Chapter 95: The Road to the Capital

After that, somehow the personnel gathered, and the journey to the capital began.

Previously, the time taken to depart from the capital and reach the Demon King’s Castle was about 1 year.

Of course, it was partly thanks to fighting the Demon King’s army along the way and the Hero’s characteristic tendency to butt into things and do this and that, but basically, because we traveled on foot, it couldn’t help but take twice the usual travel time.

On the other hand, we not only flew from the Demon King’s Castle to the border line riding Wyverns, but we also traveled by riding horses from there, so we could shorten the time considerably.

Moreover, unlike the times when the Demon King’s army frequently interfered, we are currently disguised as humans and infiltrated.

It’s funny that I, who was originally human, am saying this, but as long as we don’t openly declare ourselves as the Demon King’s army, there’s no reason to be chased around, so it seemed like it would probably be a leisurely journey.

The setup is two Archmage-level Mages and one Sword Expert.

Since we were elite personnel who normally wouldn’t apply for menial work like escorting a trip north that only pays 20 silver per person, we received special treatment unlike other Adventurer parties.

Moreover, since we even brought personal horses, there was even less chance to mingle with other Adventurers.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Listening to the unique rhythmic sounds of horse hooves, I gaze beyond the horizon.

The Hamburg area is in the west if considering the Kingdom’s territory, but if considering the continent as a whole, it is located in the north, so it maintained cold weather throughout all seasons.

Except for the giant Vulcan Mountains, most of the land consisted of snow-covered plains, so looking at it for a long time could affect one’s eyesight.

What was prepared for such times is precisely these sunglasses.

Snap!

The sunglasses made when detonating the Little Boy in the Vulcan Mountains were still being usefully employed now.

Dorothea, who had already been wearing sunglasses way before, saw me putting mine on and let out a smug ‘Hmph,’ subtly showing her pleasure.

Seeing the two of us wearing sunglasses, Vanessa beside us said in a grumpy voice.

“Don’t I get one?”

“If you have the materials, I can make as many as you want.”

Saying that, I extended my empty hand to Vanessa.

Then Vanessa, who was looking at me as if dumbfounded, swatted my palm away and said curtly.

“Forget it.”

“I thought you’d say that.”

As I shamelessly pushed up my sunglasses in that manner, Vanessa closed her mouth, deciding it was pointless to argue.

About 4 hours had passed since we started traveling by horse, following the merchant group like that.

We ended up having a meal near a large river that flowed gurgling along the fields.

Securing drinking water during a journey is very important.

Moreover, if it’s tens of people moving together in a crowd, then every drop of water is bound to be even more precious.

While filling my half-empty canteen, I looked around; everyone was busy drinking water.

It seems that water drunk immediately after a long march tasting like honey is a common thing in all nations.

After filling my canteen like that and returning to where the horses were tied up, Dorothea spread her arms open like a baby bird begging for food.

“Water.”

“Here.”

After tossing the filled water container to her, I sat down, leaning comfortably against the bulk of a tree.

Vanessa, who was maintaining her sword utilizing the remaining time, asked.

“What’s for lunch today?”

“From what I saw on the way, it looked like it’s just turnip soup and a few pieces of bread.”

“Gack- I’d rather not eat at all.”

“It’s a free meal, so you can’t help it.”

Originally, meals provided on small-scale trips like this are typically tasteless.

Although they are tasteless because they only use cheap ingredients to save even a penny more, they are even more tasteless because non-professionals are cooking them in the first place.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Whether meal distribution had just started, the sound of pots being banged could be heard.

“Dorothea, let’s go.”

“Ugh, this is bothersome.”

“This kind of thing is fixed portion distribution, so they won’t give it if you don’t go yourself.”

“Tsk, can’t be helped then.”

Unlike Vanessa, who is Undead and doesn’t need to eat, Dorothea and I need to eat something to move.

So, pulling Dorothea, who looked quite reluctant, towards the distribution center, I found many people already there, standing in line.

As I stood at the very back of the long, stretched-out line, a man who looked like an Adventurer approached and spoke to me.

“I haven’t seen faces like yours around here, rookie?”

