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apothecaryscript · 4 months ago

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Episode 15 : Raw Fish / 第15話『鱠(Namasu)』

武官「聞いたか？この前の小火(ぼや)のこと」

Bukan “Kiitaka? Kono maeno boyano koto.”

Military Officer “Hey, did you hear about the fire the other day?”

武官「李白のやつ、お手柄だったな」

Bukan “Rihakuno yatsu, otegara dattana.”

Military Officer “Lihaku did a really good job with it.”

武官「あいつが解決するとは、意外だった」

Bukan “Aitsuga kaiketsu suru-towa, igai datta.”

Military Officer “I never expected he’d be able to solve it.”

武官「それが、どうも噂によると…下女が事件解決に一役買ったらしい」

Bukan “Sorega, domo uwasani yoruto…gejoga jiken-kaiketsuni hito-yaku katta rashii.”

Military Officer “Actually, I heard a rumor that a servant girl helped solve it.”

武官「下女？」

Bukan “Gejo?”

Military Officer “A servant girl?”

武官「壬氏様の部屋付きの下女だって」

Bukan “Jinshi-samano heya-zukino gejo datte.”

Military Officer “They say she’s a personal attendant of Master Jinshi.”

武官「へえー、本当か」

Bukan “Heee, hontoka.”

Military Officer “Wow, really?”

武官「壬氏様と言えば、この前、緑青館の妓女を身請けしたんだろ？なんでも、知的で冷たい目つきの美女だとか」

Bukan “Jinshi-samato ieba, kono-mae, Rokushokanno gijo’o miuke shitan-daro? Nandemo, chitekide tsumetai me-tsukino bijo datoka.”

Military Officer “Didn’t Master Jinshi buy out a courtesan from the Verdigris House the other day? I hear she’s a beautiful intellectual with cold eyes.”

武官「ああ、見た連中が騒いでたぞ」

Bukan “Aa, mita renchuga sawaidetazo.”

Military Officer “Yeah, the guys who saw her wouldn’t shut up about her.”

武官「あっ、ああ…羅漢様」

Bukan “A, aa… Rakan-sama.”

Military Officer “Master Lakan?!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

羅漢「フフッ。その話、詳しく教えてくれないか？」

Rakan “Fufu. Sono hanashi, kuwashiku oshiete kure-naika?”

Lakan “Mind telling me more about that?”

高順「小猫、ちょっといいでしょうか？」

Gaoshun “Shaomao, chotto iideshoka?”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, could you spare a moment?”

猫猫「高順様。どうしたのですか？」

Maomao “Gaoshun-sama. Doshitano-desuka?”

Maomao “Master Gaoshun. What is it?”

高順「見てもらいたいものがあるのですが」

Gaoshun “Mite-moraitai monoga aruno-desuga.”

Gaoshun “There’s something I’d like you to take a look at.”

猫猫「古い事件の資料ですね。10年前の商家で、フグのなますにあたって食中毒が起きたと…」

Maomao “Furui jikenno shiryo desune. Ju-nen-maeno shokade, fuguno namasuni atatte shoku-chudokuga okitato…”

Maomao “Records of an old incident. Ten years ago, at a merchant’s home, there was a food poisoning incident involving a raw pufferfish dish.”

猫猫（フグの毒…！あのピリピリした痺れがいいんだ…ああ、食べたい）

Maomao (Fuguno doku…! Ano piri-piri shita shibirega iinda… Aa, tabetai.)

Maomao (Pufferfish poison… I love how it tingles and stings. Oh, I really want some now!)

高順「今度、その手の料理屋に連れて行きますから…」

Gaoshun “Kondo, sono-teno ryoriyani tsurete ikimasu-kara…”

Gaoshun “I can take you to a place that serves it sometime soon.”

猫猫「はあ～！はああ…これが、どうしたのですか？」

Maomao “Haaaa! Haaa… Korega, doshitano-desuka?”

Maomao “So, what about this?”

高順「昔、私がこの事件について、仕事で関わっていたことがありました。これとよく似た事件が最近起こったということで、元同僚に相談を受けたのです」

Gaoshun “Mukashi, watashiga kono jikenni tsuite shigotode kakawatte-ita kotoga ari-mashita. Koreto yoku nita jikenga saikin okottato-iukotode moto-doryoni sodan’o uketano-desu.”

Gaoshun “A while ago, I was officially involved with this case. A colleague asked me for advice, because a similar incident occurred recently.”

猫猫「よく似た事件？」

Maomao “Yoku nita jiken?”

Maomao “A similar incident?”

高順「官僚が、フグのなますを食べて、昏睡状態に陥っているのですよ」

Gaoshun “Kanryoga, fuguno namasuo tabete, konsui-jotaini ochiitte-iruno-desuyo.”

Gaoshun “A bureaucrat ate pufferfish, raw and seasoned with vinegar, and fell into a coma.”

猫猫「昏睡状態…。申し訳ありません、高順様。それは、私が聞いてもよろしい話でしょうか？」

Maomao “Konsui-jotai… Moshi-wake arimasen, Gaoshun-sama. Sorewa, watashiga kiitemo yoroshii hanashi deshoka?”

Maomao “A coma? Master Gaoshun, my apologies. Is it appropriate for me to learn about this?”

高順「問題ありません。小猫は、自分の立場をわきまえていますから」

Gaoshun “Mondai ari-masen. Shaomaowa, jibunno tachibao wakimaete imasu-kara.”

Gaoshun “That won’t be an issue. You are someone who knows her place.”

猫猫（つまり、喋るな、と…）

Maomao (Tsumari, shaberuna, to…)

Maomao (In other words, stay silent about this.)

高順「それに今さら、毒の出てくるこの話を途中で切ってもいいのですか？」

Gaoshun “Soreni ima-sara, dokuno dete-kuru kono hanashio tochude kittemo iino-desuka?”

Gaoshun “Besides, this story involves poison. Are you sure you want me to stop here?”

