6 - Darion
As the traveling merchant told me, I boarded a carriage bound for the royal capital from the city.
The roads were well-maintained, and the connected carriages were pulled by six horses. The ride wasn't bad, but it seemed the fare to the royal capital was quite expensive.
The cost was five silver coins per person.
For Novem and me, it amounted to an expenditure of one gold coin.
As I sat and watched the scenery, I looked at the person beside me.
Perhaps she was exhausted, for Novem was fast asleep. She leaned against me, breathing quietly in her sleep.
(Did I push her too hard?)
I felt pathetic, but it was because Novem was with me that I had made it this far. Otherwise, I might have been fumbling along on my own, or perhaps I would have been heading toward Darion on foot somewhere.
Having never camped out in the wild, my ancestors told me that traveling alone was out of the question. I had vaguely thought I would be fine, but everyone was appalled by that naivety.
Even my seventh-generation grandfather didn't shield me this time.
Taking care not to wake Novem, I cast my gaze around.
Then, I heard the voice of the second generation.
Apparently, today was the day the second generation looked after me.
I didn't know what the criteria were, but it had been decided that during the journey, either the first, second, or fourth generation would converse with me.
Due to the issue of magical power, if two of them spoke at once, fatigue would set in. Therefore, only one of them would address me like this.
『There are convenient things now. In my time, there were no connected carriages like this.』
I answered in a low voice.
"Is that so?"
『It was nearly two hundred years ago, after all. Magic tools, were they called? Even such convenient things didn't exist.』
Magic tools were instruments created to serve as substitutes for Orbs, enabling the simplified possession of skills. However, perhaps because Orbs were too powerful, it was impossible to possess multiple magic tools.
One, or at most two.
However, due to my magical power issues, I could not possess magic tools. Just like the skills of my ancestors, they seemed to be quite a burden for me right now.
There were more skills I couldn't use than those I could.
Or rather... I couldn't use the seventh generation's skill because I myself couldn't withstand it. The second generation's skill was the type that functioned in conjunction with other skills.
As for the first generation, since he didn't acknowledge me, he wouldn't let me use his skill.
The same went for the other skills. Because I couldn't withstand them, permission for use was not granted.
(I'm practically in a state where I can't use anything at all.)
"But even if we stayed at an inn along the way, is five silver coins expensive?"
My sense of money was apparently clearly skewed. Since the fifth generation onwards had lived truly as nobles, they didn't have the financial sense of commoners.
It was the same when I was choosing a weapon.
The fifth generation and those after him recommended expensive swords to me, saying that if you use a high-quality one for a long time, the cost-performance is better.
However, considering the money I originally had, that was impossible. While I could purchase one, the second and fourth generations rejected it, saying the journey ahead would be difficult.
『On the contrary, it's cheap. Five silver coins for safety to the royal capital and guaranteed lodging? I'd be delighted. Well, I'm sure they prepare a large number of passengers to make a profit from it, though.』
Five silver coins was a large sum for a commoner.
However, many passengers used the service because it allowed them to travel safely.
『It has become a convenient era.』
Saying so, the second generation fell silent. I took the Jewel Orb in my hand and peered into it. The blue Jewel Orb was a treasure passed down through the generations of House Walt.
Was it really alright for it to be in my possession now?
(Will this not be a problem?)
While I was thinking that, Novem, who was leaning against me, moved slightly. I tucked the Jewel Orb, which served as a necklace, under her clothes.
But Novem did not wake up.
"Still, for the next five days, it'll just be days of traveling."
Around us, guards on horseback were securing the carriage. Seeing them, the other passengers seemed relieved.
However, according to my ancestors, the skill of the guards wasn't that high. They launched into boasts of "how great their own era was," saying that there were far more skilled guards in the past.
(The way they say "our era" is just... really something.)
I decided to sleep like Novem.
Five nights later.
Having arrived at the royal capital, the terminus for the connected carriages, we decided to look for an inn first since it was evening.
It would be a hassle after nightfall, and above all, fatigue from the journey had accumulated in our bodies. An unfamiliar environment was difficult enough on its own.
That we should rest a bit—my ancestors had suggested this for Novem's sake.
"Riel-sama, are you sure? This is a rather expensive inn."
Before us was an inn equipped with private rooms and baths, unlike the ones we had seen until now.
