Spice & Wolf XV (DWT)

by Isuna Hasekura

“Diva took over this land almost two decades ago, and back then no one paid this place any mind.”

  Every square inch of land on the world was owned by someone.

  “Rumor has it that they bought this land very, very cheaply, but it’s clearly not cheap anymore. They’ve built and developed it so much that the town can basically run on its own, all just with rent money. The key point is that they sell the buildings, but not the land the buildings are on. That rent lets them keep things going.”

  “And since this place is so bustling, even the buildings are appreciating in value.”

  Myuri had chimed in. This reeked of slicing a garden up into pieces to sell them, but it was truly a great way to earn money if they could maintain order.

  “After all, it’s far less work than proper taxation. No need to investigate one’s property and earnings, no need for inspections or worrying about people abusing the tax code, and this way people have no choice but to pay their dues because the land isn’t theirs to begin with.”

  That also explained why they had to supply funds to keep this place so energetic; the capital of the town depended on the land and buildings. The more people were attracted, the more land and buildings needed to be developed. But while that all made sense, it didn’t answer the fundamental question.

  What was Diva really up to? Why gather up knights, mercenaries, and even the support of barons? There had to be another reason behind it all. They had to have a goal that hadn’t yet been discovered by Lawrence or anyone else. Lawrence was still stumped.

  “That means the shop I saw earlier won’t be around for very long, huh?”

  “Not long at all, I’m afraid. It’ll be sold by Ponds’ company, who are basically a branch of Diva, so the ones they sell..”

  “..Are the ones that are the least expensive.”

  The value of those buildings would skyrocket in such a rapidly-developing area.

  “Even wealthy barons apparently have to jump through hoops to buy buildings here.. or maybe I should word it another way. This is a town that sells freedom and dreams, so some buildings are probably reserved for people just like you, Mr. Lawrence.”

  If Diva’s council wanted to make a bid for lordship of the area, it would be important for them to do such things and draw in new blood. It would make people a bit suspicious at first, but as the city grew and prospered, such reservations would quickly fade. The fact that someone as wizened-looking as Moid was saying this lent it credence.

  Lawrence also knew one other important fact: when something was so valued, it was easy to resell. He’d seen just how easy that was first-hand, during his conflict with Amati over Holo. If it wasn’t rare and in demand, it would be ignored, but once demand rose the seller would be the one with all the cards.

  If he bought a shop here, he would be under Diva’s control. He was already caught up in their plans, since he wanted to open his shop here. It would be lovely to buy such an inexpensive shop in an unrestrictive town; so much so that his heart was soaring, especially considering just how lively it was here.

  But Lawrence had learned his lesson on this trip with Holo, and he also knew there were things more important than his dreams. He stole a glance at Holo, who was quietly sipping her drink, then nervously turned and jumped back into the conversation with Moid.

  “Then are the barons just.. being suckered by the town?”

  “Maybe. There’s a rumor to that effect.”

  Moid looked at Myuri, who seemed a bit drunk. His eyes were red, but he continued.

  “Maybe.. after all, it takes a long time to rebuild a state after a war, so no baron is brave enough to start one. Naturally, they’d prefer to just live an extravagant life, like a southern noble. So..”

  He downed the rest of his glass and looked over at his young cohorts, but they just tipped over the bottle sadly to show the liquor was already gone.

  “All gone? Ah, anyway, that’s why this place is spreading rumors of war. I was just as put off by it at first, but now that I know why they’re doing it, I’m quite impressed.”

  In Lawrence’s experience, a town couldn’t call itself a town without a wall around it. Just for their independence, and to defend themselves from cruel rulers. Villages had no walls because they had no autonomy; everything was managed by the baron. They had no freedom. For a company to rule a place like this with freedom was a novel and attractive prospect. It would surely attract jealousy as well. And yet, they had no walls to defend themselves.

  “You see, walls aren’t for keeping people out.”

