Chapter 32

The imperial capital was also a port town that spread along the lake.

"Is this a lake?"

"Hehe, it's natural for Your Highness to be surprised since it's your first time seeing it. I didn't have such a large lake in my hometown either."

I've seen lakes before in my previous life, but this one is much larger than Lake Biwa. Even in the evening light, I could see the waves.

Looking left and right, I couldn't see the end of the lake. Moreover, on the right side, there were grand ships with their sails furled, lined up, more impressive than the lookout platform we were on.

"Those are sailing ships? Is the whole corner of the lake a port?"

"You know a lot. That area is the commercial district, where goods are transported to the capital using rivers."

Moreover, the lights were on even in the evening. It seemed that some shops opened at this hour, with their windows and doors open.

"Are there taverns or something?"

"There are taverns for commoners. But they're not places for Your Highness to visit."

"That's fine, but isn't oil expensive?"

I remember hearing that oil was expensive even in Japan's Edo period. There were also stories about how cheap oil produced a lot of soot and had a strong smell.

"The noble-quality lamp oil is expensive. The lower quality ones are just animal fat with a wick."

"Really?"

"Just to add, there are old houses that sell high-priced equipment called 'small thunder lamps.' They light up without using fire when a bit of magic is channeled through them. The light you see there is from those."

The reason they are sold from old houses is that usable items are recycled when the houses are dismantled. At the same time, no one understands how these small thunder lamps work. They are also designed for commoners and are too crude to be used in the palace, and they can't be replicated. The nobles also use fire to assert their authority by consuming wood and oil.

I looked at the light from the small thunder lamps again. It didn't flicker like a flame and wasn't red, so it was clearly different from other lights.

"Could it be electricity?"

"Wait, could those small thunder lamps be...?"

"I think it's alchemy. I'll show you an experiment to generate electricity tomorrow. I think the light will be similar."

Is this a lost technology?

If it's useful, it should still exist.

(Sephirah, what could be the reason for a technology that is still in use to be lost?)

(If it is still in use, it is likely that it was once widely produced and distributed but failed to develop new demand.)

It was built to be sturdy and durable, so it still functions. When the population increased and demand arose, there were no new producers to meet the demand, and the knowledge was lost as fewer people knew about alchemy.

There might be alchemists who can make them, but people have forgotten how to find them.

"The world is harsh..."

I gazed at the lake, which was dyed by the twilight, and sighed.

"The small thunder lamps are only in the hands of commoners in the capital. In larger towns, perhaps, but in villages, people go to bed at dusk rather than using oil lamps."

"There's a difference in living standards."

"In rural areas, even two-story houses are rare."

Is it because they can't design roofs to support the structure?

I understand that the cultural level is different, but how much?

The capital looks like it's from the early modern period.

But if two-story buildings are difficult, that's more like the medieval period?

How can there be such a difference in cultural levels within the same cultural sphere?

Oh, right... In my previous life, there were poor countries, and the urban and rural areas could be a century apart in development, even on the same continent.

"This area is a tourist spot, so it's well-maintained."

"So, there are areas in the capital that are like villages?"

"Not exactly. But the security is different. So, stay close to me."

It was a lesson.

(Search, search, search)

Sephirah, left to her own devices, seemed to be scanning the lake with enthusiasm. She has the ability to read without opening a book, but it seems she can also investigate without entering the water.

(Abnormal wave patterns)

She's saying something, but I can't see any changes in the lake.

"Herkov, is there something wrong? Sephirah says she detected an abnormality in the lake."

"What are you doing? But it's so dark... Oh? Is that a monster?"

Herkov's voice changed, and he muttered ominously.

I squinted and saw something moving in the waves.

"Is that a dorsal fin?"

"Please step back, it's a monster."

Herkov moved me away from the lake and shielded me with his back. He then reached behind him and unstrapped the sword tied to his back.

According to Herkov, it's a rule in the capital that only authorized soldiers can carry their swords in a way that allows them to draw them quickly. Therefore, it's polite to wear the sword on your back, tied in a way that it won't fall out.

"Quick..."

Herkov, who was supposed to have a hard time drawing his sword, untied the cord in one breath and then drew the sword from its sheath.

"Run!"

A shout came from the direction of the dorsal fin.

Looking closely, I saw a group of people rowing a small boat vigorously behind the monster. The metal on their weapons was reflecting the sunset.

"Damn, who are these hunters?"

As Herkov grumbled, the monster with the dorsal fin emerged from the water.

"Marlin!?"

What appeared was a fish with a sharp face and a large dorsal fin, larger than the tall Herkov. It leaped toward us, splashing water.

Moreover, the water followed it unnaturally, which was probably due to magic. Monsters can use one type of magic. I knew they were called monsters because they were different from animals, but I didn't expect this kind of use!

Wait, aren't marlins supposed to be sea fish!?

"Hmph!"

Unlike me, who was surprised, Herkov calmly took a step forward and swung his sword. It was a rough, almost brutal swing, but the power was immense. The marlin was struck by a single blow and landed on the lookout platform.

Just that, and the monster stopped moving without any struggle.

"What did you do?"

"Hehe, my clan hunts and eats fish-type monsters. This kind of thing is a piece of cake. Salmon, which get aggressive during spawning, are much more troublesome."

Salmon! Bears and salmon!

I really want to see that!

And in this world, are marlins freshwater fish?

Herkov scratched his ear, looking a bit embarrassed, as if he could sense my thoughts.

"I've been away from home for a long time, and I'm over forty, so my skills are a bit rusty."

"Sorry!"

As Herkov muttered, a voice called out. The people who had finally rowed their boat to the base of the lookout platform were hurriedly disembarking.

"Hey, you bumbling hunters!"

The hunters, who were mostly teenagers, flinched at the sight of Herkov's fierce, bear-like face. They seemed intimidated by his presence.

To me, their courage to make a living by hunting monsters was impressive. So, I tugged on Herkov's sleeve and made a small request.

"Since I got to see you in action, could you not be too harsh on them?"

"Well, that's a bit... I can't help it."

Herkov grumbled but relaxed his fierce expression.

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Next: First Time in the Capital 3