2-2. Raza Town and Soldier Guild
The horses’ rest is enough.
It’s time to leave soon.
“Neil-san, shall we go soon?”
“Yes, I unders—ugh!” (Neil)
Neil-san staggered while trying to stand up.
“M-my legs are numb.”
His legs fell asleep probably because he’s unused to seiza.
He is crouching with both his hands on the ground.
“…It will be fine if you wait for them to recover.”
However, that defenseless appearance.
My mischievous mind throbbed.
“Fufu~”
“What is it, Cathia-san? That evil smile…”
You cannot resist poking someone when you see his legs are numb, right?
Is it just me?
“That’s right.”
“S-stop――!!” (Neil)
I attacked his calf which he protected by his hands.
This person is really the type that you can’t help but tease.
“Then, let’s continue our travel, Neil-san.”
“So cruel, Cathia-san…”
I also think that I overdid it a little, but the atmosphere softened so everything turned out alright in the end.
We are likely to arrive before noon.
The territory of Raza is located at the eastern edge of the country.
Military strength is necessary against monsters when reclaiming lands, so there were many mercenaries and soldiers sent as reinforcements from other territories.
Consequently, the scale of the Soldier Guild is also of some level. Neil-san explained until this point.
“Can you see it, Cathia-san? That is the Raza Town.”
Beyond the highway, the stone wall that surrounds the town came into view.
Fortunately, we did not encounter any monsters on the way.
“A stone wall, huh? Kaisa Village has earth wall.”
“A stone wall is more durable, it also makes the scenery better. There is a small stone mountain nearby so they were brought from there.”
I see, there is also problem of materials.
For earth magic, one must pour their Mana into soil or stones.
Even if there is magic, the laws of physics are almost the same to the ones in my previous life.
I did not take up a Science course in my previous life so I am not very clear on the details.
“Young Master! Are you here to visit your parents? Who is that beauty!?”
We arrived in front the gates during the time I was thinking.
‘Young Master’?
Oops, it’s impolite to stay astride the horse.
Let’s dismount.
“Please stop with the ‘young master’. I am with a guest from the Kaisa Village. Can we pass?”
“By all means―――― Open the gate!”
The lattice made of iron opened.
The size of the gate allows a carriage to pass by with room to spare.
Now we have to leave the horses in their custody.
We left the horses in the stable near the entrance.
I heard Neil-san being called as ‘Young Master’.
I have a prediction about it.
“Neil-san is the son of the Lord here after all?”
“Yes, that is right. I am the second son so I had to enter
the Knight Order in the Imperial Capital.”
Well, that’s right.
I failed to hear it because of his behavior during our first meeting.
“Therefore, please stay at our manor house today. I will also introduce you to my family.”
Manor house?
I never heard anything about our lodging place today.
“I thought for sure that we will stay at the barracks.”
“It will be at our house no matter what. You are a special guest, after all.”
Ah, his expression is similar to the one Zack-san showed before.
During the time Zack-san had a talk with Grandfather about his new home.
“Then, please take care of me…”
I realized that resistance is futile.
He is an aristocrat. In other words, a politician.
I’m a little nervous.
I have to get used to it now since I am meeting the royal family in the future.
Next task is going to the Soldier Guild.
There are several food stalls and buildings like warehouses where crops are accumulated.
I took a bite of the rye bread I bought since it’s inexpensive for lunch.
Where is the guild?
“We have arrived, Cathia-san. This is the Soldier Guild.”
There is the common crest on the entrance – a shield and two crossed swords.
The building is made of the stone and considerably large.
I can see desks lined up beyond the reception area, where other staff are working.
Even though this world with magic is realistic, the fantasy impression is――――――
“Oh, if it isn’t Neil.”
The one with overflowing fantasy impression is a black- haired beauty with wolf(?) dog(?) ears atop her head, sitting at the reception area.
She has the tone of a handsome man.
Of course, there are no Werebeasts back in the village.
“…What are you doing, Branch Leader?”
She responded to Neil-san who had a perplexed expression.
What the heck is that!?
“We are understaffed since the guys assigned on main jobs collapsed with cold. This is temporary. Then, what is your business?”
“We have a letter from the Royal Capital. You will understand once you read this.”
Neil-san took out the letter from his chest pocket and passed it to the Branch Leader.
“From the Royal Capital? …This can’t be opened here. You guys, come sit here for a moment. That young miss[/ojou-chan] might be the person concerned.”
The Branch Leader stood from the chair.
Cane?
Branch Leader doesn’t have a right leg.
“What are you surprised for? Is it your first time in the Soldier Guild? I am not the only one like this, you know?”
With her remark, I looked at other staff members. There was a one-handed person, a person with an eye injury, and I can see people with limp walked by as if it’s something that is a common occurrence.
I came up with a deduction as I thought about it――――
“Are all the main staff injured soldiers?”
“Right answer. Ojou-chan, don’t you have a fairly good perception? You have excellent assessment and you also did not show any pity.”
