139 Episode 121: Tripartite Talk



"I was disrespectful of the many advantages shown above. On that point..."

 the forty‐first leg
 A trilateral meeting is now taking place at the Ricardo estate.
 Attendees were Ambrose Demily, lord of the manor, and Stuart Javier, head of the Woodman Guild, from the Fortyth Ward. From the 41st arrondissement Ricardo Siegenterer and Medra Rossell, the guild leader of the hunting guild. and from the Forty-second Ward Estella Claremona, acting lord, and Oba Jasilo, an employee of the Yodamari-tei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Also present are Assunt, a peddler's guild who is active in the third leg, Usse, a hunter's guild, and Imelda, a woodcutter's guild. These three are in a position to listen and are not given the floor unless asked to.

"So Ricardo. I'm really sorry. That's right."

 Estella bowed deeply.
 As I said in my previous letter, I have taken the time before the trilateral talks to apologize directly for my rudeness.
 If we don't get this done, we won't be able to talk on an equal footing.
 Well, I don't mean to interrupt Estella's willingness to apologize. If I had been forced to do so, I might have interfered with it with all my might.

"And, Mr. Demiliozi, Mr. Javier, Miss Rossell," Thank you for making time for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

 Put your hand on your chest and thank you Estella.
 Then he turns to Ricardo again and says with a clear expression.

"Ricardo, too. Thank you for listening."
"...hmmm."

 Ricardo glanced grumpily at the smile he was facing.
 But...

"It's not "Hmm," Ricardo!"

 Medra yells at Ricardo. ...well, I suppose he meant "a little bit of a caution." ...Ricardo closes Medra's ear loudly.

"... your voice is hoarse, Medra,"
"It's going to be a big deal! The lord's deputy, who rules the district, has made a proper and noble bow! Then you have a word to say in your own way!? What do you think!?"
"... I don't think so."You don't have to tell me."

 After glancing at Medra, Ricardo looks at Estella in his seat.
 After a few seconds of staring...with a light sigh, I look away.

"Oh, that's all right, isn'
"Well, then, keep in touch, Ricardo."
"………………Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 Ricardo feels more poisoned by Estella, who can now face any kind of poison.
 Estella will win this game.
 We tried to dispel the friction that lay between the two sections.

"I would like to formally apologize from Atashi as well, too."

 After Estella's story was settled for a while, Medra began to say such a thing.

"This time the bad news spread on both sides because of the young man's fault, that is, his fault. It was thoughtless, short‐sighted behavior. I'm sorry."

 Bend your big body into a 'ku' shape, and the medra bows its head deeply.
 This would have settled the dispute between the 42nd and 41st wards.

 With her head up, Medra twists a little and turns back to Ricardo.

"I'm sorry, Ricardo," Do whatever you want."
"Oh, my God. It must have been so complicated for Temae to do whatever she wants. If you're not good enough, why don't you retire?"
"When I retire, I'll work as a maid here."
"...don't say such an unlucky thing, even if it's a joke."

 a serious‐looking Ricardo
 ...I wanted to show you yesterday's furifuri apron. ...it's in my dream, you know.

"Only Miz Rossell can pull the hunting guild. I can't believe my retirement. I suggest you reconsider, Ricardo."
"Oh, look! Miss Estella has more eyes than you do, Ricardo,"
"You're too loud, bastard,"
"Ricardo! What is Babaa to the acting lord of another place who went out of his way to visit?"
"You said to Temae! What are you doing casually to others?"

 Ricardo stood up and protested, but he realized what we were looking at and cleared his throat and sat down again.
 I suppose this is the root of it's all about, isn't it?

"But now I am free of strange complaints. I'm glad to hear that."

 Demily says to smooth things out.
 He must be good at keeping things in a circle. as expected of a bald head

"Thank you for keeping it smooth."
"Why don't you shut up, Oba?"

 a smiley Demily But his temple is twitching.

"But, well, I don't think I'll tolerate the street gate just because I receive an apology."
"Why? You'll be bald if you're being stingy."
"Oh, Estella," It's done me a lot of damage, so be careful."

 Demily, you've got a lot of stuff.

`I'm not bald,'
"I wonder if I should go home now!"
"Well, Ambrose," That's all right, like baldness. It's not going to decrease."
`It can't be any less!'

 Javier fuels the fire.
 Well, Ricardo is also to blame for saying provocative things, but Demily, who rides on silly provocations, is not mature either.Come on! I'll tighten the air a little.

