Chapter 36: The Exiled Marquise is Devout 3
“Even so, I don’t understand why you were completely unknown at the academy.”
Erika-san said that about an hour after we left town, deciding to subjugate some Monsters along the highway since there were no suitable quests at the Adventurers Guild.
Since we were encountering weak Monsters unseen in the Faltar Kingdom with fresh surprise, it felt less like Monster Subjugation and more like recreation.
Of course, even such Monsters are a sufficient threat to ordinary people, so we weren’t cutting corners.
“Because I’m the second son of an Impoverished Viscount.”
I said this while gnawing on dried meat, sitting in some suitable shade to take a break and eat lunch.
If I were honest and said I only went to the academy to see your face and had no intention of taking it seriously, I felt like I’d get scolded, so I fabricated a suitable reason.
“Is that how it is?”
Erika-san, who, as the daughter of a great Marquis House, was of a different rank than me, tilted her head.
As expected, the reason was too flimsy; she seems suspicious.
“Besides, I’m not good with magic. There was also the fact that I didn’t want attention just for my Sword skills.”
“So you mean you were slacking off?”
She looked displeased. Even though it’s about the past, she looks displeased, I thought. But saying this out loud also seemed likely to get me scolded, so I kept quiet.
“Besides, I was busy with adventurer work, you know. I couldn’t manage my studies as well.”
“Even so, it’s infuriating that the man who is to be my husband was looked down upon by others.”
Though at the time, you didn’t even remember my name… I reminisced about the past, which felt nostalgic despite being so recent.
“Well, whatever, it’s all in the past now.”
When I let out a mumble that wasn’t really an answer, Erika-san’s expression softened as she said, “You’re right.”
The fact that Erika-san could wear a gentle expression even when talking about our academy days made me happy.
After all, I had seen her spewing curses in the carriage just a short while ago.
After those words, we rested in silence for a while.
The new equipment is worth the price, and Erika-san continues to be Erika-san.
It’s a good day.
“That’s right. From now on, we just need to let the world know that my husband is no ordinary man.”
…It really is a good day.
*
For Erika Solntsalri, a veritable bundle of talent, to seek extraordinariness in her husband might be natural.
Unfortunately, that partner is me.
It’s nothing to brag about, but I’m just the second son of an Impoverished Viscount Household.
Since my master was excellent, I have some pride in being slightly better than other students who merely attended the academy, but even so, I should pale in comparison to the top students.
Above all, Elza, my senior disciple under the same master, was more talented than me.
In other words, my talent isn’t anything special.
But still, if that is what she desires, then I intend to respond with all my might.
Even if this Farce is to end in just one year.
“And so, let’s aim for something big.”
I discarded the question of ‘And so, what?’
“First, let’s get your Rank to something befitting you.”
This happened early in the morning, at the diner where she took me while I was in my adventurer gear.
At first, I thought I might be overthinking it, but isn’t it possible Erika-san is overestimating me?
Even though I’m just an ordinary person who, personality aside, happened to luckily get a good master early on.
“For now, let’s aim for Rank 7, which that Guild Staff mentioned.”
Rank 7 adventurers aren’t something you just aim for ‘for now,’ though.
By the way, to explain Adventurer Ranks simply:
Rank 1 to 4 are within the human realm. Rank 5 to 6 start deviating from the human realm.
Rank 7 and above refers to humans completely outside the human realm.
Incidentally, Rank 10 is like an honorary title, given when one becomes the head of the Adventurers Guild or when a high-rank adventurer dies a heroic death; it’s not a rank active adventurers desire.
Graduating from the academy supposedly means you have the strength of around Rank 4 or 5, so the academy’s training capabilities must be genuine.
After all, commoner adventurers spend several years risking their lives just to finally reach Rank 3.
Furthermore, it’s said there’s a huge wall above Rank 6, and people in this rank range become rare, regardless of whether they are nobles or commoners.
In reality, factors like quest completion rates are also considered for the rank, so raising one’s rank is harder than you might imagine.
In short, put simply, it’s not a height you aim for ‘for now’.
“Personally, I’d rather avoid attracting too much attention.”
As a practical matter, that’s more important than whether or not I can actually reach Rank 7.
I swallowed the words ‘If you wish it, I’ll aim for anything’ and thought.
If it’s just me standing out, I can manage somehow, but if Erika-san attracts attention, we don’t know how the Church will react, plus she’s being targeted by assassins.
The attack only happened once, but I can’t be optimistic enough to think it ended there.
Honestly, I want to lay low until we figure out the organization or the client behind it.
If we knew either one, it would be simple. Even if it means overcoming all obstacles, no, even amidst all obstacles, it’s just a matter of destroying the organization or taking the client’s head.
If it’s too difficult for me alone, I can just borrow the Prime Minister’s power.
There’s no reason to forgive those who stole her brilliant future.
Furthermore, they are the kind of people who force such Iniquity upon others, even aiming for her life.
As if I’d show them any mercy.
“Do you dislike it so much that you’d make such a scary face?”
Erika-san’s voice startled me.
Damn, my face is tense.
Actually, my back teeth hurt a little.
“No, that’s not it. I was just thinking about something else.”
As I said this while rubbing my chin, Erika-san sighed.
“I have a vague idea of what you were thinking, but…”
Erika-san looks exasperated.
Could it be she thought I was creepy?
Does she think the partner in this Farce, who promised to leave her side after about one year, is being too intense?
What should I do? If that’s the case, I could just die.
Isn’t there some way to make it sound casual, like, ‘Oh, I’ll just go take the heads of those guys trying to harm you’?
Impossible?