The Drifting Ship Incident (3): The Stars' Alignment

After I refused to have my fortune told, Zodia changed the subject without insisting on it.

Some time later, the lord said, "I'm sorry, but I should get some rest. I'm busy arranging the festival tomorrow as well," and excused himself from the table. Before I knew it, it was already nearly the next day.

We thanked the lord for his hospitality and told him we would be departing tomorrow morning, then exchanged brief farewells. With the lord's departure as her cue, Rufa also rose, saying, "I'm going to bed soon, too."

I was unsure what to do when Zodia tilted her glass and said, "If you don't mind, would you stay a little longer? Perhaps we could discuss some 'business' now?"

That was her way of suggesting a more in-depth exchange of information.

I glanced at Wickhart. Then I asked him, "Would it be all right if I told her about you?" Wickhart gave a small nod.

With Wickhart's permission, I turned back to Zodia.

"All right, then. I'll speak first. As payment, tell me what you know about Golber—and, if you know anything, about a certain person." When I said this, Zodia looked slightly surprised.

"I don't mind, but... before that, you know the rules for negotiating with traveling troupes, don't you, Roa-sama? Forgive me for asking, but... where did you learn them?"

I couldn't tell her that I'd accompanied a traveling troupe in the future, so I dodged the question by saying, "That information comes at a high price, you know?" Zodia chuckled.

"Indeed, it was information that warranted payment. How remiss of me. Forgive me."

Once Zodia backed off, we got to the main topic.

I told her the full story of what happened in the Battle of Haksha.

"I see... And Wickhart-sama became so devoted to Roa-sama that he swore his loyalty. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale, but judging by Wickhart-sama's expression, it seems to be true. That was a fascinating story. Now, let me see whether I have any information valuable enough to pay Roa-sama..."

She sounded unsure, but her expression betrayed no such uncertainty.

"Then, have you ever heard of someone named Sakuri? If you know anything, I'd like you to tell me."

When I said this, Zodia froze without changing her expression.

"Who are you, really?"

Her question was less composed than before, so I answered with as much of a smile as I could.

"As I said, that question comes at a high price."

We stared each other down with smiles on our faces.

Zodia was the first to crack.

"To be perfectly honest, I never expected to hear that name in this country."

"So you do know something?"

"...I'm sorry, but compared with what Roa-sama has told me, it seems a little insufficient as payment for this information."

That was only fair. This was a military strategist an enemy nation was keeping hidden. Simply confirming that such a strategist existed was already enough, but Zodia knew something. If so, I wanted to draw out as much information as I could.

The problem was that I had nothing I could offer in return. I couldn't exactly tell her about the bottled goods, and I couldn't discuss the drifting ship this time, either.

As I pondered what to do, Zodia opened her mouth.

"I have one request. If you agree to it, I'll tell you what I know as well."

"What is it?"

"Would you let me read your fortune, Roa-sama? It is not often that I meet someone with a star alignment like yours. What do you say?"

I thought Zodia had given up, but she hadn't abandoned the idea at all!

I had refused earlier because she'd somehow frightened me, but I couldn't imagine my star alignment was anything special. At most, I was probably just a little luckier than average—lucky enough to escape a palace engulfed in flames.

"...All right. Go ahead." When I agreed, Zodia gave me an enchanting smile. She had probably planned this from the very beginning.

Zodia was far more adept than I was at negotiating.

"Then, if you'll excuse me." She busily began preparing a crystal cut into an octagonal shape. It was attached to a chain and swayed gently.

"Roa-sama, just remain as you are. Simply be yourself."

Being told to be myself only made me tense and awkward.

Zodia didn't seem to notice my unease; she was staring at the crystal with utmost seriousness.

"...This... How can this be..."

Zodia's murmur echoed strangely through the quiet room.

I was starting to feel a little uneasy.

"Um..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that in a bad way. It was simply so unusual that I couldn't help it."

Though I hadn't liked the sound of that, I couldn't help growing curious.

"What did you see?"

"...How should I put it...? It's the opposite."

"The opposite?" Wickhart was curious too, apparently, and spoke up.

"...Normally, a person's stars turn slowly to the left. I read good and bad fortune from the lights and fluctuations along the way, but Roa-sama..."

They turn to the right.

"More precisely, it's as though they had been rotating in reverse, then slowed down and were trying to return to normal... I'm sorry. This is the first time I've seen anything like it, and I can't find the words to explain it."

I felt I could almost make sense of Zodia's words.

My star alignment after returning to the past.

Zodia stared at the crystal as if glaring at it for a while, then let out a long breath.

"Thank you. That was a valuable experience. Now it's my turn to pay you," she said.