"Don't do it, boys said. Adults, they're hairless."
"Why did I cut it there?"
"You didn't stir up baldness, Temae,"
"Yasilo, you can't defend an eagle,"
"Darling, you're too good."
"Yasilo, it's a serious place, so speak up."

 I was met with a violent protest. It's a full‐scale attack.
 Why, people are so kind...

"Anyway, if the Forty-two wards are going to build a street gate, the income of the Forty-one wards will decrease at least a little. I'll definitely have it covered somewhere."

 Given the current situation in the 41 wards, Ricardo's argument may be unavoidable.
 Even now, the economy is not going well in the 41st district. Wealth is partial, and many are on a premium. It's a den of Working Pua and NEET, the 41st leg.

 We can't afford to cut our earnings any further.
 It's also a pressing feeling for the 41 wards of Ricardo.

 However, we cannot withdraw the street gate.
 I can't hear any accusation of thinking only of the 42 wards, of selfishness, of wanting to invite guests to the Yodamari-tei after all.
 This has to do with the Forty-Second Ward, and then with the Forty-Second Ward.
 The Woodman's Guild is looking for a street gate with easy access to the woods on the 42nd leg.
 That's why they even set up a branch office. Seventy percent of the facilities have already been completed. I can't withdraw it now.

 However, if a toll is introduced to compensate for the decline in profits in the 41 wards, the Assaults' peddling guilds will now be paid off. Of course, it's a matter of life and death for us residents of the 42 wards.

 Oh, my God. What should I do?

 If Ricardo had been such a disgusting fellow, and the worst scumbag on the bottom of a man's do, like the sludge that settled on the bottom of a swamp, we would have put all the load on the Forty-first leg, and said, "So very happy!" and ended it by ourselves."

 It's not like I've just found out about him.
 Even Estella would be uncomfortable with happiness built on Ricardo's corpse.

 And if you let Medra go, I'm really...
 He is best looked after at Ricardo!

 That's why I'm going to push myself a little further.

"Why don't you put together the requests of each district? Wouldn't it be a waste of time if you put them out?"

 As I moved, everyone looked at me.
 Oh, I forgot to tell you, but we are now led to the drawing room of the Ricardo House.
 The desks are arranged in the shape of 'mouth' in a large room, but since they are not stuck together, they are more like the apexes of a diamond than squares... anyway, they all sit facing the center.
Ricardo at the back of the room. Demily on the left as seen from the entrance. Estella is on the right. Each attendant sits diagonally behind each lord.
 Then, three desks are lined up in front of the entrance, and three spectators are sitting side by side.

 So I walked out, like Shakespeare's play, to Estella's side with a leisurely pace.
 attract attention from three directions That's right. Listen carefully. I'm going to tell you something important.

 Before that, warm-up exercise is the first thing.

"The Forty-two wards would like to set up a street gate and open it to the Woodman Guild, the Hunting Guild, and the adventurers, as a new source of income for the ward. Naturally, I want you to stop paying tolls on the 41 wards."
"...hmm,"

 Ricardo sniffs and looks displeased.
 Next time, I'm going to talk to him as if I'm going to check it out while looking at the Ricardo.

"The 41 wards would like to cancel the plan to establish the 42 wards, introduce tolls, and increase the ward's tax revenues. So, will that be all right?"
"... well, that's about it." But if you're going to give up on the street gates, you may consider the toll."
"Well... then the discussion will be parallel..."

 Estella joins hands after hearing Ricardo's opinion.
 The hopes of the 42nd and 41st wards clash beautifully. I don't think we can find a compromise.

 Finally, I turn my eyes to Demily, who sits opposite me, for confirmation.

"Your wish in Forty Ward is to grow your hair?"
"Where did I come up with that story? No, I'm sure that's what I want!"
"Calm down Ambrose," If you get too excited, you'll go bald."
"You're getting excited!? You're being assailed from behind by your comrades!"

 Well, it can be said that the hope of the Forty-Ward is that there will be no conflict between the Forty-First and Forty-Second wards, and that the neighborhood will be peaceful.
 If we could start a war, we'd have a good chance of getting hit by stray bullets. Moreover, trade stops.

 Well, the truth is that I want you to be able to use the 42 wards of the city... to say it here gives the impression that 40 wards are supporting 42 wards, so I won't say anything.
 We'd better have the Forty Ward remain neutral.

