Volume 3, Chapter 3: Famiglia
We were led to a luxurious guest room that resembled a castle.
Of course, we couldn't bring Seaserpent along, so it was waiting in the sea.
As we entered the guest room, there stood a dapper old gentleman.
He was Kazanzakis from the Nikos family, one of the five major families known as Patrida's rulers.
When he saw Aoi, he joyfully embraced her.
"Welcome, Aoi. It's been three years," Kazanzakis said, his eyes narrowing with delight.
"I received a letter from my daughter saying that she got engaged, but she complains so much, and I don't even know the name of her partner. Who did she get engaged to?"
Kazanzakis glanced at me for a moment.
"Could it be him?" His eyes seemed slightly intimidating.
Well, it's just for show.
I hope everything will be fine.
Thinking I should refer to myself as her attendant or something similar, I was about to say it when Aoi blushed slightly and nodded.
"Y-yes. It's him."
Kazanzakis shouted like a demon.
Uh-oh.
I guess I really am doomed!
Denying it would be unfair to Aoi, but in this situation, I might get killed.
Why did my first-ever popularity period have to come at this timing?
At that moment, Kazanzakis burst into laughter.
"Well, it's impossible, right? She's the daughter of Yamato's prime minister. I know that the prime minister dotes on Aoi, but even so, it's inconceivable for her to be engaged to this seemingly poor man."
"Poor-looking, you say?"
"Yeah, his clothes are tattered, and he smells weird. No matter what, I won't allow such a guy to be engaged."
Kazanzakis laughed and sat down on a luxurious chair.
Come to think of it, I was sleeping in the janitor's closet and eating leftovers.
My blanket was also a smelly one, so it's no wonder I give off a poor impression.
"Well then, let me guess. It's more likely that either Aoi or my daughter disliked the engagement, and Aoi ran away from the prime minister's place, bringing along her bodyguard."
Saying that, he looked at me, and I unintentionally nodded.
Aoi's eyes seem scared for some reason.
"I'm called Kogorou."
I said a random name because I was scared to give my real name.
I took it from my respected figure, Katsura Kogorou.
"Oh, K-Kogorou-san, is it? Yamato's names sure are difficult," Kazanzakis continued, asking.
"By the way, speaking of Yamato, wasn't there a savior or something named Yuuki? What about him?"
Huh?
Is my name coming up now?
What should I do?
"I'm not entirely sure either. How is he being talked about?" I asked timidly.
"Well, according to the rumors from the first story, he's a monster."
Suddenly, my heart sank.
"We also investigated in detail, but it's unbelievable. While being in the Duke's army who betrayed us, he destroyed the Duke's army with a strategy, led hundreds of soldiers, cut off their supply route, and even used the Dragon King Gouou to completely destroy the main force of the Alekcia army, annihilating the entire country of Alekcia. Moreover, he has only used the rumored artifacts a few times. He's truly a monster. Everyone was afraid of him."
My body trembles.
Well, I guess it's inevitable how the palace treated him.
"But you know, things changed in Conchue. A large number of monsters appeared, targeting the savior, and everyone might die. To save everyone, he became a decoy and went to the mountains. Well, even now, search parties are sent out in Conchue to find the savior..."
Huh?
They sent out search parties?
Well, actually, I just got tired and ran away.
"So, he must have passed away..."
"For now, I want him to be considered dead."
I unintentionally spoke my true feelings.
"No, he's alive. He's the man who single-handedly destroyed Alekcia. He won't die so easily. Moreover, this is just the beginning."
"When you say 'the beginning'?"
"To be honest, no one wanted to gather around the savior because everyone was afraid. However, this time, he showed a willingness to sacrifice himself to save everyone. All the countries are recruiting soldiers to join the savior."
"What?"
Oops, I unintentionally made a weird noise.
"Is something wrong?"
"What do you mean by 'join'?"
"When a crisis occurs in this world, oracles are given by each Sacred Tree. It's only natural to gather around the savior and fight. Eventually, I believe more than a million soldiers will gather."
"What?!?"
I stood up and involuntarily shouted.
"What's the matter?"
"Oh, well, I'm just surprised by the idea of a million soldiers."
"Well, there are already close to ten thousand volunteers coming from various countries to Yamato."
"What?!"
The ship that returned to Yamato doesn't have the savior on board...
What should I do?
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's amazing. Well, it's not my concern, though..."
Alright, I've decided.
I'll forget about it.
From today, I'm Kogorou.
I've decided, I'll seriously change my name.
The old me is dead.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Mr. Gazanzakis changed the subject and asked.
Actually, I want you to support me as a backer for my business in this country.
I leaned forward and looked at Mr. Kazanzakis.
His face seemed a bit drawn.
Well, I guess it's natural to feel bad about being called poor.
"I'm thinking of taking care of all the dangerous guys around here who do Pilates."
"What? You're going to do it?"
Well, that's what he said.
I was called poor, after all.
"Do you think he can do it?"
Kazanzakis asked Aoi.
"I think he can handle it."
Aoi replied confidently.
"...Do you have any comrades?"
Kazanzakis looked a little troubled.
"Yes, about three hundred."
I answered.
"Three hundred?"
Kazanzakis was surprised.
Oops, I accidentally told the truth.
"No, we probably have about five hundred."
Aoi answered confidently.
"Five hundred?"
Kazanzakis looked amazed.
"Yes."
Aoi answered with a smile.
This is bad.
I messed up.
"Well... Aoi is a mysterious child, and what she says always comes true. I'm curious about the 'hiki' part, but..."
Kazanzakis was troubled.
"In that case, after crushing the dangerous Pilates, what are your plans?"
Kazanzakis stared at me and asked.
"Yes. If there's someone who can unite the Pilates, I'll have them gather all the Pilates for us, and then we can feed them with a toll or something. Also, if they can participate in shipping..."
"I see. So you've thought it through..."
"Also, if possible, could you tell me the leader of the Pilates who can probably unite all of them? I'd like to have a conversation with that person."
"Hmm. I understand that, but in the end, what exactly are you planning to do in this country?"
"Yes, I plan to become a merchant."
"What? Is there a reason?"
"No, I just want to make a course correction in my life..."
"Hahahaha, I see."
Kazanzakis started laughing.
Is it that funny?
"Alright, I understand. I'll fully cooperate with you."
"Grandpa!"
Aoi happily hugged Kazanzakis.
"I won't ask, but that's not your real name, right? I see."
Kazanzakis looked at me meaningfully and smiled.
Wait, does he know?
I became a little anxious.