Chapter 20: “Dragon Cradle,” and to the Beastmen Village 20
The next day, we departed from the town of Ruarl.
When we left the inn, Marianne’s parents came and bowed deeply, saying, “Please take care of our daughter.” Some of the members who understood the situation were grinning, but otherwise, we were able to depart without incident.
Once again, we were traveling in a carriage pulled by Shizuna’s Spirit Beast.
The border town of Gasherra had the matter of the Chaos Flare Dragon subjugation, so we greeted the lord, but no trouble arose. A week after leaving the town of Ruarl, we crossed the border and arrived at the northernmost town of the Kingdom of Vermilion, the fortress city of Cassina.
When we told our names to the guards at the city gate, they politely asked us to visit Earl Kalman, the lord of Cassina. The Earl was preparing a feast and wanted us to stay at his mansion, so we agreed to that, but we declined the offer of being escorted and entered the town on foot.
For now, we were heading to the Adventurers Guild. As we walked down the street, Dorozitte looked around with amusement and said,
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Kingdom of Vermilion. This area isn’t so different, but it’s fun to see the subtle cultural differences from the Empire.”
“How far did you travel as an Adventurer, Dorozitte?”
“Mostly within the Imperial Territory. You could say I hardly left the Empire until I became a Grand Master. Maricier-sama, isn’t that right for you too?”
“Yes, this is my first time in a kingdom as well. In my case, my brother wouldn’t allow me to go to other countries so easily.”
Maricier-sama gave a wry smile. Even though she’s an Adventurer, I can understand that it would be bad if the Emperor’s sister went to other countries so casually. In the first place, Maricier-sama should have been the Empire’s top combatant, so it’s only natural.
As I was thinking this, Lani looked puzzled.
“So, you were allowed to come this time because you joined the Guidance of Sol?”
“That’s right. After all, the Guidance of Sol is already a party that holds the future of this continent in its hands. They probably thought they wouldn’t be able to keep up unless they attached me.”
“Hmph. Well, our party has some amazing people, so maybe Maricier won’t stand out too much if she’s with them.”
I couldn’t help but think, “That’s not likely…” As I was mentally retorting, we arrived at the Adventurers Guild.
There were about 20 Adventurers in the Guild, but when we entered, almost all of them looked at us with surprised expressions. I realized that we had become famous enough to warrant such treatment.
Marianne and Dorozitte went to the back room to gather information. Freynil and I headed to the bulletin board, and the other members decided to kill time at a nearby store.
Looking at the bulletin board, it seemed that there were indeed more requests for subjugating monsters on the ground than before. Most of them were D-rank or lower, so it wasn’t too serious yet, but I was a little scared to think about what would happen if the higher ranks increased.
Marianne and Dorozitte came back, but there was no particularly new information… or so I thought, but then Marianne said,
“Soushi-san, there was a message for you through the Guild. They want you to come to the Royal Capital of the Mekalinnan Country, to the Royal Castle, when you have the chance. It’s a message from His Majesty King Lyusha Mekkelanna.”
I wasn’t surprised since I thought it was about time, but when I thought about how the country must have settled down enough to call me, I felt for the hardships that Lyusha (boy) must have gone through.
“I understand. I was planning to go anyway, so it’s not a problem. Let’s go to the Beastmen Village first, and then go to Mekalinnan via the Armand Duchy. But it will be a while before we arrive.”
“It seems that the appearance of monsters is increasing in the southern Mekalinnan. I feel the Guidance of Sol.”
“Doesn’t that just mean there will be trouble in Mekalinnan?”
“Hehe, maybe so.”
Marianne’s expression as she laughed seemed a little softer than before.
Dorozitte, who was watching next to her, seemed to notice this and grinned.
I unconsciously stroked Freynil’s head and left the Guild.
At Earl Kalman’s mansion, we received extremely courteous hospitality.
Earl Finnbul Kalman was a stern-faced, solidly built man who looked like a former Adventurer. The last time I met him, he was a casual speaker.
