172 - The Great Northern Nation
――Clara Bloomer was standing on the deck, holding her staff and letting out a sigh.
"I've done it now..."
Overcome by the euphoria following her growth, Clara had unleashed a torrent of sharp-tongued remarks on everyone around her, and now she stood there, head bowed in regret.
"In times like this, I really envy Eva-san the elf and Mei of the Kirin. They say they don't change much even after growing... and it seems Novem-san and Shannon-chan don't change much either."
While Lyell was the most conspicuous, Aria's Miranda and Clara had also repeated their mistakes after growing.
Following the Tra-Sea subjugation, everyone had felt a change in their physical condition immediately afterward. While none of them had been bedridden, Clara, who had spent her post-growth high provoking those around her, was too depressed to stay in her room.
She didn't think they actually cared, but for some reason, she just didn't want to go back.
Aria and Miranda were currently in their room, sleeping under blankets. That was why Clara had left the room and come to the deck.
"This post-growth euphoria... I want to find a way to suppress it."
Even if one tried to hold it back, it wasn't something that could be easily suppressed. That was why so many people caused problems.
It was common to mass-produce a past one would rather forget, and it was considered proper manners for those around them to watch over them with warm eyes.
As Clara stood there in her dark mood, someone called out to her from behind. It was Vera.
She was holding a bright red parasol, with one hand resting on her hip.
"Oh? Was it Clara? Why are you alone?"
Clara turned around and answered honestly.
"I just don't want to face my companions right now. Do you understand this feeling?"
Upon hearing this, Vera seemed to understand and nodded. Then, Clara noticed the luggage in the hand Vera had resting on her hip.
"What is that box?"
"This? Ah, it's a spare gun, I was thinking of giving it to Lyell... Ah, that guy, his weapons are just mass-produced sabers, right? I have several spares. I wonder if he'll be happy? It's just... I haven't been able to face him lately..."
Seeing Vera become more talkative, Clara was astonished. After all, Vera had looked away and seemed slightly flustered when mentioning Lyell's name.
(This person is really falling for him. Lyell-san is uselessly competent, after all.)
Then, Clara looked at the box Vera was holding.
"A gun? I'm interested too, but I've hesitated because I don't have the knowledge to handle one. I don't think Lyell-san has that kind of knowledge either... or does he?"
There were several times when Clara wondered how Lyell knew certain things.
She had seen him take actions that couldn't be explained simply by him being "excellent." If that were the case, it wouldn't be strange for him to have knowledge of guns.
"Are you interested? I see... then, come to my room."
"Eh?"
And so, Clara headed to Vera's room. Once inside, Vera took several boxes out of her luggage and placed them on the table.
They were revolver-style guns, smaller than the one Vera carried. Additionally, she handed over about three boxes of ammunition.
"I'll give them to you."
"No, um... I can't accept something so expensive."
To Clara's protest, Vera replied with a smile.
"It's a forward investment. My trading company handles the ammunition for those guns. Besides, if a promising party can use them, it's a bargain."
Having accepted them, Clara took a gun out of the box and tried aiming it.
"It's small, but it's still a magic tool. I can't tell you what skills are attached, but it reduces the recoil. You can handle it with one hand. Ah, don't point it at people. Also—"
Vera briefly taught Clara how to use it, and then the two went out to sea to actually test the gun. The gun Clara received had less power than Vera's, but it was sufficient for self-defense.
And so, Clara continued to learn how to handle the gun from Vera until the sun set—.
To the north of Vanseim, there is a nation that has been hostile for a long time.
The nation called 【Cartaphus】 is a country placed in a harsh environment. It has invaded the wealthy Vanseim to the south many times.
Of course, Vanseim has fought back, so the two nations exist in a state of mutual hostility.
However, they haven't been very active recently, and from Vanseim's perspective, it was recognized as a country they had fought in the past.
The Vera Trace arrived as scheduled at a port town in Cartaphus.
As I descended the gangplank, the crew members waved to me from the ship.
