A Stroll
Aria's enrollment at the magic academy came sooner than I'd expected.
From what I heard, it was originally scheduled much earlier, but various circumstances had delayed it.
"Puppy, I'm off…?"
"Have a safe trip."
"Don't let anyone bully you while I'm gone…!"
"Yeah, sure…."
"Who'll give you treats…."
"The maids will take good care of me, so don't worry."
In the end, even I felt a twinge of regret at the thought of sending Aria away.
After seeing her almost every day for two years, now she was heading to magic academy.
She'd be staying in the dedicated dorms there.
Apparently, it had the kingdom's tightest security and guards, so raids weren't a concern.
Rowell would escort her back to the mansion on weekends, and see her off again when she left.
Aria's safety was basically guaranteed.
"Ah, no, this won't do…! Get in the bag!"
"Lady Aria…? I don't think I'll even fit halfway."
"Use Aura to squeeze in!"
Anyway.
Even after clinging to me until the very last moment, Aria finally departed for the magic academy.
Afterward, peace… no, boredom settled over the mansion.
Deron and Caiden had gone with her as both servants and her bodyguard knights.
I couldn't help thinking, if they could take them along, why not make me a servant and bring me too?
But my complicated status was one issue, and above all, Aria had sobbed her heart out but showed no intention of changing me from dog to human.
So I was left alone in the doghouse.
"Who am I supposed to spar with now?"
"You'll have to make do with the scarecrow."
"Damn."
And there was one more reason: Rowell had subtly opposed taking me along.
Considering the old man's personality I'd observed over time….
"So, is there anything you want me to do?"
He must have judged it best for me to stay here.
If so, surely he'd have some task for me?
"You're quick on the uptake."
"It's been two years."
Two years with Rowell, too.
I felt like I had a decent read on him by now.
"It's about time you ventured outside, don't you think?"
"Outside?"
"Do you even remember the last time you went out?"
"…No, not really."
I'd been sold at a slave market as a kid and shipped straight to the Colosseum.
After that, I'd stayed cooped up in the mansion.
Truth be told, I'd never properly explored the outside world in this life.
"She won't come back on weekdays anyway, so feel free to go out during that time."
Rowell said this as he tossed something to me.
"What's this?"
What I caught was a silver seal.
Or was it actual silver?
The emblem in the center looked familiar even to me.
It was….
"The Boyd family seal."
Right—the black hawk wielding a sword.
The Boyd family crest.
"For me?"
"Yes. It's given to vassals who have earned merit. Use it as proof of your status."
"Ho…."
It was basically a substitute for an ID.
With this, my identity would be guaranteed anywhere in the Adel Kingdom.
"I'll put it to good use."
More importantly, giving me this meant…
I had business outside, right?
"So, what should I do out there?"
"For the next week, just take some walks around."
"I can do that?"
"Skip the weekends when she might visit. On weekdays, wander and get familiar with the outside."
Rowell tossed me a pouch as he spoke.
Clink.
The weight of the pouch told me what was inside before I even touched it.
"Money?"
"Since you don't know the way, I included a capital city map."
"Aigoo, you shouldn't have."
Peeking inside, I saw a small map and a pile of silver coins.
…How many silver coins were there? It looked like a hefty sum.
"You're giving me all this? You're generous."
"No, it's yours."
"Pardon? This money?"
This was mine? It looked substantial at a glance.
"I paid your salary for this month in advance."
"…Care to explain that in more detail?"
A salary?
I'd never received one before, assuming I wouldn't.
Who pays a dog that lounged around all day eating handouts, then trained and played with the lady?
But giving me a salary now meant he'd have work for me in return.
"I'll have tasks for you going forward, but I won't force you. For now, go out, sightsee, and relax."
However, Rowell turned and headed back to the mansion without elaborating further.
I tucked the money pouch into my bosom as I watched him go.
…Well, whatever.
I couldn't stay holed up in the mansion forever.
It was about time to step out.
"You're going out?"
"Yes, Rowell suggested it, so I figured I'd give it a try."
"Gasp!"
Word of my outing spread, and the mansion erupted in chaos.
"Let us dress you up!"
The maids who'd been tending to me swarmed, eager to primp me.
