82 - The Singer
――Eva of the Nihil.
The third daughter of the Nihil clan, she had left her traveling family behind to come to Central.
Having once sung in Central after paying for the space, she was now recounting a tale.
"The expeditionary force led by Norma arrives at Geoni Village, where the Griffon appears. The subordinates she brought along, thinking they were Hippogriffs, numbered a mere hundred!"
How many times had she told this now?
The can she had prepared was filled with small copper coins, copper coins, and occasionally even large copper coins, testifying to the popularity of her performance.
"The one who stood up, declaring that Geoni Village could not be left behind, was none other than the leader of the expeditionary force, Norma!"
"That Norma...?"
"Sounds like a lie."
"But she actually brought back a Hippogriff."
"There was no Griffon, right?"
Hearing this, Eva replied with a smile.
"A highly skilled adventurer who participated in the Griffon hunt tried to flee, but Norma persuaded him! 'The slain Griffon is yours! Pay me the price!' Broken by Norma's earnest persuasion, the adventurer promised his cooperation and gained the right to purchase the Griffon for five hundred gold coins!"
Since Eva did not have an instrument, she had asked a nearby bard to provide the accompaniment.
By sharing the profits with those around her, she ensured that the crowd never stopped gathering.
(I didn't think I'd get them this excited. Fresh topics really are important!)
Happy that people were listening, Eva wore her business attire as she shared the story with the crowd.
In truth, she wanted to convey it through song, but since it wasn't finished yet, she took this form.
She was receiving a reward from Novem, and had been told to share the details with other singers as well.
In exchange, what Eva sought was the truth.
(The truth that only I know... I'll turn it into a song someday!)
A large crowd gathered around Eva as she told the story with a smile.
With the expeditionary force having returned, other singers who heard Eva's story began to imitate her and tell the tale themselves once they realized it was a fact.
As long as the rumors spread, it was no problem for Eva.
The story reached its climax――.
"And so, the expeditionary force shot down the Griffon. A mere hundred or so heroes... you all saw them, didn't you? They are the heroes who shot down the Griffon!"
Many people had gathered to catch a glimpse of the expeditionary force upon their return.
As the story ended.
"Hey, come to think of it, I heard someone saw a group bringing a Griffon through the gates."
"That's the one! So they really did take down a Griffon."
"That Norma? I still can't believe it."
Eva smiled.
"If you want to hear the stories of the individual heroes, please come back tomorrow!"
Though it had only been for a short time today, her earnings were several times her usual amount.
The people dispersing looked happy to have heard a new topic.
Eva paid the reward to the elf singer she had asked for the accompaniment.
Two tall elven youths spoke to Eva.
"You have a great voice. Will you be working here tomorrow as well?"
"We're leaving Central now. Eva of the Nihil, was it? It was a pleasure working with you."
Eva watched the two leave with their instruments, wondering what she should eat today with the reward she had earned――.
――The Royal Palace.
After submitting the expeditionary force's report, Norma had a tired expression.
Her adjutant, Clark, was the same.
"I'm grateful for the words of praise from His Majesty, but it's all so stiff."
Norma said this, but she was grinning as she looked at the medal she had received.
Clark sighed upon seeing that.
He had received a medal as well, but he didn't seem able to simply be happy about it.
"What's wrong? Your promotion is certain. It doesn't get better than this. You're officially a Decurion now."
Clark said.
"I am grateful. However, such a large group is being promoted. Additionally, although it is for a single generation and not hereditary, a knight has been born. The annual pensions won't be trivial either."
Norma said.
"That's the work of the civil officials."
Clark said.
"Don't you think those civil officials orchestrated this whole affair? Where do you think the money to pay this many people is coming from?"
Norma looked away, seemingly displeased.
Clark's mood sank, feeling that something unpleasant was about to happen.
(Gloomy bastard. That's why he can't get promoted. But with this, I am officially a Centurion... I've finally returned to this position.)
Norma had no parents.
A mother who died when she was young.
A father who died in battle.
