Around this time, clouds were already covering the blue sky, and it made me feel like I saw something unusual.
It’s a strange thing. In my previous world, clouds were not uncommon. But in our future life, clouds and rain will probably be a common thing.
Anxiety.
Perhaps because I’ve spent a long time in the wasteland, I feel a thread of loneliness somehow.
It’s unmanly. I gripped the steering wheel while thinking so.
After crossing several hundreds of kilometers, we finally reached the entrance of the Kingdom of Sandra today.
It’s been about two days since we’ve left the town.
By the way, let’s change the topic a little bit. When I was still living in j.a.pan, I often heard people saying that “j.a.pan is small”. Thus, I had a certain misconception that j.a.pan was a small island country.
However, in reality, j.a.pan was about 380,000 kilometer square in terms of landma.s.s, which ranked 61th among 196 countries in the world. So, it wasn’t actually small.
For example, if you compared it with countries in the west, the only countries larger than j.a.pan were France (approximately 640,000 kilometer square), Spain (approximately 500,000 kilometer square), and Sweden (approximately 450,000 kilometer square).
Only three countries. Thinking like this, j.a.pan could be called a country with lots of land.
Then, why did people still comment that j.a.pan was small?
That’s most likely because most of j.a.pan"s land was mountainous, so there were only a few flatlands available for people to live in. Mountainous areas occupied more than 60% of j.a.pan’s land after all.
Thus, with more than 120 million people crowding together in the remaining 40%, no matter how big the country was, when people lived in such a confined area, it would naturally cause a misunderstanding that j.a.pan was small.
Now, I would have to explain why I suddenly talked about that.
What I wanted to say was that the reason why j.a.pan was considered small, especially when compared to those small western countries, was because Western countries have much more flatlands.
This was important because there were many similarities between western countries of the previous world and this continent. For example, there’s a lot of flatlands in this continent too.
That’s to say, even in the territory of the Kingdom of Sandra Kingdom, I want to say that the operation of wheeled vehicles would be feasible enough.
Nonetheless, there were hills and woods as well. There were also rivers and mountains interrupting the journey. In addition, if you try to avoid them, you will run into roads where people come and go.
Well, it’s natural since the best roads for cars were also the best roads for people. Because of that, we hid and rested in the shade during the day and moved when it was dark at night.
Although my ability had already been exposed to some people, I still wanted to hide its existence as much as possible. After all, if more people knew about it, it would be much more likely to attract a calamity.
So, I asked Mireille to not tell anyone.
She promised to only tell a few people, including the King. She also said that the information would be treated as a top secret of the country.
I wonder if I should be relieved for now?
It was early in the morning of the fourth day since we’ve left the town. Around the time when the sun began to rise, I parked the vehicle in the shadows of the hill far from the highway.
It was very different from the wasteland. This was a land where we don’t know where the obstacles were located. In addition, when we drive at night, it was inevitable for the speed to fall, which was why we still have not reached the Imperial City yet.
“Alright, let’s wait until nightfall here.”
I ordered through the transceiver to each vehicle. I also told that to those who were riding behind the armored cars.
After that, everyone alighted from the armored cars. Once the back door was closed, I bought [Karaage Bento] using my ability.
I tried to prevent other people from seeing this because I didn’t want Mireille to know of the details of my ability.
“It’s meal time! Let’s eat!”
I opened the back door again and told them to eat.
Then, everyone started to gather.
“Wow! Looks like we get to eat a delicious meal again!”
Mireille also became a captive of the bento like everyone else.
In the beginning, Mireille was bewildered by the food alchemy, but when she saw the Wolf Tribe’s delighted faces, she accepted it since it seemed like everything would get better once you eat it.
So far, she felt that the lunch I gave was delicious.
As soon as the bento had been distributed, personnel from each vehicle gathered and began to eat. I also gathered with those who were aboard the armored cars, sat down, and ate on the ground.
I took a bite of the karaage. Umu, delicious.
“With the current pace, how long till we arrive?”
I asked Mireille, who was sitting diagonally from me in the circle, while eating.
