good stuff. Watching a hero fight for good and punish evil got
him fired up.
Kuu was so into Silvan that, when he had watched them shooting the
program in the castle, he had even gotten the autograph of Ivan Juniro, the
actor who played the main character. It was incredible that, in an era like
this, the son of a nation's head of state would be begging an actor from
another country for his autograph, though.
Now, as for the next flashy thing that caught his eye, it was religious
functions.
Generally, nations that put a lot of fervor into their religious functions
tended to be monotheistic, but the religious functions in this multi-racial,
multi-religious state were surprisingly popular.
It seemed that ever since Souma had issued a proclamation saying that,
"Any religion which registers with the government will be recognized as a
state religion," this country had gained a variety of state religions, and they
had come to hold large religious functions to attract believers.
Furthermore, by turning those religious functions into national events, it
was even possible for members of other religions and sects to participate.
The result was that, with the exception of the most fervent believers,
there was an increase in the number of citizens engaging with multiple
faiths, and a cooperative relationship where different religions would lend
each other space for events was built.
This was because, if it was possible to hold multiple faiths, there was
no need to fight to steal each others' believers.
This sort of buffet-style approach to religion seemed like something
that the comparatively tolerant Mother Dragon worship might allow, but
Lunarian Orthodoxy with its focus on unity through the belief in one god
would hate.
However, the head of Lunarian Orthodoxy within the kingdom, Bishop
Souji Lester, said, "Multiple religions? Eh, sure, why not?"
And with that one utterance, they were gradually worked into the buffet
of religions.
Souji was as impious as ever, but his loose management had the support
of Orthodoxy's adherents in the kingdom. For the adherents who had lived
in the kingdom a long time, even if it was the center of their religion, they
hadn't been happy about taking orders from the Orthodox Papal State about
all sorts of things.
On that point, Souji had said, "If you keep things in moderation, you
can do as you like," and left them to their own devices, so it was easier on
the believers.
In the kingdom now there was open religious dialogue between all
faiths, and they were in an exquisite state of harmony.
If you went into town, one weekend there would be a Lunarian
Orthodox festival, and the next weekend there would be a day of
celebration for Mother Dragon worshipers, and then the following weekend
the sea god worshipers would have a ceremony opening the seas... There
was always some excuse for an event to be held.
And so, people would gather where there were events, and things and
money would gather where there were people. Holding religious events was
tied directly into increasing economic activity.
Well, it's easy to look at the flashy things, but what's really amazing is
the stuff you don't see.
Kuu stood up and began bouncing along on top of the roofs again.
Beneath, he could see the people of this country going about their lives.
He crossed a commercial street where the wives were out shopping, and
then down a craftsmen's street where the sound of hammers echoed
unceasingly.
As he ran, Kuu had a thought.
The really unbelievable thing about this country is how easy it is to live
in.
The kingdom as it was now still had these orange roofs, which gave it a
sort of retro appearance, but beneath that, it had become incredibly livable.
The large cities had running water and sewer systems, and garbage
collection had been nationalized, leading to an improvement in sanitation.
Despite this being a large city, the air wasn't that bad, and the water used
for daily consumption wasn't contaminated.
There was a transportation network, and many people came and went.
The result was that there was a distribution network for products, their
prices were stabilized, and public order was good because the military
could be quickly dispatched anywhere.
If a person lived here for even a few days, living in any other country
would start to feel inconvenient.
The only country that could compete with this one for livability had to
be the great power of the west, the Gran Chaos Empire. The Republic of
Turgis wasn't anywhere close.
Dad, we can't just stay where we are.
They had formed an equal medical alliance between the three countries,
but at this rate, an incredible gap would form between them someday. In
order to prevent that, Kuu would learn how Souma ruled here, and find a
path of development for the republic.
"For that... I need to take a good look at Bro's country!"
Voicing his resolve, Kuu let out a laugh.
Then a sort of weak voice came from behind him. "Y-Young masteeer.
Wait for meee."
When Kuu stopped and looked back, a girl with bunny ears came over
to him, wheezing as she did. It was Kuu's attendant, Leporina.
"Sheesh, you're slow, Leporina. What happened to your usual healthy
legs?"
