Ch.372Changed NPCs. (2)

Two days after hearing about the fall of Aigram, we had finished our preparations and gathered together.

“I feel bad about leaving everything to you again. I promise, as soon as I join up with the army, I’ll send reinforcements in your direction.”

“Please don’t worry about it. We’re grateful enough to have gained Your Majesty as a reliable ally. If anything, I apologize for having to leave imperial matters so urgently. Once we arrive in Neity and sort out the situation, I’ll immediately receive instructions through the crystal orb.”

Luxuria said she could track the magi of greed, and naturally, we were the fastest option to move in that direction, especially with Aigram reduced to ashes. Actually, I should say we’re the only option now. The empire’s vast territory takes at least three months to cross from the capital to foreign lands, even on the fastest horses. Moreover…

“Brother, brother.”

“Huh?”

“When we stop by Neity, can I meet my friends for a bit?”

“Hmm. You could even stay and play with your friends for a while…”

“No way!!”

“Hehe! Where do you think you’re casually trying to leave Ira in a safe place? Jack, let me tell you, I’m on Ira’s side now. You should have seen how much she cried when Ragni disappeared…”

“Sis!! You shouldn’t talk about that!!”

No, I already heard all about that from the Chancellor. As I watch Ira adorably stomping her feet and reaching out to cover Rey’s mouth, King Grend Ponia of Ponia awkwardly smiles at our relaxed atmosphere. And Ragni, who was having a serious conversation in front of him, gives me a sharp look… Wait, why are you glaring at me?!

Anyway, our destination is Neity. It would take four months to reach even on the fastest horse from here, but with the teleportation magic circle prepared by the Chancellor and my sister’s magic—who could now rightfully be called an archmage—we can arrive today. Avalitia’s magi is sensed in the direction of Neity, or somewhere around there. We plan to track her as soon as we arrive.

“…I’m glad you look happy.”

“Pardon?”

“No, I didn’t say anything. Anyway, I’ll entrust the mayor of Aigram to you.”

“Leave it to me. Well then.”

“Yes! Everyone, don’t step outside the magic circle! I’m not as good at controlling this as my master, so if you go outside, you’ll get sliced off!”

At Ragni’s gentle gesture indicating the conversation was over, Ira smiles brightly and begins channeling her magical power. Wow, it’s the same beautiful color as Ira’s rose-colored hair! Actually, her magical power seems incredible. And did she just say “sliced off”? Isn’t that scary?

I don’t have magical power so I wouldn’t know, but those soldiers and knights over there are trembling! Even the knight commander is gripping his sword hilt!

“Well then! Let’s go!!”

With Ira’s voice as she thrust the staff I bought her into the ground, the scenery before us was enveloped in darkness.

.

.

.

“Heh heh. Knight Commander, why so frightened? Did you think that sweet child would harm us?”

“W-what kind of magical power was that at such a young age? If there hadn’t been a complete absence of killing intent, I might have drawn my sword without thinking.”

Then not just you, but innocent soldiers might have died too. Though it was meant as a light joke, the Knight Commander swallowed hard, saying he really might have done it. As I watched the magic circle—where the forester from Ponia and his female companions had disappeared—lose its color, having served its purpose, I chuckled softly.

“…Ah, Forester Jack. How interesting that a victim of our country’s vain nobility and people’s useless greed is now the man of the imperial princess and such remarkable women.”

“It’s truly unfortunate for our country. That man seemed to have no magical power, but he must be stronger than those women around him. If we had found him first and shown him some favor…”

I shook my head at the Knight Commander who was suggesting Jack could have been a tremendous asset to Ponia.

“If that had happened, the empire’s situation would be even more terrible than it is now, and we wouldn’t understand why the church is acting as it is. Though he didn’t leave the country under good circumstances, don’t you think the entire continent is benefiting from the actions he took to survive?”

Saving the princess, protecting her country, nurturing his talented sister’s abilities while leading a group of strong women across the continent for its sake—he resembles a hero from fairy tales I read long ago. Well, they call him a heroic womanizer. Perhaps he really is a hero. Just…

“…If he had been this happy when he was in our country, nothing would have been better.”

Looking at the former forester smiling happily at his sister and the women around him, I feel regret for not being able to do anything for him when I was his king.

Some might say the Monster Parade happened because he ran away, and blame him for the deaths of their families. But at least from a king’s perspective, I can’t say his decision to flee a country where the people betrayed him instead of protecting him was wrong.

“…I wish him happiness outside our country from now on, but it’s bitter that a king can only extend his hand and offer support to him.”

As the magic circle completely loses its light, and everyone who had filled the room with their pleasant presence disappears, I turn and walk away. Even from a distance, there’s still much I can do to support them.

“Now then, when will the civil officials and troops arrive…”

-Thud thud thud thud!! BANG!!

“”Jack!!””

“…Huh?”

Before another knight could open the door, it was yanked open, and there stood…

“Who are you…?”

“Sniff sniff! Eh? Sniff sniff! Ehhh?! Where, where did he go?! The scent is coming from here! Jack!!”

