Chapter 215 - Chapter 214: The Reddish-Brown Haired Youth
The first day of the first month of Earth.
Winter begins today, and the new year has arrived.
It is New Year's Day in the world I came from.
But this country has no customs to celebrate the New Year.
Doesn't this mean I can't eat mochi even though I want to?
Well, even if there were a New Year, mochi doesn't exist in this country anyway.
(Year-end, New Year, holidays... none of them exist. Why is there so little room for maneuver?)
It is not a lack of economic or mental room, but a lack of room in consciousness.
(A paradigm shift is probably needed. This.)
Even with a gloomy start to the year, my mood sinks even further.
Why is this year a gloomy year?
Because I will be entering the upper division this spring.
I am finally becoming a reserve soldier that Mika feared.
At this timing, when the Gronoir Empire's invasion is whispered about.
Even without being Mika, one would become gloomy.
"Oh, Mika-kun."
As Mika left the Adventurer's Guild, a voice called out to him.
Turning toward the voice, Rimliche, Cecilia, and Charl were standing there.
"Huh? What's wrong, all three of you?"
"We came to do some shopping and play."
These three are still as close as ever.
Charl and Cecilia have many other friends, but Rimliche has a few fewer.
She doesn't seem very good at socializing, but it is reassuring for an older brother to have children who get along well with her.
...Or so someone who has no friends other than the Leventein Group would think.
(Outside the Academy, there are plenty!)
There's Trys, there's Kaerya, there's Salomrassa and Gaeras...
Thinking like that,
(Huh? Are these friends? They are acquaintances, at least.)
Aren't there not many more?
Realizing that, he felt a little down.
"Is this the Adventurer's Guild?"
"Yes."
"Hee... really..."
Cecilia looked strangely at the entrance and peered inside.
"Don't be so timid, you can just walk in normally. Oh, if you register as an adventurer?"
"We're not doing that!"
"It would earn you some pocket money."
Cecilia immediately rejected Mika's proposal.
It is not as much as collecting Red Lizard Stones in Shesbarno, but there are fixed-fee quests in Modesse Forest and other places.
One can use [Physical Enhancement], and if a student with a certain amount of strength is an Academy student, they should be able to earn a decent amount.
However, students of the Magic Academy or Knight Academy rarely show interest in such things.
It seems they view adventurers as a step lower, with the consciousness of "We are Mages and Knights."
No, perhaps ordinary people view them as a step lower too.
Adventurers inevitably carry the image of being rough or troublesome.
But truly strong adventurers can scatter even Mages and Knights.
In the end, what strength is and etiquette depend on the individual, not the profession.
Well, since we came all this way, let's do a little social studies tour.
Mika led the three into the Guild building.
"Ah, Mika-chan? Didn't you go back?"
Trys, who had been talking to Mika just moments ago, called out to Mika who had returned with the three.
Mika had just stopped by the Guild today to exorcise the cursed items he was holding.
Why did he do such a thing from New Year's Day?
Of course, there was a reason.
It was because he wanted New Year's money.
Since this country has no such custom, he decided to come and collect it from the Guild himself.
Exorcising two cursed items in just a few minutes, two million Rats as New Year's money.
Yay.
Although he made sure no one could see, Fee was actually on his shoulder today.
As if that wasn't enough, Fee visualized the curses again, forcing him to see the creepy, murky mist.
Don't do unnecessary things from New Year's Day.
He gave Fee a scolding for that.
Mika introduced the three to Trys.
"They are friends from the Academy. We have been in the same class since the regional Academy."
"Friends from the same hometown? Everyone is amazing as a Mage. I am Trys. Nice to meet you."
After a brief self-introduction, he guided them around the Guild.
Charl muttered something like "...interview... ...details, helpful..."
What is this interview?
They toured the bulletin board where requests were posted and the counter, and since it was lunchtime, Mika invited the three to lunch.
They came to a slightly expensive restaurant near the Guild.
It was a shop Gaeras had told him about before.
"You can order as much as you like. Oh, the white bread here is delicious."
Dormitory meals are not bad, but food from expensive shops takes more time and effort, and the ingredients are better.
