Ben and Bail stared at Azi's and Shizu's disheveled look, they had let their imaginations run wild and they believed the two had messed around in the bath but when Ben broached the topic with a harmless question.
"Uhhhh, Hi kid, How are you doing?"
Bail facepalmed and brazenly added.
"Did bang. Yes or No!?"
*Slam*
Ben then turned and socked his twin brother across the face in a panic. He was the more leveled headed one between them but in this situation, he acted upon his instincts as he could feel the death glare that Kajima and Shizu were giving them.
Shizu was titled the man killer, and her glare was icy cold like metal swords in winter. Touching them would make his fingers tingle a bit but this time the icy chill felt as if it was going to do more than give him frostbite.
Now on the ground was Bail, his eyes rolling in his head like pinballs. Ben's punch was on the mark as it rattled his brain due to the overpowering strength he wielded as a blacksmith. Ben promptly grabbed his unconscious brother and hoisted him up on his shoulder.
Firing out his words as fast as he could, he made his way out of the house.
"Oh would you look at the time! I have so much work to do today. Byeeeeeee!!!"
For a second Ben became a blur as he ran out of the living room and grabbed their belongings as they exited the workshop's external entrance.
Azi stood in silence and bit confused while Shizu looked as if she wanted to punch something. Kajima on the other hand looked as if he was going to break out in raucous laughter. But before anyone made a peep, the atmosphere suddenly changed as they all heard the sound of the main house door sliding open.
"WE ARE HOME!!!!" Yelled Rulu, her voice filled with a bit of awkward cheeriness.
Shizu, who had the fastest reaction time of everyone in the house, deftly hoisted Azi up onto her shoulder like how Ben did just a moment ago and ran as fast as she could to their room.
She did not want her sister to see her in such a state so to prevent herself from embarrassing herself she ran away.
Azi had not a moment to complain at how he was being treated like luggage but never got a chance to say a word as Shizu was too quick.
By the time Rulu entered the living room, all she could see was Kajima sitting on the couch as he held his side in what looked like pain as he laughed raucously.
Kajima was truly amazed by everyone's timing and reactions. This amused him as it helped to release him from the serious tone and tension of his conversation with Ben and Bail.
From Ben and Bail's new, he deduced that their people moving behind the scenes to possibly hurt or oppose Azi's progress as a blacksmith but when he saw the sight of Shizu at his side, the panicked Ben who socked his brother, and the reliable mercenaries at Rulu's side.
His worries were washed away, Azi was surrounded by people who he could consider his friends. He was not alone like he was a month ago, so for now Kajima just laughed at his previously foolish worries.
After calming down, Kajima placated the befuddled Rulu who had asked what was wrong.
"Not to worry Rulu, something funny just happened. If you want to know about it, talk to Shizu. For now, please get changed and cook tonight's dinner. I'll be heading into the village for some work. I'll be back with Yashimu."
"I understand Uncle Kajima, please be sure to take a coat. The nights are cold."
Being the considerate and kind young girl she was, Rulu promptly took off the fur coat and scarf she was wearing and handed them to Kajima.
The tall man slouched down and allowed Rulu's hands to properly affix the coat and scarf onto him. With his hand, he petted Rulu atop her small head. He had done this many times before but now his hand could feel how big Rulu had grown in the many years they were apart.
She was no longer a child and she was beginning to leave the nest.
Pulling his hand away, he saw that Rulu had a pouting face as she did not like being treated like a small child which reminded him of times Azi pouted about how short he was.
"Uncle!" Cried Rulu in indignation.
Kajima chuckled and then turned a serious gaze upon Nosuri and Ougi, the pair of mercenaries straightened up at his sight and were now like attentive soldiers.
"Protect the house while I'm away. Keep a lookout for "rats", they tend to hang around the kitchen."
The mercenaries gave a slight bow in understanding, but Rulu cocked her head a bit in confusion.
*****
After leaving the house's protection to the mercenaries' care, Kajima made his way to Manu's office to see Yashimu and his brothers. He hoped to dig up some information he could possibly use to help with the construction of Azi's workshop.
After being led by one of Manu's attendants, he entered the study. Inside was a large table that had a mountain of books and papers stacked on top of each other. It looked like a mess but seemingly had an orderly presentation as some documents were color coated.
Around it was a group of 4 young men walking around it in a busied manner as they were transcribing and relocating documents.
At the far end of the table sat Manu and Yashimu, who were sitting next to each other as they discussed over the work involved in managing a village and part of the greater whole of the nation of Kujyuri.
Yashimu, the more attentive of all the occupants, saw who had entered and asked.
"Is it dinner time already? Seems early?"
"It's not time for that yet." Kajima swung his head side to side. "I'm here for some information. Please take a look at this and tell me what I should do."
He then pulled the slip of paper out of the large pouch of money that Ben and Bail gave him. They had hidden it in the cash to ensure that the only ones to know of its existence were the 3 of them.
Kajima did not know of the contents, but he had his guesses as he was quite sharp when it came to reading the situation.
Taking the slip of paper, Yashimu read it and furrowed his brow. With a sigh he said a single word.
