5 - Monster
I was terribly exhausted, but when I woke up, I fought back the sleepiness to eat breakfast.
The breakfast served at the inn didn't look appetizing, to put it politely, but it was warm, and perhaps because my body craved it, it tasted delicious as I ate.
Seeing me like this, Novem seemed relieved.
"You seemed terribly exhausted yesterday, but you look alright today. Your complexion isn't bad, either."
I've been completely dependent on Novem's care since I woke up.
I let her wash my face, brush my teeth, and even set my hair. A few times, I heard the First Generation's voice shouting, but most of it was telling me not to rely on Novem.
For some reason, he seems quite concerned about Novem.
It's not just the First Generation.
From the Fourth Generation back—the First, Second, and Third—the Fourth Generation also seems to be somewhat soft on Novem.
From the Fifth Generation onward, perhaps because Novem's family is a house of vassals, they say nothing even while she takes care of me.
"I feel like the fatigue hasn't fully left me, but I'm better than yesterday. We're moving all day today, so let's finish our shopping and wait for the wagon at the entrance."
"That is a good idea. We have water bottles, but we must buy some preserved food and consumables."
Novem has things prepared, but I have almost no luggage. Even for traveling, the peddler mentioned that my gear was too light.
"We should get whatever we can here, and in the next town, we'll have to pick out some weapons."
Right now, I'm unarmed.
There were things like hatchets in Zel's hut, but no knives. Carrying such things is a bit... well, I intend to buy some somewhere.
"I wonder if they have sabers?"
Novem's face looked a bit troubled. She probably remembered the saber I used to use.
"If it's not a masterpiece, I believe they will have some. However, as for the quality of the weapons, I cannot say much..."
Novem looked apologetic, but she originally studied holy-attribute magic. Unlike me, she has focused entirely on being a mage, making her a complex and skilled holy-attribute mage.
Though, she can use other magic as well.
"Didn't you bring your staff? The staff Novem had was a magic tool, right?"
A magic tool is a weapon that seals a skill inside. It is used when one wishes to use multiple skills, whereas an individual normally only possesses one.
Nowadays, these have become more mainstream than Orbs.
"I am sorry. I left that at the House Foxus. Since it is practically a family heirloom, I felt it would be improper for me to take it personally. However, although my magic does not reach the level of Riel-sama, I have studied. I will show you that I can be useful."
"I-I see."
The Five Greats and Two Heavens.
That is the foundation of magic.
In addition to the five great attributes of [Fire], [Water], [Earth], [Wind], and [Lightning], there are two attributes known as the Two Heavens, [Holy] and [Dark].
Among nobles, there are not a few who can master these as mages. However, nowadays, those from the upper class are the mages, and others—especially those from Knight-Baron houses—include nobles who cannot use magic.
The attribute one excels in differs by individual, but basically, if one is a mage, they can handle all attributes.
It's just that Novem has trained as a specialist.
She's so diligent... what a good girl.
I heard the First Generation's voice. Once he learned that Novem was from the House Foxus, which had helped them, he was clearly making biased remarks.
Summarizing the stories from the First Generation and the others, it seems House Walt owes an extraordinary debt to the House Foxus.
However, perhaps due to the flow of time, House Walt now treats the House Foxus as vassals. Apparently, the First Generation and the others cannot forgive this.
In particular, the Second and Fourth Generations seem to have been helped quite a lot, and they are noisy about telling me to cherish Novem.
Riel, why don't you try a bit harder on your own? You're relying on Novem-chan too much.
The Second Generation said that, but I didn't know what I was supposed to do.
(Or rather, since they've been helped for generations, I'm probably not the only one relying on them...)
I couldn't exactly have a conversation with my ancestors in front of Novem, so I continued talking while ignoring them.
"Today we'll stop by a nearby village, and after that, we'll arrive at our destination town. Let's leave the territory on foot from there."
Novem looked reluctant at my suggestion.
"That would be fine, but if possible, let us depart together with the group of peddlers. Two people alone would stand out and make us targets."
It seems my opinion was poor. The First Generation also chimed in.
