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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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This should be enough.
I tossed the battered, hole-ridden training dummy into a corner and picked up my backpack.
Time to depart.
I closed the secret passage leading to the workshop, took one last look around, then closed and locked the door. No one would enter the workshop for the next month, so it would be covered in dust when I returned.
I had specifically instructed the staff not to clean it, due to…certain precautions. A thorough cleaning would be necessary upon my return.
Assuming I returned safely.
I wondered if the students were paying attention in class. I locked the workshop door and gazed at the academy in the distance. The sun was shining brightly, but my gaze remained fixed on the familiar building.
It felt strange to leave, even though I wasn’t a student.
It was just a month-long trip.
Perhaps I had grown too accustomed to the academy.
When I lived on the deserted island, relocating my shelter was a frequent occurrence, a necessity for survival. Back then, I had done everything and anything to stay alive.
Those days were long gone.
“…I hope I return safely.”
If everything went according to plan, I would be back in a month, but if not…things could get complicated. I wasn’t just some idle freeloader.
I had my knight escort duties and the prosthetic arm business to attend to. My workload would likely pile up.
If I was gone for too long, I might even miss the war.
…No.
There was no point in worrying about that now. Time to go.
I walked towards the academy’s main gate. The unusually quiet atmosphere felt…strange.
I wouldn’t be seeing the academy for a while.
I hoped the students wouldn’t cause any trouble. Or get involved in any incidents.
I had already spoken with Principal Merlin, but I was still concerned about Karina, who was likely to be caught up in the upcoming events.
With Renny by her side, she should be safe, but…
It wasn’t a malicious incident, so it should be fine.
It was just the student council president election, and some idiot was planning to… court… Karina to secure her support.
I wanted to break his legs, considering how uncomfortable it would make Karina…
But it wasn’t my place to interfere. I couldn’t solve every problem.
“See you later.”
“Take care.”
I left the academy grounds and headed towards the waiting carriage.
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Perhaps I should have used a portal.
I resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably in my seat, my backside aching, and looked out the window. All I could see were endless trees, but it was better than staring at the inside of the carriage.
At least I was alone.
I could relax and stretch without worrying about appearances.
[Contractor, are carriages always this bumpy? I feel nauseous—]
“I didn’t know you could experience nausea.”
[I’m a delicate grimoire, you know. Hmph. Not that my master would understand.]
“I’m not a grimoire, so how would I know?”
Besides, sentient grimoires with such a strong sense of self were incredibly rare. Speaking of grimoires, I hoped no one had touched the one I had left in my room.
It looked like an ordinary old book, so unless someone deliberately stole it, there shouldn’t be any problems.
It wasn’t the wish-granting grimoire, so it wasn’t a priority right now.
[Ugh, I’m bored…]
“Admire the scenery.”
[I’ve already seen enough.]
Rue, sitting across from me, grumbled and tapped the window with her tentacles. Each tap left a small, sticky mark, accompanied by a squishy sound. It was rather annoying.
“…Just be patient.”
[‘Just be patient’ has been your mantra for half a day now.]
“We’ll reach the first stop in a few hours. Just wait.”
[Yawn… Fine. I’ll take a nap…]
Was she a grimoire or a puppy?
I watched Rue curl up and fall asleep, then, feeling a wave of motion sickness, turned back to the window.
How much longer until we arrived…?
How…much…longer…
“Hey! We’re here!”
I had fallen asleep.
I wiped the drool from my mouth and attached Rue to my belt.
[Hmm… Are we there?]
“Yes.”
So this was Stein Village, the first stop.
A small town, much smaller than the bustling metropolis of Kalon, but larger than a mere village. As a stop on the northern trade route, it saw a steady stream of visitors.
“Quite a crowd.”
“It’s always busy around this time of year. The northern territories are stocking up on supplies for the winter. Merchants and their mercenary escorts are transporting food north.”
“You seem knowledgeable about the north.”
“Of course. I was born and raised there.”
The coachman, his face hidden behind a bushy beard, pulled a pipe from his pocket.
He looked at me and asked,
“Need a light?”
“I don’t smoke.”
“I used to smoke all day when I was your age.”
“That’s a good way to ruin your health.”
“What’s the point of living a long life in this world? I prefer to live a short, exciting life.”
The coachman, whose name I still didn’t know, chuckled, lit his pipe, and took a long drag.
I watched him for a moment, then turned to observe the town. It had a distinctly medieval feel, like something out of a movie.
This was the outskirts of the central region. I wondered what the architecture would be like in the north. I had heard the northern buildings were…unique.
“Ah, nothing beats a smoke after a long journey.”
“Do you know of a good inn?”
“The Golden Goose Inn is your best bet. Reasonably priced and located in a quiet area.”
“I’ll stay there.”
“You’re not even considering other options.”
“I trust Principal Merlin’s recommendation. Why would I question it?”
Besides, if he had misled me, I would just…hit him.
My response seemed to amuse him. The middle-aged coachman chuckled and said,
“You won’t regret it.”
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“It’s…quite old.”
“It’s been here since I started working as a coachman. They have excellent ale.”
“I can’t drink too much. I have to leave tomorrow.”
“Just a nightcap.”
“If you cause a carriage accident, I’m not responsible.”
I could handle a carriage crash. I could either roll with the impact or use my skill to reinforce the carriage. But the coachman would likely break his neck.
“Haha, my friend, I’ve been a coachman for twenty years. I know my limits.”
Wasn’t that a classic line from drunkards?
I chuckled and asked the innkeeper for a room and dinner.
[If I had a mouth, I would try some of that food.]
She had eyes, tentacles, and could hear, but no mouth?
I glanced at the peculiar grimoire, then turned my attention to the food arriving at the table. A perfectly cooked steak, a simple salad.
It wasn’t a feast, but it looked filling. I took a spoonful of soup.
“Delicious.”
“Right? There’s a reason I always stay here when I’m in town.”
“I can see why.”
The experienced coachman had good taste. We had been surviving on travel rations, so we devoured the food, ordering seconds.
We finally finished after ordering two additional meals.
“You eat like a horse.”
“You held your own as well.”
“Call me Tom.”
“Alright, Tom.”
“Just Tom.”
The coachman, whose name was apparently Tom, seemed to dislike the formality of “Mr.” He shuddered at the word. It must have been…unnerving.
“Tom, where are we going tomorrow?”
“Hmm… It’ll take about a week to reach Snowville, the next stop.”
“That’s quite a distance.”
“It is. But thanks to the northern road, it’s not as bad as it could be. It would take twice as long without it.”
That much of a difference?
Well, unpaved roads were bumpy and slow. At least the road allowed for a faster, smoother journey, reducing the risk of accidents.
“So…tell me, what brings you to the north?”
“I’m looking for something.”
“The north isn’t exactly known for its…abundance, if you know what I mean.”
Should I tell him?
I decided to share my purpose.
He might have some useful information. Besides, as travel companions, he deserved to know.
“…I’m not looking for an object. I’m looking for…a divine beast.”
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