Mysterious Elder

People in expensive clothing, wearing masks stroll along the streets.

Enuma complained, "The vulgar air tainted with greed and avarice. This cannot be hidden behind a mask. The fortunate born into prestigious families, never to strive for anything, fattened pigs."

Everyone, as if dressed for a castle ball, was heading in the same direction.

I said, “But there are quite a lot of them. Moreover, looking at the clothes, it might not just be the Imperial City. Some great families, Insei’s robes, attire from the Kingdom of Uragile. Maybe they’re also coming from countries in the vicinity of the Empire.”

The central street of Unaidan, which was filled with street vendors and merchants during the day, is now filled with hundreds more people who are considered to be noblemen, creeping around.

Around them, the Kamikaze Gang were sharp eyed and vigilant.

Enuma ordered, "Follow them"

For that reason, I also hid my face. “Okay.”

Fortunately, merchants on the street were selling masks, glasses, and other items that can hide one’s face, perhaps for those who have forgotten their masks.

Such a commercial soul, I was impressed. So, while there were a lot of designs with bad tastes, I found the one that was decent.

It was a plain circle white mask of face, with red frame and yellow glass covering the eyes. I thought they looked cool, and I bought them though at, it was a bit expensive.

I said, “Anyway, let’s check out this town right now.”

For now, I’ll check first to see what catches my interest. I put on my mask on and made my way into the flow of the nobility.

There were nobles gossiping, Lady said, “Hey dear are you sure? How many times have you participated in such events. Moreover, it is an event organized by such lowly thugs.”

The man chuckled, “Gufufu, there’s no need to worry. All events in this town are back by Minister Shihtzu, it’s safe.”

The noble couple who was by the side was having such a conversation as I also joined in following the flow of the surroundings.

Event means the auction most likely.

Anyway, I recognized the name, “Minister Shihtzu is he also involved."

He’s been involved in politics in the Imperial Capital since the old days, and I’ve been greeted several times at parties since I was a kid. Well, although he seemed to be smiling on the surface, I’ve always thought he was somewhat dark and fishy.

Another group of nobles added to the gossip, one man said, “What I’m worried about is, about this town. You told me, didn’t you? Lord Heero doesn’t think well of it said he destroyed that organization.”

Another man said, “Hmm, but it’s not a problem today. See, Heero is looking for that second-rate son of his who ran away from home and has abandoned his duties!”

 I wasn’t listening to them, but I just heard details of the conversation. When the conversation of the two nobles touched the topic, the nobles around also reacted.

Gossipers continued: 

“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you that too. As I recall, there was a problem with the Imperial City Academy student’s mock battle.”

“What I hear that dunce son of his threw mud on the face of the hero in front of a large crowd and ran away from home.”

“Fufu. Even though he defeated the Demon King, unlike our noble bloodline, he has the blood of a vulgar commoner, after all.”

“Akari was originally the same, wasn’t she? Both parents were originally commoners, so their child was born a commoner as well. It’s no wonder they’re such failures.”

“And then, the fallen son ran away from home, and they abandoned their duty to the country and prioritized their personal affairs. This might lead to deprivation of their authority.”

“The Imperial Knights were so intrusive in their politics. I wondered what I would do when he tried to crush this place for our escapism.”

“Yes, we are still secure, aren’t we? Heero and Akari will lose their authority, and Minister Shihtzu will prosper after that.”

I was only thinking "Can I hit you?"

Enuma rejected it, "Cease, child."

They don’t know anything about me, and yet they can say all they want beside me. I was ready to do something about these pigs and old farts. Enuma kept me from being stubborn.

Enuma said, "You are no hooligan. This is not even a fight nor a quarrel, you simply got upset, so you want to hit him. My lessons to you are not to have you swing such cheap fists."

I tried to rebuttal, “Well… But.”

Enuma scolded me, "Your value is diminished. Now, dare to accept this assessment and swallow it."

The fallen foolish son who ran away from the Imperial City after throwing mud on his parents’ faces. That’s Terran Kamina now.

That’s the extent of the value I was given after so much training with Enuma.

Someone beckoning me said with a chuckle, “Hohohohohoh… quite a young participant, aren’t you? Have you joined in the event before?”

