The time is when the low sun will turn into sunset.
The carriage that had been driving on, rumbling its wheels, came to a place right in front of a certain town, our destination today.
The starting point of the trip would be around Hachioji if it were in Tokyo, right?
If we look at the map, we moved east from the territory of Marquis de Blaureite, and now we’re placed near the royal capital in just one more day after three days of travel.
Recently, I’ve gotten used to the city of Recti, where I now live, so I was a bit nervous to be on the move again, but once we got started, the trip wasn’t a bad one.
The duke, who is traveling with us on a different carriage, has provided us with a servant to take care of our personal needs.
The Duke has invited me to his estate to spend the night in his territory.
We’re heading to the capital together, so I had to prepare for that and many other things for the visit.
I was expecting to see a big castle, but it was more of a mansion.
The city isn’t that large, probably a medium-sized city in this country.
This is an old building, dating back to the early days of the country’s founding about 600 years ago, I did get a taste of the era when I was shown a few pieces of art given by the first King.
As I was wandering around, Nia spoke up as she looked out.
「 Euphy-nee, so this is the town with the amazing people you told me about yesterday? 」
「 Yes. The lord of this land is one of the most powerful men in Loureshou. He’s a solid fighter with cane martial arts at level four and a high level of light magic, he’s known as the Indomitable Silas 」
I know that too.
I’m told that it’s an old man whose name is Silas Dawson.
「 I see. Who’s stronger, him or Euphy-nee? 」
「 Well… At this point, I can’t say that I can win for sure. I heard that his armor is made of dragon scales. I doubt that a steel sword can compete. Of course, if I aim at the chink of his armor, then I can get through, but he won’t allow that to happen so easily 」
Even Euphy, who has level four swordsmanship and is filled with confidence, decides that she can’t beat this opponent who has an equal skill level and good equipment.
It’s magic armor after all.
I’ve seen some magic tools in this world, but not weapons and armor yet.
From what I heard, it’s quite rare.
The Adicilton house has a magic sword, which was used by Gilbert-san’s son as he was known as the sword saint, but he seems to have been lost during the mess of war.
I think Nyhied took it away.
While listening to our conversation, the carriage passes through the castle gate.
Every time I think about it, this is the privilege of the nobility to pass through the line of people trying to get into the town before nightfall.
Come to think of it, I can do the same in Nyhied in a sense.
Hmm, if I were alone, I’d feel sorry for the people and get in the line.
Arriving at the inn, the room was already prepared and the meals and other stuff had been brought in by the servants.
Everything’s taken care of, but Nia and I aren’t used to it so we kept thanking them.
In contrast, Euphy treats the servants quite well.
As expected from someone with that upbringing. It seemed that she was in a good mood and Nia and I were envious that she was exaggerating her ladylike behavior than usual, as if it was making some sounds.
She’s acting based on her past painful experience and me. She usually acts mature, but she also has some age-appropriate side to her, and it balances out.
Speaking of which, I think that has increased since Nia accompanied us.
If it was just me, it would’ve taken a longer time to take that out.
We’re staying with the Duke, but we’re separated from him.
A while after dinner, the servants would come and I was called alone.
「 Kotori, accompany me for a night drink 」
The duke, who had been drinking alone, is sitting on a sofa with a glass of wine in hand, and his pale skin is lightly flushed.
「 Of course. I bought it for you the other day, and you seem to like it, so I have this prepared today as well 」
「 Oh, that one? The salami Kotori brought was delicious, so I’m eager to try it again. I’m happy. Sit down 」
Please don’t make it sound like my salami’s delicious as it sounds wrong.
I want to hear it from someone plump and moisturized, not someone wrinkled.
I put the plate with the salami that the elf maid cut for me on the table, and sat down opposite to the Duke while I was thinking that.
I knew from his complexion that he was already tipsy.
His usual stern expression softens somewhat.
Duke poured me a glass and I took a sip.
In Japan, I never thought of drinking wine willingly, but I had my opportunities to drink wine since coming to this world.
But, this alcohol’s a bit strong.
I usually dilute the stuff served at inns and restaurants with water, so the stuff straight from the bottle seems thicker.
Maybe I’m getting weaker since I’ve been drinking less since coming to this world, or since I started moving with Euphy.
As I sipped the wine, we had a chat about how the day’s itinerary went, whether the servants had any complaints, the stories about the region, and other trivial matters.
