Chapter 41: The Promise
After staying with Fi for two days and receiving a letter addressed to the Marquis from her, I decided to return to Egdra. On the way back, I intended to test how many days it would take using all of the horse’s abilities. Of course, the horse needed care, such as resting, drinking water, and eating feed, which was a hassle compared to a carriage. While heading to the Royal Capital, I had taken turns with Shaara at the driver’s seat, but on the way back, I let her handle everything by herself.
Along the way, we encountered rain and faced groups of Fang Boars and Goblins. Hyaru took down the Fang Boar with a single blow, while Shaara charged the Goblins, scattering them by driving the carriage into their midst. We arrived in Egdra in seven days, which was a third of the time it would take with the Marquis’s carriage. However, there was no time to leisurely chat or admire the scenery; we had to keep moving forward relentlessly.
After dropping Hyaru off at the Marquis’s residence, we returned to the hotel, entrusted the horse’s care to the staff, and stored the carriage in Shaara’s Magic Pouch. It was far more comfortable to arrive in eight and a half days than to push ourselves to make it in seven.
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As spring came to an end and the heat of June set in, I received a request from the Marquis. A noble friend of his had welcomed a grandchild, and he wanted me to deliver a congratulatory gift. Additionally, he asked if I had any Armored Buffalo meat to include with the gift, which I agreed to.
The one-way distance was thirty days, but with my carriage, I could make it in less than half that time. This time, I decided to borrow another horse and travel with a two-horse team, and Shaara had become quite adept at handling the horses.
The journey to the City of Keel, governed by Viscount Naruhama, was relatively peaceful.
Relatively peaceful, that is, until we encountered a two-wheeled carriage operated by children that had intruded into the noble’s designated path, prompting the guards to shout at them. I displayed the Marquis’s crest and my invincible identification, received an immediate apology, and was granted passage without issue. The wild beasts we encountered were merely Goblin groups, Orcs, and Black Wolves, allowing us to progress smoothly.
There were three Orcs, and I took down two of them. The remaining Orc was challenged by Shaara, who wanted to test her skills, so I let her take it on. She faced it without hesitation and easily defeated it, reaffirming the high abilities of the Forest Clan. We did encounter two High Orcs, but I dispatched them with my Stone Lance and stored them in my Magic Pouch as we hurried onward.
I turned eighteen during the journey, but I felt no particular sentiment, and my height remained unchanged. The only memory of my eighteenth birthday was the sad realization that I was now eye-level with Shaara. She mentioned that once she became an adult, she would follow in my footsteps and become an Adventurer like me and my mother.
After fourteen days, we safely arrived in the City of Keel and asked the guards for directions to the Naruhama residence, heading straight there. Since I wasn’t a noble and was dressed as an Adventurer, there was no need for a herald. At the entrance gate of the Naruhama residence, I informed the gatekeeper that I had brought a congratulatory gift from Marquis Hamawar for the head of the Naruhama family.
In the waiting room, I handed the letter from Marquis Hamawar to the butler and mentioned that I had the congratulatory gift. From the kitchen, they brought in a wagon, and I retrieved a chunk of Armored Buffalo meat.
“This is what I have received from Marquis Hamawar. Please confirm.”
“Please wait a moment.”
The butler took the letter and disappeared into the back.
When he returned, he held the door open for a handsome nobleman dressed in attire that clearly marked him as a member of the aristocracy. He glanced at the congratulatory gift and the meat.
“Thank you for your efforts. I accept this with gratitude.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
I bowed deeply and exited the Viscount’s residence, having completed the task.
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With my business concluded, I decided to spend two or three days exploring the city before heading back. I took Shaara with me to the Adventurers’ Guild in Keel to request the purchase of the Orcs and High Orcs.
“Three Orcs and two High Orcs, huh? Kid, are you mocking me?”
To avoid further trouble, I displayed my Silver Level 2 Status Card.
“Should I just hand it over here?”
“Fine, follow me.”
In an unfamiliar city, it was a hassle; in Egdra or the Royal Capital, they would accept it without question. I had no desire to drink the terrible ale served in the tavern, so Shaara and I ordered milk instead. Though it was a bit early for dinner, I could see a few Adventurers enjoying drinks and chatting.
Five scruffy men with unkempt beards were leering down at Shaara and me with lewd grins. Such types were everywhere, weren’t they?
“Hey! This is our spot! Get lost!”
“Shaara, let’s change seats.”
As I stood up, one of the overconfident men blocked my way, demanding an introduction while occupying our table without a word.
“Is the dining hall of the Adventurers’ Guild in Keel a reserved seating area?”
“Oh? A cheeky little brat, are you? I was thinking of treating you to a drink to be friendly.”
“Hah! You think just because I’m a kid, I’ll let you be friendly? Don’t spout nonsense, you leeches!”
The atmosphere shifted among the five.
“Are you guys at it again? If you don’t knock it off, you’re going to regret it.”
“Shut it, old man! If the kid’s got a big mouth, he better be ready for it. Let’s settle this at the training ground.”