It’s because I felt more surprised with the unexpected scene.
Regardless of the consequence, there is no reason to pity them.
We were shown into a private room which seems to be the Branch Leader’s office.
“――――Hmmm, I see. But to think that Sword Saint was living this nearby.”
She raised her head and suddenly threw the letter.
Every action of Branch Leader is so cool.
Can I call you ‘Anego’?
“So in short, Ojou-chan only needs to register. After that, give her commissions that will make her stand out as much as possible. Then, I will leave the usually disliked and troublesome jobs to you.”
“Was there anything written about my affiliation?
It’s the question I thought before.
“No, there’s nothing. I have a prediction, but shall I explain it?”
“Yes, please.”
“It’s simple. If you gather enough reputation before reaching the capital, you will be delegated as the head of the Princess’s Royal Guards. If you fail to do so, you will be a common soldier until you stack up enough achievements.”
After considering the risk of failure, it seems like she came to that decision.
It’s politically correct…is it?
“Therefore, you will be treated as a common soldier from the kingdom’s viewpoint after you register. But you have the Former King’s messenger Neil, so you are special. You will not be looked down even if you go to other territories.”
What a delicate situation.
It looks like I will have a hard time in the future if I do not do my best.
“Now then, you need to do a rank examination if you register. Go to the training grounds. Neil, guide her for me. I will follow afterwards.”
“Got it. Will Branch Leader watch personally?”
“That’s obvious. As a former soldier myself, I want to see the ability of the Sword Saint’s disciple.”
She has very high expectations.
I became tense.
The training area is an place similar to an open plaza, except it has a thick earth wall.
Several soldiers are sparring with wooden weapons.
From children to old soldiers, even the races and genders vary. It’s lively.
“Oh! Here you are! Ojou-chan’s redhead is easy to spot, eh?”
Branch Leader came.
This hair really stands out as expected.
After we entered the training area, we gathered a considerable number of gazes.
“Shall we start? First, show me your Aura.”
Branch Leader set up the aforementioned speed gun, a Mana measuring instrument.
“Yes.”
It doesn’t seem to be a mock battle.
I have no weapon so there’s a slight sense of discomfort.
“A beautiful and powerful Aura… how wonderful.”
Branch Leader murmured.
The Aura I invoked out of my Mana reserve became visible.
“――――Oooh!”
The measurement seems to have ended.
How is it?
“I’m astonished! The Master rank that can only be used by several people in the country? As expected of the Sword Saint’s disciple.”
The spectators listening attentively became noisy. “Branch Leader, why in such a loud voice――――” Branch Leader approached me using her crutch that looks like a cane. “Half the reason is on purpose. You need to stand out hereafter, so you should get used to this much. Actually, just being able to use Master Level Aura is enough to be the talk of the town.” Certainly, I cannot refute with what she said. “How about the other half?” “No, I was just exceedingly surprise. Normally, meeting a ‘Master’ in a lifetime is almost impossible.” Exceedingly? “What will be the next one? Is it magic?” “What? Ojou-chan can also use magic?” “I am a Single Fire only until Intermediate Level.” “Then, I will examine it for the time being… is what I should say, but…” Branch Manager looked around the vicinity. “The impact is weak after displaying Master Level Aura.” That is natural.
However, we are in front of a public. “That’s right―――― Then, how about I show an original skill? Something with a flashy appearance.” I have one trick. “Hou, I’m curious. Do you need a target?” “Yes, a wooden one.” A wooden scarecrow was prepared as I requested. “Fuu…” (*exhale) I enveloped the sword in Mana.
The two of them melted and blended without resistance――――― “Haaaa!” I cut the scarecrow with the wooden sword into two.
It ignited in a flashy manner. “Oh, it’s made of wood indeed. Really flammable.” “…” The surrounding silence is scary. “Uhm, Branch Leader.” “Wha-what was that, just now! No, I cannot comprehend it. It’s a skill that uses both flame magic and Aura magic. But being able to do it is another matter entirely!” She kept on talking rapidly. “But it’s theoretically possible in magic books――――” “It is theoretically possible! It’s impossible normally! What do you think is the use of distinction between rearguard magicians and vanguard soldiers! It’s common sense that you can’t use magic and Aura at the same time!” It came from an old magic book so I thought someone already achieved it.
It’s different from ordinary, but I have an idea why the two types of magic cannot be used simultaneously. “B-but isn’t it alright since it will make me conspicious?” Branch Leader let out a long sigh. “You will surely stand out this way, extremely that is… sigh. Let’s go back to the guild for now and register your rank.” She said negligently, as if she just gave up on something.
I dragged along Neil-san who had long became frozen in surprise, and left behind the still noisy training grounds.
H-how embarrassing.
She place a hand near my neck and whispered in a low voice.
But she said ‘half’.
Well, never mind.
Yes, I know what you want to say.
I prepared the wooden sword I borrowed.
Eh, did I make a blunder?
Was the skill I used really that amazing?