It is natural that there is a difference in taste compared to dormitory meals where quantity must be prioritized over quality.
Mika ordered a mountain of white bread so everyone wouldn't hold back.
The waiter's face twitched a little, but please bake it hard.
He ordered appetizers, stew, and main meat dishes, then took a breath.
While chatting, only the bread arrived first.
It seems there were too many, and the rest is being baked now.
"This bread is delicious even as is."
Saying that, Mika took a big bite, and the three also reached out.
They were wide-eyed at its softness.
(That's right, Kistil and Nerisfeene were also amazed at first.)
White, soft, flavorless bread.
The three ate the bread, which tasted sweet even as is, with great enthusiasm.
But Cecilia's hand stopped, and she stared at the bread.
"...What kind of food are you serving?"
Suddenly, she muttered that.
"If you eat this, you won't be able to eat dormitory bread anymore."
At Cecilia's comment, Mika smiled bitterly.
"That was bad. Then, save up a lifetime's worth of eating."
Well, they probably won't be able to eat it for a while, but once they earn their own money, they can spend it freely.
The shared ovens in the town can be rented for a fee.
If they can somehow manage the yeast for fermentation, they can bake it themselves.
"This bread is leavened. If you want to make it yourself, you can."
"Is that so?"
Mika taught them in a lowered voice.
He didn't want the shop staff to hear this too much.
He thought it was a bit of a breach of etiquette to talk about the ingredients or cost of the food served.
It's fine if it's just what he thinks, but revealing the secrets like this should not be done openly, even if praising.
They ate the dishes that kept coming out with single-minded devotion, and finished all the extra bread they ordered.
Especially Cecilia was moved by the freshly baked white bread and teared up.
Her future dream must have become "I want to be a baker!"
Bakeries in the world he came from were incredibly hard jobs that would crush sweet dreams.
They finished the dessert that came out last and took a short break.
It seems everyone was satisfied.
"Do you always come to such shops, Mika? It's luxurious."
Cecilia asked while rubbing her stomach.
"I don't always eat outside. I eat at home. I also eat at stalls. How many months has it been since I came here?"
"Do you cook for yourself at home?"
Rimliche asked casually, and Mika involuntarily became expressionless.
This topic is bad...
Mika has not yet told everyone about Kistil or Nerisfeene.
"Mmm, pity. Maybe seventy points?"
At that moment, a voice like that was heard from somewhere.
It seems they were scoring the food.
Seventy points for the food here is quite a harsh score.
(Hey, hey, you shouldn't say things like that even if you think them...)
If they just said "It was delicious, thank you for the meal," both sides could smile.
Even if they told the shop staff the score, the food at that shop wouldn't get better.
After all, it is a matter of personal preference.
Even if ninety-nine people give a hundred points, it is common for one person to give ten points.
Restaurants should not be run if they are easily swayed by personal opinions.
(Before the atmosphere of the shop gets bad, let's leave quickly.)
He could hear them muttering something again.
If the shop staff heard, it could become a strange atmosphere.
They came to a good shop after all.
They want to return happily.
"Well, I have something to do later, so let's go."
Mika made up an excuse and decided to leave.
After paying the bill, they left the shop.
"Thank you for the meal, Mika-kun."
"...Thank you for the meal..."
"Thank you for the meal. I'm sorry for treating you."
Everyone seemed happy, which was the best.
They moved a little to the side of the shop entrance.
"Everyone is going shopping now."
"Yeah. Charl is going to buy stationery, and Cecilia is looking at clothes. And accessories too, right?"
"Charl runs out of paper and ink too fast. Why does she buy so much and it only lasts a month?"
"...I'm holding back even with this..."
It seems Charl is consuming a large amount of paper and ink.
Is she writing something?
"Well, take care."
"Not like Mika, there's nothing to worry about."
Rimliche smiled bitterly at Cecilia's words.
She is really just good with her mouth...
Mika was a bit dejected like that, when...
"Ah, Te-chan~."
A slightly relaxed voice was heard.
Looking toward the voice, one person was just coming out of the restaurant.
He had his coat hood pulled completely over his head, and his face was hidden.
The voice was male.
And although his face was hidden by the hood, he was clearly looking at them.
