Chapter 36

□ Duel City Gideon <Café Melon Honey> 【Paladin】Ray Sterling

Liliana Grandria is the Tia I first spoke to in <Infinite Dendrogram>.

From her natural responses and the living presence I sensed from her, I never thought she was Tia—an NPC.

Even now, this feeling remains, and even though I know it's a game, I can't think of her as a game character.

Our first meeting was rather pitiful, as I was sent flying by her and ended up with a broken bone, but right after that quest, I ended up helping her younger sister, Miriane.

I think I was able to help Miriane then mostly thanks to her brother and Nemesis.

However, it was through that connection that she also helped me become a 【Paladin】.

Many things have happened since then, but if it weren't for our meeting, I might not have met Luke and Marie, nor come to this Gideon.

It's certain that she is one of the major factors in my current situation.

◇

"It's been a while, Ray. I see you've come to Gideon."

"Yes, I arrived here the day before yesterday."

For some reason, I end up using polite language, but it can't be helped.

Even though she says it's been a while, it's only been about eight days since we last met.

...I feel like a lot has happened, but only ten days have passed here, and in the real world, it's only been about three days.

The days in <Infinite Dendrogram> are just too dense.

"By the way, those dog ears...?"

"Let's not get into it. So, what's with the large group you're with, Liliana?"

Seeing that Liliana seems troubled, I decided to ask about the situation.

Around her are knights wearing similar armor, carrying the same flag, and bearing the same emblem.

Liliana's position is Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard and a 【Paladin】.

So, the knights with her are likely from the Royal Guard as well?

"Ray, it's that..."

"Grandria! Don't say anything to outsiders!"

A man standing beside her interrupts Liliana, who was about to tell me something.

He's the one who was questioning the shop owner when I entered.

He's glaring at me, or rather, at the back of my left hand.

"But, Lord Lindos, Ray is also a 【Paladin】."

"Being the same profession doesn't mean anything. We must fulfill our duties without relying on <Masters>."

It seems he is indeed Liliana's colleague and a 【Paladin】 of the Royal Guard.

Moreover, he doesn't seem to like <Masters>.

‘It’s understandable that he dislikes them, but...’

Nemesis's telepathic whisper.

Indeed, the Royal Guard of this Alter Kingdom has reasons to dislike <Masters>.

In the previous war, <Masters> didn't lend much help, and some even wreaked havoc under the enemy's command. They were even responsible for the king's assassination. So, it's not surprising that he dislikes <Masters>.

"But, there are things that can only be known because of <Masters>. Now is not the time to be concerned about methods or face."

"...You have a point. Then, I will ask Grandria to search from that angle. We will search for Her Highness on our own. And please limit the <Masters> you request assistance from to those you trust."

"I understand. Please be careful as well."

"I know, let's go! Next is Fourth Street."

Lord Lindos gives instructions to the other knights and leaves the shop.

Left in the shop are Nemesis, Liliana, and I, along with the relieved shop owner.

‘Hmm. He seems to be a straightforward and impulsive person, but he can also be flexible when necessary.’

Perhaps a <Master>-disliking, impulsive knight is in a situation where he has no choice but to accept help from a <Master>.

"I'm sorry, Ray. Lord Lindos isn't a bad person, but..."

"It's fine. He seemed to be in a hurry."

"Yes, about that, I have something to tell you as well, Ray."

Liliana then took out a photo from her pocket.

It brings back memories of our first meeting.

However, the person in the photo is not Miriane.

"Have you seen this person anywhere?"

The person in the photo is a girl.

She looks younger than Nemesis, probably under ten years old.

Her beauty is among the top in the women I've seen in <Infinite Dendrogram>. If we include both genders, the undisputed number one is Luke.

The girl in the photo has curly blonde hair and slightly strong blue eyes.

Additionally, her clothing is of high quality. Even to a layman, it's clear that it's an expensive dress.

Her posture, sitting straight in a high-quality chair, gives off a vibe similar to a formal engagement photo. The only issue is that she's a bit too young.

Anyway, I have no recollection of seeing such a strikingly beautiful girl.

"I'm sorry, but I don't recognize her. Who is this girl?"

Judging from the commotion in the Royal Guard and this photo, she must be the daughter of a noble family or something.

"Eh!? Uh, well..."

Liliana looks surprised and then turns to me with a troubled expression.

It's more of a look of confusion rather than reluctance to talk about the girl.

It's as if she's asking, "Why are you asking me this?" like someone who's been asked 1+1.

However, she answers me, who genuinely doesn't know.

"This is Her Highness, the Second Princess Elizabeth S. Alter of the Alter Kingdom."

"......Ah."

‘It’s a common sense question, so it’s understandable that she’s confused. Even I, who share memories with you, didn’t know.’

