Volume 3 Chapter 7 The Unfair Duel
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kian stepped through the teleportation gate and found himself in front of the east gate of East End.
The temperature was higher than in the mountain village, but the humidity was about the same.
The presence of a moat connecting to a river in front of him was the reason.
Dimly lit gates, with flickering orange lights visible beyond the raised drawbridge.
That was the guard’s bonfire.
Rean, who had flown ahead, waved his hand towards the raised drawbridge and called out to the guard in the watchtower.
Watching Rean call for the gate to be opened, he realized that even though he was Rank 1, he was still just an adventurer.
(Actually, that’s exactly right. He was just an adventurer after all.)
There’s no grand welcome waiting for him at the gates. No Friedrich, no captain of the guard standing by to receive him. And once inside the town, he won’t be ushered to some luxurious inn for a hero’s reception. Nothing like that at all.
He was still a commoner.
A warrior who was hired to kill monsters that threatened people.
Of course, his fame was far superior to that of any ordinary nobleman, and his wealth must be enormous.
(…Still, I want a domain of my own. A castle, loyal subjects… and villages under my rule, where I could “sample” all the young women under the guise of tradition.)
’You mean the right of the first night? Forget the peasants—there is a castle in the northeast you could claim.’
(What, is that true?)
’Yes. But it’s an old castle abandoned long ago, built deep in the mountains. You’d need to repair the castle walls if you wanted to live there.’
(Deep in the mountains of the northeast…? How long would it take to get to the nearest village? Even if I got the castle, living a self-sufficient life there wouldn’t be beneficial.)
’Then, what about the Mansion of Roses? What’s it like now?’
(Maribel and Friedrich are probably auctioning it off together. If no bids are received during the auction period, the price will be reduced and whoever buys it first will become the owner.)
’I’m afraid all known properties belonging to this one are sold out. Oh, by the way, the old castle mentioned earlier has a lot of ancient equipment buried there. If you want to improve your weapons, you should go see it.’
(Really?)
’Yes, I think there was a spare set of Nightshade armor as well. If the grave robbers didn’t get it.’
However, if there is a possibility of obtaining powerful equipment just by going there, then it should be worth a try.
Even if nothing is found, being in the northeastern region suggests that the birthplace and end of the ‘Thorn Demon’ should be nearby.
The surrounding ecosystem likely contains many Bloodsucking Kinds, and hunting such monsters to gather materials is definitely not a bad idea.
Absorbing vampire factors is also possible.
”Master, I’m going to feed them after this.”
As the drawbridge came down, Rufna patted his shoulder.
Nodding in response, he handed her the backpack filled with Night Wraiths.
”Well then, I’ll be back by morning, Master.”
”Yeah, I’m counting on you.”
”…Mr. Kian, where did she go?”
Lyritisse, having finished with the teleportation gate behind them, came in to take her place.
Natra placed her hands on her hips.
”It’s none of your concern.”
”…That is true. However, I still sense something unsettling about you all.”
Lyritisse’s blue eyes were fixed intently on Natra.
Natra met her gaze without looking away.
”She went to look for a place to build our house, Ms. Lyritisse.”
”A house? Outside of town?”
”Yes.”
Kian continued with a gentle smile.
”Inside the town, there are various restrictions. But outside that water moat, there are many exemptions from taxes and obligations. However, that means we cannot expect protection from the guard squad.”
”You acknowledge the danger of being targeted by beasts, monsters, and bandits?”
”In fact, I welcome it.”
”Sir Kian, when the time comes to build the house, would you allow me to handle some traps and rooms?”
”I don’t mind, but why the sudden request?”
”It’s not a significant change of sentiment, but…”
Natra glanced at Lyritisse and then looked up at Kian.
”As Sir Kian knows, I have no hobbies.”
”That’s true.”
From a young age, all she had done was practice swordsmanship and her studies.
She never wasted time on leisure activities, so she could be described as a very ordinary girl.
”Ordinary?”
Lyritisse tilted her head.
”Ordinary?”
Kian also furrowed his brow.
”If I had to say something, perhaps it would be my desire to sexually train my master.”
”Hey!”
”What? What?”
”But lately, seeing Sir Kian create wooden swords, scabbards, and small cases has inspired me. I’ve come to want to create something, not just destroy things.”
Natra’s expression shifted slightly as she removed the Kitsune mask that Kian had made.
”To be honest, I absolutely dislike the design of this mask, so I’m going to remake it myself.”
”Have you been saying nice things this whole time, while subtly insulting me…?”
”I’m joking. ──By the way, Lady Lyritisse, I see your companions over there. Shouldn’t you go greet them with Lord Rean?”
”Ah…”
At Natra’s words, Lyritisse turned to see the 3 people talking on the other side of the drawbridge.
