Chapter 46: To Think They Were Family
On the way back to the room at the bottom of the hole, we made various detours, collecting the piled-up Ape corpses and retrieving tails from the dinosaurs we had defeated and left lying around. It caused quite a commotion, but since the monsters were already annihilated, it didn’t take that much time.
“That flower monster… of course, it wouldn’t be here, would it?”
“Come to think of it, you did say it was on a two-year cycle…”
“But for Rui-sama to wipe out even the Yetis, you truly are strong, aren’t you?”
There was a remark in their conversation that caught my attention, so I turned around and stopped.
“Is it true that the flower monster is on a two-year cycle?”
“Yes. According to scholars, that is… After all, the story goes that only the Hero and the Champion ever descended here and returned.”
Huh? Words like “Hero” that pique my interest have come up… No, wait. Even if I’m going to hear the story, it should be after we get out of the dungeon.
So, I prepared a chair with a safety bar like a theme park attraction, sat in the middle, and looked at the two of them.
“Alright then, I’m going to lift us up, so you two sit here too.”
The two of them, though timidly, sat down, so I lowered the safety bar, extended my Maso, and lifted the entire chair. Recently, I’d been ascending smoothly with six legs, but today, due to the weight, I extended about twelve legs to go up. I’ve also become able to use a method where I create a hot air balloon shape and ascend with wind magic, but that one is quite scary, so I chose this way. It spins around if it goes too fast, and since magic circles are deployed fixed in mid-air, the balloon leaves them behind as it ascends. Keeping a magic circle active while moving it is incredibly difficult.
“Can people nowadays generally perform such complex control?”
“Nah, it seems like it’s just me. I’ve only ever practiced control.”
“In the first place, just moving something made of magical power is difficult enough, but to apply enough force to lift three people… This is the first time I’ve seen such skill.”
“Oh, uh. This is also kind of a toy for me…”
Yeah. If I can imagine it, I can create it. As someone who was a creator, however humble, I naturally got excited and completely hooked. I can even choose the materials to some extent, so my dreams expanded so much that there were even days when I felt it was a waste to sleep.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I continued to ascend at a good pace, enough to feel the wind rushing by strongly.
After several tens of minutes, we safely reached the eleventh floor. The two of them were looking around with blank expressions.
“We’ve really… returned.”
“Yes. From the Abyss, from which return was said to be impossible, so easily…”
As someone who was also dropped down here, I understand how they feel, but this isn’t the time to be sentimental. It’s probably quite late outside already.
I need them to decide quickly. Will they explain their situation at the gate, or will they head to Razbel without entering Oldam? While suggesting I could at least provide food aid, I asked them.
“So, what will you do?”
“Um, if we are permitted to be active within the town, would it be possible for you to lend us some money…?”
“Ah, that’s totally fine. If you want, I have plans to go to Razbel, want to go together then?”
Well, that’s all assuming we can even get into town.
I added that caveat, but the two of them relaxed their expressions and chose to explain their situation in Oldam. So, we explained things at the gate, but the gate guards, upon hearing she was the princess of the fallen kingdom of Belfast, couldn’t decide how to respond. They told us to wait until they could seek instructions from the feudal lord.
Thinking it would take quite a while, I left them for the time being and went into town. I bought clothes and food in town and returned to them.
“Y-You came back for us!?”
“Yeah, you might get something from the Viscount, but this is all so sudden, I figured it would take time. You’re already hungry, right?”
While saying that, I handed over the things I bought.
“Rui-sama, we are truly indebted to you… Once things have settled down, I would like to properly express my gratitude.”
“Hmm, your sentiment is enough. Well, either way, don’t overdo it, okay?”
It seems I’ve earned quite a bit of trust from the two of them; they’re looking at me with sparkling eyes. Well, since eating while standing isn’t great, I set up a table and chairs, and as we were chatting, eating, and drinking, a gate guard with a slightly exasperated look on his face came over.
“The Viscount will see you. He also said not to worry about lodging. Rui, you are ordered to bring them responsibly.”
Although I was told that, a carriage and a driver were prepared, so I just had to accompany them.
He probably has something to discuss with me too. Thinking that, I went with a relaxed feeling, but Viscount Oldam was emitting an obviously tense atmosphere.
It wasn’t particularly rude treatment; in fact, it was courteous and polite. That’s precisely why the truly serious atmosphere came through.
