Chapter 413 First Day of the ‘Grand Market’ (Part III)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Gargantua’s POV)
I promised to visit again on the last night of the Grand Market and left Shinji’s mansion.
”Lady Gargantua, were they the ones from earlier?”
”Yes, they were 2 members of the hero party that used to be my enemies.”
”But what are you planning to do? Are you going to see Azradelius… the Demon King?”
Leading the way was a man named Raiden, who seems to be the captain of Shinji’s private army, as we rode toward the mansion of Hiroya’s clan, ‘Famière.’
Alongside me, Hernando and Esperanza quietly asked questions.
”What should we do? Certainly, freeing Lady Lilith is our Oni-kin’s long-held wish.”
”…If what they say is true, that man Azradelius… has quite a dirty way of doing things…”
”Indeed. He seems to be a man unworthy of trust.”
Their impressions are quite valid.
We Oni-kin value ‘righteousness.’
Especially Hernando and Esperanza, who are brave and skilled among our clan, prioritize this above all.
”I also plan to discuss with the ‘Purple Flame Demon Princess’ who is with Shinji’s son.”
”Lady Gargantua.”
Raiden, who was ahead of us, called out to me while holding the reins on his horse.
”I have heard much about you from Sir Shinji. A noble and honorable… strong warrior. And he always… ended his talks like this──”
Raiden turned back and smiled on his stern face.
”‘In that harsh battle, we were able to gain friends.’”
After saying just that, he turned back to face forward and guided his horse.
Betraying friends──this is the most despised act even among the Oni-kin.
(Indeed… I cannot make a wrong choice next time.)
Hernando and Esperanza, running side by side, look at me.
I silently nodded to the two and followed Raiden.
* * *
As expected from the Southern Residential Area, many houses lined the streets.
”Since the settlement plan started 2 years ago, the number of young people has increased.”
Raiden explained while looking ahead.
”Mostly young adventurers. If you settle in Raetia, you get a house.”
”I see. That’s a typical Shinji plan.”
Moreover, a Great Labyrinth was discovered in the ‘Goblin Forest’ nearby, so training young adventurers must be one of the goals.
”By the way, the one who proposed this idea is the daughter of Guardian Knight Müller.”
I’ve heard that name from Raiden before.
”Knight Müller… He’s known as the strongest knight in the Romuna Kingdom.”
”Yeah, I heard about him when I was honing my skills in the Royal Capital. He was so skilled that the captain of the knight’s order resented him and demoted him.”
Hernando and Esperanza trained as adventurers in the Royal Capital, Beluga, until 3 years ago.
They must have heard the rumors about him back then.
”The one who made Raetia famous as a hot spring destination and invited a merchant guild from the Royal Capital for economic development is also that daughter.”
”She seems to be quite a clever person.”
”She’s our Sir Hiroya’s fiancée.”
”──!?”
Is she really that young?
”If she’s Sir Hiroya’s fiancée… she must be a child, right? How old is she?”
”She’s the same age as Sir Hiroya, 11 years old.”
”””──!?”””
The 3 of us were left speechless on our horses.
Is Hiroya and this Raetia a treasure trove of prodigies?
”Oh, there’s more. A girl named Rena Rosen, the daughter of a clinic, is also 11 and has the adventurer rank S, known as ‘Genius Saint’.”
”…At 11!”
”An adventurer rank S!”
Hernando and Esperanza’s mouths dropped open.
So many incredible prodigies here, huh?
Even I was surprised.
”They are also members of ‘Famière’.”
Raiden’s tone sounded somewhat smug.
”Ah, it’s about time.”
As we passed through the residential area, a row of large mansions came into view.
”The mansion up ahead is the dormitory for the clan ‘Black Sheep.’ And the mansion to the left is for the clan ‘Rose Hip.’ Across the road is the mansion for ‘Famière.’”
Beyond the fairly large mansions stood an even bigger one, resembling a small fortress.
”Impressive. ‘Black Sheep’ and ‘Rose Hip’ are…”
”Yeah. They’re some of the most famous clans in the Romuna Kingdom.”
”Wow… They’re that amazing?”
Hernando and Esperanza were well-versed in the world of adventurers.
”Having 3 clans based under a local lord is practically unheard of.”
”Even with the Great Labyrinth here… For example, the imperial capital of Welnia, which has the ‘Welnia Labyrinth,’ only has 5 clans.”
I see.
It must be Shinji’s charisma at work.
”It’s Sir Hiroya’s charisma, young master.”
Raiden dismounted in front of the largest of the 3 mansions.
”No, it’s not just that…”
Hearing about the boy’s charisma, Raiden muttered while watching us dismount in surprise.
”Well, you’ll understand once you stay here for a while.”
With that, Raiden laughed and rang the doorbell.
* * *
”Welcome!”
”We’ve been waiting for you~”
”Please come in~”
Three maids opened the door and invited us in.
”Beastfolk…?”
”Is… is this heaven…?”
Hernando’s reaction was pretty normal.
He was just a bit surprised that the maids were beastfolk…
”Don’t get carried away. They’re still young girls.”
I smacked Esperanza on the head as he grinned foolishly at the sight of the 3 maids.
(Seriously… Esperanza, one of the strongest in the village, is 18 and still unmarried… Is it because he’s too fond of young girls?)
As I entered the entrance hall, the double doors at the back slid open and another girl appeared.
”Welcome. I received word from my father-in-law──the lord. You must be Lady Gargantua, the chieftain of the Oni-kin. I’m Kazumi Müller of Clan Famière.”
A girl greeted us with elegance.
Was she the ‘wise one’ we had just been talking about?
”Thank you for accepting our sudden request. I’ll be in your care during the Grand Market… I appreciate it.”
I bowed in response to the girl’s greeting.
”You’re a friend of the lord. You’re most welcome here.”
The girl named Kazumi replied with a smile.
”We’ll take care of your luggage.”
”I’ll take the horse to the stable~”
”I’ll carry this to your room~”
Three beastfolk maids began bustling about.
* * *
”Welcome. First, let me show you to your room. Then, please relax in the bath to soothe your travel fatigue.”
Another maid, dressed in her uniform, guided us from the entrance hall to the stairs.
She was a calm and gentle woman.
”Is… is this heaven…?”
”…Next, it’s your turn, Hernando…”
(Well, we Oni-kin women… don’t have that kind of ‘alluring charm.’)
”────?”
”My apologies. Don’t mind me.”
I told the maid, who tilted her head in confusion, and then kicked Hernando, who was shamelessly ogling, in the rear.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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