Chapter 16

It's a leisurely pace.

After the dawn, the journey proceeded with caution.

Not knowing what might be waiting, Eirine even declined Kena's offer of movement assistance magic. Instead, to be prepared for any sudden attacks, Kena constantly used defensive enhancement magic.

Everyone was worried about her stamina, but during the day, the MP used for summoning Crimson Pigs (juveniles) and support magic didn't even decrease by a tenth. For Kena, it wasn't a situation that warranted concern, but those who had to use them repeatedly were on edge.

This was discovered during the combat coordination meeting with the guild members. Apparently, a typical mage would collapse from exhaustion if they used too much magic. Unlike in the game, where HP served as MP, or perhaps MP functioned as a stamina gauge, it was unclear whether only game-related characters possessed MP.

(By the way, what about Ritt-chan? If she has MP, it means she has the potential to be an adventurer... right?)

Contrary to the group's worries, there were no bandit attacks after that. When monsters did attack, the guild members, with Kena's support, managed to repel them. After a twelve-day journey, they arrived at the capital of Helshper.

Since bringing the Crimson Pigs (juveniles) into the country might be problematic, they were returned just before entering.

This city, unlike the capital of Felskeiro, was built on the gentle slopes at the foot of the mountains.

It looked like a Swiss resort town or a high mountain city.

What most amazed Kena was the castle built on a high point overlooking the city. The white walls were Western in style, but the central structure was a Japanese castle, flanked by two large windmills. Seeing this blend of Eastern and Western architecture, Kena could only laugh wryly.

"Oh, by the way, that castle is similar to the one built in the abandoned area of Felskeiro. I hadn't noticed it before."

"Yeah, that one... It was originally a fortress built here."

"A fortress... Could it be the guild 'Dawn's Pulse' from the Purple Country? I remember they had samurai-like weapons and appearance."

The caravan entered the central part of the city through the city gate.

Above this level were the merchant and noble districts, while below were the market and general residential areas, spreading out like a Greek town. The mountain slopes continued downward, and far below, many lakes and rivers branched out, creating a clear and refreshing landscape.

"By the way, Kena, you were supposed to deliver a letter to someone, right?"

"Do you know who to give it to, miss?"

Recalling the name MyMy had told her, Kena thought... it was, if she remembered correctly:

"Sakai, Keirick-sama. Kena."

Key answered first.

Since he rarely spoke unless necessary, Kena often forgot about his existence. She silently thanked him and repeated it aloud.

"Sakai, Keirick. (It sounds like a period drama.)"

Hearing this, Eirine and Arbiter were surprised and understanding, respectively.

"I've lost the ability to be surprised, or maybe I can't be surprised every time..."

"Kena's connections are always extraordinary. Since it's in this area, why don't we go together? We have business here too."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Kena bowed, and everyone started moving to fulfill their roles.

Some went to borrow carts for transporting goods, some began checking the cargo, and some led the horses from the carriages to a designated holding area.

Arbiter left half the guild to guard the carriages and went to secure lodging for everyone.

"I'll put you in your usual room. I'll make sure the lady gets her own room."

"Thank you, Arbiter-san."

"Don't worry about it, we're comrades on this journey."

Despite this, Kena thanked him, and Arbiter scratched his cheek and laughed wryly.

Walking through the city, Kena, who was following Eirine, was looking around restlessly, just as she had when they first arrived in Felskeiro, which made Eirine chuckle.

"Ah, sorry. I'm supposed to be guarding Eirine, but I'm looking around..."

"In the city, you just need to be careful of pickpockets. It seems Kena really doesn't know much about the present."

"To be honest, I'm basically from the countryside."

While heading to the trade guild, Eirine explained the parts of the city that were hard to understand.

The windmills on the gentle slope leading to the lake and the lines connecting them. Even with her hawk eyes, Kena could only see the lines as something like logs, and couldn't make out the details.

"This capital is also known as the 'Windmill City' or 'Technology City.' Since the water source is so low, they use the windmills to pump water up and transport it through pipes made from hollowed-out logs to the city."

"Are there no wells?"

In response to Kena's question, Eirine pointed to the two large windmills on either side of the castle.

"Those are the wells. But I've heard they are dug to an incredible depth."

"..."

Kena was impressed by the effort to survive, as explained by Eirine. Reflecting on this, she felt she had been a bit too casual in her response to the enthusiasm of the people she met in the border village.

"I should explain it properly when I see them again..."

Hearing Kena's mutter, Eirine chuckled, wondering if she was too kind.

The trade guild they visited was shaped like an inverted bowl, or a white daifuku or dome stadium. At the reception, the clerk, upon receiving the purpose and the legacy, hurriedly reported to a superior and led them to a back room.

There, the guild leader joined them and asked several questions. After providing the date, location, and circumstances, they were paid something like a hush money by the trade guild, which would inform the knight order, and a team would come later for a detailed explanation.