We both exchanged names and pleasantries, and finally moved on to the main topic.
“It seems you are the genuine article… Your Highness, Princess Cornelia.”
“Yes. Seeing you actually aged makes me feel quite faint myself. So, Belfast truly has fallen…”
“Fallen, you say… Please stop, that sounds bad. It was annexed, you see. King Royce von Belfast made that decision to protect it from Daltone.”
She murmured, “I see, Royce-chan did…” and cast her eyes down, but then she took a breath and composed herself.
“You still seem to dislike formalities, as always. I am no longer a princess, so please feel free to speak casually. And, well, it’s strange for me to ask you this, but was the situation really that dire…?”
Viscount Oldam, thus questioned, nodded deeply and conveyed the situation at that time to her. Apparently, it was a story related to the incident where Her Highness the Princess was dropped into the Abyss.
“S-So Daltone’s spies had infiltrated that deeply!?”
“And that’s why we ended up in the foolish predicament of being dropped into the Abyss by our own countrymen.”
“I heard that nearly half of the renowned knights were either incapacitated or killed. But to think that assassinations were being carried out even in my own domain… I never dreamed of it…”
As the Viscount bowed his head without a word, the Princess also shook her head, saying, “Please raise your head. This was entirely our own failing.”
Huh… A princess of Belfast and an acquaintance of Viscount Oldam… Could it be she’s my father’s older or younger sister?
No, wait. Bringing that up here would be dangerous.
Yep. I’m just a commoner. That’s right. Let’s get this business over with quickly and take my leave. From the way they’re talking, it doesn’t seem like they’re in any danger.
“So, why was I summoned?”
The Princess seemed to be lost in sentiment, so I quietly asked the Viscount-sama about the reason for my summons.
“Ah, your audience with His Majesty has been granted. He said that if there are no issues, he wouldn’t mind bestowing up to the rank of Baron upon you.”
The Viscount-sama lightly patted my shoulder and said, “He was greatly pleased,” but I was in no state to register that.
A B-Baron!? Can I really become one? If I’m the head of a baronial house, isn’t there a chance I could marry Yuri!? No, but Yuri’s father dislikes me…
As I was thinking about such things, the Viscount paused the conversation suggestively and looked at me.
“Setting that aside for a moment… To think the source of the Elixir was the boss of the Abyss. No, considering its rarity, it’s plausible, but still. A student defeating a boss in the Abyss? That’s more than just unprecedented, you know?”
“Oh my, Rui-sama is someone who hasn’t made his public debut yet?”
“Ah, he just recently made his debut by subjugating the Ogre King. Owen and this guy defeated it, just the two of them. It was astonishing. So, Rui, do you think you can bring the Elixir materials regularly?”
Ah, it seems it’s two years later, so probably impossible. Thinking this, I glanced at Cornelia-san, my source of information.
“Impossible. I saw it too when I was dropped down. The moment it spawns, it starts fighting the Yetis. It’s defeated in less than a day and devoured by the Yetis.”
She says that to subjugate that thing, you’d have to stake it out every day, or it’d be impossible. I completely agreed, so I nodded once towards the Viscount, but he looked at Cornelia-san suspiciously.
“You seem quite knowledgeable about a dungeon in someone else’s territory, don’t you, Cornelia-sama?”
“Oh my, have you forgotten that sixty years ago it was our territory? Ohoho, you seem to be somewhat lacking in education.”
“Well then, I’d certainly like you to teach me various things. Ah, and by the way, it’s been eighty-six years this year.”
Seriously? Oldam used to be Belfast’s territory? We didn’t learn that in history class. Is it an inconvenient truth or something?
“Um, if that’s all there is to discuss, I’d like to head home soon…”
“Oh my, Rui-sama, we have much to catch up on. Won’t you stay with us tonight?”
“You fool! We’re right in the middle of something! And Cornelia-sama, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t try to seduce my people!”
No, um, if we’re in the middle of something, I’d rather you continue… I couldn’t say that honestly, so I just mumbled, “The materials are as Cornelia-san said,” and observed the situation.
“What about the monsters in the surrounding area?”
“You’re already using it, right? That jacket and stuff, huh?”
“Ah, yes. Well… its fire resistance is incredible.”
“Hoh! So it doesn’t just block the Ogre King’s attacks, but it has fire resistance too, huh?”