(...What is this...?)
Somehow, a strange premonition arose.
A creeping sensation rose from the lower abdomen.
"Mika, do you know him...?"
Cecilia asked that, but Mika could only look suspicious.
Noticing Mika's state, the man in the coat spoke up.
"Eh!? Did you forget?"
Then, the man in the coat slowly removed his hood.
"Ha!?"
"Ah, remembered?"
The man in the coat was a youth with reddish-brown hair.
I mean, what is this guy talking to me normally!
Mika instinctively stepped in front to shield the three and expanded his magic range.
But at that moment, the reddish-brown haired youth jumped back quickly.
To a position just outside Mika's magic range.
"Hey, hey, that's a bit too harsh, isn't it?"
He said that.
(You bastard! Can you see my magic range!?)
His positioning was too perfect.
Mika can see his own magic, but he cannot see others' magic.
But the reddish-brown haired youth's movements could only be thought of as seeing Mika's magic.
"Mika-kun, what's wrong?"
He could tell the three behind him were confused.
Mika glared at the reddish-brown haired youth with a pained expression.
(Fighting now is bad! It will drag the three in!)
Above all, this is inside the Royal Capital.
It is the Southeast Main Street, bustling on a sunny day.
If he fought seriously with the reddish-brown haired youth, how much of a disaster would it become?
(This guy can use magic just like me...! Magic that tears through armor and people!)
Even Mika would have a hard time achieving that power.
He has never torn through armor.
He thinks he could do it if he poured magic into "Air Cutter," though.
"Te-chan. Won't you retract that? It's hard to talk like this."
"...Talk?"
What is there to talk about with such a guy?
But the current situation is quite bad.
If only he could get out of the Royal Capital, he could fight with full power...
([Physical Enhancement] is already active, but I have no armor equipped...)
He had lowered the output, but he maintained the activation of [Physical Enhancement].
And now, of course, it is set to four times.
Five times would damage his own body, so the risk is high.
(...Well, armor is meaningless anyway.)
It tears through armor.
No matter how much armor he wears, it would be almost meaningless.
Mika narrowed his magic range to about a radius of two meters.
Seeing that, the reddish-brown haired youth walked over steadily.
To a place that did not touch the magic range.
(As I thought, he can see it...)
Judging by that agility, he also seemed quite experienced in fighting.
(...All three of you, go back slowly. Sorry, but I'm going home today.)
Mika kept his eyes off the reddish-brown haired youth and spoke to the three behind him.
He wanted to escape the three carefully without provoking the reddish-brown haired youth.
Rimliche and the others seemed to notice Mika's unusual atmosphere and followed without saying anything.
Feeling the three slowly exit the magic range, he guarded against the reddish-brown haired youth.
He extended his magic range long behind him to protect the three.
Confirming they were more than twenty meters away, he cut the magic range.
(...Is this okay?)
"It's been a while, Te-chan."
The youth smiled brightly as if meeting an old friend.
He did not care at all about Mika's vigilance.
He was not unaware.
This was confidence.
(You bastard...)
Anger bubbled up, but he could not show it here.
Even within the visible range, hundreds of people were overflowing.
"I told Ru-chan about Te-chan. But she said to leave it alone. Isn't that cruel?"
Then just leave it alone.
Why are you talking to me?
"Oh, let's make it like Te-chan started talking to me. Then I won't have broken what was said."
He was blamed by Mika.
As usual, the conversation proceeds on its own.
(...What are you doing, here?)
Thinking it was useless, he asked anyway.
But the youth clapped his hands.
"I was in the middle of work. Is walking while talking okay?"
Saying that, the youth started walking.
(Can't I just leave this alone?)
What would happen if he just watched him go?
Suddenly, such a thought floated up.
(............)
But Mika decided to follow quietly.
(If I spoil his temper, it will be a disaster. I don't think any knight around here can stop him.)
As far as Mika knew, the only ones who might be able to stop the youth were Mika, Yaroibarov, and Ozendorwa.
If it was a monster beyond Mika's imagination, too bad for him.
There would be no one to stop him, and the Royal Capital would just turn into a mountain of rubble.