And as her family's status was lowered and those around her drifted away, Norma had been determined to restore her family's original status for the sake of her young younger brother.
A single difference changes everything.
To reclaim former glory, the honor of the house――.
Thinking this, she had desperately aimed for promotion.
(I'll use the reward to let my brother succeed the headship, and then I'll just move into a guardianship role. I'll take on all the unpopularity and everything else that would hinder my brother...)
House Arnett would be recognized by those around them as a house of military prowess once again――or so Norma thought.
She had been dissatisfied with the lowering of her family's status.
It was because her father, who had died in the line of duty, had received an unfair evaluation.
After joining the knights, she had become well-versed in those matters.
As House Arnett's status fell, new houses were being born.
Moreover, they were robed nobility――created for the second or third sons of titled nobility to become independent.
(His Majesty has praised me. This time, I am the one who takes.)
Seeing Norma's dark smile, Clark let out a sigh――.
"...Why did I make the same mistake?"
Sitting on the bed of the inn with my knees hugged to my chest, my stomach hurt, but I was also suffering from mental damage.
I didn't want to see anyone since this morning.
Ever since I sold the Griffon to the merchant, I had been spacing out with a dark expression.
Hearing a knock, I answered.
"Novem? Come in."
"Excuse me. Lyell-sama, how is your stomach feeling?"
My stomach hurt from overeating.
Additionally, my stomach felt heavy.
Perhaps because I was mentally cornered, I probably had a dark expression right now.
"...It's the worst, in every sense."
"I-I see."
Whether Novem understood my state or not, he placed the things he had brought on the table.
"I've prepared some soup, so please eat."
"...I don't want to eat."
As I buried my face in my knees, Novem took the plate and a spoon.
"Please eat, even if it's just a little. I've included herbs that are effective for overeating. Now."
When Novem said "Aaahn," I opened my mouth and drank the soup.
It was easy to swallow and delicious.
"...If only it hadn't been with that kind of tension."
As I spoke regretfully, Novem gave a wry smile.
"Everyone has times like that."
"You don't, do you, Novem?"
When I said that, Novem――.
"Well... I have a constitution that doesn't change much."
Being told so bluntly made me feel even more depressed.
The Sixth Generation spoke.
"Lyell, you really are a pain. Everyone experiences this to a greater or lesser extent. Just accept it."
Then, the Seventh Generation spoke.
"That's right, Lyell. The Sixth Generation, for all he says, is someone who ran away from home, came back, and just accepted it. Normally, people don't come back. And yet he does it with a straight face..."
The Fifth Generation joined in too.
"That happened, didn't it? Did I teach you that?"
The Seventh Generation replied.
"Yes. I heard it from Grandfather."
The Sixth Generation panicked.
"Don't bring that up!!"
The Sixth Generation, a delinquent boy who ran away from home.
It was great material for teasing, but since I was providing even more material than that, there was nothing I could do.
I want to forget.
I want to make it as if everything never happened.
"Now, Lyell-sama... aaahn."
"Aaahn."
I took the spoon into my mouth and drank the soup.
The Fourth Generation spoke irritably.
"...Don't flirt while you're moping."
At dinner time.
Enduring my embarrassment, I went down to the first floor of the inn, and we all ate together.
A crestfallen Monica was fidgeting with her twin-tails in both hands.
She said that my being bedridden was quite a shock, or that she felt her own inadequacy, or something like that.
(Well, it's Monica, so it's fine.)
Unlike yesterday, I ate a small amount and spoke to everyone. It was about our future policy.
"I'm thinking of heading to the Free City of Beime. It's a capital for adventurers, and there are many merchants and a wealth of goods. Once I organize my luggage, I intend to travel by connected carriage... any opinions?"
Shannon continued eating, perhaps thinking it didn't concern her.
Just as I was wondering if she was really okay with that, Miranda told Shannon to join the conversation.
"Come on, you join in too!"
"Don't hit me! I'm listening. Beime, right? The Free City of Beime. I know about it too."