"Good luck, Lyell-san!"
"Tell us some stories when you come back, Lyell-san!"
"We're counting on you, Lyell-san!"
Every single one of them... Lyell-san, Lyell-san... I know it's just my paranoia, but I felt like clutching my head and rolling on the ground.
Standing on solid ground for the first time in a while, I still felt as if I were swaying slightly.
"Sigh... well, now I'll head to the guild where I sent the request, and then I'll go subjugate the Land Dragon."
While everyone else nodded at me, Clara alone tugged on my sleeve.
"Lyell-san, could you please greet Vera-san? She's by the gangplank."
Looking toward the gangplank, I saw Vera-san, who had disembarked from the ship, holding her parasol in one hand and luggage in the other.
She was holding an expensive-looking box and avoiding my gaze.
"Me? I already did that... is it okay?"
Told by Clara, I went over to Vera-san and was handed an expensive box. It was a relatively large box, and I felt a heavy weight when I received it.
"Eh, um?"
As I stood there confused...
"I'll give that to you. I received the magic stones, and it would be tasteless to only give the reward... a-and, I thought I could do at least this much."
"Hah, is that so? I received additional rewards, so for my part, I had no complaints."
As I looked at the box, Vera-san told me, "Try opening it."
When I opened it as told, there was a black, expensive-looking gun inside. It was a revolver, and as I thought I had seen the shape somewhere before...
"Is this a different color from yours, Vera-san?"
Vera-san replied to me.
"You can just call me Vera. It's not so much a different color as it is made of the rare metal gold. Yours is also a rare metal... well, it's just a spare. T-there's no deep meaning to it."
As I gazed at the gun, the Seventh's voice spoke.
『...If it's a rare metal, that means it's a durable magic tool with engraved skills. It definitely wasn't cheap.』
The Fifth added.
『Twelve rounds... how much does a single shot cost? This is definitely a weapon for the rich.』
I thought so too, but since she was giving it to me, I decided to take it. Part of me wanted to try using one, and it wouldn't hurt to have it.
"Thank you. I'm... I'm happy."
When I said that, Vera-san hid her face with her parasol and climbed back up the gangplank.
"Right. Well, do your best. I think we'll depart in three weeks, so make sure you're back here by then."
After I replied, Vera-san quickly disappeared into the ship.
"...I wonder if she really is angry?"
The Fourth responded to my thought.
『This time was a failure. Well, it would be a lie to say you weren't aiming for it, but it's not a problem. You've got a big prize this time, after all.』
While reflecting on the fact that I had angered her after growing, I looked forward to seeing how much the Tra-Sea materials would be bought for.
(I'd be happy if it was two or three thousand gold coins.)
As I thought that and headed toward my companions, the Third sighed in exasperation.
『...Sigh, you're completely hopeless. Is the Fourth only good at flattering people?』
He let out a sigh.
In Cartaphus, we visited the guild where we had put in the request to subjugate the Land Dragon.
However, what we were told there was—.
"Y-you can't buy it!?"
"I-I am very sorry."
The bespectacled male employee apologized to me as I leaned forward over the counter. When I asked for the reason...
"Um... I understand that these are materials from a Trident Sea Serpent. However, at the scale of this guild, we do not handle materials from monsters of this magnitude, and furthermore, in the case of a Trident Sea Serpent, we don't know what criteria to use for the purchase price..."
Since they had never handled them before, the guild didn't know the purchase price either.
Miranda, who had visited the guild with me, asked the employee.
"Isn't this the largest guild in Cartaphus? Won't they buy it?"
The employee looked apologetic.
"Anyone can buy it. However, the fair price is the problem... besides, it hasn't been determined what the materials are suitable for, nor is it known if they can actually be processed and used. Most guilds would want to avoid handling them because both parties would end up dissatisfied. Moreover, the guild policy in Cartaphus is not as flexible as others."
Being stricter with discipline than others was a characteristic of Cartaphus. It seemed this policy was adopted by all guilds within Cartaphus.
