11-2 Part 2
The Mysterious Book Says to Walk 500km
Across the Empire
- Firefly and the
Young Flower Seller -
Translator : PolterGlast
The next day, I woke up to a somewhat pleasant scent. It was
soap. The prodigal Prince had his whole body washed, and after that, everything
from horse oil to scented oil was smeared all over him.
I absolutely cannot tell my older sister's husband, Jake-Rizas,
the full story of last night... But well, because of that, although a slight
fatigue remained, my condition today wasn't bad at all.
Even though I kept running all day from morning to evening,
to get off with just a slightly stiff neck and tense legs and lower back makes
me feel like I'm dreaming. However, this is reality. The blessing of the
status. And from now on, by achieving tasks, I will likely reach the realm of
superhumans.
- Exploration -
【Do another 10 laps around the
Imperial Capital】 9.25 / 10 laps completed
- Reward: VIT +100
- 『Only 3/4 of a lap left. You no
longer need a horse. In commemoration of this, how about having a rickshaw
made and walking around pulling me?』
「Don't treat a person like a horse.」
『Umu? In the otherworldly books you
like, being treated as a horse was described as a reward that makes one weep,
you know?』
「You... what kind of books do you
normally read...」
Closing the Book of the Evil Dragon, today I proudly
left the palace through the main gate. A rickshaw, huh. I tried complaining,
but the idea itself isn't bad. Rather than walking a horse around, it would be
much quicker if I became the horse.
「Nn, wait a minute, Stupid Prince.
You smell somewhat nice... Don't tell me, a woman?」
「Senpai, calling him Stupid Prince
first thing in the morning is bad, you know. But, it certainly smells nice...
H-Huh... Th-This is, undoubtedly Her Imperial Highness Princess Atomina's—eh,
eeh?! Prince Ashley, don't tell me you?!」
Perhaps due to the effect of the scented oil, my skin is
glossy. My hair also has a luster thanks to the horse oil, and looking in the
mirror, it looked faintly like an angel's halo.
However, both that scented oil and horse oil are custom-made
goods for Aneue. In other words, I was currently overflowing with Aneue's
scent.
「You figured that out well... Nn, no
wait, it seriously smells like Atomina-sama... Oi, Stupid Prince, you're
dead. I can see you getting fucking killed by Georg-sama.」
「To lay a hand on Princess Atomina-sama...
I misjudged you! You, you pervert Prince!」
「I was just told I stink and had my
whole body washed with a deck brush... After that, I was slathered with Aneue's
scented oil.」
I intended to draw sympathy with my pitiful tale of
misfortune, but the result was only their eyes burning gloomily.
「That's all a reward, isn't it!!」
「I want to be scrubbed like livestock
with a deck brush and receive an oil massage too! Senpai, this guy! Let's
tattle to General Georg already!」
「Please stop that.」
It would be troublesome if exaggerated information reached Georg-aniue's
ears. Even though Aniue's mood finally improved through the vacation, I
can't stand it if I get scolded again.
「Who cares, Stupid Prince! Receiving
all of Atomina-sama's love to yourself! Go fall in the moat and die!!」
「I want to be told I stink with cold
eyes too!!」
「Are you guys perverts?!」
I can't deal with this anymore. Ignoring the perverts named gate
guards, I passed through the main gate.
◇ ◆ ◇
Buying the usual Kebab Sandwich and a ham sandwich with
lettuce, I ran through the Imperial Capital again. Or rather, ate while
walking. Since I had some time to spare this time, I stopped by a blacksmith and
had the tip of my Shovel adjusted.
「Hoh, a steel shovel, huh. Nice, it's
a masterpiece that's almost a waste to keep as a shovel. Alright, wait a bit.」
「Rather, for me, it has to be
a shovel. You see, when I try to swing a sword, it slips out of my hand for
some reason, or the sword won't even draw from the scabbard in the first place,
or I can't swing it straight to the point where I get yelled at for messing
around.」
When I asked a blacksmith who seemed to have free hands, he
quickly sharpened the tip. Though it seemed quite difficult to work with.
「Alright, done. It was an interesting
job, so half price is fine. In return, come again.」
「That helps. The blacksmith I went to
before hated it and told me to go to a hardware store.」
「Is that so, forgive 'em. Craftsmen
are inflexible, you see.」
When I finished paying, that blacksmith even threw in a
portable whetstone as a free service. He must have been really starved for
work, or perhaps he took a liking to the steel Shovel.
