Journal from Another World

また一人旅と護衛任務

“Head east.” The night before leaving Amarante, Sir Heid advised me to travel east. “You will get to Levantis Royal Academy. There you can learn about this world from mentors and its massive library.”

“!!!” if shock can be painted, then it might as well be on my face. Does that mean that Sir Heid knows about my identity?

“You need not tell us anything.” I once heard from Lady Anna that while the King was a genius, Sir Heid was not far behind as he is hardworking type of person and extremely observant to a lot of things. It must have dawn on him that I was someone not from this world. “Only that, no matter what happens you have allies here in Amarante.”

Lady Anna just smiled at what Sir Heid had said which implied she is of the same opinion. I really was lucky that these two are the first people I had met in this other world.

While I was living much like loner in my previous world and mostly keep to myself, I did not despise the crowd. In fact, there are times when I did want company especially during troubled times. Seeing the couples together, had made me a bit jealous of the company they each could give each other. I wonder if in the future I would be able to share something like this with someone.

At the gate before completely leaving Amarante, I engrave the memories I got from staying in the Romaria Mansion. After savouring for an abundant moment… I left the town known as Amarante.

Upon sir Heid’s suggestion, I decided to head east of the town and try to learn more of this world in one of its academic institutions -the Royal Academy.

While walking the empty dark road to the next village it dawned on me how time seem to move slower as if everything was in a standstill. But living in Amarante somehow made it fast.

I was probably missing Amarante, and the people living there already, however staying there will probably provide problems for the couple and the twins the real start they wish and deserve.

The reason why I left… Magic Cores. I happen to be gathering Magic Core which is supposedly sold specifically to the Kingdom.

Magic Cores is a crystalized Mana that you get after besting Monsters. These cores size differ from monster to monster which can range as small as a tennis ball to as big as a basketball. I may have given slight inaccurate description as these cores have irregular shape to them and simply a round.

These Magic Cores are the reflection of the monsters’ strength. Shining brightly the stronger they are. Each colored differently depending on the elements it has a strong affinity with.

I just learned this from reading the Hunter’s Guild Manual, but Magic Cores are needed resources for the state. Thus, the sales to private citizens prohibited. It is not clear what the government does with these Cores. While it can be used as regents for certain concoctions in alchemy and apothecary, they can easily be substituted with Magic Crystals, which is cheaper and easy to procure. So other uses were still a mystery for others.

However, for me, acquiring these Magic Cores is essential for my own agenda, I needed them to upgrade Grimoire Atelier so that I can go home. Because of that I can’t completely do my hunts without exposing that I have a magical ship that require Magic Cores which is exclusively needed by the state.

For this sole reason, I chose to travel alone further away from Amarante. To avoid persecuting the town which is finally at peace.

*****

According to a rough map that I had read in the Romaria estate, there was a maximum of 43 km before getting to another town. While I could easily traverse that very distance by alternating Half Step and Flash Step, my feet were still heavy as I wanted to savor the remaining distance to observe the Town of Amarante.

I move in the morning and camp at night like any normal traveler. This will also save trouble when meeting and questioned by fellow travelers.

“Ohhh, youngster ’ya should not be out in the roads at night.” While dealing with my internal struggles at the fire camp, a hoarse voice along with a rough face came and interrupted it.

While I did want to stop over thinking and wanted to drive troublesome stuff out of my head, a completely different trouble came looking for me.

“Your mommy never told ya it dangerous in ’da night.” Said another of the uncouth men. Is this guy some kind of a child…? In novels I used to read, this was one of the templates with an obvious ending.

“Your right, noble sir.” With a calm smile on my face, I tried to divert my mood elsewhere. “I was heading for the village called Golgera, am I heading in the right direction?” While I had read the road sign the day before, I used the lack of knowledge to continue with the conversation.

They must have found it amusing though, as I could hear some of the men laugh. “Am ‘fraid you are goin the wrong direction.” the man completely bluffs his way through. “How ‘bout we kind sirs lead you, right for the price of 100 Silver Coins, hows ‘bout that, cheap aint it?”

While it was no good to doubt strangers, I trusted my instinct here about them not telling the truth and stick with that very instinct. Not only were they extorting a considerable amount of money from me, but I am also guessing that they will kill me soon after leading me away from the main roads, so…

“The direction is fine.” This time I made sure to activate my Intimidation skill and made my voice colder to lessen my troubles. But the idiots were probably either really stupid, just too drunk with their bloodied weapons, or the arrogance of their numbers they could not recognize the difference in skill and my intimidation. I once read foolish people die fast… these people are probably going to die soon… I had better save them.

‘I guess there are many of these sorts, okay let’s put them in their place that should make night travels around Amarante a bit safer for a while.’ I thought and instantly trampled their spirit and will. In the next few days, rumors of a monster with a face of a young man using spider threads would hunt the eastern road of Amarante.