“Yes. With this, I can get these circulating in good numbers. As long as I’m around.”
“I see, I see! Well then, I’ll be counting on you as much as possible until we go to the Royal Capital!”
Even though he says that, it seems we’re heading to the Royal Capital in a week.
If it’s that soon, I won’t be able to supply them in bulk, but since I’ll be coming back anyway, I figured it could wait until later. Having settled that in my mind, I looked his way, thinking it was fine.
“Please wait! Rui-sama! Please, just a little longer, if you would be so kind as to accompany us a little longer!”
Surprised by the sudden strong tone, I looked back at her and said, “I don’t mind, though?”
“Um, I would like you to rescue the others as well. I cannot pay the request fee immediately, but I will somehow manage to arrange it. I am fully aware of the danger, but please… please, I beg you.”
“Eh, no, I don’t particularly mind. I’m going to do it anyway… So, shall we go together?”
Huh? Why do you look so surprised?
Oh, right, I haven’t shown you how I fight yet, have I?
It’s safe because I just attack one-sidedly from a distance, you know?
“You’re too soft… That’s where you should have dragged it out a bit more and made them feel indebted. If you don’t learn at least that much, you’ll have a hard time later, you know?”
So said the Viscount-sama with a troubled look, but I wanted him to wait a moment.
“Eh, Viscount-sama, you’re not the type who can do that either, are you?”
“You fool! I just deliberately don’t do it!! How could I do something so shameless to those who’ve suffered great misfortune or to children!”
“Fufufu, you always seemed bad at that sort of thing, didn’t you?”
“That’s not it! I was bad at it in the past! Enough, you lot, go to bed now!”
When the Viscount gestured with his chin towards the door, telling a boy who seemed to be a servant, “Show them to their rooms,” the boy bowed more elegantly than the Viscount, saying politely, “I will guide you.”
At that, even Chinatsu-chan left the room, suppressing her laughter.
“Should I come pick you up tomorrow morning?”
“No, I don’t want her walking around carelessly until I’ve contacted the Royal Palace. I’ll send her by carriage and send a messenger to the dormitory. You don’t go blabbing about it either.”
Huh… Is the Royal Palace really okay?
Didn’t I just think that a former prince was in a troublesome position? A former princess wouldn’t be that different, right?
“Is she, like, in a pretty dangerous position?”
“…It’s troublesome, but not to the extent of being dangerous. Depending on the situation, she might just get put under surveillance.”
Ooh!
That’s good to hear.
If it’s only to that extent even if my identity is exposed, then there’s probably no need to be so scared.
“That’s good. Regarding the trip to the Royal Capital, I’m sorry to impose, but I’ll be in your care.”
“Yeah. I’ve received a lot of Elixirs from you too. You can leave that much to me without hesitation. Departure is at the beginning of next week. Don’t forget.”
After saying that, he shooed me away with the back of his hand, a slightly tired look on his face.
Thinking I could finally go home, I bowed my head once more and left the room. The boy from before was standing there, and when I followed him after he said, “This way, please,” he guided me to the front gate.
They had even prepared a carriage for me, but since I was alone and didn’t need it, I politely declined and returned to the dormitory while strolling through the town.
Before I knew it, it was well past midnight. This is the first time I’ve returned at such an hour.
Normally, being out past ten o’clock would already earn me a demerit for an unauthorized night out, but that doesn’t apply to me.
The guard on duty stopped me, so I told him I had been summoned by the feudal lord, then returned to my room and lay down.
Man, today was an intense day.
To think I’d end up resurrecting someone from twenty years ago, and on top of that, she turned out to be my aunt…
Cornelia-san, huh…
She seems like she’d be on my side for most things, and we’re in similar positions. Maybe I should try telling her… that I’m her nephew.
If I do, I think I could probably get a lot of advice.
No, wait, would it be better to keep it a secret?
If Lestall Kingdom found out, there’s a chance my Baron position could be forfeited.
But, considering the possibility that the central government of Lestall Kingdom is corrupt, information from someone of a former Princess’s class could be considered valuable.
Once I’ve confirmed her character to some extent and it seems okay, I’ll try consulting her.
Anyway, if I meet Uncle Rudolf, it’ll probably leak from there.
Well, now that that’s decided, I need to get to sleep quickly, or I’ll run out of time to sleep.
And so, the long day came to an end.