episode_0069

Leaving the capital and exiting through the south gate, the trees quickly whizzed by outside the carriage window.

The nearby forest we’d often visited for various tasks.

Initially, I’d rushed here blindly to find Eve, only to discover she was an adventurer.

Afterward, I too aimed to become an adventurer, digging for mountain vegetables, fishing for freshwater eels…

Thus, pushing through the rough undergrowth, past the scenery of the green forest brimming with memories.

Fields of wheat stretched to the horizon.

The vast estates of the Carmoer Baron, encompassing the entire southern end of the kingdom.

South of the central continent, where the Tarun mountain range ends and the plains begin, the closest point to the Empire.

Being a territory located on the border, it had frequently suffered foreign invasions, and the family’s knights had shone brightly through their outstanding performance.

Philip Carmoer of the Second Knights, called the shield of the kingdom, could be considered their best output.

Thanks to such ironclad defense, such expansive farmland could exist within the territory.

Golden wheat fields.

When the warm summer breeze blows, the wheat grains subtly bend, as if it were stroking the fur of a beast.

The seeds sown in early spring are now ripening, the harvest season approaching.

As if gold and treasures had been piled up, gleaming after absorbing the scorching sun.

And isn’t there a coast not too far off?

It’s commonly said that crops become tougher and tastier when they’re exposed to sea winds, a sight that made my mouth water just by looking at it.

Look, how tempting was it that—

“Ugh- Ughhh-”

—did my breakfast come back up?

Clang- Clang-

A carriage traveling at a fast speed on an unpaved road is bound to shake.

And I’m terribly susceptible to motion sickness.

“Hey… are you alright?”

“Uh- uh, yeah, fine- Ughhh—”

Wait, please, just a moment…

I just threw up a little…

I focused all my strength on preventing anything else from coming out, holding back the rebels rising from within, only letting out a sigh.

After overcoming the crisis, I collapsed onto the seat.

Even though my body has become stronger, my constitution remains the same. I never imagined I’d get motion sickness this time around.

Actually, I’ve hardly ever been in a carriage.

Even as a child, if I went out, I walked, and I never really had a reason to go far. Once I did, my feet became far too fast.

Come to think of it, there was only one time.

When I first came from the Royal Capital to the Philbrogue Barony.

Back then, it wasn’t urgent, the carriage traveled slowly, and it was even a paved road, so it was literally unshakeable and comfortable. But…

Now it’s not—

“Ughhh—!!”

Ah, thinking about it makes my stomach turn even more.

After another battle with the liberation forces, I completely exhausted, leaned against the wall.

“Sister… are you okay? Drink some water.”

“I can’t…”

“Then I’ll—”

What are you going to do?

Beyond my blurry vision, barely open eyes, Yuri gulped down the water from the bottle.

Then grabbed my chin and forcefully pressed her lips against mine.

“Uuup-”

Her tongue pushed past my lips, clamped shut as a barricade to prevent anything from spilling out, pushing the still-chilled water into my throat.

Gulping- Gulping-

“Phaaah…”

After the transfusion concluded, I separated our lips; a string of saliva stretched between us.

Seeing that, eyes flashing—no, a spirit was there—

“I- I want to too…!!”

“Hey- this isn’t a game-”

Regardless, Nix, like a squirrel, stuffed her cheeks full of water and approached me.

“Uuggh-”

Receiving that second transfusion was my last memory in the carriage.

…

…

…

“It’s about time you woke up.”

“Ugh- Hmmm…?”

What, where am I?

Something feels comfortably good.

With something soft against the back of my head, I looked at the unfamiliar ceiling.

Soon, it transformed into a familiar ceiling.

Eve’s face popped out from behind a sizable bosom.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Mmm- Good morning.”

“…Wake up quickly.”

Rubbing my head against her thigh, she grew increasingly red-faced.

This is fun but I should get up soon.

Thanks to her providing a knee pillow, I slept comfortably.

My condition has returned.

With my strength renewed, I sat bolt upright.

“Thanks, but why did *you* do it? Nix and Yuri seemed like they were in a major fight.”

“…They fought. So, I did it fairly.”

Ah, the wisdom of Solomon.

Both were clearly serious this time.

If they compromised and split my knee-pillow time in half. Shifting might wake me up.

They must have given up fairly.

“I should head to the Guild, right?”

“Right. We need to apply for the dungeon and get a map.”

The preparations aren’t finished yet.

