Chapter 17: Being a Noble is Tough
Fiene had taken a liking to her samue, wearing it even inside the carriage. It was adorned with beautiful embroidery and bore the crest of House Hamawar, making it quite a sight to behold.
I had wondered what was so special about the samue until the moment five orcs appeared. As previously discussed, the knights guarded the area around the carriage carrying the Viscount and the maids, while the adventurers took defensive positions against the orcs.
Hyalda and Fiene quickly jumped down from the carriage, taking their positions at the driver’s seat, and launched their attacks before the adventurers could react, swiftly defeating all the orcs. Once the battle was over, they hurried back into the carriage, sitting down with innocent expressions as if nothing had happened.
It was my turn to approach the fallen orcs, stowing them away in my Magic Pouch before we set off again. The adventurers had no complaints, as the beasts stored in the Magic Pouch were to be submitted to the Adventurers’ Guild in the Royal Capital, where they would be divided among the escorting adventurers.
The two of them were training for the upcoming Magic Tournament, practicing their attacks on moving targets.
Even after leaving the Hamawar territory, we occasionally encountered beasts, but with our numbers, they kept their distance. Hyalda and Fiene were disappointed that they couldn’t practice. With no other option, I hopped onto the maids’ carriage and created a sphere about 40 centimeters in diameter using Earth Magic, launching it diagonally ahead of us. The Viscount looked exasperated, but I was merely helping with target practice.
Speaking of exasperation, Hyalda had brought along a container-like wooden box measuring 10 meters long and 3 by 3 meters wide, mimicking my Camp House. It had received high praise from the knights and adventurers during breaks on rainy days and while camping. I had even helped by adding a makeshift awning tent for those who couldn’t fit inside, which turned out to be quite useful.
We arrived at the Royal Capital Herisen as scheduled on the 20th. During other times of the year, if there were noble mansions in the towns we passed, we would stop to pay our respects, which would take much longer. I had heard that since everyone was heading to the Royal Capital now, there would be no greetings, which made me think that being a noble was quite a hassle.
After arriving in the Royal Capital, I would part ways with the Viscount and stay at a hotel in the city. I was told not to worry, as there was an Egdra Hotel in the Royal Capital, and it had already been arranged for me.
In any case, I headed to the Adventurers’ Guild with the adventurers to hand over the orcs and say our goodbyes. Dressed in inconspicuous olive-green adventurer attire, I walked toward the Egdra Hotel I had heard about at the guild. Since the guild was nearby, I could see a few unsavory characters lurking about.
“Hey there, brother! Making some coin? I’m a bit short on cash,” one of them called out.
“Um, I’m only 15 and not an adventurer, so I’m not earning anything. Please look elsewhere,” I replied with a smile as I tried to slip past him.
“Ah, you were with those country bumpkins earlier, weren’t you? I know you pulled orcs out of your Magic Pouch and sold them. Isn’t it customary to treat the adventurers of the Royal Capital to a drink as a greeting?”
“Could you lend me your Magic Pouch? It’s not something a kid like you should have,” he sneered.
“Well then, how about I give you a little greeting of my own?”
I shot a softball-sized projectile, hardened with a bit of earth, right into his gut. I had made sure it would hit with the force of a minor traffic accident—how kind of me.
“Ugh!” he groaned, clutching his stomach. He looked like he wouldn’t be drinking any time soon, so I left him behind and continued toward the Egdra Hotel.
It was massive—at least four to five times larger than the Egdra I had stayed at before. The doorman opened the door for me, casually asking, “May I assist you at our hotel?”
“I believe I have a reservation,” I replied.
“My apologies. Please allow me to escort you to the front desk,” he said, leading me inside while standing alert behind me.
I appreciated the vigilance; it was good to have a security check for any suspicious individuals, ensuring safety until everything was confirmed. A true bodyguard.
“I’m Kaito. I should have a reservation,” I stated.
The receptionist, a young lady, began typing on her device, and soon a bell rang, summoning a stout, middle-aged man.
“Lord Kaito, welcome!” he exclaimed.
“I’ve been expecting you. I am Yalart, the manager. Allow me to show you to your room,” he said, signaling the doorman to step back as he led the way.
It was a good idea to manage a hotel rather than buy a house; reserving a room for personal use would make maintenance much easier. With no pressing need for my funds, my mind wandered into strange fantasies.