  Myuri quickly beckoned to his men for more wine, then hopped to his feet and took a few steps before continuing.

  “They’re for keeping people in.”

  “Oh!”

  Holo finally broke her long-standing silence with a gasp of appreciation. Myuri bowed in gratitude and continued.

  “But in a war, the gates will shut and the guards will patrol the day away. It’s impossible to get in or out. Being surrounded by walls means that the people inside are connected to each other. They can’t survive on their own, so they cooperate. If there isn’t a wall, though, they’ll all just flee when things get tough. Especially when they think they’re losing. Why protect a place without walls, when it’s bound to collapse? That’s why people like us are hired, to stand in the guard’s shadows.”

  “Just in case some feckless coward comes back to retrieve something they forgot?”

  Myuri’s face contorted at Holo’s joke, just like he knew he had the cards to back up his bet. He pointed at her in lieu of saying “exactly.”

  “That’s why there’s no wall here. With one, people would band together, and Diva would be in trouble, with all that money being stored away. There are downsides to being well-defended. Of course, this way it’s easy to attack the town, and harder to defend it, but that just means that the people coming to attack will be robbers, not usurpers. And robbers would know that the real prize would be locked away in Diva company, and how tough it would be to run off with it. Anyone capable of that wouldn’t take such a risk, not without trying to break in from the inside by working for Diva first. And once they did, they’d realize they were better off just really working for Diva.”

  Lawrence clapped.

  “A fine deduction.”

  He liked Myuri’s approach, but had his suspicions. That’s why the smile on his face wasn’t genuine.

  “We mercenaries are all brave. Diva is not weaker than we are, and no simpleton could have come up with a scheme like this, so they’ve earned our respect.”

  “Ah, so that’s why the town’s so far from the mines..”

  “Precisely. Because they have to defend the mines, and that attracts trouble. Once a mine’s occupied, it won’t be easy to conquer.”

  Myuri flashed the smile of an experienced warrior, but when he breathed out it stank of liquor. He stared at the ground for a moment before continuing with a look on his face like he’d just swallowed some sour wine.

  “Diva’s clearly put a lot of thought into this, so I have to assume they’ve got a bigger plan.”

  He put his hand on his forehead, and Moid immediately stood up. He seemed to know Myuri quite well. He grabbed Myuri just before he flopped forward onto the table, passing out.

  “Well well, the young master’s let himself go tonight..”

  That was the first time Moid had referred to Myuri as “the young master.” He spoke like a mother hen lovingly watching over her chick. After all, he knew how tough Myuri had to act in order to be accepted as their captain.

  “That’s basically all we know. Do you have any other questions? Or is that enough to get you started?”

  He smiled, but it wasn’t a smile of expectation. It was one to comfort Lawrence, and make it clear that he wasn’t really expected to figure anything out. In fact, Moid had caught and lifted Myuri like a stumbling princess. The two youths made way for them, like they were used to seeing this sort of thing.

  “I’m not even
feeling it yet..”

  “Of course not. If you did, our honor would suffer. We can’t have that.”

  Contrary to his appearance, Moid was a smooth talker.

  “Well, we’d best be off. Excuse us.”

  “No problem. Thanks for everything.”

  Moid shook his barely-free hand dismissively.

  “No, we’re the ones who should be thanking you.”

  Lawrence knew he’d said nothing constructive, but he saw such a guileless smile on Moid’s face - more like a farmer than a mercenary.

  “We truly aren’t a big group, but we’re a valiant lot. It’s a lot of pressure on the young master, so I’m proud of his ability to handle the challenge of being our captain.”

  Was it really alright? They were outsiders, and there were two up-and-comers as well.. but then maybe Lawrence had no reason to be concerned. After all, Myuri’s men obviously trusted him, and he didn’t let them down. There really wasn’t any need to worry about suppressing the knowledge of such a collapse.

