Chapter 12

After waiting in line, we finally entered the city of Termwill after the sun had completely set.

The flow of people was much greater at night compared to the Baron Silun's territory or the Earl Gartner's territory.

Even in a human city, elves, dwarves, and beastmen could be seen here and there. These kinds of people tend to show themselves less in public in remote areas. This is because in places with lower education levels, prejudice, discrimination, and persecution based on superstition are more severe.

For me... it was a scene that raised my spirits. It was because they were real, not NPCs or player avatars.

While it is a characteristic of a border city, I couldn't just indulge in my emotions. There were still many things to do after arriving in the city. We couldn't immediately head to the dungeon.

First, I handed over the remaining amount as a success fee to Forestbird, informing them that the mission was completed upon our arrival in Termwill.

"Thank you. Hmm? But it's a bit... no, quite a lot, isn't it?"

"Maybe I'll have something else to ask you for, so please take good care of me then."

"Really? That's great."

Lucian smiled.

The journey with Forestbird and the others had been relatively stress-free.

While it was my father who suggested having a guard, I chose the people who would accompany us. If it had been just Grace and me, the trip wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

If it had been just the two of us, we would have been constantly busy with purchasing supplies, and we might have lost the carriage when we encountered the ants. In any case, I think we would have been looked at with suspicion and attracted unnecessary trouble. Their presence was a big help.

Most importantly, having someone trustworthy is invaluable. I want to maintain a good relationship with them.

"I haven't decided exactly what I'll do here yet, but I'll talk to the Adventurer's Guild."

"Then we'll tell Theo and Grace the name of the inn we're staying at when they come."

"Meeting at the guild is fine too. We might do some work here... and if it goes well, we might settle down."

"I hope it goes well. Forestbird is solid, and as long as you don't dive too deep into the dungeon, you should be fine."

Nodding in response to Lucian and Monica's words, they smiled.

"What will you do from here?"

"We're heading to a contact of my father's."

In the eastern district, on Maple Street, there's a person named Rosetta Attenborough who is apparently an acquaintance of my father.

He said she was an old friend, but I wonder what kind of person she is. Just like having a guard on the journey, meeting Rosetta Attenborough was a condition my father set for coming to Termwill, so I have to fulfill that promise.

"I'll take you there."

"Looking for an inn... don't you have other things to do?"

"No, that's no problem. It's also a good stimulus for me."

Hmm, well, it's fine.

The eastern district is where many wealthy people live. The reason is probably the amount of sunlight. If Rosetta Attenborough, who lives in the eastern district, is an acquaintance of my father... she must be a noble.

When we arrived at the address written on the paper, there was a modest but elegant mansion.

"Then, we'll leave here."

"Ah, thank you."

"See you, Theo, Grace."

"Yes, see you again."

We parted ways with Forestbird and headed to the entrance of Rosetta's mansion.

When I knocked on the door with the lion-shaped knocker, a woman with dark red hair appeared. She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties.

She didn't have the air of a servant. Could she be Rosetta?

Her gaze moved from top to bottom, first on Grace, then on me.

"I'm sorry for the late hour. Is this the residence of Rosetta Attenborough?"

"I am Rosetta. Hmm... you must be Theodor, Henry's son. And you are Grace, right?"

"…Yes. Have we met before?"

I don't remember. If she knows I'm Henry's son, that means she knows my mother too, right?

"Once when you were a baby. Once at Henry's house. In total, twice. Well... it's understandable that you don't remember. Grace... I recognized you at first sight from the letter Liza wrote. You're really beautiful."

"From Liza?"

Grace's eyes widened in surprise, and Rosetta smiled. This means that she was someone my mother trusted enough to talk about Grace... but...

The second time I met her was after my mother died. When she learned of my mother's death... people came to the house to mourn, but I don't remember much.

"…Here is my father's letter."

Rosetta glanced at the wax seal on the letter I handed her and nodded.

"Indeed, it's from the earl's family. Please, come in."

"…What does the letter say?"

"It says that you should be given various conveniences to live here."

We were led to the parlor and sat down.

After reading the letter several times, Rosetta turned to me.

"I understand the situation. If you're going to study magic in Termwill... you'll be attending the Perseford Academy, right? The letter says to do my best to accommodate your wishes."

The Perseford Academy is an educational institution in the eastern district.

It is more like a university, where students can freely attend lectures and training to acquire the knowledge, culture, and skills they desire. It is also a research institution.

Therefore, the students are of various ages, races, and purposes, and the school is relatively laissez-faire and liberal.

However, the situation is different for the children of nobles. They have separate school buildings and dormitories, as the goal is to educate them in a manner befitting their status.

But that doesn't really concern me. I didn't come here to become a "proper noble," so I have no intention of staying in the dormitory. I just want to learn some basic magic, and I don't see much else to study. I'll probably finish my courses quickly, and spending time there would be a waste.

I plan to enroll and go to study basic magic, but basically, I intend to live as I please and only show up when necessary. After all, if I can't freely explore the dungeon, it would be counterproductive.

"I also want to look for a place to live in the city."

"Live?"

"If I rely on your hospitality through my father's introduction, it's no different from being under my family's protection. I want to do as much as I can on my own."

When I said this, Rosetta looked at me with a puzzled expression.

We stared at each other for a while, but eventually, she looked away and sighed deeply.

"...Alright. I'll do as you wish."

"I thought you might object."

"You look surprised. You had the look of someone who knew I would object."

Rosetta smiled wryly.

"Of course, emotionally, I'm against it. But you... if I said no, you would leave without hesitation, right? You don't look worried at all, and you have the initiative to leave your family if you don't like it. You can also use magic without incantations. If things don't work out with me, you have a plan, don't you?"

"Well, yes."

Find a place to stay, go to the Adventurer's Guild, and explore the dungeon while setting up a base.

Or set up a base and then explore the dungeon. It's just a matter of which comes first.

"That's why. I decided it would be better to help you to some extent rather than leaving you with no obligations. That's my reasoning. Do you understand?"

"...Yes."

...I see. If I had been ordered around, I would have left. Coming here to talk was just to fulfill my promise to my father.

But for Rosetta, it's different. She looked far away and said,

"If something happens to you... I couldn't face Liza."

"...You knew my mother."

"Perhaps I knew both of your parents. We were classmates at the academy. I've even explored the dungeon with Liza."

Ah. So my parents met in Termwill. My mother told me when I was young that she had known my father for a long time.

On the other hand, it's not surprising. The border city, where people from various places gather, is a place where knowledge and skills accumulate and are honed. That's why nobles and talented individuals are found at the Termwill Academy.

"Well, for tonight, stay at my house and rest from your journey. Tomorrow, we'll take a good look around the city."

"Understood."

...Still, my mother explored the dungeon with Rosetta. What kind of person is she? When I looked at her, she just smiled back.