I tried to use polite speech, but due to her request, I changed it back to my usual speech. It seems that because she felt a sense of alienation, she asked me to stop being formal with her.
“Probably one more day.”
“I see.”
We’ve come all the way here with Mireille’s guidance. Thanks to our gracious Mireille, no accidents happened.
The meals proceeded. Lively voices could be heard from the surrounding area. After looking at Mireille, who was munching on her bento with chopsticks that she was unfamiliar with, I looked at Mira, who doesn’t show any emotions as she silently ate her bento.
I don’t mind if you ate silently, but this was somehow dull. Thus, I asked Mireille if she had partic.i.p.ated in the fight against the Kingdom of Robutas.
Then, the others became interested, stopped their conversation and listened. Only Mira kept eating her bento calmly, her chopsticks not stopping even once.
“...Hm, where should I start from, I wonder?”
Mireille thought about it for a while before starting to talk.
“After being released as a prisoner of war, we returned back to the kingdom. At that time, there was relief and delight on everyone"s face. They must have been relieved that they were finally able to return back home.
But――”
‘Eh?’ I thought.
Wasn’t this about whether they partic.i.p.ated in the war against the Kingdom of Robutas or not? Although that was the question, why did the story become the story of when Mireille returned back to the Kingdom? Moreover, I feel like it would be a heavy story which wouldn’t match with the meal.
I unconsciously swallowed audibly.
“The King did not pardon us. It was natural since our defeat against the beastmen resulted in a large amount of ransom being paid in exchange for our return.
Those humans ―― the people of the Kingdom of Sandra looked down on the beastmen, so there shouldn’t be such a thing as a glorious Knight Orders losing against beastmen.
The Red Dragon Knight Order and Yellow Dragon Knight Order became nothing but a disgrace. No matter how King Sandra felt, because of his position as the King, he could not forgive us.”
Mireille put down the bento in her hands, took a wooden cup and drank the water inside it.
The story continued.
“The knight orders were charged with forced labour. It was also the same for the aristocrats. The knights engaged in manual labor like slaves in front of the commoners. It was a considerable humiliation.
I was ordered to stay in the dungeons. Fufufu... A life in a place covered with filth where poisonous insect crawls was quite pleasant, you know?
Meanwhile, a war began between our Kingdom and the Kingdom of Robutas. The battle continued without any side retreating. The war situation could be said to be about 50:50.
So, in order to break through the situation, sinners like us were offered a chance to live. That is, to form a small army to make a surprise suicide attack with the resolution of complete annihilation.
...I dived into life and death situations 4 times. Now, there aren’t even half of the knights who returned safely from your town remaining. Everyone died.”
Mireille said so, while looking at somewhere far away. It seemed like the fierce battle at that time was reflected in her eyes.
A story I asked about on a whim became quite a heavy story. I regretted it a little bit.
“Well, compared to the h.e.l.l I tasted in the beastman town, this one was far better. Our Kingdom of Sandra also come out victorious. We regained our honor, and our crimes were finally forgiven.”
While saying so, Mireille laughed.
It was dazzling.
When they fought against us, when they were punished by their Kingdom when they returned, and also when they fought against the Kingdom of Robutas... It seemed like Mireille had finally found her peace. At least, I think that it’s probably something like that.
She looked somewhat refreshed. Was that how she originally looked? She was really beautiful.
Ah, I got startled and made a blunder. I got charmed for a moment.
It seemed like Mira, who was sitting next to her, had a similar reaction when she heard it. Probably because of shyness, she immediately looked away from Mireille.
Eventually, the meal ended, and everyone except the guards were free to spend their time however they liked.
It’s summer now. Since we had a long day, there was plenty of time to take a nap. Besides, they could sleep in the back seat while we were moving.
Therefore, everyone was talking to someone they were familiar with without sleeping. There were also figures of children playing tag in the surroundings.
However, it wasn’t the same for the drivers. After refuelling, it’s necessary to check the car. After I checked the car’s condition, I went to check on Catherine’s condition in horse trailer, and took a nap next to her.
At night, we moved again with the cars lined up side by side.
