Chapter 47
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Things Left Behind (2)
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“A trip?”
Mone widened her eyes and looked at me intently.
“You’re not planning to drag me to some weird place again, are you?”
She seemed to have been quite upset about what happened in the Empire, judging by her heavy wariness.
I flashed her the most harmless smile I could muster.
“Don’t worry. The place we’re going this time is Kitten Forest.”
“The fairy forest?”
“Yeah.”
Kitten Forest was a fairly famous spot in the Banheart territory.
No monsters appeared there, and rumors of special beings called fairies living inside had turned it into a tourist attraction.
“There are rumors that the fairies in Kitten Forest kindly look after people and guide them. I’ve always wanted to visit... Sounds great!”
As expected from someone who’d loved fairy tales since childhood, Mone bit the bait hook, line, and sinker.
“Then we’ll go this weekend. Take it easy and get ready.”
“Yes!”
I watched Mone bow politely and head off with light steps. That was when the Eye of Simosa gleamed faintly.
[Tsk tsk. What to do with this innocent child. Always getting duped by swindlers like you.]
“It’s not duping her. She’ll actually be thrilled to see the fairies.”
In fact, while Fabian was tackling the dungeon, Mone spent her time playing happily with the fairies.
“Anyway, now that I have Mone’s approval...”
[Approval?]
“Time to prepare for the dungeon. First off, I need someone who knows dungeons inside and out.”
I couldn’t be sure the synopsis held all the info. Heading into an unpredictable dungeon alone was risky in every way.
[Why not just bring some knights?]
‘Like we have any knights left in the family right now.’
[Oh, right.]
We did have some knights remaining, but honestly, none of them were all that skilled.
It pained me to say it about knights loyal enough to stay with the family, but I just couldn’t trust them fully.
Better to team up with adventurers who had solid dungeon knowledge.
‘I’ll have to check their swordsmanship later when I have time.’
Before, maybe not, but now I could certainly guide and help our knights with their skills.
With that in mind, I headed back to my room to prepare for going out.
* * *
Adventurer guilds exist in pretty much any village of decent size.
They’re called adventurer guilds, but they’re basically staffing agencies, taking on all sorts of requests and handling them.
‘Fabian ended up going to Kitten Forest because of a guild request, too.’
Fabian returned to the Banheart territory after finishing up in the Aintban Kingdom.
Mone had suggested heading back to the Banheart lands to help the worn-out Fabian recover from his ordeals.
‘Of course, in the original story, I was dead, so the territory probably went to another noble.’
Likely absorbed by the Deolic family or the Bellun family.
Anyway, once back home, Fabian stayed here awhile and helped out at the adventurer guild.
That’s what the episodes in this Banheart territory were about.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
I pushed open the creaky door, and the eyes inside the building turned toward me. Dressed in fine clothes, I must’ve stood out in an adventurer guild.
“Ah!”
The guild receptionist spotted me and hurried over, bowing deeply. She had brown hair and a gentle face—someone I knew.
“Welcome, Young Master Clay. I heard the rumors. You earned great merits in the war and attended the Empire’s Founding Festival...”
Sara, the receptionist, trailed off there. I’d returned sooner than expected, so she must’ve guessed something happened.
“Just came back early for some business. And it’s Count now.”
“Ah! My apologies, Count.”
“No need to be so formal. Honestly, ‘Count’ still feels awkward to me. Just call me like you used to.”
“Yes.”
Sara smiled brightly, no different from before.
‘Sara... doesn’t seem to get involved with Fabian much.’
Red Eyes Adventurer Guild.
The guild Fabian used as a base for a while. Naturally, he tangled with Sara a lot, so I wondered if she might be a ‘lead,’ but apparently not.
There was some info on Fabian, but it was fragmentary—just a few work-related encounters.
“So, what brings you to the guild?”
“The usual. Here to post a request.”
“Monsters causing trouble somewhere?”
After losing most of our knights, I’d hired adventurers a few times for security, to deal with monsters.
It cost money, but cheaper than mobilizing knights, and they were reliable with solid aftercare.
“No, not that. I heard about a certain dungeon and want to verify if it’s real.”
“A dungeon... Then I’ll find you adventurers with plenty of dungeon experience. How many?”
“Two or three to start. Just scouting the first day—can add more if needed.”
“Do you know the dungeon’s location?”
“Kitten Forest.”
Sara’s expression turned odd at the mention.
“Never heard of a dungeon in Kitten Forest.”
“Got it by chance. But as you know, it’s a famous tourist spot. Can’t risk any incidents breaking out, so better check it out.”
“You’re so thoughtful, even about the little things. We’re lucky to have you as lord.”