The exterior was also very beautiful, befitting Central, the capital of the Kingdom of Vanseim.
The atmosphere was different from the towns and villages we had passed through.
"Let's relax just for today. Healing the fatigue of the journey is important too (Or rather, if I don't, my ancestors will be noisy)."
Mainly, the first through fourth generations were quite considerate of Novem.
This was because each of them had been greatly indebted to House Foxus, Novem's family home.
The first generation was helped when he established the pioneer village, and the second generation received help with the know-how of territory management and even the search for a bride after succeeding him.
The third generation also apparently received help during the hectic period of his promotion in rank.
And the fourth generation had succeeded to his position while still young after the third generation died in battle, and had become a Baron due to the third generation's achievements.
It was said that House Foxus had supported him from the shadows at that time.
In other words!
(House Walt, my family home, would not have developed to that extent without House Foxus... and yet, now they've become vassals and haven't even repaid the debt.)
Though it might not directly concern Novem, I felt a sense of humility.
Of course, the way of thinking changed completely from the fifth generation onwards.
Since they had a long relationship, they perceived that they had repaid the debt to a reasonable extent. However, the first through fourth generations, who had direct debts, were not convinced.
(Or rather, to have been helped that much and yet have no blood relation...)
There must have been various circumstances, but in any case, House Walt and House Foxus, who had such a deep relationship, had no blood ties until now.
Normally, with a relationship like this, it wouldn't be strange if one or two people from both families had married.
(What was my family doing... or rather, my ancestors?)
Listening to the conversations in the meeting room, I felt they were fatally lacking in some way.
The first generation, from what I had heard, was the founder of House Walt who carved out an undeveloped land. Yet, in reality, he was a man who could be mistaken for a barbarian clad in animal furs.
"Thank you for your consideration. Shall we go in then?"
"Yeah."
Upon entering the inn, I saw a counter ahead of the entrance.
It was clean, and the interior was bright thanks to magic tools using magic stones.
The clerk at the counter greeted us with a "Welcome."
"Are you staying the night?"
"Yeah."
The response was polite.
I thought I would finally be able to relax and rest for the first time in a while.
『Zero points.』
Just when I thought I was sleeping in a fluffy bed for the first time in a while, I was summoned to the meeting room.
However, only the first generation was there.
Having been graded the moment we met, and told it was zero points, I didn't know how to react. So—.
"I see... can I go back?"
『Why are you so lifeless! You're too well-behaved, it's boring!』
Wouldn't I be scolded no matter how I responded?
Thinking this, I decided to listen to the first generation's story.
"Anyway, what is it? I want to rest in preparation for tomorrow."
『I know! But there's something I absolutely have to tell you.』
A serious first generation mentioned the "monster" comment from last time once more.
I made a face of dislike, but the first generation was serious. He seriously told me the story of the time before the first generation—the era when the kingdom was born.
『I was born around the year fifty of the Kingdom Calendar. At that time, there were still survivors from the fierce battles within the country.』
"...Haa, is that so."
『Even in the place where I lived, there were soldiers who had fought fiercely, divided into the royalist faction and the noble faction. I was often told by those old men... that they didn't understand why they had fought just as they were told back then.』
I recalled the history of the kingdom that had lasted for three hundred years. As part of education, we learned about the kingdom, and within that, the country's origin was a civil war.
Apparently, the kingdom had been quite corrupt at the time, and the local nobles who couldn't stand it started a civil war, which created the Kingdom of Vanseim.
"Maybe their passion just cooled down?"
『I thought so too. But, according to those old soldiers, they said it was as if they had been dreaming. Also, apparently, there was a great beauty in the royalist faction back then.』
The kind of thing called a beauty that topples nations, I suppose.
Of course, such things were just stories, and the current view was that the war occurred due to the surrounding circumstances.
I was taught that it was a civil war that happened because it was bound to happen.
Certainly, there seems to have been a period where a single beautiful woman controlled politics at will.
But even if such a beauty existed, in a sane country, it would be impossible to control politics as she pleased.
The core of the country had been rotten from the start.
"I've heard of the beauty that topples nations too. But that's just one of the triggers, right?"
『No. They really exist. Should I call it a turning point of the era? In such eras, monsters appear. They are far worse than monsters of the magical kind.』
With a serious expression, the first generation let me hear the story of that time.
