Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Travel (3)
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It had been a few weeks since we set out when we finally arrived in Aonia.
We traveled to the Empire's magic circle, then used it to teleport straight to Aonia.
It was a journey that felt long if you thought of it that way, short if you didn't—a time filled with both tension and anticipation.
What kind of land would Aonia be?
What would this region, steeped in Eastern culture, look like?
With those excited thoughts, the Aonia we arrived in felt simpler than I'd imagined.
No, uniform was more like it.
"It's all Japanese-style."
I muttered as I wandered through the village.
Father had said the Sword Sovereign was in a mountain a little ways from this village called Yukime.
We'd been walking nonstop from the magic circle to get there.
Now that we'd entered the village and looked around, everything was Japanese in style.
Roofs tiled with blue slate. Wooden buildings. Paper lanterns hanging in clusters along the streets. Everyone dressed in yukata.
I'd hoped for a mix of styles from various Eastern nations since it was billed as "Eastern," but... no sign of Korea or China.
Honestly, I'd been looking forward to it. Hoping to catch a glimpse of Korea—Joseon, that is.
It would've stirred some nostalgia from my past life. What a shame.
Still, satisfied with the Earth-like scenery.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Do we have to wear these? It's stuffy."
Ariel fiddled with the edge of her hat.
Both she and I were wearing conical straw hats.
Not out of any fashion interest.
Aonia was foreign soil. As Imperials, we had no choice but to watch our step.
Causing a scene here could spark a dispute, and we'd only lose out.
Best to keep a low profile and avoid trouble.
So we'd bought these hats right after leaving the magic circle site.
Ariel, though, didn't seem thrilled.
"This feels weird."
"Just bear with it a bit longer, okay? We can take them off once we meet that person."
"...Okay."
Ariel shut her mouth and nodded.
It looked like her usual self, but subtly different.
A bit more compliant, maybe. She stopped whining right away.
She was clearly trying hard to keep her promise—the condition for me bringing her to Aonia: "Listen to Oppa."
Good sign. My little sister was growing socially. Big bro's thrilled.
Now, time to check the route to our destination again.
I pulled out the two papers Father had given me.
One was an introduction letter identifying me. The other, a map to the mountain where the Sword Sovereign was.
Unfolding the map, I saw we were almost there.
Hmm.
Maybe grab some food around here. Ariel's probably hungry too.
Since we're in Eastern lands, let's introduce her to new cuisine.
And for me, something to jog memories from my past life.
"Ariel, wanna eat before heading to the destination?"
"Yeah."
"You don't have to be that agreeable. If you're not hungry, we can skip it."
"No, I wanna eat."
"Alright."
She seemed almost too compliant, but whatever. Better quiet than troublesome.
Taking Ariel's hand, I scanned the area.
A decent-looking restaurant. Somewhere a boy and girl in straw hats could eat without issue.
Something like a kimbap joint from my past life would do.
"Let's go there."
I debated what to get, but curry seemed safest.
Ramen or gyudon crossed my mind, but Ariel's a girl.
She might not be typical, but probably doesn't want anything greasy or heavy.
Step by step.
We walked quietly over the ground.
Locals glanced at us curiously.
Wearing straw hats in broad daylight probably looked odd.
At least no guards had stopped us yet.
And we couldn't take them off.
Showing my blond hair and Ariel's silver would cause a bigger stir.
Then Ariel lightly squeezed my hand.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"We're being tailed."
"...?"
I blinked.
Tailed?
Her words made my eyes widen.
I blocked out smells and sounds from around me.
Focusing solely on the Flow of All Things, I scanned for anything unnatural.
...There.
Several meters around us as the radius.
Thugs hiding in alleys, pretending to be casual.
'Lowlifes, nothing serious.'
I hadn't noticed because I wasn't paying attention, and they weren't threatening.
If they were strong, my instincts would've flagged them.
"Ariel, when did you notice?"
"When we left the magic circle site. They've been following since then."
"Ah. So they saw our faces before we put on the hats."
I clicked my tongue.
Annoying. Fly-level nuisance, sure.
Might cause a scene in the restaurant.
"But Ariel, you knew and didn't say anything?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"You said not to act rashly."
Oh.
How to process that?
My Ariel was learning restraint. Epic.
Basically, she was saying:
She knew these punks were tailing us.
But instead of asking "Should I kill them?" like usual, she held back to obey me.
Too commendable to punish.
"Aigoo, so cute, my little sis. How proud I am."
"Yeah."
I ruffled her hair.
Rare genuine praise.
Ariel rubbed her head against my hand, a faint smile forming.
'No idea why they're following.'