"Jerome.... *Sigh*"
"Jerome?" Asked Kajima.
"A council member in opposition to Ozen. I fear he might be pressuring his business associates to bully Azi. We have received complaints about preferential treatment being given to Azi's shipment of building materials."
Kajima nodded in agreement, there were many blacksmiths in the village that would get jealous of Azi's current rise in credibility. Not only was he an ordain knight apprentice but he was a blacksmith apprentice to Kajima.
Both Shizu and Kajima had not had apprentices for the most part of their lives so it made sense that it seemed that Azi was getting too many favors.
While the blacksmiths looked up to Kajima, they could still direct their negative emotions at Azi as an outlet and it was only easier to do if they were paid off to do so.
They likely planned to cause a disturbance in the village when Azi's workshop opened and they could get their apprentices to take up the task so that the real blacksmiths could play it off as just a harmless prank or blame it on others to get off blame free.
Either way, Kajima and Yashimu did not like the current situation due to how Azi was making waves that got the attention of a noble house of Kujyuri and a wealthy one at that. They had enough money and influence that they could bribe or buy their way out of a sticky situation.
Jerome had done this several times in the past, but they were minor offenses such as slightly inaccurate reports or a delay in estimated shipping time.
Yashimu had noticed that Jerome's actions have gotten bolder as he learned of Jerome's proposal to help Shaho from Ozen's recent letters. He could already tell that Jerome likely wanted to either recruit or harm Azi to ensure that Ozen's position would weaken due to his association with peasants.
Additionally, he hypothesized that this might turn into an international incident if Jerome used Azi to cause an uproar in Shaho. It could be beneficial but going by Jerome's track record it was likely going to hurt Kujyuri's national standing.
Ozen was favored by the common populace of Kujyuri, but since his ascendence to Great General he has been looked down upon by his peers in the 8 Pillars of Power which caused a rift that was already present with him and his current council members.
The current generation were prideful and had little regard for the common populace. They were more business oriented than battle oriented which was caused by the upbringing under wealthy parents.
Yashimu did not worry about Jerome possibly plotting to assassinate Ozen due to how weak he was and how Ozen had a strength and battle prowess that was considered second to Shizu the Man Killer. He was king and previously a veteran soldier, so his strength was undisputed in Kujyuri.
"So what should I do Yashimu?" Asked Kajima.
"For now...?" Yashimu put a hand on his chin and looked over to Manu who was at his side. "Manu? Can you get the blacksmiths to call a meeting with Kajima?"
"Sure, but what will that accomplish?" Asked Manu.
"We'll have Azi be there and have him present a business deal. I have heard about his work on Shizu's weapon and on his new metal. He could possibly offer his services and try to win them over with his own effort. From what I know from Kajima, blacksmiths only respect the skills of another blacksmith. Am I right?"
"You got that right, no blacksmith in Shisayama is like the prideful ones in the capital of Yamato. While they do get easily baited by money, they have a dedication when it comes to Ozen and the nation."
"Then we have a plan of action. When can we have the meeting scheduled, Manu?" Asked Yashimu.
After looking at the nearby agenda of the village events, Manu said. "With the work we have, and the construction work planned, I think by the end of the next month. That should give Azi enough time to draft his business proposal or prepare a demonstration."
The three men nodded in agreement, before Kajima could prompt Yashimu to come back to the house for dinner, he was interrupted by Yashimu's 4 younger brothers.
"Do you mind if you can fill us in on this Azi fellow. I have seen him once with our sister Shizu but just who is this guy?" Asked the eldest brother as his 3 other brothers nodded in agreement.
Kajima gave them a grin. "Why not find out for yourself? Come with me and Yashimu to dinner at my place tonight. You know what, how about you come as well, Manu?"
"Me? Why?"
Kajima laughed at Manu's confused expression and stated. "Because I feel like you would be lonely when we leave, or have you gotten yourself a girlfriend yet?" His expression turned cheeky as he grinned at Manu with a knowing smile. "I see how you talk to your "personal assistant". She is quite the catch for a man your age."
Manu got up from his chair and cried out in denial. "NNNNNNO It's not like that. Ingrid is just a friend, a friend I say...."
*Clack* *Crash*
Turning his head to the source of the sudden sound of something breaking, Manu saw a beautifully bespectacled and tall woman in a maid outfit that had a long skirt and frills. She had a stoic expression, but her brow was slightly furrowed.
She noticed the shards of porcelain on the ground and deftly moved to the room's exit and briefly stated with a huff.
"I will....clean that up."
Everyone saw her off in silence, but Manu rushed after her in a panic. He did not mean his words as he did have feelings for his personal assistant but had to keep it hidden as he planned to one day propose to her when he could afford a diamond wedding band to show his affection.
What delayed him from proposing was the constant work he was given by people like Shizu, who dumped more work on his plate since the day she was reassigned to Shisayama.
Yashimu and his brothers looked at Kajima with blame in their eyes, which he only responded by cackling.
"I guess that's a no for Manu. Bwahahaha. Come on, let's get going."