80 - Chapter 6 Prologue
Seven of us, including myself, all clad in robes, were about to pass through the gates of Central.
I, Lyell Wolt, stood in the center of the group, observing my surroundings.
Around us, a line of people waited—travelers heading for the royal capital, merchants, and adventurers; there was even a troupe of performers among them.
The cold was growing more severe, and as I looked up, the sky was overcast, looking as if it might snow at any moment.
Gazing at that sky, I thought about how we had planned to separate from the crowd and enter the royal capital ahead of the others.
"...Enter the capital first, and spread rumors about the expedition force. I'm so sharp it's almost scary."
Aria, with her red hair, stood nearby, her purple eyes clouded as she covered her ears with both hands.
Lately, she's been honing her tomboyish side, but looking at her like this, she's quite cute.
"What's wrong, Aria? If your ears are cold, I can lend you my hands."
"...A stranger... the current Lyell is a stranger... in a little while, we'll be comrades again..."
She replied in a small, muttering voice, and I found her blushing state adorable.
Then, I noticed Miranda-san, with her pale green hair, staring at the ground with eyes devoid of highlights.
"What's this? Miranda-san, you seem down too."
When I said that, Miranda-san spoke in a voice that sounded like she was squeezing the words out.
"L-Lyell... stop adding '-san'. And please, don't talk too much. I don't want to remember right now. I'm begging you."
Hearing that, I—
"I understand, Miranda. Oh, I feel like the emotional distance between us has closed considerably. Also... if you wish to be a bird that flies freely in the sky, then I shall be your—no! I shall be all of your birdcages!"
A while ago, Aria and Miranda had mentioned wanting to be birds.
It seemed Miranda wanted me to be her birdcage.
As I said this, Miranda's face turned bright red, though her expression remained complex.
Aria had crouched down on the spot.
"I'm happy. I am, but... please, right now... just for now..."
"What's wrong? Your face is beet red. Aha~, I see, you've fallen for me."
"Pffft!!"
The blue gem hanging from my neck was encased in intricate silver rare metal.
The voice emanating from it was that of the sixth generation, Fines Wolt.
At first glance, the sixth generation seemed wild, but in truth, he could never stand up to the fifth.
The era of the sixth generation was a dark age for Vanseim, where bribery was rampant and the royal palace was rotten to the core.
Because of that, the sixth generation had to dabble in various illicit activities.
Consequently, he gained a dark image, and the reputation of being the greatest villain of the Wolt family clung to him.
In reality, he was the man who inherited the foundation laid by the fifth, challenged the surrounding lords to battle, and won, greatly expanding the Wolt family.
Given the times, he had his hands in many things, but there were circumstances where he wouldn't have survived otherwise.
That sixth generation burst out laughing, clutching his stomach, and the other ancestors were laughing as well.
The third generation said:
"You've already harvested three! 'I'm so sharp it's scary,' 'I'll be your birdcage,' and 'You've fallen for me,' right!"
The fourth generation was also laughing.
"Best Lyellll! I'm just glad there are so many candidates this time too!"
The fifth generation said:
"...Lyell, you've learned nothing since last time."
He said that, but since it was a fact, it couldn't be helped.
Running a hand through my hair, I looked at Monica, who was pulling the wagon.
There, inside an ice coffin, was the form of the Griffon.
We were showing it off on purpose, and the people around us looked intensely curious.
Monica, wearing a robe over her maid outfit, pulled the heavy load with ease and gave me a smirk.
"What is it? Why do you look so happy?"
To which Monica replied:
"How could I not laugh? The chicken bastard I saw when I woke up has returned! At the time, you said you'd fly through the sky, but I never expected you'd actually fly physically, even for me. I thought you meant you'd become a bigger person."
When I defeated the Griffon, I rode on its back and flew through the great sky.
It was quite thrilling, and I thought it was fun.
"Don't praise me. You can upgrade me to 'Flying Chicken Bastard'."
"That's too long, rejected, Chicken Bastard."
