Chapter 166. The Three Noble Families
Approaching were the three noble families. Well, they used to be. The Ashikaga family has begun to decline. I don't know why though. The old man from the Oda family turned away from me as if uninterested, and started talking to other guests.
As the former noble families gathered around me, the people around us started whispering and paying attention to me. It's as if I've become some important figure.
The first to speak to me was Minamoto Fuuka. Of course, it would be her.
"Good evening, Amano-sama, Kamishiro-sama. Thank you for accepting the invitation today."
She grabbed the hem of her skirt and bowed gracefully. What was it again? Some kind of etiquette, like curtains or something.
"Don't worry. I'm enjoying the party in the inner town for the first time."
The steak is delicious. It's real beef, not suspicious meat. Can I put it in a Tupperware and take it home? I want to say that, but I return the smile with a poker face.
"We're glad you're enjoying it. If you're interested, we'd appreciate it if you could escort us at the next party."
I was slightly surprised by her suggestion with a smile, and when I looked towards the head of the Minamoto family who brought Fuuka, he just smiled. I look at the lady next to him, but she doesn't break her fake smile either. They're used to poker faces.
It seems Fuuka's decision isn't arbitrary. Of course not. In this case, if it's a yes, does that mean I'll start dating Fuuka? What if it's a no?
While trying to gather my thoughts, Serika, clinging to my arm, smiles awkwardly and interrupts.
"Fuuka-sama, it's better to ask a close gentleman to be your escort. Unfortunately, my husband might not match Fuuka-sama. It would be troublesome if you misunderstood, wouldn't it?"
Serika, who should be accustomed to poker faces, blushes and presses her ample chest against me. If you're embarrassed, stop it. I'll be embarrassed too.
Seeing that, Fuuka puts her hand on her mouth and makes a surprised expression. I realize it's a bad development, but it's too late.
"I apologize, Serika-san. Was it such a relationship?"
"Of course. Lately, the topic is how many children we want."
A koala declares with rough breathing, blushing cheeks. No, it's Serika.
What's going on? She's becoming a complete airhead. Even Shizuku is dumbfounded, with her mouth hanging open.
I try to send my thoughts that this is a trap, but
"I apologize for that. So, from now on, Serika-san will be escorted by Amano-sama, right?"
"Of course! We're lovey-dovey, so there's no one else but Amano for an escort role."
"Understood. We'll refrain from doing so. I apologize, and please continue to take care of us in the future."
Tilting her head slightly, the elf girl smiles and steps back. Celica, looking pleased, clings to me more and more.
[This is serious, Sakimori-san!]
Shizuku says in astonishment, her mouth gaping. It's a rare expression to see.
[Serika, do you understand the meaning of our conversation just now?]
[Everyone understood that Sakimori became my husband, right?]
It seems she doesn't understand. Why is she becoming such an airhead? It seems odd, like there's a flower garden in Serika's head.
[Probably because she returned to her original personality. Romantic relationships turn cowards into airheads. Like a heroine with a flowery head despite being called a genius.]
[By guaranteeing that Serika will take me to parties she can't refuse in the future, right?]
Even if I receive an invitation, I can throw it in the trash, but there must be things Celica can't refuse. And as for me being her escort,
[......Oh no! That's right. It was a clever trap!]
Being told that, she probably realizes the meaning of our conversation just now. Serika is shocked.
"[There's nothing we can do. Let's discuss about the escort role starting from 10 million, as the manager.]"
[The lesson I learned from this is that Sakimori became my husband.]
Celica laughs and clings to me like a koala, proud. She's almost hanging on me. She seems to have recovered already. Too soon.
[You're using the lesson in the wrong way, Serika-chan! She's a scammer, a scammer!]
Shizuku realizes that and gets angry, but I decided to ignore the mental exchange. Kazuka looks at me, seeming satisfied. If I say something negative, it would imply that my relationship with Celica isn't good. But... there's no other choice. Let's just make a smirk.
For some reason, Kazuka takes a step back. What a rude elf girl.
"My name is Minamoto Kuro. Amano-kun, I greatly appreciate your help with the familiar matter. Let's continue to have a good relationship in the future."
"Of course, Minamoto-sama."
The head of the Gen family extends his hand with a probing look, so I shake it. It feels somewhat strange to shake hands with a man in a kimono in Japan, but oh well.
His wife also greets me, and I exchange greetings with the young man next to her. He must be the successor, but I can see a hint of disdain in his eyes. He still lacks the experience to become the head of the family.
"I didn't expect you and Kamishiro-san to be a married couple. Oh, my name is Taira Masako. Nice to meet you, Amano-san."
"Serika tends to get too excited."