『You probably think it's just a tall tale, but it was an era that was truly insane. Even my grandparents said there were too many mysterious things in that era. They couldn't believe it themselves. And the ones who caused it were—』
"...Monsters?"
『That's right! The beauty that toppled nations! The general capable of defeating ten thousand men who broke an army of ten thousand! The magician who made an island float! All of them appear at the turning points of the era. Your sister is that kind of monster. To think a monster would be born from my bloodline.』
"N-no way."
While I refused to believe it, the first generation spoke to me.
『Then would you distance your cute son? You were a man who was the next head of the family, even if you're rotten. You should have received a certain level of treatment. If you didn't like it, it would be normal to give orders and have it corrected. Besides, you were lucky to receive at least the minimum treatment.』
"Luck?"
『That's right. You, wouldn't it be strange if you had been killed? Rather than kicking you out because they didn't like you, it would be easier to kill you by pretending it was an illness.』
I was shocked by what he said. Certainly, I had been in an environment with the bare minimum. Although it was an environment where no one looked at me.
And for the first time, I wondered why I hadn't been killed. Even with Celes, the treatment was such that I thought she hated me.
『Are you starting to realize it? You didn't think it was strange, did you? Is it called a charm that makes people think that? A monster is someone who twists even the environment. It's a miracle you survived. Perhaps your parents loved you that much and resisted the monster.』
A monster that changes even the environment—the first generation concluded that this was Celes.
『Those people have no common sense, and maybe they just kicked you out on a whim. I don't know how a monster feels, but they exist.』
Monsters that appear at the turning points of the era.
I was slightly overwhelmed by the first generation's words. Because I had experienced it with Celes, I couldn't just laugh it off.
"Then... is Celes the cause of everything? I wasn't in the wrong?"
『I don't know about that. The you that I know is a sheltered brat raised as a spoiled child who causes trouble for the old man's descendants. Or rather, I don't know a girl named Celes. I only became able to talk like this from the moment you manifested your skill.』
"I-I see."
Since I just kept being unable to talk back, I fell silent. Then, the first generation said to me.
『What do you plan to do from now on?』
"Eh? No... I'm going to become an adventurer."
『That's not what I meant! I'm asking how you'll act knowing that the country might become chaotic from now on! The life of that Novem-chan is also riding on you! If you do something clumsy, I'll blow you away.』
Today, I realized there were many things I hadn't thought about.
I thought things would work out somehow, but now I have the existence of Novem. You could say she just followed me of her own accord, but abandoning her was out of the question.
"I-I..."
『...Think for yourself a bit more. It's irritating to watch.』
Saying so, the first generation headed toward his room, opened the door, and closed it with all his might. Left behind in the meeting room, I thought for a while about what to do.
"I can see it, Riel-sama!"
Standing up on the bed of the cargo carriage, Novem was shouting and pointing at the city of Darion that had come into view.
Perhaps because the long journey was finally ending, Novem's expression was bright. I also started to feel easier mentally.
For the time being, I intend to do my best as an adventurer in Darion. In other words, the journey will be temporarily suspended.
"Yeah. It looks like a good place."
The atmosphere wasn't overflowing with people like the royal capital. And while I wouldn't say it was noisy, it was a lively city.
Darion—just as Zel had said, it seemed to be a lively city that would develop from now on.
I looked at Novem's profile as she rejoiced and thought.
(What... should I do from now on?)
I had been thinking about it since yesterday, but no answer came out at all. Even if I wanted to consult, the first generation was out today, so he didn't respond even if I called out.
He must be feeling quite irritated with me.
"I've heard that the adventurer's guild in Darion is quite large. I've heard it's a city just right for beginners, with plenty of work."
"When did you hear that?"
"I heard it while I was shopping in the royal capital. Since it's where we're going, I was curious about what kind of place it was."
When Novem said that, a voice came from the Jewel Orb.
『...What a good girl. She's too good for you. Compared to her, you didn't even do any information gathering? ...Tch!』
I heard a clicking of the tongue.
"...Novem, I've caused you a lot of trouble. I-I'll do my best from now on too."
Feeling my own inadequacy, I thanked Novem.
"It's fine. I'm doing this because I want to. Riel-sama, let's do our best together."
"Y-yeah!"
Then, this time, the young traveling merchant who was the owner of the cargo carriage—.
"Tch!"
『Tch!』
...clicked his tongue. And the first generation did too.