It’s a little awkward, but since we’ve been together for a few days already, the conversation is much smoother.
He wasn’t talking to me at all at the start.
We had some conversations but there was still some distance between us, remembering the conversation we had with Euphy earlier, I asked a question.
「 Speaking of which, did the Lord come and greet you? 」
「 His wife came to see me. I heard that Lord Silas is in the Captial 」
「 Is that so? Seems like Silas-sama is a famous person. I hear that he’s strong 」
「 Indeed. The only person in Loureshou who can compete with him today is Morilatol 」
Morilatol, a name that came out of nowhere, is the current head of the Dukedom of Morilatol, one of the five great noble families in the country.
Loureshou has two people whose skills are at level four, one of them is Silas, the lord of this land, and the other is Duke Morilatol.
He’s a strong magician I heard.
Still, he addresses Silas with a respectful despite being lower in rank, and yet nothing on Morilatol, who’s on an equal rank.
I guess it’s because Morilatol is a family name, and I think his personality is showing here.
He sipped from his wine glass and continued.
「 That man’s rarely seen by the public, but he’s a righteous man and a brilliant one who rushes in when the country is in turmoil. It makes me wish I had a child like him… 」
Then that means he has a son who is the same age.
Still, you’re praising while feeling annoyed. What a dark emotion.
The Duke put salami in his mouth and tasted it slowly, and then he gave me a look as he gulped another glass of wine.
「 Certainly, there are some outstanding people in the Morilatol house even now. However, Carlitz house also had a hero in the past who reached level four skills. And that was my Great-Grandfather, the Black Blade Liberior. If he had lived at the same time as my great-grandfather, then my great-grandfather would certainly be superior 」
「 I see. It’s surprising to hear about Carlitz house’s ancestors. That’s great. May I ask for anecdotes about him? 」
「 Ooh. Kotori is interested in the Carlitz house’s history? Very well. Let’s tell you the story. Hey, bring in another bottle! 」
It’s a good learning experience to hear from strong people with level four skills.
I asked out of curiosity, and then the Duke told his servant to bring more wine.
Then, over two hours of drinks, I was able to hear what happened about 200 years ago.
I was told various anecdotes, and it seems that the ancestor in question was the one who made the Carlitz house most prosperous.
He was a dagger wielder who always wore a black cloak and defeated all his opponents during his time
Why does it sound like he’s an assassin or something?
By the time the story finished, I was already tipsy, and the Duke was drunk.
He’s starting to fall asleep, or maybe he’s half awake, nodding off.
I’ve been seeing the duke for the past few days and he’s quite the aristocratic man. Very proud of the history of the Carlitz family.
A little more to the point, he seems ambitious and cunning
That, and he’s quite a show-off, a man who softens when he’s drinking, but otherwise, he gives off the impression of being cold-hearted and demanding
I can tell from the attitude of the servants who treat him as if they’re trying not to offend him.
You may feel like he’s a jerk from hearing all that, but I don’t hate it.
After all, I can tell that he’s being considerate to Euphy and others.
I guess it’s also partly because I’m commissioned to do it, but it’s more because I’m the one who has to deal with the booze day after day.
People of my older generation use the term bonding over alcohol, and this is how it feels.
Well, he’s a bit of a pain in the ass, but he’s not a bad guy at least.
I took the wine glass which was slightly full from the Duke’s hand as it was about to fall, and placed it on the desk.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling as he spoke up.
「 Oh, Kotori… Euphilite’s uniform has been prepared… Also…was it Nia? That girl’s maid outfit, and Kotori’s too… As soon as we arrive at the capital… 」
He says, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply.
Looks like he won’t be waking up again, so I’ll be heading back.
Leaving the room and informing the servants waiting outside the door that the duke’s fallen asleep, several men entered the room.
I guess they’ll carry him from couch to bed, but that’s for someone with great status.
When I returned to my room, Nia noticed and came to me.
She went to me with a smile and hugged me, but immediately got off.
「 Daiki-nii, you smell like alcohol 」
「 Does it stink that much? 」
「 Yeah. It smells really bad. Euphy-nee, he smells like alcohol, right? 」
「 Indeed. It smells like liquor. How about we wash it off first? 」
Nia looked at me with a frown, and Euphy’s usual smile turned slightly troubled.
I don’t remember drinking that much, but when I think about it, we opened several bottles of wine.
From how it looks, they’ll tell me that I still smell even after taking a bath and I’ll be sleeping alone again today.