"Hahh... Hahh... I-It's because you're running on top of these roofs,
young masteeeer. Unlike your snow monkey race, the white rabbit race
aren't used to running in high places. Besides, there are proper roads, so
let's walk on those."
"It's faster to cut across the roofs than to waste my time dragging my
feet on the ground, isn't it? I'm inviting Taru to lunch. If I don't hurry,
lunchtime will be over."
Kuu was in a hurry because he was meeting with Taru.
Unlike Kuu, who was a freeloader staying in Parnam Castle, Taru was
renting a house near the craftsmen's street with a workshop attached. It
would have been fine for her to live in the castle, but she had felt it would
be a hassle commuting from the castle to the town every day. Kuu
frequently dropped in at Taru's house.
Kuu was about to take off running again... then stopped and asked
Leporina, "So, where was Taru at again?"
"You were running without knowing that?!" Leporina looked at Kuu
with disbelief.
"No, I know where her house is. But she's gone to train the blacksmiths
today, right? I dunno where that training place is... What was it called
again?"
"It's Ginger's Vocational School," Leporina answered.
Ginger's Vocational School was headed by Ginger Camus, the former
slave trader. It taught children to read, write, and do arithmetic on one hand,
while also being an academic institution where many fields of study and
technologies which were in their dawning days were researched.
Of all the fields of study and technologies researched here, those
deemed to have promise for the future were recognized, and if a number of
researchers on a subject were able to be secured, an independent new
specialized school would be created. For that reason, Ginger's Vocational
School was called a "school for schools."
The field of medicine had just recently become independent, and the
former capital of the Carmine Duchy, Randel, was now home to a school
for doctors and nurses, the Randel Medical School.
Now that enough personnel had developed to the point that they could
teach basic medical knowledge, Brad and Hilde were freed from their
teaching duties. They had opened a medical practice in the new city of
Venetinova, and so there was no longer any reason for them to be chained
down to the capital.
The reason the school had opened in Randel was that there was a
practice ground for the National Land Defense Force nearby, which meant
an endless supply of soldiers with fresh wounds who would make good
guinea... test subjects.
Incidentally, though Brad and Hilde had made their return to the field,
like they had wanted, they were still occasionally called to the Randel
Medical School to hold lectures. Though they had quit their positions as
teachers, they were now living legends in the world of medicine inside the
kingdom.
It seemed that Hilde kept refusing because she was currently pregnant,
but once she gave birth and she had gotten used to raising her child, she was
sure to receive multiple requests for lectures.
Let's get back on topic.
Ginger's Vocational School was the place where Taru was teaching
blacksmithing techniques.
Leporina sighed and ran ahead of him. "I guess there's no helping this.
Follow me, young master."
Boing! Boing! Leporina jumped across the orange roofs. It looked like,
in the end, they'd be going over the roofs, after all.
"All right! Sorry for the trouble!" Kuu followed after her with a laugh.
With Leporina leading the way, Kuu came to a place with wide grounds
surrounded by a brick wall with a number of buildings inside. This was
apparently Ginger's Vocational School.
When the two of them came to the gate, they saw a single maid inside
the gate sweeping the ground with a bamboo broom. That maid was a
beautiful girl whose triangular ears and fluffy tail were typical of the
beastman races.
"Oh! I found me a cutie!" Kuu cried excitedly.
"Oh... Not this again..." Leporina's shoulders slumped.
Kuu was into women who had fluffy beastman parts. If they had
breasts, that was even better.
That was why he'd asked Tomoe, "Would you be my bride?" on their
first meeting, and then set about trying to woo her. He'd have to hold out
hope for the future in the breast department, though.
On that point, the beastman maid in front of Kuu was checking all his
boxes.
"Oookyakya! I wonder what kind of beastman she is. Maybe I'll go
woo her right now."
"...He says, despite having eyes for no one but Taru," Leporina said
under her breath.
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"No, nothing... Or rather, I'll tell Taru about this later, you know?"
"Urgh... I-It's fine to look, isn't it?"
Kuu pouted. He was so easy to understand.
While the master and servant duo were arguing, the beastman maid who
had been cleaning noticed Kuu and Leporina were there. The maid
narrowed her eyes as if wary. Readying her broom in front of her chest, she
approached them with determination.
