Volume 10, Chapter 04 “The Custom of Kingdom Nobles”
Volume 10, Chapter 04 “The Custom of Kingdom Nobles”
Part 1
Airship Einhorn.
The airship I built when I went to study abroad in the Republic is now fully recognized as my ship.
Einhorn, with its distinctive single horn at the bow, moves through the blue sky.
When I go out on the deck, Livia, who receives a strong wind, talks to me with her hand in her hair.
“Leon-san, what kind of magic did you use?”
“Magic?”
“It’s Ange, Ange! Not long ago, she was depressed that Leon-san would hate her, but yesterday she couldn’t sleep because she was so excited about our departure.”
As I recall, the same thing happened when we went out to the elven village.
Since that time, Ange has always had a strong yearning for adventurers.
No, is it the adventure itself?
Stepping into uncharted lands and acquiring treasures ―― such adventurers are admired by the nobles.
“I didn’t use magic or sleight of hand. I just wanted to have adventures with Ange.”
Livia looks unconvinced, but seems to forgive me because Ange was actually pleased.
“Are there really treasures?”
“There are ―― it has to be. Unless no one has found it.”
“As for me, I’m more interested in the ruins.”
Livia, coming from a commoner background, had a strong image of adventurers as people who mined for magic stones. Therefore, she is looking forward to investigating the ruins rather than the treasures on this trip.
“Don’t worry about that. You’ll see an ancient castle.”
“You say that as if you’ve seen it all.”
I touch my own chest with my right hand as Livia gives me a skeptical look.
“Actually, when I found Luxion, I looked around in many places. This treasure hunt is one of the floating islands I found during that time.”
“Really?”
Livia looks to Luxion, who is by my side, for confirmation.
Luxion speaks, adjusting the conversation to me.
[Yes. We have created a map based on the data from that time. We don’t know what the treasure is, but we think there is a good chance that it is still there.]
“I’m looking forward to it. It looks like Ange won’t be disappointed.”
Seeing Livia’s concern for Ange makes me wonder what is going on.
They were supposed to be enemies in that otome game.
Now that they are best friends, you never know what will happen in the world.
Livia looks up into my face.
“Leon-san, thank you”
“What?”
“It’s about Ange. I couldn’t have cheered her up that much. After all, Ange needs Leon.”
Livia looks away from me and grabs onto the railing to look at the sky visible from the deck.
“I wonder? I don’t think Ange needs me.”
“Eh?”
“It means I am the one who needs her. Ange ―― and Livia, too.”
Livia looked like she was going to ask me something, but I was aware that I had uttered an embarrassing line, so I decided to leave.
“Luxion, it’s getting cold, let’s go inside.”
[Yes, Master]
“Livia also better get inside sooner.”
As I leave the place to escape, I hear Livia’s voice at my back.
“Leon-san, repeat those lines once again!”
“I can’t because it’s embarrassing!”
.
Part 2
Finn, an imperial knight, was pondering in Einhorn’s dining room.
Nearby are his partner Brave and Mia, who is drinking her juice through a straw.
Mia looks happy in the airship.
“Knight-sama, I didn’t think we’d be going on an adventure too.”
“Hmm? You’re right.”
“Something on your mind?”
“No, it’s not a serious matter.”
Finn let out a deep sigh and remembered the purpose of this trip.
The reason why Finn was invited, but this involved Mia’s treatment.
Initially, Finn and the others were planning to proceed with that third otome game scenario and cause Mia’s awakening event.
By doing so, he wondered if this would cure the unexplained disease.
But it could also awaken and worsen the disease.
Anyway, Mia, the protagonist of that third Otome game, was not originally set up to suffer from a mysterious illness.
Rather――it was Erika who was suffering.
(At any rate, I’ve heard that awakening is also dangerous if we participate in this event and it turns out to be a bad idea.)
When Finn looks at Mia, who is tilting her head, her health doesn’t seem to have deteriorated.
