The day after we had a dispute with the 41st leg, Estella and I were walking towards the 40th leg.
　To be honest, I was surprised that I had an appointment earlier than I had imagined...

"I was going to talk to Mr. Oji about the introduction of tolls in the 41 wards, when he contacted me. "I have something to tell you, so come at once."
"It's a boat to cross,"
"Probably, Mr. Oji has heard of the toll. It's a neighboring ward, so I can't help but announce anything."
"The timing is right... we moved, so we went to talk..."

　It's probably the latter.
　If information is leaked from others about the introduction of the new system, it will be a bad impression.
　It's only natural to go and greet yourself before that happens. Especially if the system has a significant impact on the logistics and economy of the other party.
　...that's right. You're a light footman, aren't you?

"But I think the fact that Mr. Oji contacted us means that he is worried about us. If things go well, the 41st leg may be pressured. There is a Woodman's Guild in Forty Ward."

　a ward‐wide hunting guild His influence was so great that ordinary lords could not speak out. But there is a Woodman's Guild in the Fortyth Ward. It's a guild with no less voice than a hunting guild.
　As Estella says, if things go well, we may have equal talks.
　Why don't you bring in the marine guild?

"What?"

　Suddenly Estella stops.
　a narrow mountain path extending from the central square of the 42 wards A large, familiar cart was seen ahead of the 1.5-lane road called a back road as opposed to the main street.
　The cart is laden with flowers.

"Oh, Milly!"
"Ah... Ester," and the lady of the Lions."

　Millie was towing a cart along the back street. Are you on your way to deliver your luggage somewhere?

"Oh... in the 41st leg?"
"No, we're in the 40th leg."
"It's very ... "
"Not at all compared to Milly, who delivers." Oh, yes."

　Clapping her hands, Estella points to the flowers in the cart.

"Well, Milly," Can you sell me some of the flowers here?"
`I'll make you a bouquet of flowers,'

　Milly's expression brightens up at Estella's offer. You look quite happy.

"I'll bring you flowers, old man. Oh, I see you, and you love pretty flowers."
"Is that so?"

　I think of Ossan's handsomely bald face with a friendly smile.
　Yeah, it's okay, isn't it? It doesn't matter whether you like flowers or not.

"Let's make it a flower that makes Oji happy."
"Millie, are there any flowers that can grow hair?"
`Well, I don't think so.'
"Yasilo, you don't have to be too careful! Sorry, Milly. Don't worry about what Jiro says."
"Oh... Yeah. I don't care."

　What? I think you'll be very happy if it's real, hair growth flowers.
　If you plant dandelions on your scalp, they'll all be cottony and Afro-like by autumn.

"Millie, can you give me a lot of dandelions?"
"Yasilo, don't say anything! The Dandelion Afro fiasco is on the list of the worst five trauma cases you don't want to remember!"

　Already experimented!?

`I'll pick for you the one that'said Alice.
"Huh...?"

　Oh, this is what I'm going to buy, too? Dandelions were a joke...
　No matter how you look at it, you don't need me. Only Estella needs to buy it, like this... ...don't look at me with such sparkly innocent eyes...it will cleanse my mind.

"Then shall I ask you?"
`Well!'

　Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
　I don't feel like I can beat Milly... Regina would have knocked her off.

　Eventually Estella bought a modest but bright bouquet of flowers, mainly orange, warm flowers.
　My hair was a lovely bouquet based on peach and white, and it was so finished that if you give it to a girl in one love, she would be overjoyed. ... Um, Milly? I'm going to do this to the bald-up Ossan...?

　Milly seemed to be very much in favor of the practice of giving flowers to each other, and began to handle a number of affordable bouquets. Perhaps that's why it's selling well these days. The other day, he smiled a lot and told me so.

"Then, Milly, this way,"
"Oh, be careful."
"Thank you for the flowers,"
`Well... good-bye!'

　With a big cart pulled away, Milly swung her hand away.
　There was only one "bye" today. I wonder if he had refrained from doing so because it was somewhere else.

"Then shall we go, too.
"...what should I do with this flower?"
"If you hesitate to give it to Oji, why don't you give it to anyone you like?"

　Where are you going to find someone like that.
　Who the hell should I give it to... Ugh, what's that smiley face?
　What? Should I say, "Then I'll give it to you?"
　What kind of face are you going to go see Demily?
　Can we have serious discussions while hesitating? a flat refusal"Well, you may have met the most beautiful woman at Demily's place who spared no time in giving her milk."
"Well... if there's such a suspicious person in Mr. Oji's place, I'll feel very mixed up..."

　Demily is the lord. She's doing what she does, I'm sure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Isn't there a convex lens somewhere? I must burn off the roots of his hair."
"It's the lord you're going to see from now on... don't be rude.

　What are you doing now?
　Once we make fun of each other, we'll be friends.

　Well, unlike in the 41st leg, I think you can relax a little.

