The Academy's Honored Guest (1)
Paraskarania—shortened to simply "the Academy"—didn't come into view until two days later.
Far off across the plains, a tall building finally appeared on the horizon.
Our arrival had been delayed more than usual because we'd stopped to burn down a bandit village and drag back their slaves. Still, none of the travelers or merchants grumbled about it.
After all, if things had gone wrong, we could've been the ones turned into slaves instead of those bandits.
Ashu and I received some special treatment during the journey. We'd picked up a roofed carriage in one of the villages along the way, turning it into our private compartment.
Part of it was that Naydelin, the caravan leader, had recognized Ashu's status. But he also said that failing to properly honor the hero who'd wiped out the bandits and saved the caravan and its passengers would damage his reputation.
At first, I tried to refuse—it felt too burdensome. But every time I climbed into the carriage, the other passengers would shove their neighbors aside in that cramped space, insisting on giving us the best seats.
They'd suddenly strike up friendly chats or hand over snacks. Fine if it was just one or two, but when a dozen did it, it was chaos.
Even if I'd built up a bit of fame, for a natural introvert like me, it was pure torture.
The excessive consideration, kindness, and attention started weighing on me, so I had no choice but to accept it.
Extroverts recharge in crowds; introverts need quiet solitude. And lately, my mind and body were already worn thin.
Still, seeing people voluntarily show such deference made me wonder if this was how lords and nobles naturally emerged.
In a dog-eat-dog world like this, anyone with strength and money could seize power easily.
A massive tower loomed at the Academy's center, maybe 20 or 30 stories tall.
I thought we'd arrived, but the caravan veered west instead of taking the shortest southern route.
"The west side's closer to Darania, so more humans live there."
"Is the south bad for security because of the other races?"
"Not exactly. But run-ins with other species can lead to friction for all sorts of reasons. Some territorial types will even block carriages outright."
It called itself a free city, but apparently it wasn't harmonious enough to fully bridge cultural gaps.
A river cut southwest to northeast through the city's heart, serving as a boundary in more ways than one.
Oddly, there were no city walls in a world like this. Sure, it was a free city without a king or lord, but there had to be some powerful defense against invaders.
This wasn't an easy world where the weak could survive unscathed.
Partway through the trip, Baradi and Chad hopped over to my carriage. It doubled as a meeting room for adventurers coming and going.
"Hey, Kirgil, got a minute?"
"Plenty. Nothing to do but sightsee."
They'd come to discuss handling the bandits and what came next.
Proving the humans we'd captured were bandits—and processing them as prisoners or slaves—sounded more complicated than expected.
"Proof won't be hard. Chad and I can head to the Adventurers' Guild and vouch for it—they'll confirm right away."
"Yeah, with a priest of Kalderan backing us, it'll be a breeze. Means we won't need to drag along a bunch of passengers as witnesses."
Neither seemed to know Ashu and I were a hero and a princess. Ashu was pretty famous as a saintess, at least.
Hmm. Adventurers spent most of their time outside cities and castles, so maybe it made sense.
"What? Why's everyone talking without me? Don't forget my cut."
Ragi popped up out of nowhere and hopped aboard.
"The bitch vanishes when shit gets tough, but shows up uninvited for her share? That's why she pisses me off."
"……"
Chad just closed his eyes silently.
"I know, I know—she pulled her weight. It just annoys me anyway."
They communicated without words somehow.
"Fine, fine, I know my place. So just give me a little something. How's this?"
Ragi flashed a V-sign with two fingers—meaning two gold coins.
"That's exactly what we got for the kids and elders. You're taking chump change—what's your angle?"
"I don't wanna micromanage the slave processing. Better to grab some sucker's purse while they're distracted—bigger payout."
"That tracks for you. Last day, folks—keep your pockets secure."
"Oh dear, what ever shall I do? I've already helped myself."
Baradi broke into a cold sweat and checked his pouch. Ragi burst into giggles. Thanks to my
Status Window
, I could check pickpocketed items in real-time, so I'd spotted and countered it without anyone noticing.
"Kyahahaha! The lord here's no pushover. But that idiot practically shows me where his valuables are. So, two gold it is."
"……"
"Damn it. Fine, you win. Better to pay up quick than worry about her lifting more."
"Smart choice. I'll take my advance and go—split the rest yourselves. Your shares are way bigger anyway."
Baradi didn't haggle further, just flicked two gold coins—payment from the first slave sale—over to Ragi.
"Lucky for you the lord's not greedy. No fun squeezing cash from someone like that. They don't cry or whine when it's gone—just shrug it off. Total buzzkill."
"Way to straight-up confess to a crime. Should I chop your arm off?"
Fierce words, but their faces were all grins, like kids messing around.
They'd found a comfortable distance. They knew they'd part ways after today, so the banter felt harmless.
"Don't end up a corpse in some alley, you bitch. Live straight."
"Mind your own. If I die, you gonna claim my body and give me a funeral?"
"I'll pick two gold off your corpse first."
"Kyahahahaha!! That's so you—petty as hell! I love it!"
They showed no signs of leaving the carriage. Chad lounged by the window, admiring the scenery like a tourist.
Roomier and comfier than the packed passenger wagons.
No need to meet the dull eyes of the reserve slaves, either.
"Oh, and I like this guy too. Time to slather him up."
Ragi suddenly latched onto me and...
Smack.
Huh?
A soft, cool sensation touched my lips. It took a beat to register it was Ragi's.
"Wha! Why? Huh?!"
Shock, confusion, and dread hit me in waves.
Especially dread!
I clapped a hand over my mouth and glanced at Ashu with a trembling face.
"What's wrong?"
She smiled sweetly.
Seemed fine. For now...
"You know how excited I was when you called me that night?
I went along 'cause I like ropes, but you still put me through hell—so you owe me soon, Kirgil, sweetie~"
That night? When I'd asked her to tie up the bandits. Was she implying something naughty with "take responsibility"?
"……"
A shadow crept over Ashu's sweet smile.
Why? She knew I had no ulterior motives!
"I could be your midnight handkerchief for wiping up fluids too... Whoa~!!
Girlfriend's scary—I'm out~
Seeya~~"
"……."
"Huh? Let's go. Yeah, good idea. We'll head back too, Kirgil."
Sensing trouble, Chad and Baradi bolted back to their carriage.
"……."
Why was I breaking a sweat when I'd done nothing wrong?
Ashu looked... okay. Peaceful, even. Thank god.
"How strange. The usual Kirgil dodges incoming arrows without flinching. Must be feeling under the weather today?"
She was already grilling me about Ragi's sneak kiss.
Damn! Affirm or deny, I'd catch hell either way.
Best to change the subject!
Something impossible to ignore!!
"Oh right, I forgot the medicine Agnes gave me to take regularly..."
"Ah, me too. Guess I'll take mine tomorrow."
It hit me—the side effects that stuff had on Ashu.
I stared at her wide-eyed, and she flushed, looking away.
"Then tomorrow, you should rest up at the inn. Just in case... I'll stick by your side all day."
"……."
Ashu didn't reply, just sidled up and leaned against me.
I'd escaped one crisis, but now it felt like I'd fallen into another trap. Mixed feelings.
Not that I minded the trap at all.
The path of learning had stressed me out too much.
Without Ashu on this trip, would I have kept my sanity intact?
Thinking that made me grateful for her—made me love her more.
Realizing I could lean on someone, body or soul, even briefly... what a relief.
Honestly, even without Agnes's medicine, tomorrow's plans wouldn't change much.