Darion

Just as the traveling merchant had told me, I boarded a carriage bound for the Royal Capital from the city.

The roads were well-maintained, and six horses pulled the linked carriages. The ride wasn't uncomfortable, but as expected, the fare to the Royal Capital was apparently quite steep.

Five silver coins per person.

For Novem and me, that came out to one gold coin total.

As I sat watching the scenery, I glanced to my side.

Novem was fast asleep—perhaps exhausted. She leaned against me, breathing softly.

(Did I push her too hard?)

I felt inadequate, but it was thanks to Novem that we'd made it this far. Otherwise, I probably would've gotten lost on my own—or ended up heading toward Darion on foot.

Having never gone camping or anything like that, my ancestors had told me that solo travel was out of the question. I'd vaguely thought I'd be fine, but they'd all been exasperated at how naive that notion was.

Even my grandfather, the Seventh Generation, hadn't shielded me this time around.

Careful not to wake Novem, I looked around.

That's when I heard the Second Generation's voice.

Apparently today was the Second Generation's turn to look after me.

I didn't know what the criteria were, but while traveling, it was either the First Generation, the Second Generation, or the Fourth Generation who would talk to me.

Due to the mana issue, having two of them speak at once was draining. So they took turns, one at a time, like this.

"They've got convenient things nowadays, huh. Back in my day, there were no linked carriages like this."

I answered in a low voice.

"Really?"

"It's been nearly two hundred years, you know. Mana Tools or whatever? We didn't have anything that convenient either."

Mana Tools were devices created to serve as substitutes for Jewels—they enabled simplified skill possession. However, perhaps because the Jewels were too powerful, carrying multiple Mana Tools was impossible.

One or two at most.

But due to my mana issues, I couldn't carry Mana Tools. The same went for my ancestors' skills—they seemed to be quite a burden on me in my current state.

There were more skills I couldn't use than ones I could.

In fact... the Seventh Generation's skills were unusable because I couldn't withstand them myself. The Second Generation's skills were of a type that overlapped with the others.

As for the First Generation, they wouldn't let me use their skills because they hadn't acknowledged me.

The other skills were the same. Because I couldn't endure them, permission to use them was withheld.

(Isn't this basically a completely unusable state?)

"But is five silver coins really that expensive, even if we stay at inns along the way?"

My sense of money was apparently way off. From the Fifth Generation onward, they'd lived as actual nobility, so they didn't have an ordinary person's sense of finances.

The same had been true when I was choosing weapons.

From the Fifth Generation onward, they'd recommended expensive swords, arguing that higher quality meant better cost performance over time.

However, considering the funds I'd started with, that was out of the question. I could have purchased them, but the Second and Fourth Generations vetoed it, saying the rest of the journey would be too tough.

"If anything, it's cheap. Safe travel to the Royal Capital with guaranteed lodging for five silver coins? I'd be happy with that. Well, I guess they're making their profit by packing in as many passengers as they can, but still."

Five silver coins was a lot for an ordinary person.

But many passengers used the service precisely because it offered safe travel.

"Times have gotten convenient."

With that, the Second Generation fell silent. I picked up the Jewel and peered into it. The blue Jewel was a treasure passed down through the Walt family for generations.

Was it really okay for it to be in my hands now?

(Would anyone make an issue of it?)

As I was thinking that, Novem shifted slightly beside me, still leaning against me. I tucked the Jewel—worn as a necklace—under my clothes.

But Novem didn't wake up.

"So it's five more days of nothing but travel, huh."

Mounted guards on horseback were escorting the carriage. Seeing them, the other passengers seemed reassured.

But according to my ancestors, the guards' skills weren't all that impressive. They regaled me with boasts about how "our era was something else," claiming there used to be far more capable guards.

("Our era"—that phrasing really got to me.)

I decided to get some sleep too, just like Novem.

Five nights later.

We arrived at the Royal Capital, the final stop of the linked carriage. Since it was already evening, we decided to look for an inn first.

Waiting until nighttime would be a hassle, and more importantly, the journey had worn us out. An unfamiliar environment on its own was exhausting enough.

My ancestors had suggested, for Novem's sake, that we should rest up a bit.

"Lyle, was that all right? It's a rather expensive inn."

Before us stood an inn that, unlike any we'd seen so far, came equipped with private rooms and baths.

Its appearance lived up to its location in Central, the capital of the Banseim Kingdom—it was remarkably clean.

The atmosphere was entirely different from the towns and villages we'd passed through until now.