　--it wasn't long after that that that sweet idea blew off.






　Ambrose Demily, the lord of the Forty-Ward after a long time, looked very stern.

"Astella, I don't think you're to blame for everything. But I can't say that you're entirely to blame."
"...Mr. Oji,"

　You baldness, you bald fellow!
　...it wasn't the kind of atmosphere where I could talk lightly.

　The introduction of tolls in the 41 wards had put more strain on the 40 wards than I had expected.
　The big one was the Woodman's Guild.

"I think you're as cute as my niece. But... there are problems that can be solved with niece's cuteness, and there are problems that can't be solved with niece's cuteness."
"...yes,"

　Demily continues in a grave voice that doesn't fit her image.

"If you set up a branch, all the contracts that you put in place might be wasted. This is a matter of concern."
"...yes,"

　The Woodman's Guild gave him permission to branch on the condition that he would build a street gate.
　The city gate must not be withdrawn.
　However, if a toll is introduced between the 41 wards, a large amount of tax will be imposed on the transportation of trees taken from the branch offices.
　The interests of the Woodman Guild will be seriously undermined.

　This situation won't be interesting for the Woodman Guild.
　In the first place, it was Demily who arranged for me with the Woodman Guild, and Demily continued to do everything she could for me. If there's anything that could hurt the Woodman's Guild... it's going to put dirt on Demily's face.

"Wasn't it possible to break the deadlock a little earlier.
"...that's.........I'm sorry, I'm sorry...."

　Estella looks down and bites her lips.
　I got a terrible word from "Oji-sama" who I thought would be on my side... isn't it quite damaging?

　Estella is so depressed that it's strange that she doesn't cry.
　... you bald old man... shall I polish him to the point where he says, "Squeak!"?

　I didn't seem to be the only one who was depressed and distressed by Estella, and Demily ran to Estella in a flurry.
　bend down and look into Estella's face

"Oh, Estella... don't look so sad... I'm not blaming you at all."
"...Yes. I understand.........
"Ah... when you make such a face, I feel sad... when I want to piss you off."
"What are you missing, you bald old man?"

　Where did you lose your sense of decency and common sense?
　Only the roots of your hair should be lost.

"Oba-kun... now we are talking seriously about each other. Don't cut in."
"What's the seriousness of this, you specter-slugger!"

　As Estella is dented, I have to follow her somehow.

"I think I've done everything I can to thank you. It was over there that gave it a thumbs‐down. Isn't it wrong of you to blame Estella?"

　What could Estella have done in that situation...
　Well, I don't feel like I could have done something before that situation came to pass, but... that's not the place for me to interfere.
　So at least I'll defend it to the best of my ability.

"It was not my attitude to listen to. You're aggressive, and whatever you say, the result won't change. If Estella had neglected her efforts, wouldn't the lord of the Forty-First Ward have quite a problem?"

　The more we talk about it, the more disadvantageous it will be to us.
　I think it's one way to keep a distance.

"If you've been harassed so many times, you'll be able to give me a little thought, won't you?"

　I think I've made a sound remark.
　It may be pointed out that he had no respect for the other person, but if he was such a bad fellow, it would be a different story. A man who is not respectful can not behave in such a respectfully.

　But...

"I don't think Siegenterer's son is such a small-minded man to harass him."
"...what?"

　What is this baldness saying?
　I've never seen such a small man before.

It is true that he is not as eloquent as the father of the former lord, but he has a reasonable sense of decency. Well, I'm a little cheeky, but that's probably because I'm young."
"...that's because Mr. Oji is the lord of the forty wards."

　Estella spits out if she doesn't like Demily protecting Ricardo.
　Well, there are some nasty guys down there who show their true colors to their superiors. He's in a slightly superior position, like boss or senior.

"He's not such a dexterous fellow as to be able to use both sides of the coin,"
「…………」

　Judging from the reaction so far, Demilie seems to attribute the disturbance to Estella's lack of effort.
　I don't like it.

"I see. I mean, Mr. Demily says that if we go further from the 42nd leg, the trouble will be settled."
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Well, what do you think? The matter won't be so simple. But what's the matter with you, suddenly, in a formal tone? It's not like you."

　A formal tone?
　It's only natural.
　Isn't it rude to get used to someone who isn't particularly close?

"Mr. Estella, Mr. Demily is quite right. Let's start over and find out what we can do. Mr. Demily, who was so busy that he invited us to this wonderful house and gave us some advice. We should reward it.""Oh, you, Oba? Are you mad?"

　What?
　Not really?
　Well, how dare you keep my opinion secret?"I'm afraid I'll let you get away with something important, but I'm not angry.

"To me, Estella seems to be a very attentive fellow. "For example, I'd rather have a pretty flower for myself, in order to please a reliable acquaintance who kindly approached me when I was in distress and about to cry."