"If it were magic stones, it might have been five thousand or ten thousand gold coins. However, materials depend on future research. Furthermore, since they are materials that cannot be obtained stably, they aren't something Cartaphus desperately needs... A-ah! You came from Beim, right? Then, it's best to take them back to Beim! Even so, I don't know how much they would be worth there."
The Tra-Sea materials that I had worked so hard for, and which I was sure would sell for a high price...
They were rare, but I was told they didn't know how to use them.
(That's why Vera-san checked so many times and told me I should stop.)
In my high-tension state, perhaps because I didn't want to give up the crown, I had rejected that proposal.
As securing funds suddenly became difficult, the Third spoke.
『Well, you defeated the Tra-Sea, so your name will probably spread, so it's not a problem, right? It's a small price to pay if you think of it as putting the Trace family in your debt. Besides, the Tra-Sea wasn't in the original plan.』
Now that he mentioned it, the plan was indeed to make a name for myself by defeating the Land Dragon. I had thought about earning money after that.
(True, if I think of it that way...)
I said to the guild employee.
"Then, I'll take the materials back to Beim. Regarding the Land Dragon..."
The male employee looked relieved.
"Since you are the ones who defeated the Trident Sea Serpent, I can entrust this to you with confidence. Looking at the map, the location is here."
The employee took out a map and showed me the location.
He told me they would provide a guide to get there.
"A local adventurer?"
"Yes. Um... excuse my bluntness, but that place has its own rules. You've come to subjugate the monster, but many guild members and adventurers dislike it when those unspoken rules are broken."
Miranda put her hand on her chin.
"That's true, they would hate it. Besides, it's better to have a guide. Lyell, I think we should hire them, don't you? And they are trustworthy, right?"
At Miranda's gaze, the male employee nodded.
"They are an adventurer party that we rely on here. There is no doubt that they are excellent."
He told me he would call them to the guild as guides by tomorrow, and so we returned to the inn to rest for the day.
At night.
While sleeping at the inn, I came inside the orb for the first time in a while.
I stood before my room with my arms crossed, wondering if I should enter or if I should avoid getting involved from now on.
Behind me, the successive heads were talking about the current request.
The Third recalled the conversation at the guild.
『"Unable to defeat a Land Dragon but excellent," huh... I think that's a bit vague.』
The Fourth was more surprised by the low value of the Tra-Sea materials.
『It's a famous monster. Why are the materials so cheap even after defeating it? True, you can't just tear it apart and make a taxidermy, but it should still have some value.』
The Seventh looked at the Fourth with exasperation.
『It's enough that it's known Lyell defeated it. That alone had value. Well, there's no problem if we just go back and sell it in Beim. However, the Cartaphus guild is, how should I put it...』
The Fifth picked up on the Seventh's question.
『They seem stiff. You could say that's a good thing, but it worked against us this time. It might be better than buying something just because it's rare, though. You could also say they're too conservative.』
The Third didn't know much about Cartaphus. After all, when the Third was alive, it was a very distant country.
『More importantly, Cartaphus and Vanseim were at war, right? Was it a draw? Do they still have skirmishes?』
The one who answered was the Seventh.
『They haven't been at war recently. It was far from our territory, so we never sent reinforcements, but perhaps they still have small skirmishes? Even when I was alive, there were only two large-scale wars.』
Should I think that two was a lot, or that it was only two... I felt that it was better not to mention I was from Vanseim.
In front of the door.
I approached and opened the door just a little.
Peeking through the narrow gap, I saw Celes's eyes peering back at me with blue pupils.
『Oh, aren't you coming in? You coward!』
"Gyaaaa!!"
I tried to close the door in a hurry, but Celes's hand reached out and stopped it. When I hurriedly tried to kick her hand away, she pulled it back while giggling.
Closing the door while out of breath, I stepped away from it.
『What are you doing, Lyell? If you're that curious, you should just go in.』
When the Seventh said that to me, the Fifth added.
『The only ones who haven't gone in there are the Fourth and you.』
When I looked at the Fourth, he was looking down, adjusting his glasses with trembling fingers.