Seeing Monica blushing happily, I drew the attention of those around us.
Thinking good grief, I waited for the gatekeeper to grant us passage.
Clara, looking more apologetic than usual, held a large staff, her navy-blue bushy hair hanging over her face.
Her red eyes looked at me through those strands of hair.
"What's up?"
"...I want to say I'm very sorry about the other day, but I also feel like I don't want to be involved with you right now."
Looking at the conflicted Clara, I gave her a smile, thinking that such moments happen.
Clara pulled her hood deep over her head, trying to escape my gaze.
Shannon, the younger sister of the pale-purple-haired Miranda, looked at me with eyes full of pity.
"You really are the worst, aren't you?"
"What, are you at that age where you want to play pranks on the girl you like? Unfortunately, if you want me to notice you, you'll have to age up a bit more."
"...No, we're only two years apart, you know? Are you an idiot?"
"Shall I shut that mouth of yours?"
As I brought my face closer, Shannon hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand.
I lightly flicked Shannon's forehead with my finger and said with a smile:
"Just kidding. You're on hold until you become a lady. Make sure you become a proper lady."
The voice of the seventh generation came from the gem.
"Something explosive is missing this time. Even though candidates are appearing in succession!"
He sounded truly frustrated, but I am not a man who will mass-produce a past that I never want to remember.
Shannon said:
"...Novem, this guy is crazy."
"Blushing and all... I see! It's a cover for your embarrassment. You're cute, Shannon."
Novem, who had long brown hair in a side ponytail and purple eyes, looked at me and spoke.
"Lyell-sama, let's get a room immediately. Any more of this is truly dangerous."
Looking at the deeply worried Novem, I felt a sense of happiness, thinking that I might be the only one Novem worries about this much.
"Yeah, if you say so, an inn or wherever... a twin room is fine too."
"No, I'll make them private rooms. That would be better."
While thinking that the blushing Novem was cute, our turn finally came.
Novem said:
"Now, this is dangerous, so let's hurry to the inn."
Watching Novem give instructions in a panic, I walked proudly through the gates of Central.
Since we arrived at the inn shortly after noon, I tried to head back out to execute my plan.
However, I was stopped by Novem and the others.
In the end, the only ones who remained at the inn were me, Monica, and Shannon.
It was an inn with private rooms, each equipped with its own shower and toilet.
The first floor served as a dining hall, which was typical for inns in Central; compared to the beginning, I could finally stay at this class of inn without worrying about the cost.
"It's quite moving. A lot has happened since then."
I was kicked out of my family home, the Wolt house, and became an adventurer with my former fiancée, Novem.
Not knowing left from right, I relied on the gem that allowed me to hear the voices of my ancestors and use skills.
In the city of Darion, I met Aria, and from there I moved to the academic city of Alamsars, where I met Miranda, Shannon, Monica, and Clara.
I couldn't say the gathering of people went smoothly, but I felt a certain bond with my current comrades.
"...Even though I have Novem, I really am a sinful man."
As I said this while looking in the room's mirror, the fourth generation spoke.
"Exactly. Why don't you consider your current situation a bit? You'll get stabbed in the back. Well, you'll probably be fine since you have Novem."
"Is that jealousy? It's actually quite pleasant."
At that, the third generation started laughing.
"No way! Honestly, Lyell-san, you're the best!"
Hearing that, I felt embarrassed by the praise.
"Even if you praise me that much, I can't give you anything in return."
Then, a knock sounded at the door.
Shannon appeared with a tray in her hand, accompanied by Monica.
"Lyell, it's time for lunch. It would be a problem if you went outside and caused trouble, so I bought sandwiches from the dining hall."
Meals for two were laid out on the small round table in the room.
Monica, created with ancient technology, could survive without eating.
However, there seemed to be a link between us, and she appeared to live off my magic as sustenance.
It was like a thread of fate.
Shannon sat in a chair and began eating her sandwich.
