SC1 6.3 – Taking Yui

It was not everyday occurrence for a household in a small village received a visit from a warrior. Not to mention, the warrior visited them at night without prior notice. So, I could understand why Old Banno and other men in Tadaoka Household were very tense while they sat in front of me.

Meanwhile, the women and children curiously tried to listen to our conversation from the back room, but I didn’t find Yuko and Yui among them. It seemed no one bother themselves to tell the two that Tadaoka Household had an unusual guest tonight.

Only Kazuyori didn’t show any sign of nervousness, but her eyes clearly reflected her worries when I explained that Hisami cancel her intention to take Yunno to her guild because she had pressing matter she had to take care of. It was also easy to tell that the source of her worry was the possibility she had to return Hisami’s payment.

“Venerable Warrior Deitoro, if you come to return Yunno, we will be very grateful for your kindness, but I’m afraid our family won’t be able to return the payment,” Kazuyori said while putting massive sorrow as if she bore all suffering in the world. “I already sent the money to pay my third son’s school tuition.”

“I don’t come to return Yunno or take Hisami’s money back.”

I calmly said, and in an instant Kazuyori’s crocodile tears stopped flowing.

“Then, Venerable Warrior Deitoro,” Old Banno respectfully said. “To what honor does our humble household owe your visit?”

“Coincidently, I need two junior servants. I have bought Yunno from Hisami and now I want to buy her little sister.”

Kazuyori in an instant sucked a deep breath, but she immediately and skillfully hide her jubilant. “Is Venerable Warrior Deitoro wanted to take Yunno and Yui to join your guild?”

“No, I don’t have guild. I just need two junior servants.”

“It’s a great fortune for Yunno and Yui to become your servant,” Kazuyori happily said.

It didn’t surprise me that Kazuyori didn’t care about what kind of treatment Yunno and Yui would face after I bought them. However, I was taken aback by Old Banno’s attitude. He didn’t show any remorse even though her wife blatantly sold her granddaughter in front of him. He just stayed silent and let Kazuyori did the talk.

It seemed separated Yunno and Yui from Tadaoka Household was a correct decision. Without delay I tried to close the deal.

“I will pay 5000 monn for Yui.”

“5000 monn for Yui.” As soon as she heard my price, Kazuyori’s jubilant expression instantly dimmed down. Then, she said, “Venerable Warrior Deitoro, I don’t want to argue, but I think 5000 monn for Yui is too low.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I believe you already knew that Warrior Hisami paid 10.000 monn for Yunno.”

“Yeah, I also pay 10.000 Monn for Yunno, but Yui is three years younger.”

“Even so, Yunno managed to catch Warrior Hisami’s attention and she even expresses her intention to also recruit Yui when she is seven years old. Meaning, the two are not ordinary kids. At least, they are kids who may become warrior someday.”

“It’s true that Yunno and Yui have potency to become a warrior,” I honestly admit, “but they are underfeed and it affects their growth greatly. If it’s not because Sanno’s recommendation, I will already find other kids.

So, 5000 monn for Yui or I find other kid from this village.”

“Can you raise the price a little?”

I had to admit Kazuyori truly had a gut when taking care thing related to money. Well, it was still under my budget so I chose to comply with her request.

“6500 Monn, but I also take all 28 chickens in this household.”

Kazuyori was surprised that I knew the number of chicken in Tadaoka Household, but it was only for a moment. After a smile she said, “This humble woman accepts the offer.”

“Good, Sanno know my place. Ask him to deliver the chickens tomorrow.”

“As you wish,” Kazuyori happily said.

Wasting no time I handed over the money and while Kazuyori was counting it, Tanno and Danno went to pick Yui up. Then, a few minutes later I heard a scream from the direction of my room. It was Yuko’s scream and it was very hysterics.

Old Banno, Kazuyori, and other member of Tadaoka Household immediately stood on their feet and went to check it. I calmly followed them. As soon as we arrived in front of my room, we were welcomed by Tanno who tried to stop the bleeding from Danno’s left arm.

Meanwhile, in front of them Yuko held a kitchen knife with her right hand, while her left hand tightly hold Yui who she placed behind her. Yuko’s determined eyes and iron will to shield Yui remind me of a hen who would risk its life to protect its chicks.

‘What a brave lass.’

Never did I imagine Yuko had this kind of side. If she had soul mark, I would gladly train her to become a warrior, but she was only ordinary village lass unfortunately.

Then, Kazuyori creased her wrinkle eyebrow as she turned her gaze from Yuko to Tanno, “What happen?”

“After we told her that Warrior Deitoro wanted to take Yui,” Tanno sourly explained, “Yuko asked us to wait while she packed Yui’s clothes. But she tricked us and actually she also packed her own clothes and even took a knife from kitchen.”

“Idiot girl!!” Kazuyori lashed out as she pointed her finger to Yuko’s nose. “Are you out of your mind?” Kazuyori rebuked Yuko in a half scream.

“Mother, how could you so heartless?” Yuko sharply replied.

As she placed her hands on her waist Kazuyori replied in a half scream, “Unfilial daughter, how dare you call your own mother heartless?”

“You are truly heartless,” Yuko said as tears streamed down on her cheeks. “You already let Yunno go, but it was for her own goodness so I could accept it. But now Yunno is become a junior servant but you don’t try to buy her back even if we still have the money.

Instead, you even try to sell Yui too. Don’t tell me I don’t know what your intention is. You sell Yunno and Yui because they are the legal owner of our rice field. We already enjoy the harvest from the rice field, the late Big Sis and her late husband also had contributed so much for our household, but now we can’t even taking care of their children?”

“Shut your mouth up ungrateful mongrel,” Vein popped up in Kazuyori’s face as she gave Yuko a sharp glare. “What I do, is also for your own good.”

“I don’t need it,” Yuko flatly said before putting the knife on her right hand to her throat. “Let me and Yui go, or I will cut my throat in front of you all.”

“Stop your madness!!!” Kazuyori screamed echoed through the night air.

At the same time, the nearby neighbors started to come to watch the show. As for me, I could only let out a sigh. From the bundle on her back, it seemed Yuko truly wanted to protect Yui. However, my intention to separate Yunno and Yui from Tadaoka Household was already set and fixed. Without delay, I took step forward.

“Stop! Don’t take another step!”

Yuko threatened me as she pressed her knife to her throat, but it was futile effort. Before the knife had a chance to harm her, my Shadow Hand already snatched it from her. Then, as she tried to figure out what had happened, I gently tapped her nape.

In instant Yuko lost her consciousness. Her body slumped to the ground, but I caught her before she hit the ground. After handed over Yuko to Old Banno, I then kneeled in front of terrified Yui.

“Let’s leave this household so you can live with me, my wife, and Yunno.” I gently whisper before putting Yui into a sleep.

“Venerable Warrior Deitoro, thank you for your help, and I deeply apologize if my foolish daughter had cause you some inconvenience,” Kazuyori said in tone full of flattery.

“No problem.” As I gently lifted Yui and put her cheek on my shoulder I continued, “Do we have a deal?”

“We have, of course we have,” Kazuyori happily said.

“Ask Sanno to deliver the legal paper to me as soon as you have it, along with the chickens.”

“Understood.”

Wasting no time I left while muttered, ‘Someday, this household will regret their decision.’

*****