Chapter 26: Homeless goes to the Royal Capital

The road to the royal capital is not that long. It is a two day travel by carriage from Mana City. Speaking of such distance, I feel that it’s pretty close. It’s approximately one day by car.

The horse-drawn carriage was painted in black and had a high-class feel like that of a noble’s vehicle. Two horses with good physique pull it which shows their good treatment on us. Edner, who is driving the horse-drawn carriage, take turns with Freya.

“Pero is really nice and cute.”

The one who spoke was Freya who keeps on smiling. While Edner is driving the carriage, she sits besides us and holds Pero. Perhaps Pero understood that she is harmless so he allowed her to embrace him.

Erna who’s beside me whispers,

“Pero-kun is a boy, isn’t it bad that he is bare…?”

As I look at Pero’s lower half, I can see that it is covered with fur now. Hmmm, we have to buy clothes for him when we arrive at the capital.

“By the way Freya, is there any secret about this carriage? I noticed that we are not attacked by magical beasts you see.”

I’ve been wondering about it since I got on the carriage. Many magical beasts flee as soon as they see the carriage. I’m sure there’s some secret in this carriage then.

“Yeah, this carriage is loaded with a lot of special medicinal herbs to avoid monsters. Once they smell it, they won’t get close to the carriage.”

“Ho-h, is it a special medicinal herb? Sometimes I can see some travelers, do they also have that medicinal herb?”

“Yes. These medicinal herbs don’t work on some magical beast but they are still popular as a travel essential. You can get them at a relatively cheap price in the royal capital.”

When I smell the horse-drawn carriage, I can certainly smell an incense like scent. Looking at Pero, I could see that he sometimes sneezes, he appears to hate the smell. However, it seems that a sacred beast does not seem to reject it.

“Isn’t it possible to use those medicinal herbs to drive off pseudo dragons?”

When I asked the question, Erna shakes her head.

“When it comes to large magical beasts like pseudo dragons, it has a weak sense of smell. So no matter how much medicinal herbs you prepare to avoid them, it will be ignored. I wonder if Saint Crystal or Saint Water will work though.”

“Is Saint Crystal still effective as an amulet?”

Actually, I came up with a hypothesis. I’m wearing the black robe which nullifies magic. If so, the effect of Saint Crystal might have been nullified. Of course, this is just a hypothesis. It is also possible that Saint Crystal originally had no such amulet effect.

However, I live in a dungeon benefiting from Saint Water. If so, it is no wonder that Saint Crystal also has the same power. It is still my hypothesis but I can judge that such possibility is high. I wonder up to what performance is hidden on this robe.

“Wauuu”

Pero break free from Freya and quickly sits beside me. His clear blue eyes gazes at me like a child looking at his father. I then stroke Pero’s head.

“We will reach the royal capital soon.”

Freya exudes tension while watching the scenery outside. As her word goes, the number of people passing by outside the carriage has increased, and a road paved with cobblestones leading to the city that looks like the horizon appeared. There’s a wide field of greenery and clear skies. In the center of the idyllic scenery was the capital of Rogas Kingdom, which can be described as huge.

“Is this the royal capital?”

“It’s also my first time to come to the royal capital. It’s amazing because it’s known as the smallest country in the world.”

Yes, this Rogas Kingdom is the smallest country in this world surrounded by five huge nations. I can’t help but wonder how it survived this far. Despite the overwhelming difference from the other nation, this kingdom still exists today.

When we entered the royal capital, the horse-drawn carriage stands out due to the colorful structures around us. The orange triangular roofs and the pastel colored walls are pleasing to the eye. The ambiance was not spoilt and such harmony evokes emotions. It was exactly like the streets of medieval Germany.

“He-h, there are many stylish people too.”

Erna seems to be enjoying feminine fashion as a woman. However, for some reason she glances at me.

…..Even with such look, I won’t buy clothes you know.

As the carriage drove through the crowded road, we passed on the main street and stopped in front of a mansion. The gatekeeper talks to Edner and he begins to open the gate right after. The carriage passed through a small garden and we arrived at the entrance of the mansion.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

When we got off the carriage, we headed into the mansion, with Edner in the lead.