『...Everyone has something they're not good with. I don't have the courage to stand before an angry wife.』
I wondered how terrified he was, but I too had fled in surprise from Celes.
"Anyway, why is Celes in my memory room?"
The Third crossed his arms, with a slightly serious expression.
『I don't know. Well, there might be some progress eventually, so for now, let's think about the next job.』
With his usual aloof smile, the Third said that.
――Alamsars.
An automaton wearing a tailcoat prepared tea and offered it to its master.
The master, Celes, enjoyed the aroma before taking a sip.
「It's lovely. It tastes quite delicious. It's entertaining to watch you serve me with all your heart and soul, even while hating me.」
Near Celes, who was relaxing in a luxurious room, sat a girl with black hair reaching the floor, lounging vaguely on a sofa.
Her eyes were hidden by her hair, and only her nose and mouth were visible.
A male automaton in the style of a butler with short red hair spoke.
「I am not pleased even when praised. This is simply the expected result. Honestly, if it were just a matter of not being worth serving, it would be one thing, but I curse my own existence for being used by someone who harbors such emotions.」
As the automaton said this, Celes giggled.
Then, she looked around the room.
There, scholars who held power in the academic city were looking at Celes with admiration.
「I like it. I hated that that piece of trash had something I didn't, but this is far more wonderful than the maid he had.」
Then, the academy director spoke happily.
「Thank you. This automaton was revived using the full power of the academy. Unlike the maid type, one of its characteristics is that it possesses many functions from the start.」
Celes's automaton.
Named 【Bart】, he spoke resentfully.
「It is offensive to be compared to a fake made in a country that can only imitate. To be compared to such a failure... how unpleasant.」
A tall butler in his twenties――he stood straight, his expression truly resentful.
Celes laughed.
「Then, will you destroy Lyell's automaton? I don't mind. Though, I don't know where it is.」
Bart looked at the laughing Celes expressionlessly.
「No thank you. My purpose is to serve you. No matter how much hatred I may feel, however.」
Celes finished her tea and reached for a sweet, popping it into her mouth with an unrefined gesture.
The sweets Bart made were delicious, and she ate them with her cheeks puffed out, wearing a cute smile befitting her age.
Bart said.
「How unrefined. Your mouth is dirty.」
Saying so, he immediately and gently wiped Celes's mouth with a handkerchief. As if to say that serving with all one's might is what an automaton does, regardless of whether they are hated or the master is detestable.
Celes let out a sigh.
「Delicious tea and sweets... but I really wanted to meet Professor Damian. I never thought he'd run away, saying he was diving into a labyrinth. Thanks to that, I went down to the fiftieth basement floor and defeated the boss. And, I killed the guild employees because they made me angry.」
Celes made a cute gesture, sticking out her tongue.
However, even hearing this, the dignitaries of Alamsars said.
「Well, if we investigate, it might be that it's now deeper than the fiftieth basement floor.」
「As long as the labyrinth doesn't disappear, there is no problem. Besides, we feel nothing but gratitude that Celes-sama subjugated it for us.」
「Even so, Damian... that man is permanently banished from Alamsars.」
While looking at the happy dignitaries, the black-haired girl whispered.
「...She was killing dozens of people while laughing. Celes-sama wasn't even angry.」
At those words, Celes looked at the black-haired girl.
「I wasn't angry. But I didn't like their attitude. Besides, it's important to give a punishment to those who make me do useless things. Well, there are plenty of replacements for guild employees.」
At those words, Bart said.
「To turn all the guild employees into a bloodbath and have such a reaction... Honestly, why did I end up with such an unpleasant master... In that case, being a gravedigger would have been somewhat better.」
Celes's face grinned as she remembered the employees crying and begging for forgiveness at the end.
「Now, I wonder what kind of game I should play next.」
Laughing in Alamsars, Celes gently stroked the hilt of the rapier in her hand, thinking of her next game.
There, a yellow orb was shining――.