Rather than not belonging to any country, it existed by not making its affiliation clear.
It was best to think of it as a small country.
It had a port, trade was conducted, and many adventurers and mercenary groups stayed there.
Clara said.
"The guild headquarters are in Beime. However, since there are so many adventurers and mercenary groups, there are about four reception areas. We probably won't go to the headquarters, so I hear we have to think about where to handle our registration."
It was a city that couldn't produce its own food, so it bought it from surrounding countries and lords.
It didn't share a border with Vanseim, and the connected carriages only went as far as the border between Vanseim and other countries.
Aria, while chewing on ham, said.
"The public order is bad there, right? One man surrounded by women... won't we be targeted?"
I was about to tell the now-manly Aria, "You'll be fine," but she glared at me, so I decided to stay silent.
Novem said.
"Going to Beime had been decided for some time. We may have few allies, but if the scale grows any larger, maintenance costs will be necessary. The worry of being targeted isn't zero, but I don't think it'll change even if we increase by a few people."
Regarding money, recent earnings had been good.
After all, there was a noble who paid five hundred gold coins for a Hippogriff.
Regarding the issue of numbers, if I were to take on any more people, I would need to properly prepare support.
Rotation personnel for combat would also be necessary.
Clara said.
"This party is special, not just in terms of ability, so men would be difficult. Even if we were to gather women, I think it would be difficult in Central."
Aria finished her meal and reached for a drink.
"Aren't we recruiting somewhere?"
Clara shook her head.
"Before reaching Beime, there are several small guilds. Many of the adventurers working there are community-oriented, so it would be difficult."
Some adventurers had a local mindset.
Traveling, challenging labyrinths, gathering comrades, and adventuring further――.
Not all adventurers were like that.
Miranda said.
"We'll need to organize our luggage before going to Beime. The selection of goods there will be better than here... once we buy tickets, we move to the border, and from there..."
Novem said.
"Rather than having researched it, I heard from Eva-san that connected carriages are operated in Vanseim and Beime, and that there are more places where they aren't available."
They likely traveled on foot.
Monica recovered.
"Then it's time for the porter to shine! This Monica will properly modify things!"
Shannon said.
"Is it already decided? Ah..."
"What?"
Shannon, looking like she wanted to say something, was looking at me.
"I haven't asked until now, but..."
"What about it?"
Shannon said to me.
"What is the goal of this party? Normally there's something. Like wanting to become the size of a mercenary group, or making a name for yourself to be employed by some country."
Being told that, I fell silent.
Miranda said.
"...I haven't asked either, but you don't actually have one?"
Aria said.
"I-I want to become a first-class adventurer... I don't know about the others."
Clara said.
"Well, it seems I can gain experience as support, and if I follow this party, I'll likely gain various experiences. In the future, I'm thinking of opening a bookstore."
Novem said.
"Lyell-sama's goal is to become a first-class adventurer and surround himself with many women. The achievement of that goal is near."
I covered my face with both hands, turning red even to my ears.
"That's not it. I certainly said it, but I didn't think you'd take it seriously."
As I received cold stares from those around me, Monica said.
"Rest easy, Chicken Bastard. I'll always be by your side. I won't leave... I'll absolutely never leave, so be prepared!"
I slapped the head of the approaching Monica.
"Don't suddenly raise your tension. It's scary."
"...Hmph, it's a pain because so many things don't get through. This is a generation gap."
I thought.
(She's saying something, but I'm sure she's absolutely wrong.)
Since the conversation had drifted, I summarized the opinions.
"Uh, so, we'll prepare for the trip to Beime. For a while, let's rest and recover our strength while gathering information on Beime."
Since no opposing opinions were raised, I decided on the trip to Beime.
(Come to think of it, I've become free for a while, so how should I kill time?)
Even if I said gathering information, it was for the purpose of going to Beime.
The current state of Beime, and whether the road there was safe.
I only had to investigate those things.
(...Maybe I'll find a hobby. Besides, it might not be bad to try playing around.)
That was what I thought.