The drawbridge was still not fully lowered, but Rean had already leaped across to the other side.
The golden-haired swordsman──Rean──was standing before 2 women who had apparently been waiting at the gate.
One was a platinum blonde high elf, and the other a black-haired cat Beastman.
The cat Beastman laughed boisterously, while the high elf remained cold and emotionless as she conversed with Rean.
However, she wasn’t expressing any aversion towards Rean; rather, it was the opposite.
If Kian were to recall the memories he had of *her*, he would undoubtedly know that she was inwardly delighted.
Rean rarely smiled, even in private, but his expression towards the high elf was somewhat softened.
Lyritisse’s face contorted for a split second.
However, she quickly plastered back her usual elegant smile and turned to Kian and Natra.
”Excuse me.”
”Yes.”
”Let’s meet somewhere again”
He watched as the woman with auburn hair dashed away.
After crossing the drawbridge, she placed a hand on the back of her head and wore a goofy grin, standing modestly next to the cat beastman.
The cat beastman seemed to have called out to Lyritisse, but Rean and the high elf continued their conversation without any particular reaction.
Rean was speaking to the high elf with a hint of fervor.
”What an interesting party this is.”
”Is that so?”
”Yes. Hehe…, could it be that ten years ago, Sir Kian was watching them with the eyes of a discarded puppy from the outside of the circle?”
”Natra, that’s a cruel observation.”
As Kian said this, he gazed at Lyritisse, who was smiling next to Rean.
The ‘Lion’s Companion’ likely had its share of temporary personnel changes, but the core members had remained unchanged for years.
Those 4 men and women over there were the same.
In fact, it was a harem party centered around Rean.
When Kian was hired, they were still not fully grown, yet a harem had already formed within the party.
Although he couldn’t discern the nature of their relationships, observing them now made it seem entirely plausible that Rean was involved sexually with multiple individuals.
”I see, so Sir Kian was jealous of Rean?”
”It wasn’t jealousy. I only held animosity for the pretty boy who had multiple beautiful girls beside him right in front of me. At least, I wanted to win with my sword, but I felt utterly powerless, which only seemed to exacerbate my negative feelings over time.”
”Isn’t that jealousy?”
”────”
”Sir Kian.”
Natra, lost in thought, tightly intertwined her arm with his.
A faintly soft chest pressed against his muscle, and from such close proximity, he caught a whiff of the girl’s sweet scent.
”After reporting to the Guild Master, how about we visit a shop called ‘Kroné’ in the back alley of West Street?”
”I don’t mind, but what do they sell there? I’ve lived here for 15 years, and it’s not common to venture into back alleys on West Street.”
They handle various goods brought by caravans.
Since their time with Azrael, they have taken a liking to searching for hidden treasures in a shop tucked away in an alley like a secret hideout.
”What a fascinating hobby.”
”Oh dear, have I been found out?”
Natra chuckles softly.
Her form blurs, transitioning from her white and red outfit to her usual red scarf and white attire.
Her slender legs, encased in black stockings, stretch out elegantly from beneath her miniskirt.
She takes Kian’s hand and continues.
”I was wondering what to spend the pocket money I received as a quest reward on, but I found some Naboo coffee beans from the south at ‘Krone.’ Would you like to try some freshly opened beans at the training ground?”
”A cup before training sounds nice. I’d love to join you.”
”Please indulge me in buying sugar and milk. I prefer it that way.”
”It’s your money. Spend it as you like.”
Natra and Kian, holding hands like lovers, skip across the bridge and pass by Rean’s group, heading towards East Street.
”But then, first, a report.”
”Ah.”
”After that, a campfire at the training ground.”
”As long as we don’t get scolded.”
”Those dimwitted guards shouldn’t notice the smoke.”
It might be going too far to mock the guards, but the prospect of savoring coffee under the starry sky is undeniably appealing.
Considering that he has been having s*x with Natra during their free time, it’s about time they enjoy a leisurely conversation as well.
’You haven’t forgotten about meeting the Wolfmen and Natasha in the mountain village, have you?’
(I remember. But it’s not under my jurisdiction. Friedrich and Maribel are the ones troubled by it.)
He chose to continue as an adventurer rather than serve the Danofen family, to train and adventure without concern for worldly matters.
What else should one do without fully enjoying this freedom?
Kian shifts their awareness to the Night Wraith with the small bundle on its back.
(Unexpectedly, I’ve gathered some money. Next, I should visit the fortress and ask for the repair of the Windsong Blade.)
* * *
He went ahead of Rean and the others and summoned Friedrich at the Adventurers’ Guild.
By the time he arrived by carriage from his estate, Rean’s group of four had already caught up.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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