"What business do you have at our school?"
""Huh?"" Kuu and Leporina, who had been in the middle of an
argument, looked at her with dumbstruck faces as she suddenly interrupted
them.
The maid gave the two a slight bow, never taking her eyes off them. "I
am Sandria, a maid in service to Lord Ginger, the principal of Ginger's
Vocational School. Pardon me, but... what business, may I ask, do you have
at this school?"
There was a dangerous tone in her voice. Like she was wary of them, or
she was angry. Kuu paid no mind to the atmosphere Sandria was exuding,
and casually gave his name.
"Hm? I'm Kuu. This here's my servant Leporina."
"I-It's a pleasure to meet you."
Unlike Kuu, Leporina sensed the disquieting atmosphere and gave a
more hesitant greeting.
Sandria held her bamboo broom with a backhand grip and pointed the
end of it at Kuu's forehead. "What have you come here for... is what I am
asking you."
Sandria's brow was furrowed. That hostile stance got Kuu angry, too.
"What's this, out of nowhere? Is this how your school greets guests?"
"I don't think we call those who attempt to enter our school while
armed guests."
"Armed? ...Oh, I guess we are." That was when Kuu finally figured it
out.
Kuu had a cudgel slung over his back, and his attendant and bodyguard
Leporina was carrying a bow and arrows on hers. Sandria must have been
wary that they were brigands, here to attack the school.
Educational institutes were the place where the wisdom of a country
was gathered, and it was entirely imaginable that they would be targeted by
brigands, or agents of other countries after their researchers and results. The
two of them had been careless.
When Kuu realized that, he offered the cudgel he had been carrying to
the maid. "Sorry to come so suddenly and surprise you like that. We're just
here to see someone."
"That's not how it looks, though?" Sandria said and indicated behind
Kuu with her eyes.
When Kuu turned, Leporina had nocked an arrow and taken aim at
Sandria.
"Wait, Leporina?! Why are you doing something so threatening?!"
"I-I thought my young master was in danger, so..."
Yes, she had immediately gone into crisis mode when thinking her
master was in danger. That was the very model of what a servant should do,
but... in this case, it was only making this conversation harder.
"Calm down! It's just a broom!"
"Rest assured. This bamboo broom has something inside."
With a flash, a blade about the size of a knife jumped out of the bamboo
broom from the side she was holding. Sandria pressed the sharp edge to
Kuu's throat.
"It's a cane-sword?! Why's a maid carrying something so dangerous?!"
"There are many individuals carrying out unusual research at this
school, you see."
"Please, don't move!" Seeing the cane-sword, Leporina drew back her
bowstring even further. "If you move a muscle... I'll fire."
"...Very well," the maid said. "I will, at the very least, kill your master
before that."
There were two beautiful women on either side of Kuu staring each
other down. If it weren't for the weapons, this would be a situation any man
would be jealous of, but even Kuu couldn't enjoy this one.
"Would both of you calm down already! Ugh, someone do something
about this!"
Perhaps Kuu's shout reached someone, because a young man came
over. "Um... San? Just what kind of situation is this?"
There was a skinny, frail looking young man standing behind Sandria,
and his cheeks were twitching as he looked at this scene in bewilderment.
"You mustn't, master!" Sandria shouted, looking panicked for the first
time.
His name was Ginger Camus. Despite his youth, he was the principal of
Ginger's Vocational School.
Ginger had just come over to invite Sandria to have lunch with him, but
he'd panicked when seeing the situation near the gate.
Sandria had a broom with a knife on the end pointed at a young boy
who looked like a monkey beastman, and a girl who looked like a rabbit
beastman had her bow drawn and aimed at Sandria. Ginger had been taken
aback by the dangerous scene, but...
"S-Stop, please!" he yelled.
The next moment, his body was moving. Ginger interposed himself
between Sandria and the archer so as to block the line of fire, and even in
his terror, he managed to spread his arms and shout at Kuu and Leporina,
"This is a school sanctioned by His Majesty King Souma! Please, stop with
this violent affront to it!"
"Like. I. Keep. On. Saying. This is all a misunderstanding..."
"Master?!"