猫猫「ぐっ…。どうぞ、お話の続きを」

Maomao “Gu… Dozo, ohanashino tsuzukio.”

Maomao “Please, do continue.”

高順「うん。今回、なますには、フグの皮と身を湯引きしたものを使っていたそうです。それを食べて昏睡状態に陥ったと」

Gaoshun “Un. Konkai, namasu-niwa, fuguno kawato mio yubiki shita-mono’o tsukatte-ita-sodesu. Soreo tabete konsui-jotaini ochi’ittato.”

Gaoshun “In this instance, they served parboiled pufferfish skin and meat. He ate this and fell into a coma.”

猫猫「フグの身ですか？毒が多いのは、肝などの内臓ですが…」

Maomao “Fuguno mi desuka? Dokuga ooi-nowa, kimo-nadono naizo desuga…”

Maomao “The meat? Most of the poison is in the gut.”

高順「ええ、皮と身です」

Gaoshun “Ee, kawato mi desu.”

Gaoshun “Yes, the skin and the meat.”

猫猫「身は比較的、毒が薄いはずなのに…。まあ、種類や環境によっては、身に毒がある場合もあるかもしれない。別におかしな点はないのでは？」

Maomao “Miwa hikaku-teki, dokuga usui hazu-nanoni… Maa, shuruiya kankyoni yottewa, mini dokuga aru baaimo aru-kamo shirenai. Betsuni okashina tenwa naino-dewa?”

Maomao “The meat isn’t supposed to have much poison in it… Maybe it depends on the type of pufferfish or the environment it’s from. Nothing seems out of place, then?”

高順「…それが、今回の事件も、前の事件も、料理人は“フグを調理に使っていない”と言い張っているのですよ」

Gaoshun “…Sorega, konkaino jikenmo, maeno jikenmo, ryori-ninwa ‘fuguo chorini tsukatte-inai’to iihatte iruno-desuyo.”

Gaoshun “The thing is, in both cases, this time and in the past, the cook claims they hadn’t used pufferfish in the dish.”

猫猫「面白そうな話ですね」

Maomao “Omoshiro-sona hanashi desune.”

Maomao “That sounds interesting.”

高順「共通点は、それだけではありません。倒れた2人…今回の役人と、前回の商人は、共に美食家で珍味を好んでいました。普段から魚の生肉などもよく食べていて、フグも好物だったそうです。事件のあと、厨房のゴミから、内臓や皮が全て発見されたことから、肝は食べていないと判断されました。二つの事件の料理人は、共にフグは前日の料理に使ったもので、なますには別の魚を使ったと、無罪を主張しました。しかし、証人となる人間がいなかった。役人は料理を全て食べ終えた30分後、中毒症状を起こして倒れ、痙攣していたところを発見されました」

Gaoshun “Kyotsu-tenwa, sore-dake-dewa arimasen. Taoreta futari… Konkaino yakuninto, zenkaino shoninwa, tomoni bishoku-ka-de chinmio kononde imashita. Fudan-kara sakanano nama-niku-nadomo yoku tabete-ite, fugumo kobutsu datta-sodesu. Jikenno ato, chubono gomi-kara, naizoya kawaga subete hakken sareta koto-kara, kimowa tabete-inaito handan sare-mashita. Futatsuno jikenno ryori-ninwa, tomoni fuguwa zenjitsuno ryorini tsukatta monode, namasu-niwa betsuno sakanao tsukattato muzaio shucho shimashita. Shikashi, shoninto-naru ningenga ina-katta. Yakuninwa ryorio subete tabe-oeta sanjuppun-go, chudoku-shojo’o okoshite taore, keiren shite-ita tokoro’o hakken sare-mashita.”

Gaoshun “That’s not the only thing in common. The two who fell ill… The bureaucrat from this case and the merchant from the past one were both gourmets who loved eating rare foods. They both often ate raw fish and pufferfish was one of their favorites. After the incident, all of the organs and skin were discovered in the trash, so it was determined that the guts were never consumed. In both cases, the cooks claimed innocence, said the pufferfish was served the night before, and that on the day of the incident, they’d used a different fish. However, there were no witnesses to provide proof. The bureaucrat ate all the food served, then became intoxicated and collapsed half an hour later. He was discovered convulsing.”

猫猫（案外、しっかり調べてるんだな…適当な調査で犯人をでっちあげる、ろくでもない役人もたくさんいるのに）

Maomao (Angai, shikari shirabeterun-dana… Tekitona chosade han’nin’o dekchi-ageru, roku-demo-nai yakuninmo takusan iru-noni.)

Maomao (He did a more thorough investigation than I’d expect. Plenty of other bureaucrats would put in zero effort and just make up a suspect.)

高順「どう思われますか？」

Gaoshun “Do omoware-masuka?”

Gaoshun “What do you think?”

猫猫「症状はフグの毒みたいですが…今の話だけでは何とも。高順様、もう少し情報を集めてきてもらえますか？」

Maomao “Shojowa fuguno doku mitai desuga… Imano hanashi-dake-dewa nantomo. Gaoshun-sama, mo sukoshi joho’o atsumete-kite morae-masuka?”

Maomao “The symptoms do sound like pufferfish poison, but I can’t say for certain without more details. Master Gaoshun, can you try to find more information?”

高順「分かりました。調べておきます」

Gaoshun “Wakari-mashita. Shirabete okimasu.”

Gaoshun “Understood. I will look into it.”

猫猫（今の季節なら、生ごみを数日置いていたとしても、おかしくはない。別の魚を使ったという話も、残りかすが見つかっていて、矛盾はない…）

Maomao (Imano kisetsu-nara, nama-gomio sujitsu oite-itato shitemo, okashikuwa nai. Betsuno sakanao tsukattato-iu hanashimo, nokori-kasuga mitsukatte-ite, mujunwa nai…)

Maomao (At this time of year, it’s not rare to have food trash sit out for a few days. The testimony of using different fish matches the evidence of the leftovers…)

壬氏「何の話をしてたんだ？」

Jinshi “Nanno hanashio shite-tanda?”

