Chapter 108 – Kyaaak! I won!
Chapter 106
We rode horses again and arrived at a very huge city.
“Oh…Over there…”
“This is Bonaparte.”
Poems of Bonaparte. It was one of the main base cities of the Kingdom of Vesta and the largest city in the kingdom. As befits a city larger than the capital, Poculum, the city of Bonaparte was the largest I had ever seen.
“Is this a city?”
“Yes, you know how huge the family of the Dukes of Bathory, who rule this huge city, is, right?”
“…Yes.”
Just looking at the length of the line to enter the city in front of the gate, I could tell how developed this city is. It seems that the Kingdom of Vesta is being evaluated as having high national power for nothing.
Seeing Bonaparte’s poems approaching me, I felt that the time had come for me to make a decision.
Just…
“Estel.”
“Yes?”
“What should I give you as a gift?”
It was a gift. Still, I was invited to a birthday party, but I can’t go empty-handed.
But when Estelle heard my question, she narrowed her eyes.
“…Are you asking me for a gift for another girl, now?”
“No… Elfriede is just a friend.”
Does our saintess see someone she likes when she sees me as a woman? Because it’s too restrictive.
“I don’t know what gift to give to a nobleman. Help me.”
“…Usually giving away luxuries like flowers, wine, jewelry. But that’s between women, and it’s a little different when it comes to the opposite s*x. Delivering flowers, necklaces, dresses, etc. Is an act of showing goodwill.”
“Then what should I give to the opposite s*x?”
“Well… To be honest, as a princess of the Bathory family, a tolerable gift wouldn’t be enough for her, but…”
Estelle glanced at me and she sighed.
“… If it’s that hero, wouldn’t she like everything Abel gives her?”
“Yes? Why?”
From noble mtl dot com.
When I asked back, Estelle stopped to say something and shook her head. Why?
Then Celine answered instead.
“I don’t think the warrior is usually unaware of it, but why are you so rude at times like this?”
“Yes?”
“Just give the hero what he wants. Then it will be.”
“…Well.”
…Really? Surprisingly, are nobles simple?
Or is it that Elfriede’s family is so big that he lacks nothing, so he can give anything? No matter what you give, the reaction will be the same.
“Then, when we get into the city, let’s stop by the mall.”
“I do.”
Then Alicia pulled my arm. Wearing a coat that was larger than her body, she lifted her folded sleeves and said.
“What is a mall?”
“A place where goods are bought and sold is called a store, and the street where the stores are gathered.”
“Oh… What a strange place.”
“If you go, it will be quite fun. It’s also fun to watch.”
“Is that so? It’s my first time seeing a human city, so I’m looking forward to it.”
What did Mother have to do to see the city of people? It’s just amazing.
“But the line is too long. If I wait, will I be late for the birthday party?”
“Then, shall we use a little shortcut this time?”
“Yes?”
Shortcut? I looked at Celine and she smiled slightly at me.
“We are a group of warriors, aren’t we? You know you don’t have to wait when you pass through the gate.”
“Ah.”
Estelle said it once before. It seems that it was not only applied in the border area.
“Then, since we don’t have much time this time, let’s take advantage of the privilege. Are you okay, Estelle?”
“It’s okay. It was originally Abel’s right.”
We didn’t go to the main gate where people lined up, but to the small gate next to it. It seems to be a gate that plays the same role as the golden gate of the border area.
As we approached, a guard approached and said.
“Sorry, but please stop. This is a door that no one can enter. Who are you?”
“My name is the warrior Abel.”
“Ah!? I’m so sorry, I didn’t recognize the hero…”
The guard bowed his head and apologized, then told me.
“Could you please check your identity for a moment?”
…Status?
“How to check…”
“Yes? Aren’t you holding that warrior’s plaque?”
…What is a warrior’s plaque? There is an adventurer grade plaque.
As I hesitated, the soldier’s gaze became a little strange.
“…Are you the hero?”
“Oh, that’s right! There is also a holy sword here.”
I showed the holy sword on my back, but the soldier still looked at me suspiciously.
“Couldn’t that be fake? As the performance of the warriors increases, counterfeit goods are also circulating.”
“No…”
Beware of imitations, why are there imitations in holy swords?
By the way, what is a warrior’s plaque? I never got anything like that
I had no choice but to ask Estelle for help.
“Estel, could you show me the mark of a saint?”
“Yes? Why are you like that?”
“They ask me to show the warrior’s plaque, but I don’t have one.”
“…Yes? The warrior plaque should have been awarded along with the holy sword.”
…Was it like that? But there was nothing like that in the luggage I brought at first. Didn’t the original owner of this body take care of it?
“…I don’t know where he went.”
“…I’ll have to get a new one later. You didn’t know because you never had to use a warrior’s plaque, right?”
“Yes.”
Estelle showed the soldier the mark of a saint in place of me, a fool. The soldier who saw this was startled and lowered his head.
“Sir, sorry! I dare not recognize the hero and the saintess…!”