“Hello, Your Majesty! We’ve met before, right?! That! Jack!! Haven’t you seen adventurer Jack?! We were told he was here! We came from Ponia with civil officials and escorts!!”

The beastkin sisters I had briefly met at Ponia’s border with Elder Green Dol—Miho and Chikuyo, if I recall correctly. Could it be…

“Jack!! Did you leave us behind again?!”

“Luxuria!! You should have called us too!!! Did you just take our energy and finish your business?!!”

“…A heroic womanizer indeed.”

Truly, Ponia is only indebted to him. The King of Ponia burst into hearty laughter as he cheerfully explained what had just happened to the two beautiful beastkin sisters.

*

-Shiver!!

“…Huh?”

“Hmm? Brother?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Jack, why are you suddenly trembling? Are you sick?”

“Master, are you cold? It can be a bit chilly in the evenings since it’s still spring, but it’s morning now…”

“No, no. I just… felt an incredibly eerie sensation.”

The place we arrived at through Ira’s teleportation magic circle was, my goodness! Our home in Neity. Ira said she activated it according to the Chancellor’s settings, and it seems the Chancellor was considerate enough to send us here. I thought we’d end up at the Academy or in his room, and avoiding people’s eyes would be a big deal. But more importantly, what was that eerie feeling? Why… Huh? Why does my lower body feel so chilly? I’m wearing pants and underwear properly.

“Brother, then I…”

“Oh, right. You want to see your friends? Alright. Then, Gore?”

“Yes. I will accompany Miss Ira to the Academy.”

“Brother, I really will be back soon…”

Seeing Ira drooping her eyebrows anxiously, as if worried I might entrust her protection to Gore and go off alone again, I kneel on one knee to meet her gaze. My, my. In the past, Ira had to look up at me even when I knelt, but in just a little over a year, she’s grown so much that our eyes are perfectly level.

-Rustle, rustle.

“I’m not going anywhere without my cute little sister anymore. I’ll just visit the Adventurer’s Guild to gather some information, and we’ll rest here today. Then we’ll leave together tomorrow morning. Okay?”

“Yes!!”

As I gently stroke my little sister’s soft hair, careful not to hurt her despite her growth, Ira smiles happily, takes Gore’s hand, and energetically says she’ll be back soon as she heads for the door. Haha, if Gore weren’t the gray color of a golem, they would really look like sisters.

“Um, is it okay if I come out too?”

“Oh, Luxuria, you can come out too. You can’t go outside, but feel free to rest comfortably in the house.”

As soon as Ira left, Luxuria revealed herself, planted her feet on the ground, looked around, and pulled out a chair at the dining table to sit down. Rey immediately headed to the kitchen, saying she would brew some tea. Hmm, first…

“Luxuria, how is it? Avalitia’s magi…”

“Yes. It’s much closer than before. And because of that, I can tell for sure. She’s been badly hurt. If I were to ambush her now, she’d probably just die.”

She proudly says this as if boasting that she’s not very strong, but hey, you’re not weak at all! Your level has increased to over 500 now. Huh? Didn’t Gore tell you?

“Well then, I’ll go shopping for a bit too.”

“Eh? But Ragni is making tea.”

“Hmm, then I’ll have some before I go. Jack, I won’t be joining you in tracking the Aigram mayor. You know why, right?”

“Well, I was also part of the deal with the Chancellor, and we can’t leave the Academy empty for too long.”

“Plus, to coordinate with Ponia going forward, I need to properly assume my position as Neity’s interim leader. I’ll tell the truth to Manie… the Chancellor’s secretary who’s acting as vice-principal, but for now, I’ll enter the Academy in disguise.”

So today she wants to buy magical hair dye and some neat clothes. After saying that, Ragni started tossing me several communication crystals for us to stay in contact while she remains at the Academy. Each new one costs over 3 million kan. Right now, I’m holding about 15 million kan worth! Hey! Don’t just throw such expensive things…!!

“Hmm? Jack, do you not know about our assets?”

“Huh? Our assets?”

As I make a fuss, preciously clutching the crystals and saying I’ll hand them over to Gore when she returns because it would be terrible if I broke them, Rey serves tea and tilts her head questioningly.

I definitely know… this house, plus your weapons and Ira’s weapon, add up to just under 30 million kan, right? I know that, but why?

“…Jack. Did you think our party wasn’t saving money for us to use while sending funds to the empire?”

“Eh? No, I thought that was money for imperial reconstruction…”

“Ragni sent someone every week to let us know how much was needed, so we comfortably sent about 20% more. And I heard you were also doing dungeon runs? I was told there was quite a bit left from the money we sent.”

After saying that, Rey looked at Ragni with a wife’s expression that seemed to ask, “How much do we have in savings?”

“Our ‘family’s’ assets. We currently have about 70 million kan in cash. That’s what’s left after buying those crystals. No need to worry so much.”

Ragni shrugged and sipped her tea as if it were no big deal.