Cutting off Kuu, Sandria threw aside her broom-sword, embraced
Ginger, and spun them around to change their positions. She ended up
exposing her back to Leporina who was still taking aim with her bow.
"Wait, San?! That's dangerous!" Ginger shouted.
"I will protect you, even if it costs me my life, master."
There was Ginger who was worried for Sandria, and Sandria who was
risking her life to protect him. It was a scene that showed at a glance what
their feelings for each other were like.
Having been shown that scene, Kuu awkwardly scratched his cheek as
he said to them, "Uhhh... Sorry to stop you when you're all fired up, but we
aren't here to attack the place. Hey, Leporina. I'm free now, so how long are
you going to keep holding that bow?"
"Huh...? Ah! Yes, sir!"
Leporina had been so focused on her task that only now did she realize
Kuu had been released. She hurriedly lowered her bow and returned the
arrow to her quiver.
With a laugh, Kuu turned to Ginger and Sandria and said, "Sorry to
make a scene. I'm Kuu Taisei. I'm from the Republic of Turgis, but I'm
currently freeloading at my bro Souma's place. Well, think of me as
something like his little brother. Bunny ears here is my servant, Leporina."
"N-Nice to meet you. Oh, and sorry for the trouble." Leporina bowed
her head.
Ginger managed to pry Sandria off of him somehow, and stood in front
of Kuu. "You're an acquaintance of His Majesty's, then. I am Ginger
Camus, the one tasked with managing this school. This is my secretary,
Sandria."
"I am Sandria." Sandria lifted the hem of her skirt a little and curtsied.
Her discomposure from earlier seemed like a lie, and she wore a look
on her face like nothing had happened. However, she must have felt
embarrassed inside, because her cheeks were just a little red.
Still, the only one here who would notice that was Ginger, who had
been together with her for a long time.
Kuu smiled and shook Ginger's hand. "Nice to meet you, Ginger.
You've got a good subordinate there who cares for her master."
"Yes. She is a reliable partner."
"Guess I can't take her for myself, huh. Her looks are just my type,
though."
"Huh?!"
This sudden talk of taking her away and how she was Kuu's type made
Ginger panic.
Compared to that, Sandria didn't seem flustered in the least. "I regret to
inform you that I have already devoted my body, my heart, and every last
drop of my blood to my master."
"Whoa, San, what are you saying?!" Ginger cried.
"It goes without saying that if my master orders me to spend the night
with him, I am prepared to bite back my tears and do it."
"Don't say things that make me sound bad! I'd never order any such
thing!"
Ginger was panicking. That seemed to satisfy Sandria somehow.
Looking at Ginger get toyed with by his maid, Kuu found himself
sympathizing despite himself. "I dunno how to say this, but... you've got it
rough, too, huh?"
Now that Kuu thought about it, he felt like his bro, Souma, who was
also the king of this country, had times where he couldn't stand up to his
fiancées, too. Were the women being stronger than the men a part of this
country's national character?
She's too sadistic, so I can't bring myself to ask if she wants to be my
wife, like I did with little Tomoe... Wait, huh? Is that what she's aiming for,
maybe?
Had she been trying to keep Kuu from being interested in her by
deliberately being sadistic to Ginger? So Kuu wouldn't try to take her away
from him? Considering the loyalty she'd demonstrated by using herself as a
shield to protect Ginger, it wasn't out of the question.
Kuu thought that while looking at the two of them, but...
"Master... will you keep me by your side for life?" Sandria asked.
"Of course. You're an important partner to me. I can't run this school
myself, after all. So... please don't leave my side."
"Those are not quite the words I wanted to hear, but... of course I will
stay at your side, serving you always. Master."
A correction, Kuu thought. It seems a good half of it was just Sandria's
personality.
Ginger seemed a little airheaded, so he'd been able to dodge it without
recognizing her intentions, but if the maid had said that to Kuu, he'd have
picked up on it, and she'd have had him right there.
"That's one scary maid," Kuu said to Leporina in a quiet voice.
Leporina giggled in reply. "That just shows how important Ginger is to
her. Did you see that show of devotion, young master? If it's for the man
she loves, a woman can become as calculating as she need to be."