(There is no problem for now, huh)
Finn, relieved inside, smiles at Mia.
“Don’t worry. The question is, well, you know. Why are the nobles of the kingdom so obsessed with adventurers?”
“Ah, that makes sense. Everyone’s face looks different from usual, doesn’t it.”
Mia replies approvingly and turns her gaze from Finn to her surroundings.
Julius and Jake were there. And Aare, Jake’s companion.
Julius is complaining about Jake’s outfit.
“Are you going to participate in such a slovenly manner? It would be a disgrace to the royal family, so stay inside the ship this time.”
When told he was dressed sloppily, Jake spun around on the spot to show off his prized adventurer’s gear.
“This is the fashion these days, ani-ue. You outdated person should stay on the ship and have a cup of tea. Rest assured that I will bring the treasure back with Aare.”
When her name is mentioned, Aare gives a wry smile and soothes Jake.
“Your Highness Jake, you shouldn’t behave like that towards your brother.”
“I told you, you could call me by my name, Aare. But still, your equipment is showing its age.”
Aare, a tall woman? was dressed in well-worn equipment.
“These are my partners who have been with me for years.”
“You look great, Aare”
After being shown them getting along excessively in front of him, Julius kicked Jake in the back with a blank look on his face.
Jake falls to the floor, turns around and stares at Julius as he is.
“What are you doing!”
“Sorry, you pissed me off.”
“Are you jealous? Fuh, you’re a little narrow-minded, brother.”
As Jake tries to stir while standing up, Julius glares at him with a wrinkle between his eyebrows.
(It was like a delinquent manga from my previous life, they are glancing at each other face)
With these impressions in mind, Finn turned his attention to the other tables.
Even there, the kingdom’s nobles are in high spirits.
“Look at this! I got new equipment for this occasion.”
Brad shows off his sparkling equipment, and Greg, topless, makes a disgusted face.
“A man’s equipment is his body. First, you need to work on your muscles, your muscles!”
Chris looks at Greg, who recommends muscle training, and is stunned as he grooms his sword.
“Excessive muscles interfere with joint movement. Better yet, take good care of your weapons. It’s no laughing matter if you can’t use them when the time comes.”
Finn thinks as he looks at Chris, who is cleaning his sword with a giggle.
(Are these guys really the capture targets of the first game? I had imagined a more noble group of people)
Lastly, he looks at Jilk, who is taking care of his guns.
Around it, bombs and other objects are placed.
“Fufu, I’m the one who will conquer the dungeon.”
When everyone is now trying to work together, one person is thinking of outwitting those around him.
(Is this that? Is it because of Leon’s involvement that their character has become distorted?)
.
Part 3
“Our goal is!”
Einhorn hangar.
There, it was Marie, dressed in her adventurous gear, who raised her voice.
It is Kara, also in her equipment, who responds to Marie’s voice.
“Get the treasure and become independent from the Duke Bartfalt!”
And standing beside her is Kyle, who is working with Marie for the first time in a long time.
“Independent! Great words, goshujin-sama”
Kyle’s words brought tears to Marie’s eyes.
“Right. We are going to get our treasures and become independent through this adventure. We are going to be happy and not have to bow down to anyone!”
It takes a great deal of effort to feed a group of five idiots, a group that costs a lot of money.
Marie wanted to get the treasure this time so that she could live without receiving an allowance from Leon.
Erika is the main reason why she is seriously considering becoming independent.
(In front of my daughter from a previous life, I’m too pathetic and ashamed to depend on my brother forever! I will regain my dignity for my daughter’s sake)
Marie was there with a different spirit than before.
.
Part 4
The location has changed, the room at Einhorn.
Noel and Erika were in the room used by Ange and Livia.
Noel is stunned to see Ange tending to her guns.
“Everyone’s eyes change when they hear the word adventure. It’s as if Ange has changed too.”
