CH 156

"I heard it takes two months from the border town to the capital, but it seems that when I get serious, it turns out like this."

Translated by Dawn

“I heard it takes two months from the border town to the capital, but it seems that when I get serious, it turns out like this.”

The day after spending a night at the Valendark Margrave’s mansion, immediately after having breakfast, I decided to depart for the next town. However, as expected, an inconvenient event occurred for me at this moment.

“If you’re heading to the capital, please allow me to guide you?”

Lazenda, who seemed to have let go of something from yesterday’s conversation, offered to be my guide, knowing that I was aiming for the capital. …I’ve encountered this situation before.

By the way, she referred to it as the capital, but apparently, this Saverdales Duchy was not a “kingdom,” so it was called the “capital” as the central city of the duchy, not the royal capital.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but there are still things you need to do here. I think you need to confront what you have done so far. The citizens, soldiers, and servants… There have been quite a few people who have been affected by your misguided values. Can you, as a noble, as a human being, ignore those people and not feel anything?”

“Ugh.”

Lazenda couldn’t argue any further because she understood what I was implying. …It might seem like I was saying something profound, but the truth was that I simply resisted the idea of her accompanying me.

Being with me, who relies primarily on flying magic for transportation, means she would have to keep up with me using the same flying magic. However, controlling flying magic was difficult, and even skilled users could only achieve a speed slower than walking, let alone high-speed travel, while floating in the air.

Furthermore, even if she could manage it, using magic control and manipulation requires a significant amount of mana consumption. As a result, she would only be able to fly for a few seconds at most, and at best, a few tens of seconds.

That was why I personally have reservations about her joining me on my journey, but more importantly, I considered that it might be a boring trip for her if she couldn’t keep up with me in terms of mobility.

“Lazenda, there are many things I haven’t been able to teach you or say to you until now. You won’t have the time to guide Rolando-dono any longer as things will get busy.”

“Ugh… I understand. But if you ever come back to this town, please make sure to visit. I’ll show you my grown self at that time.”

“I’ll look forward to it. Well then, I should take my leave.”

With those words, I bid farewell to the two of them and departed from the border town.

After walking for a while, I found a secluded place and cast invisibility magic on myself before using flight magic to head toward the capital.

“Rice rice rice rice rice! Come come come comeeeee!!”

With a scream full of desire, I flew towards the capital at maximum speed. Perhaps due to the bizarre and peculiar sound I was making, I could see people on the roadside looking surprised.

Lazenda had informed me that it would take nearly two months by carriage from the border town to the capital, considering the distance from the edge of the country. But just imagine this: an object flying through the unobstructed sky at the speed of a bullet train… The answer was quite simple.

“It seems like I arrived in just one day. I might have gone a bit overboard.”

Although I couldn’t hide my own surprise at traversing a journey that would normally take two months in just a single day, I reluctantly convinced myself with the thought, “Well, this is what happens when I go all out as someone who can beat up demons.”

Naturally, even though I was flying in a state invisible to others, suddenly appearing from the sky would cause a commotion. So, I chose a secluded spot closest to the capital, and from there, I decided to proceed on foot toward the capital.

After walking for about thirty minutes, I finally arrived at the gates of Saverdales’ capital, Salivardola.

Being the capital, the number of people lined up was extraordinary, and it seemed like I would have to wait for a long time. But there was no point in complaining about it, so I decided to patiently wait my turn.

“Next.”

Finally, it was my turn. As expected of a capital city, the checks for those arriving in the capital were meticulous, and it took some time. By the time my turn came around, more than an hour and a half had already passed.

It was inevitable, but being made to wait for such a long time was quite agonizing. To pass the time, I held an internal brainstorming session about the next product I should create.

Fortunately, during that time, I made some progress in conceptualizing what to create next. So, for now, I’d consider it a positive outcome. Once I get my hands on some rice… Mufufu.

“Please provide some form of identification.”

“Hmm.”

Upon hearing those words, I had already intended to present my identification without being asked, so as not to repeat the same mistake as in the border town. First, I took out my adventurer’s identification and presented my guild card. The soldier who received it widened his eyes in astonishment as he checked its contents.

“I-I apologize! I never expected an A-rank adventurer…”

“Don’t worry about it. Also, I should present this as well.”

“T-T-T-T-This is…!?”

After presenting my guild card, and realizing that the soldier was still in a state of shock from learning that I was an A-rank adventurer, I decided to further surprise him by presenting the Mithril First Class Medal.

As I observed the soldier, who seemed like a malfunctioning robot struggling to form words upon seeing the medal, I couldn’t help but reaffirm the significance of this medal. …Is the king foolish enough to hand out something of this magnitude so easily?

As these thoughts crossed my mind, the soldier’s astonishment and the commotion from the people standing behind me started to escalate. The excitement spread throughout the surroundings, threatening to spiral out of control.

“It’s unbelievable to think that we could encounter a hero with the Mithril First Class Medal in a place like this…”

“He looks quite young. Is he even of age?”

“Could it be a fake?”

“I’ve heard something about it. There was a story about a certain adventurer in the neighboring Schells Kingdom who repelled the demons.”

“Are you saying that child is the one? It sounds dubious, doesn’t it?”

I could hear their various comments being exchanged, but I didn’t bother to reprimand them. In fact, I wished they would quickly finish the procedures for entering the capital…

“What’s all this commotion? It’s so noisy.”

“Ah, C-Captain! W-Well, you see…”

The captain of the guard, alerted by the commotion, arrived at the entrance of the capital. After hearing the situation from the soldiers, the captain was momentarily surprised but quickly regained their composure and approached me.

“Rolando-dono, may I have a moment?”

“Is there an issue with my identification?”

“No, it’s not about that. You see, as commoners, we can’t assess whether this Mithril First Class Medal is genuine or not. Therefore, I would like to bring someone who can determine its authenticity. It might take a little time. Would that be acceptable?”

“Hmm, very well. Then hurry up and bring them here.”

In response to my reply, the captain said, “Thank you. Then let the soldiers guide you.” Then we immediately mounted a fast horse and rode off somewhere. Most likely, we were heading to someone who could authenticate the Mithril First Class Medal. I wondered who would come to assess its authenticity.

In any case, I followed the guidance of the soldiers and was led to a somewhat aged interrogation room-like place. The soldiers seemed nervous throughout, apologizing for the modest accommodations, but it didn’t bother me at all. I decided to resume my mental production activities.

About forty minutes later, the guard captain returned, accompanied by someone who looked like a princess dressed in a magnificent gown.