“It’s okay. It’s Abel’s fault for not carrying the warrior’s plaque.”
…It’s a fact, but it’s too much.
But thanks to Estelle, we were able to enter the city through another gate. The city of Bonaparte looked big even when viewed from the outside, but once inside the city, its grandeur was extraordinary.
“There are so many people…”
Should I say that it feels like seeing a big city for the first time after living only in a rural village? I felt the way I would feel at that time.
Of course, there are not many tall buildings like the modern city I used to live in, but the unique atmosphere I felt when I saw the old buildings overwhelmed me.
“Whoops, Abel. You really sound like a country boy when you say that~♡”
“…That’s right, a hillbilly.”
…Daisy Village is a real village.
“But the street is so wide that I don’t know where the mall is.”
“Let’s leave the horse at the post office for now.”
“Celine, do you know where it is?”
“I’ve been there before. Following the hero of Levius.”
“Ah.”
Then, let Celine guide her. We left her horse at the post station and followed Celine’s guide to the Bonaparte’s shopping district. Upon arriving there, Alicia’s eyes twinkled.
“Ohh…Is this a shopping district?”
“…Really spacious.”
Befitting the largest city in the Kingdom of Vesta, the scale of the shopping district was enormous. There are many types of shops, and if a shopping district of this size is formed, the population of this city must be large, right?
“Where are you going?”
I was a little worried about Estelle’s question. What would Elfriede like? She doesn’t know her very well, but from what I’ve seen of her, her extravagance isn’t something I’d be too fond of.
“Wouldn’t there be a little practical gift?”
“Speaking of practicality… Can Hero Elfriede use it in real combat?”
“That would be nice.”
“There are so many good weapons that Hero Elfriede received as a reward, so it wouldn’t be a good idea to buy him combat-related equipment. You won’t need it.”
“Ah… I guess so.”
Starting with Elfriede’s armor, it was holy armor. Just as I don’t need to buy another armor because I’ve worn her holy armor, so will she.
“Then what should I buy…”
“Look around a bit and decide. It would be better than standing there and thinking about it.”
“Yes.”
“I, I want to go there!”
That’s how we wandered around Bonaparte City’s shopping district, looking for a present for Elfriede. Alicia must have been fascinated by everything in this street, and she wandered around, stumbling around.
After wandering around for such a long time, I stopped in front of a store.
“Abel?”
“Does it say that this is a jewelry store?”
“Yes, that’s right. Now you feel quite a bit of reading~♡”
I’ve been studying for a while…I want to go here first.
“Let’s go inside.”
#
“Please come back next time!”
With the clerk’s bright greeting, we left the store. Estelle asked me.
“Will you be okay with that?”
“Well, honestly, I don’t think it would be practical or necessary to give it to Elfriede.”
I had a very small box in my hand. This nicely wrapped box was a gift I would give to Elfriede.
“…Well, I guess. Still… I’m a little dissatisfied.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you giving me that? From now on, whenever you see that, doesn’t Hero Elfriede think of Abel?”
“Ah…What are you talking about?”
I guess I just feel grateful as a friend.
“Shouldn’t we go directly to the Bathory family?”
“I guess so. After all, the birthday party will be held in two days. We’re invited guests, so we’ll just have to go and wait.”
“Yes.”
Then let’s go to the Bathory family’s mansion.
We walked along the main street leading north from the business district. After walking for some time, a large mansion came into view.
Wow, what size is the mansion…
“There you go. It is the residence of the ruling family of this city, the Duke of Bathory.”
“…I thought it was a palace.”
“Abel, I will take a word of caution before entering the mansion.”
“Yes?”
Estel pointed precisely at Alicia and said.
“Don’t talk about Alicia in front of Hero Elfriede.”
“Yes?”
Why? First of all, since Alicia has to enter her mansion, shouldn’t we introduce ourselves as her guests?
“The holy sword of Hero Elfriede is the holy sword of trust. The ability of that holy sword of trust allows me to grasp the intentions of others.”
“…Yes?”
“So if Abel lies, she can figure out that she is lying. The moment Abel tries to hide her identity as Alicia, she will be able to read his intentions.”
…Then what should I do?
“What should I do?”
“So you have to be careful not to turn the topic towards Alicia as much as possible. If you want to talk about Alicia, just change the subject to something else.”
“…Yes.”
“Sure, it might look a bit suspicious, but it’s better than having Mother found out.”
If I find out about that, I’ll have to reveal and explain the situation I’m going through to Elfriede… It will complicate things.
“Okay. I’ll be careful.”
“Yes. And Alicia doesn’t come out of her room as much as possible.”
“It should be.”
Then Celine raised her hand.
“What’s wrong, Celine?”
“There is a much simpler method than that, hero.”
“What is it?”
“Aren’t you going to stop by the banquet anyway?”
“Isn’t it?”
Because I have no other business. It’s not like he never came to the Bathory family.
“Then I or one of the saintesses can take care of Alicia and stay at an inn near her, right? The hero only needs one partner to take to the banquet.”