"Let's take it easy for today. It's important to let the travel fatigue heal (though honestly, if I didn't, my ancestors would never shut up)."

The First through Fourth Generations, in particular, were being quite considerate of Novem.

That was because each of them owed a great deal to House Foxes, Novem's family.

The First Generation had received help when founding a pioneer settlement. The Second Generation had received guidance on managing a territory after taking over, and even assistance in finding a bride.

The Third Generation had apparently received help during the hectic process of being elevated in rank.

And the Fourth Generation had inherited the position when the Third Generation died in battle while still young, and through the Third Generation's achievements, had been elevated to the rank of Baron.

At that time, House Foxes was the one that supported them from the shadows.

In other words!

(My own family, House Walt, wouldn't have grown as far as it did without House Foxes... and yet now they've been reduced to vassals and can't even repay that debt.)

It probably didn't have much direct bearing on Novem, but it made me want to hang my head.

That said, once you got to the Fifth Generation onward, the thinking changed completely.

Because they'd had such a long relationship, the later generations felt they'd repaid their debts in some capacity. However, the First through Fourth Generations weren't satisfied with that, given the direct nature of the debts owed.

(And beyond all that, there still wasn't a single blood tie between the two families...)

There must have been various circumstances, but one way or another, House Walt and House Foxes—who were so deeply connected—had never been bound by blood.

Normally, with a relationship that deep, you'd expect at least one or two people from the two families to have married each other.

(What were they doing, my family... or rather, my ancestors?)

From what I'd gathered from our conversations in the meeting room, something felt critically missing.

The First Generation, for instance—from everything I'd heard, they were supposed to be the founder who'd carved out uncharted territory for House Walt. In reality, they were a man you could easily mistake for a barbarian draped in beast pelts.

"Thank you for your concern. Well then, shall we head in?"

"Yeah."

When we entered the inn, the counter was visible just beyond the entrance.

It was spotless, and mana tools powered by Magic Stones lit up the interior brightly.

The clerk behind the counter greeted us with a "Welcome."

"Staying the night?"

"Yeah."

The service was courteous as well.

It'll be nice to finally get some proper rest, I thought.

"Zero."

Just when I thought I'd finally get to sleep in a plush bed for the first time in ages, I was summoned to the meeting room.

However, only the First Generation was there.

Being graded the moment I walked in and told I'd scored zero, I had no idea how to respond. So—

"Is that so... may I go back?"

"Why are you so damn listless! You're too well-mannered and it's boring!"

Would I get yelled at no matter what I said?

Thinking that, I decided to listen to what the First Generation had to say.

"So what's going on? I'd like to rest up for tomorrow."

"I know! But there's something I absolutely have to tell you."

The First Generation, with a serious expression, brought up the topic of monsters once again.

I made a face, but the First Generation was dead serious. They proceeded to tell me about the era before their own—the time when the Kingdom was born.

"I was born around the fiftieth year of the Kingdom's calendar. Back then, there were still survivors from the fierce civil wars."

"...I see."

"Even in the area where I lived, there were soldiers who'd fought bitterly as Royalists and Nobles. Those old-timers used to tell me... they said they couldn't understand why they'd just gone along with the fighting back then."

I recalled the history of the Kingdom, which had endured for three hundred years. As part of my education, I'd studied the Kingdom, and its founding through civil war was a central part of it.

It seemed the Kingdom had been quite corrupt at the time, and regional nobles who could no longer tolerate it had started a civil war, which resulted in the creation of the Banseim Kingdom.

"Wasn't it just that their fervor had cooled?"

"That's what I thought too. But those old soldiers said it was almost as if they'd been caught up in some kind of dream. Apparently, there was also a prominent beauty among the Royalists."

A beauty who could topple a kingdom, no doubt.

Of course, such figures were supposed to exist only in stories, and the current consensus was that the war had arisen from a combination of surrounding circumstances.

That was what I'd been taught—a civil war that was bound to happen.

Supposedly, there had indeed been a period when a single beautiful woman had wielded political power freely.

But even if such a beauty existed, in any properly functioning country, it would be impossible for her to control politics as she pleased.

The heart of the nation had been rotten from the start.

"I've heard about the kingdom-toppling beauty too. But that was just one of the triggers, right?"

"No. They're real. How should I put it... a turning point in the era? At times like those, monsters appear. And they're far worse than any ordinary monster."

The First Generation, maintaining their serious expression, continued to tell me about that time.

