When I Reincarnated, I Became Even More of a Gorilla - 22

The man who appeared in front of us, Viscount Fuhr, turned his vulgar gaze towards Elena and tried to inspect the inside of the carriage as if it were a matter of course.

I can’t predict his intentions, but it seems that Elena and the coachman lad know what he’s up to, as they just looked at him like he’s a pain in the ass.

The only territory that exists between Gladysbalt territory and the Royal Capital is that of Marquis Something, apparently one of the oldest nobles in Parverna Kingdom.

I wonder why such an incomprehensible fat pig is in charge of the gate of such a venerable territory.

At any rate, I spread my hands out so that Viscount Fuhr wouldn’t be able to move forward, shielding Elena behind me. Even though my body is smaller, I have long gorilla-like arms, so I can at least block the entrance to the carriage. In fact, the Viscount is trying to get in, but is unable to do so.

[Ei! The heck is with this monkey! Lady Gladysbalt, you must handle your familiar carefully, else things will be troublesome!]

[What are you talking about? He’s been doing his job well.]

Elena confidently responded to Viscount Fuhr’s words. I’m just doing what I want, so I don’t really think of this as my duty or my role, but it seems doing this is alright.

Viscount Fuhr, who was on the receiving end of that comment, didn’t seem to understand what she said at first, but he gradually understood and his face turned red with indignation.

I don’t really care, but now he’s looking like a boiled octopus. He still looks like a pig though.

[Wha!? What are you——–!? What does that mean!? Are you trying to say I’m an insolent person!?]

His belly bouncing up, Viscount Fuhr, who understood the meaning, stamped his feet in frustration. Since he’s doing it right next to the carriage, his feet are shaking the ground and even the carriage is shaking.

Perhaps Elena also felt the shaking and was feeling uncomfortable, her beautiful face is clouded by displeasure. The angry Viscount didn’t notice it, but the coachman lad did and he hurriedly went to rummage through his luggage on the coachman’s stand. It seemed like he had gone to get something.

[Now then, in response to your question earlier, Gorimatsu is my familiar. He is registered at the government office.]

[I- I see! You could have just said that from the start! The Marquis won’t stay quiet after you ridiculed me!]

I felt a slight dent in Viscount Fuhr’s spirit, but still, he snapped back at Elena. In the first place, why did he even come to mess with us?

[Oog oog, oogo? (Hey, Elena, why is this guy even picking a fight here?)]

[About that…… Oh, Tom’s back.]

Before Elena could answer my question, the coachman lad came back and started talking to the Viscount. In his hand was a small bag, the contents of which I couldn’t see, but with my excellent hearing, I could hear the sound. Coins.

An under-the-table deal. In other words, a bribe.

[Viscount Fuhr. Please accept this.]

Tom handed the bag with its contents to the Viscount. Receiving the bag, without checking its contents, Viscount Fuhr only listened to the sound and his expression relaxed somewhat.

[Kufufu, if you’re gonna give it, you could have just quickly done it. However, I’ll back off here. You better be careful in the future though? I have the Marquis at my side after all.]

Viscount Fuhr’s momentum from a few minutes ago was gone and he returned to his original position.

Unable to keep up with the sudden development, I looked blankly at Elena and asked for an explanation.

[Fufufu, Gorimatsu, are you dissatisfied with what just happened?]

Elena asked. I was sure she was referring to the fact that she had just paid a bribe to that worthless government official. My thoughts certainly were as she pointed out.

[Oog. Ooga? (Unn. Why?)]

[That sequel from earlier, but it’s not uncommon for guys like these with lowly status to demand bribes at checkpoints and some other places. The reason for the ruckus about familiar was just him trying to find fault.]

[Oog oog oogo? (Why don’t people crack down on this?)]

While I understood the reason we were being harassed, I couldn’t comprehend why they weren’t reprimanded for it. I never faced such things in my previous life, so I wonder if such actions aren’t normally considered a crime here.

The answer Elena gave to me was very simple.

[In our Gladysbalt territory, we have a complete crackdown on such things, but Marquis Penny didn’t seem to be doing anything like that. Well, I suppose if they crack down on all of that, it might make governance for them difficult. I did hear how there are always such nobles around after all.]

I see. So Father had been keeping our area clean. Well, those kinds of people probably take what they get and use it to climb higher. Maybe their superior is even someone who rose to his status through such a method.

[Besides, people like Viscount Fuhr are harmless as long as they are paid. He backed down so easily, didn’t he? Though a bit dirty, I suppose it’s also some kind of survival skill.]

Hearing her say such things, I suppose Elena really is a noble. However, I also sensed that even though she was trying to follow her father’s example, she was being careful not to be too influenced by him.

I’ll be the one to protect her from now on, so even if it’s just a little bit, I want to support her so that she can move forward comfortably in the way she wants.

[Now then, it’s time we get moving again. Tom, let’s go.]

[Understood.]

With the coachman lad’s signal to the horses, our carriage started moving again. Perhaps the bribe we had paid earlier had worked, we were let through the checkpoint without any problems and weren’t stopped. It seems like we have even managed to move up in the queue a bit more.

It seems there were benefits to the bribe, making me wonder if this system isn’t as bad as it seemed.

[Gorimatsu, things like that also happen at the school. It’s a place where the nobility learns about socializing. However, that doesn’t mean that we have to follow suit. I will contribute to our Gladysbalt in my own way. It may not seem like it, but I’m the heir after all. Even though I’m like this, will you support me from now on?]

Elena holds me in her arms and looks into my eyes. She looked somewhat exhausted, perhaps remembering the difficulties of being in a school.

She seemed to be enjoying herself when she talked about magic, but she might be having a harder time in that school than I thought.

My answer to her call could only be one.

[Ooga! Oog. Oog oogo! Oogho! (Unn! You can count on me. I’m the Sage of the Forest. I can support you! I should be able to support you!)]

Telling her that it’s only natural, I drummed my chest. I have various things I want to search for in this world, such as finding a way back to my original world or returning to being human. However, I’m grateful to Elena for providing me the opportunity to leave the forest, and I want to properly repay her kindness.

Supporting her is part of that. Besides, I also promised Misha that I would help Elena.

Just like that, we passed through the checkpoint and with a few minor incidents along the way, we continued on our way to the Royal Capital in our horse-drawn carriage.