Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Epilogue: An Unsettling Presence

With the tripartite agreement successfully concluded to found a medical alliance between the kingdom, republic, and Empire, a feast was held to celebrate that night at the inn that had served as the site of the meeting.

Since coming to this country, there had been parties held whenever there was an excuse, but this time, there were a large number of people in attendance, so it was the largest yet.

It was unfortunate that one of the three leaders, Maria, who had attended by Jewel Voice Broadcast, was unable to attend.

Please, come to my country someday, she had said before terminating the communication. When you do, lets drink together.

Yes. Someday.

Considering how far the Empire was, though, I didnt know if that day would come or not. If the political situation in the world stabilized, wed eventually be able to travel to each others countries for meetings, but... there was no indication that would happen any time soon.

While I was thinking that...

Bro! Are you having fun?! Kuu broke in.

Kuu, who was already drunk, suddenly put his arm around my neck. The impact nearly made me drop my drink.

Whoa! Thats dangerous... I mean, get away from me. Im not into getting touchy-feely with guys.

Its cause you look so gloomy, Bro, he cackled. Youve gotta have fun when drinking.

Kuu moved away from me with a cackling laugh.

Im enjoying myself, I said, relieved he had backed away. At least as much as anyone else.

Hm? Well, okay then.

Because so long had passed since the start of the party, everyone was off doing their own thing now. Juna was pouring drinks for Sir Gouran, who was now our sworn friend, while Aisha and Hal were having a drinking contest, and Kaede was watching and egging them on.

That had occurred a few hours before.

When the meeting finished, Kuu took us to visit Tarus workshop on a hill near Noblebeppu. It was to tell his childhood friend Taru that he would be staying in the Kingdom of Friedonia for a while.

While we were there, we revealed our identities, too, but she wasnt especially surprised. For a craftsperson like Taru, maybe the position of her clients didnt matter so much.

...So, that being the case, its been decided Ill go to the kingdom to study under Bro, and Im only taking Leporina with me, Kuu finished, resting his foot on a bucket that was lying around, and adopting the pose of a sailor with his foot on one of the short posts used for mooring boats.

He might have thought it was a cool way of saying goodbye, or he might just have been trying to act tough, but either way, resting his foot on a bucket wasnt going to accomplish that.

While we all looked at him coldly, Kuu continued his speech. Oh, dont you worry, Miss Taru. Our parting will be a brief one. Ill stay with Bro, learn from how he rules, and I swear, someday, Ill come back to you as a real man. I look forward to the day when I return in glory to my old home town.

Even though Taru wasnt saying anything, Kuu kept on giving his parting speech.

Meanwhile, Taru was paying no heed to his words, and was pounding on hot metal.

I dont know... It was the sort of scene that made me feel sorry for Kuu.

The lack of response from Taru made Kuu look upset. Hey! Hey now, Miss Taru! Here I am, giving you my farewell speech, so give me a little response, would you? Youll be lonely without me, right?

I tried making the thing you ordered with various metals, she said. Iron, copper, silver, and a number of alloys. Do you know which was the best suited for it?

Taru cocked her head to the side.

Ohh, so a sample scalpel was what shed been working on.

Even if she asked me which was best, I wasnt a doctor, so I didnt know. There were metal allergies and such to consider, too, so it couldnt be decided on strength and cutting edge alone.

Ill have to go back to my country and ask someone whod know...

I see... Well, Ill go to the kingdom, too, then, Taru said offhandedly.

Everyones eyes went wide. The most surprised of all, though, was Kuu, who had been giving his parting speech until a moment ago.

Huh?! Youre coming, too, Taru?!

So, with it decided that Taru would join us, Kuu was in high spirits.

Hed been downing his fermented milk pretty quickly since the start of the party.