Year 7446, Month 5, Day 6
Mary's face as she walked over here had completely lost it's softness and tightened up. It seems she's gotten a bit of a suntan as well. Oh~ all of us still had our helmets on. I lifted my chin up while untying the string on my helmet to take it off. I'm sure my hair that's been dyed bright red stands out.
Seeing my dyed hair, Mary made a slightly surprised face but even then she continued walking without breaking her pace.
"You seem healthy, Mary."
"Thanks to you. I've prepared a room. These people are?"
Mary smiled a bit and said while looking at Miduchi and the other two.
"They're all my party members. I'll introduce you later. Where's Kuro?"
"Right now is our break time between shifts so he went out shopping for a bit. He should return soon. Please come this way"
"Wait just a minute. Is it fine to tie up our horses to the stake here?"
"Yeah, that's no problem. It's fine for you to keep your weapons as well."
Hearing that Angela quickly fastened the horses.
We were let through into the room which I had an interview with commander Sendhel once upon a time. After entering the building we crossed paths with several people but Mary always retreated to the side of the halls and waited for the other party to pass by.
It couldn't be helped so we copied her as well.
"I'm sorry. Since I'm a squire..In the knight group the visitors who stop by receive the same treatment."
Obviously~ I already knew that they wouldn't become something like a true knight in just four years. It can't be helped.
"Now then, shall we at least do introduction before Kuro returns? Yeah. Everyone, she is Mary, Marissa.Binsil. She's supposedly still a squire so a Free Person I guess?"
"Yeah, that's right. It's nice to meet you. I'm Marissa.Binsil a squire of the Marquis Webdos Knight Group."
Mary stood up with a firm posture and introduced herself like a soldier.
"I said it before but she might look like this but formerly she was an old lady just a bit younger than I was. Don't forget your respect for the elderly."
I said it like a joke but Mary glared at me with terrifying expression.
"Something like our previous ages don't matter at all! Since I'm 18 years old now. Rather than that quickly introduce us."
"Yeah, looking from your left is Miduchi. Midu~ritto.Chizumagurol."
"It's nice to meet you, Mary-san. I'm Midu~ritto.Chizumagurol. Just as you can see I'm a dark elf. I've dyed my hair but if I remove the dyes it's completely black. Since it seems this person has been in your care, thank you very much."
Miduchi said that while taking a step forward and stretching her right hand out to Mary. Mary grabbed that hand and shook it but it seems she was a bit overawed by Miduchi's skin color.
"..It..It's nice to meet you...I'm sorry. It's my first time meeting a dark elf and..That is...Also, this person?.."
"Yeah, there was a bit of a relation in the pa"I'm his wife."we still aren't married."
Hearing our words Mary made a slightly cheerful face saying, "You too.." and smiled while looking at Miduchi's face.
"After that the dwarf in the middle is Gwine. Gullinel.Akdam."
"It's nice to meet you, Mary-san. I've heard stories about you from Al-san. I'm Gullinel.Akdam. I'm the same as Al-san and Mary-san as well."
"I thought that might be the case. That's a lovely beard."
Mary brought Gwine's beard into the topic. Since she's popular right now you shouldn't touch on that topic.
Japanese people are supposed to be attentive listeners you know?
"Ehe~ thank you very much. It takes quite a bit of work, this."
No one was asking about the work or anything. But, it seems she's already completely gotten over it.
"The one on the far right is the Dog-person and my combat slave, Maruso.Angela. Everyone normally calls her Maruso. Ah, she's the only one who isn't a Japanese person but she knows the circumstances somewhat so don't worry too much about it "I still haven't told her about the techniques that only we can use but if it's necessary there's no real problem with talking about them.""
"It's nice to meet you. I've heard various stories from master. My name is Maruso.Angela. From here on out, it's good to know you."
"It's nice to meet you too. Since it's just a bit nostalgic, I might reflexively say words that you don't know but please pardon me."
Now then, that's plenty for introductions. I need to ask what needs to be asked.
I sat down on the sofa and opened my mouth.