 To fish Ricardo.

"If I dare to say what I want, I hope that this discussion will end peacefully and amicably for both... and for all three wards, including us." There may be some dissatisfaction left, but I hope they find a compromise somehow."

 Demily gives exemplary opinions with a good‐natured face.

 But that won't do.
 Now, at best, the more dissatisfaction we have compromised, the more dissatisfaction we have, the greater the economic gap, the more dissatisfaction we have... rekindled within ten years. Should I last five years?
 After all, compromise means, "We haven't solved anything, but let's put up with each other."

 What is this compromise?
 Should I go to the door instead of the gate? You must be kidding me.

"Well, then," Why don't you call it a 'large door' instead of a 'gate'?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"It's a compromise!"
"Well, I'll stop the 'passage tax' and turn it into an 'entrance tax'!"

 ...what? It's going to be like this.
 Also, don't suggest what I thought was impossible.

"In this way. This problem is not easily solved. Because there's a reason why both sides can't back down. ...right?"cast one's eyes on Ricardo
 I know. With the nuance that the kitchen situation in your city...

"...hmm,"

 In a bad mood, Ricardo rests on his back.
 Oh, Ricardo. That's no good. Desiring to distance yourself from your opponent is a characteristic of a hit man. And to cross your arms in front of your chest is a way of protecting yourself from further aggression by the mentally cornered.
 You just said with your body that what I told you was right and irrefutable.
 If I had been trying to scam you, the game would have been over at this moment.

 Well, I'll make a lenient decision this time.

"In the end, we've come to a point where we can't give up any more."

 Ricardo turns away and says nothing, and Estella just looks up at me with an uneasy look.
 Demily was stroking her bald head with a difficult face.

"...when we've come this far, we'll have only one thing to do."

 Release your hands from your desk and raise your body in a forward-leaning position.
 Straighten your back and take a great, flowing step back.
 Everyone's eyes follow me, and everyone, including Estella, faces me.

 With everyone in sight, I speak of the only solution.
 with arms outstretched, grandstanding confidence


"Let's go to war,"


 At the moment, the air in the room becomes tense.
 Javier and Medra's eyes sharpened and Demily's eyebrows were deeply wrinkled.

"...are you really saying it, Temae?"

 The first person to speak was Ricardo.
 Estella, or something else, I thought, would bite me around Assent... both of them were dumbfounded and disgusted.
 This kind of conversation might keep him more calm because he's used to rough things like this.

"Of course,"
"Oba-kun..."

 With a slow motion, Demily was about to rise, and she held up her hand.
 It's all right. I know what you mean.

 Perhaps the feeling was conveyed, Demily sat down again in her chair.
 I feel somewhat softened.

 ... Javier and Medra, I'm scared. Don't get angry. It's a necessary step.

 We wanted everyone here to realize that we were stuck in a dead end where we couldn't move forward or back.

 No one said it.
 But everyone must have been in a corner of their head. The possibility is...
 They try to avoid it by pretending they didn't notice it, and the main plot of the story is blurred and they go round and round.

 Recognize it once.
 We... that these three wards are on the brink of war.

"But, of course, not everyone here, nor all the people of the Third Ward, who are not here, want it."

 When I put my opinion into words, Javier and Medra's shoulders gave way.
 The battle preparation has been lifted.
 Estella and Ricardo, however, still look fixed.
 Estella looked anxious and Ricardo looked irritated.

 You can think more simply.

"I don't want to go to war. But it must be settled. Then what shall we do?"

 If that's the case, you'll be laughed off for being ridiculous, then I'll do what you've all excluded from your options from the beginning.

"Instead of the war, let's have each district select its representative and play fair and squarely.

 clench one's fist and raise one's voice
 This is by no means a joke, a frenzy, much less a fool!

"These three wards fight fair and square on conditions that both sides can understand. You know what? I'm not kidding. Think of this as war when you do it! You have to be that prepared to solve this problem!"

 Stretching along, he comes out again to the side of Estella.
 Then, I hit the desk with all my might.

 The sound of a bang increases the tension.

"This is a war! It's a war of a new age that sheds no blood!"

 The room becomes quiet with a thud.
 No one is speaking and contemplating.

"…………."

 Meanwhile, Ricardo snores me derisively.

"Can you solve this problem by deceiving children? If you lose the game, do you want me to allow you to set up a street gate.

 Slowly, Ricardo stands up.

