Chapter 267: Weird Guide (1/2)
”Oh. Well, yeah. You probably know my guild better than I do,” Yoichi replied, trying to be friendly. Even though Takuma looked like a guy who was too boisterous and out of control for his taste, he conveyed a sense of friendship to Yoichi.
The two tamers looked at each other and smiled, feeling a strange empathy. Yoichi had recently begun to believe in destiny, and if everything was truly the result of a larger scheme, even the tamer of that strange scarecrow could play a role in his life.
”Okay, listen up gentlemen,” the young tamer added. ”I thank you for your thoughtfulness and certainly, if Takuma would like to accompany me on my mission, I will not stop him. However, although I would stay in your village to talk with you, I have a schedule to keep. In five days I must be in Ambershire,” Yoichi explained.
”Five days? If you come with me it will take us four if all goes well,” Takuma quickly replied. Without any warning, he threw himself off the bed and knelt in front of Yoichi. At the same time, his scarecrow demon did the same, mimicking its tamer's movements and kneeling on the wooden floor. ”Karasu and I will never be in your way, Yoichi-Sama! We will safely escort you to Oakenfair and do whatever you say, but please... please take us with you!”
Takuma's pleas were exaggerated and inappropriate. Yoichi, embarrassed by the fact that the boy in front of him was pleading with him as if he were a king, invited his interlocutor to stand up.
”All right, all right!” he puffed, nodding. ”Can we go now? It will be harder to follow the Waveless River without daylight,” he ordered, stepping back and approaching the exit door.
”That's the spirit! I can sense your attunement already! Remember, Takuma... Yoichi is not required to stay in your company and could dismiss you at any time. Be nice to him, and if you are lucky, you will be able to visit the capital of Tentochu,” the old Gompachi rejoiced. Without consulting Yoichi first, he made up that innocent but utterly absurd story as if he wanted to get rid of his grandson.
”Of course, Grandpa Gompachi! I will not disappoint your expectations, I will become a tamer as strong as you!” Takuma replied, standing up and clenching his fists. Incredibly, once again, his scarecrow mirrored his movements.
Just as Yoichi was about to walk through the exit door, those words caught his attention. I knew that Gompachi was a tamer! He thought. Only a tamer could know all those details about Shusaku or Emperor Tatsui's men. I guess I was right to trust him, he reflected.
The young tamer of the Nightblades left the wooden house of Gompachi's family, politely greeted the lady who was breastfeeding the baby, and walked to the center of the square.
Waiting for Takuma to finish his preparations to leave, Yoichi got lost in the beauty of that sculpture. He couldn't help but wonder about the powers of the fire phoenix of the previous Emperor of Tentochu. Was Shinzo's Torasagi just as powerful?
Minutes passed like seconds and a hand on his shoulder interrupted that stream of thoughts. ”Karasu and I are ready to go!” Takuma thundered, a smile printed on his face. ”I don't mean to sound insolent but... do you happen to need a horse?” he asked.