"Mary. Sorry about suddenly coming to ask for you. It's been four years since then. I wanted to hear your response. Since I also had some business returning to my parent's house, I stopped by on the occasion."
".."
Mary was just looking intently at me with her mouth shut.
"I said it before but no matter what the conclusion you've come to, I won't resent you."
I wonder if it's a reply that's difficult to say? and thinking that I made it easier for her to say. In the worst case, if she doesn't want to join us then it's unfortunate but can't be helped. I'll just have to think that our connection was weak and there's no choice but to give up "for now". Of course it's nothing to get angry over either.
"It seems you're said to be the number one adventurer in Baldukk right now. In just a mere four years, it's quite something."
After all is she going to turn it down? First off I guess I'll quietly listen huh?
"Until the other day we went to subjugate a {Horned Bear} in Buraizu. It happens about once a year right. These sorts of things. We went once last year as well but that time no one died. But, this time even two people died.."
It might just be my imagination but I felt like the tone of Mary's voice dropped a bit.
"I didn't see one of them but the other one died right in front of my eyes. Their head was sent flying from a single hit of the {Horned Bear}. It was a child that was still 17 years old."
Everyone was quietly listening to Mary's voice.
"People die so easily right. I'm sure you already know but last year we went to the war as well. Kuro and I were both sent around to guard the provisions so it's not like we directly crossed blades with the army of Devas, but even from our knight group there were a number of casualties. There were people who were saved even with serious injuries but three people died. I thought it was scary."
But, you didn't quit right? I remembered Mary's face when she said, "I'll show you I can make use of this chance."
"In our knight group you know, it's turned into a legend."
Ah?
"Your older brother. Lord Farnestan.Greed. He entered at 14 years old and received investiture as a true knight at 16 years old then went to his first battle. There he made some great achievements. He's a hero who after that he threw away advancement and everything else to marry the commander's daughter as if he was kidnapping her and returned to his home town. The Black Eagle of Webdos. The commander brags about him all the time as well."
Hmm.
"Your older sister Milhaia.Greed joined the first knight group just before 15 years old. She became a true knight in a mere three years. Obviously even in our knight group she's an amazingly famous person. It seems her skill with the sword is quite something as well but what's frightening is her high skill level as a magician. The Black Witch. Even in the war just a while back it's to the point where she participated in the war deliberation as the young age of 21 years old. The commander was bragging about her as well."
What is it?
"And then you. Alan.Greed. In just four years you've become the number one adventurer of Baldukk. It seems there's no one who doesn't know you in that area. Simultaneously you're the founder and company president of Greed Company. It seems you're doing well getting along with Webdos Company without fighting them right."
Hearing Mary start listing out us siblings personal history in a quiet tone of voice, it was a way of speaking as if she was only pointing out the facts, but it was somewhat unamusing.
"You know. We gave it our best as well. When we entered the knight group, putting aside you, since everyone already knew about your brother and sister after all. Ah, I see. I thought that Al was the little brother of some amazing people. Even though I had actually seen your magic and sword right. I realized it once again."
Before I noticed it Mary was facing down sniffling.
"Putting aside Kuro, I didn't know a single thing about how to hold the spear. I was always getting hurt somewhere. But, Kuro and I encouraged eahc other. At first we were saying we'd become true knights in two years like that..Before we realized that became three years, and four years, and stretched out.."
It was then that we heard the sound of a knock on the door. Mary asked, "Kuro?" while asking the identity of the person at the door at the same time as it opened, and a man with shortly cut hair and darkened skin burnt from the sun entered the room. It's Kuro.
"Sorry about that. I was out for a bit. It's been a while."
"Yeah, it's been a while."
After finishing up introductions again Kuro sat down next to Mary.
"How far had you talked?"
Kuro asked. I changed the answer by just shrugging my shoulders.
"Mary you know. Is just a bit {nervous} right now. Have you heard about the incident last week?"
"Yeah, it seems that a squire passed away right in front of her eyes?"
"Nn..Just that huh? That squire who passed away right in front of her eyes, was a junior that she was taking good care of. And because of that she was a bit shocked.."
Hmn, so that's how it was?