However, even he was now saying things like, “Oh, Marquis Okuno-kakka, Princess Maricier-denka, welcome. Thank you for coming to Cassina this time.”
Certainly, from his point of view, I am a high-ranking noble from the neighboring great power, and Maricier-sama is the Emperor’s sister, so I must be someone who gives him a headache just by dealing with me.
Moreover, this time, it was known that Freynil was being considered as the next Saint, Sphenia was a High Elf, Sakurahime was the daughter of an Imperial Marquis, Shizuna was a princess of Ozz, and Lani and Karma were the daughters of the Beastmen tribe’s chiefs. On top of that, Dorozitte’s identity was also known, so Earl Kalman’s hospitality was extraordinary.
Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel sorry, but this is something I should get used to. But somehow, I can’t help but feel that the Guidance of Sol is becoming a troublesome party.
The meal was very luxurious. Earl Kalman was a man with the atmosphere of a simple and sturdy warrior, but he seemed to be able to handle such occasions like a noble. He skillfully brought up topics while showing excellent table manners.
“Marquis Okuno’s achievements have been well known not only in this area but also in the Royal Capital. Not only did you repel the Twilight Kin’s army, but you also became the Governor-General of the Twilight Garden, which was quite a surprise.”
“It is true that I originally went to the Empire to deal with the Twilight Kin, but I didn’t expect it to turn out this way. By the way, didn’t many of the Adventurers here also flow into the Empire for a while?”
“That’s right. I heard that many of the higher-ranking ones went. The Grand Master summoned them, and it was a crisis that concerned the entire continent. I myself wanted to go.”
“Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be allowed. At times like this, a lord must be in their territory.”
“That’s exactly right. Marquis Okuno, now that you have become the Governor-General, do you plan to go to the Twilight Garden someday?”
“I’m interested, and some of my members are from there, so I plan to go there when things here are over.”
“I see, it seems that another anecdote will be added to Marquis Okuno’s tales of valor. By the way, about the ‘things here,’ are you still dealing with the Netherworld Candlestick?”
“Yes. And I have to go to Mekalinnan again, and I’m also concerned about the increasing number of monsters appearing.”
“I see, Marquis Okuno, you think there is something behind the monsters’ movements?”
“I hope I’m just overthinking it, but considering that the Wandering Labyrinth has appeared, I can’t be optimistic.”
“Is that so…? The ‘demons’ are still appearing as well, so it seems we can’t rest easy yet. By the way, you said you were going to Mekalinnan earlier, but where are you going after you leave Cassina?”
“I’m planning to go to the Beastmen Village first. After that, I’ll head to the Armand Duchy.”
When I answered, Earl Kalman frowned slightly.
“The Armand Duchy…? Actually, the Royal Family has asked me to tell you something if Marquis Okuno is heading there.”
“What is it?”
“About two months ago, a notice was sent from Mekalinnan to release the Beastmen and Elven slaves, and they were supposed to be returned to their respective lands via the Armand Duchy. However, no one has heard that they have returned to their villages.”
“That’s strange.”
“Yes. The Royal Family, of course, sent investigators, but it seems that the former slaves did come to the Armand Duchy and scattered from there. However, their whereabouts after that are unknown, and they are still investigating.”
“So, you want us to investigate that as well?”
“No, that’s not the case. However, since such a situation is occurring, they wanted you to be careful.”
Hmm, that’s quite concerning information for where we’re heading.
Mekalinnan… It’s good news that King Lyusha has freed the slaves as promised, but the fact that he’s gone missing fills me with a bad premonition.
After all, the Armand Duchy is also suspected to be the location of the ‘Netherworld Candlestick.’ I can’t make a judgment here as to whether these two are connected, but if this is also the ‘guidance of fate’ that Marianne-san mentioned earlier, then my ‘Bad Luck,’ or rather, my ‘Celestial Fortune,’ must have started its enthusiastic activities again.