The Chronicles of a Lost Man in His Forties Founding a Nation ~Commonsense is Hindering Me From Becoming TUEE~ Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Yuule Village

 

After filling our bellies with hot stew, Sedam conscientiously continued explaining various things to me. 

Thanks to that, I think I am mostly caught up on Sedia’s history and geography, as well as the bare minimum of commonsense to get along. However, we did digress a lot along the way, so I’m sure we had missed quite a bit. 

Still, Sedam’s knowledge turned out to be extremely extensive. 

For example, about the countries of Shulendal, Leindal, Ran Balt, and Felde, which lie on the four cardinals directions of the Liuus Union. He was able to explain everything from how each was formed to their current relations.h.i.+p with the Liuus Union. In contrast, Mora doesn’t know of much beyond the Liuus countryside, and the rest of the adventurers, with the exceptions of Claura and Torad, are in a similar condition. 

Having also been exempted from the night watch that is indispensable to camping outside, I simply fell asleep inside a borrowed tent. 

♥♦♣♠

“I’m sorry, but please give me 5 more minutes.”

“We don’t mind waiting, but……”

Morning. 

The adventurers had gotten up at dawn, wolfed down breakfast, and already finished cleaning and packing everything. 

I, on the other hand, am running my eyes over the spellbook on my lap. 

All D&B wizards must recharge used spells every morning. While my real self is repeatedly reading the words on a page, my Inner World self is writing the chant down on a fresh book. I’ve used quite a few spells yesterday, so I’d normally go over all 81 slots again, but for today, this single one will have to do. 

“Alright, done. By means of this spell, may there be an invisible attendant to carry my luggage and follow me. [Sprite Porter]!”

 I immediately use the spell that I’d just charged. 

“It’s floating……”

“It sure is floating……” (Claura)

“See? I said it would!” (Mora)

“I’m sorry for the wait. Shall we get going?” (Gio)

What started floating is Mora’s jute bag and the Jyagul statue. 

I did use this spell yesterday, but its duration ran out. After trying to brainstorm other options, in the end the conclusion I reached was that it is best to just charge it again, even if it delays the departure a little. 

I have a feeling that Jiruk and Ted might do the carrying for me if I ask, but Mora’s luggage aside, the stone statue is most likely too heavy for them. Now, if this is actually a story, this part could be over with just a few words, but reality is not so kind. 

“I really didn’t see any magical power. I can say with certainty that Margils-san’s ‘wizardry’ is something fundamentally different from my ‘magic.’”

I could hear Claura muttering something like that. 

Her voice was a bit too loud for merely talking to herself, but I know that I’ll be told to wait again if I ask, so I’ll ignore it. If I remember right, The Guardian did say something to that effect before transferring me, so I think that her deduction is correct. 

But why is Mora looking so proud? 

♥♦♣♠

The travelling after that was smooth going.

The season looks to be early summer. The wind is refres.h.i.+ng, and the expansive view of the plains feels really good. 

The small smudge on the horizon has, after several hours of walking, turned into a village surrounded by cultivated fields. Further north of it, slightly to the side, a gigantic white architecture of some sort is also visible. 

“Ah, it’s Yuule!”

“What you see over there is the White Sword Castle, which is the Carbanera Knight Order’s base.”

“Seems like we’ll be able to have lunch at Pavilion of the Iron Pot Knight.”

Apparently having acknowledged my ignorance about Sedia, Mora and the adventurers are explaining things to me without me even asking. But still, what an impressive (?) name for an inn. 

♥♦♣♠

Yuule is much larger than I’d expected. The buildings are gathered alongside the highway, and there is a st.u.r.dy-looking wooden wall surrounding everything. I can even see a few sentry towers. 

Thing is, the front gates are left wide open, so the place doesn’t feel like it’s under heavy guard. But just in case, we left the obviously suspicious Jyagul statue and Mora’s bag in a thicket along the highway. 

When we try to cross through the gate as a group, a villager apparently on duty calls out to us. 

“Sedam! Is that Mora-chan that I see with you? So you got her back from the mountain bandits!!” (Guard)

“No, the one who saved Mora is this great wizard here!” (Sedam)

“Yes, that’s right!” (Mora)

“Eh, wait a—” (Gio)

“‘Wizard’? Anyways, that’s awesome! Thanks a lot!” (Guard)

“Eh, um, yes……” (Gio)

Right off the bat?! I thought they would hide it a bit more. I now feel keenly that this is not like getting caught up in a crime in j.a.pan. 

There are wagons and merchant-like types here and there on the village’s main street, which is paved with stone the same way as the highway. 