"The lives of the people of the domain are at stake here... they are not in government like Temae and others! They are not fooling around!"

 Ricardo kicks the desk with all his might.
 The desk collapses with a loud noise.
 The ink bottle on top splashes on the floor and spreads out black spots.

"...then the negotiations will break down."

 give a cold stare to Ricardo, who is bursting with blood.
 Are you in a position to look down on others?
 I'll make a real mockery of you.

"I'll let you build a street gate of your own accord." Did you hear about the demon Swarm? It was decided that Ale must be put down as soon as possible, regardless of the street gate of Uchi. Right, Medra?"

 speak to a medla who looked difficult

"... for if we leave it as it is, the beasts will enter the city, and the forty-two wards, of course, and the forty-one wards, and all the wards beyond that will be ravaged."
"Yes, yes,"

 Hey, Ricardo.
 How do you feel now?

 Your ally in your camp 'agreed with me as my adversary' from behind you, didn't he?
 Did you feel lonely on your back all of course.
 There is a sense of location.
 A person becomes very uncomfortable when confronted by the person behind him or her. The people behind me are many times more conscious than they are facing each other.

 Hey, Ricardo. Tell me... how do you feel isolated?"Hunting guilds kill evil swarms early on. This is the will of the whole city. It's impossible to disobey. You know what I mean?"
".........kiss!"
"Very well, and if Swarm were gone, there would be no reason to stop the construction of the 42nd Street Gate. -- you know what I mean?"
"What do you want to say?"

 a frustrating Ricardo
 But all you can do is step on the floor on the spot.
 Like you just did. That's the best you can do now.

 You can't hit me, can you?
 You are now admitting your fault in your heart.
 I don't mind standing up too much, but I've lost sight of where to put my fist.

 Think about the situation you're in now.
 Estella and I are naturally enemies, and Medra agrees with me in some respects.
 Demily and Javier are neutral, but you'll hear the fact that the Woodman Guild wants to use the 42nd Street Gate.

 Loneliness is hard, right?
 You worry about even the smallest things you don't usually care about, and you fill your mind with negative factors, with negative results.

"We've got to the point where we can't back down from each other. I can't give up now. If the negotiations continue to break down, we'll force our way. Perhaps you'll do that's what they will do. . . . . and that's it."

 That's it.
 Just a moment ago, I was unanimously trying to avoid it, 'are' becomes a reality.
 so

 It's a war.

"d*mn......oh dear!"

 Ricardo kicks the floor again.
 In the meantime Medra had risen and replaced the fallen desk.

"Are you willing to listen to the silly game?"
「………………」

 Ricardo glares at me silently.
 But there is only one answer.

"...talk quickly,"

 Turning away, Ricardo returns to his seat. I'm glad Medra kept her desk back. It's not cool to raise your own desk.

"Well, may I drink some water before that?"
"Oh, you'd better drink slowly.

 Demily answers.
 This is a declaration of intent that "I'm going to ask too." They implicitly tell us that they want to cooperate as much as possible by developing a friendly attitude.

 In advance, define the worst possible outcome and connect everyone's consciousness to it.
 Then, by making them think, 'The worst is, I want to avoid that,' they try to persuade them to compromise with a better idea.
 It's an application of door in the face technique.

 Thanks to Ricardo, everyone in this room was aligned.
"If you make a mistake once, it's an immediate war."
 The tension makes it difficult to break the conversation or push only one's own demands.
 Nobody wants to be told that they are the ones who started the war.

 Drink water slowly and moisten your mouth.
 Well, let's do it.

 It's a solo performance by Oba Jiro.

"What I'm trying to do is just a game. No one is dead. However, it is possible to lose territory depending on the victory or defeat.'
"That's... a dangerous story,"

 Demily says in a cheerful voice that the tension is getting unbearable.
 But the pleasant atmosphere is soon swallowed by silence.

"I'll keep talking. I'll play fair and square according to the rules, and I'll make a clear black and white decision. in the presence of the crowd, a clear victory or defeat that no one can complain of afterwards."
"You're going to play the game".
"Yes. This game is important for the people of each district, too."

 Estella's expression is unusually serious.
 He's familiar with me, so maybe he understands what I think.
 a feeling of trying and indescribable anxiety He looks as if such things were mixed up.

"You decide the winner and what do you do with that?"

 Ricardo leaned against his back and asked in an imperious questions.
 But his gaze is as serious as it is.