Moreover, I'm a 【Paladin】, and I should have known.

I should have at least checked the setting of the Alter Kingdom.

"So, you're looking for the princess, which means..."

"...Her Highness, who was visiting Gideon, went missing this morning, and the Royal Guard is currently searching for her."

It feels like a major trouble is brewing.

◇

So, I was told the details of the princess's disappearance from Liliana, starting from before the incident.

First, the Second Princess is the daughter of the late king, who died in the war with Dryf.

Currently, her older sister, the First Princess, is serving as the regent.

The king has three daughters and no sons.

While the Alter Kingdom doesn't have a strict rule that only males can inherit, there is a strong tendency towards male preference.

Therefore, even six months after the succession, the official coronation has not taken place, and the Second Princess remains as the Second Princess.

Next, the reason she is in Gideon is that she was attending a public event as part of her official duties.

She arrived in Gideon the day before yesterday and entered the residence of the Lord of Gideon.

Yesterday, she had a meeting with the Earl of Gideon, who governs Gideon, and prepared for the official duties scheduled for the next day.

Today, she was also scheduled to prepare for the event and meet with influential people in the city.

However, this morning, when the attendant maid entered the princess's bedroom, the princess was gone, leaving only an empty shell.

A note with the royal seal, stating "I will return by evening," was left behind, and it was clear from the handwriting and the method that she had left on her own.

It was also known that the princess had been saying she wanted to see the city of Gideon, but was discouraged and pouted.

Additional information:

Liliana was being vague, but the princess is very spoiled, overly active, and extremely curious, to the point of being uncontrollable.

In other words, this incident is simply the princess running away to sightsee in Gideon.

However, they can't just leave her, so the Royal Guard is currently searching the entire Gideon.

If I have anything to say about this information, it would be:

"Isn't the security too lax?"

How could such a small child escape? Is it really okay?

"There's nothing I can say..."

However, it seems there was a reason for this.

This morning, around the time the princess was thought to have run away, there was an issue.

It was the handover of the princess's security from the Third Knight Regiment to the Royal Guard.

Now, why did this procedure become an issue? There's a reason for that as well.

Originally, this visit was decided a long time ago.

At that time, the entire journey from the capital to Gideon, including security in Gideon, was supposed to be handled by the Royal Guard.

However, the departure was delayed due to the PK incident.

Just as the PK incident was resolved and they were about to depart, the Royal Guard was stopped.

It was due to the disappearance of the <Noz Forest>.

The culprit, the "unknown" 【Destruction King】, is suspected, but there is no evidence.

However, an investigation is necessary... and Liliana, who is the only one in the kingdom with a connection to the 【Destruction King】, was assigned to the task. There were others besides Liliana, but they all died in the previous war.

Now, Liliana is the Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard.

Moreover, the current Commander is vacant, so she is effectively the top.

It was problematic for the Royal Guard to take on the princess's security without her.

Due to the delay caused by the PK incident, the schedule was tight, so the Third Knight Regiment was hastily assigned to escort the princess to Gideon.

This was the beginning of the trouble.

Liliana and the Royal Guard, who had completed the investigation of the <Noz Forest> and the questioning of the 【Destruction King】, arrived in Gideon this morning.

She immediately tried to take over the security duties from the Third Knight Regiment.

During the handover, they were supposed to confirm each other's orders and documents, but... the documents were somehow inconsistent.

It was a major discrepancy, to the point of "How did this happen?"

In the end, both knight regiments spent over an hour reconciling the documents and confirming with the capital via communication magic.

Just as they were finally done and ready to start the security duties with renewed determination... they discovered the princess had run away.

"...Well, that's something."

She probably took advantage of the confusion during the handover to run away.

She must have planned it.

‘The document discrepancies might have been set up by the princess herself.’

Haha, no way.

...But, thinking about it, it does sound like her.

By the way, the questioning of the 【Destruction King】 by Liliana can be summarized as follows:

"Did you do it?"

‘YES’

"Why did you do such a thing?"

‘I did it out of frustration. I have repented.’

"I see. By the way, the <Noz Forest> is a state-run logging site. Please compensate for the damage to the burned wood. The total is 130 million ril."

‘...Take it, thief!!’

"I am an officer of the law."

As a result, the kingdom lost the <Noz Forest> but gained immediate funds, which was very helpful.

My reaction was, "Top players can just hand over 130 million ril like that, huh?"

"Still, out of frustration... What a troublesome story."

"Yes. Please give him a stern talking-to next time."

"Eh, ah, yes."

From me... why?

◇

After telling me about the princess's disappearance, Liliana rushed off to search for the Second Princess.

She seems to be someone who always struggles with finding people.