“It’s a big mansion, as expected from a duke.”

The Duke’s mansion is a three-story brick house. It looks dignified and it seems to be from ancient time.

“Welcome”

The butler immediately greets us after we entered the mansion. Although he looks old, his behavior is perfect, not to mention he’s wearing a gentleman’s suit. It seems unlikely that he is an ordinary person.

I immediately used appraisal.

【Appraisal Result: Morgan: Duke Medil’s butler. When he was young, he became known as an adventurer. Later on he decided to work for the Duke’s family and with the arrangement of the former Medil family head, he formed a master-servant relationship. 】

【Status】 Name:  Morgan Age:  77 years old Race:  Human Occupation:  Butler Magic attribute:  Water Magic:  Aqua ball, Aqua Arrow Skills:  Appraisal(Beginner),  Swordsmanship (Intermediate), Axemanship (Special) Taijutsu A (Advanced), Danger Detection (Special), Intimidation (Intermediate), Leadership (Intermediate)

In spite of being a butler, he is quite strong. Maybe it’s because he’s a former adventurer. His danger detection is on a special rank, it’s quite hard to attain.

“Well then, please follow me.”

As the butler starts to walk, we follow him. Edgar and Freya closely stick behind us, they seemed to be watching us. After going up to the third floor, the butler knocks on the door of a room.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“My Lord, I brought your guests.”

“…Let them in.”

After we heard the voice from behind the door, the butler opens the door and urges us to enter.

“You guys are those guests huh… sit where ever you like.”

The man sitting on the sofa at the center of the room spoke. His black hair was in a swept back style. The moustache under his nose was evenly trimmed. He has dark circles under his eyes and his cheeks look gaunt though. And although he is wearing a well-tailored clothes, he gives me the impression that he doesn’t have any vigour.

We sat down on the two-sided sofa and waited for Duke Medil to speak.

“…Thank you for finding my son’s keepsake.”

“It’s a coincidence for us. I just happened to find it in the dungeon. When I saw the necklace, I decided to takeit with me.”

“Is that so…. how was the face of my son when he died?”

“It’s better if you don’t know. The dungeon is full of monsters you see.”

The Duke got silent. When I got the crystal necklace, I clearly remember that the crystal necklace came out from the bag of a headless body. I don’t know if he really was the son of the Duke. However, it’s true that he had the necklace.

“That’s why I told you not to be an adventurer! Foolish son!”

The Duke suddenly hits the table to show his anger. It’s a strange story if you think about it normally. As the son of a Duke, who already has a high rank in the noble family, he will not aim to become an adventurer. There must be some circumstance to it.

The Duke took a deep breath and corrects the collar of his clothes and apologize to us.

“Please excuse me. My son, Novan, was the eldest son of this family. I just expressed my anger.”

“It doesn’t matter. But, why did the eldest son of a Duke become an adventurer?”

“It’s for a childish reason. He left the house as he admired those successful adventurers in the royal capital. Eventually, he couldn’t come back…”

I could understand the feeling of losing a son. I was once a parent too.

“Do you have any other children?”

“I have two sons. The matter of succeeding the family is fine but still, the pain of losing my child won’t disappear.”

Me and Erna couldn’t say anything. I understand him, even though they’re nobles, they’re still father and son.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Kauuun”

Pero who’s sitting on the sofa, stands up and walks up to Duke Medil. He then took the Duke’s hand and licked it.

“What is this creature? Is it a magical beast? But… it seems to ease my heart…”

Every time Pero licked his hand, the Duke seemed to be regaining his enthusiasm.

“What a mysterious feeling… It seems that my sadness has been absorbed…”

The Duke pats Pero’s head and says, “Thank you. I’m already fine”. He then shows a gentle smile.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Pero is a sacred beast. It may have healed you with its mysterious power.”

“I see, it’s a sacred beast huh. It was its sacred power that healed my feelings then.”