Jinshi “What were you talking about?”

猫猫「うわあっ…！」

Maomao “Uwaa…!”

壬氏「…さすがにその顔は俺も傷つく…」

Jinshi “…Sasugani sono kaowa oremo kizu-tsuku…”

Jinshi “That look would wound anyone, even me.”

壬氏「高順の話を、やけに熱心に聞いていたようだが」

Jinshi “Gaoshunno hanashio, yakeni nesshinni kiite-ita-yodaga.”

Jinshi “You seemed to be listening very eagerly to Gaoshun’s story.”

猫猫「面白い話なら、人は耳を傾けるものですから」

Maomao “Omoshiroi hanashi-nara, hitowa mimio katamukeru mono desu-kara.”

Maomao “People naturally pay attention to stories that are actually interesting.”

壬氏「ん？おい、ちょっと待て。お前、俺の話はよく途中で…」

Jinshi “N? Oi, chotto mate. Omae, oreno hanashiwa yoku tochude…”

Jinshi “Wait, hold on. You often cut me off mid-speech―”

猫猫「それでは、遅くなりましたので、帰らせていただきます」

Maomao “Sore-dewa, osoku nari-mashita-node, kaerasete itadaki-masu.”

Maomao “Oh dear, it’s getting late. With that, I’ll take my leave.”

壬氏「なっ、おい、まだ話は終わってない…」

Jinshi “Na, oi, mada hanashiwa owatte-nai…”

Jinshi “Hey, I’m not done talking-“

水蓮「あらあら、動かないで。ほら、じっとして」

Suiren “Ara-ara, ugoka-naide. Hora, jitto shite.”

Suiren “Oh, no, don’t move. Come on, stay still.”

壬氏「ん…」

Jinshi “N…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

高順「小猫。昨日の話ですが…これは、調理書です。使用人の証言だと、主人に出す料理は、ほと��ど��こに書かれていると」

Gaoshun “Shaomao. Kinono hanashi desuga… Korewa, chorisho desu. Shiyonin’no shogen dato, shujinni dasu ryoriwa, hotondo kokoni kakarete-iruto.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, about the discussion we had yesterday… These are the cook’s notes. According to the servant, it describes everything served to their master.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます。…湯引きした魚に細切りの野菜を加えて酢であえる…なますの作り方に特におかしなところはないですね…」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu. …Yubiki shita sakanani hoso-girino yasaio kuwaete sude aeru… Namasuno tsukuri-katani tokuni okashina tokorowa nai desune…”

Maomao “Thank you. Parboil the fish. Add cut vegetables. Season with vinegar. The recipe looks normal.”

高順「酢の配合は何種類か書かれていますが、材料は詳しく書かれていません」

Gaoshun “Suno haigowa nan-shuruika kakarete-imasuga, zairyowa kuwashiku kakarete imasen.”

Gaoshun “There are several types of vinegar mixtures outlined, but the list of ingredients lack detail.”

猫猫「恐らく、季節によって、手に入る魚や野菜が変わるからでしょう。これでは肝心の、何を使って作ったかが分かりませんね…」

Maomao “Osoraku, kisetsuni yotte, teni hairu sakanaya yasaiga kawaru-kara desho. Kore-dewa kanjinno, nanio tsukatte tsukuttakaga wakari-masenne…”

Maomao “That must be because the types of fish and vegetables available differ by season. This won’t help us understand the key facts around what was actually used to cook the dish.”

壬氏「分からないのか？」

Jinshi “Wakaranai-noka?”

Jinshi “You can’t understand?”

猫猫「ハア…」（話に加わりたいらしい…）

Maomao “Haa…” (Hanashini kuwawari-tai rashii.)

Maomao (He wants to join in.)

壬氏「…で、何が分からないって？あ～ん…ん…」

Jinshi “…De, naniga wakara-naitte? Aaan…N…”

Jinshi “So, what can’t you understand?”

水蓮「お食事前ですから…」

Suiren “Oshokuji-mae desu-kara…”

Suiren “It will be mealtime soon.”

壬氏「分かっている」

Jinshi “Wakatte-iru.”

Jinshi “I know.”

猫猫（随分、子供っぽいことを…）

Maomao (Zuibun, kodomoppoi koto’o…)

Maomao (That’s quite childish.)

猫猫「事件が起きたのは？」

Maomao “Jikenga okita-nowa?”

Maomao “When did the incident occur?”

高順「一週間ほど前です」

Gaoshun “Isshukan-hodo mae desu.”

Gaoshun “About a week ago.”

猫猫「冬場の野菜となると…なますの材料は、大根か人参といったところですか？」

Maomao “Fuyubano yasaito naruto… Namasuno zairyowa daikonka ninjinto itta tokoro desuka?”

Maomao “Meaning winter vegetables, so probably radishes and carrots?”

高順「それが、海藻を使ったと言っていまして…」

Gaoshun “Sorega, kaiso’o tsukattato itte-imashite…”

Gaoshun “Actually, I hear they used seaweed.”

猫猫「海藻ですか？」

Maomao “Kaiso desuka?”

Maomao “Seaweed?”

高順「海藻です」

Gaoshun “Kaiso desu.”

Gaoshun “Seaweed.”

猫猫（珍味を好むということは…変わった海藻を入れることもあるだろう）

Maomao (Chinmio konomuto iu-kotowa… kawatta kaiso’o ireru kotomo aru-daro.)

Maomao (If he likes rare foods, I guess he could have tried strange seaweeds.)

猫猫「もしよろしければ、その家の厨房を見せてもらうことはできませんか？」

Maomao “Moshi yoroshi-kereba, sono ieno chubo’o misete morau kotowa dekima-senka?”

Maomao “If possible, could I take a look at the kitchen involved?”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「ん？…高順様から、ここに来るようにと言われたのですが」

Maomao “N? …Gaoshun-sama-kara, kokoni kuru-yonito iwaretano-desuga.”

