The Dandole March, known as the Northern Capital, had always thrived as a center of trade. However, several years ago, it began to feature unusual products for women.
New cosmetics, clothing, and household goods. Initially, they were only accepted by female Adventurers who loved novelties, but they quickly spread to noble ladies and female knights, gaining strong support, especially among relatively wealthy young women.
“…Come to think of it, I was recommended a lot of things at that Dwarven Armory.”
“Is that so?”
“Aria… aren’t you wearing some of those things too?”
Aria really has little interest in such things….
Anyway, until then, cosmetics were limited to perfume and face powder, and underwear was mostly drawers-type. In rural villages, it was common not to have underwear until after the age of ten. Now, from expensive items for nobles to cheap ones for commoners, anyone can obtain them if they want.
The Dandole Family was the first to create these items. Rumor has it that it was a young lady who wasn’t even ten years old yet.
The place we arrived at was a small Viscount Lovino Territory a few days south of the Dandole territory.
One town with two post towns, and only ten villages and large cotton fields. Originally, it was too small to be a Barony and seemed to have been under the direct control of the Dandole Family.
As far as Aria investigated, this land, which was governed by a Baron, a vassal of the Dandole Family, as a proxy lord, was a place where the Dandole Family created new products, but this land was made into the territory of a new, young viscount.
“…Truly, we were favored by the Princess, and we were all really looking forward to her becoming the Queen, but if the Princess becomes the lord of this land, we must support her as well.”
An old man (Samantha’s grandchild) at a stall in the post town said earnestly.
Samantha, who was much older than the very old man, tried to Thrust into the tavern as soon as she arrived at the post town and was restrained by Aria’s Pendulum.
“Samantha. If you’re going to drink, eat something while you do it.”
“More lamb again! You Demon Wife!”
…Is this what peace is?
Anyway, it seems that the young lady is loved by the people because it was originally under direct control, she gave them work, and she showed her face often.
By the way, the lord of this ‘Viscount Lovino Territory’ is a former prince, but could it be that the people don’t even know his face?
Well, given the circumstances, they probably won’t be on the public stage as nobles in their generation. Still, he could have died in the battle between me, Aria, and the demons, so it’s better to be alive without being confined.
Although, I’m the one who tried to kill everyone in the Royal Capital, so I can’t really say that.
“Snow. I’m going to show my face at the Adventurer’s Guild, what are you going to do?”
“What about that old woman?”
Aria said that to me when she came back, and I tilted my head at the existence of the old woman, who had disappeared without me noticing.
“Samantha is old, so I’m going to have her stay at an inn nearby today. I think she’s drinking on her own.”
“Well… isn’t that fine?”
Come to think of it, that’s right. Aria was treating Samantha like a normal old woman, and I was surprised by that.
“More importantly, is there an Adventurer’s Guild in such a small post town?”
“Basically, it’s in the town where the lord is, but these post towns also have branch offices with equipment for emergency communication.”
“Hee…”
Long-Range Magic Communication Tools are expensive because they use valuable adamantite, but the price seems to be proportional to the communication distance. In such a small territory, there seems to be only one in the Guild in the capital that can communicate with the Royal Capital.
However, that’s only for making calls. If it’s just for sending short messages, like the ones at the Magic Academy, mithril can be used as a substitute, so they can be placed in post towns like this.
Well, it’s military supplies, so not just anyone can buy them. The general public needs permission from the state.
“Here it is.”
While we were talking about that, we found the branch office of the Adventurer’s Guild.
What can I say… it’s just a private house. When we went inside, there was only one middle-aged male staff member, and a man who looked like a traveling merchant was talking to the staff member.
The Guild’s branch offices also buy Magic Stones from low-rank Monsters defeated by traveling Adventurers, residents, and travelers. It’s a bit more expensive just to sell Magic Stones, but you don’t need to register as an Adventurer.
Is this traveling merchant here to sell Magic Stones or to make a request? As I wondered about that, it didn’t seem like a peaceful atmosphere.
“–So, please do something about it already!”
“That’s why I’m saying, please tell that to the guard station or the lord.”
“I have told them, but it’s been quite a while!”
“There’s a limit to the number of soldiers… I think we’ll just have to wait for a knight to come from Dandole.”
“When will that be!?”
“The lord has put in a request, but no one is accepting it.”
“…What’s wrong?”
It seemed like it would be troublesome, but Aria, sensing that the conversation wouldn’t end, called out, and the traveling merchant turned around before the staff member could.
“Are you young ladies Adventurers? If so, please take care of the Bandits!”
“Hey, what are you saying to these young ladies!”
Rather than ignoring the Guild, the staff member, who had common sense, started arguing with the traveling merchant, who was trying to force the Bandit subjugation onto two young women.
Well, it can’t be helped. Aria is cute, after all.
““What’s wrong?””
““–!?””
The two of them froze at Aria’s words, which she repeated without changing her expression or tone. Maybe even a Rank 3 Monster would freeze….
“Actually…”
The staff member told us.
Recently, Bandits have been appearing around here. I thought Bandits were just good-for-nothings from farming families who didn’t get land, or a side job for farming villages during the off-season, but according to the traveling merchant who interrupted the conversation, there’s someone strong, and they seem to be quite organized.
In other words, they’re not just Bandits, but a group like a troop of soldiers or a mercenary corps, and they’re only attacking merchant caravans without even looking at travelers.
They know that this territory is making quite a profit, so they’re completely targeting it.
Are they really Bandits…?
There are soldiers in this territory, but it must be difficult because the number is limited in this small Viscount Lovino Territory. If they just patrol the streets with a small number of soldiers, they might be counterattacked by organized Bandits.
The Dandole Family should have attached a knight squad for the sake of their daughter and the former prince, but even for them, the protection of the two is prioritized, and the number of them is not large either.
Apparently, the young lady has also put in a request to the Adventurer’s Guild, but after a Rank 2 Adventurer was counterattacked once, the staff member said that even Rank 3 Adventurers are hesitant.
“Snow.”
“Yes, yes.”
It can’t be helped…. Even though you don’t trust others, you can’t leave them alone.
I honestly don’t care. I’m not interested in toys that have left my hands.
But… if that’s what you want, I’ll gladly go to the depths of hell.
“We’ll take that request.”
When Aria said that, the staff member and the traveling merchant looked surprised, but when Aria showed them her Rank 5 tag, their eyes widened and they fell silent.
Besides… I said they were strangers, but it’s not like they’re strangers at all. I owe the Princess a little bit too.
The next chapter will be about Bandit subjugation.
Book 7 is scheduled for January next year!
Demon Princess 3 has also been released, so please pick it up if you see it.