Kays Translations

Chapter 17: Iyami, No One Else Will Be There [Iyami's Point of View]

Tatsuya made a road, and it was the next day when the country bought it.

Even Iyami, who was asleep, received the news.

"Iyami-sama! It seems like a new road has been built!"

"Hmm?"

Iyami, who was dozing off in the office, woke up at that voice.

It was Iyami's subordinate who was speaking.

"It seems that the country has successfully implemented measures against Mad Frog and built a new road. The distance that used to take 5 hours now only takes 30 minutes."

"What did you say!"

Iyami, who had been half asleep, fully awakened.

"Let's go see that road! It's perfect timing. There were some items to be transported!"

"Yes, this way!"

Iyami, accompanied by his subordinates, decided to go see the road around noon.

They went to see the road by carriage.

"Don't push!"

"You're the one pushing!"

When Iyami went to see the road, it was already crowded with a large number of merchants. 

It seemed like everyone wanted to try out the new road.

"But it's amazing, isn't it? Made of concrete and all. They built the road with high-quality materials that seem to be used on noble estates."

"Yeah, it's incredible. It seems that guy Tatsuya made it. And then the country bought it."

Upon hearing such words, Iyami pondered for a moment.

(Tatsuya? It sounds like I've heard that name somewhere before, well, whatever, I can't remember.)

Iyami didn't remember anything about Tatsuya.

Iyami had accumulated too much hatred from those around him and was frequently protested against or opposed.

Because of that, he didn't bother remembering the names or faces of those he clashed with over minor issues.

"Iyami-sama, it seems like we'll be able to pass through next."

The words of his subordinate entered Iyami's ears as he was lost in thought.

"I see, I see."

Iyami stood beside the soldiers managing the road, pulling the carriage.

"Which trading company do you belong to?"

Iyami replied with his arms crossed and a smug look on his face.

"I belong to the Garde Trading Company. It's the number one trading company in this country."

Hmph!

Iyami replied with a snort, but the soldier said,

"Please leave."

"Huh?"

Iyami repeated,

"I belong to the Garde Trading Company."

"I told you to leave. Your passage is prohibited on this road."

"Why?!"

Iyami asked the soldier,

"It's the rule. Leave."

The soldier's words were followed by other members of surrounding trading companies speaking up.

"Serve you right!"

"They really mean it with the no passage rule."

Laughter, seemingly mocking Iyami, echoed from all around.

While laughing, they talked about Iyami.

"He's completely unaware of how much he's disliked, what a fool."

"Idiot."

Iyami shouted

"Who are you talking bad about?!"

"You, idiot." 

The soldier replied

Upon hearing that, Iyami was left speechless.

"You're holding up the line. Go home already, Garde Trading Company."

The soldier forcibly removed Iyami from the line, who showed no signs of leaving.

"Hey, I'm from the Garde Trading Company! I'm Iyami Garde-sama!"

"Do you know? They call you the 'chief of the hill,' Iyami-san."

Iyami was left standing alone.

"You scum!"

Iyami muttered these parting words and decided to head towards the Garde route they had secured.

However, even there, a crisis was unfolding.

"Hey, what's going on here?!"

The soldiers who usually guarded the route were missing.

There were supposed to be three of them on standby as usual, but only one remained.

That remaining soldier was also lying down.

"Oh, if it isn't Iyami."

The guard, who always addressed Iyami with honorifics, called out.

"Everyone quit. They were talking about how the Garde Trading Company is definitely going under. So, I'm quitting too."

With a thud, the guard threw his resignation letter onto the ground.

"Well, aren't you going to wait?! Protect this road! The benefits will be great, you know?!"

"Why bother guarding a road that nobody uses? Haha. Everyone's going on the national highway, right? They won't bother with this slow route, and besides, that one's made of concrete, you know?"

"W-What?!"

"Well then, see you later, Iyami-kun."

The guard swiftly departed.

Iyami was left behind.

"Iyami-sama, I'm quitting too!"

With a snap, Iyami's subordinate saluted and ran away.

"D-Damn it! There must still be a way to turn this around!"

Iyami boarded the carriage and urged the horse to start running.

"This cargo contains valuable items. I'll sell them to Ridas and rebuild with that! We've had a long-standing relationship with their family. I've provided substantial financial assistance as well. They should help me."

Garde urged the horse to start running.

They began their journey along their own path.

However, this road was a five-hour journey.

Soon, darkness enveloped the surroundings.

It became so dark that nothing could be seen.

“Ugh”

Lit only by moonlight, Iyami rode along the road.

And then it happened.

Swaying.

A shadow appeared in Iyami's path.

"Stop!"

Iyami halted the horse.

Iyami, who had never stopped even if there were children present, understood the reason for stopping, a reason known only to Iyami.

(There's something dangerous...)

The shadow continued to move towards Iyami.

Illuminated by the moonlight, its form became clearer.

A slender figure holding knives in both hands emerged from the darkness of the night.

"Garde Trading Company, waiting on this route was the right decision after all."

The shadow spoke.

*Gulp!*

Iyami braced himself for death.

It happened in an instant.

*Slash!*

The reins of the horse were cut.

Terrified, the horse bolted away.

Left behind were Iyami and the cargo.

A knife pressed against Iyami's throat.

"You... Who are you?" 

Iyami muttered.

"I don't have a name to give. Just a simple thief. A nobody, you know."

The thief severed Iyami's throat.

*Thud.*

(I’m unable to muster any strength)

Iyami remained collapsed on the ground.

The thief began rifling through the cargo.

"Gold, silver, treasures. There's plenty here."

The thief remarked.

Stuffing the spoils into a cloth.

Then it happened.

*Growl, growl*

Hyenas, drawn by the scent of blood, began to gather.

They fixated on Iyami, paying no attention to the thief.

"W-Wait..."

Iyami reaches out to the thief.

"I'll pay. Help me."

Upon hearing that, the thief smiled and replied.

"I'm going to break into your company's warehouse and take everything from now on. It's more profitable that way."

In the thief's hand was a bunch of keys, the keys Iyami's facility.

"So, I don't need to obey you. Bye-bye."

With that, the thief disappeared into the darkness of the night.

What remained were Iyami and the hyenas.

"Grrrrrrrrrrr"

"Gaaarrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!"

Thinking the nuisance had disappeared, the hyenas attacked Iyami.

"Aaaarghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Iyami's body ended up being devoured by the hyenas.

Squelch.

Splat.

Iyami died listening to the sound of being eaten.

And thus, unnoticed, one of Ridas's sources of money vanished.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter