The major road passed through the center of the city.
The street is a long and narrow road that withstood the fires of war, wind, and snow, and it still retains the majesty of its former self even after a hundred years had passed since the country has fallen. The road leads to a gentle hill.
I should say that the city’s not a shadow of its former self. There are several piles of collapsed stones. Some of the pillars and walls are still intact, but the decorations and carvings on the surface have crumbled.
The abandoned capital of Mara. Those words sink into my mind.
It’s a stark reminder of what the end of a ruined country will look like
Even now, the storm of war covering this land doesn’t stop. I feel chills down my spine thinking that one day, cruel destruction may come our way.
But, I marvel to see the safe remains from time to time.
The presence of the long overpass reminds me of Rome from my previous life. Probably the waterworks. To build a large city in the center of the plan, one with millions of people, then it’s not just knowledge you need. Civilization is something that naturally occurs near rivers. Water is a necessity of life. Great rivers nurture human culture. The state of civilization against the laws of nature was enough to make me imagine the technological prowess, cultural maturity, and abundant power that Mara had.
I see. I guess the Great Mara wasn’t just a title of honor.
「 Seeing the remains like this, I can see why Marie’s so fascinated by Mara 」
「 Really? 」
「 I can only imagine what it was like back then. The wide road means that it can fit several horse-drawn carriages here, and the size of the pillars of rubble that flank it means that they’re lined up with tall structures, right? If there’s a water system, then there’s a sewer system too 」
「 You’re strangely well informed about this. How can you tell those from a glance? 」
「 Huh?! Oh, I’ve been gathering information from hearing stories from other people. It’s just all trivia 」
I hear some suspicion behind my back so I tried to gloss it over. I can’t just say that I learned it from my previous life.
「 Hmm. Oh well 」
Marie responds vaguely, not showing that she’s convinced or otherwise.
「 I’m more surprised by Marie’s knowledge. I heard a lot of anecdotes about the Mara dungeon from adventurers who’ve gone here before me, but I don’t remember hearing what it was like during their early days 」
「 It’s because people forget what’s been dead for a hundred years. 」
Marie speaks somewhat thorny, but I tried to evade it saying “well yeah…” I sort out my thoughts a little.
「 For example, wouldn’t it be nice if someone remembered how amazing it was, like Marie? 」
「 Is it to mourn for the dead? 」
「 No, for those who survived 」
「 It’s been a hundred years. How could there be survivors? 」
「 I wonder? I don’t know for sure but people are stubborn, you know? Even if you might think that there’s no more connection after a hundred years, you’d be proud to know that there were people who once built a great civilization being your ancestors 」
「 Even if it’s just blood, they don’t know anything about Mara, right? No culture, no technology, no traditions. If they inherited nothing, should you still treat them as someone from Mara? 」
「 Well, it’s complicated. Just because they’re a descendant of Mara, doesn’t mean that they’re special. But, that’s just how it is, right? It’s something they’re born with. It’s hard to deny your blood 」
「 True, you can’t change your lineage 」
「 Accept the good but don’t inherit the bad. I think that’s great 」
「 Even if it means throwing away tradition ad culture? 」
「 In the end, I’m me. Marie is Marie. I think I told you long ago that I was a child of a prostitute and was an orphan, I had no idea who or what my father was. They could be some heinous criminals or soldiers of the enemy country, but they have nothing to do with me. I am me 」
Yes. I am me.
My previous life is just a memory.
「 Zalmen, the all-time incompetent adventurer who’s still at iron rank. That’s me 」
「 I don’t like that part of you 」
「 Ouch! 」
The conversation turned serious so I tried to lighten up the mood by making a self-deprecating joke, but Marie didn’t seem to like it. She mercilessly twists my sides with her fingers.
I almost jumped out unintentionally, but I managed to hold on, knowing that I was on horseback, I shouldn’t lose balance or scare the horse. It hurts so much that I’m tearing up.
「 You’re not some incompetent. You’re my precious and irreplaceable ally. So, don’t say that ever 」
Don’t say that to anyone again.
I realized the reason why I told Marie that.
I’ve had a lot of times where I’ve been the cause for the party to get insulted, and I’m sure I caused them frustration at times.
But now I can level up. I think Marie’s telling me to get stronger and show them. But you know, most people who underestimated me are already buried, so I don’t think there’s anything I can do to show off to them. I think about that from the corner of my head.
But, I know that I shouldn’t talk back.
「 Yeah, I get it. Sorry, Marie 」
「 Stop, I’m also in the wrong 」
「 Hahaha 」
I can’t figure out why Marie was apologizing so I laughed.
Suddenly, I feel a weight on my back. Marie stretched her back to cover me, putting her hand around my neck, grabbing my chin, and forcing me to turn around. Soft, and sweet. I feel something fresh on my lips 」
「 Here’s my apology 」
She kissed me for some reason and then turned away with a soft look on her face.
The connection between Marie’s attitude and actions and the back and forth with our conversation is something I don’t understand. I’m confused. I don’t know. Why did she kiss me?
「 Oh, thanks 」
Anyway, I squeezed out the best I could and the response I gave was such a mess.
I hurry the horse to cover my embarrassment.
Our destination is just around the corner. Let’s hurry. Adventure is calling me. My companions are waiting for me. I’m going to make it as an adventurer starting with this quest. I use some reasons I know are clearly false and squeeze them on my brain. If I don’t, my brain would be filled with Marie.
I had to brace my consciousness.
I’m ashamed of how unclear I am.