When told, Ange readies her rifle and pulls the trigger.
No bullets were loaded, and only metallic sounds echoed through the room.
“That’s how fascinating this issue is.”
On behalf of Ange, who is not busy inspecting her equipment, Erika explains the situation in the kingdom to a wondering Noel.
“I don’t know if Noel-san would understand, but the Kingdom was founded by adventurers.”
“I heard that, but isn’t everyone getting a little overexcited?”
“Well, maybe this is a rebellious spirit that has been going on for generations, a defiance to pay back the motherland?”
“Motherland?”
“Many of the people in the kingdom are originally from the Holy Kingdom of Raschel. I thought that the low status of adventurers in Raschel might have made them even more competitive.”
“Fu~hn”
Ange turns to Noel, who has finished inspecting Erika’s story.
“There has been a history between the Kingdom and Raschel since before the founding of the Kingdom. In the first place, those who were caught up in the political upheaval in Raschel were chased away and found themselves in the land that is now the Kingdom.”
“There’s a lot going on, isn’t there? But in a country like that, Leon has a bounty on his head, doesn’t he?”
When the bounty is mentioned, Ange looks uninterested.
“To them, we’ll always be something to look down on. They don’t want to think that the tables have turned.”
Confirming that Ange does not have very good feelings toward the Holy Kingdom of Raschel, Noel ends the conversation.
“I understand the whole situation, but for what it’s worth, everyone seems to be having a fun time, don’t they? I don’t think it’s all about old grudges.”
Asked if she’s having fun, Ange giggles and smiles.
“It’s actually fun. It’s in my blood, I guess? It’s always been one of my dreams to be a successful adventurer. ―― I’m grateful to Leon.”
She is grateful.
As she said this, Ange laughed a little sadly.
.
Part 5
Arriving at the destination, a floating island, Einhorn found an open space and forced it to land.
What holds the floating Einhorn in place is an anchor that sticks into the ground.
They are in the process of unloading using armor and it is Julius and his group who are working.
On my part, I have a rifle and I’m on the lookout in the surrounding area.
“It’s a strange floating island when you think about it.”
Ange and Livia are close to me as I use binoculars to look around.
Ange had a rifle and was just as alert as I was to the surroundings.
Perhaps my muttering to myself caught her attention, and she asks why.
“Are you worried about something?”
“No, you see the ancient castle in the middle of the floating island, right? It’s nice that it’s surrounded by forest, but there’s no harbor on this floating island.”
It is too inconvenient in any way for someone to have lived there in the past.
The small floating island has only the castle and the surrounding forest.
If this were a game, I wouldn’t have cared, but it was very unnatural.
It doesn’t seem like people lived here.
Livia holding a map answers my questions, confirming their current location and the location of the castle.
“Maybe this floating island collapsed and shrunk. It is not surprising if you consider that it used to be bigger and there used to be a harbor there.”
Is that even possible?
As I put down my binoculars, Ange tells me about other possibilities.
“Or maybe the land was carved up and taken away? It is possible that this floating island was cut off from the continent in the past.”
They say there are so many possibilities, and I’m at one point convinced.
What matters is not the past, but the treasure that lies in the ancient castle.
“I don’t know what happened in the past, but I guess it doesn’t matter to us treasure hunters.”
As she said so, Ange carried the rifle.
“That’s the way it is. After we get the treasure, we can send out a survey team.”
Ange was thrilled to hear about the treasure, but Livia let out a small sigh and curled up the map.
“I would like to know what happened in the past on this floating island. More importantly, what is the name of this floating island? It would be nice to know the name of the old castle, too.”
As I recall, in that Otome game, it was called.
“The old castle of Golden Hand, I think?”
.
Part 6
Night.
We decided to camp outside the forest and sat around a bonfire talking.
Using a cut-down log as a chair, we drink drinks poured into metal cups.
At night, if you look up at the sky, you will see a star full of sky.