"Please excuse me. I'll take over the discussion. Saying it simply. It's saying something selfish, but another two, no, please wait one more year. We had intended to have given our best quite a bit but after all for the daughter of a restaurant and a failed adventurer that is..during the first year we were basically not able to do anything. It took two and a half years just to be able to have a proper practice match against the other squires. After all the types of people who entered the knight group were those who had trained since they were little..we were no match for them."
I'm not in a hurry so that's particularly fine but...
"Is it fine to take that as meaning you're going to join me as adventurers one year later?"
"Yeah that's right. I said I'd definitely return the favor right?"
Kuro smiled while saying that.
It seems like..he isn't saying anything unreasonable.
"There's no particular problem with waiting. It's strange saying this but right now our forces are reasonably fulfilled so there's no need to hurry either. Of course, the sooner you join up with is the better though. However, I want to hear your real intentions. If joining up is your intention then, you should have the option of quitting the knight group right away and joining us as well. You can already use weapons right?"
When I asked that Mary and Kuro exchanged glances for just a bit and Kuro opened his mouth.
"Yeah, about that. Sorry but there's a bit of a reason. At the very least I definitely want to receive investiture as a true knight. Just as you taught us in the past, we didn't really have any problem with the academic part of it. It was just memorization after all. If you just understand the basics and foundations of tactics then after that it's memorization. When it comes to things like calculations and accounting we're basically the top in the knight group. But, after all in regards to combat abilities, particularly Mary was struggling with it quite a bit.."
"That, I'm sure it's your true intentions but..say everything."
"..Sorry. But it's true that it's a part of the reason. As a matter of fact, the old man of Binsil said that he wouldn't give Mary to me as a bride unless I became a true knight..If I can become a true knight then I'll become a commoner after all."
"Oh~!!"
The bearded woman started to get excited. This girl, she really loves these types of stories.
"If that's the case then just say it from the start. It's not like I'll get angry."
Well, it seems things have calmed down in a fitting place. After all that rubber bag I gave them as a parting gift when we split ways must have worked. I, did a good job right.
"Sorry."
"I said it's already fine. By the way, you went shopping right? Could it be a ring? Hn?"
I said it while laughing to try and soften the atmosphere even further.
Kuro and Mary just turned a bit red.
What the, did he really go to buy a ring?
How amazing my reading~
"No, as expected a ring is..I just went out to buy something we needed."
"But it's suspicious how the two of you turned red~ look, look~"
Gwine was looking at his hand as well.
"No, that is, isn't it fine. It's something I received from Al in the past. There's quite a few stores that sell them in Keel after all."
So it was condoms. Gyafun.
.................
One year later, at the very least it seems that Kuro will be able to have his eyes set on becoming a true knight. According to Kuro and Mary's conversation and recently Mary has felt some growth as well, it might be difficult one year later but it seems if she can make some decent achievements subjugating monsters then it's not completely impossible. I heard from brother and the others but it seems they're giving it their best. It seems they intend to join us, so since I was able to confirm their current status there's no problem.
Rather than that, there's one more, thing that I need to take care of in Keel. I want to hear the recent state of affairs from the owner of Ritton, Haritaido-san. That toad-like man has an unbearable appearance but his intellect has promise. Since he was talking about making a second chain store, if he's still lacking in capital then I thought I might offer an investment.
I dragged along the three of them while walking to Ritton but as we approached my resolve gradually grew weaker. Putting aside Angela, entering a brothel together with Miduchi and Gwine is just a bit~ Let's stop. Rather than it's a matter that can be resolved if I just call him out to Dakkuruton. Along the way I went down a different road and started towards Dakkuruton.
My outfit is imposing but just in case I'm still at the end of the nobility as well. I was able to make reservations without problem. Additionally I asked the {boy} to send a messenger to the owner of Ritton that I'd like for him to come by at 6 pm.
Obviously it requires adding a bonus fee in there but it's a necessary expense.
"I've got a business discussion. I want to talk with a customer that did some transactions of a reasonable value in the early days. Sorry but eat dinner without me for tonight."
And I said that while we were returning to Binsu Manor and changed into some tidy clothes that weren't very high quality.