Next, Kena was led to a long, wide house, one of the largest merchant properties in the area. This building, like the others, had a unique design, with white walls, but the roof, sloping like an isosceles triangle, was covered with tiles. The space extending to the front road resembled a small Gypsy tent for temporarily placing goods.

"What is this mix of Eastern and Western styles?"

"Wa-yo-se-chu... It's a strange-sounding word, isn't it?"

Eirine tilted her head at Kena's exasperated mutter. Uncertain how to respond, Kena explained it as a blend of Eastern and Western cultures. Eirine pondered this, looked at the building again, and nodded deeply.

"I see, Wa-yo-se-chu. I've always felt a sense of unease, but now it makes sense."

Kena was taken aback by how easily it was accepted.

Amidst the movement of dragon people porters and dwarf and dog people servants, Eirine smoothly entered the main entrance, where merchants were constantly coming and going.

According to Eirine, 'Sakai' was an indispensable merchant in this country.

With influence stretching across the continent, they were a foundational merchant family with significant power in the trade guild. Eirine also mentioned that if they were to be on bad terms with them, it would be difficult to do business, so Kena decided to focus on her guard duties.

"Oh, Eirine-sama. How did you manage to come to this country this year?"

"I have some reliable connections. It seems having good friends is indeed valuable."

Eirine started with a light greeting and moved on to business, while the young elf, who seemed to be a representative, listened. Kena, listening to their conversation, marveled at how she would never be able to handle such negotiations, as her emotions would show on her face.

As the conversation progressed, they eventually shook hands, and the negotiation was concluded.

"Is the head of the house here today? I have a letter from Felskeiro."

"A letter? May I see it?"

The young man took the letter that Kena had given to Eirine earlier. After flipping it over and confirming the sender, his face twitched.

"Please wait a moment."

Without waiting for a response, he hurried away, leaving Kena and Eirine exchanging puzzled glances.

After a while, they were ushered into a quiet room with elegant furnishings, where a more imposing figure appeared, a handsome man who seemed to be the head of the Sakai house.

"It's been a while, head of the house."

"It's been a long time, Eirine-sama. I've heard you still have remarkable skills."

The head of the house, who had been sitting on a sofa, stood up and bowed deeply, but Eirine stopped him with a hand and invited him to sit down.

As soon as he approached Kena, he bowed deeply, which startled Eirine.

'Keirick of Sakai' was a person who had established the trade guild a hundred years ago, setting up trade routes across three countries and was revered as a god of merchants. It was hard to imagine anyone other than royalty receiving such a bow. Kena's mind was ringing with the highest level of alarm. It was too late, and the next words blew her mind.

"It's an honor to meet you, grandmother. I am Keirick Sakai, the eldest son of your daughter, MyMy."

"......What?"

"I have heard of your esteemed reputation from my mother. Meeting the guardian of the treasure is truly an honor."

Eirine was stunned by the sudden revelation, but Kena was in a state of panic.

(MyMy's son... that means... a grandchild!? At seventeen, having a grandchild... MyMy might have had other husbands, and there could be more grandchildren and great-grandchildren... If Keirick already has children or grandchildren, I could be a great-grandmother... hahaha)

"Grandmother?"

"Kena-sama?"

Seeing her completely motionless, Eirine found it odd and waved a hand in front of her face. There was no response. Kena was snapped out of her daze by Eirine tapping her shoulder. She took a deep breath and faced the young elf again. His light brown hair and deep blue eyes reminded her of MyMy, but his face was softer and kinder.

"Are you tired from using magic during the journey?"

"Such a thing! You must be exhausted. I'll have a better room prepared for you here, rather than a shabby inn."

"Ah, no, I'm fine. I was just shocked by some facts... MyMy would never forgive me..."

Eirine, sensing the dark emotions emanating from Kena, averted his gaze. A wave of oppressive aura spread from her, and Keirick, hit directly by a fragment of malice, froze.

"Besides, I can relax more in a shabby inn. Don't worry about it."

Eirine, who was becoming closer to Kena, sensed the thorns in her words.

Kena, who had developed a fondness for the inns in the border village and the cheap inns in Felskeiro's capital, was looking forward to staying in a different country's inn.

The simple yet flavorful food, the interactions between students and adventurers, and the street food in the bustling market were hobbies for someone who hadn't eaten with her mouth for more than half her life.

Feeling insulted by the term "shabby," Kena pouted. While it might seem childish, even if the other person was a powerful merchant, he was a stranger to her, and being called a grandmother didn't resonate.

MyMy had kept the existence of her son a secret and brought them together to surprise her. However, an unexpected comment had put Kena in a bad mood, and Keirick was categorized as an "unpleasant" person.

