Road to the Capital and Dragons' Awakening

The carriage rattled along the wide road toward the capital Neje. Sunlight filtering through the window warmed my knees. Endless trees and fields stretched out beyond, a scenery that had felt novel and exciting at first but was starting to bore me after three straight hours of the same view.

Miel and Cecilia flitted around inside the carriage, playing, while Lote orbited steadily around me as always. Outside, Glessia flapped her wings lazily, keeping pace with the carriage. I let out a sigh and stretched my arms wide.

"Ugh, so boring. We've gotta do this for three whole days?"

Liandel looked up from his map. "If we skip villages and camp along the way, we can make it in two days."

Levy suddenly widened her eyes at me. "Huh? Ricoris, your speech is back to normal?"

Oh yeah, perfect chance to ask Liandel about this. "Oh right! Liandel! I think some weird soul's gotten into my body!"

Liandel narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. "Does this have anything to do with that sudden change in behavior after meeting the baron?"

Yep, he noticed something. "Exactly! It wouldn't let me talk like myself, and my body wouldn't move right!" I flailed my limbs around. Being able to control my own body felt amazing!

"It did seem off, honestly. But another person's soul?"

"Yeah! Last night, chatting with Shai about dragons—stuff like fire dragons, mad dragons, dark dragons came spilling out of my mouth, info I definitely didn't know! Totally outside my knowledge!"

When ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we talked dragons, the words from my mouth didn't feel like mine at all. It was like someone else was puppeteering me. So creepy!

Liandel stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... That does suggest some other entity's knowledge has entered you. But handling souls is something only top-tier necromancers can manage. Have you encountered one?"

Necromancer... undead-handling mage, right? "Not a necromancer, but Nis gave me this 'noble something' ability as a gift, and I think there's a soul inside it..."

Liandel's expression shifted. At Nis's name, his eyes flickered. "Ah... Lady Nis. Desmeer Labyrinth is known for powerful undead like death knights, liches, nightmares. So a soul embedded in the ability is plausible."

Figures Desmeer has terrifying undead like that. Explains the undead talk during Lote's upgrade. But someone else's soul in my body? Horrifying.

"Ugh...! Only Nis can fix this, right...?" My voice trembled with unease.

Liandel looked troubled. "Yes. If it's an ability granted by the labyrinth's ruler..." His words trailed off. He knew how messy this was.

"No way. It activates every time I meet a noble, so skip villages, camp out, and hurry!"

Levy looked a bit disappointed but nodded in understanding. Liandel opened the window to relay the camping plan to the coachman. The carriage pressed on.

I gazed out, thinking of Master. Was she still sleeping? Maybe awake by now?

"Ricoris, you okay?" Levy asked worriedly.

"Huh? Why?"

"You sighed three times."

I'd been sighing without realizing. Must've slipped out thinking of Master. "Oh, just thinking about Master."

Then the coachman shouted suddenly. "R-Ricoris! Monsters ahead!"

I flung open the window. Monsters poured from the woods. Squinting, their status windows popped up.

Pfft, weaklings like these? Barely worth noticing.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Leave the small fry to Glessia. Go get 'em, Glessia!"

Glessia, who'd been trailing lazily, suddenly sped up toward the monsters. Not even half her honey-chasing speed, but still. Sensing her aura, the monsters froze solid. Seized by instant terror, they bolted into the woods without a fight.

"Whoa...!" The coachman gaped in awe, tension draining from his shoulders.

Liandel nodded. "Normally, you'd stop the carriage, fight, then resume—coachmen often get hurt. But with Glessia, no need."

Ah, got it. Let's optimize. "Glessia, don't trail behind—fly up front and scare off any monsters."

Glessia flapped lazily ahead, then perched on the seat beside the coachman, face toward him, massive body spilling over the side. Comfy...? The coachman tensed at first but soon warmed up, even offering her a small pastry. Judging by his smile, she took it fine.

We camped and hurried on. Nights in open fields, pitching small tents. Levy gazed happily at the stars; Liandel read or observed. Two nonstop days, minor monster encounters routed by Glessia. Once a 『☆☆☆ Lancer Griffin LV116』 showed up—decently strong—but fled her pressure.

Finally, the capital's walls loomed. Massive gray battlements pierced the sky, blue-roofed towers atop, dense buildings beyond.

Whoa! Lines snaked before the gates—carriages and people waiting.

"The capital Neje of Jenes Kingdom. The realm's largest city," Liandel explained.

"Huge! So many people!"

