Badlands Saga: Reincarnation in a Different World with Extreme Charisma - Chapter 20

Chapter 20   Turn Me Loose, Im Dr. FeelGood 1

“If I’m going to go, I’d like to take my time and explore the territory of Makiano.”

I conveyed that to the general, and requested the Makiano soldiers—who filled the wilderness like a sea—to withdraw for the time being. After making our preparations, I set off on a journey with my loyal retainers and Riza, the maid who insisted on attending to my needs, along with about a hundred Makiano tribesmen.

For the first time in my life, I left the wilderness, and to my surprise, the outside world was far more civilized than I had imagined.

As we rode across the wilderness in a palanquin prepared by the Makiano tribe, with their supply units setting up tents at various points, the barren land gradually gave way to patches of grass and trees. These eventually transformed into farmland and pastures, and before long, we found ourselves in a town teeming with countless houses.

“There are so many houses.”

Of course, in my previous life, I had seen much grander structures, but in this world, I had only known castles, the wilderness, and small towns. For someone like me, accustomed to such a low-stimulation life, seeing a town other than Tanukan was surprisingly refreshing.

“The royal capital of the kingdom, Folkia has this many houses too, you know.”

“So, is this Tsutomuporita?”

“This is the town of Ugamo, not the capital. The capital is much farther away.”

As Medubal, riding a horse beside our palanquin, said this, Isara, riding on the opposite side, chimed in with a slightly displeased tone.

“Then it must be the second-largest town.”

“Well, it’s not exactly small…”

As we were chatting like this, the woman assigned by the Makiano tribe to attend to us came running up.

“Yes, yes… Lord Fusha has said that we will stay here for the night.”

“Understood.”

“We will be lodging at the house of the town’s chief.”

The attendant, wearing a fur hat, continued talking in a high-pitched voice as she ran alongside Medubal’s horse.

“A gathering of local dignitaries is being held nearby, and they wish to greet you. It seems they are planning to host a banquet.”

“A banquet! Sounds great! There wasn’t any alcohol in Tanukan!”

Kintman, who had been leading the way ahead of the palanquin, turned around from his saddle with a delighted expression.

“Is there someone who can handle a lot of alcohol?”

Medubal spoke again with the attendant, then loudly announced so everyone could hear.

“They say in Ugamo, they have enough alcohol that even a giant couldn’t finish it all!”

“Alright!”

“Can’t wait!”

” Makiano isn’t such a bad place after all!”

The mercenaries, always quick to change their tune, were excited by the news, and the procession picked up its pace. Well, alcohol and entertainment are important, after all…

I’m only ten years old, so I don’t need either of those things.

As we approached the chieftain’s residence, which towered over the town like a castle, the houses became denser. It seemed likely that the town was built from the center outward, and by the time they started constructing the outskirts, they had established a standard for the width of the roads.

Along the main street that cut through this densely populated area, there appeared to be a gathering of people.

“…An Kuran! Delong bad Makiano! Makiano people are Blue Hastel! Kill them all!”

I could hear some rather dangerous words. Perhaps a group of troublemakers was holding a rally.

Not wanting to get involved in any trouble, I pulled back into the palanquin and lowered the bamboo blinds. We were already drawing enough attention just by being a procession of foreigners…

At the residence of Rieger, the chieftain of Ugamo, who welcomed us foreigners, we were treated with the utmost hospitality.

The chieftain himself guided us to our rooms and even accompanied us to the large public bath, where all the men enjoyed bathing together.

During the subsequent banquet, Rieger personally and diligently served the meat, making us feel as though we were being overly pampered.

“Rieger is asking if the Fuu of the wastelands has taken a wife,”

“He’s only ten years old, and marriage is something decided by his father.”

Well, it’s likely that there was an ulterior motive to solidify relationships, but that’s something anyone would consider.

There might be more people here than there are in all of Tanukan Castle…

I was genuinely grateful to Rieger for hosting such a grand feast.

“Fusha-sama, this food is delicious.”

“No, no, Fusha-sama can’t drink alcohol. Let me take that cup.”

“Fusha-sama, he is said to be a major landowner with farms cultivating oil crops.”

Surrounded by Isara and Kintman, and with Medubal, who had taken a position diagonally in front of me, translating for the guests, and the Makiano attendant woman next to him cheerfully drinking from her cup, the banquet was quite lively. It seemed that everyone who had come with me was enjoying themselves as well.

Just as the festivities were in full swing, about ten strong men approached me.

“Fusha-sama, they say they want to join Fusha-sama’s secret magical army, the Cyan Clan.”

“Secret magical army?”

“They say that if you split your name into Fu, shan, and klan, it means Fuu’s secret magical army. It seems they might have misunderstood…”

“Is that why they are calling me Fuu? Tell them there is no such thing.”

When Medubal conveyed my words, the men seemed indignant and began to speak vehemently.

Seeing this, the mercenaries gathered around with a tense demeanor, but the men stood their ground, raising their thick arms and speaking loudly about something.

“If you think we are weak soldiers and are hiding something from us, there is no need. We are warriors, and if there is a recruitment test, we are ready to take it now.”

“Where did this story even come from?”

“We heard a storyteller spreading such tales on the main street in the evening, so it seems it might have been misunderstood from there…”

“Now that you mention it, there was indeed a group talking about killing bad Makiano and other alarming things… Could that have been about me?”

As we were discussing this, one of the men approached Medubal and whispered something quietly.

“He said if a dowry is needed, it should be made clear…”

“No, no, there’s no such requirement. It’s not a military matter, and there are no jobs. We are simply heading to Tsutomuporita.”

When Medubal relayed this, the men still seemed unconvinced, but Chieftain Rieger interceded and sent them away.

It seems that from now on, it might become crucial to ensure we stay with influential figures at each location to avoid such complications.

“This is turning into quite a mess…”

“That’s just how much they regard the Great King Laokan.”

Even though it’s in the midst of the chaos of war…

If this is the consequence of claiming to be a prominent figure from another culture, it seems we must accept it as it is.

Reflecting on this, I was attended by Riza just like in the castle and slept on bedding far superior to that of the castle.

Morning soon arrived, and it was time to depart.

“Hey, what’s that…”

“Are those guys planning to follow us…”

“Someone chase them off!”

“…Maybe they’re just going to the next town.”

“Are you serious?”

From slightly behind our procession, the men we thought we had turned away yesterday were following us with large loads on their backs.

◆◆◆

A Scoundrel Claiming to Be the Great King Laokan of the Present Era

A being of demonic nature, who deceives many.

The one known as the “Wanderer of the Wastelands” invited to a feast and into our home to discern their true nature.

Should they prove to be malevolent, I shall take responsibility and strike them down.

However, their true nature is not ordinary.

With my own capacity, I cannot fully judge good and evil.

They cannot be merely an ordinary person.

I will surely make them my son-in-law.

Yet, this thought is not mine alone.

From the following month, the lords of Ugamo shall compete to send offerings to the land of demons.

Ugamo Secret History, Volume Sixteen, Chapter of Rieger