Just before dawn...
“Over there. Hide in that forest.”
We stopped the cars at the place where Mireille pointed. We still can’t see the Imperial City, and if we move further through highway, there was a chance of being discovered.
Since we only need to bring Elsa, only Mireille was going into the Imperial City. Even if it was late, I also gave her permission to tell Elsa about my ability.
“You’ll stand out if you wear your armour.”
Mireille took off her armor and only kept her sword. If they saw the head of the Red Dragon Knight Order come back alone, it might cause unneeded anxiety.
After her horse was unloaded from the horse trailer, Mireille, wearing a Hakama, rushed towards the Imperial City on her horse.
Well, it’s not like I don’t trust Mireille, but I still ordered the beastmen to spread out and be on high alert. There was no loss in doubting since I’ve had enough of betrayal after all.
The evening of the next day, two horses galloped over together.
Mireille came back with Elsa.
“Hyaa, you really did abandon the town, huh?”
Elsa handled the reins skilfully and arrived in front of us.
She spoke frankly, and even though what she said was hurtful, she doesn’t hold back.
Well, Elsa was a merchant. I will give her credit on not masking her surprise.
In addition, it’s not like I don’t know the shock of my decision. If the past me listened to the circ.u.mstances from my current self, I would be surprised, unlike Elsa.
“The King has heard the story. he wanted to hear one last thing from you. Do you have any plans to become a n.o.ble in the Kingdom of Sandra? He even said he will give you some areas that are under his direct control. There will also be also no such thing as fighting for the Kingdom. Rather than starting from the beginning in the Dryad Kingdom, I think the environment here is well prepared.”
Mireille proposed.
However, I shook my head. I have already decided. As expected, I cannot put all my trust in the Kingdom of Sandra. That’s why, I will acc.u.mulate power in a far away land.
I will not fail anymore. I will try again with the Wolf Tribe who followed me.
I have confidence that I would be able to create another town from scratch.
That’s why I can’t stay in the Kingdom of Sandra.
After listening to my answer, Mireille only said “I see.” She doesn’t say anything else.
Then, it was Elsa who spoke next.
“Then, next is my turn. I’ve heard all the stories about Fujiwarsan’s special alchemy. What you want to ask of us is to become a backer for you to become a n.o.ble in the Dryad Kingdom, right? If it’s just that, of course it’s okay.”
Elsa smiled. At the same time, I found a really small, fine wrinkle at the edge of her eyes. It was not something I had seen when we met previously.
I listened to Elsa while thinking that it had been long time since we got to know each other.
“Well, my company has become fairly famous now. To make a base on the west side of the continent, I would want to recommend a suitable person that is at least a n.o.ble, so it won’t be doubted.
Right, since spices are only produced at the Kingdom of Sandra, it needs to be transported to the Dryad Kingdom and sold to the west. There is not much goods in the Dryad Kingdom. Even if they imprudently meddled with us, we can just disappear from there, is what they probably think.
Elsa proposed her idea.
Then, Mireille opposed it.
“Will it really go smoothly like that? Is not it better for you to make an honest appearance that you are making spices in the Dryad Kingdom? They would become suspicious if there was no trade from the Kingdom of Sandra to the Dryad Kingdom.”
“Something like that... It’s okay if you just pretend you’re smuggling it in. If you let a merchant pretend to smuggle it from the Kingdom of Sandra to the Dryad Kingdom, they would be arrested somewhere.
Then, the opponent would think “ this is a decoy!”. They would misunderstand that you are also smuggling things.
You don’t need to bring anything. There is no point in smuggling it in sneakily.”
“What about trading it in the Kingdom of Sandra. If the spices are not sold in the eastern part of the Kingdom of Sandra, as expected you will be suspected. Wouldn’t it indicate that spices are being made in the Dryad Kingdom?
Or, do you intend to actually smuggle the goods from the Dryad Kingdom to the Kingdom of Sandra? The distance is approximately 2,000 km away. You would certainly be found out somewhere. It’s just not realistic. Well, it would be different if you transport it with this truck.”