As we neared, guards spotted our carriage and approached. They startled at Glessia but bowed, recognizing Silverbrook colors. The captain saluted. "Silverbrook house. May we verify identities?"

I stepped out; they blinked in surprise—not Silverbrook kin. "Just borrowed their carriage—friends. Here's my ID."

I handed my adventurer badge. He checked and bowed deeply. "Understood. S-rank adventurer Ricoris. Welcome to Neje."

Tch! Too casual! S-rank should wow 'em. Capital sees tons of S-ranks? Gotta hit SSS or national power level fast!

Daydreaming guild promotions and gasps, Liandel and Levy cleared checks. We rolled inside.

Neje dwarfed my imaginings—towering buildings packed tight, streets teeming. Carriages, horses, pedestrians tangled. Shops galore, street vendors hawking wares.

"This many people?" Folks in fancy dresses, armored knights, robed mages, everyday citizens. Thrilling in the crowd. Miel and Cecilia buzzed to the window, peering curiously. Lote orbited quietly.

"Best inn?" the coachman asked.

"Hm... wait..." Brian and Edgar popped to mind. Jenes nobles—probably here? What was the name...

"Liandel, know Brian or Edgar?"

"Not Brian well, but Edgar Haind—the knight."

"Yes! Haind! They in the capital?"

"Yes, east side. To Haind count's estate?"

"Yep! Head to Haind!"

Levy eyed me curiously. "You know that noble house?"

"Hehe. Buddies from Sia ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Kalt Labyrinth!"

The coachman turned east. Buildings grew luxurious—narrow markets to wide roads, mansions with gardens.

"Noble district. Haind count's an old sword house, tied to royal knights," Liandel said.

"Heh, figured. Edgar was decent among those lame knights."

Recalling my knight squad beef, Levy and Liandel averted eyes, awkward chuckles. "Fought Edgar, but Brian and I get along great!" Trained him, fed him honey! He even searched for Master when she vanished!

Heart fluttering as we neared. Brian'd freak seeing human-me!

"Ricoris, that's Haind manor," Liandel pointed.

Tall iron gates, grand estate beyond—bigger, flashier than Silverbrook.

Count-level indeed!

"Nis! Nis! Wake up!"

My icy voice echoed in the room. What a mess. Labyrinth rulers like us sprawled drunk? Stupid for drinking with her.

"Nuaaaah?" Nis mumbled, writhing. No trace of her haughty Yormungand pride—just sloppy drunk.

"Huh?" She wiped drool with her hand, then snapped alert—straightened, swept back hair, cleared throat. "Ahem. Oh? Lady Frostia? Whatever brings you to my labyrinth?"

"You forgot drinking together?" Ice edged my voice. Anxiety over Rico swelled.

"Pardon? Wait..." Nis rubbed her temple, recalling. Spotted golden liquor bottle on table. "Hmm..."

Her eyes cleared, lit up. "Ah! We shared dwarf golden liquor! So delicious!"

No guilt—just delight at tasty booze.

"Not the point. How long passed?" Room chilled; frost rimed the windows.

Nis caught my mood, face shifting. "Deiana! Here!"

Clanking armor; a deep-purple death knight ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dashed in. "You called, Lady Nis!" Her booming voice hurt my ears.

"How long since Frostia and I entered Desmeer?"

Deiana thought. "About three years since you both arrived!"

"Three years!?" I shot up—dizziness hit. "Three years? We slept three years?"

"'Three years'? For Lady Frostia, isn't that a nap?" Nis asked puzzled.

Three years a blink for us... but for Rico? Barely born, how long is that? How lonely, worried, hurt was she, Master gone?

"For Rico..." My voice cracked.

"Rico was three when you met her."

Nis's face hardened, grasping gravity. "Ah... Rico..."

"I'm returning to Sia Kalt now."

No hesitation. Heart froze imagining Rico alone. My fault—fell for Nis's liquor push.

"I'll come too!"

I glared coldly. "Why?"

"Didn't expect this. Feel awful for Rico. Want to help!"

Her eyes earnest. As I wavered, she pressed. "My fault, Lady Frostia. Golden liquor tasted great but so potent. I'll apologize to Rico myself, explain."

No arrogance—just sincere worry.

"Hmph... fine."

"Yes!" Smile bloomed—worry, regret, faint thrill. She anticipated seeing Rico.

"Deiana! Gifts for Rico—cute, pretty things!"

"Right away!"

As Deiana left, Nis tidied with black magic wisps restoring the mess. I gazed into deep sea outside, deep breath.

"Rico... sorry... just wait a bit longer."