Parting with him, I ran through the Imperial Capital
again, devouring street food, and gazed at this grand city while shedding lots
of sweat. The unremarkable lives of the people were there. The majority of the
street vendors are migrant workers coming from the suburbs beyond the city
walls or neighboring towns and villages.
They vigorously earn money in this Imperial Capital,
buy necessary things, and return to their dwellings. To torment such people
living with all their might through the slave plantation system or the monopoly
of distribution was something unimaginable the closer I looked.
Are those who do not enter the sight of the privileged class
considered not even worth living happily?
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Now then, starting from the Imperial Capital's North
Gate as usual, going clockwise and arriving at the West Gate, I was shining as
a firefly per custom. Partly because the West Gate connects to the maritime
city Naglfar, the distribution of goods is exceptionally high.
Even so, I've gotten used to emitting light. Relying on my
agility, I turned back from the Red Main Street and escaped into a back alley I
had marked. However, there was a 7 or 8-year-old girl there.
「Ah... an angel, sama?」
「Incorrect. I'm just a passing Mr. Firefly.」
「Wow... a firefly, this is my first
time seeing one...」
「Yeah, I'm a specially large Mr.
Firefly. Keep it a secret from everyone; it's embarrassing to be seen glowing.」
「Okaaay, understood, Mr. Firefly.」
At this age, it should be fine. Hiding in the shadow of the
conveniently stacked wooden crates, I opened the Book of the Evil Dragon.
- Exploration -
【Do another 10 laps around the
Imperial Capital】 10 / 10 laps completed
- Reward: VIT +100
- 『Rejoice, you have become +65%
tougher. Unless you are poisoned or have a blade thrust into your carotid
artery, an assassin cannot kill you. If you had a little more STR
(Strength), you could probably even pull a carriage instead of a horse.』
That's another surreal metaphor. It sounds interesting, but Aneue
would probably hate it, saying it's embarrassing.
- Exploration -
【Walk 500 km around the Empire】
- Reward: Movement Speed LV 1 (All movement speeds +50%)
- 『From now on, walk outside the Imperial
Capital. With your current self, a mere 500 km should be a breeze. Do
your best.』
- Investment -
【Spend a total of 10,000 Crowns】 2,978 → 6,035 / 10,000
- Reward: EXP 1000 / Premonition of an Encounter
- 『Your investment portion for Erin
has been added. Once tax revenue starts entering your pockets, this
mission will also progress rapidly.』
- Table of Contents -
【Name】 Ashley
【Lv】 31
【Exp】 4410 → 4460
【STR】 60
【VIT】 153 → 253
【DEX】 129
【AGI】 210
【Skill】 Shovel LV 5 Scoop
LV 1 Imperial Bond LV 1 Direction Sense Lv 1
『I'm saying this now, Ashley.
These are not the stats of an Emperor...』
I skimmed through and returned the book to my pocket. To
declare a "mere 500 km" is typical Zirant.
Also, the tax revenue from Erin, huh. I completely
hadn't factored that into my calculations... That said, that's the people's
money. Strictly speaking, it's not my money, Zirant.
「Mr. Firefly, Mr. Firefly...」
「Nn, what is it?」
The girl from earlier was looking at me, who was no longer
glowing, with round eyes. Perhaps she has something to say, she's staring this
way while standing on tiptoe.
「Won't you buy some flowers?」
「...I'll take them.」
「One silver coin...」
「Alright.」
It was an Asiatic dayflower that blooms everywhere. One silver
coin for this is expensive, but it's just right as hush money. Handing over 3
coins and receiving the small blue flowers, I turned my back to her.
There should be a cheap public bath for citizens. I'll
cleanse my sweat-drenched body there, and then go look for a job at the
Adventurer's Guild.
I've obtained a tough body that won't lose to assassins. My
survival rate has greatly increased. But when it comes to protecting Aneue
and Aniue, Dulin and Puis, this level isn't enough.
- Adventure -
【Complete a job worth over 10,000
Crowns at the Adventurer's Guild】
- Reward: EXP 600 / [Imperial Bond LV +1]
- 『I have been waiting, Ashley.
Quickly take me on a grand adventure.』
I'll proceed with this mission next. I'll also obtain money. The experience points aren't bad either. Because if Dulin and Puis become even more capable through this, the situation will improve that much more..
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