I saw a glimpse of expectation filling Mireille eyes.
“As expected, that’s the problem, huh. What about Fujiwarsan’s alchemy?
For example, do the spices pop out easily from your hands? If you can produce large quant.i.ties, then Fujiwarsan can come and go to the Kingdom of Sandra a few times in a year.
There is also a problem with the magic power, so I guess it would be difficult, right? If we look at how unusual spices are, the consumption of magic power would be immense.”
Unfortunately, what I need wasn’t magic power, but just money. However, that would make story become complicated.
So I just agreed with them.
Let’s summarise the situation for a while.
1. In order to hide my ability and gain a n.o.ble t.i.tle and territory in the Dryad Kingdom, the source of my money I use to buy the territory needs to be clarified. Thus, it is necessary to become a patron of the Polo firm which became famous from the spices trading.
2. Elsa’s headquarters (production site) is placed in the Kingdom of Sandra officially, so she proposed to build a branch in the territory of the Dryad Kingdom to sell the spices.
In order to avoid interference from other lords I will need to pretend to not be producing the spices inside the Dryad Kingdom. In addition, it’s possible to send a camouflage merchant from the Kingdom of Sandra to the Dryad Kingdom to mislead the distribution.
3. The problem is to make the Kingdom of Sandra the production site since it’s impossible to publically transport the spices from the Dryad Kingdom.
For that reason, we have to smuggle it through 2,000 kilometers from the Dryad Kingdom to Kingdom of Sandra, but given the distance, it’s not realistic.
4. There is the third option of smuggling it with trucks or going to the Kingdom of Sandra myself and producing the spices with my ability.
Something like this, I guess.
I tried to think up another solution but I couldn’t come up anything at all.
If I have to go to the Kingdom of Sandra a few times a year. There would not be any particular danger if I use the armored cars.
Even though I need to flesh out some small details, but at present, it seems to be the best option.
“That’s right. Should we transport it with the truck?”
I will pretend to actually transport it using trucks for them to not be able to know my true plan. It would be be better to leave the details as ambiguous as possible.
“Alright, it has been decided!”
Elsa cried out in joy.
However, it doesn’t end here.
“Rather, what should we do with the food and the gold? I’ve not heard about it before. Is it really alright if we eat it from now on? I heard Fujiwarsan made it from magic. Even though I can’t believe it, I’m a little bit worried about eating it.”
Certainly, it’s true. It was natural for people to eat. But, there was no custom of eating something made with magic. Therefore, there was bound to be some hesitation.
The wolf tribe and Mireille were like that too.
However, they seemed to drink water made with magic, so there wasn’t a big sense of contradiction. The point is, if there was something created naturally by magic, I think it’s good.
It’s like processed food, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
I asked them to wait for a minute, left my spot, and got into the armored car. When I can’t be seen by Mireille and Elsa, I [Purchase] [Pepper Seed], [Red Pepper], [Sugar Cane Stem], and showed it to the two of them.
“These are pepper seeds. They become the pepper that you usually sell when you grind it into powder.”
“What about the others?” Elsa asked.
“These are red peppers. You can sell it after you turn it into powder like pepper seeds. This is a sugarcane stem. Sugar can be made from boiling this.”
I offered them the items. Elsa took the pepper seeds and red peppers while Mireille took the sugar cane stems.
“Hmm, I see. I guess it is really the plant. How...?”
Elsa takes a bite of the end of the red chilli pepper.
“~mm! Spicy! This is certainly the red pepper!”
Elsa sticks out her tongue while crying out.
Next to her, Mireille easily peels off the hard skin of Sugarcane with the tremendous strength of her finger and sipped the juice that came out from the inside.
“Hmm. This... It’s so sweet. Too sweet.”
“What did you just say!? Hey, Mireille, my tongue is burning! Please give me that one!”
“Aah, here.”
“Thanks! Geh, it’s hard! This is hard!”
It’s just like dialogue from a manga. I laughed a little.
Mira and the other wolf tribesmen were staring at this in amazement. In the meantime, Elsa seemed to have recognized that the spices and sugar were clearly food.