Maomao “I’m here under Master Gaoshun’s orders.”

馬閃「馬閃だ。話は聞いている」

Basen “Basen da. Hanashiwa kiite-iru.”

Basen “I’m Basen. I’ve heard about you.”

猫猫「猫猫です」

Maomao “Maomao desu.”

Maomao “I am Maomao.”

馬閃「これから屋敷に向かうが、お前はあくまでも私のお付きだ。いいな、勝手なことはするなよ」

Basen “Korekara yashikini mukauga, omaewa akumademo watashino otsukida. Iina, kattena kotowa suru-nayo.”

Basen “We’re heading to the mansion now, but remember, you’re my follower. Don’t do anything without my permission.”

猫猫「分かりました」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita.”

Maomao “Understood.”

馬閃「向こうに行けば、屋敷の下男が厨房を案内してくれる」

Basen “Mukoni ikeba, yashikino genanga chubo’o annai shite-kureru.”

Basen “Once we arrive, the servant there will show us to the kitchen.”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Understood.”

猫猫（さすが高順様。仕事が速い…。それにしても…見たことない武官だな。誰かに似ている気がするが…良く思われてなさそうだが、まあいいか）

Maomao (Sasuga Gaoshun-sama. Shigotoga hayai… Soreni-shitemo… Mita-koto-nai bukan dana. Darekani nite-iru kiga suruga… Yoku omowarete-nasaso-daga, maa iika.)

Maomao (Master Gaoshun sure does work fast. That aside… I’ve never seen this officer before. He looks familiar, though. He doesn’t seem to have a good impression of me. Oh, well.)

下男��こちらが厨房です。毒の一件以来、使われておりません」

Genan “Kochiraga chubo desu. Dokuno ikken-irai, tsukawa-rete orimasen.”

Servant “This is the kitchen. It hasn’t been used since the poison incident.”

馬閃「ん？おい！」

Basen “N? Oi!”

Basen “Hmm? Hey!”

役人の弟「勝手に入るな！出ていけ！何をしてる！」

Yakunin’no ototo “Katteni hairuna! Dete-ike! Nanio shiteru!”

The official’s younger brother “Who let you in here?! Get out! What are you doing?!”

下男「ああ…」

Servant “Aa…”

役人の弟「こんな奴らを連れてきたのはお前か！」

Yakunin’no ototo “Konna yatsurao tsurete kita-nowa omaeka!”

The official’s younger brother “Did you bring these people here?!”

馬閃「ちゃんと奥方に確認は取っています。それに、これは仕事ですので」

Basen “Chanto okugatani kakuninwa totte-imasu. Soreni, korewa shigoto desu-node.”

Basen “I’ve gotten permission from the mistress, and this is official business.”

役人の弟「それは本当か？」

Yakunin’no ototo “Sorewa hontoka?”

The official’s younger brother “Is that true?”

馬閃「入ってもよろしいか？それとも、何か不都合でも？」

Basen “Haittemo yoroshiika? Soretomo, nanika futsugo demo?”

Basen “May we continue? Or would that inconvenience you in some way?”

役人の弟「勝手にしろ！」

Yakunin’no ototo “Katteni shiro!”

The official’s younger brother “Whatever.”

猫猫「誰ですか？」

Maomao “Dare desuka?”

Maomao “Who is that?”

下男「旦那様の弟君です。旦那様が昏睡状態になって、奥方様も疲労で寝込んでしまい、弟君が屋敷を取り仕切っていまして…」

Genan “Danna-samano ototo-gimi desu. Danna-samaga konsui-jotaini natte, okugata-samamo hirode nekonde shimai, ototo-gimiga yashikio tori-shikitte imashite…”

Servant “That is the master’s younger brother. After the master fell into the coma, and the mistress took ill from fatigue, the younger brother manages the mansion.”

猫猫「そういうことですか…」

Maomao “So-iu koto desuka…”

Maomao “I see.”

猫猫「馬閃様」

Maomao “Basen-sama.”

Maomao “Master Basen.”

馬閃「ああ」

Basen “Aa.”

Basen “Yeah.”

猫猫（調理器具は、料理人が洗ってしまったらしい…他には…ん？）

Maomao (Chori-kiguwa, ryori-ninga aratte shimatta rashii… Hoka-niwa… N?)

Maomao (The cook washed all the cooking utensils. Other than that…)

猫猫「これは？」

Maomao “Korewa?”

Maomao “What is this?”

下男「ああ…旦那様が好きなやつだ。お気に入りで、よく食べておられましたので、毒はないと思いますが…」

Genan “Aa… Danna-samaga sukina yatsuda. Okini-iride, yoku tabete orare-mashita-node, dokuwa naito omoi-masuga…”

Servant “Ah, the master loved that. It’s his favorite. He ate it often. I don’t think it’s poisonous…”

猫猫（嘘はついてなさそうだな…）

Maomao (Usowa tsuite-nasaso-dana…)

Maomao (He doesn’t seem to be lying.)

役人の弟「だそうだ。終わったなら早く帰ってくれ」

Yakunin’no ototo “Da-soda. Owatta-nara hayaku kaette-kure.”

The official’s younger brother “So that’s that. If you’re done here, please leave.”

猫猫「そうですね。ご迷惑をおかけしました」

Maomao “Sodesune. Gomeiwakuo okake shimashita.”

Maomao “Indeed. Sorry to bother you.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

馬閃「なんで簡単に引き下がった？」

Basen “Nande kantanni hiki-sagatta?”

Basen “Why did you back down so easily?”

猫猫「引き下がったとは思っていません」

Maomao “Hiki-sagatta-towa omotte-imasen.”

Maomao “I don’t consider that backing down.”

馬閃「なっ…持ってきたのか！」

Basen “Na… Motte kita-noka!”

Basen “You brought it with you?”