I prepared everything before we left, but there are still several things to handle.

With so much to do, and to save time, I immediately stepped out of the carriage.

Nix and Yuri, who had gotten off before me, stood still, unaware of my approach.

Perhaps not surprising.

I too experienced a slight culture shock when I first saw the Empire.

“Wow…”

“Hiccup-”

Even Yuri, who had lived in the opulent capital might not be surprised.. For Nix, who lived in the forest until a few days ago, this has to be quite a shock.

The towering, sky-scraping spires.

Neatly paved roads.

Mechanical devices scattered here and there; the somewhat cold gaze of the people.

It’s like an industrial revolution happened overnight.

It’s because this is an outer area far from the center, if she had seen those autos running around in the city she probably would have gotten a fainting spell.

Even though they were isolated, could the difference in development between neighboring countries be this massive?

The answers simple.

The kingdom pursues pure magic.

The Empire developed magical technology.

The kingdom, even after creating magic stones that could be mass-produced in the Magic Tower, continued researching spells to uncover the truth.

The Empire mass-produced cheaper and more convenient magical tools for widespread use.

Having lived in both roles, I couldn’t say which side was better.

The difference was too extreme.

If I start in the Empire for a quick clear, the growth was fast, but I always felt something missing as a person.

I also often missed several hidden pieces.

If I long for human connection and start in the Kingdom, you can have slow, steady growth, and you can easily enjoy a truly happy, romantic, slow life, but you could ‘never’ complete the achievements of the speedrun.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

But, not as a character but as ‘Narita’, I’m truly grateful to have been born in the Kingdom.

It’s not because of the suit-wearing dandies walking the streets.

Nor is it because of the imperial troops, focused only on conquest and invasion.

It’s simply because the food is absolutely garbage.

“You aren’t very surprised.”

I gave the driver, who had focused on driving for my comfortable sleep, an extra tip and unloaded my luggage with Eve.

In this abrupt change of environment, it might seem strange that I wasn’t more surprised.

“Uh… yeah, well. I don’t get easily surprised, and I’d read about it in books.”

“…So the royal library has books about the Empire.”

“Yeah, so?”

I should’ve pretended to be more surprised.

She had an unlit expression, perhaps suspecting me, but it seemed to be for another reason.

I should be happy to be home.

“It’s been a long time for you too, right?”

“…Yeah, I suppose.”

“What about your hometown? It’s okay if you don’t see your family?”

As soon as I said that, I regretted it.

Eve’s expression darkened at the mention of family.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s all in the past.”

“Sometimes, tell me about yourself. It’s because of the oath, but…We’re colleagues now.”

I didn’t want to run away just because I made a mistake.

Rather, I wanted to confront it head-on and learn more about her.

What kind of life had she lived to possess such profound sorrow?

“…If I feel like it. If I have time, I will.”

“Okay.”

In the slightly awkward atmosphere, each of us shouldered our bags, and I carried Yuri’s large backpack.

Eve gave a soft smile.

She wasn’t just strong in magic; her heart was strong too.

Like me, she didn’t run away, walking forward with her usual confidence.

Her sky-blue hair flowing, she led the way.

“Welcome. This is the Ubiet Empire.”

…

…

…

Leading the almost-catatonic Nix and Yuri, I entered a nearby building.

The Evermore Adventurer’s Guild.

It was different from the Caris Adventurer’s Guild in the kingdom, starting with the entrance.

Not a wooden structure, but a sturdy stone building.

Its clean, modern architectural style was reminiscent of a country from my memories.

“Welcome! This is the Evermore Adventurer’s Guild. How may I help you?”

“I’d like to enter the Artemis Ruins dungeon.”

I handed my adventurer’s pass to the receptionist, who greeted us with a welcoming smile.

Without batting an eyelid, she returned my pass.

“I’m sorry, but entry is currently restricted.”

What?

That’s ridiculous.

Eve had checked the surrounding situation and stated there was nothing ongoing and nothing dangerous.

And from the receptionist’s gentle down-turned eyes, I sensed something familiar.

This is it.

She’s looking down on us and showing us hostility.

I was sure, even though we only exchanged a few words.

Keeping my smiling face, I silently clenched my fist.

Eve patted my shoulder.

“Come with me.”

Her face held a myriad of emotions.

Unlike the faint smile she usually used to show us, conveying annoyance.

This time, it was a blatant expression of hatred and anger.

Her following words froze everyone in the lobby.

“Get the Guild Master.”