I did my best in Village Five.
I accepted apologies from the local influential figures and attended the Village Council sessions. I managed to scrape by using the specific phrases and poses I’d spent so much time practicing. To be honest, I felt like my spirit was going to break after just one day, but I pushed through and attended for the full three days.
My only source of comfort during all this was Hitoe, Yoko's daughter. Back in the Village of the Great Tree, she usually spends her time napping on the backs of the cows at the ranch or riding atop Kuro's children to "battle" the goats. With the winter chill setting in, though, she mostly stays at my mansion or over at Sena's house. She’s taken a liking to Sena’s daughter, Sette, lately. She gets along well with Sena, too; you can often spot her perched on Sena's shoulder in her fox cub form.
I’ll admit, I was a bit jealous. I kept hoping she might hop onto my shoulder one of these days.
It was Ruincia’s idea to have Hitoe accompany me on this trip. She explained that it would simultaneously promote my presence to the people of Village Five and demonstrate that my relationship with Yoko was harmonious by showing how well I got along with her daughter. Because of this, Hitoe remained in her human form throughout our time there. If she stayed as a fox, people wouldn't necessarily realize she was Yoko's child.
There had been a proposal to bring Alfred and the others along as well, but it was scrapped—apparently, their presence would have overshadowed mine. What a shame.
On the second day, I inspected various facilities throughout Village Five. Afterward, just as I had on the first day, I received visitors while holding Hitoe.
I sat upon a chair in a grand hall, elevated three steps above the floor. That was where I received those who sought an audience. The visitors entered the hall and waited in line; when their names were called, they would step forward to offer their greetings. Even when they stepped forward, the gap between us was considerable because of my elevated position. It was impossible to carry on a conversation without raising our voices quite a bit.
I had a servant who spoke on my behalf, but the visitors had to do their best with their own natural voices. It seemed like quite a struggle for them. For the record, I wasn't making them shout for no reason; there was a logic behind it. Supposedly, this forced them to take responsibility for their words and prevented anyone from whispering nonsense or rumors into my ear.
By "nonsense," it mostly meant things like badmouthing rivals or trying to manipulate my sympathy. Certainly, in a room full of people waiting their turn or lingering after their own greetings, one couldn't say anything too reckless. However, Ruincia warned me to stay on guard because people would try all sorts of things to grab my attention. I thought she was exaggerating, but I was surprised by how many people praised me at the top of their lungs or loudly pitched themselves to me.
Ruincia told me I was free to forget the names and faces of the more impudent ones, but I found myself remembering them anyway. I suppose I’m a bit too soft.
Among all the visitors, there was only one group I spoke with using my own loud voice: Michael-san of the Goroun Company, his son Marlon, and their escort, Milford. It seems they had rushed over from Shashato City the moment they heard I was coming to Village Five. Honestly, I didn't think I needed to meet Michael-san and his group in a setting like this, but apparently, a public greeting is a vital formality.
"On behalf of the Goroun Company, I humbly offer two hundred gold coins and twenty thousand silver coins to the Village Head!"
He certainly knew how to surprise the crowd. He called it an "offering," but it was essentially an investment. It was a payment made to ensure that whenever they did business in Village Five, they would receive preferential treatment proportionate to that amount. Furthermore, it served as a demonstration to other merchants that the Goroun Company received favor specifically because they had offered such a sum. It was a direct provocation: if you’re unhappy with the Goroun Company receiving special treatment, then try offering more than this.
It seems merchants have it tough in their own way. However, rather than the money, I was far happier with the seafood Michael-san and the others had transported from Shashato City. The money they offered will just be deposited back with the Goroun Company anyway; it has no real meaning beyond shifting some numbers on a ledger. Is it really so wrong that I was more excited about six wagons full of fresh seafood? I’m going to pay for them, of course.
By the way, the other visitors also offered money and goods for various reasons. I made sure to keep precise records, but as expected, the Goroun Company was head and shoulders above the rest.
Putting the money aside, I wasn't sure what to do with the physical items—swords, jewels, rare fabrics, and so on. I knew I could do whatever I wanted with them, so I consulted Ruincia.
"They would be perfect for granting as rewards later," she suggested. "Why not put them in the storehouse at Yoko's mansion?"
That sounded like a good plan.
...Except, when I went to check, Yoko's mansion storehouse was completely empty. Was there really nothing worth storing? I decided to ask Yoko about it.
"I haven't accepted a single coin or gift, so I have nothing to store," she replied simply.
I see. Maybe I should have followed her lead.
"Village Head, the reason I did not accept money or goods was because I could not fulfill the responsibility that comes with taking them. For you, however, there is no problem at all."
"What do you mean by that?"
"The people of Village Five pay their taxes. Any money or goods they bring beyond that is because they want something in return—status, honor, or favor. I am not in a position to grant those things, but you are."
"If it's status or favor, it seems like you could grant those as well, Yoko."
"I am in a position where I can be dismissed with a single word from you. I cannot act irresponsibly. Only the Village Head has that ultimate authority. Those who brought those gifts can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Until now, they were at a loss, unsure of who they were supposed to build a connection with."
"Is that how it works?"
"Most of the residents here are people who drifted in from elsewhere. The more prosperous Village Five becomes, the more desperate they are not to be kicked out. And yet, I wouldn't accept anything but their taxes. Those with power can prove their worth through strength, but those who aren't warriors..."
She trailed off for a moment.
"The incident with the children the other day... that anxiety played a part in it as well. I am sorry."
"You've apologized to me enough times already. Don't worry about it."
"Then I shall stop. Please, just hang in there for one more day."
"Understood."
I’m scheduled to stay in Village Five for one more day. Tomorrow, I’ll be accompanying the Security Team on their rounds and touring the ranch at the foot of the mountain. Well, there shouldn't be any problems there.
Come to think of it, I wonder if Hakuren, Hiichiro, and Gural are doing all right over at Draim's Nest?