Chapter 50: Royal Capital

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Translator: Soafp

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Travel to King’s Town, last morning.

“Alright, let’s go!”

With my announcement, everyone started departing.

“I will lead the way”

Wearing a thoroughly armed Brigandine, I rode alone on a horse.

“Aldo-sama, please try not to get too far ahead.”

“Understood.”

I lowered my horse’s pace to align with the formation. Why was I riding on horseback in formation? Simply put, I was bored.

It seemed that horseback riding suited me well, and I made steady progress.

By the third day, I was proficient enough to ride alone without any issues.

However, riding in noble attire drew surprised looks from passing caravans and travelers. Once, someone even pointed and laughed.

I put on an expressionless face and started condensing mana for Condense Ray, but El stopped me.

Therefore, I ended up shedding my noble attire and opting for complete armor.

“When do you think we’ll arrive in the royal capital?”

“Well, I hope to arrive by evening.”

“I see. Understood.”

I was already accustomed to riding. I was even approached during breaks as there was no water source nearby. I used magic to conjure water frequently, but I’m sure they didn’t think of it as a faucet.

As our leisurely journey continued, I noticed dust rising in the distance around a carriage and people.

“Noel, what’s that?”

“…It’s probably a fight. Everyone, halt!”

“We need to go help!”

“Aldo-sama, we only have four combatants among us. Turning back might be an option…”

“Are we just going to stand by and watch?”

“If necessary…”

“…I see. Then I’ll scout ahead. Noel, guard El and the others!”

Saying that, I spurred my horse and headed towards the carriage ahead.

“Now, is it monsters or people… If I can’t win, it might be pitiful, but abandoning them is also an option.”

Gradually, the condition of the carriage became visible… it seemed they were being attacked by monsters.

There were two covered carriages, two cavalrymen, and four horses with a few fallen people around.

The monsters were probably orcs. I could see at least five of them.

“Can I handle this? Even if it’s double the number at 10, considering their movement, I might be able to defeat them… I should first attack one for reconnaissance… I’ll use Sonar to gauge their strength.”

Setting my strategy, I detached from horseback using a space kick around 100 meter from the enemies.

I brandished my short sword and shouted at the pack of orcs, sneaking up right behind the foremost orc.

The orc was about 2 meter (6’5″) tall, while I stood around 1.5 meter (4’9″). My head would reach about its chest level.

However, I jumped above the orc’s head using space kick, and with all my weight, I thrust my short sword into the back of its head. I also used Sonar at that moment.

The orc… Its magical strength wasn’t significant… but its physical strength was incomparable to goblins… It was roughly half that of a black goblin.

If I didn’t underestimate them, I should be able to defeat them with ease.

I decided to eliminate the orcs.

From there, it was truly a rout. As a precaution, I used the escort knights as decoys to maneuver.

I targeted the back of the orcs, aiming for their heads or hearts and swiftly taking them down from behind.

Midway through, the escorts purposefully acted as decoys, enabling us to handle the orcs effectively.

Ultimately, after defeating eight orcs, the rest of them fled.

“Thank goodness. Please tell me your name.”

“For now, let’s tend to the wounded!”

“This group doesn’t have any healing magic users…”

“I can use basic healing magic.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Who among the injured needs immediate attention?”

“Over here, please.”

“Got it.”

I started healing the three knights in order, but one of them was already beyond help.

I removed the belongings and locks of the deceased and gave them a burial right there.

While I was doing this, Noel’s group arrived on horseback.

The knights initially were wary, but once I explained that they were my companions, they warmly welcomed them.

“We really appreciate your help. I had almost given up hope.”

“It goes both ways. We got lucky this time.”

“It’s reassuring to hear that from you.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

As I conversed with the knight I aided, Noel approached, visibly upset, and rode her horse closer.

“Aldo-sama! What were you thinking?”

“Eh? Oh, sorry… I thought I had it under control.”

“Do you even understand your position?”

“…My apologies.”

While I was being scolded by Noel, the door of a covered carriage opened slowly.

“Aldo-sama?”

