Chapter 37

Hello from inside the express carriage, this is probably the second time. It's me, Hermann. We are now on the 10th day of the carriage journey, and we are scheduled to arrive at the Northern Temple of the capital by noon tomorrow. ...Isn't that quick? If you thought so, you're right. Yes, it is. According to the plan, there were supposed to be more attacks, and we were even scheduled to spend a night in a village along the way.

It seems that I was partly responsible. There were 18 attacks in total. I dealt with all of them alone and as quickly as possible, minimizing the number of times the carriage had to stop. As a result, we smoothly reached town after town and ended up completing the journey in the shortest possible time of 11 days. I was told that if it had been just the clerics, it wouldn't have been this fast. All thanks to my talent, I suppose. I feel that way without any modesty. Along the way, orcs even appeared. Three of them together. I thought, "This might be too much, I might need some help," but the orcs were unusually slow, and I was able to behead them easily, so it was over quickly. I wonder what the strength of three goblins was. Their agility was completely lacking.

I think I had a harder time with seven kobolds than with three orcs. I even had to use my Mangoosh on the kobolds. I only used it when I deflected their claws, but the rapier's fighting style emphasizes not receiving attacks. Once you receive an attack, you're likely to be on the defensive. However, by the time I received the attack, I had already beheaded five of them, so the rest was just a matter of routine. Thanks to that, I was called a "head-hunter swordsman" by Sister Marie, but what can I do? Given the nature of the rapier, you can only behead, stab the head, neck, or heart. Beheading is the easiest. Stabbing takes more time for the next action, which is the motion of pulling out.

So, we are likely to arrive at the capital during the cold season, which is still too early for the planting season, but there's no harm in being early, and it's fine. Moreover, the road to the capital is said to be a festival of attacks tomorrow. It's a straight shot from the town to the capital, but it passes right next to a demon territory. Multiple attacks are expected. However, even if that section takes longer, we should arrive by noon or evening, so there's no problem. It's just that more attacks mean more trouble, as it's just more of the same work. ...That's why I'm called a "head-hunter swordsman." I don't like it if that name sticks. I'd prefer a nickname that indicates I'm an alchemist.

However, we haven't had any attacks here, even though we're near a demon territory. The two places where we had the most attacks were probably demon territories that become active in winter. In contrast, the capital's demon territory is likely to become active in summer. Otherwise, stray monsters would have come to this area. Even with the many adventurers in the capital, it's impossible to hunt all the monsters that come out of the demon territory, especially during the active period when they come out in large numbers at night. ...But it's just pocket money for the adventurers.

So, the 10th day passed without any incidents. We arrived at a town as usual. If you thought an attack would happen because I wrote about it, sorry, there were no attacks. The attacks are on hold until the 11th day. And every night, my futon and pillow are always taken. Sadly, even the Holy One uses them without hesitation. Well, it's mostly Sister Marie's fault.

In the morning, farmers wake up early. Strictly speaking, it's still night, but it's morning, right? It's morning because I'm up. And I wash my face. It's tough in the winter, but I thought the area near the capital would be a bit warmer since it's on the south side. But it's just as cold. The only relief is that it's not freezing. For breakfast, we have barley porridge with dried meat. I've been eating this a lot, but I don't get tired of it because my taste buds aren't used to high-quality food. I'm grateful for that. Even if I did get tired of it, there's nothing else to eat.

The clerics are also having breakfast. Clerics generally wake up early. I don't know much about the religion of this world, only the Star Arrangement Ceremony. I don't know much about the gods. ...I know it's polytheistic and there's some kind of spirit worship, but I don't know the details. I do know that the sun god is the most important god. The talent is also granted by the sun god. That's why the bell rings at noon, and that's when the talent is granted. My previous self wondered if there was a creator god, but if there isn't, there isn't. Maybe everyone created a little bit, or maybe the sun god created everything, but I'll leave that to the religious scholars. For now, the sun god is great. Thank you, sun god. That's enough.