What draws my eye most are the people with thick, long hair and stocky frames who are as tall as my chest…… they must be dwarves for sure. Judging by how they’re chatting and laughing with the merchants and carrying goods here and there, they look completely a.s.similated to the village. 

“Because this village is the easternmost settlement of the Liuus Union, it’s become a base for trading with the dwarves.” (Sedam)

“My dad also trades with the dwarves.” (Mora)

“I see. By the way…… can we not make such a large fuss about me?” (Gio)

I secretly whispered what was on my mind to Sedam. In the first place, me meeting Mora was complete coincidence, and the saving part was just me using spells that I had on hand, which didn’t require much effort on my part. I feel like all j.a.panese in my generation would share the sentiment that blatantly flaunting the results of one’s work is a very inappropriate thing to do. 

“Is that so? You have my apologies, then.” (Sedam)

“Either way, everyone will soon know about Margils-sama’s great feat anyways!” (Jiruk or Ted)

“No, but still……” (Gio)

“Ahh mou! Now you’re just being irritating. Listen up!” (Claura)

“Ow!?” (Gio)

My earlobes are being pulled by Claura. Uumu, how many years has it been since I’ve had this done to me? Still grasping my earlobe, Claura draws my face towards hers. 

“You cower way too much! It’s a fact that you’re able to use this powerful thing called ‘wizardry.’ If you don’t act the corresponding att.i.tude, then it’ll make people even more suspicious of you, you understand?!” (Claura)

“Tha-, that’s right. Gio-san is amazing after all, so please act like an amazing person.” (Mora)

For some reason, Mora’s also lecturing me while physically inserting herself in between Claura and me. 

Jiruk’s and Ted’s faces are both cramped up, but it looks like they can’t do anything against Claura either. 

“...... If you don’t let go of him, what att.i.tude can he take?”

Torad pulls both ladies off of me. As expected of a Monk. 

“Margils-dono, you called yourself an ‘average person.’ However, you yourself already know that that won’t fly, am I right? Just as Claura said, if heroes don’t act like heroes, it causes the surrounding people to feel uneasy. Not only that, and I really didn’t want to say this, but if it becomes known that you are a timid person, there might be people who will try to take advantage of you.”

Uumu…… I see his logic, but…… 

“In other words, a ‘hero with great power’ would grant people rea.s.surance, but a ‘timid man with great power’ would cause the opposite……?” (Gio)

“That’s exactly right!” (Claura)

“Exactly!” (Mora)

“That’s about it, yes.” (Sedam)

Gah, they’re not wrong, but still…… 

“Al-, alrigh—” (Gio)

“Yo! Sedam! And isn’t that Mora I see!”

After I'd straightened my back and right when I’m in the middle of replying, my voice is drowned out by that of a large and fat man. Well, my words would’ve just been my usual evasive answers, so this might have been for the best. 

The man who has made his way towards us and is clasping Sedam’s hand is big-boned and muscular, yet stout. He's a dwarf. 

“That’s Dahbarus-san. He’s the representative of all dwarves stationed at Yuule.”

Mora quietly gives me a brief introduction. 

“It’s great seeing you well, Mora. That Irudo, he’s so stricken with worry that I can’t even bear looking at him!”

“Kyah!”

The dwarf that Mora had named as Dahbarus is now holding Mora aloft and spinning her in circles while laughing heartily. 

“Irudo is waiting at Pavilion of the Iron Pot Knight! Hurry to him!”

“A-...... Y-, yes!”

After lowering Mora back down, Dahbarus points at a large building standing on the main street and facing a plaza. Even from far away, I can make out the signpost with the image of a knight on it. 

Having come all this way, Mora’s tension is at max, as evidenced by her running off with a flushed face. 

“Al~right! Let’s drink the night away on Irudo’s wallet!”

The rest of us follow behind Mora towards the building—the inn—and Dahbaru falls into step like it’s the most natural thing to do. 

“...... By the way, who’re you? Never seen you before.”

Along the way, he asks me this as if he's only just noticed. 

“Ah—……”

Claura’s and Sedam’s stares hurt. 

“...... Ermm. I’m from Jiiteias, I’m Gio Margils the um, great, very great wizard, yes. I’m quite…… no, more like, really, really powerful, so…… yea.” (Gio)

“Don’t really get it.” (Dahbarus)

“............” (Sedam)

“Incompetent.” (Claura)

It’s not like I can help it, alright!? The only experience I’ve had with talking arrogantly is within TRPGs! Modesty is the hardwired default for j.a.panese people!