The Seirei Gensouki Spirit Chronicles
Chapter 5: To the Capital

Two days after Gon's punishment was decided, the time finally came for the trade squad of Yuba village to leave for the capital. Although in the early hours of the morning, a large crowd of people had gathered in the village square, where several horse carriages stood. Among them was not only the trading squad, but also Hayate's group.

Hayate's group was heading to the next neighboring village in the direction of the capital, so it was decided that they would accompany the trading squad part of the road. In addition, some of Hayate's servants would stay with the trade squad to escort the Gon gang members who would become slaves in the capital.

“Buruan! Make sure no annual taxes are allowed! The carriage with the prisoners will be put to the back. And to their bodyguards: be sure not to take their eyes off them even for a moment,” Hayate ordered his aides quickly off his horse. A dozen people were running around in the rush.

“Mr Hayate.” Ruri called out to him from the ground beside her horse.

“Hm? O-oh. Miss Ruri, how can I help you? ”

“Oh no. I just want to thank you for everything you've done to help us, Mr. Hayate. You don't have to get off your horse. ” Hayate rushed down from his horse, which made Ruri laugh amusedly.

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“A-Ah, no, well .. It's okay. I did nothing worthy of such gratitude – I just fulfilled my duty as an official of this kingdom. If anything, you should thank Master Rio. He was the one who noticed their movements that night. ”

“Yes, I will definitely offer Rio my thanks again later, but I won't see you again for some time. I can't prepare anything fancy, but if you can accept this ... ” Ruri reached out her hand malumalu. It was something packed in a small bag.

“...What is this?” Hayate tilted his head curiously as he accepted it.

“This is a talisman for good health and warding off evil. I made it in a hurry, so it was a little worn out ..” Ruri said shyly.

“O-Ooh! I am most indebted! I'll appreciate it very much.” Overcome with emotion, Hayate expressed his deepest gratitude.

“Ahaha, I'm glad you like it.”

“Of course. This is the greatest gift one can expect to receive. I wish I could give you something as well, but I'm very sorry to not have such an item at this point. I'll bring one with me next time I visit.”

“This is a gift to thank for taking care of me, so I can't possibly receive anything from you. Ah, but please, please visit whenever you like. The talisman is barely enough to make up for everything you have done, but we will always welcome you in our boring little village. ”

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“T-of course. Then, perhaps on my next vacation ... ” Hearing Ruri's tense smile, Hayate hesitantly nodded his head.

“We will be waiting for you. Ah, too, Grandma also wants to give you something—“ Ruri suddenly remembered. He's looking for Yuba.

“I'm here. Mr Hayate, there is a small request I want to ask you, would you lend me your ear?” Yuba approached as if he had been waiting for his chance.

“Definitely. I will help with my best.” Hayate nodded ready.

“Ruri, go see Rio and Sayo,” Yuba said, creating an opportunity for Hayate and himself to be alone.

“Please hand this letter to your father, Mr. Gouki,” said Yuba, handing Hayate a rolled up parchment with emphasis.

“For my father?”

“So so. Assume it is finished – I promise you I will hand it over with this hand ” Hayate received the letter with a nod and carefully kept it in his clothes.

“I'm very grateful.”

“For me no trouble, because I will see my father as soon as I return home. In order for you to use the precious paper for this, I can assume it should be a serious matter. Please, leave it to me. ”

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“Indeed. Then allow me to pay you at a later date. Let's see ... How about when Mr Hayate comes to visit Ruri?” Yuba said, the corner of his mouth revealed a small grin.

“A-Did you hear what Ruri and I said earlier, by any chance? B-It's not that I came to see only Ruri, but I'll be looking forward to it,” Hayate said with a strange speed, sounding almost as if he was giving some sort of excuse.

“Is that so? Well, the girl is old, and I'd be more worried if she stayed a spinster forever. It would be very lucky if you can visit sooner rather than later.”

“S-As I said, Miss Ruri and I are not..” Seeing the unsteady Hayate made Yuba ruffled and laugh.

“Yes, so please come visit before she finds someone else to take her hand in marriage. After all, it was not good to come all the way here just to visit a married woman. ”

“Uh ... That ... is a good point.” Hayate widened his eyes and nodded with a tense smile. For some reason, he felt like he had just been given a decoy. Meanwhile, not far from Yuba and Hayate, Rio was talking to the two girls.

“Wow. It feels so long since I saw you in that outfit, Rio. You wore it when you arrived at the village ... and a few times during your practice, I guess?” Ruri commented in astonishment as she saw Rio wearing his clothes.

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Rio had equipped the complete set of dwarf-made armor he had received from the folk spirit village. He wore a black coat above all else. During his stay in the village, he rarely equipped himself, so it was just as Ruri had said.

“In hindsight, it has been more than half a year since Mr. Rio came to this village ..” Sayo folded her fingers as she counted the months that Rio spent with them.

“Time really flies. Rio One of our villagers now.” Ruri nodded with all her heart, then lowered her head. “Rio, please protect Sayo and all the villagers on your way. Please,” he said with a serious expression.

“Ya, leave it to me.” Rio nodded with a thin smile.

“Thank you. And I'm sorry.” Ruri said with a somewhat regretful face.

“For what?” Rio tilted his head, unsure of what he was apologizing for.

“I pondered ... what happened a few days ago. The more I thought about everything with a calm disposition, the more I realized I was doing something bad to Rio. I say thank you, but I don't apologize. That's why I want to apologize before you go to the capital. I think it's too late if I wait until you get back .. ”

Ruri explained her reason for apologizing with an expression that showed how unbearable she found her own emotions, when Sayo hurriedly cut in.

“U-Umm! In that case, I also want to apologize to Master Rio! ”

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