It seems that Jaba-Haritaido came running at the invitation of the company president of Greed Company. It seems he remembered me as well. Right now brother is selling to him but the one who concluded the first business discussion was me after all. It seems that when he appeared while rubbing his palms together he thought it was a discussion about another new product. However, the proposal from me was about investment towards a second store. I thought he would be even more overjoyed, but it seems he's not that much of an idiot, and he showed a complete change as his expression turned quite wary.
This is how it needs to be. It's fine if he refuses it for now. It's plenty as long as the fact that I have reasonable amount of funds and I'm seriously taking it into consideration is conveyed. Ah, of course, something like a second chain store for a brothel in the middle of nowhere doesn't matter at all. If he wishes for it then loaning the funds for just that is no problem at all. The objective was to strongly leave an impression of my existence in his memory.
..................
Year 7446, Month 5, Day 7
"Then one year later, come to Baldukk. We'll be waiting for you."
"Umm, Al..Yesterday was..I'm sorry for suddenly saying something weird."
Mary said with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sure things like that happen right. But, death is an everyday occurrence for adventurers. It's something I'd like you get a bit used to. But you know, I'll declare it but I have no intention of letting my allies get killed. I still haven't let even a single person die after all. I'll say it on the occasion but after you become true knights even if you stay in the knight group I won't get angry. Just, I wanted you to know this much. If you come to Baldukk then I'll pay you several times the wages of a true knight."
After I said that Mary made a slightly surprised face but laughed.
"Then, Kuro you too stay well. Even if it's just you, you need to quickly receive investiture as a true knight~ right? It's a common saying, but give it your best."
"Yeah, Mary and I will both return our debt to you. Just wait for us."
I put my arms around Kuro and Mary's shoulders and after forming a circle whispered in a small voice.
"I want you to listen without getting angry. If Mary permits it then, I want you to level up Kuro's Unique Ability {Charm}. You might already know but if you just use it the necessary number of times the level will increase. If Mary says it's no good no matter what, then I won't say anything unreasonable. But, I think it's an ability that is suited for gathering information. I'll leave the decision up to you two."
That fellow Kuro, since then it seems he hasn't used {Charm} almost at all. The level was still just the same at 3. Even though Mary's ability {Resistance(Poison)} was already at the MAX level.
After finishing up saying our farewells in front of the knight group headquarters in the early morning we departed from Keel.
.....................
Year 7446, Month 5, Day 10
It's completely different when the road is good.
In no time at all we passed through Marquis Webdos's territory and entered Viscount Penlaido's territory. Gwine has pefectly remembered the terrain.
"I think it would be more efficient to remember a new route on the trip back. What should we do?"
Normally we'd take a detour on the route around the base of the Pitosu mountain range to the Southwest through Viscount Penlaido's territory. After that we'd go to the capital of the Viscount's territory Karumu, then it's fine if we just follow along the coast. We have no carriage and we're light, if we don't play along the way we could arrive in Baldukk without even taking three weeks. In the past, when sister returned home once she did a round trip from the capital to Bakuddo in a month and a half. It's not like we have enough horses for the number of people we have so I'm sure we can't go that fast but we should be able to move at a speed where one-way takes one month with plenty of time remaining.
Hm~mm. It's not particularly like we're competing for every days worth of time. I felt like it would be fine if we could just return sometime this month but if I think about things form here on out and even if it consumes a bit of time it's only obvious it would be better to make the map for it. The precise route from Karumu to Baldukk along the coast is already in Gwine's head after all and even the road is in her memory. There's no need to take the same route.
"Certainly that's true. Then shall we go this way?"
Not just the Pitosu mountain range but I guess we'll take a detour around Board mountain East of that and pass through Viscount Yoraizu's territory going North?
While having lunch we spread out the badly made map on the level of the warring states era of Japan while deciding the outline of the course. We should be able to arrive at the village in the East Biasso by today. We'll stay one night there. Then about 20 km ahead of that there should be the decently large town of Ramudokku with a population of a few thousand people. If we go that far then Viscount Yoarizu's territory is right in front of us.
After eating lunch we mounted the horses and started moving.