"Is that how it works? ...I'm just a little afraid of girls now." Kuu
sighed. "Thank goodness my servant's so simple."
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about thaaat," Leporina said with a
mischievous smile. "Do you think any simple girl would be allowed to
serve as your bodyguard? You might not think it when you look at me, but
Master Gouran regards me quite highly, you know?"
Leporina puffed her chest out with pride. Though her chest was being
held down by the breastplate she wore, when she took that pose, it was clear
she had more than Taru.
For an instant, Kuu almost stared, but the fact of her chest size fact
rubbed him the wrong way, and he forced himself to look away.
"Hmph... Well, I'll recognize your skill with the bow, at least."
"It's not just Master Gouran, you know? I'm childhood friends with
Taru, too, and we get along great. When that time comes, I'm confident the
two of us can get along."
"...When what time comes?"
"That time is that time." Leporina dodged the question with her usual
weak smile.
That smile made a shudder run down Kuu's back.
That was because, while he'd always been under the impression he was
running Leporina around, she had become an important person to him at
some point. If Leporina got fed up with him, that would hurt his
relationship with Taru, who she was also close to. And at this point she had
become so reliable a presence for him that he'd never dream of replacing
her with another servant.
While Kuu was still confused, Leporina started giggling. "Hee hee, I'm
just joking. You always run me ragged, so I wanted to tease you a bit.
Sorry."
"T-Tease me?"
"Yes. You don't have to worry about what I said now in the slightest."
O-Oh, so that's how it is... Is it?
Kuu was almost satisfied, but there was a small part of him that
couldn't accept it.
Leporina said she was just teasing him, but Leporina's position hadn't
changed. Kuu didn't know anything about stories from Earth, but this must
have been how Sun Wukong felt in the palm of the Buddha's hand.
And, in fact, Kuu didn't know what Leporina was really thinking at all.
Hm... the young master seems like he's misunderstanding what I meant
by "when that time comes." While the confused Kuu glanced furtively at
her, Leporina smiled wryly. Hee hee, I'd never do anything you wouldn't
like, Master Kuu. I know very well how you and Taru feel. That's why, when
the time comes, I'm confident I can get along with Taru. I won't get in the
way of the two of you, so don't treat me badly, either. Okay, Master Kuu?
Leporina gave Kuu a troubled smile.
Noticing that smile, Kuu thought, Eek... Bro, I don't get girls, after all...
He felt like he could understand Souma's feelings just a little.
"What's wrong, dumb master?" Taru asked Kuu, who had a slightly odd
look on his face while they were eating.
When Kuu had explained to Ginger and Sandria that he had come to
invite Taru to lunch, they'd suggested they all go together, and the five had
gone to the cafeteria inside Ginger's Vocational School.
Kuu laughed awkwardly and said to Taru, "Well, you know... A lot
happened," and glanced at Leporina who was standing next to him.
Kuu, Taru, and Ginger were seated at the table, while Leporina and
Sandria were acting as servers. It had ended up with them in positions like it
was a meeting, but Kuu and Ginger were able to have a rousing
conversation about their respective circumstances.
"I see," Ginger said. "You're the son of the head of the Republic of
Turgis. Even though she didn't know any better, San... our Sandria... was
awfully rude to you."
When Ginger bowed his head, Kuu laughed.
"Don't worry about it. It's partly my fault for showing up without an
appointment."
"The dumb master was just being dumb. There's no need for you to
bow your head to him, Sir Ginger," Taru said with a cool look on her face.
Taru was as merciless with Kuu as ever, but her behavior made
Ginger's eyes go wide.
"You're a craftsperson, weren't you, Taru? Aren't you being a little too
casual towards the son of your head of state?"
"Hm? The dumb master is just the dumb master. That is all."
"She's a childhood friend of mine, you see," said Kuu. "We don't stand
on ceremony. I mean, she likes me enough she followed me to this
country... Gwah!"
Kuu tried to put his arm around Taru's shoulders, but Taru elbowed
him.
She looked away from him, and in a sharp tone she said, "The dumb
master has nothing to do with it. I came here at King Souma's request."
"Ouch... Honestly, you sure can't be honest with yourself."
"You're just too honest with your desires."