  “He actually wanted to become a merchant, but he was the only one who could succeed the name of Myuri.”

  Now that was a story as old as time. Lawrence was lucky in a sense; he got to write his own story from scratch. He wouldn’t ever really know what it was like to have to continue an already-thick volume that preceded him. If he wanted to know, well, he could turn to Holo, but she was busy stroking Myuri’s head as Moid carried him past them, like a grandmother looking down on her grandchild.

  “However, Mr. Lawrence, Ms. Holo.. you are the ones who are made to solve riddles. All we can do is borrow your wisdom. Even my young master respects you for that.”

  He was talking to them quietly, perhaps hoping the two youths wouldn’t overhear. He smiled, and Holo smiled back. She knew that Myuri had been supporting Myuri’s legacy and name, and that Moid was supporting him in turn. Her smile saw the two of them off, but it was a lonely one.

  “This is their age now.”

  She spoke like a character on a page that was being turned, off to disappear forever. Lawrence put his hand on her head.

  “It’s still yours too, you know.”

  Her face turned to his and she calmly replied.

  “True.”

  Her cool tone upset him a little, but her face immediately became happy when she saw that, and she smacked his back.

  “You are honest to a fault.”

  He sighed and waved at Moid, then began the walk back to their room.

  * * *

  Apparently, Holo hadn’t had her fill yet. Or, perhaps, she just hadn’t enjoyed the liquor they drank earlier. Either way, she was already drinking wine the moment the door to their room had closed. Lawrence wasn’t interested in having more, so he just sat down at the desk.

  “Just too strange..”

  His elbows hit the desk and his face was soon buried in his hands. He sighed, unable to catch Diva’s tail in his mind, though it felt like it was flicking him in the face. Even after hearing what Myuri and Moid had to say, things seemed just as complicated. After all, they earned enough money from mining to support a faraway town.

  And one without a wall, at that. As a walled town grew, all sorts of problems emerged. Overpopulation, the stench of butchering and tanning bothering everyone, and so forth. All because of town walls. Chickens and pigs ran underfoot, trash lay everywhere, rent just kept increasing, and so forth.

  Walls really could be quite a hassle. Some even joked that things would be better if the walls in their city were demolished. Diva company apparently took that line of thinking to its logical conclusion. Lawrence had never seen something like that in a town like this.

  “Too damn strange.”

  “Yes, ’tis quite strange.”

  “Hmm.”

  Holo nodded as she sipped her wine.

  “And yet, they are self-sufficient and work hard to make their town prosper, so I feel there is nothing to worry about.”

  Lawrence looked back in confusion, and watched Holo chew on some jerky like a greedy child.

  “I mean, I did not leave Pasloe for quite some time. They had no suitable leader, for starters, but really.. I just did not wish to leave.”

  “Why not?”

  “Hmm.. how should I put this? After working so hard to turn those poor fields into bountiful oceans of gold, how could I just leave them? From what we have just heard, the company here has done much the same to build this town, using their wisdom and good fortune.”

  That was certainly true. Lawrence nodded, and so did Holo. He replied.

  “If that’s the case, why would they put this place in a such a dangerous position?”

  As Myuri had said, if a war broke out in a town with no walls, everyone would simply flee. But it was still not enough of an argument to justify the decision to Lawrence.

  “Well, perhaps they are not? After all, they have gathered mercenaries to stave off any such threat, have they not?”

  “..Yes, but then why is everyone so glib about it? Mercenaries can be re-bought, and turn from defender to attacker. Yet no one seems to be bothered by things like that. I just can’t wrap my head around it.”

  “So you insist, and yet there may be no reason to fret so.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Even the most cowardly human or beast will fight when they have something to protect. Perhaps it would be best to not think about a situation that you would have to be in to understand.”

  Lawrence stared back at her and sighed. She was confident about her assessment, and his expression was only annoying her. There wasn’t anything wrong with what she said. It was even theoretically sound. But he just couldn’t agree. The situation just didn’t feel that passive, and Diva had to be up to something. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. That was when Holo surprised him.