On the other hand, Keirick, overwhelmed by the automatic "oppressive aura" from his grandmother, who was a legendary guardian from ancient times, described as someone who would "crush even family members if angered" (all metaphors from MyMy's bedtime stories), was in a state of panic, wondering where he had gone wrong.

Caught between these two, even Eirine, who was becoming more familiar with Kena, found it impossible to resolve the situation. The best he could do was to leave with the unhappy Kena.

Without knowing the cause, it was impossible to console her. Eirine took the pouting Kena to the inn they always used when visiting this country.

Seeing the Flame Spear Mercenary Guild members already starting a drinking party to recover from their journey, which was a common sight, Eirine wasn't particularly surprised. What was different was the three knights who were questioning their fellow caravan members.

It seemed that while they were lingering at Sakai, the knight order had already arrived. A colleague who noticed Eirine's arrival pointed him out, and the knights, satisfied, approached.

The leader, an elf woman, was looking at Kena with a sympathetic gaze.

"Are you the leader of this caravan?"

"Yes, I'm Eirine. I understand you're from the knight order. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Keirina of the Helshper Knight Order. I apologize for the abruptness, but we need to hear about the incident at the eastern border."

"Of course, I'll answer any questions. First..."

Kena slipped past and headed towards the Flame Spear Mercenary Guild members, who were drinking, and plopped down in an empty seat. It was clear to everyone that she was in a bad mood.

"What's up, miss? Did someone grope you in the crowd?"

"Someone insulted my favorite things. I'm so angry!"

"Well, forget about it with some good food. Hey, innkeeper! Bring this lady your best meal."

Surrounded by familiar faces, Kena calmed down a bit. The stew that arrived quickly thanks to the guild members' order helped her mood improve rapidly. The guild members, noticing her aura returning to its usual gentle state, sighed in relief.

Usually mild-tempered, her magical power was well-known, and it was genuinely scary to anger her, especially in the presence of a third party who might trigger her. Satisfied with good food, she was easily managed, though Kena didn't realize how well her "operating method" was understood by everyone.

"Mmm, delicious!"

"Excuse me, Kena-sama, could you come over here?"

After finishing the simple stew, Kena was called to Eirine's table, where the conversation with the knights had reached a conclusion. Only Keirina, the elf woman knight who seemed to be the leader, remained.

Helshper, while not a country ruled by elves, had the most non-human races among the three countries on the continent, and elves held many important positions. Of course, dwarves and dragon people were also present.

The knight stood up as soon as Kena sat next to Eirine, bowing deeply, which surprised everyone in the room.

"Hey, why are you bowing all of a sudden!?"

"It seems my brother has offended you greatly. I apologize on his behalf, grandmother. I'm very sorry."

Kena, called "grandmother" for the second time that day, was taken aback but noticed that Keirina's face resembled Keirick's.

"Are you related to him?"

"Yes, I am Keirina Sakai, Keirick's twin sister. To call him 'that one'... He must have offended you greatly, grandmother."

Keirina, raising her head, frowned and crossed her arms, while Eirine tilted his head in confusion.

"How did you know so quickly? Did you stop by Sakai on the way here?"

"No, we are twins. We have the ability to communicate without being in the same place."

"Oh, [Special Skill: Telepathy]..."

"Indeed, grandmother. I've heard of such a skill from my mother before."

Even for a [Skill Master] like Kena, there were skills that couldn't be taught to others through [Special Skill: Scroll Creation], and [Telepathy] was one of them.

In the game, it allowed for 75-character telegrams between siblings, parents, and children. Friends who decided to be blood relatives and notified the game operators, with mutual consent, could also obtain this skill. In short, it was like making a blood brother or sister pact, or a peach garden oath.

Kena had such blood relatives in the game, but she had lost contact with all of them. Of course, she hadn't sent emails to all of them, so it couldn't be said that all of them were out of contact.

Strangely, the children she had no memory of making such pacts with also had this skill, and when they met, they threw tantrums when she didn't respond. Since Kena didn't have the skill, she couldn't respond or receive messages. She had to make up plausible lies to get by.

(They must have believed my excuses about being cut off by a barrier and forgetting...)

Kena, no longer angry, accepted Keirina's sincere apology. Noticing how relieved Keirina looked, she asked for the reason.

"I've heard a lot from my mother. 'Crushes even family members if angered' or 'becomes like a demon when angry'..."

"I wouldn't do that!!"

"Miss... That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

"Kena-sama, did you do such things in the past?"

"No, I didn't!! Do I look like a mass murderer?"

The guild members exchanged glances and thought about it.

"Like the 'Ice Flower'?"

"What's with that reaction, everyone!?"

Finding Kena's flustered reaction amusing, Arbuta and the others tried to calm her down or tease her. However, when they pushed her too far, her anger reached a critical point, and it didn't take long for everyone to face the wrath. Incidentally, Keirina was also caught in the crossfire.