Serving Through Bizarreness

Hahaha! So this is your hometown. What a peaceful village it is. It's far enough from the capital, just like my dojo. It's quite soothing here.

I'm glad you like it. Speaking of which, Shigure, you're from the Itto-Ryu family, right?

I'm glad you like it. Speaking of which, Shigure, doesn't your family own a dojo?

That's right. In the East, we're considered one of the strongest schools of swordsmanship.

That's right. We're the Itto-Ryu school of swordsmanship, one of the strongest in the East.

Oh, that's amazing.

Well, don't be too impressed. All that means is that we're a bunch of thugs that made a living off the battlefield long ago.

And yet, we take pride in our bloodline. We're nothing but a band of hopeless fools! Hahaha!

...What? This aura...!

What's wrong, Shigure?

Oh. It's just Langelo, the village calico.

A calico, you say? What an interesting pattern he has.

Mrow?

Oh, Shigure, Langelo doesn't really like strangers...

Wow... How unusual!

Hahaha! Ever since I was small, I've had a way with both children and cats!

Is that so? Are all Eastern samurai this good with cats, then?

Oh, really? It seems like Shion might be rather jealous of that...

Is that so? Are all Eastern samurai this good with cats, then? Shion is probably the same.

Um, excuse me. Do you come from this village?

Hm?

Yes, this is my hometown. Are you a traveler?

Yes, that's right. I don't know this area very well, so I'd like to ask you something. Where would I be able to hire some strong warriors?

Some strong warriors, huh? Perhaps the best place to go would be the capital, Unigan.

It's a big city, so you should be able to find most things you're looking for.

Unigan, you say? All right. Thank you very much. I'll give that place a try.

Hey, Aldo. What the heck was that?

If it's a strong warrior she needs, I'm right here!

Huh? Shigure... You want her to hire you?

Well... I don't need the money. But I can't just abandon a person in need.

Hm. You're nicer than you look, Shigure. In that case, I'll help, too.

Hold on, Aldo. You should stay out of it.

How come?

Don't worry. I have my reasons.

Still, I'm not too familiar with this continent. May I ask for your assistance with directions, Aldo?

Oh, of course. If that's all you need, I'd be glad to help. If you're going to Unigan, you have to pass through the Karek Swamplands, so you should be able to catch up.

Hey, wait! Hey! Wait for me!

Oh? You're the person from earlier...

Yeah. My buddy here insisted that he wanted to help you, so we tried to catch up to you.

Hey there, little lady. Depending on your situation, I may be able to help.

And you are? Your outfit doesn't look like it's from around here.

Correct! I'm Shigure, a samurai from the East!

Oh! You're a samurai! How wonderful! I've always wanted to learn about foreign cultures. The Eastern continent is the number one place I'd love to go to!

I see... How perfect! We were right to catch up with you.

Well then, Mister Samurai... What do I have to do for you to help me?

It's quite simple. I just need you to answer a few questions of mine.

Is that all? I'm happy to answer anything you want.

Firstly! From your voice, I assume you are a woman... A young maiden, at that.

Yes, that's right. I am a woman, and I suppose I am rather young.

Good! Secondly... Are you single?

Well, I'm not married. It's troubling me, actually...

Excellent! Onto my last question. Do you like children?

Yes, I love children! I actually want to have children as soon as possible...

Incredible! A perfect score!

Um... What do you mean by that...?

Well, there's only one reason I came to this continent, and that would be...

To find a wife!

Shigure... You want to marry her...?

Absolutely! A young maiden who loves kids and likes Eastern culture? She's everything I'm looking for in a wife!

Huh?... That's not much to go on!

But... Shigure, are you sure about this? You haven't even seen her face yet.

I don't care about that! Looks aren't important to me!

O-Oh, really?

But that's still a bit odd. If that's all you want in a wife, why come all the way here? Couldn't you have found one sooner in the East?

Um, excuse me...I'm sorry, but I can't marry you!