Unfortunately, you can hear the sounds of beasts and monsters from the nearby forest.
The mood is ruined.
I could hear the sound of wood popping from the bonfire.
Noel, who was sitting next to me, put her lips to the cup and took a drink, which was hot and she was hurriedly blowing on it.
Watching the situation, Jilk and the others took out their musical instruments.
“Since we are going to enter the old castle tomorrow, let’s at least have a good time today.”
Then he starts playing an instrument, which is a guitar-like instrument.
As soon as the music started playing, Noel gave her honest opinion of how we were doing.
“It’s going to be a tough day tomorrow, but everyone seems to be having fun.”
“They force their way to follow me, they really can’t read the air, can they.”
“Haha, though Leon can’t read either.”
I was told that I am usually the one who doesn’t read the air, and as I tried to argue with her, a red lens looking at me and a blue lens came into the edge of my vision.
Luxion and Creare are watching what I say and do.
I decide it’s best that I don’t make any careless arguments, so I talk to Noel.
“Well, these guys will be fine.”
“No one’s ever been in this old castle, right? Arre? The fact that there is a castle means that someone has been there in the past, so are we stepping in?”
“According to Luxion and Creare, no one has set foot in the area in hundreds of years. That’s why both Ange and Livia are so excited.”
I looked in the opposite direction from where Noel was, and there Ange was excitedly talking to Livia.
“Tomorrow I will definitely find the treasure. Livia will help me, right?”
“Eh? We’re all supposed to be exploring together, right?”
“Livia ―― they are not our companions, they are our rivals. For once, Leon will be our enemy too.”
The way Ange looked at me was somewhat provocative.
Give me a break. Even though this time was supposed to be a treasure hunt so we could make up?
“I also want to go on a treasure hunt with you two.”
She shows reluctance, but Ange is adamant.
“No. I will join Livia and Noel. We will find the treasure.”
At these words, Noel, who was sitting on the other side, jolted.
“Eh? I’m with Angelica-san and Livia-chan?!”
Apparently, she hadn’t heard it. Livia laughed bitterly.
“Wouldn’t it be more fun if we all explored together?”
However, Ange insisted on going separately from me.
“Not this time”
Ange, who turned her face away from me, was different from before.
It seems that she wants to keep a distance from me.
“――Did I upset Ange in some way?”
As I’m puzzled, Erika approaches and talks to me.
Erika wore a coat because it was cold at night.
“Isn’t it okay? Let Angelica-san and the others do as they please.”
“Erika――sama?”
I almost called her by her name, but then I hurriedly added “sama” to it.
Erika brings her face close to mine and gives me a whisper.
“Didn’t I tell you that she wanted uncle’s acknowledgment, right?”
“Aa, that’s what you mean. Then I’d better let Ange and her team take the honor?”
This treasure hunt was planned with the idea of making up with Ange.
Then I concluded that it would be better to let Ange take the honor, and Erika gave me a dumbfounded look.
“Eh, is it no good?”
“It’s very no good. She is not someone who is happy to cut corners.”
So I was whispering with Erika, and before I knew it, Ange, Livia ―― and Noel, were giving us cold stares.
Hih! A voice leaks from the back of my throat, but Erika doesn’t seem surprised.
“Don’t be wary, I’m not trying to take Leon-dono.”
I guess they cannot believe such words of Erika.
Ange mentions Milene-san’s name.
“Even if Erika-sama intends to do so, the queen is different. She is a person who does not hesitate to do what she thinks is best.”
I decided to keep quiet because I was afraid I would offend Ange again if I mentioned that Milene-san would not do such a thing.
However, I just don’t feel comfortable here somehow.
Erika looked troubled.
“My mother has lived as royalty. I can’t blame her for that decision. But I have a fiancée.”
I rolled my eyes when I heard that.
“Lie ?!”
Then Marie, who was sitting a short distance away, stood up and dropped the cup in her hand.