Why don't you know something so basic! Hey, this guy was raised way too much like a sheltered brat. The men of House Walt are supposed to sell themselves on their wildness!
But the Second Generation talked back to that opinion.
Shut up! You're not wild, you're just an idiot!
You bastard! What's with that attitude toward your father! Come outside!
I can't go outside, you idiot!
(Ugh, so noisy...)
Before departing, I bought the tools for traveling in the post town.
We left the post town, stayed one night in a village, and arrived at the town the next day.
The town at the edge of the House Walt territory also served as a relay point connecting the House Walt territory with other territories. Therefore, a fort existed nearby for defense purposes.
The number of soldiers was also higher than in other towns.
We arrived in town in the evening, and the peddlers thanked us.
This was because we helped the peddlers in the village we stopped at along the way. Mainly, Novem had helped efficiently.
As for me, I helped a little... or rather, I was mostly just watching.
"Thank you for helping us in the village along the way. No monsters appeared, but please think of this as a fee for your trouble."
Saying so, he handed over copper coins.
"Thank you very much."
I was the one who received them, but it was Novem who returned the thanks.
"Big Brother, you certainly caught yourself a thoughtful young lady. I'm quite envious."
"H-haah..."
When I gave an ambiguous reply, the Fourth Generation raised his voice.
This is where you say something like that to earn Novem-chan's affection! Can't you at least say she's too good for you!
But then, the Fifth Generation muttered.
You just can't settle down unless you say things like that because your mother made you suffer quite a bit, right? Honestly...
(What is with these people? Or rather, are these people really my ancestors?)
It's not that I didn't want to acknowledge them, but I still had one or two things I wanted to say.
"If you're heading for your destination, Darion, wagons bound for the Royal Capital should be leaving from the large city. You'll be safe once you get there, but please be careful. House Walt is thorough with monster extermination, but there are many dangerous places in other territories."
While thanking the peddler for the explanation, we parted ways, and Novem and I decided to look for an inn.
Since I didn't have the luxury of shopping today, I intended to spend about two or three days at the inn and make preparations.
The reason for this was that I—or rather, the Orb—had a problem.
Apparently, because a skill manifested in me, the skill slots of the Orb were filled. The Third Generation said that by containing eight skills, the Orb had become a [Jewel Orb].
Until now, I had only used the skills, but the effect of being able to speak with my ancestors, the previous users, was also an effect of the Jewel Orb.
(As far as I'm concerned, they're just noisy...)
However, the Jewel Orb was not perfect. Naturally, conversations with those ancestors and the use of skills required a driving force.
For that, it used my magic power.
(The reason I haven't been able to recover from fatigue recently is because of the unfamiliar journey and the Jewel Orb.)
In other words, the reason I've become prone to fatigue is that magic power is consumed every time the ancestors chime in. Dust piles up to become a mountain.
"Riel-sama, wouldn't this place be suitable? The price is reasonable for the facilities."
Since Novem found an inn for me, I decided to follow her lead. Or rather, I didn't know the difference between good and bad. They all looked the same.
"I hope there's a bath."
"I am sorry. This is also the type of inn where you borrow hot water in a bucket."
When Novem looked apologetic, the Fourth Generation snapped.
You're always talking about luxuries like that!
(Stop it. When you shout that loudly, my magic power keeps decreasing.)
The sensation of having my magic power consumed by others was truly unpleasant. It was taxing both mentally and physically.
Once I fell asleep at the inn, I was in the room I had been summoned to before.
The room that appears when summoned into the Jewel Orb is apparently something like a created image.
It is the room where I converse with my ancestors, but at the same time, it feels like I'm dreaming.
The noisy group gathered to talk, and today it seemed there was an important topic.
I've thought about it in my own way, and actually, there's something that comes to mind—
When the First Generation said that, the Second Generation cut in.
Unable to have his opinion heard, the barbarian-style First Generation became sulky.
More importantly, why don't we decide on some rules for conversation? At this rate, Riel is going to collapse, isn't he?