"No, just prepare some plain clothes."
"But? You could go out looking like a proper young master and it still wouldn't be enough."
"I just want to look around quietly."
My goal was a simple stroll.
No need for fancy robes or grooming like usual.
I wanted to blend in like an ordinary citizen.
Well, with my build—head and shoulders above the average adult male, and a body honed by training—it wasn't perfect camouflage.
Still, better than looking like a noble's son or someone from a wealthy house.
"Understood…."
Seeing my resolve, the maids slunk away with their beauty tools in hand, looking dejected.
…Why were they so keen to doll me up?
Everyone here was bored out of their minds, that was it.
I could relate, thrashing about from sheer idleness myself.
Anyway.
"Here, wear this…."
"Thanks."
I donned the plain clothes—likely borrowed from some servant—and stepped out of the mansion.
Clank—
"Have a good time."
Leaving the mansion after nearly two years inside was surprisingly easy.
I just walked to the gate, and the guard opened it.
"Hm."
A wide-open road stretched before me, flanked by a neatly manicured forest.
I walked along it, marveling at the Boyd family's influence—owning a mansion and surrounding woods right in the kingdom's capital.
Soon, a grand boulevard appeared, lined with other mansions.
…This was something like a high-end residential district.
I pulled out the map to get my bearings.
It helpfully marked our current location at the mansion.
Heading east along this boulevard led to the commercial district.
It seemed like the heart of the capital, so I headed that way first.
I could probably run there in no time at my pace, but….
I strolled slowly, admiring the well-kept woods and distant mansions.
…This feels great.
The mansion gardens and sky from the doghouse were nice, but…
This open world felt strangely exhilarating.
Come to think of it, even in the Colosseum, I'd been stuck underground or in enclosed arenas.
This might be the first real view of the world since the slave market.
Absorbing the novel sensation, I wandered while taking in the sights until I reached the commercial district.
"Hmm…."
Being near the noble quarter, it reeked of luxury.
I'd expected something like a market from my past life, but every shop was in an ornate building with fancy signs.
The passersby wore high-end clothes, making my plain shirt and trousers stand out.
I paused to check the map again.
Following the road further should lead to a more ordinary commercial area, separate from the residential zones. Time to check it out.
That said.
The Adel Kingdom was clearly prosperous.
Fantasy worlds often painted nobles as the only ones living well, but here even commoners—non-nobles—laughed and strolled the streets carefree.
The roads were well-paved, carriages passed quietly and orderly.
…These were probably the typical Colosseum patrons.
With commoners this affluent, why had I reincarnated into that shack of a poorhouse?
Musing on my hazy memories of that destitute birthplace, I ambled leisurely down the street.
Lost in thought, the scenery gradually shifted.
Well-dressed folk thinned out.
Soon, streets bustled with people in clothes like mine—obvious commoners hustling about.
This must be the general commercial district.
Carriages clattered noisily, grubby kids darted through the alleys.
Yeah, this was the fantasy world I knew.
"Out of the way!"
As I walked, a boy bumped into me and brushed past.
Thud.
Classic.
Clink.
I snatched the pouch he'd tried to lift and retied it to my belt.
No way I'd fall for a sloppy pickpocket after years honing my instincts.
Coming home robbed would be a real embarrassment.
Besides, eyeing my size and build for a mark? That kid had potential.
I flicked his forehead lightly as he grabbed for it—hope he shapes up and lives straight.
Anyway.
I resumed wandering, browsing the occasional street stall.
Bought a skewer of mysterious meat from a vendor and munched it.
Peeked into a trinket shop.
Hm, not quite right for buying souvenirs here.
Something for the maids who cared for me daily, or for Aria once she settled at school and visited weekends.
Better pick those up in the upscale district on the way back.
After casually exploring the commercial area, I consulted the map and headed to the place that intrigued me most.
Let's see, around here….
There it was.
I stopped before a fancy stone building, about three stories tall.
At a glance, it looked like some fine institution.
But the golden gauntlet emblem embedded in the center and the rough-looking folks coming and going gave it away.
This was the mercenary guild.
A fantasy staple—I'd been dying to check it out.
Wonder what the mercenaries here were like?
After eyeing the exterior, I stepped inside.