猫猫「これ、不思議なんです。この海藻が採れる時期には、まだ少し早い。だからと言って、塩漬けにしたところで、今の時期までもつものでもありません」

Maomao “Kore, fushigi nan-desu. Kono kaisoga toreru jiki-niwa, mada sukoshi hayai. Dakarato-itte, shio-zukeni shita-tokorode, imano jiki-made motsu mono-demo arimasen.”

Maomao “This is strange. This seaweed isn’t in season quite yet. But even if salted and preserved from last year, it wouldn’t last this long.”

馬閃「なるほど」

Basen “Naruhodo.”

Basen “I see.”

猫猫「恐らくこの近辺で採れたものではないと思います。例えば、交易で南から仕入れたものだとか…どこから仕入れたか分かるとよいのですが…」

Maomao “Osoraku kono kinpende toreta mono-dewa naito omoi-masu. Tatoeba, koekide minami-kara shiireta monoda-toka… Doko-kara shiiretaka wakaruto yoino-desuga…”

Maomao “I don’t think it was gathered in our region. Perhaps it was imported from the south. It would be good if we could find out where it came from.”

馬閃「ハッ…」

Basen “Ha…”

猫猫（分かってくれたらしい…。なら、私も私のやるべきことをやろう）

Maomao (Wakatte kureta rashii… Nara, watashimo watashino yaru-beki-koto’o yaro.)

Maomao (I think he gets what I mean. In that case, I’ll do what I have to do.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「何だ？これは」

Jinshi “Nanda? Korewa.”

Jinshi “What’s this?”

猫猫「屋敷から持ってきた海藻です。事前に2つに分けて、水にさらしておきました」

Maomao “Yashiki-kara motte-kita kaiso desu. Jizenni futatsuni wakete, mizuni sarashite oki-mashita.”

Maomao “The seaweed I got from the mansion. I’ve split it into two and put it in some water.”

猫猫（なぜ壬氏様もいるのだろう…）

Maomao (Naze Jinshi-samamo iruno-daro…)

Maomao (Why is Master Jinshi here?)

馬閃「調べたところ、やはり海藻は、南方から持ち込まれたものでした。下男の証言では、主人が冬場にその海藻を食べることはなかったとのことでした」

Basen “Shirabeta tokoro, yahari kaisowa nanpo-kara mochi-komareta mono deshita. Genanno shogen-dewa, shujinga fuyubani sono kaiso’o taberu-kotowa nakatta tono-koto deshita.”

Basen “The seaweed was indeed imported from the south. According to the servant, the master never ate that seaweed in the winter.”

高順「料理人からも、普段使っている海藻と同じ種類で、毒のはずがないと」

Gaoshun “Ryori-nin karamo, fudan tsukatte-iru kaisoto onaji shuruide, dokuno hazuga naito.”

Gaoshun “The cook also said this is the same as the seaweed they normally use, and can’t be poisonous.”

猫猫「同じ海藻なら毒がない…というわけじゃないんです。もしかしたら、南ではあまりこの海藻は食べる習慣がないのかもしれません。美食家の役人の好物だと知った交易商が、金になると思って、わざわざ地元民に海藻の塩漬けを作らせたとしたら？」

Maomao “Onaji kaiso-nara dokuga nai…to-iu wakeja nain-desu. Moshika-shitara, minami-dewa amari kono kaisowa taberu shukanga naino-kamo shire-masen. Bishoku-kano yakunin’no kobutsu-dato shitta koeki-shoga, kaneni naruto omotte, waza-waza jimoto-min’ni kaisono shio-zukeo tsukura-seta-to shitara?”

Maomao “You can’t assume it’s not poisonous just because it’s the same seaweed. Maybe this seaweed isn’t eaten often in the south. Perhaps a merchant learned that it’s a favorite of this bureaucrat, and, looking to profit from that, went out of his way to get some locals to make a salted version of it?”

壬氏「それのどこが問題になるのだ？」

Jinshi “Soreno dokoga mondaini naru-noda?”

Jinshi “Why is that a problem?”

猫猫「世の中には、毒が無毒になることがあるんです。例えば、鰻には本来、毒がありますが、血を抜いたり、加熱することで食べられるようになります。この海藻の場合は、石灰水に漬けることが必要だったはずです。ここに用意したものは、石灰水に漬けたものと、そうでないものです」

Maomao “Yono-naka-niwa, dokuga mu-dokuni naru-kotoga arun-desu. Tatoeba, unagi-niwa honrai, dokuga ari-masuga, chio nuitari, kanetsu suru-kotode tabe-rareru-yoni narimasu. Kono kaisono baaiwa, sekkai-suini tsukeru-kotoga hitsuyo datta hazu desu. Kokoni yoi shita monowa, sekkai-suini tsuketa-monoto, sode-nai mono desu.”

Maomao “Sometimes, poisons can become not poisonous. For example, eels are originally poisonous, but by bleeding them out or cooking them, they become edible. In the case of this seaweed, I think it had to be soaked in limewater first. What I have here is one batch soaked in limewater, and one batch without that.”

3人「ぎょっ！」

San-nin ��Gyo!”

壬氏「何してる！」

Jinshi “Nani shiteru!”

Jinshi “What are you doing?!”

猫猫「大丈夫です、たぶん」

Maomao “Daijobu desu, tabun.”

Maomao “It’s fine. Probably.”

壬氏「たぶんって何だ！」

Jinshi “Tabuntte nanda!”

Jinshi “What do you mean, ‘probably’?!”

猫猫「ご安心を。ちゃんと嘔吐剤はここに…」

Maomao “Go-anshin’o. Chanto oto-zaiwa kokoni…”

Maomao “Don’t worry. I have an emetic agent right here-“

壬氏「自信満々に言うな！高順！」

Jinshi “Jishin man-man-ni iuna! Gaoshun!”

Jinshi “Don’t say that so proudly! Gaoshun!”

高順「はい！」

Gaoshun “Hai!”

Gaoshun “Yes.”