“Erika――sama, are you engaged?”
Julius, who was nearby, explains to Marie, whose voice is trembling, in a bewildered tone.
“Erika has engaged to a legitimate son of the Fraser family a long time ago.”
“I haven’t heard that!”
“No, because I didn’t think it was something I could tell you, either.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Julius and the rest of the guys were tilting their heads when they saw Marie surprised by Erika’s engagement.
Ange glares at Marie.
“What are you surprised about? Erika-sama is a princess. At her age, it’s not surprising that she has a fiancée.”
When Ange speaks of common sense ―― the norm in this world, Marie turns her head down.
“That’s terrible”
As she sat down, Kara and Kyle were bringing Marie a new cup.
My cheeks are drawn back too.
“Ah~, a political marriage or something?”
I asked Erika and she gave a small nod.
However, she didn’t look sad.
She has kind eyes that seem to say, “What a helpless person~” when she looks at Marie.
“For various reasons, it was decided that I would marry into the Fraser family. I have no complaints.”
“No, you have, right? Don’t you have someone you like? Look, I’ll help you about it.”
If my niece from a previous life is trying to get married for political reasons, I will stop it as her uncle.
That was the statement I meant to make, but Ange grabbed my arm.
“Don’t do it. Besides, rumor has it that she and Eriya are getting along just fine.”
“Eriya? Is that your fiance?”
“[Eriya Rafa Fraser]. He is the legitimate son of a marquis. He is in charge of the border with Raschel.”
I made a complicated face, and Erika laughed.
“It’s okay, I’m convinced.”
“Convinced?”
Erika puts her left hand on her chest.
“Because I am a princess.”
” ―― Is that reason enough to convince you?”
I never understood why she could smile.
Erika must have guessed it.
But she has no intention of continuing the conversation.
“We’ll talk about it later. It’s almost time to rest. We’re going to be busy tomorrow, aren’t we?”
Erika’s statement made me take the rest today.
.
Part 7
Next morning.
When I got out of the tent, it was Herring and the others outside.
Mia-chan is watching Herring as he is swinging.
“Knight-sama, the Duke has woken up.”
Herring was naked on top and wielding a sword.
While wiping his sweat with the towel he received from Mia, he approaches me.
“You’re up pretty early”
“And you are swinging all morning?”
“It’s a daily routine”
After our brief conversation, Mia-chan was apparently preparing the meal. I scratch my head.
“You didn’t have to worry about it. You guys are the guests.”
When I say that, Mia-chan comes in front of me and takes both my hands in hers and brings them close to her face.
“No, let me help you! I want to have adventures with you all!”
“Eh? Is that so?”
Puzzled, I look at Herring and Brave’s faces and they are both shaking their heads.
“Because Mia loves this kind of thing.”
[Because she is a tomboy]
The protagonist-sama of the third work is puffing out her cheeks when she sees them.
“Isn’t it okay? Even Mia wants to have adventures and find treasures! Besides, I’m not afraid if I’m with Knight-sama.”
Mia-chan, looking down and her cheeks turning red, then looked at Herring with an upward glance.
Herring smiles at the sight.
“I won’t let my princess get a single scratch.”
And Brave sulks.
[Mia, what about me? I’m here too]
Mia-chan hurriedly tells Brave as well.
“Of course, I’m counting on you! Buu-kun.”
“I already told you to stop calling me Buu-kun, right?”
They are a joyful bunch in the morning.
.
Part 8
After getting ready, we made our way through the forest and arrived at the crumbling walls of an old castle.
In the past, there must have been a magnificent wall to keep out outside enemies.
But now most of it had collapsed.
It is covered with plants and is unlikely to fulfill its role.
I look at the ground.
“The cobblestone pavement is a little exposed. Is this where the gate used to be?”
Greg approaches with his spear.
Perhaps because he was expecting to fight in an old castle, Greg today was carrying a shortened spear.