“No, I’m not particularly an Adventurer. I just happened to be heading to the capital, so I tagged along on this trip north conveniently.”

“What business do you have in the capital?”

Although it was uncomfortable that he spoke so bluntly upon our first meeting, since he looked older than us even at a glance, I replied with a smile.

“I have business at the Emerald Tower. Because I am an affiliated Mage there.”

Saying that, I showed him the medal I took from my pocket, and the man looked back and forth between the medal and me with a surprised expression.

“Th-this… I didn’t recognize such an important figure. Please take care of your business.”

Saying that, he quickly moved away.

“Tsk, what a bother.”

Basically, Mages are a minority.

Moreover, since one’s level doesn’t necessarily increase just by doing it for a long time, there were countless people who couldn’t break through the wall to become an Archmage even after studying their whole lives.

In such a situation, a young man who looks to be in his 20s carries a gold medal that only Mages of 4th Tier (Archmage) or higher can possess?

Naturally, it couldn’t be helped that they misunderstood me as an important person.

In reality, my original status was the next successor of the Emerald Tower.

Even pretending not to listen, perhaps having overheard the conversation between the man and me, the body language of the people around became awkward.

With this, the bothersome incidents during the journey to the capital would likely decrease significantly.

Because I intentionally exposed my status, aiming for such an effect.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you.”

After receiving our rations in bowls with Dorothea, we returned to our original spot.

Since Vanessa was still maintaining her sword, the lunch meal ended up being just between us.

“Slurp- Slurp-“

The first thing we ate was the bright red turnip soup.

The broth was red not because chili powder was added, but because it was flavored with tomato paste.

Basically, all the ingredients inside were vegetables, so there weren’t really any solids to chew on.

So, I scooped up a generous mouthful of just the broth and ate it.

‘Hmm.’

The refreshing taste unique to vegetable broth spread through my mouth in an instant.

As they say, hunger is the best seasoning; the turnip soup, with its basic level of seasoning, was surprisingly edible.

Should I say it tasted like the broth of fish cake soup eaten on a cold day?

There was a feeling that seeped into my chest.

Dorothea, who was eating the soup next to me similarly, didn’t look too displeased either.

I split the rye bread, received with the soup, in half.

Because of the cold weather, the already hard rye bread had turned completely into a stone.

Since eating it as is would be difficult, I cut it into bite-sized pieces and soaked them deeply in the warm broth.

After waiting a moment in that state, the hardened bread became a little soft.

As I put the bread scooped with the broth into my mouth, I felt the rough texture of the rye bread.

Perhaps because I only ate bread made from flour at the Demon King’s Castle, this texture felt unfamiliar.

Indeed, it seems people are most frightened when they experience unfamiliarity.

In the past, I wouldn’t have minded eating rye bread at all.

Eating it reluctantly like that, I managed to completely empty a bowl of turnip soup right where I sat.

Perhaps she doesn’t pick at her food surprisingly, as Dorothea’s bowl was also completely empty.

Washing the dishes is simple enough: just scoop some snow from the surroundings, put it in the bowl, and shake it.

Since we hadn’t eaten anything particularly greasy, warm water wasn’t necessary.

After putting the bowls, whose washing was finished, aside for a moment, we decided to chew on some jerky or snacks that we had brought a lot of, just in case.

Chew! Chew!

Since it was high-quality jerky made from lamb meat properly butchered by a professional supplier, not cheap meat, it was quite edible.

‘So, I have to continue having meals like this for another week.’

Camilla’s absence was already greatly felt.

If nothing else, it’s because her cooking skills as a Perfect Maid were truly excellent.

Her cooking, which served delicious food for three meals a day even in such a poor environment, reminded me of my mother’s cooking tasted a very long time ago.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a very long time since I last visited my hometown.’

I decided.

Once my business in the capital is finished, I should visit my hometown once.

No matter how much of a dutiful son I am, even with my fiery disposition, I haven’t shown my face at my hometown home for far too long.

Because I need to check if my father is still alive and well.

Thinking like that, I sat side-by-side with Dorothea, chewing jerky blankly.

My jaw was starting to hurt.

The jerky still remaining in my pocket seems like it will have to be consumed by other means.