猫猫「ちょっ…」

Maomao “Cho…”

Maomao “Hey―”

壬氏「吐け―――！」

Jinshi “Hakeeeeeee!”

Jinshi “Vomit, now!”

猫猫（フウ…フウ…一夜漬け��無毒化できるかどうか、食べて検証するつもりだったのに）

Maomao (Fuu…fuu… Ichiya-zukede mudokuka dekiruka-doka, tabete kensho suru tsumori-datta-noni.)

Maomao (I wanted to test if the detoxification could be done overnight…)

猫猫「え――、気を取り直して。ここで問題なのですが、交易商人に海藻の塩漬けを持ってくるよう提案したのは、誰でしょうか？取り寄せたのが食べた当人であれば、ある意味、自業自得ですが…でも、もし、そうでないなら…食べる習慣のない地方から取り寄せれば、危険性が高いのは当たり前です」

Maomao “Eeeee, kio tori-naoshite. Kokode mondai nano-desuga, koeki-shoninni kaisono shio-zukeo motte-kuruyo teian shita-nowa, dare deshoka? Tori-yoseta-noga tabeta toninde areba, aru imi, jigo-jitoku desuga… Demo, moshi, so-de nai-nara… Taberu shukanno nai chiho-kara tori-yosereba, kiken-seiga takai-nowa atari-mae desu.”

Maomao “Um, back on topic. So, the issue is: who suggested that the trader bring the salted seaweed? If the one who ate it imported it himself, it’d be his own fault, in a sense. But, if he didn’t… Bringing it in from a region that doesn’t eat it is obviously taking a pretty big risk.”

高順「わかりました」

Gaoshun “Wakari-mashita.”

Gaoshun “I understand.”

猫猫（ここにいる者たちは賢い。これ以上言う必要はないだろう…とりあえずは一件落着かな）

Maomao (Kokoni iru mono-tachiwa kashikoi. Kore-ijo iu hitsuyowa nai-daro… Toriaezuwa ikken-rakuchaku kana.)

Maomao (The people here are smart. I don’t have to elaborate further. I guess that settles it for now.)

猫猫「ん？フフフフッ…」

Maomao “N? Fufufufu…”

壬氏「��ら！」

Jinshi “Kora!”

Jinshi “Hey!”

猫猫「うううう…」

Maomao “Uuuu…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

高順「結局、犯人は倒れた役人の弟でした。買い付け先を見つけたところで、自分が買ったと白状したそうです。動機は、次男の自分がないがしろにされて、長男を邪魔に思ったからだそうです。よくある話です」

Gaoshun “Kekkyoku, han’nin’wa taoreta yakuninno ototo deshita. Kaitsuke-sakio mitsuketa-tokorode, jibunga kattato hakujo shita-sodesu. Dokiwa, jinanno jibunga naigashironi sarete, chonan’o jamani omotta-karada-sodesu. Yoku aru hanashi desu.”

Gaoshun “The culprit was the official’s younger brother. When we found where he bought the seaweed, he confessed to being the one who’d purchased it. His motive was that, being the younger son, he wasn’t treated well. He wanted to remove his older brother from the picture. A commonplace story.”

猫猫「でも、そんな浅はかな理由で殺人を犯そうとした男が、どうやって海藻の毒を知ったんでしょう？」

Maomao “Demo, sonna asahakana riyude satsujin’o okasoto shita otokoga, do-yatte kaisono dokuo shittan-desho?”

Maomao “But how could a person who’d plot to murder someone for such a thoughtless reason have learned about the seaweed poison?”

高順「酒場で横に座った客から、偶然教わったそうです」

Gaoshun “Sakabade yokoni suwatta kyaku-kara, guzen osowatta-sodesu.”

Gaoshun “He happened to hear about it from a person sitting next to him at a tavern, apparently.”

猫猫「偶然、ねえ…」

Maomao “Guzen, nee…”

Maomao “‘Happened to,’ huh? Sure…”

猫猫「結局、毒の残っている海藻は食べられなかったな…」

Maomao “Kekkyoku, dokuno nokotte-iru kaisowa taberare-nakattana…”

Maomao “In the end, I didn’t get to try the poisonous seaweed…”

猫猫（それにしても、何に使おう～？あの、干からびた虫から伸びた枯葉色の茸…！薬酒にしようか？丸薬にしようか？ウフフフフフッ…）

Maomao (Soreni-shitemo, nanni tsukaooo? Ano hikarabita mushi-kara nobita kareha-irono kinoko…! Yaku-shu-ni shiyoka? Gan’yaku-ni shiyoka? Ufufufufufu…)

Maomao (By the way, what should I use it for? That mushroom the color of dry leaves growing from the dead insect! Should I make medicinal booze?! A pill?!)

猫猫「おかえりなさいませ」

Maomao “Okaeri-nasai-mase.”

Maomao “Welcome home!”

壬氏「んっ！んっ！」

Jinshi “N! N!”

猫猫「えっ…」

Maomao “E…”

高順「何事ですか？！」

Gaoshun “Nani-goto desuka?!”

Gaoshun “What’s going on?!”

猫猫（私のせいじゃない！）

Maomao (Watashino seija nai!)

Maomao (It’s not my fault.)

壬氏「ハア…」

Jinshi “Haa…”

水蓮「お疲れのようですね」

Suiren “Otsukareno yo-desune.”

Suiren “You seem tired.”

壬氏「仕事が溜まってるんだが、どうにもウマが合わない相手がいて、意見が違ってしまうのだ」

Jinshi “Shigotoga tamatte-rundaga, do-nimo umaga awanai aitega ite, ikenga chigatte shimau-noda.”

Jinshi “I have so much work piled up, but there’s someone I just don’t get along with. We just can’t see eye-to-eye.”

猫猫「壬氏様にも苦手な方がいるのですね」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama-nimo nigatena kataga iruno-desune.”

Maomao “I never would have thought you’d ever have trouble with people.”