　I snapped my fingers and a maid from Demily's house came into the room with me and a bouquet of Estella flowers.
　I used to have him look after me for a while because it would interfere with the discussion.
　Estella said she wanted to finish the discussion and give it to her in the form of thanks...

"It's ruined because of this baldness. Oops, this is a man who shouldn't speak out."
"Oh, this flower... Estella said.
"...yes,"
"Why, to give me...?"
"...Yes. I heard that you often go to see flowers in the fields... I hope you'll be happy."

　Wow, Demily's face brightens up.

"I'm glad, Estella! I see. It looks like this, and I love flowers."
"That's why I'm bald."
"It doesn't matter, Ova!"
"He's nutritious,"
"That's the case.........not, is it?"

　You can't have it, can you?

　Demily begins to fret and stands in front of Estella.
　Estella received the bouquet from the maid and handed it to Demily with a slightly sunken look on her face.

"... Estella." It's a pretty flower! Will you give it to me with a smile?"
"...but... it seems to me that this is a cunning trick to be convened."

　surely
　Give the other person what they like so that they can cooperate. It's a sly trick and Estella's a loathsome move.

"What are you talking about?" Can't I think of anything like that? I know Estella's honest personality best. I'll take this as a present from a close friend."
"...Mr. Oji,"

　Demily gently combs Estella's hair.
　At last, Estella's expression softened a little.

　... by all means. If you know Estella's character, you'll be happy to see her again first. Estella must have been dented if she was suddenly in lord mode and said, "I'm neutral!"

　I was so dented that I managed to keep my energy alone.
　If the big tree I had expected to cuddle with was colder than I expected... my heart would wither at once.

"Astella, don't get me wrong. As lord of the Forty-Ward, I am in no position to stand by you or Siegenterer's son. If I were to take part in either of them, the balance would suddenly be broken and security would rapidly deteriorate around here."
"Yes, I know that."

　Demily looks at Estella with gentle but slightly stern eyes, as if a parent were staring at a child.
　Speak slowly, in a soft voice that penetrates into one'slowly.

"But don't forget that Ambrose Demily, not the lord, cares more about Estella than anyone else."
"...Yes, old man."

　Estella's nose is a little red.
　I didn't shed any tears, but... it must have been hard.

"He's angry for you... you've got a good friend, Estella."
"What..."

　Demily and Estella all turn this way.
　... Look! What if there's a hole?

"...yes. I think you're a good friend."

　......oh, will you stop saying that in front of me?

"What a good 'friend'!"

　... why did you emphasize it so much?

"Be a good 'friend' forever and forever. In "Yu-U-Ji-N,"

　...when did you become Estella's father?
　If you're related by blood, you'll have a gene that worries a lot whether a man is born or a woman is born...

"By the way, Mr. Oba," What a lovely bouquet!"

　Demily points to my bouquet of flowers and says:
　The maid gave me one last minute, too.

　...I see. Are you pressing me, you solar reflection?

"...that's not to Estella, is it?"
"Are you a father?"
"You have no reason to call me father!"
"You didn't call me!"

　Seeing Estella on the verge of tears, she must have suddenly become so cute.
　...Don't be silly with the line "There's a problem with niece cuteness, and there's a problem with niece cuteness, and there's a problem with niece cuteness...."

"This is a bunch of flowers that I brought to this house to give you if there was a woman who was shaking her breast! Not yours!"
"There is no such dubious woman in our house?"

　Oh, you don't!? One or two of your mistresses!
　Oh, Estella looks relieved.

"Anyhow. If the 41 wards were to be taxed, all three wards would be badly hurt."

　That's it
　Even in the 41 wards where tolls have started, damage will be done.
　At least there is friction in diplomacy and trade.

　That's why they're trying to force the introduction... after all, they're 42 wards?
　It may be solved if it is shown that it does not harm the interests of the Forty-first Ward."

"Come back! Your husband is meeting you now!"Suddenly, the hallways become noisy.
　What's going on?

"Yes! Calm down! This is too much! Even an eagle can't stand it, as you might expect!"

　Is this voice... Stuart Javier, the Woodman's Guild-Chief?"
　Why is that muscle doll here?

"Don't back down! Atashi will take all responsibility! If you're dissatisfied, go to court or judge!"

　And a hoarse woman's voice...

　Their rumbling voices and loud footsteps soon came to the front of our drawing-room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

"It's you! I'm going in!"

　With such a cry the loud door roared open.

`--?!?'

　There was a gorilla-like Obasan, with his cute red hair tied at his shoulder in a long, white hair, which was too strong to compete with Javier, who boasted grizzly muscles.

"I want to speak to Ambrose Demily, the lord of the Forty-Fourth Ward, and Estella Claremona, the acting lord of the Forty-Fourth Ward!"

　Gorilla Babaa snuffed out such words.
　In the room where the atmosphere was frozen, I managed to say what I had to say right away.


"Pretend to be dead for now!"


　...I don't know if it works for gorillas.