He agrees to Erna’s explanation.

“Well though it’s late, I am Almed Medil, the head of the Medil family. Call me Duke Medil.”

When he appears to be ready to have a conversation, I start to talk about our purpose of coming here.

“Well then, Duke Medil, one question, what kind of relationship do you have with the Marquis family?”

“Hn? Marquis family? Are you talking about the Gloris family?”

“Yes. Do you have any connection with the Gloris family?”

“Yeah, there is… Is there something wrong?”

I then talked about the pair of adventurer we met in Mana City.

“―So speaking of that, the Marquis family may come after us.”

“The third son of the Gloris family is famous in the royal capital. At one time he was dubbed as a genius but now he is shunned by his arrogant personality. He becoming an adventurer, this is my first time hearing that.”

The Duke briefly shifted his eyes to Pero.

“I have some requirements as well. Can you lend me the sacred beast for a week?”

“Pero?”

“Of course, you may stay at the mansion as the parents of the sacred beast. In exchange, let me pay close attention to the Marquis family.”

Hmm, a week isn’t that long.

And if Pero’s mysterious power heals the Duke’s sorrow, as I was once a parent too, he cannot be overlooked. The fact that a child has been lost cannot be erased, but his vigour to live in the present should not be extinguished.

Besides, I’m not really Pero’s parent but at this point, it’s better to say so.

“I understand. Then we will be in your care for a week. The matter regarding the Marquis family, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Of course. You’re young but you’re quite calm. It feels like I’m talking to an old friend.”

“Fuhahaha, I look like this but I had gone through a scene of carnage. Though I’m young, I will listen to any story as long as it will help the Duke.”

After that, I listened as the Duke talk about his oldest son who died. I do not know a youngster named Novan, but I think that doing it this way (those who know him, remembers him) is the best way for mourning the dead.

◆◇◆

“Father! Quickly send the soldiers after the Homeless party in Mana city! They made a fool out of me!”

Arvish complained to his father, Marquis Gloris. This is the study at the Gloris House in the Royal Capital. At his desk, Marquis Gloris was listening to his son Arvish while running his pen over his paperwork.

“…Why do we have to send soldiers to that Homeless party?”

“I already told you so many times! As the son of the Marquis family, I, the well-known genius was made into a fool in the presence of the masses! This is an unforgivable act of barbarism! You should immediately send our soldiers to send them to the execution table!”

“You’re lacking composure. With the Marquis sending out soldiers for those two adventurers, isn’t it like you’re admitting your loss? Above all, it costs money just to send soldiers to that city.”

“You still have to do it! When you listened to my story two days ago, father already agreed right?! What’s going on, father!?”

The Marquis stopped his hand then he takes out a piece of parchment from the drawer and throws it at Arvish.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Read it.”

Arvish picked up the parchment, confirmed the contents, and uttered a word,

“S-Stern warning from the duke…? It is forbidden to act provocatively on the adventurers recognized by the Duke family…. what the hell is this?”

“It’s as what you have seen. The Duke warned me not to make a move against those adventurers.”

“It’s a lie…”

Arvish dropped the parchment on the floor and trembled in fear. The Duke holds the third highest power in this kingdom. He’s not a good opponent to turn against especially for him who’s just the third son of a Marquis family.

“It seems that the adventurers you get involved with were officially recognized by the Duke. In the future, refrain from playing adventurer a little more.”

Marquis Gloris ended the conversation and concentrates on his papers again. Arvish then left the room while gritting his teeth in anger.

“Homeless bastaaards!”

He then recalled when the silver-haired man grinned at him.

(I hate everything about that man! I want to kill him!)

Arvish boiled with anger.

“Arvish”

Looking back to the source of the voice, Feria smiled at him.

“I’m in a bad mood now… please do it later.”

“It seems that those Homeless guys came to the royal capital, you know.”

He responded to her words with a jolt.

“Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s the rumor in the guild at the royal capital.”

Arvish then grinned.

---

Previous ⚜ Table of Contents ⚜ Next

---