壬氏「相手は頭の切れる軍部の高官だ。家柄は良いのに、四十を過ぎて妻帯もせず、甥御を養子にとって家の管理を任せている。有名な変人だ…」

Jinshi “Aitewa atamano kireru gunbuno kokanda. Ie-garawa yoi-noni, shiju’o sugite saitaimo sezu, oigo’o yoshini totte ieno kanrio makasete-iru. Yumeina henjinda…”

Jinshi “This man’s a razor-sharp high official in the military. He comes from a good family, but even though he’s past forty, he hasn’t married. He adopted his nephew as his son and has him handle his household. A famous weirdo.”

猫猫（四十を過ぎた軍部の高官で…変人？）

Maomao (Shiju’o sugita gunbuno kokande…hen-jin?)

Maomao (A forty-plus, high-ranking military officer… and weirdo?)

壬氏「興味のあるものといえば、もっぱら、碁と将棋と噂話。難癖をつけては突撃してきて、案件の判を押すのを先延ばしにしてくる。どうも、標的にされたらしい…このところ、毎日執務室に居座られて…」

Jinshi “Kyomino aru monoto ieba, moppara, goto shogito uwasa-banashi. Nan-kuseo tsuketewa totsugeki shite-kite, ankenno han’o osuno’o saki-nobashini shite-kuru. Domo, hyotekini sareta rashii… Kono tokoro, mai-nichi shitsumu-shitsuni isuwa-rarete…”

Jinshi “His only interests are go, shogi, and rumors. He files complaints, barges in, and keeps extending deadlines on decisions that need to be made. I think he has it out for me for some reason. He’s been camping in my office for several days in a row.”

猫猫（…よし！忘れよう～！思い出しても、ろくなことにならない）

Maomao (…Yoshi! Wasureyooo! Omoi-dashitemo, rokuna kotoni nara-nai.)

Maomao (Okay, let’s forget about this! No good can come from dwelling on this.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（…しかし、まあ…忘れたところで、いつもの嫌な予感は当たるのだが…）

Maomao (…Shikashi, maa… Wasureta tokorode, itsumono Iyana yokanwa ataruno-daga…)

Maomao (However, no matter how hard I try to forget, as usual, my bad hunches are correct.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「案件はもう通ったはずですが…」

Jinshi “Ankenwa mo tootta hazu desuga…”

Jinshi “This matter was settled already.”

羅漢「冬に花見は難しい…ならばこちらでと思いましてな…」

Rakan “Fuyuni hanamiwa muzukashii… Naraba kochirade-to omoi-mashitena…”

Lakan “Flower viewing in the winter is difficult. I thought this would be better instead.”

壬氏（この男の名は、羅漢。軍師をやっている。どうやら、突っかかってくる理由は、緑青館に縁のある猫猫を下女にしたことにあるらしい…）

Jinshi (Kono otokono nawa, Rakan. Gunshi’o yatteiru. Do-yara, tsukkakatte-kuru riyuwa, Rokushokanni enno aru Maomao’o gejoni shita-kotoni aru-rashii…)

Jinshi (This man is Lakan. He is a strategist. It seems like the reason he’s confronting me is because I made Maomao, who is connected to the Verdigris House, my servant.)

羅漢「そういえば、緑青館に昔、なじみがいましてね」

Rakan “So-ieba, Rokushokanni mukashi, najimiga imashitene.”

Lakan “Come to think of it, I have an old acquaintance in the Verdigris House.”

壬氏（…意外な話だ。色恋など全く興味ないのかと思っていたが…）

Jinshi (…Igaina hanashida. Irokoi-nado mattaku kyomi nai-nokato omotte-itaga…)

Jinshi (That’s unexpected. I thought he had no interest in romance.)

壬氏「どんな妓女ですか？」

Jinshi “Donna gijo desuka?”

Jinshi “What kind of courtesan is she?”

羅漢「フッ…」

Rakan “Fu…”

壬氏（ハッ…つい聞いてしまった）

Jinshi (Ha… Tsui kiite shimatta.)

Jinshi (Shoot, I asked without thinking.)

羅漢「いい妓女でしたよ…碁と将棋が得意で、将棋では勝てるが、碁では負けてばかりだった」

Rakan “Ii gijo deshitayo… Goto shogiga tokuide, shogi-dewa kateruga, go-dewa makete-bakari datta.”

Lakan “She was a good courtesan. She was very good at go and shogi. I could beat her in shogi, but never in go.”

壬氏「軍師殿を負かすとは…それは強かったのでしょう」

Jinshi “Gunshi-dono’o makasu-towa… Sorewa tsuyo-kattano-desho.”

Jinshi “Defeating our master strategist? She must have been good.”

羅漢「あれほど面白い女にはもう会えないだろうと、身請けも考えましたが…世の中うまくいかないものでね。物好きの金持ちが2人、競い合うように値を釣り上げていった」

Rakan “Are-hodo omoshiroi onna’niwa mo aenai-daroto, miukemo kangae-mashitaga… Yono-naka umaku ikanai mono-dene. Mono-zukino kane-mochiga futari, kisoi-au-yoni ne’o tsuri-agete-itta.”

Lakan “I considered buying her out, since I felt I would never meet another woman as interesting as her. But sometimes, things just don’t work out. Two rich men with curious tastes endlessly tried to outbid each other.”

壬氏「それはそれは…」

Jinshi “Sorewa sorewa…”

Jinshi “Is that so?”

壬氏（時に、妓女の身請け金は、離宮が一つ建つほどの額になるという）

Jinshi (Tokini, gijono miuke-kinwa, rikyuga hitotsu tatsu-hodono gakuni naruto iu.)

Jinshi (It’s said, at times, buying out a courtesan could cost about as much as a small palace.)

羅漢「変わり者の妓女でしてね…」

Rakan “Kawari-monono gijo deshitene…”

Lakan “She was a strange courtesan.”

壬氏（しかし、そんな話をして、何が言いたいのか…）

Jinshi (Shikashi, sonna hanashio shite, naniga iitai-noka…)

Jinshi (Where is he trying to go with this story?)