“It’s bigger than I thought it would be. I was expecting a fort, since we were told it was on a small floating island.”
Luxion’s red eyes light up.
[――Master, I have identified another room in the basement of the old castle. There is a maze in the basement.]
“What about the enemy?”
[There are many reactions of monsters. Some powerful individuals have been confirmed, but there are no ones that are impossible to defeat at this time.]
It’s exactly as I played it in that otome game.
I’ve cleared this dungeon many times in games.
The Old Castle of the Golden Hand is a dungeon where a large amount of treasure lay.
I had attacked it early on to avoid financial problems.
If there is a problem, it is that the enemies are numerous and troublesome.
Also, a little scary.
As we stopped at the entrance, Ange tried to move on with Livia and Noel.
Livia looked troubled and smiled as she walked past me.
Noel shrugged her shoulders, but she was going to go along with Ange.
“Ange”
When I call out to her, Ange stops and turns around.
“What? It’s no use stopping me.”
“You can take Creare with you.”
When her name is called, Creare complains as she approaches Ange and the others.
[Master is so rough to an AI. Best regards, all three of you.]
Then Ange glared at me.
“No need. We are enough.”
When Ange says she doesn’t need her, I grab my partner, Luxion, by the hand.
“I have Luxion. Now we’re on equal terms, right?”
“――You”
Since she really wanted to compete with me, I decided to take the challenge.
If that’s what she wants, I’m not going to take it easy on her.
“If you want an excuse for losing, I’ll get Creare back?”
When I stir her up with a goofy laugh, Ange is miffed, and then, after a moment ―― she relaxes her cheeks and smiles.
“You too, don’t regret lending Creare to us. I’m looking forward to what excuses you will make when you lose.”
When Noel saw this, she placed her hands on her head and looked up to the sky.
“Both of you look to be having fun, I envy you~”
Livia giggles.
“They’re both very lively.”
As Ange and her group led the way, Creare followed behind them.
“Everyone, wait for me!”
I let out a small sigh as I saw the three of them and one machine off, and this time Marie and the others ran.
“Kyle, Kara! We’re going to monopolize the treasure!”
Kyle and Kara looked serious as they followed Marie.
“Yes!”
“Marie-sama, let’s do our best!”
As Marie and the others, the of them three enter the old castle, Brad makes a dumb voice.
“Eh? What about us?”
The five idiots are surprised at the behavior of Marie and her friends, and from the way they are standing there, they must have been left behind.
What a pitiful bunch of people.
While the five of them were frozen in place, Jake and the others began to take action.
“Aare, Oskar! We’re going to start exploring the old castle. We’ll find the treasure and show the kingdom’s top brass that I’m capable.”
Aare-chan follows behind Jake.
“Yes, Your Highness Jake”
Contrary to her cute, smiling appearance, all of her equipment is well used.
She had the air of a full-fledged adventurer.
Oskar waved at me.
“I’m going, brother-in-law!”
When he smiles at me with a carefree smile, I feel ashamed that my sister has seduced such a young man.
So I give Oskar a word.
“――Don’t get hurt.”
I turn and look at Herring and the others.
“What about you guys?”
Herring looked at Mia and Erika and shrugged.
“I have to protect the princesses, so I’ll just follow along from behind.”
Mia was not happy to hear it.
“Eh~, let’s find the treasure together, Knight-sama ~”
Mia complained, and Herring looked troubled. Although he was probably concerned about Mia’s health, he seemed to want to go on a treasure hunt with the others.
Erika soothes Mia-chan.
“The people who have gone before us have been trained as adventurers. We would be a hindrance.”
“Uw~, if Erika-sama says so”
She seems convinced, so I ask Herring to do the rest.
“Then, take care of Erika-sama and the others. She’s our precious princess, and I won’t forgive you if she gets hurt.”
Then, Herring wonders.
“If that’s the case, don’t bring her to this place.”
―― Well, you’re right.