Chapter 55

August 10, 2015

Correction: 岐路 (branching path) → 帰路 (return path)

The journey was proceeding smoothly, and we had traveled for about three days.

Before any monsters could get close to our group, which included the carriage and its guards, they were eliminated by Carla and the others.

Moreover, all four of us can sense magic to some extent due to my training, so we can quickly detect the presence of monsters.

There's no way low-rank monsters like F or E could get close to a carriage with four C-rank mages who can instantly kill them.

I, as usual, collect the bodies of the dead monsters using Aport.

If the bodies of monsters from the surface are left unattended, they will turn into undead, so they must be collected properly.

As for what the knights are doing, they are idle because Carla and the others kill the monsters before they can get close.

There's no way low-rank monsters can get close to a carriage that has turned into a long-range artillery.

Our destination is the southern Blytzel border region.

Why?

Because I want to see my hometown, the Blytzel border region.

Of course, we won't go all the way to the capital, Brunhild.

It takes 15 days just to get to Brunhild, so we will only go to the city of Sejaka, the fourth largest city in the Blytzel border region.

The Blytzel border region is divided north and south by a mountain range, and Sejaka is located on the northern side of this mountain range.

It is not on the route from the capital, Brunhild, to the royal capital, so I didn't pass through it when I went to the capital, but it is the fourth largest city in the Blytzel border region.

To be honest, Sejaka is the birthplace of my family, and during the founding of the Holy Bandum Kingdom, Sejaka on the northern side of the mountain range was the capital of the region.

It was during the fifth generation of the family that we began to develop the land beyond the mountains, which led to the acquisition of vast territories. In the seventh generation, we became border barons and established the capital in Brunhild.

Sejaka is also a mining town and is still bustling.

In other words, Sejaka is an important city for the Blytzel border baron family, both historically and economically.

"Christoph, why did you want to go to Sejaka?"

Are you asking me now?!

If it's a trip, did you decide to come without asking what we were going to do?!

You really are Carla!

And poor Peron, who got dragged along!

"There are a few reasons, but first, it's the birthplace of the Blytzel family. Also, there are mines. I thought we could get the minerals needed to make the products sold by the Blyt Trading Company, so I decided to go to Sejaka, which has mines."

"Are there any tourist attractions?"

Clara is at the same level as Carla...

Poor Pritz...

"There is Lake Louis nearby. I heard from a vassal who was stationed in Sejaka that Lake Louis is at a slightly higher altitude, so it's cool and perfect for a summer retreat, and the scenery is beautiful."

"Are we planning to stay for a week?... Are we going to Lake Louis?"

"We will stay in Sejaka for two nights and then move to a villa by Lake Louis. We will stay there for five nights before returning."

I really wanted to see more, but with the knights as our guards, we can't move around freely, and the travel speed is too slow.

If it were just me or just this carriage, we could speed up and go to various towns on rough roads.

When I grow up, I might become a viscount, but I could also become an adventurer and travel the world.

While talking about various things—mainly with Carla and Clara—we continued toward Sejaka.

We stayed at the mayor's house in a village we passed through, and we heard that there were bandits causing trouble ahead.

Then Carla suggested that we deal with the bandits.

This is not the Blytzel border region, nor is it land governed by Carla's family, and of course, it has nothing to do with Clara and her brother. We can't do anything rash.

If we mobilize the knights I brought as my guards, it could be seen as a hostile act against the noble who governs this land.

"Christoph, are you going to leave the bandits alone?!"

Carla, you're breathing heavily.

"It's not good to take the initiative, but it's fine to deal with them if they come to us. In fact, there are many things we can say about it."

"Christoph... You're also evil~"

Clara, are you some kind of corrupt official?

"But will they attack us, protected by the knights?"

Peron, it's been a while since you appeared.

"We have to make them want to attack us."

"What do you mean by that?"

Pritz, as the next head of the Hecate family, you need to be able to come up with such schemes... I mean, strategies.

"What if we spread the rumor that we are carrying thousands of gold coins? What would the bandits do?"

"Oh, that's a good idea. Bandits are stupid, so they might be blinded by the gold and come out, right?"

I don't know if they are stupid, but I think they are more on the stupid side.

After all, they are bandits.

In my opinion, being a bandit is not a good deal.

If you get caught, you will be executed or become a lifelong criminal slave, so I think it's better to work honestly rather than take such risks...

But everyone is different...

But if they come out in front of me, I won't show mercy.

This is not the Blytzel border region, so I won't take the initiative, but nobles can easily become the same as bandits, so as a member of the nobility, I must protect the people to avoid becoming the same as bandits.

I think the relationship between nobles and the people is that the people pay taxes, and in return, the nobles maintain the land and protect the people.

Otherwise, nobles would be nothing but a nuisance.

I think nobles who believe that exploiting people is normal are no different from bandits, so I believe this line must be drawn.