The reconstruction of the military district, previously wrecked by Rafal, was nearing its completion. The light fixtures on the tall buildings that lined up the district had returned their glow, and the researchers had begun working once again to make up for the lost time.
The middle aged man Mugan who worked for Roxy, could only lament as he has a daughter that was too devoted in her job as researcher, for she wouldn’t be coming back home again anytime soon. The two of us seemed to get along fine since our first meeting, and have been spending times in tavern together whenever he had time. Even now, we were drinking at the tavern as the sun went down.
[Fate, what did you and my daughter do today?]
[The usual things]
[Really?]
[If you are that curious, then you should just come along next time. That’d be for the best.]
[Right, I need to visit Raine. But I can’t because I have something to do tomorrow.]
[Yeah, I know. I’ve heard from Roxy. There is a disturbance in the hobgoblin forest. The goblins must be up to something.]
[There are reports of attacks on the hawkers. It may not be anything big yet, but it’s better to nip it in the bud as soon as possible.]
[Who would’ve thought that two holy knights would need to be dispatched to handle those goblins…]
[About what you two are talking about, I’ve heard the rumour from the warriors that frequent this place. As a businessman, I’d want this trouble to be settled as soon as possible. I’ll be expecting good news, Fate.]
[Will do. Is it affecting your supply of wine already?]
[No, not yet. However, it may turn out the same as when that monster Lich went rogue last time.]
[I also heard about that Lich. As you said, it’s been wreaking havoc in various places.]
[Please cut it out.]
[Hahahahaha……my bad. We’ll meet again tomorrow.]
[Don’t tell me, that one will also come?]
[That’s a good guess. But you are right. That girl might be a troublemaker, but she won’t do anything that would inconvenience Roxy-sama. It’s good to know that she’s been working hard everyday.]
[Uaaaaaaaaaaaaa]
[Why isn’t Mugan won’t come together with her this time? Aren’t you her guardian?]
[I’m not her guardian! I’ll be accompanying Eris-sama as Her Majesty will be leaving the capital for a while. I had no say in this matter.]
[Hee~, this is the first time I’ve heard about this.]
Then, why did such city exist in the first place? It’s because there were rare minerals that can be mined from surrounding mountains, and an ancient ruin from the Gallian era that still waited to be fully excavated. It’s one of the most important places for the kingdom, although not many people ever mentioned it.
The ruins still contained many lost technologies from Gallian era. At first I thought that the lost technology being studied at the capital came from that ruins. But that didn’t seem to be the case after hearing what Mugan said.
[I see. Then I’ll be expecting some souvenirs from Tenban]
[No time to buy anything until we return. It’s not a trip for god’s sake!]
[Is that so? It’s Eris we are talking about here, so it should be fine. No need to go crazy on that.]
[I know. I’ve seen the aftermath of Fate’s fight, so I have the gist of it.]
The conversation then veered off to wines, recent state of the royal army, and what influence Eris’ ascension as the kingdom’s ruler had brought.
And then, the topic returned to his daughter Raine once again. I didn’t know this before, but Mugan could actually show some funny expressions only when he’s talking about his daughter. I guessed that came in the package of becoming a father.
Looking around the tavern, it was filled with noisy, flush-faced merchants and warriors enjoying booze. It’s as if everyone believed that peace has returned to the Capital Seyfat.
However, some disturbing signs were slowly creeping out. By the time I and Roxy found the cause, the damage had been inflicted to the people. There was no way for anyone, including me, to foresee that this would happen.
[Oversleeping again today. Please wake up, Fate-san!]
I’ve been woken up from sleep by Shara everyday since then, which frankly I’m not used to just yet.
[Eerrr, morning.]
[Good morning]
I got up from the bed, still yawning. Glancing at Shara with my still half asleep eyes, I found her already starting to tidy up the messy bed.
[Aaron has already left, hasn’t he?]
[Yes, going to the palace as usual. Ah, Mimir-san is with us here today.]
[I see… so Mimir is here.]
That’s why, when Aaron went to the palace, and Shara went out for shopping or other business, I would feel particularly uneasy. Being in such a large mansion by myself was actually uncomfortable, so I mostly spent my time inside my own room.
[If you want to get along with Mimir-san, why not invite her to eat? I mean, it’ll be easier to work together if we are honest with each other.]
[Yes…. indeed it is.]