"You probably think this is just a tall tale, but it was a time of genuine madness. Even my grandparents said there were too many strange things happening in that era. They themselves couldn't believe it. And what caused it all was—"

"...Monsters?"

"That's right! The beauty who toppled a kingdom! The general who defeated ten thousand men! The mage who raised an island from the sea! They all show up at these turning points in history. Your sister is one of those monsters. Who would've thought—a monster would be born from my own bloodline."

"T-that can't be..."

Seeing that I wasn't convinced, the First Generation pressed on.

"Then should you have distanced yourself from your beloved son? You were the heir, however flawed. You would've received proper treatment. If something displeased you, you'd normally order it corrected. Besides, you were lucky you received even minimal treatment."

"Lucky?"

"That's right. Wasn't it a situation where you could've been killed without anyone batting an eye? Rather than chasing you out for displeasing someone, it would've been far easier to fake an illness and have you killed."

The words hit me like a shock. I had indeed been kept in a minimal environment. Though, to be fair, it was an environment where no one paid me any attention at all.

And for the first time, I found myself wondering why I hadn't been killed. Even Ceres had treated me in what I'd thought was a hateful manner.

"Starting to become self-aware, are you? You never found that strange, did you? That's what you'd call charisma so overwhelming it bends even your circumstances. That's what makes them monsters. You survived well. Perhaps your parents loved you enough to resist the monster's influence."

A monster that could alter even one's circumstances—that was what the First Generation concluded Ceres to be.

"They don't follow any kind of common sense. Maybe they threw you out on a whim. I can't understand how a monster thinks, but they do exist."

Monsters that appeared at turning points in history.

I was somewhat overwhelmed by the First Generation's words. Having experienced Ceres firsthand, I couldn't just laugh it off.

"Then... was Ceres the cause of everything? I wasn't in the wrong?"

"That, I don't know. The you I know is a sheltered, spoiled brat who's a burden to his ancestors' descendants. Besides, I don't even know this girl called Ceres. We only started being able to talk like this once you manifested your skills."

"I-I see."

Having been unable to retort repeatedly, I fell silent. Then the First Generation spoke to me.

"What are you planning to do from here on out?"

"Huh? Well... I'm going to become an adventurer."

"That's not what I mean! I'm asking what you plan to do now that you know the country might descend into chaos! Novem's life is riding on this too, you know! If you screw up, I'll knock your head off!"

Today had shown me how many things I'd failed to think about.

I'd been thinking things would work themselves out, but now I had Novem. You could say she'd just tagged along on her own, but I couldn't abandon her—that was out of the question.

"I... I..."

"...Think for yourself a little more. Watching you is infuriating."

With that, the First Generation headed to their room, opened the door, and slammed it shut with all their might. Left alone in the meeting room, I spent a while trying to figure out what to do.

"We can see it, Lyle!"

Novem, standing up in the cargo bed of the carriage, was pointing and shouting toward the sight of Darion growing closer.

Perhaps because the long journey was finally coming to an end, Novem's expression was bright. I was feeling lighter too.

For the time being, I planned to do my best as an adventurer in Darion. In other words, the journey would be temporarily put on hold.

"Yeah. Looks like a nice place."

It didn't have the overflowing crowds of the Royal Capital. And while it wasn't exactly noisy, it was a lively town.

Darion—as Zell had said—was apparently a vibrant town on the cusp of growth.

I looked at Novem's cheerful profile and thought.

(What should I... do from here on out?)

I'd been thinking about it since yesterday, but no answer had come. Even if I wanted to discuss it, the First Generation was out today, and they wouldn't respond even if I called out to them.

They were probably quite furious with me.

"Apparently the adventurer's guild in Darion is pretty big. I hear there's plenty of work, and it's the perfect town for newcomers."

"When did you find that out?"

"I heard it while shopping in the Royal Capital. Since it's where we're headed next, I was curious about what it'd be like."

When Novem said that, a voice came from the Jewel.

"...What a good girl. She's wasted on you. Compared to her, you haven't gathered a single bit of useful information. ...Tch!"

I heard a click of the tongue.

"...Novem, I've caused you all sorts of trouble. I... I'll do my best from now on too."

Feeling my own inadequacy, I thanked Novem.

"It's fine. I'm doing this because I want to. Lyle, let's do our best together."

"Y-yeah!"

Just then, the young merchant driving the carriage—

"Tch!"

"Tch!"

...clicked his tongue. The First Generation did too, for good measure.