Year 7446, Month 5, Day 6
Mary's face as she walked over here had completely lost it's softness and tightened up. It seems she's gotten a bit of a suntan as well. Oh~ all of us still had our helmets on. I lifted my chin up while untying the string on my helmet to take it off. I'm sure my hair that's been dyed bright red stands out.
Seeing my dyed hair, Mary made a slightly surprised face but even then she continued walking without breaking her pace.
"You seem healthy, Mary."
"Thanks to you. I've prepared a room. These people are?"
Mary smiled a bit and said while looking at Miduchi and the other two.
"They're all my party members. I'll introduce you later. Where's Kuro?"
"Right now is our break time between shifts so he went out shopping for a bit. He should return soon. Please come this way"
"Wait just a minute. Is it fine to tie up our horses to the stake here?"
"Yeah, that's no problem. It's fine for you to keep your weapons as well."
Hearing that Angela quickly fastened the horses.
We were let through into the room which I had an interview with commander Sendhel once upon a time. After entering the building we crossed paths with several people but Mary always retreated to the side of the halls and waited for the other party to pass by.
It couldn't be helped so we copied her as well.
"I'm sorry. Since I'm a squire..In the knight group the visitors who stop by receive the same treatment."
Obviously~ I already knew that they wouldn't become something like a true knight in just four years. It can't be helped.
"Now then, shall we at least do introduction before Kuro returns? Yeah. Everyone, she is Mary, Marissa.Binsil. She's supposedly still a squire so a Free Person I guess?"
"Yeah, that's right. It's nice to meet you. I'm Marissa.Binsil a squire of the Marquis Webdos Knight Group."
Mary stood up with a firm posture and introduced herself like a soldier.
"I said it before but she might look like this but formerly she was an old lady just a bit younger than I was. Don't forget your respect for the elderly."
I said it like a joke but Mary glared at me with terrifying expression.
"Something like our previous ages don't matter at all! Since I'm 18 years old now. Rather than that quickly introduce us."
"Yeah, looking from your left is Miduchi. Midu~ritto.Chizumagurol."
"It's nice to meet you, Mary-san. I'm Midu~ritto.Chizumagurol. Just as you can see I'm a dark elf. I've dyed my hair but if I remove the dyes it's completely black. Since it seems this person has been in your care, thank you very much."
Miduchi said that while taking a step forward and stretching her right hand out to Mary. Mary grabbed that hand and shook it but it seems she was a bit overawed by Miduchi's skin color.
"..It..It's nice to meet you...I'm sorry. It's my first time meeting a dark elf and..That is...Also, this person?.."
"Yeah, there was a bit of a relation in the pa"I'm his wife."we still aren't married."
Hearing our words Mary made a slightly cheerful face saying, "You too.." and smiled while looking at Miduchi's face.
"After that the dwarf in the middle is Gwine. Gullinel.Akdam."
"It's nice to meet you, Mary-san. I've heard stories about you from Al-san. I'm Gullinel.Akdam. I'm the same as Al-san and Mary-san as well."
"I thought that might be the case. That's a lovely beard."
Mary brought Gwine's beard into the topic. Since she's popular right now you shouldn't touch on that topic.
Japanese people are supposed to be attentive listeners you know?
"Ehe~ thank you very much. It takes quite a bit of work, this."
No one was asking about the work or anything. But, it seems she's already completely gotten over it.
"The one on the far right is the Dog-person and my combat slave, Maruso.Angela. Everyone normally calls her Maruso. Ah, she's the only one who isn't a Japanese person but she knows the circumstances somewhat so don't worry too much about it "I still haven't told her about the techniques that only we can use but if it's necessary there's no real problem with talking about them.""
"It's nice to meet you. I've heard various stories from master. My name is Maruso.Angela. From here on out, it's good to know you."
"It's nice to meet you too. Since it's just a bit nostalgic, I might reflexively say words that you don't know but please pardon me."
Now then, that's plenty for introductions. I need to ask what needs to be asked.
I sat down on the sofa and opened my mouth.