“… Huh?”
It was a good method.
But that’s a little too sorry. This means that one of them must be unable to enjoy the banquet and take care of Alicia…
I was struggling and tried to object, but Estelle struck first.
“It’s nice.”
“…Yes?”
“I think Celine’s method is much simpler and more reliable. Shall we decide then?”
Wait, what are you doing…
“This is a good method for Abel as well. If the fact that the Hero is taking Mother is discovered, it will be difficult for others to understand, no matter how circumstantial it may be.”
“That’s true, but…”
“I’m fine. Celine is fine too, so she must have suggested a way. Right?”
“Yes, I am fine too. Of course, I have a greater desire to go with the hero, but it doesn’t matter if it helps the hero.”
…I’m so sorry.
“If you stay, I’ll arrange a date for you later.”
“That’s nice♡”
“hehehe, this is a prize I like.”
Estelle and Celine faced each other. And they raised their fists again.
“Are you going to decide with rock paper scissors again?”
“Isn’t there really no better way than this?”
That’s right.
From noble mtl dot com.
I gave the signal like last time.
“Rock, Paper, Scissors!”
“!”
“!”
The expression of the two was mixed with joy and sorrow like last time. But the expressions on their faces changed. Estelle’s expression hardened this time, and Celine smiled at her.
“Kyaaak! I won!”
“Uh… Ugh!”
…Celine wins. Celine put on a cloth like last time, and Estelle, unlike before, put out her fist. Is it a victory of perseverance?
Celine came over laughing broadly and crossed her arms around mine.
“Then, saintess, I have fun with the hero. I’ll come back after playing, so please take good care of me~”
“This, this is invalid! Celine paid late!”
Even if you say that, I saw what…
“…I paid the same amount.”
“Ugh…”
I lightly stroked Estelle’s hair. And she smiled at her and said.
“I’ll be back then?”
“…Abel…You’re making fun of me too!”
…I got caught, let’s run away.
I took Celine and ran quickly toward her mansion. Estelle grabbed Alicia’s hand and shouted.
“You flirt!!!”
“Estel agreed too!!”
#
Elfriede Bathory. As the eldest daughter of the Bathory family and the main character of this banquet, she was on her way to wash up after a rigorous training session.
When I came out of the bathroom in a gown, the maid of the mansion greeted me politely.
“My lady, a guest has come. You said you were a guest invited by the lady. Shall we let you in?”
“Who are you?”
“This is Abel’s hero. He said he was invited by the lady.”
“Ah.”
The two letters in the name Abel relieved Elfriede’s slightly depressed mood just a moment ago. She said with a grin.
“I will prepare and go soon. Take her to the drawing room.”
“Okay, lady.”
After talking with her duke, she got rid of her depressed mood for the first time in a while, and Elfriede prepared by humming her song.
Now was the time to greet him not as the hero Elfride, but as Princess Bathory Elfriede, so she did not prepare alone.
The maids stood by and helped her dress up. The holy sword of trust, Luna, who had been looking at it quietly said.
[Are you preparing nicely? I usually wear some makeup.]
“Where does a warrior have time for that? I don’t hate putting on makeup either, but it takes too long.”
[Then why are you doing it now? Are you really interested in that brave Abel?]
“What are you talking about, Luna? It’s not like that, but as Princess Bathory, I’m welcoming her guests, so I’m just polite.”
[Huh…Really?]
At Luna’s final voice, Elfriede spoke clearly.
“I don’t think of Abel that way. Don’t get me wrong.”
[Yes~ If you want to think so, do it.]
“Because it’s not…”
Elfriede let out a sigh, but Luna just laughed at such Elfride. It’s because a hero who can read the intentions of an opponent doesn’t know his own mind like that.
“My lady, it’s done.”
“Well, thank you.”
Not Elfriede, the hero wearing her usual armor and cape, but Elfriede, who was wearing her own costume as Princess Bathory, was a beautiful noblewoman, to say the least.
Her hair, which was deliberately curled at the ends and given a point, further emphasized the nobility of El Friede.
[Is it because I haven’t seen you in a while? It’s really pretty, Elfriede! Abel, isn’t that guy falling for you?]
“I told you not to say anything strange…”
As usual, Luna played a practical joke, but somehow Elfriede wasn’t in a bad mood. Elfriede cleared her throat, she said.
“I don’t know if it was a little late. Which drawing room are you in?”
“The large reception room was being used by the head of the household, so the warrior was brought to the small reception room. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
With the maid, Elfriede headed to the parlor where Abel was waiting. The maid knocked on the parlor door and said.
“Princess Bathory has arrived. I will go in.”
The maid opened the door to the drawing room, and Elfriede entered the drawing room carefully. And Elfriede…
“…Abel?”
“Ah, Elfriede. Long time no see.”
“It’s been a while, Hero Elfriede.”
Her good mood suddenly turned bad.
She immediately saw Celine leaning on Abel with her arms crossed.