I borrowed the grounds of House Cerclie's garden to check everyone's equipment.
Adventurers tended to wear light gear by default.
The Second Generation voiced his impression after seeing everyone.
[...Wow, they look unreliable.]
The Third Generation chimed in with a laugh.
"If I were in charge, I'd send them all home."
Our group, being adventurers, probably passed muster.
Our equipment was all in order, and while we didn't look uniform as mercenaries, we had the look of people who could fight.
—Except for Monica.
"Monica, take off that maid outfit. Or well, that dress."
When I said that with my hand pressed against my face in exasperation, Monica answered immediately.
"No! I refuse! Absolutely not!"
She put on a firm show of refusal, but I knew it wouldn't actually get in the way of combat.
Still, her appearance was the problem.
"Well, we can just shove Monica into the Porter for now. The real issue is—"
My gaze fell on Marcus and Bread.
Marcus had brought his chainmail along with a sword.
He had a spear too, so he was fine. It was Bread who was the problem.
"I'm sorry. My family wouldn't lend me any of their arms."
To Bread, who looked apologetic, the Fourth Generation spoke.
"I suppose so. Lending expensive arms to their third son is out of the question. Even if money changed hands, they'd probably still refuse."
The Fifth Generation spoke up.
"Places like that tend to treat second and third sons pretty terribly."
I thought to myself.
(Well, before we even get to second or third sons with the Fifth Generation, there's a bigger issue...)
The Fifth Generation, who had over thirty children.
There were reasons for that, but frankly speaking, that was an even more fundamental problem, and I wasn't in a position to butt in.
The Second Generation must have thought the same.
"No, you have no right to interfere in this matter at all."
The Fifth Generation looked displeased.
"I knew you'd say that."
I surveyed the whole situation and considered our options.
(We should get our appearances sorted out too. We can probably find equipment in the Royal Capital, but maybe I should pick up some gear that looks the part around here?)
Appearance was an important factor.
Even if the contents were the same, between someone who looked the part and someone who didn't — if choosing between the two, the former would win overwhelmingly.
"We have four days, starting today, until we depart. Should we go ahead and acquire our equipment first?"
When I said that, Doris-san and Lucy-san, who had been watching us from nearby, spoke up to their respective lovers.
"Th-then I'll buy Bread's arms. I'll put up ten or even twenty gold coins, no problem."
"I-I could do that much too..."
When Lucy spoke, Doris giggled.
"You waste money all the time, Lucy. You don't have that kind of cash."
Lucy blushed and raised her voice.
"I'll borrow it from Father! For Marcus, I'll raise fifty or even a hundred gold coins, no question!"
The people actually listening to this argument wore complicated expressions.
Marcus spoke up.
"Lucy, I appreciate the thought, but even if you raised that much money, I have nothing to repay you with. My equipment is in good shape, and I keep it maintained, so there's no problem."
Seeing Marcus sigh, Bread muttered under his breath.
"...Must be nice being a hereditary knight."
He said it loud enough to be heard, and Marcus clicked his tongue in irritation.
I thought to myself.
(They don't get along... Well, more like, my ancestors won't let me give money away, but I could at least lend it to them.)
Providing financial assistance directly was something my ancestors had forbidden me from doing.
They'd told me in no uncertain terms: never do it, and if you absolutely must, lend it and charge interest.
(I could easily cover fifty gold coins per person, though.)
Having sold Porter's know-how, I was in a comfortable financial position.
I spoke to the two of them.
"I could front some of the cost — or rather, I'd be happy to lend it if you need it. Just let me know. For both of you, Ralph would surely be willing to serve as guarantor."
Upon hearing this, Marcus approached me eagerly.
"Really?! Then, could I take you up on that? Maintaining my gear has been more expensive than I expected, and money's been tight."
Bread was no different.
"I'll definitely pay you back with this mission's reward! I need to at least get chain mail and a weapon..."
Seeing how desperate the two of them looked, I could only manage a wry smile.
"Listen, Lyle. People go mad easily. Especially when it comes to money — they go mad all the more quickly."