I was led to a room slightly larger than the ones at Egdra, a suite with two adjoining rooms on the third floor, a bit away from the staircase.
“I have been informed by the Viscount that you may use the room freely, just as you would at Egdra. If you need anything, simply pull the cord by the door, and our staff will attend to you,” the manager said before taking his leave.
Just then, a maid entered with tea and cake. As the scale of the establishment grew, the service seemed to become more refined and standardized. I changed out of my adventurer clothes into the outfit the Viscount had made for me, intending to relax. I decided to keep this attire on while in the hotel, ensuring I wouldn’t embarrass the Viscount.
When I ventured out into the city, I planned to transform into a merchant’s young master style, which wouldn’t draw attention even if I walked alone.
After finishing breakfast, I went to the reception counter to request a tailor, borrowing a city map of the Royal Capital in the process. I presented the same outfit I was wearing to the tailor and ordered two additional sets in different colors—chocolate brown, gray, and dark green—suitable for the Royal Capital.
The map of the Royal Capital was missing the Royal Castle and the noble district. Due to military reasons, it was understandable, but it was troublesome not to know the location of the Hamawar estate. I decided to take a stroll to see it for myself.
When I asked the manager for directions, I learned it was quite far, so I changed my plans to explore the market instead. Since there was no obligation to visit, I was fine with that.
Transforming into my young master attire, I headed downstairs, only to bump into Hyalda and Fiene.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Oh, Kaito, that outfit suits you! I wanted to go outside the city to practice magic, and I thought I’d ask for your guidance. Are you going somewhere?” Fiene replied.
“I don’t have any particular plans. I was thinking of taking a leisurely stroll through the market,” I said.
“Then, Master, please teach me some magic!” she exclaimed.
I transformed into my adventurer style once more as we left the hotel, and the manager himself came to see us off, which felt a bit embarrassing.
We set out in a carriage with six guards, heading outside the Royal Capital. After a while, we veered off the main road and entered a grassy area. They had requested targets similar to those during our carriage travels, so I constructed a barrier and discreetly tossed out targets in a fan shape.
Since the directions and timing were irregular, I only managed to hit half of them. Well, hitting half of the moving targets was still quite an achievement.
The target shooting for the Magic Tournament involved two tiers of targets numbered from 1 to 6 and 7 to 12, which we had to shoot in the order given. Set at a distance of 50 meters, twelve targets were arranged in two tiers for a competition among three participants.
Hyalda and Fiene had powerful shots, but my aim started to drift after 40 meters, reducing my power and making it impossible to reach 60 meters. Hyalda and Fiene exchanged glances, sharing knowing smiles, but I maintained my composure and stopped shooting before my mana diminished.
“Until the Magic Tournament, can you practice with me occasionally?” I asked.
“Can you really sneak away that often? Isn’t being a noble a hassle?” Fiene inquired.
“It seems my father has it tough,” Hyalda replied.
“There are various issues with the Hoen Trading Company. We’ve captured the main branch and its affiliates scattered across the region, securing evidence and witnesses to inform the local lords. Based on that, we’re searching for the problematic trading company and its associates to capture them and seize their assets. The nobles who received the news and conducted searches are now being thanked by the involved nobles, leading to a flood of invitations, keeping me busy with socializing.”
“That sounds quite difficult,” I said, offering a perfectly rehearsed expression of sympathy.
“It’s not just that. Many of those we’ve apprehended from the trading company have been offering contraband and kidnapped women and children as bribes to the nobles. It’s been a chaotic mess with reports to the Royal Castle, presenting evidence, and transporting witnesses. After the Magic Tournament, I wonder how many nobles will be stripped of their titles or fall from grace. It’s quite a hassle to greet the nobles on behalf of my father,” Hyalda sighed.
“Do your best. I’m also getting fed up dealing with the noble ladies who are buzzing around trying to verify the rumors about the Hoen Trading Company. I can’t just say I don’t know, and if I speak carelessly, the secrets we’ve been keeping might slip out. Those noblewomen are relentless with their probing questions. Sometimes, I need to practice magic just to blow off some steam.”
As we rode back in the carriage, I listened to her complaints. It’s not like we could talk about this in the mansion, so I figured it was a good way for both of us to unwind. Honestly, as long as I’m not dragged into the chaos, they can handle it however they want!
After enjoying some tea at the hotel, I saw Hyalda and Fiene off.