羅漢「芸は売れど、身は売らず。それどころか、客を客とも思わない。客に茶を注ぐ時も、下賤の民に施しを与えるような、尊大な目で見ておりました。しかし、それにうつつを抜かす物好きもいるもので…かくいう私も、その一人なのですが…背筋にゾクゾクッとくる感覚がたまらないものでして…」

Rakan “Geiwa uredo, miwa urazu. Sore-dokoroka, kyaku’o kyaku-tomo omowa-nai. Kyakuni cha’o sosogu-tokimo, gesenno tamini hodokoshi’o ataeru-yona, sondaina mede mite-orimashita. Shikashi, soreni utsutsu’o nukasu mono-zukimo iru-monode… Kaku-iu watashimo, sono hitori nano-desuga… Sesujini zoku-zokutto kuru kankakuga tamaranai mono deshite…”

Lakan “She would sell her skills, but never herself. In fact, she didn’t treat guests as customers at all. Even when pouring tea, she had an arrogant look, like she was being charitable to a lowly peasant. But there were many with curious tastes who were head over heels for her. Myself among them, naturally. That chill down my spine was truly irresistible.”

壬氏「う…」

Jinshi “U…”

羅漢「フッ。いつか押し倒してみたいと思っていたものですよ。フフフッ、フフフッ…。結局その妓女を諦めきれず、仕方なく少々汚い手を使いました」

Rakan “Fu. Itsuka oshi-taoshite-mitaito omotte-ita mono desuyo. Fufufu, fufufu… Kekkyoku sono gijo’o akirame-kirezu, shikata-naku sho-sho kitanai teo tsukai-mashita.”

Lakan “Oh, how I wanted to try to force myself on her one day. In the end, I couldn’t give up on her, so I had no choice but to use a bit of a dirty trick.”

壬氏「というと？」

Jinshi “To-iuto?”

Jinshi “Meaning?”

羅漢「高くて手が出せないなら、安くなれば問題ないわけでして…希少価値を下げたんですよ。どんな方法か、知りたいですか？」

Rakan “Takakute tega dasenai-nara, yasuku nareba mondai-nai wake-deshite… Kisho-kachi’o sagetan-desuyo. Donna hohoka shiritai desuka?”

Lakan “If something’s too expensive, you simply lower its value. I made her less exquisite. Do you know how I did that?”

壬氏「ここまで来てもったいぶるのですか？」

Jinshi “Koko-made kite mottai-buruno-desuka?”

Jinshi “Why play hard-to-get all of a sudden?”

羅漢「フッ。フフッ。…まあ、その前にちょっと、頼みたいことがあるんですが」

Rakan “Fu. Fufu. …Maa, sono maeni chotto, tanomitai kotoga arun-desuga.”

Lakan “Well, before I get into that, I have a favor to ask.”

壬氏「何ですか？一体」

Jinshi “Nan-desuka? Ittai.”

Jinshi “What is it?”

羅漢「そちらに最近入った下女というのが、なかなか面白いようで…妙に謎解きが得意なようですな？ああ…私の知人に、宮廷御用達の彫金細工師がいたんですよ…そいつが先日、ぽっくり逝ってしまった…ちゃんと後継者を指名しないままにね…。やつには3人の子供がいて、弟子にしていたんですが…秘伝と言える技術を伝えぬまま逝ってしまったのが、不憫でねえ…。きっと彼の思わせぶりな遺言が、何かの手がかりだと思うんです。それが引っかかっていてねえ…」

Rakan “Sochirani saikin haitta gejoto iu-noga, naka-naka omoshiroi-yode… Myoni nazo-tokiga tokuina yo-desuna? Aa… Watashino chijin’ni, kyutei-goyotashino chokin-zaikushiga itan-desuyo. Soitsuga senjitsu, pokkuri itte shimatta… Chanto kokeisha’o shimei shinai-mama-nine. Yatsu-niwa san-nin’no kodomoga ite, deshini shite-itan-desuga…hidento ieru gijutsu’o tsutaenu-mama itte shimatta-noga, fubinde-nee. Kitto kareno omowase-burina yuigonga, nanikano tegakari-dato omoun-desu. Sorega hikkakatte-itenee…”

Lakan “I heard that the servant girl you hired recently is quite intriguing. They say she has a strange knack for solving puzzles. I was acquainted with a metalworker who was the palace purveyor. He suddenly passed away a few days ago, and failed to name a proper successor. He had three children who were also his apprentices. Unfortunately, he died before passing on his secret techniques to his children. He left a puzzling will, which might be a hint. That’s been bothering me for a while.”

壬氏「何が言いたいのでしょうか？」

Jinshi “Naniga iitaino-deshoka?”

Jinshi “Where are you going with this?”

羅漢「いや？何、大したことではない…その秘伝の技術を知るすべがないかと思ったまでです…ああ、例えば…頭の回る、そちらの下女が調べてくれやしないものかと…」

Rakan “Iya? Nani, taishita koto-dewa nai… Sono hidenno gijutsuo shiru subega naikato omotta-made-desu… Aa, tatoeba…atamano mawaru, sochirano gejoga shirabete kureya shinai-monoka-to…”

Lakan “Nowhere special, really. I just wonder if there’s some way to learn that secret technique. Perhaps, for example, by having your clever servant girl take a look.”

壬氏「フウ…とりあえず、話だけでも聞かせてもらえないでしょうか」

Jinshi “Fu… Toriaezu, hanashi dake-demo kikasete morae-nai-deshoka.”

Jinshi “Well… I suppose I could hear the whole story.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「…よく降るなあ…」

Maomao “…Yoku furu-naa…”

Maomao “That’s a lot of rain.”

(Continue to episode 16)

#apothecary english #apothecary romaji #the apothecary diaries #apothecary diaries #薬屋のひとりごと #薬屋　英語　学習 #薬屋のひとりごと　英語 #learning japanese

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