"This is dry and doesn't taste good."
To Shannon, who voiced that opinion, Monica offered me condiments.
"Chicken Bastard, here is mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard."
Seeing this, Shannon said:
"...Why is it 'Lyell'? Normally, this would be for me!"
Shannon got angry, but Monica replied with a smile.
"'Come back the day before yesterday, brat!' That's the answer. My number one is the Chicken Bastard, and even though he's in a very regrettable state right now, that doesn't change. Do you understand? It's love. Love!"
"You're an automaton... well, whatever. Lyell, I'm borrowing this."
Saying so, Shannon poured a large amount of mayonnaise onto the fillings between the bread.
Many of the condiments Monica made were delicious.
They were ancient condiments not normally sold.
She seemed to know the recipes and kept them prepared in advance.
"You brat! That belongs to the Chicken Bastard!"
Shannon ignored her and stuffed the sandwich into her mouth, continuing her meal.
Despite this, Shannon was a woman who, until a short while ago, had played the part of a blind young lady.
She had been reformed by Miranda and was now one of our comrades.
According to the ancestors in the gem, she possessed a Magic Eye.
(If only I had a Magic Eye too...)
I was a little envious.
As I brought the sandwich to my mouth, it did indeed feel dry.
"It really doesn't taste good. Novem's or Monica's cooking is better than this."
When I said that, Monica happily brushed back her blonde twin-tails.
"Of course! I hate being compared to that vixen, but my cooking is filled with love. To my cooking, which is made to suit the Chicken Bastard's tastes, other nobodies—"
Before she could finish, I spoke.
"Thanks as always, Monica... I love your cooking. Tonight, I'd like to eat something elaborate from you for the first time in a while."
Monica froze for a moment, then looked at me and spoke with jerky movements.
"T-t-t-that! In other words, you want to eat my cooking? You want to eat the cooking filled with my love! I'll pack it in. I'll pack in so much love you won't know what hit you!!"
I replied with a smile.
"Yeah... I'll take your love in an extra-large serving."
As soon as I said that, Monica rushed out of the room.
"Prepare immediately! Calculate the prep time, and then the ingredients... in that case, I'll use all my secret savings to get the highest quality ones!!"
Monica's voice, shouting as she ran away, could already be heard from outside the inn.
Shannon continued munching on her sandwich, seasoning the second one with ketchup.
I said:
"Hmph, cute girl."
Then, from the gem, the seventh generation spoke.
"...It happened. 'I'll take your love in an extra-large serving.' Is there anything else but this?"
To the seventh generation, the sixth generation replied:
"Not yet! There's still time. This is where the prodigy of the Wolt family shows his true colors!"
The fourth generation added:
"I think 'Jealousy is actually quite pleasant' was also good!"
The third generation said:
"Wait! In this space... right now it's just Lyell-san and Shannon-chan! It's coming, something is definitely coming!"
I felt bad for the excited ancestors, but this was my third time. I wouldn't repeat the same mistake again.
(Sorry, but I don't think I can meet your expectations.)
Shannon was looking at my sandwich.
Since I was using mustard, she seemed curious.
"Do you want some?"
"I-I don't!"
Since she kept glancing at it while saying that, I brought the sandwich to Shannon's lips.
Then, opening her small mouth, Shannon bit into my sandwich.
A bit of mustard got on the corner of her mouth.
"Ah, this is delicious too."
"You ended up eating it after all. Well, that's fine too."
I wiped the corner of Shannon's mouth and popped the rest of the sandwich into my own.
"Ah~, I'm full. I can't eat anymore."
To that Shannon, I—
"I'm still not quite full. I'm looking forward to tonight, but... hmm."
"What?"
Looking at Shannon, who was resting her chin on the table, I said:
"No, I was just wondering when you'd be 'ripe for eating' once you become a lady. It looks like that'll be a long while from now."
As I shook my head with a good grief, Shannon stood up and put distance between us.
From the gem, the fifth generation spoke.