So, with the information coming from the very kind uncles, I then headed for the direction of the village known as Golgera.

Travelling alone was a bit sad, but I was not completely lonely. Occasionally, events such as what happened this night will probably continue, and the occasional monster attacks made the journey a bit exciting.

Well, I was not completely alone, Grim-chan is always with me and I am sure that in whatever journey there will always be many meetings, partings, and reunions.

*****

Morning came and I still felt the battles I came across the night. If you think I was tired with the battle with the ruffians that tried to plunder me. The answer is a simple no, that battle did not bother me at all. Those men were all bark and no bite to even merit a point deduction in the tiredness meter.

The battle that happened after the uncouth men was the tiresome one though. According to the book loving Len read: most monsters tend to be active in the night and that must have been the reason why they attacked me. Well, they did help me teach the ruffians a lesson about attacking passers-by at night, so it was worth it.

The ruffians were not so cooperative at first when I asked them if I was really headed for the right direction. But then some monsters appeared. I was too focused on my perception with them. I completely missed the two ADULT HUNTER CATS that suddenly emerged from the forest a short distance away.

Well, they were not much of a threat to me, however, they should still be a threat to untrained ruffians. “If you don’t have anything to say then… I will just leave to whatever direction.” and started to leave while they were still bounded by FLYING ARCHNID threads I had packed in my pockets.

The ruffians suddenly turned pale and instantly got a change in heart, all of them started to blubber the directions of many village names and direction in the general area.

Eventually, I was assured that I was treading the right direction for Golgera. One thing to mentioned though apart from the two ADULT HUNTER CAT, I was assaulted quite numerous times by monsters that tread out of the forest. I wonder what that’s about?

Well, there is no need to worry after all the village entrance of Golgera was right in front of me. Technically speaking I arrived a few hours before midnight, but since I did not want to alarm the villagers upon an arrival of late guest, I decided to sleep atop a tree where most ground crawling monsters cannot not reach.

*****

The following morning, I headed for the village gate.

“Halt!” a younger man about 20 or so cautioned me to a stop, he was probably the village’s gatekeeper, so I decided to follow his instructions. “Can I see your identification?”

“Sure.” As I handed him the certification of temporary residence at Amarante, he reluctantly allowed my entry. For some reason he was agitated, while I was curious about the cause for his attitude there were others in queue and so hurriedly got inside, there was no need for me to get in the way of his job.

For a small village the number of people going to-and-fro seems to surpass it, there must be some reason as to this number of people, and this reason is probably why a small village such as this had to go to the trouble of inspecting all those who enter it.

“How much is this kebab?” when I was still on the other side, although a loner, on my own accord I still did strike conversation. One of the secrets I learned to start a conversation -buying wares.

“2 Silvers.” The man was curt in his reply but instantly changed his attitude and become eager to say anything when he saw that I was able to pay by intentionally showing him my coin purse.

“What’s up with this tension?” I handed him 2 Silver coins with the left hand and grabbed the kebab with the other. “There seems to be a lot of people coming in, is there a festival or something?”

“Haven’t you heard? Some high noble lady is ‘ere in the village.” Apparently, the Lady’s carriage was attacked by monsters derailing it off course to this village. I guess that would explains the high-strung gate guards, if anything happens to this Noble Lady, this village will be given fault. Who knows what will happen to them if the nobles make reprimands. “They seem to be recruiting guards to escort her to the Royal Academy.”

Could this be a coincidence? Maybe luck? …or inevitable? I guess I will have to find out.

*****

After finishing my kebab, I decided to ask about the recruitment. The stall owner was happy to tell me the direction of the booth after buying another of his ware -a super deluxe-ice-cold-orange-juice.

“Excuse me…”

“Redus, I told you there is no need to recruit for more guards.” While I was trying to ask how to sign up for the escort job, a young lady’s worried voice cut me off. “We can’t have civilian lives be wasted for someone who is just going to school.”

“But… my lady…” although I could not see the two people speaking due to the expensive cloth partitioning the carriage windows, I can still imagine an elderly butler trying to inject senses to his liege. “What if we are attack by another monster horde, we won’t be able to protect you… how will your father react if something where to…” the butler like silhouette cut off his words.

“Okay…” For some reason, the mere mention of the word ‘father’ made the young lady back away from her earlier defiance. “But make sure not to force anyone, only those who want to, must be allowed to take on the escort. Tell them ample reward is given to those who come alive on the Academy.”

Looks like the young lady is pretty reasonable for a noble lady, she does not seem the bratty-type-nobility that most would associate them with. Well, all the more reason for me to come to this excursion. It will save the trouble of me abandoning them half-way due to their attitude.

I then left the carriage for the stall that was erected beforehand to accommodate the people who would register for the escort.

“How do I sign up?”