Inside the Jewel.
The Third Generation was explaining to me.
When I was called out, I found myself surrounded by my ancestors, getting lectured.
"Y-yes..."
Seeing that I clearly didn't understand, the Fifth Generation spoke up.
"Lyle, let's say you're struggling because you have no money. What would you do then?"
I answered without hesitation.
"Huh? I'd just earn some, wouldn't I? Actually, I'd try to work before it even came to that. I'm an adventurer now, after all."
Before, I might have been at a loss, but now I had the confidence to survive in the outside world.
Even if the party disbanded, with just Novem... no, I was confident I could provide for my family.
The Sixth Generation spoke.
"What if you'd lost all your equipment and money, and you were starving?"
I had an answer for that too.
"I'd pick a short-duration job and get a meal."
The Seventh Generation asked.
"Alright, then — let's say you're starving with no equipment. If someone offered you a high-paying job, what would you do, Lyle?"
That's simple enough.
"I wouldn't take it. Taking on a high-paying job in a state like that sounds terrifying."
Then the Fourth Generation spoke up.
"There's a saying — desperation breeds recklessness. Well, with Lyle, he'd take action before it got to that point, and he's got the skills to back it up."
The Third Generation added.
"There are cases where you're injured and can't move. Or you've lost limbs and want to work but physically can't."
When I was at a loss, the Second Generation told me to remember Doris and Lucy, the couple.
"Those two — remember how excited they got when you offered to lend them money? Even setting aside equipment, it's a huge sum for them. They can't come up with that kind of money easily."
I tilted my head.
"Can't they just work for it?"
Speaking as someone who had earned a decent amount as an adventurer, it was more profitable to head outside and take on even weak Monsters.
In a week to a month, couldn't they earn a respectable sum? That's what I thought.
The Seventh Generation spoke with exasperation — not at me, but presumably at the Court Nobility and knights of the Royal Capital.
"They've got their pride. They can't be seen doing adventurer work, and besides, around the Royal Capital, people with official positions patrol the area. They'd be chased off for interfering with jobs. All that's left are odd jobs and genuine menial tasks. And the pay is terrible."
The Third Generation explained.
"It was the same in my era. The Royal Capital is a major city, but that doesn't mean money is abundant. And the same goes for food — you can't always buy it with money."
Bandits, Monsters, poor harvests, disasters — there are many reasons, but sometimes food simply isn't available. In those cases, you need to buy from surrounding lords.
The Second Generation spoke.
"Lyle, don't assume everyone thinks like you. There are people who'll attack you on a whim, without thinking ahead, just because they think you might have money."
The Fourth Generation was serious too.
"Be meticulous when handling money. I paid out rewards more often than not, but once you're in that kind of position, you understand. If you're careless with money, it affects how much people trust you."
The Third Generation wrapped things up last.
"What we're trying to say is... making handouts too easy doesn't actually help the person. That's the bottom line."
I lowered my head in thought.
(Is it really that complicated? You work, you get paid, and you live off that... that's all there is to it.)
I understood it in my head, but whether I truly grasped it was another matter entirely.
When I headed to the shops used by adventurers in the Royal Capital, I remember making a complicated face at the price tags.
Having come here to shop, this wasn't the same place I'd stopped by before.
I'd intended to get good gear even if it cost a premium.
However, once I actually arrived, there were plenty of items with fine ornamentation but very little practicality.
The Third Generation spoke.
"Were the adventurers in the Royal Capital on retainer? Maybe they usually dress up in flashy gear like this, then use their tried-and-true weapons when it's time for work."
Appearance certainly mattered, but owning weapons you'd only ever use in the Royal Capital was pointless.
As I browsed the men's equipment, a pair of adventurers nearby were chatting while examining the merchandise.
"Hey, did you hear about the expedition to Geoni Village?"
"The unit led by Ten-Rider Captain Norma? Poor bastards who got picked."
"If they just threw money at it, it'd be over in no time."
"It's a tiny village, right? Still, Norma, huh?"
The two adventurers seemed to be in the know, talking as they sorted through equipment.