Hm? Why is that? Naturally, I won't ask you to right away. I will of course take all of the necessary steps before that.

No...! It's not that... Um... This is why!

She's a beast...?

Oh, my...!

Now do you understand? This is why I can not marry you, Mister Samurai.

Hey, Aldo. I don't know much about beasts, but... They can bear children with humans, can't they?

Yes, that's right. I've met a few friends who are half beast and half human on my travels.

I think it's possible. I've definitely heard that before.

Good! Then there's no problem!

Imagine the surprised look on my pops' face when I bring home a beast wife! How amusing!

Sorry to keep you waiting. There's nothing stopping you from marrying me. You can relax and come home with me!

Huh!? I-Is that so...?

B-But, I...

Don't worry about the horns. In the East, the bride's headdress is called the "horn hider!" Hahaha!

That's not what I meant! There's someone else I want to marry!

What?!

What a fool I am... I forgot to ask whether you had a special someone... It is against the samurai code to steal someone else's lover.

Shigure... Why are you so shocked? You literally just met her...

I'm sorry! I really should have told you in the first place...

......

Hahaha! Not to worry! I'm used to being rejected by girls!

Is that something to be proud of...?

Well, I should be going now. I'll head to Unigan as originally planned.

Why Unigan? I thought you were simply looking for a strong warrior?

That's true, but I can't accept your help if I can't marry you...

What are you saying?! You're still a damsel in distress! I could not call myself a man if I didn't help you!

Huh? You'll really help me?

Of course! A samurai never goes back on his word!

Really? Th-Thank you!

Anyway, from now on, would you mind helping out too, Aldo?

That's fine, but... Why did you not want me to help earlier?

For a very good reason... If I don't stand out, then I don't stand a chance with the ladies!

So that was it...

Well then, would you mind coming with me? I'll explain everything properly.

Sure thing. Where are we headed?

It's near the entrance to the Moonlight Forest, in the Nuaru Uplands.

Oh, you found one!

Oh, it's another beast.

Could it be this youngster is the one you want to marry?

Yes, that's right.

You're going to be the one helping me out?

They both look strong, but... I don't know if they can beat your father-in-law...

What did you say?! With the power of the Itto-Ryu secret arts, there is no one I cannot defeat!

Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't meant to insult you or anything. It's just that my father-in-law is really strong, even for a beast.

What do you mean? You asked for my help to fight your father-in-law?

That's right. My father is a traveling martial artist, and he's been making a living as a mercenary.

And Father always says, "If any man wants to marry my daughter, he has to be stronger than me!"

Hm. As a martial artist myself, I know how he feels.

My love is a scholar, though. He's a completely different kind of man than my father.

I've challenged him countless times in my own way.... But I don't think I'll ever be able to defeat him.

Because of that, I managed to convince Father to allow someone to help him.

So that's how it is. If I defeat your father-in-law, then you two can get married?

Yes, that's right!

Got it! I understand your situation!

Let's go spar with your father right now, then! Take me to him!

My father is in the Moonlight Forest. Thank you so much for your help!

...Ah! Father!

He sure does look strong.

I can sense his martial arts prowess...! This is so exciting! My heart is racing in anticipation!

Well, we're here to help, so let's go, everybody!

Yes! I'll do my best... But I hope you two can finally defeat my father-in-law!

......

Leave everything to me!

What are you doing, Shigure?!

You there! Martial artist of the beasts! I am a samurai from the East. As the grand master of the Itto-Ryu clan, I, Shigure, challenge you to a duel!

H-Hold on, Shigure! This isn't what we discussed!

A samurai of the East, you say? What reason would you have to challenge me?

You are strong, sir. Do I need any other reason than that?

Hm... You're absolutely right. And I've not yet fought any samurai of the East...

I have no choice but to accept!

Shigure of the Itto-Ryu! Prepare yourself!

Fight me!

Gah! You... You win!