Maybe she was born under a star that makes her do that.

"Well, it's a big deal, but this time it's just a runaway, so if I see her, I'll just tell Liliana."

If she had been kidnapped by someone, it would be different, but this is just a sightseeing runaway.

At this point, it doesn't seem like it will end badly.

"I don't think you should make such careless statements, though."

"Huh?"

"Think about your history. Don't things just keep coming to you? Regardless of whether it's Tia, monsters, or <Masters>."

...That's true.

"I don't know how much other <Masters> get involved in troublesome things, but I think you're far above average."

I thought my days were dense, but...

"If that knight girl was born under a star for finding people, then you were born under a star for causing trouble. I don't recommend setting up flags yourself."

"Yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

As we were having this conversation, I started to get hungry.

I decided to have a meal, which was my original purpose for entering the shop, and spoke to the shop owner.

"Excuse me, can I have a meal now?"

"Yes, of course. The knights were here until just a moment ago, so we couldn't serve customers. We need to start making money now."

"By the way, you were being questioned earlier. Why was that?"

"Our shop is popular with young women, so they might have come to investigate."

"Hmm? If it's popular with young women, is this shop...?"

"A sweets shop."

Hearing this, Nemesis's eyes lit up.

"Alright! Master! Let's eat to our heart's content!"

"But we just bought new equipment, so we shouldn't spend too much money."

"Two gacha pulls for 200,000 ril."

"Alright, eat as much as you like."

An hour later, Nemesis, who had eaten her fill of sweets and was patting her stomach, and I, who was holding an item box with only 10,000 ril left, left the shop.

That's overeating.

That's overeating!

"At least it's cheaper than your gacha pulls."

I have no response to that.

"Shall we go outside the city and open the gacha now?"

"Aye. I hope it's worth more than 200,000 ril."

...Yeah, please, God.

◇

I returned to the <Nex Plains> where I tested the 【Miasma Gauntlets】 this morning.

I moved far enough away from the city walls and the road, crossing a few dozen meters of grass.

I'm not sure how much space the capsule's warning about "open in a wide area" requires, but this should be enough to avoid any issues if a house or ship comes out.

"I don't want to cause any trouble by damaging the city walls or blocking the road."

"Then, let's open it."

"Alright."

I took out the rarity X capsule and twisted it open.

Something popped out of it.

The scene reminded me of the Pokémon breeding games that are still being released.

The association likely comes from what came out of the capsule.

"...What is this?"

I was worried it might be a house or a ship, but it wasn't that big.

It was smaller than the carriage the shopkeeper mentioned as an example.

Actually, it was half the size of that.

It was a horse.

But it might not be a living creature.

Its surface was made of polished plate mail-like silver metal.

It had the silhouette of a horse, made of armor-like plates, and its eyes were embedded with shining white orbs.

It looked like a robotic horse.

"Not a monster, then?"

The details of this item, which apparently belongs to me, were displayed as follows:

【Shining Jade Horse - Silver Wind】

『Special Equipment』 (Riding)

One of the five Shining Jade Horses created by the renowned craftsman Flagman of the previous civilization.

"Walker in the Wind"

Details unknown.

Equipment Skills:

- 《Ride》

- 《Wind Hooves》

- 《???》 (Unlocked Skill)

...What does "details unknown" mean?

From this description, I can only tell that it's an equipment item that can be ridden and seems to have a wind attribute.

I compared the window with the description and the 【Shining Jade Horse - Silver Wind】—Silver is fine—standing there.

Silver, unaware of my confusion, stood quietly on all fours.

On closer inspection, its face had the silhouette of a horse but no mouth.

Since it's said to be created by the renowned craftsman Flagman, it's likely a robot.

However, it occasionally makes a sound like a neigh from inside, scratches the ground with its hooves, and sways its fibrous tail, just like a real horse.

But the way it looks around, seemingly at something in the air, gives it a somewhat cat-like quality.

"Maybe I should just try riding it."

"Indeed."

Fortunately, it came with reins, a saddle, and stirrups, so it seemed ready to ride.

I approached cautiously, worried it might kick me, but Silver was very calm.

When I took the reins, it lay down on the ground, making it easy to mount.

Oh, what a well-trained and friendly horse.

I immediately took a liking to Silver.

I wanted to ride it and gallop across this plain.

I mounted the saddle and put my feet in the stirrups. Silver stood up.

"Wow..."

The view from the horse was quite impressive. It was much higher than my usual two-legged walking or the time I rode a pony.

Silver seemed eager to run, moving its hooves.

"Be careful."

Nemesis, who was watching from the side, was right. It would be too difficult to ride two people at once, especially for the first time.

I'll let her take a turn after a short ride.

"Alright, let's go. Giddy up, Silver!"