The youth walked lightly in front of Mika and glanced at him.
Then, he suddenly shifted his gaze.
"What's wrong?"
"Mmm, nothing."
The youth proceeded with light steps again.
"You said you were in the middle of work. What are you doing?"
He didn't know if he would get an answer, but he asked anyway.
Asking is free.
If payment was needed, it might be paid with the lives of people around here.
Mika intended to avoid the situation of paying with his own life at all costs.
"It's managing the 'Black Artorum'. Well, I'm not that busy yet. A-chan and others are doing various other things."
But contrary to Mika's expectation, the youth answered easily.
(Artorum...!)
Isn't that a super important word!
Why is he talking so easily!
"What is Artorum?"
Mika asked as if casually.
"'Black Artorum' is 'Black Artorum'. Collecting 'Will Voluntas'."
"Voluntas...?"
Another unfamiliar word appeared.
I mean, is it okay to talk so easily?
"That Voluntas is————"
"I've arrived."
Mika asked, but was cut off as the youth reached his destination.
It was a place like a square.
There were no playground facilities like a park, but there was a statue on a pedestal in the center, and people spending their leisure time around it on holidays.
The youth walked straight toward the pedestal and went around behind it.
(...The statue of the Founding King?)
Mika could not confirm because he could not take his eyes off the youth, but it was probably the first king of the Kingdom of Ektrem.
A usurper who seized royal power taking advantage of the squabbles between small countries.
Well, he thought the one who was stolen from was at fault, but he was the one who established the harsh national policy.
A cold-blooded man who recognized no other royal families and aimed for the 'Only King'.
It is questionable that subsequent kings followed suit, but this man started it first.
Mika followed the youth and went around behind the statue.
There was nothing special behind the pedestal, and the youth was reaching his hand toward the pedestal.
(...What are you doing?)
"I told you, it's managing the 'Black Artorum'."
Managing?
Reaching out to nowhere...?
(————!?)
Mika's whole body stood on end in an instant.
(Artorum is that black cocoon, right!)
The black cocoon that disappeared in front of Mika's eyes.
(It exists! There!)
An invisible black cocoon.
If he is managing it, does that mean...?
"When Te-chan becomes the 'Son of God', help out."
The youth, who should have noticed Mika's state, still said that casually.
(Bad, bad, bad! What do I do!? A black cocoon like that is here!)
According to the youth, a black cocoon that collects Voluntas.
He didn't know the specifics, but it was not something to leave as is.
(...Can I deal with it later? But how!?)
What to do with an invisible object.
Above all, reaching out even later would be a confirmed hostile action.
Mika's actions would be discovered immediately, and Mika himself would be targeted.
"Okay, let's go next. Two more."
The youth spoke to Mika with a smile.
Cold sweat ran down Mika's cheeks.
"There are others...?"
"Yes. I did three this morning, and this one is done too. Two more."
Six in total?
(So many, black cocoons like that exist.)
While Mika was stunned, several knights ran into the square.
"There he is!"
The knights drew their swords and ran toward Mika and the others.
The surroundings became chaotic with knights holding drawn swords.
Women carrying children and running away.
There were also elderly people who could not understand the situation and were panicking.
(Idiot! Don't provoke him!)
Are there knights from Shesbarno's squad?
It seems knights who knew the youth's face came to capture him.
"Huh? Found him?"
But the youth was not moved at all, speaking in a casual tone.
Mika and the others were half-surrounded by four knights.
Damn! What should I do!?
Mika, with a panicked expression, looked back and forth between the youth and the knights.
He didn't think he could defeat the youth even if the knights charged.
But if he stopped the knights, it would look like he was shielding the youth.
So, should he oppose the youth here?
He wanted to avoid that if possible.
If he didn't go seriously, he thought he would be the one defeated (Mika).
But if he fought with full power in the Royal Capital, the damage to the surroundings would be immense.
(Either way, if we're not careful, we'll be on the wanted list.)
Should he run?
But would the youth let him escape?
Mika could not decide on action, and only his heart raced.
The knights were quite fierce.
Mika looked at the youth.
Their eyes met.
At that moment, the youth's head bounced in front of Mika's eyes.