"Female knights aren't exactly rare, but this is Norma we're talking about."
Is there a problem with the person in charge?
While thinking this, one of the adventurers speaks.
"He's probably desperate to get ahead. Said his parents died and his rank got demoted. Well, wonder how long he can keep up that kind of resentment-inducing behavior."
There's no doubt the person in question is problematic.
Just as I was thinking that, Novem approaches me.
"Laiel, how was it over there?"
She seemed to have purchased something, carrying a package in her hands.
I shake my head.
"The clothes are fine, but the armor is a bit out of reach."
I have the money, but the equipment seems overly decorated, which would be cumbersome to actually use.
Aria, who was behind Novem, was also carrying a package.
"It's expensive, isn't it? I wouldn't have thought about it in the past, but now I understand why adventurers buy equipment elsewhere or change their base of operations."
There's almost no work to be found in the Royal Capital.
Even if there is, most adventurers are retainers to nobles, or well-known enough to not lack for positions.
Aside from them, there are only adventurers like us who pass through the Royal Capital.
It's said that if a war breaks out, large numbers of adventurers can sometimes gather from the surrounding areas.
What Novem and Aria purchased were hooded robes. They were lined with fur, so they must be intended for use as cold-weather gear.
"Laiel, please buy cold-weather gear too," Novem worries.
I scratch my head.
"I'll do that. Still, a winter expedition... we'll need to be properly prepared for heating as well."
The voice from within the Jewel was the Second Generation's.
"...Laiel, stock up on more supplies than you think you'll need. Not just for yourselves — if the commander turns out to be useless, you won't be laughing."
The Third Generation said the same thing.
"I don't care if it's a man or a woman, but when an incompetent person is in charge, it's going to be rough. Don't count on having everything you need."
For this expedition, the commanding role would be filled by a Ten-Rider Captain from the Royal Capital's knight order.
They'd be in a position to lead knights commanding soldiers like Mr. Marcus, but since their rank was fundamentally higher, there was no fixed number of troops they'd be overseeing.
Sometimes they'd lead Volunteer Soldiers like this time, and other times they'd bring soldiers from the Royal Capital.
Working under someone else's command — if he was being precise, this would be a first for him.
Up until now, he'd always been the party leader, giving various orders.
(So this time I'm the one receiving orders. Normally, it's overwhelmingly my side that does the giving.)
——The backyard of House Cerclie.
Clara was operating the Porter that Monika had modified.
Apparently, Monika had finished ahead of schedule because she herself had become more efficient at carrying out the work.
Clara looked at the smug Monika and didn't know what to say.
"I'll start it up."
As for the modifications, all that had changed this time was that the shield's range of movement had been expanded, keeping outdoor use in mind.
The Porter extended its shield upward, spreading it out to create a makeshift roof.
Monika said.
"The Porter... it's gotten closer to a camping car, hasn't it? And here we were aiming for an armored vehicle."
Monika didn't seem entirely satisfied, but for Clara, being able to provide a roof was a wonderful thing.
Just that alone meant they could shelter from the rain when operating outside.
"I think that's pretty incredible, honestly."
A mechanism had been installed to lock the deployed shield in place.
Seeing these kinds of technical skills from Monika, Clara was now certain she was on par with — or even beyond — a master craftswoman.
"Monika, what are we doing from here?"
After giving the Porter a test run and confirming everything was in order, Clara checked the schedule with Monika.
"Shopping. House Cerclie has prepared supplies and such for us, but I still want to make the best meals I can for Chicken, even while we're out."
Hearing that, Clara shook her head.
"I think it'd be better not to attract too much attention this time. Well, I guess the Porter alone is going to turn heads anyway."
In Aramsass, the Porter was already known among adventurers, but this would be the first time using it here in Central, the Royal Capital.
Or rather, she had never even considered taking on commissions in the Royal Capital.
Without filing a Home change request at the Guild, they would be participating as subordinates of Marcus — a Volunteer Soldier — under the guise of an acquaintance's commission.