So, the 11th day of the carriage journey has started. As usual, my futon is occupied by four people. I'm used to it, but it hurts my heart that I'm the only one using a pillow. This is for the best, yes. So, how many attacks will we have today? I actually want to be attacked once. I want to check what's in the demon territory near the capital, and the lowest-level monsters should come out. Goblins or kobolds, or maybe a new species. I don't want anything too strong.

Beep---

So, about 30 minutes after the carriage started moving, we were attacked.

"Two goblins, from the front right!"

"I'm on it!"

The lowest-level monsters were goblins. I'm used to them, so I'm not worried. ...But there might be stronger individuals, so I won't be careless. After confirming that the carriage has stopped, I run to the front right. I'll behead both of them in one go. I run between the two, and at the distance where my sword will touch, I swing it in a large arc from the lower position, aiming for their necks. I behead the first one, and with the momentum, I behead the second one. I beheaded two heads with one swing. The battle is over. The goblins from this demon territory are not much different from the others. I finish the cleanup and head back to the carriage.

Back in the carriage, I take care of my rapier. I don't neglect maintenance; I don't want to lose. However, the water attribute demon territory near the capital is a lake. There are several horizons mixed together. ...There are no trees, so the view is good. This is a demon territory, though. I don't know how big it is. At least I know it's northwest of the capital. I'll probably visit it many times during my time at the Alchemical Academy.

Beep---

So, about 10 minutes after the previous attack, we are attacked again. What is it this time? Goblins?

"Two goblins, from the front!"

"Understood!"

The formation is the same as before, but the distance between the two is wider. ...I can't do it in one swing. I run through the gap and behead the goblin on the left. One down. The other goblin stops and faces me, then jumps at me. Why does it jump at me? Is it a monster that wants to be a target? More like, don't run through the gap. It's probably just stupid. While in the air, it can't avoid my attack... I swing my rapier at the neck of the second goblin that jumped at me. Two down. The battle is over. I throw the bodies into the Extend Space and finish the cleanup. I head back to the carriage quickly.

The clerics are now just waiting without even drawing their weapons. They've recognized that I can handle most monsters on my own, so they don't even prepare. I don't mind being trusted. We won't be attacked from two directions, so they can enjoy a safe and secure journey. The Holy One is even dozing off in the carriage. The attendants wake him up from time to time, but the Holy One, who used to be a farmer, isn't weak in the morning. There are no farmers who are weak in the morning.

So, we arrived at the capital with fewer attacks than expected. It's still morning. Was it good luck, or should I be disappointed that my preparedness was unnecessary? Anyway, we arrived at the capital without any problems. At the gate, the driver is being questioned, but it's nothing serious. He's just being asked routine questions like where we came from and the purpose of our visit. It's not aggressive; it's a normal checkpoint. That makes sense. People riding in a two-horse express carriage are of a certain status. They might be cautious, but they won't be aggressive. My previous self read too many stories. They have a job to do, so they do it properly.

We pass through the gate of the capital and reach our destination. This is the capital. ...Isn't it basically just a stone wall surrounding a town, not much different from a provincial capital? I can see the castle in the distance, but... in the distance? Isn't it in the center of the capital? Isn't it too big? The distance feels like half the distance between villages. The carriage stops right after entering the capital.

"Boy, this is as far as you go. The Adventurer's Guild is here, so report the attacks. By the way, the Alchemists' Guild is on the south side of the capital. It's quite far, but walk there. I have to go to the Northern Temple of the capital."

"Understood. ...Come on, Sister Marie, stop pouting and give me back the futon. Just a little longer, please bear with it."

"Okay, I understand. Goodbye, Hermann, it was fun."

"Goodbye, Sister Marie. I think this is really goodbye this time."

I collect the two futons from the clerics and get off the carriage. ...If the Adventurer's Guild is at the North Gate, there might be one at each of the gates. Eight in the capital? Or maybe four. ...I'll just ask at the guild. I need to report the attacks anyway. So, off to the capital's Adventurer's Guild.

Whether you found it interesting or not, I appreciate your feedback. If you could include a rating, that would be great. If you could also provide some comments or pointers, I think it would help me improve my writing, even as a casual reader.

...Probably.