kscans

Chapter 28 - The Neighboring Forest and the Little Person, Part Three

"If we travel a little further, we will arrive at a town called Yarmouth. We plan to stay there for the night."

In the hands of Dolphen, who said this, were fluffy honeybees. It seemed they had taken a liking to him. Adoris also had a honeybee in his hands. It was a heartwarming sight to behold.

Chihiro, who was thinking such thoughts, was also hugging Pochiko-san, and the carriage was filled with three different kinds of warmth.

"Ah, it’s coming into view."

Dolphen lightly pointed out the window.

Following his gesture, she looked outside and could see a town with a large tower in the distance. Surrounded by sturdy stone walls, it had the air of a medieval fortress city. Its proximity to the border probably had something to do with it. It was a town that gave a rugged impression. Seeing a real-life version of what would undoubtedly be a historical structure on Earth, the little person’s heart danced. Seeing her eyes sparkle with curiosity, Dolphen and Adoris smiled gently.

And so, the party entered the town of Yarmouth.

"Whooooa."

Chihiro looked up at the town, her mouth agape.

There, buildings in the style of old-world Ireland were packed closely together. The streetlights and signs had a metallic feel, and long metal fences stretched on. The stone buildings and cobblestone streets gave off a subtly cold impression. If that were all, it might have been a gray, gloomy landscape from the Industrial Revolution. However, the flowers decorating the windows and entrances, along with what appeared to be ceramic animal figurines, served as a nice buffer, adding color to the inorganic scenery and bringing it all together nicely.

This is what a town where people live is like. It has a warmth that gives it a gentle impression.

It’s a nice town. The faces of the people are bright and full of life.

Its proximity to the neighboring country probably had something to do with it. Many people who looked like merchants were coming and going, and they had set up numerous shops.

Passing through the bustling streets, the carriage arrived at a single residence. The gate of the elegant and tasteful mansion opened, and the carriage entered.

"Where is this? It’s not an inn, is it?"

"This is a temporary residence exclusively for those of high status. We make a reservation and use it as an inn. Even if one is traveling incognito, if a person of status mixes with the common folk, it surprises people and makes them feel they have to be careful."

Dolphen said this, and then looked at the town with a somewhat distant gaze. Had something happened in the past?

She learned that in every town in Frontier, there were several similar temporary residences. The rates varied according to status, and there were options ranging from something barely better than a private house to a mansion like the one before them, so one could choose according to their budget. They were owned by the royal palace and managed by the town.

"Aren’t there any grand inns?"

"Grand inns?"

"Um, like a prestigious inn that welcomes people of high status?"

"Ah, it seems there used to be. But because of that, many problems arose."

Dolphen looked at Chihiro with a wry smile as he gave instructions to the mansion’s attendants.

"Even though I say ‘in the past,’ it was when my grandfather was young, so it’s not that long ago."

With that preface, Dolphen explained that there had been a conflict between innkeepers over the signboard designating them as purveyors to the royal family. Even a newly established inn could receive a recommendation if it was favored by a person of high rank. The signboard of a royal purveyor was an incredible status symbol. Just by having it, their fame would increase, and they would have more leeway in town. Their ability to attract customers was also immense.

Everyone became desperate to receive a recommendation from a noble of status.

As a result, excessive services became rampant, and a petition was sent to the royal palace from concerned nobles.

That there were inns just like a red-light district.

Ahhh. I see. That’s certainly a quick way to please the gentlemen.

In addition, problems caused by people of status were brought to light, such as commoners being charged with crimes for unknowingly being rude to a noble staying at an inn, or an inn being booked entirely for a single noble, forcing all other reserved guests to be canceled at the last minute. This led to the construction of these exclusive temporary residences for nobles.

Those who do not use the exclusive temporary residences are not considered nobles. They will be exempt from crimes such as disrespect associated with their status.

This was thoroughly communicated, and the matter was resolved.

Yeah, that was a wise decision. There are probably idiots who misunderstand the meaning of status, and by drawing a clear line, you can deal with those idiots in any way you like.

In terms of era, it was either the previous king or the one before him. They had a rather farsighted relative. To that person, both nobles and commoners were probably the same people. In essence, it was like a sibling squabble where the powerful older brother was being tyrannical, so they intervened to protect the younger brother.

Though the details are messy, when you think of it that way, it’s somehow heartwarming.

Chuckling to herself, the little person set off to explore the mansion.

"It’s pretty big. About three times the size of the baron’s house, maybe?"