Seeing the lively exchange between Kuu and Taru, Ginger more or less
figured out their relationship and smiled wryly. "Ahaha... I think I get the
idea."
Kuu munched on some bread as he asked Ginger, "So, is Taru getting
along fine here?"
"Yes. The people in our blacksmithing techniques department are happy
to have a talented craftsperson here."
"The people here are passionate about their studies. They have a long
way to go, but I think they'll master it eventually," Taru said with a serious
look on her face as she drank her tea.
It was moving for Kuu, who rarely ever saw Taru praise anyone, to see
that face.
"You even have a blacksmithing techniques department...?" he said in
amazement. "What other research do you do here?"
"All sorts, really," Ginger said. "Sciences to technologies of all kinds.
We study a wide range of topics, from things like agriculture that we know
are important, to things that, at first glance, are not important at all. For an
example, we even have a newly created Department of Dungeonology."
"Dungeonology?"
"Yes. The study of dungeons, which exist everywhere on this continent,
and are a place where monsters exist outside the Demon Lord's Domain.
We record and categorize the layout of dungeons, and the monsters that
reside within. It was established with the sponsorship of His Majesty, who
wanted to know more about monsters."
"My bro Souma?"
If Souma was involved, there had to be some meaningful intent behind
it. Monsters, huh... Kuu developed a pensive look on his face, but Ginger
continued on without noticing it.
"We cooperate with the adventurers' guild, and ask active adventurers
to tell us about their experiences for our studies. Occasionally, we have
novice adventurers use the gym here, and have veteran adventurers come to
train them... Though, for some reason, San goes and joins them in training."
"As one who serves you, Lord Ginger, I want to have at least a bare
minimum knowledge of self-defense," Sandria said unabashedly, causing
Ginger to smile wryly.
"So that's why..." Kuu felt like it finally made sense. Her moves when
she had put that broom-sword to his throat were something an adventurer
had taught her.
Kuu crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. Dungeonology, huh?
Even that's a subject for academic study in this country...
Scholarship. For Souma, whose policy particularly emphasized the
importance of basic research, Ginger's Vocational School was a clear
representation of that. They were building up a pile of plain and possibly
useless research. However, even if that research was seen as being useless,
it was not meaningless. That pile of research would eventually become a
driving force for the development of this country.
In his interactions with Souma, Kuu had gotten to the point where he
could think that way. It's a country that's even more incredible than it looks.
We can't let them outdo us.
Then something occurred to Kuu. "Hey, Ginger. This school, could me
and Leporina attend it, too?"
"Dumb master?" Taru asked.
"Young master? What are you saying all of a sudden?"
Taru and Leporina cocked their heads to the side, but Kuu ignored them
and made his request of Ginger.
"Please. I want to learn all sorts of stuff in this country, too."
Having received such an earnest request, Ginger scratched his cheek.
"Erm... We don't turn away anyone who wants to learn, but you're from
another country, right? I'm sorry, but I think you'll need permission from
His Majesty."
Kuu stood up with a look of glee on his face. "Got it! I'm gonna go get
permission from my bro right now!"
"Huh?! Right now?!"
"Strike while the iron's hot, they say! C'mon, Leporina, let's get
going!"
"H-Hold on, wait, young master!"
Kuu took off, and Leporina rushed after him. The two had run off like a
storm, and Ginger was left dumbfounded.
"What can I say? He's a very decisive individual, isn't he?" Ginger said
at last.
"It's always like this," Taru said while quietly drinking the tea Sandria
had poured for her. "Oh, Master Kuu... You really are dumb."
However, when she whispered those words, she was smiling just a
little.
Some days later...
"All right, Leporina, let's go study in the Department of Dungeonology
today. I hear we can see a dungeon relic provided by the House of
Maxwell."
"I-I get it, so please stop pulling. Geez."
At Ginger's Vocational School, there was Kuu, who had been attending
with enthusiasm since receiving clearance from Souma, and Leporina, who
he was dragging around with him, but who didn't seem to mind that, and...
"Oh, dumb master, you're so dumb."
There was Taru, watching the two of them from a distance, with the
corners of her mouth turned ever so slightly upwards.
What would they study in this country, and what would that bring about
in the Republic of Turgis?
That, we would not learn for a while yet.