"Mary. Sorry about suddenly coming to ask for you. It's been four years since then. I wanted to hear your response. Since I also had some business returning to my parent's house, I stopped by on the occasion."
".."
Mary was just looking intently at me with her mouth shut.
"I said it before but no matter what the conclusion you've come to, I won't resent you."
I wonder if it's a reply that's difficult to say? and thinking that I made it easier for her to say. In the worst case, if she doesn't want to join us then it's unfortunate but can't be helped. I'll just have to think that our connection was weak and there's no choice but to give up "for now". Of course it's nothing to get angry over either.
"It seems you're said to be the number one adventurer in Baldukk right now. In just a mere four years, it's quite something."
After all is she going to turn it down? First off I guess I'll quietly listen huh?
"Until the other day we went to subjugate a {Horned Bear} in Buraizu. It happens about once a year right. These sorts of things. We went once last year as well but that time no one died. But, this time even two people died.."
It might just be my imagination but I felt like the tone of Mary's voice dropped a bit.
"I didn't see one of them but the other one died right in front of my eyes. Their head was sent flying from a single hit of the {Horned Bear}. It was a child that was still 17 years old."
Everyone was quietly listening to Mary's voice.
"People die so easily right. I'm sure you already know but last year we went to the war as well. Kuro and I were both sent around to guard the provisions so it's not like we directly crossed blades with the army of Devas, but even from our knight group there were a number of casualties. There were people who were saved even with serious injuries but three people died. I thought it was scary."
But, you didn't quit right? I remembered Mary's face when she said, "I'll show you I can make use of this chance."
"In our knight group you know, it's turned into a legend."
Ah?
"Your older brother. Lord Farnestan.Greed. He entered at 14 years old and received investiture as a true knight at 16 years old then went to his first battle. There he made some great achievements. He's a hero who after that he threw away advancement and everything else to marry the commander's daughter as if he was kidnapping her and returned to his home town. The Black Eagle of Webdos. The commander brags about him all the time as well."
Hmm.
"Your older sister Milhaia.Greed joined the first knight group just before 15 years old. She became a true knight in a mere three years. Obviously even in our knight group she's an amazingly famous person. It seems her skill with the sword is quite something as well but what's frightening is her high skill level as a magician. The Black Witch. Even in the war just a while back it's to the point where she participated in the war deliberation as the young age of 21 years old. The commander was bragging about her as well."
What is it?
"And then you. Alan.Greed. In just four years you've become the number one adventurer of Baldukk. It seems there's no one who doesn't know you in that area. Simultaneously you're the founder and company president of Greed Company. It seems you're doing well getting along with Webdos Company without fighting them right."
Hearing Mary start listing out us siblings personal history in a quiet tone of voice, it was a way of speaking as if she was only pointing out the facts, but it was somewhat unamusing.
"You know. We gave it our best as well. When we entered the knight group, putting aside you, since everyone already knew about your brother and sister after all. Ah, I see. I thought that Al was the little brother of some amazing people. Even though I had actually seen your magic and sword right. I realized it once again."
Before I noticed it Mary was facing down sniffling.
"Putting aside Kuro, I didn't know a single thing about how to hold the spear. I was always getting hurt somewhere. But, Kuro and I encouraged eahc other. At first we were saying we'd become true knights in two years like that..Before we realized that became three years, and four years, and stretched out.."
It was then that we heard the sound of a knock on the door. Mary asked, "Kuro?" while asking the identity of the person at the door at the same time as it opened, and a man with shortly cut hair and darkened skin burnt from the sun entered the room. It's Kuro.
"Sorry about that. I was out for a bit. It's been a while."
"Yeah, it's been a while."
After finishing up introductions again Kuro sat down next to Mary.
"How far had you talked?"
Kuro asked. I changed the answer by just shrugging my shoulders.
"Mary you know. Is just a bit {nervous} right now. Have you heard about the incident last week?"
"Yeah, it seems that a squire passed away right in front of her eyes?"
"Nn..Just that huh? That squire who passed away right in front of her eyes, was a junior that she was taking good care of. And because of that she was a bit shocked.."
Hmn, so that's how it was?