"Thinking that you would not prefer anything too lavish, I chose one for a modest middle-class noble."

Murderous intent welled up at Dolphen’s smile.

This is modest? You, go look up the word in a dictionary. Well, I guess it’s the thinking of the privileged class. The basic standard is different, so it can’t be helped.

Still, the fact that Dolphen had grasped Chihiro’s preferences and taken them into consideration made the little person just a little happy.

As evening was approaching, the group considered what to do for dinner.

"The ingredients are prepared, and I can cook..."

There, Adoris glanced at Chihiro.

The little person’s mouth was turned down in a pout, her eyes welling with tears. Seeing this, the knights also burst out laughing, having guessed the little girl’s intentions.

Right?

It was unanimous among the people there.

Having come to such a distant town, there was no way this insatiably curious little person would stay quietly in the mansion. Suppressing their laughter, they nodded to each other with their eyes, and Adoris beamed.

"Alright, let’s get changed. Everyone, get ready and meet back here in half an hour."

Just as everyone expected, the little person’s face lit up with a brilliant smile, and she ran up the stairs. Seeing her off, the knights also headed to their rooms to change.

At any time, the members of the royal palace were incredibly soft on the little person.

"Woooow, it’s beautiful."

After getting ready and walking through the town for a few dozen minutes, the main street, which had begun to be enveloped in the evening twilight, was sparkling with lit lights. Each shop asserted its own personality. Some shops created a modest atmosphere with the faint light of lanterns, while others were brightly illuminated by bonfires.

An exotic feeling unique to a town on the border.

Although it had only been a year since Chihiro was reborn, her thoughts and standards were based on the Frontier royal capital. Unlike the relatively calm capital, which in her previous life’s terms had a complete European style, the town of Yarmouth was a mixture of various things.

"What about that? There’s someone who looks like they’re wearing ethnic clothing."

Where Chihiro was looking, there was a woman wearing something like a sari from her previous life. She was not wearing a bindi, but the beautiful embroidery using primary colors was very eye-catching.

"Ah, that is someone from Donautil. It is a desert country beyond Flawers. A large river flows through it, and it is a prosperous country thanks to the river’s blessings. Well, on the other hand, it is also a country with a lot of flood damage."

Hm, hm. So it's something like Egypt or Mesopotamia on Earth?

The river’s flooding would cause a great deal of fertile sand and mud to overflow onto the land, bringing blessings to the people. In return, they were also troubled by the frequent floods.

"What about over there?"

This time, it was a high-necked collar, a skirt with a deep slit, and a sleeveless shoulder with a thin shawl draped over it. Her legs were also bare, and the thin, light purple outfit, vivid even at night, suited the woman with black hair and sharp eyes well.

Chinese? It looks like a qipao, but she's not wearing leggings or pants. The only people who would wear it like that are cosplayers with a knock-off version, right?

Thinking that far, Chihiro was brought back to her senses.

No, no, no, this is another world. What am I doing thinking in Earth terms? It could be a similar but different culture.

As Chihiro was thinking such trivial thoughts, Dolphen’s low, piercing voice reached her ears. He narrowed his eyes with disgust, his gaze like one looking at filth.

"That is someone from the Kilfan Empire. It is a country with a strong tendency towards male chauvinism, and women are often seen in such a way, fawning over men. ...Shameless and indecent. Ah..."

His words must have slipped out. Dolphen hurriedly covered his mouth. However, the surrounding knights and even Adoris were glaring at the woman in the qipao-style dress with similar gazes. It seemed to be an unacceptable form of dress in Frontier.

Dolphen’s preference is the modest type.

Chihiro quietly added it to her mental memo.

"I think that’s beautiful in its own way, and it suits her well."

"Chihiro-sama?"

"Chihiro? That’s not acceptable. I’m sure everything looks good on you, but that is not acceptable."

When she murmured her thoughts without much thought, she received a tremendous reaction.

There’s no way it would suit a short-legged pipsqueak like me.

But finding the flustered reactions of those around her amusing, the little person beamed and said, "Let’s eat there tonight."

The knights were speechless. Adoris’s face was also deathly pale.

To that extent? The Kilfan Empire, or whatever it’s called, is really disliked.

But that’s what makes it interesting. If she hadn’t encountered it here, she surely would not have been told about it at the royal palace.

A once-in-a-lifetime chaaance.

Dolphen and the others could not stop the little person as she forged ahead.

Flying freely and whimsically, the little person is operating as usual today.