  “May I ask you a question?”

  Her voice was right next to him, making his eyes open in shock. She hugged him from behind, as though covering him with a blanket. Her chin hovered over his head, and her long, brown hair fell over him, making him itch.

  “Do you truly think?”

  “..what do you mean?”

  She hugged him more tightly to keep him from turning around. He couldn’t see her face, ears or tail. He knew she could fool him with just a slight change in her voice, so he felt anxiety washing over him.

  “I meant nothing more than what I asked.”

  “..”

  He remained silent, but knew he had to reply before she grew angry. But really, what was she asking? Maybe it would be best to let her get angry and find out? He was completely at a loss, and didn’t even want to reply. Deep down, it upset him to be asked such a question. But her arms just kept hugging him tighter and tighter..

  “..so?”

  Had she asked angrily, he would have replied. But the hesitation in her voice made him pause even longer. He wasn’t at all sure what she wanted him to say. It took him quite a long time to think it over.

  “Yes. I think.”

  “Liar.”

  Her chin came to a rest on top of his head.

  “Do not lie.”

  “..Lie? I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Why are you asking me such a strange question?”

  His mind was completely mixed up, but she ignored him. Her arms were still coiling around him more tightly. She was small, but even she could strangle him if she tried.

  “You are lying. You do not think. You just act.”

  Her tone was harsh, and it made him feel nervous. What had he said or done to upset her this time? Would her arms keep tightening until he suffocated? No, they finally stopped. She wasn’t choking him, she was just stuck to him.

  “Help me out here. I can’t figure it out, but I’m doing my best. Diva’s obviously up to no good, and there has to be a reason. If I missed anything, it’s not for lack of think-“

  “Why must you insist that they are evil?”

  His mind went blank. He wore h
is confusion on his face as he tried to desperately turn his head to see her ears.

  “W-What?”

  “I am asking you why you insist that this company must be evil?”

  Her question had the same destructive effect as a competitor telling him his hair was messy during a negotiation.

  “Well, I’m not insist-“

  “Oh, so you are thinking.”

  She cut him off, and her arms slackened.

  “Ah, what a relaxed merchant..”

  “Huh?”

  He let some anger slip out with that grunt, but Holo wasn’t surprised to hear it. He could tell that she smiled in response, especially when her hand gently patted his back as though to comfort him.

  “Well, you have money and time to roam around and see all of the vitality in this place. You investigate whether a war is starting, and everyone laughs it off. Then you learn that even barons are buying up property here, and finally discover an inexpensive shop. So ask yourself: what would be the best way to earn money in this situation?”

  She loomed over him and added a “hmm?” He felt like he’d backed himself into a corner, but had no choice but to reply.

  “Buying the shop.”

  “Precisely. After all, if you buy it, the value will keep rising, will it not?”

  She spoke with a satisfied tone, then released him and intentionally patted his head.

  “So..”

  She pulled her hands back and rested her chin on his head once more.

  “Why are you hesitating?”

  It finally sank in just what Holo was talking about.

  “This is not like you.. should thinking not be making you more optimistic? Right now you are just..”

  She paused and her tail flopped down like a bird beating its wings.

  “..Obsessing over the worst case scenario.”

  She had been urging him in the direction she felt he needed to be urged. But he was defying her, precisely because he suspected that Diva was up to no good. He knew he was stubborn, but why was he obsessing over this again? Diva was doing nothing unreasonable so far, and it was all quite clearly in their best interests. Truly, it was.

  Holo’s suggestion that they were hiring mercenaries simply to protect themselves was quite sound. So why was he still suspicious? Or more specifically, why wasn’t he taking action? If he couldn’t get a straight answer out of anyone, then any thinking beyond a certain point was just a blurry wasteland of hypotheses. He had to take a stand and make a choice.