"Please excuse me. I'll take over the discussion. Saying it simply. It's saying something selfish, but another two, no, please wait one more year. We had intended to have given our best quite a bit but after all for the daughter of a restaurant and a failed adventurer that is..during the first year we were basically not able to do anything. It took two and a half years just to be able to have a proper practice match against the other squires. After all the types of people who entered the knight group were those who had trained since they were little..we were no match for them."
I'm not in a hurry so that's particularly fine but...
"Is it fine to take that as meaning you're going to join me as adventurers one year later?"
"Yeah that's right. I said I'd definitely return the favor right?"
Kuro smiled while saying that.
It seems like..he isn't saying anything unreasonable.
"There's no particular problem with waiting. It's strange saying this but right now our forces are reasonably fulfilled so there's no need to hurry either. Of course, the sooner you join up with is the better though. However, I want to hear your real intentions. If joining up is your intention then, you should have the option of quitting the knight group right away and joining us as well. You can already use weapons right?"
When I asked that Mary and Kuro exchanged glances for just a bit and Kuro opened his mouth.
"Yeah, about that. Sorry but there's a bit of a reason. At the very least I definitely want to receive investiture as a true knight. Just as you taught us in the past, we didn't really have any problem with the academic part of it. It was just memorization after all. If you just understand the basics and foundations of tactics then after that it's memorization. When it comes to things like calculations and accounting we're basically the top in the knight group. But, after all in regards to combat abilities, particularly Mary was struggling with it quite a bit.."
"That, I'm sure it's your true intentions but..say everything."
"..Sorry. But it's true that it's a part of the reason. As a matter of fact, the old man of Binsil said that he wouldn't give Mary to me as a bride unless I became a true knight..If I can become a true knight then I'll become a commoner after all."
"Oh~!!"
The bearded woman started to get excited. This girl, she really loves these types of stories.
"If that's the case then just say it from the start. It's not like I'll get angry."
Well, it seems things have calmed down in a fitting place. After all that rubber bag I gave them as a parting gift when we split ways must have worked. I, did a good job right.
"Sorry."
"I said it's already fine. By the way, you went shopping right? Could it be a ring? Hn?"
I said it while laughing to try and soften the atmosphere even further.
Kuro and Mary just turned a bit red.
What the, did he really go to buy a ring?
How amazing my reading~
"No, as expected a ring is..I just went out to buy something we needed."
"But it's suspicious how the two of you turned red~ look, look~"
Gwine was looking at his hand as well.
"No, that is, isn't it fine. It's something I received from Al in the past. There's quite a few stores that sell them in Keel after all."
So it was condoms. Gyafun.
.................
One year later, at the very least it seems that Kuro will be able to have his eyes set on becoming a true knight. According to Kuro and Mary's conversation and recently Mary has felt some growth as well, it might be difficult one year later but it seems if she can make some decent achievements subjugating monsters then it's not completely impossible. I heard from brother and the others but it seems they're giving it their best. It seems they intend to join us, so since I was able to confirm their current status there's no problem.
Rather than that, there's one more, thing that I need to take care of in Keel. I want to hear the recent state of affairs from the owner of Ritton, Haritaido-san. That toad-like man has an unbearable appearance but his intellect has promise. Since he was talking about making a second chain store, if he's still lacking in capital then I thought I might offer an investment.
I dragged along the three of them while walking to Ritton but as we approached my resolve gradually grew weaker. Putting aside Angela, entering a brothel together with Miduchi and Gwine is just a bit~ Let's stop. Rather than it's a matter that can be resolved if I just call him out to Dakkuruton. Along the way I went down a different road and started towards Dakkuruton.
My outfit is imposing but just in case I'm still at the end of the nobility as well. I was able to make reservations without problem. Additionally I asked the {boy} to send a messenger to the owner of Ritton that I'd like for him to come by at 6 pm.
Obviously it requires adding a bonus fee in there but it's a necessary expense.
"I've got a business discussion. I want to talk with a customer that did some transactions of a reasonable value in the early days. Sorry but eat dinner without me for tonight."
And I said that while we were returning to Binsu Manor and changed into some tidy clothes that weren't very high quality.