Then I looked back in a panic. I didn’t expect to be accosted, so I was surprised and looked back, and there was a white-haired old man, although he was wearing a butterfly mask.

He wore a Insei-style robes, carrying a cane with him, and had a kind smile on his mouth. 

I tried to deny, “Oh, uh, no, I’m-”

The old man said, “Oh, I’m sorry. This one will participate for the first time today.”

If I talk badly, it will be troublesome, so let’s exchange only a few words and go somewhere quickly. Said, “Ah, um, yeah, that, I-”

Interrupting the old man said, “Hoho, no, I’m sorry. It was my first time at such a social event, but it was hard to talk to other aristocrats, so I couldn’t resist talking to you.”

Saying that, he smiled gently again, and even though he was a participant in this procession, the air seemed to be quite different from that of the others. The eyes that appear behind the mask are different from those that are painted with greed.

Then, Enuma looked at the old man and reacted. "Hmm? This White Elder, this is somewhere I've seen?"

Do you know who he is, Enuma? This isn’t just any old man, right?

But certainly, the aura around him, it’s hard to describe. Despite being a small elderly man, it’s somewhat warm and inviting, yet grand and imposing to say it. Weighed with experience.

I ask, “Elder, who are you?”

Old man replied, “It is unwise to confirm each other’s identity in a place like this, isn’t it? That’s what I’d like to say. I’m no one suspicious just a food stall wholesaler from Insei.”

Saying that, the old man looked at my face. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m afraid at this age, I don’t have much chance to talk with the brilliant young children of the new age. The ones who shine brighter than ever before and I can’t help but be bothered by it.”

I was puzzled, “Elder?”

Old man spoke again, “Young ones in this town. I don’t think they’re rotten, but the look in their eyes was a little sad because they were resigned. Not you. There is still purity, and you’re lost. The fact that you’re lost means that you’re trying to find your way. You can be anything from now on.”

That phrase I can be anything got me fired up.

I was still cautious and asked, “Elder, I’m not from this town. I simply wanted to know what’s going on here. I have no idea what I’m doing here. I heard about the auction, but…”

I wonder why. It’s not about trusting this old man or anything like that. I didn’t tell a lie for some reason. I was talking honestly.

Old man said, “This is strange, if you’re not a child of this town. If you don’t know what you’re doing, why are you interested?”

Why? That’s it. In the first place, I have nothing to do with what’s going on in this town. The purpose in this town was to stop by during the journey and think about shopping and doing something about money.

So, I’d rather not get into any trouble by going even deeper. Then why? Because Enuma said to? No, not only that, but I myself am interested in this gathering now.

No matter how you think about it, this event doesn’t seem to be respectable. Well, I can imagine that it’s an illegal auction, but I have no reason to interfere with it.

I replied, “My friends are involved, so I want to know.”

That remark came out naturally somehow. 

Old man said, “Hoho… I see. However, even if you get in line, eventually you’ll be checked at the entrance and have to pay an advance, right?”

I felt dismayed, “Uuugh. Really?”

Old man requested, “So, very well. Would you become this one’s attendant, and together join in as well?”

I gasped, “Huh?”

Even though I was confused by my own words, the old man, who I had never met before, laughed and said that with conviction and a good mood. No, I’d appreciate it if you could let me in.

Someone else shouted, “O-Inkyo! Come he’s this way?”

Just then, cutting through the crowd in the opposite direction, two men with masks on their face made their way towards us. Are they referring to this Old man? 

The shouting person said, “O-Inkyo, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop moving about as you please. You had us all worried."

These two men who appeared. They were wearing robes peculiar to Insei, but their appearance and the air around them were strange. 

Old man replied, “Hoho, I’m sorry.”

The person said, “Not at all. Well, in any case I’d like to make a report. A moment ago, I just caught a glimpse, but it’s that ~mumble mumble~ the Stoke family daughter, Vin, ~mumble mumble~.”

Old man was startled, “What!? Why is she in this town? No way, any other the brothers, too?”

The person replied, “I don’t know. But just in case, O-Inkyo don’t leave our side.”

And the man was talking to the old man ear-to-ear, and he looked a little surprised.

Then the other person asked, “By the way, O-Inkyo. Who is this young man?”

Then, the old man said, “Hohoho. That’s right when we enter, this boy will also join us as my companion.”

The men were astonished, ”Eh??”