CH 27

Chapter title: We’ve arrived in a town

「We can finally see the city!」

It was two days after we had left the forest that I heard Serena’s shout of joy.

We were heading south through the Lost Forest.

「Now we can finally relax…….」

It’s been about a week so far. At first, I was fine, but I was mentally fatigued because I was always camping out in the field and my cooking was limited.

「Master, if you are tired, can Marie cover for you?」

Marie looked at me as if she was relieved and gave me a word of concern.

「It’s true that I’m tired, but it’s not a physical problem. I’m sure you’ll recover from this fatigue in no time once you’re in town.」

「I see, then we should get to the city as soon as possible.」

Marie nodded her head in response to my answer and flicked her bunny ears.

As the city came into view, the situation became clearer.

Basically, the city is coverede with walls to ensure safety. This is to protect people from the monsters.

In villages, where there is not enough manpower, and because of the fields and livestock, it’s not possible to be this strict, so they often use fences.

What we have in front of us now is a rather magnificent wall and gate.

This was proof that this town is an important base in the country.

「There are a lot of people lined up outside, aren’t there?」

Serena, who could see from a distance, narrowed her eyes and looked at the situation.

「Yeah, in places like this, you have to go through a security check to get into the city.」

「Marie is not very good with people, so she has to disappear!」

Then Marie’s figure disasppears. She’s been manifesting for so long that I’ve forgotten that she was the Spirit “Queen” of the Wind.

「It’s not fair!」

Serena said that, sounding resentful of Marie.

「What’s the matter, Serena?」

I was curious about her attitude.

「Well, on second thought, maybe I’m not very good with peopole either…. The only person I’ve ever met is Elt.」

Serena looked worried and muttered to herself. Then she huffed and….

「Oh, of course I love you, Elt.」

She fumbled as if to make an excuse. I took her hand in mine.

「Don’t worry, Serena. I promised Yomi, right? I’ll protect you no matter what.」

Serena was taken aback by these words and….

「Yeah, I feel safer when Elt says so.」

She smiled as if she was relieved.

「Excuse me, is this place always this crowded?」

We stood in line for several hours. After several hours of waiting, the line did not move any further and we could not enter the city.

I talked to a mercant in front of me and he told me….

「The merchant told me that there was an important person from another country staying in the city, and we can’t enter the city until they leave.」 1

「Oh, I thought I could finally get some rest.」

Serena’s shoulders slumped.

「You’re an elf, aren’t you? That’s unusual.」

「Have you seen an elf before?」

「I’m a traveling merchant, so I’ve met dwarves and beastmen before.」

In addition to humans, there are other races in this world called sub-humans. The elves are said to be one of these sub-human races.

「I’ve never seen an elf as beautiful as this one. Would you like to work as a receptionist at my business?」

I thought she was admiring her, but he casually invited her.

「I’m not interested!」

She said that as she hid behind me. The merchant in front of me was laughing. It was probably a joke to faciliate the conversation.

「But then it would be a futile time to just wait around, wouldn’t it?」

The merchant laughed.

「So it’s up to us to make this time mean something?」

The merchant stroked his chind, gave me a probing look and then went to the carriage to get something.

「So let’s make some time for what might be mutually beneficial.」

That’s what he replied.

★

「I wish you well on your journey, then.」

The soldiers in their armor and swords saluted and sent them off.

We were greeted with the same attitude in the countries we’ve been to so far.

「Yes, thank you. May Misty bless your country.」

Alice replied with a wave and a smile on her face.

The gates were opened and the soldiers led the way.

The carriage slowly made it’s way behind the soldiers….

「Alicia. Aren’t you used to this yet?」

Alice spoke to Alicia, who looked nervous.

「I, I’m very sorry. I’ve never been treated this way before…」

During her stay in the city, Alicia had been treated with what could be called excessive hospitality.

She was beautiful to look at, and Alice, the princess, kept Alicia close to her, so she was thought to be a noblewoman or someone in a similar position.

「You’d better get used to it. When this matter is settled, you will probably get a noble rank within the kingdom.」

Alicia’s popularity was high in the capital because she was a woman who had dedicated herself to the evil god.

Alice knew that the nobles were moving around in an attempt to get Alice.

「Th, that’s not…」

Alice turned her kind eyes on Alicia, who had gone pale.

「Don’t worry, I’m not going to force you into a marriage while your eyes are shining so brightly.」

I know that Alicia is in love with him. I can’t make decisions that are against the interests of the country, but I can at least try to destroy her unwanted marriage.

「Speaking of which, aren’t you getting married, Alice?」

As if a counter attack, Alicia asked a genuine question.

「I’m…. a little….」

Alice, who is blessed with a talent for swords, has yet to find a marriage partner. This is because the king has put a condition on it. There was no one among the nobles in the country who met that condition.

「I’m probably…. going to marry someone for national interest.」

It is Alice herself who will make that decision. She took it as a message for her father, as she couldn’t believe that she would lose in fighting with swords.

She wanted to meet someone who would be worth giving her sword for.

「It’s noisy outside, isn’t it?」

Alicia looked out the window of the carriage and saw that there was a crowd of people outside.

It was like a marketplace, with people spreading out and trading.

「Oh, it looks like they’re doing a quick marketplace since they couldn’t get into the city until we left.」

It is common for access to be restricted during the stay of royalty.

The merchants who couldn’t get into the city must have started their business so that they wouldn’t waste time.

There is one place that is very crowded, but the person in the center cannot be seen from here. 2

「We have to leave before they can enter the city. The next step is the royal capital of Erivan.」

Alicia’s expression tightened as she returned her gaze outside the window.

「Yes. I’m finally here…..」

And when she looked forward, she saw…

「Elt, I’ll be by your side soon…. Wait for me.」

She folded her hands and prayed.

★