Sudden addressing made me turn to the speaker, but I couldn’t recognize who it was… though there was a sense of familiarity.

“Yes… I’m Aldo.”

As I identified myself, a young girl suddenly clung onto me. Suddenly being hugged by an unknown girl, I tried to gently push her away, but she was shaking uncontrollably.

Realizing that the girl, who seemed about the same age as me, had been attacked by monsters, she must have been terrified.

I patted her back gently, assuring her.

“It’s okay now.”

“Aldo-sama… I was so scared… I thought it was all over…”

“Yeah, it was tough. But you’re safe now… Also, this position might not be ideal…”

“S-Sorry… I… I didn’t realize…”

Once the girl realized what she was doing, she blushed deeply and hurriedly stepped back, embarrassed.

Looking at her again… I felt like I should remember her from somewhere, but I couldn’t recall.

As I struggled to remember, a voice came from behind.

“It’s been a while, Olivia-sama. You look unchanged.”

“Likewise, Elphus-sama.”

Was she an acquaintance of El? I started to get confused.

“Aldo-sama, it’s Olivia-sama. She came for your 10th birthday. You danced together for the first time.”

Marl came up behind me and whispered this information.

“Ah! The girl from back then!”

As Marl mentioned, there was a girl with whom I danced on her 10th birthday. I vaguely remember her saying, “Let’s be friends at school too.”

Remembering this, I unintentionally raised my voice.

Marl was holding her head behind me due to my loud voice.

“Aldo-sama, did you forget?”

Olivia looked at me with a sad expression.

“I-I’m sorry. I was shaken from the battle with the orcs… I apologize.”

“No, it’s alright… It’s understandable when facing such creatures. Thank you again for helping me.”

“That’s not a problem. But it might not be safe to stay here for long. The smell of blood could attract other monsters.”

“O-Oh, really?”

“Yes, let’s hurry and leave this place.”

“Okay.”

Olivia stares at me with a tearful look on her face.

“The guards…”

“What is it?”

“Olivia-sama seems frightened. If it’s alright, would you like to accompany us?”

“That would be wonderful! Please, I’d like that very much.”

“If it’s acceptable, would you join us in our carriage? Marl is also there, so it should be reassuring.”

“How about it, Princess?”

“I want to ride in Aldo-sama’s carriage…”

“I’m on horseback, so it will only be El and Marl in the carriage.”

“That’s a shame, but understood. Please, let me join.”

“Yes, then everyone, please make preparations accordingly.”

Upon my instruction, the knights and maids hurriedly began to move.

While staying cautious against potential monsters, we made sure to burn the orcs using fire magic.

On a side note, after burning the orcs, there was a scent of roasted pork, and secretly, I started feeling hungry.

After helping Olivia, the journey to the royal capital passed without any significant incidents.

At the gates of the capital, there were long lines formed by merchants and travelers.

“Thinking about queuing up there is a bit disheartening…”

However, to our surprise, our carriage advanced directly to the front of the adjacent large gates, completely ignoring the line.

(So, this is how nobles avoid queuing?)

As I was pondering this, a gatekeeper approached, conversing with our escort knights. One of them even peered into the carriage, and after a brief inspection, they seemed to discuss something with the knights, gesturing towards me on horseback.

It appeared that my presence raised suspicion. To avoid further hassle, I showed the Blue Ring Baron’s and Olivia’s Sandra Count’s family crests, coercing our way through.

What could possibly be suspicious about me? There are plenty of young nobles wearing armor and riding horses.

After the gatekeeper incident, once inside the carriage, something unusual happened—Marl started saying various things to me.

She went on about how “cheating is not okay” and mentioned “having vulnerabilities.” To top it off, she even threatened to report it to Ashera, which led to me awkwardly bowing in apology inside the carriage… I couldn’t understand it.

Dealing with that event, we eventually arrived at the Blue Ring Manor in the royal capital, where Grandpa welcomed us.

Although it was good to see Grandpa after a long time, I was quite exhausted, so I retreated to the room prepared for me.

Finally, I made it to the royal capital. The academy starts in about ten days. I wonder if there are uniforms or something… I don’t know. I need to prepare first.