I exchange greetings with a seemingly gentle and vague woman. She's probably the female head of the leading Heike family now. She seems like a young lady who has never worked before. In other words, she's a dangerous opponent.
I also exchange greetings with a young man named Sei, who seems to be a successor. As for Konoha,
"I'm Taira Konoha. Is Rei doing well? Since we don't see each other often, if you could give me your address, I'll visit from time to time. I'll bring delicious cakes as souvenirs."
"I'll let Rei know about Konoha-sama's intentions next time."
This party invited Rei, but of course, Shizuku declined. So, I'll just handle it casually. Konoha is staring at me after that remark, probably trying to gauge our relationship.
Lastly, it was the old man from the Ashikaga family's turn. He approaches me and extends his hand.
"I am Ashikaga Takauji. It's unexpected to see someone from the abandoned town attending here, young man."
"Thank you. As the president of a small company, being surrounded by the upper class makes me nervous and trembling since earlier."
I'm a working adult. I can handle it as a middle-aged man. I wonder how much money they want for condolences. Maybe I should ask.
"Hah! You have a face suitable for the madness of this world. I like it."
"I'm also honored to meet Ashikaga-sama."
Careful, careful. Being too confrontational or making provocative remarks like in movies will only backfire. Keep smiling, keep smiling. I wonder how big the funeral wreath should be; would he get mad if I asked?
"I see, it's troublesome when monsters are clever. Don't you think so, huh?"
Ashikaga's old man interestingly twists his face and seeks agreement from the surroundings. In response to his gaze, Gen squints, while Taira Masako doesn't break her gentle smile.
Seems like he's lost a lot of influence. What happened exactly? Serika probably knows.
"Hmph, seems like only cold-hearted folks around. It's a cruel world if they don't respect their elders, truly."
He snorts and turns his gaze towards me.
"The new wind seems to be hurting people a lot, huh? What do you say?"
"If you dress warmly, you won't feel the cold."
"Hmph, that's not a funny joke. Well then, to the point. Gasoline and kerosene are secured, and the agricultural factory is completed. The inner town is safe now. How will you fit in here?"
Ashikaga's old man speaks bluntly. Hiramasaiko, who led the toast at the beginning, remains completely unfazed, smiling, while the head of the Gen family observes calmly. The miscellaneous people around are surely listening intently.
"Do you sell even the small harvest? As long as it brings in some money."
I shrug, giving a model answer, and Ashikaga's old man, showing sharp eyes not befitting his age, sneers and glares at me.
"There are concerns about the amount of oil reserves. With the factory using up three reserve pillars of abundance, production has significantly decreased. In such a situation, your presence becomes significant. Amatsugahara Corporation. The master of a large-scale agricultural district in the ruins. "Small harvest"? Not a funny joke."
Ashikaga's old man speaks with a hoarse voice. Hmm, what does he mean? What's his point? Unexpectedly, the head of the Ashikaga says something surprising.
"Come to me. I'll buy your power and company at a high price. I'll make you a position to aim for the head of the family as a top executive."
Was he wearing a cat's skin? He suddenly changes his tone and starts soliciting roughly. Executive... Is that true?
"I've already dealt with your executives. Bringing them into the inner town with a large sum of money. The abandoned town people become the upper class of the inner town. It's a perfect success story, isn't it? You guys will surely be talked about for a long time as the hope of the ruins people. "
Hm, dealing with executives...?
[This old man has thought it through. He's probably expecting a backlash from the executives if you refuse, Sakimori-san.]
[True. ...But why the change of heart when they were trying to crush me? Isn't it strange to offer me a position aiming for the head of the family?]
Shizuku's words are valid. But what happened? It must be related to Ashikaga's decline.
[Well, the Ashikaga family had a magic tool for terrain exchange that Japan had kept hidden, but it was stolen by a mysterious unit. And the second son, who had the [Warlord] ability, died in a battle with the enemy who came to steal it. Skilled soldiers seem to be running out due to recent battles. In this era with Cores, you know? The Air Force general resigned due to the responsibility. The Ashikaga family is declining rapidly, you see.]
A magic tool for terrain exchange? Did Japan really have such a tool...? Who stole it? Well, leaving aside the blame game, I understand why they changed their policy.
While inwardly smirking at Celica's words, I decided to answer the Ashikaga old man. This is a chance.
"It's a great honor. I'd like to consider this matter once I return to headquarters."
"That's right... Well, it's a joke, huh."
The Ashikaga old man loosens the spirited expression with a hearty laugh. The heavy atmosphere around eases, and some people around seem relieved.
I'm relieved too. It seems I don't need to be cautious anymore.
Laughing with a hint of killing intent in his eyes, the Ashikaga old man smiles. It seems he's planning to have some fun with me.
Relax, old man. I'll do my best to make sure you enjoy yourself.
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