Perhaps worried about my magic power, my grandfather agreed with the Second Generation's opinion.
You lot are too noisy! What will you do if my grandson collapses!
Apparently, the ancestors are memories recorded in the Jewel Orb, and are the skills themselves. It's not that a part of their souls remains.
The individuals themselves are dead.
However, they seem to remain inside the Jewel Orb as records and as skills. Since they take the form of their prime during their lifetime and their personalities are reflected, they are unchanged from when they were alive.
Then, the Third Generation spoke.
Let's decide on a moderator. Marks, you do it.
When he said that, the remaining six agreed, perhaps because no one else wanted to do it.
No objections. Good luck.
I think that's a good idea.
Indeed.
Y-you lot keep pushing everything onto me!
The Fourth Generation was furious, but he couldn't change the flow of the situation, and since he was naturally hardworking, he ended up accepting it.
And after that, the rule-making continued.
Using personal names or 'Father' or 'Grandfather' would probably confuse Riel, so let's unify it as 'First Generation', 'Second Generation', and so on.
When the Third Generation said that, no opposing opinions were raised.
Then, considering Riel's meager magic power, we shall aim to keep conversations to a minimum.
"...Aren't you subtly dissing him?"
The Fifth Generation said flatly. Or rather, the Fifth Generation felt the most ruthless.
But it is meager, isn't it? It's unthinkable to reach your limit after using a few spells. It's a level that's useless in actual combat.
While being told by my ancestors that my magic power was meager, the rule-making ended. Or rather, I've been training quite a bit, so it was offensive to be told it was meager.
I mean, listen to me, you lot! I am the First Generation of House Walt! I am great!
At that point, the First Generation snapped at the group for not listening to him.
Hearing that, the Second Generation laughed through his nose. Apparently, there is a feud between the First and Second Generations.
The moderator, the Fourth Generation, adjusted his glasses and granted permission to speak.
Since we must be mindful of the magic power consumption, please keep it brief, First Generation.
...You could at least add '-sama'. Oh, the business is about Riel's sister. Was she a girl with a perfect atmosphere? Riel, I want to ask one thing.
"Yes."
Given the First Generation's atmosphere, which was more serious than usual, I decided to listen seriously as well.
Your sister, isn't she beautiful, or rather, a beauty for her age? To the point where it could be called extraordinary. Men must be flocking to her.
When told that, I thought for a moment. For a thirteen-year-old, my sister was indeed someone to whom the word 'voluptuous' suited.
Naturally, my parents wouldn't allow it, but there have been many proposals for engagement. Some of them were even from the eldest sons of renowned houses.
"That's true. For her age... it's not family bias, but she was beautiful. Rather than being cute, she was truly beautiful and a beauty."
I see. Also, you mentioned that the atmosphere of the mansion was strange. It was normal until you were ten, right? And then it suddenly changed.
I nodded silently, as it was a painful memory. I remembered struggling, wanting to be seen, and that not being rewarded.
There's no mistake!
Then, the First Generation slammed his fist on the table and proudly declared a fact regarding my sister.
Your sister—Celes is a monster!
"...Huh?"
『『『...Uwah.』』』
The atmosphere in the room instantly became awkward. Precisely because the atmosphere had been more serious than usual, this was the result of everyone listening seriously.
The Fourth Generation declared the end of today's meeting.
Right. We've decided the rules, so that's it for today. We'll avoid holding these daily, but when we want to open one, we'll contact Riel from our side.
"Ah, please do that."
As I rejoiced that the magic power consumption would be suppressed, the others also heard it was time to disband and left the room. I thought they could leave because there was a door, but it seems they each have their own rooms.
That's all, good work everyone.
Good work.
Good work~
Hah, I thought he was more serious than usual, and this is it.
As each returned to their room, the First Generation grew indignant.
I told you to listen! I'm serious! She's seriously a monster!
When I thought I wanted to go back too, it seemed I could disappear from the spot. I gave a final greeting and decided to disappear from there.
"Ah, well then, good work everyone."
You lot!!
The First Generation's scream echoed in the place that looked like a conference room.