She smoothly buttered me up—a true professional.
“Got it. When are you heading to Kitten Forest?”
“This Saturday. Have them here by 2 p.m.”
“Understood.”
Sara would pick just the right people. Prep was basically done.
‘All that’s left...’
Meet the Fairy Queen, conquer the dungeon—easy. But I wasn’t letting my guard down.
The synopsis gave fragments, not the full picture.
‘Most important: why Damian’s in the dungeon.’
And in what ‘form’ he was alive.
* * *
“Kitten Forest specialty: Fairy Flower Crowns for sale!”
“Come on in! Fairy Guidance Packages at super low prices right now!”
The village near Kitten Forest was busier than I’d expected.
Last time I’d visited was as a kid, and it buzzed with way more energy now.
“They say Kitten Forest’s scenery is stunning. I can’t wait!”
Mone chattered happily beside me, in high spirits.
“If I were the fairies, I’d just let people get lost in the woods forever.”
“F-Fairies wouldn’t do that!”
“But it’s like they’re constantly partying in the fairies’ front yard. Wouldn’t that annoy them?”
Kitten Forest’s layout looped you back to the entrance naturally, spawning this bizarre tourism industry. From the fairies’ view, it was worth considering.
“Well... maybe...”
I quickly added to my words as Mone’s face fell.
“But the fairies putting up with this village for decades means they’re enjoying it in their own way. Maybe they like having all sorts of people to prank.”
“Y-Yeah? I think so too.”
Only then did Mone smile again, and I sighed in relief.
[That’s why I said don’t tease the innocent kid.]
‘Quiet.’
Gransesia’s giggling taunt was hard to deny.
“Young Master, shall we head to Kitten Forest right away? I want to experience the fairies’ pranks!”
“Yeah, of course. But some folks are joining us—cool with that?”
“Joining us?”
I nodded toward people waiting a short distance away as Mone tilted her head.
Three men approached awkwardly from there.
“Greetings, Count Banheart.”
“First time meeting you. We’re Vince, Herdin, and Red.”
Mone’s eyes went wide at the sudden trio, then narrowed suspiciously at me.
“...Young Master, you’re not dragging me somewhere weird again, right?”
“No, really. Just in case something happens in the forest, I hired escorts from the guild.”
“You could’ve asked the knights.”
“Bringing knights on a casual outing would be weirder, no?”
“...Yeah, when you put it that way.”
Mone, who’d eyed me dubiously, bought my prepared excuse and nodded.
[How’s she gonna survive this harsh world being so naive?]
‘She’s lucky, so she’s fine.’
[...Can’t argue with that.]
Gransesia fell silent, exasperated.
“Count Banheart, is there really a dungeon in Kitten Forest?”
Vince whispered so Mone couldn’t hear.
“Heard it from a reliable source. Solid intel.”
“Y-Yes, sir. Got it.”
“Let’s move out, then.”
More talk like this, and Mone would get suspicious. Sure enough, she piped up.
“What’re you two whispering about?”
“Oh, I’m from this village originally. Just sharing some local stories with the Count!”
“Really?”
Vince responded with quick wits.
“Yeah, for real. Know all sorts of legends, too.”
“Legends? About the fairies?”
“Well, fairies too. But other mysterious stuff.”
Vince seemed more than just deflecting suspicion.
“Care to elaborate?”
“Sure, not hard.”
He cleared his throat.
“Hundreds of years ago, a terrifying mage lived here.”
“A mage?”
“Yeah. So powerful, mountains of people died by his hand.”
Such a strong mage? Would’ve been famous, but I’d never heard.
“Haha! You think I’m making it up. But you know who killed him.”
“Who?”
“Sword God Damian, sir! He slew the mage and passed here.”
Damian. My eyes widened at the name.
“Pfft, places claiming Damian died there are a dime a dozen.”
“True. It’s just a legend. But who knows—maybe this one’s real?”
Vince laughed heartily as Mone shook her head. He probably didn’t believe it either.
Damian’s end was unknown.
He vanished one day, trail gone cold.
‘Is Vince right? Damian’s definitely here, though...’
Knowing that, I couldn’t brush it off.
Then Gransesia muttered softly.
[Damian, Damian... Hmm.]
‘What’s with you?’
[No, like before when you mentioned him, it rings a bell.]
But nothing came to mind, so she shrugged it off.
[Eh, I’ll tell you if it hits me later. Might click when we meet.]
‘Got it.’
Gransesia was from centuries ago, same era as Damian. Maybe she knew something.
‘We’ll find out when we meet him.’
With that resolve, I led the group into Kitten Forest.