"The winner can let the loser take one of his favorite conditions."
`...hew,'

 Ricardo's face yawns.
 Oh, this guy thought about winning just now. Yes, that's the losing flag. My condolences.
 However, I'll carry you on the portable shrine a little more, since it's no use without Ricardo on board.

"If the 41st leg wins, I'll drop the plan to build a street gate without hesitantly."
"But if you win, you can build a street gate and instruct us not to take tolls."
"If you wish to,"

 Of course, more than that is possible.

"The disadvantages are greater in the Forty-Ward,"
"Well, there's not much to gain, but there's a high risk."
"Oji, this is a matter of our district. Please don't push yourself too hard."
"No, Estella. We can't be the only ones in the safe zone to watch the second leg. Having said neutrality, noninterference makes no sense. We participated in this issue from the standpoint of 'neutral.'"

 We are lucky in a town where these people lead the way.
 If the Forty-Ward were to refuse to take part on the ground of neutrality...

"It is possible that the victor would have absorbed the defeated district and started a war of aggression.""Oh, I thought the same thing as Temae. You don't need mercy on a guy who wasn't in the same field."

 To my annoyance, I have come to terms with Ricardo.
 Whichever is the better, the worse is the worse. Even children can understand that.
 The best way to avoid risk is to stand in the same field for the 40 most dangerous districts.

 It would be a good idea to stand on the same field and lose in the shallowest way.
 For example... to collude with one another and lose without a scratch.
 If we go to win, that's what it is, but... it's not going to have much merit.

"Well, Demily," Don't worry."

 Javier stands up from his chair and slaps Demily on the shoulder.

"You've got an eagle and a Woodman Guild," You may have trouble with the hunting guild, but I'm not going to lose."
"Oh! How dare you, Father Beard! Do you want to beat the Atashi and other hunting guilds by force!? I don't know what to do. Have trained in the forest for a hundred years!'
"Why, you bastard!"
"No, my beard!"

 Javier and Medra
 The two big guys stand up and spark.
 Do you have a poster for a monster movie?

"Ah, Mr. Jiro..."

 It was Imelda who raised her hand nervously. They seem to want the floor.
 When I saw Ricardo and Demily, they both gave me a signal of approval.

"Allow me to speak"

 I said, and Imelda stood up and said quietly.

"The 42nd leg is too disadvantageous on that condition."

 Next to Imelda, Assund and Usse are shaking their heads violently.

"Both the Woodman's Guild and the Hunting Guild are of the same skill. No matter how many branches of the hunting guilds Magda, Delia and Usse are located in the 42nd district, the difference in military strength is clear. Also, even if the selected players compete against each other, there is still a big difference in human resources. For example, I don't think Mr. Magda would be able to compete with Mr. Medra Guild or his father if only one representative were chosen from all districts."

 Ascent, Usse and Estella seem to agree, and everyone agrees.
 If you look at it, Demily, Javier, and Medra are also looking at me sympathetically.

"Hey, you. What's your name?"

 Ricardo talks to me with his eyes closed.
 He's crossing his legs slowly behind his head.

"It's Oba Jiro,"
"Is it Jillo?"

 Ricardo, who sits up, his elbows on his knees, reclined forward.
 They look at me with glaring eyes, hand in hand.

"...do you think you'll win that kind of game?"

 Is this advice?
 Hmmm. There's something kind about it.
 "He doesn't know," he said. It's easy to win!" It may be because Medra, who is so loud to make sense, has been around since she was a kid.

"I don't know for sure if I'll win or not... but I don't think I'll lose badly."
"Is there a pretty good fellow in the Forty-second leg? Was it just a rumor that armaments would be expanded? And how could he possibly be a fool like a medla?"
"Ricardo,"
"...what?"

 Perhaps he didn't like being called off, but Ricardo glared at him with a scary look.
 Keep going regardless.

"What do you think this game is about?"
"What?"

 Everyone is bragging about their muscles and strength.
 How could I suggest such a savage game?

"The way I'm going to play is perfectly black and white, safe and peaceful, and even dramatic and impressive even without a drop of blood."

 When you do this on Japanese television, it's a very popular content with excellent planning ability.

"Yasilo".

 Estella stands up and looks me in the eye and asks.

"What are you trying to do?"

 Thanks for the nice gesture, I looked across everyone's faces, put on airs after a good pause, and slowly and clearly said it out loud.



"Let's make it black and white in the eating contest!"