“Fine by me. This kid is still unregistered, so it’s just me.”
“You’re underestimating us. Alright, I’ll wipe the floor with you.”
When we arrived at the training ground, the guys from the tavern were already there, holding their ales and placing bets. The guild’s submaster came out, looking annoyed, and said, “Don’t kill him,” before signaling the start.
They were wielding thick sticks slightly longer than longswords, while I opted for a thick stick about the length of a short spear.
The five of them approached, grinning. I pretended to chant a spell, mumbling under my breath as if casting a magic attack, which made them rush forward. As a greeting, I shot a soft Stone Bullet at one of their faces to stop their movements, then I dug a hole beneath their feet and lightly buried them as they fell in.
As they struggled to escape, I approached and swung my stick with all my might, aiming for their faces.
Thud Scream That’s cheating! Stop!
I ignored their cries. To save energy, I hit each of them twice before unleashing a barrage of Stone Bullets aimed at them. Since they were buried up to their knees, they couldn’t dodge or get up—perfect targets.
After delivering five or six hits to each, they began to plead for mercy, but I had no sympathy for such scum, so I shot them in the face again.
“Hey! You should stop soon. Are you trying to kill me?”
“Well then, I might let you off the hook.”
“You’re quite something yourself.”
“Seriously, leaving those who pick on the seemingly gentle ones alone? You have to teach them that there are stronger people out there. The guild profits from selling potions, so they shouldn’t complain.”
“With those injuries, the guild’s cheap potions won’t be enough to heal them.”
The submaster seemed completely unconcerned.
“Are we done here, brother? So, we’re selling all the High Orcs and Orcs, right?”
The purchasing man was also unfazed, which made me chuckle. I nodded in agreement, and the High Orcs were valued at 220,000 Dalar each, totaling 440,000 Dalar, while the Orcs were 60,000 Dalar each, totaling 180,000 Dalar, bringing the total to 620,000 Dalar. I received six gold coins and two silver coins before leaving the guild.
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After Kaito and the others left, the five battered men were dragged in, groaning. The purchasing man remarked, “I told you to stop; you’d regret it,” and the submaster coldly replied, “That’s what you get. Once you’re healed, learn to pick your fights wisely,” before tossing them out of the guild.
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Whenever I visit an unfamiliar city, I enjoy peeking into the market to search for rare items and delicious food. Shaara and I sampled various treats and bought a few things, but I noticed someone glancing at us repeatedly.
“Kaito, are you aware of that?”
“Yeah, they seem to be friends with those scum from earlier.”
“This time, I’ll fight too.”
“They won’t attack us here; they’ll wait until we’re outside the city.”
“Well, outside the city, I think you’ll have an even harder time winning against you, Kaito.”
“To meet their expectations, I guess we’ll head out of the city.”
“Got it, I’ll bring the carriage.”
As I connected the carriage to the horse I had left at the stable, I noticed a few of the men hurriedly scattering away. With a nonchalant expression, I chatted leisurely with Shaara as we made our way to the city gate. Oh, look, a bunch of scruffy guys were heading out of the city, but there were only nine of them.
As I stepped out of the town, there was only one road leading to Egdra. Since I had no intention of heading to another city from the opposite gate, it was the perfect spot for them to lay in wait for us.
“Shaara, take it slow. What’s convenient for them is convenient for us too.”
With the town now out of sight and no one around, it was an ideal situation for them, and I couldn’t help but smirk as I guided the carriage into the grassy expanse. The fools were scrambling to catch up.
Once Shaara parked the carriage in a concealed spot off the main road, she quickly vanished from sight.
I was out of breath from the chase, drenched in sweat. The ones who had followed me were panting heavily as they surrounded me, oblivious to Shaara’s absence. They all drew their Longswords, approaching with an air of confidence.
“It seems there’s no prey around here, but perhaps you have business with me?”
“I see, a cocky little brat, huh?”
“I have no interest in mocking a sweaty old man. I like things drenched in sauce, but not soaked in sweat.”
“What nonsense are you babbling? I came to collect the medical fees for my injured comrades. You must have earned it by selling High Orcs and Orcs. Hand over your Magic Pouch.”
“My, what a greedy one you are. But tell me, why do you think I would come to a place that’s so convenient for you?”
“Hey! Hold him down!”
I fired a Stone Arrow straight into the belly of the boastful fool, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The ones surrounding me rushed forward in a panic, shouting, “What the—?” “What’s going on?” “Damn it, someone’s here!” They were caught off guard by Shaara’s sudden attack from behind, completely forgetting about me!
I swiftly unleashed more Stone Arrows at the remaining ones, finishing them off with ease.
As I began to bury the fallen, one of the still-breathing ones realized what I was doing and begged for mercy. But I had no pity for those who had come at me with the intent to kill.
“Sleep peacefully,” I murmured.
Once I had concealed the evidence, there was no reason to linger. I returned the carriage to the main road and bid farewell.