Probably slavers or robbers. Lame motives, zero interest.
Jingle.
Hand in hand, we entered the restaurant.
"Welcome! ...Huh?"
The waitress tilted her head.
Mysterious boy and girl in straw hats—odd sight.
I ignored it and replied.
"Table for two."
"Ah, yes. Right this way."
She seemed hesitant but led us anyway.
Boldness works—they can't complain.
We sat at the guided table.
"What'll it be?"
"Two curries."
"Mm. Sure."
She glanced at me, head tilted again.
Can't help it. Imperial accents differ from Aonian.
I sounded natural as possible, but the gap showed.
"...".
Ariel kept her hat on tight, no intention of removing it.
Whined about discomfort earlier, now avoiding eyes.
Other tables glancing our way?
"Hm."
While waiting for food, I surveyed the room.
Central tables buzzed with a lively crowd.
Eavesdropping, they were talking about some tournament.
"The Heavenly Dragon Festival's coming up soon, right? Can't wait."
"Oh, that one where youths from across Aonia compete in martial arts? Already that time?"
"Hey, outsiders can enter too. Saying only Aonians qualify gets you called ignorant."
"Hah! But no one outside Aonia joins anyway. Folks say Eastern lands like this don't get visitors."
"Well, Imperials are arrogant, true..."
The men raised their voices.
Yet no one stopped them or looked offended.
The Heavenly Dragon Festival must be a shared passion.
'Heavenly Dragon Festival.'
Nothing to do with me.
No interest in entering.
But as a sword-for-hire type, hard to tune out.
"Winner's gotta be the Hiiragi eldest son, right? Turns fifteen this year."
"True. It's basically set—he's the champ, tournament just picks runner-up."
"Jealous. Azure Dragon Festival win at that age. Heard this winner's prize is huge..."
Hm?
Listening idly, I caught a suspicious presence.
Corner booth.
Out of sight, one person sat.
Baggy yukata hid their build, but curves suggested female.
Hard to tell—face hidden by a straw hat too.
Oddly, food sat untouched in front.
We'd remove ours for eating. Why not her?
"Oppa?"
"Ah, nothing."
I brushed it off.
Didn't want Ariel fixating—could spell trouble.
Then, a glance—she seemed to look our way.
"Food's here!"
Cheerful voice as the waitress brought curry.
The steaming dish before us evoked past-life memories—nostalgic scent.
Ah, been too long. This smell.
"You can take off the hat now, Ariel."
"Okay."
We removed ours simultaneously.
A "Huh?" rippled from nearby as eyes turned.
Bang!
The door slammed open. Someone stormed in.
Thud. Thud.
Heavy, predatory steps screaming aggression.
Rude bunch, ignoring other patrons.
"...".
Ariel and I turned toward them.
Black haori cloaks, katanas at waists.
Swordsmen... no, ronin? Not proud knights.
"Hey, kid."
The leader grinned twistedly.
He approached, loudly rattling his scabbard.
Clank, clank.
Patrons paled, fleeing en masse.
Waitress and owner ducked into the kitchen, trembling.
I looked up at the leader from below.
"Dunno where you rolled in from to Aonia, but pay the toll if you're here."
"They charge tolls in restaurants now?"
"Haha! No helping it, kid. You're Imperial. We can gouge you."
His eyes blatantly sized me up.
We looked wealthy at a glance.
Makes sense—ducal heirs reek of fine upbringing.
They'd tailed us realizing that.
'...Are these idiots insane?'
That's what puzzled me most.
Crazy? Even if they pegged us as nobles, it'd scare them off.
Aonia might limit ducal reach, but sane robbers wouldn't touch us.
"We've always planned to retire big. One huge score, quit the bandit life. Kidnapping Imperial noble brats like you? Perfect."
"Noble dream. If you hadn't botched the execution."
"Kek. Watch your mouth, brat. Unless you wanna die."
His eyes shifted to Ariel.
"...".
Her pale gaze met his.
As lust flickered in his eyes,
Ariel's hand instinctively reached for her sword—then stopped.
'Wow.'
Impressive restraint, sis.
Not slicing his throat here.
Because of my words, sure, but she could've bent the rule this time.
"This girl's a looker. Might play with her before the ransom."
His hand reached for Ariel.
What an idiot. Didn't even notice his neck nearly flew.
Fine, the civilized one—you live.
Grip!
My hand shot out like lightning, blocking his.
"Wha...?!"
His face twisted.
My grip on his muscled arm didn't yield an inch despite my size.
Unbelievable for a mere fifteen-year-old— a honed swordsman's.
I stared him down.
"Hands off. Unless you wanna die."
At least I won't kill you.