"That's a hassle. Well, I'll do my best within limits that won't get in Chicken's way."
"That sounds good to me."
Relieved, Clara returned the Porter's shield to its original position.
Once they loaded the cargo before departure, their work would be done —.
While preparations continued to move forward.
I had come out shopping with Aria.
Unlike me, who had no familiarity with the area, Aria had been born and raised in the Royal Capital.
Novem and the others had been assigned to handle various preparations back at the estate.
When the two of us arrived at the market, we looked around at food items that seemed suitable for preservation.
"Let's see, Monika's requests are..."
I checked the memo as I scanned the goods on display.
Both Aria and I were carrying bags, purchasing what we figured would be necessary for the expedition.
Aria looked slightly tired.
"Wait, is there really this much? According to the plan, they're supposed to have enough food covered, including travel and lodging, right? So why are we preparing our own?"
I held the memo in one hand while looking over the market goods, and said to Aria:
"Volunteer Soldiers come with all sorts of conditions. What they have properly stocked is the share for knights and soldiers. The Volunteer Soldiers' share is basically treated like an afterthought."
"'Basically treated like'... Could you actually confirm that properly?"
Aria reproached me, but I replied:
"If it means going on short rations, it's better to prepare our own, isn't it? I had Ralph verify the details, and honestly, this expedition is terrible."
The budget they'd put together was bad enough, but the Volunteer Soldiers had it worse.
Adventurers would either be hired by low-ranking knights or form small groups to act together of their own volition, so I was told.
But the majority of them were second or third sons of nobles who couldn't inherit their family's estate.
They dreamed of earning distinction and becoming knights — everyone harbored that dream.
(They don't care if we take casualties from the start... Is that really okay?)
While I was mulling this over, Aria's gaze fell upon some fruit.
It wasn't on the purchase list.
I handed the shopkeeper a large copper coin and bought the fruit.
"Don't you have anything smaller? If I use this—"
The shopkeeper said that, and I picked up several pieces of fruit and handed them to Aria.
"W-Wait a second!"
"Just take them. ...Anyway, ma'am—"
I pressed the fruit into Aria's arms and turned to speak to the shopkeeper.
"What is it? My, what a well-bred young man. Don't tell me, are you nobility?"
"No. Anyway, this is only my second or third time in the Royal Capital. There's something I'd like to know. I heard recently that the Knight Order is going on an expedition? Something about Geoni Village?"
The shopkeeper seemed to understand. She tucked away the large copper coin I'd given her and told me with a smile.
"I heard it's led by a female knight named Norma. But the rumors aren't sounding good. If you're thinking of joining, I'd strongly advise against it."
She must have thought I was an adventurer looking for work, since she tried to dissuade me by saying there were plenty of bad rumors.
"Is there anyone who knows more details?"
"Not anyone I know personally. I've heard she's the kind of knight who'll do all sorts of reckless things to get ahead. I really think it's best not to get involved."
I thanked her and moved on from the spot.
Aria walked alongside me and asked.
"Why don't you just ask Miranda? Did you really need to go out of your way to do something like this?"
In her right arm she was carrying the shopping bags, and in her left she held the fruit I'd purchased.
"Beats me."
"'Beats me'!? What's that supposed to mean!"
Aria was startled by my answer. I pulled out my memo and continued searching for the items I hadn't bought yet.
"Well, I was hoping I might hear some different rumors too. But every time I ask, I just get the impression she's some kind of demon who's obsessed with getting ahead."
I'd wanted to know what kind of person she was, but based on the information I could gather, she didn't seem like someone I'd have a favorable impression of.
A young female knight, barely into her twenties, brimming with talent.
That part was fine — the problem was that she'd pushed herself too hard to get ahead over the years.
And it wasn't just herself she'd burdened; apparently she'd caused trouble for those around her more often than not.
(Someone we can afford to lose without flinching? The Royal Capital really is a cesspit.)
Gazing up at the sky, those were the thoughts running through my mind.
Aria spoke up.
"...We're about to depart, and you're still worrying about stuff like that?"
I murmured.
"We've got two days left before we leave."