Oh?! You transformed...? You're like those Raccoon Dogs from the Inanari Plateau.

We beasts change from our human forms to our beast forms when we fight.

I see. So that's why.

Oh, there you are. I managed to defeat your pops.

Wait, Shigure...

As promised, you'll allow your daughter to get married now, yes?

Eh? What are you talking about?

I heard that in order to allow someone to marry your daughter, you would have to be defeated...!

......

...So what you're saying, Shigure, is that you plan to marry my daughter...?

No, not at all. I was simply helping out that young fellow over there...

...Wait! Oh no! I was only supposed to help, but I ended up beating you myself...!

......

...Hey, pops. Don't you think a beast of her own kind would be a better match for your daughter?

Doesn't bother me. As long as you're a strong martial artist, I don't care if you're human or a samurai of the East!

Oh, no! He's just like Shigure!

......

Bah! What a pain! I'll just take her as my wife instead, then!

What?! No, that's not what we promised...

Don't tell me... Was this your plan all along?!

Quiet, you! It's your fault for not being able to beat her pops!

However... I'll give you one more chance! If you can defeat me, I will give you her hand in marriage!

Huh? What's going on here?!

Hmm. Well, Shigure did defeat me. And if you defeat Shigure in turn, that would be the same as having defeated me yourself.

He was so easy to convince... This guy is really just like Shigure.

If you want her hand, then fight me! I'll let you take the first strike as a matter of honor. Give me your best shot!

A-All right! I... I'm absolutely going to marry her!

Was... Was that your best shot?

Y-Yes... That's the strongest I've ever managed to hit anyone...

......

Gah! What a powerful strike that was! This must be the secret power of the beasts! I've been defeated!

Shigure...

You're way too easy to read...

What?! When did you learn that?!

......

Very well! Since you have defeated Shigure, I will give you my blessing!

Father...! Really?!

Sir... Thank you!

You too? What's going on here?

...What are you talking about, Aldo!

Never mind all that. We should be celebrating such a joyous occasion! We should have a pre-wedding banquet!

Come! Let us all head to the Nuaru Uplands! It's the perfect place for it!

Phew... I didn't know what might happen there. I'm glad it ended up all right.

Hahaha! I was nervous at how things might turn out too.

Shigure...

For as long as I can remember, the warrior's blood that flows through me has led to me losing control sometimes. Ever since I was a child, I've been scolded by my father countless times for being a fool.

It looks like you still have some trouble with that...

You've so much for me, Shigure. I must offer you my thanks.

What are you talking about? I didn't do anything. That youngster simply wielded incredible power.

Oh, don't be silly, Shigure. I'm grateful you put up such an act.

Huh?! You knew it was all an act?

Of course I did. With all my experience in the ways of martial arts, there's no way that I wouldn't.

Um... You're not angry that I did that? I thought you wanted a strong son-in-law.

Well, I still do... But my dear daughter's happiness is more important to me than anything like that. It just bothers me how weak he is...

I tried to go easy on him to give him a chance, you see, but even that didn't work.

I see... That must have been hard for you.

I'm just glad I could finally settle things for my eldest daughter.

Yes. Today is a wonderful day!

I like you, Shigure. I have a younger daughter whose hand in marriage you could take. How about that?

What?!

That would be wonderful. But please, don't tell me she has a lover already...

Don't you worry. I'm certain there's nobody of the sort.

Well, then, I have no objections.

For the first time ever, I'm being acknowledged by a maiden's father! Me, Shigure! Hahaha!

That's settled, then!

Hey, sweetie! Come here for a second!

Sure! Coming!

What's up, Daddy?

......

How about it? You can get engaged now, and get married once she comes of age!

Um... Thank you for your offer, but... I don't have the time to wait for her to grow up.

Oh. That's too bad.

We can play together, though. How about that? What games do you like to play?

Yay! Thanks, mister! Let's play tag!

All right! I'm "it", then!

Yay!

He doesn't have the time...?