"... 'When you'd be ripe for eating,' isn't that also good?"
The seventh generation said:
"You can't leave out 'Love in an extra-large serving'!"
The fifth generation was also modestly participating.
(Honestly, what are they even doing?)
While being exasperated by my ancestors, I continued to tease the fleeing Shannon.
――The highway.
A group was advancing along the road, with a luxurious carriage in the center and knights and soldiers lined up around it.
Judging by their equipment and the quality of the soldiers, they were considerably well-trained, and other groups traveling the highway moved to avoid them.
Believing that following the luxurious carriage would ensure a safe journey, a group of travelers, adventurers, and merchants followed at a certain distance behind them.
Seeing this, Maisel Wolt looked displeased.
"Hmph! Because the highway isn't safe, the group following us continues to grow. Increase the speed and shake them off."
His mother, Claire, agreed with her displeased husband.
"Our precious Celes is hurrying to Central! Why must this happen... this would be unthinkable in the Wolt family's territory!"
The one soothing the grumpy parents was a beautiful girl.
She exuded a bewitching atmosphere, and despite her young age, every gesture was seductive.
Her golden hair was beautiful, long, wavy, and seemed to glow.
She wore a white fur coat over a white dress, and her smile was truly innocent.
"Father, Mother."
"What is it, Celes?"
Satisfied with the smiles her parents gave her, Celes spoke.
"I am very bored."
At that, her mother, Claire, began to panic.
"What shall we do? We don't have any new toys... what do you want to play with, Celes?"
Celes then looked at the group following the carriage.
"I want to see knights and soldiers saving people being attacked by monsters."
Hearing this, Maisel said with a smile:
"I see. As expected of the Wolt family's daughter. However, if there are no monsters..."
To the troubled expression on Maisel's face, Celes said:
"...Is it not possible? Are the Wolt family's knights and soldiers unreliable?"
At that coaxing voice, Claire glared at Maisel.
"You! Isn't it pitiful for Celes! Can the Wolt family's knights not even grant this small request!"
"S-sorry. It's a request from our precious Celes. I'll have them prepare immediately."
Saying so, Maisel called out to a knight on horseback near the carriage.
As the carriage window opened, the knight approached.
"What is it, Maisel-sama?"
"...It seems monsters are about to attack the group behind us. Celes wishes to see your performance. Do you understand?"
Hearing that, the knight—
"...I will have preparations made immediately! Alfred!"
A young man on horseback, his smooth long black hair swaying, immediately approached.
"I am here!"
He carried a saber at his waist and was a young knight with graceful bearing.
Alfred Baden.
In swordsmanship, he had been Lyell's senior disciple and was a young man from a clan that had served the Wolt family since its early days.
The knight relayed the order.
"Monsters may attack the group behind us. You are to conduct surveillance of the surroundings. ...Celes-sama wishes to see our exploits. Find something big!"
"Leave it to me!"
Saying so, Alfred galloped away, quickly leaving the group.
Find a monster and have it attack the group behind.
――That was Maisel's order.
Celes watched Alfred disappear into the distance and smiled with satisfaction.
Seeing this, Maisel felt relieved.
"Honestly, Celes is quite a handful."
To which Claire replied with a smile.
"Is it not for our lovely child? Every girl dreams of longing for stories of knights. But we must give her a reward if she works hard, Celes."
Claire suggested that Celes give a reward to the knight.
Celes took a dagger from among the items loaded in the carriage.
It didn't look very expensive, but it was a dagger made of rare metal with a skill attached.
It was just right for a reward.
"I'll use this!"
Maisel said:
"A dagger should make him happy. As expected, Celes understands the heart of a knight. But where did you buy that? I intended to provide you with far more expensive things..."
Claire also tilted her head.
"That's true. It's not fitting for Celes."
Celes—
"...Who knows? But if I have it, it's mine."
She laughed innocently.
The dagger Celes held had once belonged to Rondo, an adventurer Lyell had met in the city of Darion――.