It seems that Jaba-Haritaido came running at the invitation of the company president of Greed Company. It seems he remembered me as well. Right now brother is selling to him but the one who concluded the first business discussion was me after all. It seems that when he appeared while rubbing his palms together he thought it was a discussion about another new product. However, the proposal from me was about investment towards a second store. I thought he would be even more overjoyed, but it seems he's not that much of an idiot, and he showed a complete change as his expression turned quite wary.
This is how it needs to be. It's fine if he refuses it for now. It's plenty as long as the fact that I have reasonable amount of funds and I'm seriously taking it into consideration is conveyed. Ah, of course, something like a second chain store for a brothel in the middle of nowhere doesn't matter at all. If he wishes for it then loaning the funds for just that is no problem at all. The objective was to strongly leave an impression of my existence in his memory.
..................
Year 7446, Month 5, Day 7
"Then one year later, come to Baldukk. We'll be waiting for you."
"Umm, Al..Yesterday was..I'm sorry for suddenly saying something weird."
Mary said with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sure things like that happen right. But, death is an everyday occurrence for adventurers. It's something I'd like you get a bit used to. But you know, I'll declare it but I have no intention of letting my allies get killed. I still haven't let even a single person die after all. I'll say it on the occasion but after you become true knights even if you stay in the knight group I won't get angry. Just, I wanted you to know this much. If you come to Baldukk then I'll pay you several times the wages of a true knight."
After I said that Mary made a slightly surprised face but laughed.
"Then, Kuro you too stay well. Even if it's just you, you need to quickly receive investiture as a true knight~ right? It's a common saying, but give it your best."
"Yeah, Mary and I will both return our debt to you. Just wait for us."
I put my arms around Kuro and Mary's shoulders and after forming a circle whispered in a small voice.
"I want you to listen without getting angry. If Mary permits it then, I want you to level up Kuro's Unique Ability {Charm}. You might already know but if you just use it the necessary number of times the level will increase. If Mary says it's no good no matter what, then I won't say anything unreasonable. But, I think it's an ability that is suited for gathering information. I'll leave the decision up to you two."
That fellow Kuro, since then it seems he hasn't used {Charm} almost at all. The level was still just the same at 3. Even though Mary's ability {Resistance(Poison)} was already at the MAX level.
After finishing up saying our farewells in front of the knight group headquarters in the early morning we departed from Keel.
.....................
Year 7446, Month 5, Day 10
It's completely different when the road is good.
In no time at all we passed through Marquis Webdos's territory and entered Viscount Penlaido's territory. Gwine has pefectly remembered the terrain.
"I think it would be more efficient to remember a new route on the trip back. What should we do?"
Normally we'd take a detour on the route around the base of the Pitosu mountain range to the Southwest through Viscount Penlaido's territory. After that we'd go to the capital of the Viscount's territory Karumu, then it's fine if we just follow along the coast. We have no carriage and we're light, if we don't play along the way we could arrive in Baldukk without even taking three weeks. In the past, when sister returned home once she did a round trip from the capital to Bakuddo in a month and a half. It's not like we have enough horses for the number of people we have so I'm sure we can't go that fast but we should be able to move at a speed where one-way takes one month with plenty of time remaining.
Hm~mm. It's not particularly like we're competing for every days worth of time. I felt like it would be fine if we could just return sometime this month but if I think about things form here on out and even if it consumes a bit of time it's only obvious it would be better to make the map for it. The precise route from Karumu to Baldukk along the coast is already in Gwine's head after all and even the road is in her memory. There's no need to take the same route.
"Certainly that's true. Then shall we go this way?"
Not just the Pitosu mountain range but I guess we'll take a detour around Board mountain East of that and pass through Viscount Yoraizu's territory going North?
While having lunch we spread out the badly made map on the level of the warring states era of Japan while deciding the outline of the course. We should be able to arrive at the village in the East Biasso by today. We'll stay one night there. Then about 20 km ahead of that there should be the decently large town of Ramudokku with a population of a few thousand people. If we go that far then Viscount Yoarizu's territory is right in front of us.
After eating lunch we mounted the horses and started moving.
