Chapter 108: Quincy (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: Quincy (2)
“Understood. However, it is dangerous outside, so you must stay right by my side.”
“Okay!”
“And since we must hide your identity even more thoroughly, I will introduce you as my niece.”
“Yes!”
With that, Hamilton used a magical tool to slightly alter my appearance. It was a necessary precaution, as my hair and eye colors were far too distinctive.
Perhaps because he ran a trading company, he possessed many curious items. I stared at the magical tool that changed my hair and eye color with fascination.
“When we are out, you may call me Uncle.”
“Yes, Uncle!”
For a moment, Cedric crossed my mind. Since he was Dantalion’s cousin, he would be royalty with imperial blood, but it didn’t feel real; I had simply thought of him for no reason. Still, it would be a disservice to Hamilton to associate him with that jerk Cedric.
“I plan to stay here for the day. The people I trade with have offered to provide a room, so I will escort you there.”
“Okay!”
After passing through the city gates, the carriage slowly moved toward the center of town. Perhaps because the Siren Trading Company was so large, the place they traded with was also an impressively grand building.
“It has been a long time, Sir Hamilton!”
“Yes, it’s good to see you again.”
Hamilton was the third son of a Count and held the title of a knight himself. I heard he had briefly served in the Imperial Knights when he was younger. Although he was running a trading company now, one look at him made it clear he was a gallant knight.
“I don’t know how you feel about it, Sir Hamilton, but the people of the trading company must feel very secure. Any demonic beasts or bandits would surely be taught a lesson by you!”
“You flatter me.”
Had this man actually seen Hamilton chasing off bandits? In fact, Hamilton had slaughtered a group of bandits right before I met him. He responded calmly and shook the man’s hand.
“Hm? And who is this little lady…?”
“Hello, my name is Ledia!”
“Ho ho, what a very cute young lady.”
I used my pseudonym and gave a bright, innocent smile. It was the kind of smile that would instantly make anyone lower their guard and grin back.
“She is my niece. I’ve ended up looking after her for a short while.”
“Oh, I see. It must be quite exhausting for such a young lady to follow a trading company around.”
“Ledia is okay!”
“Hahaha, you’re quite spirited.”
The man laughed and patted my head. He did it without knowing my true identity, but Hamilton’s expression momentarily faltered, and his body flinched.
Still, we got through it safely. Hamilton began a serious business discussion with the man. I looked around the luxurious room with curious eyes.
“Wow, it’s pretty.”
The room was filled with various gems and ornaments; it seemed they were all products for sale.
The Siren territory, being close to the sea, was famous for pearls, coral, and aquamarine. It appeared this place received various gems from the Siren Trading Company, processed them, and then sold them.
“The gems are quite beautiful, aren’t they? Which one do you like?”
“Umm.”
Someone who seemed to work at the shop approached and asked me. It was the person the shop owner had assigned to look after me. After scanning the gems, I hesitated for a moment before reaching out.
“This one! This one is pretty!”
I pointed to a blue gem that looked like it held a piece of the ocean. It was a gem similar to the magic stone Melissa had given me. The clerk gave a satisfied smile.
“That is an aquamarine. It’s a truly beautiful gem, isn’t it?”
“Yes!”
“There is a saying that this gem is the tear of a mermaid.”
“Heh.”
Perhaps because they were gems from the Siren territory, many of them were associated with the sea. I marveled at the wide variety of jewels. I felt like I finally understood why the House of Siren was so wealthy.
“If you like it, shall I give you one?”
“Really?”
The shop owner, who had been talking to Hamilton, approached me at some point and asked. My eyes sparkled.
“There is no need for that,” Hamilton interjected.
“Ho ho, I’m doing this because I want to.”
“I will pay for it.”
“Then what would become of my reputation?”
The shop owner shook his head at the flustered Hamilton and spoke with a gentle face.
“Now, tell me which one you want, little lady.”
“This one!”
“You like that gem the best?”
“Yes!”
The shop owner burst into a hearty laugh as I chose the aquamarine without hesitation. And he truly gave the gem to me. He was an incredibly generous man.
Especially considering we had just met and were nothing more than a passing acquaintance.
I decided to give this gem to Melissa. I had received magic stones from her twice, after all.
But thinking of her made me worry about the others too. Marianne, Abel, Nathaniel. And the faces of Veronica, Dantalion, and Sophia also came to mind.
‘Hmm.’
However, I felt self-conscious about buying many gifts here. I had enough money, but people would likely be shocked if a child like me started shelling out cash for expensive jewels.
“Come to think of it, the night market is being held today.”
“A night market?”
“Sir Hamilton, why not show the child around?”
At the shop owner’s words, my heart swelled with anticipation, while Hamilton looked troubled.
“A child should go to bed early.”
“I don’t go to bed early.”
“Mmm.”
“Night market!”
Realizing I was looking forward to the night market, Hamilton became restless.
In truth, despite his cold exterior, he was very soft-hearted. It was likely because he didn’t have any children around him. Having no immunity, he was particularly weak to my pouting.
“Not for long. We will just take a quick look.”
“Yay!”
I cheered as Hamilton finally surrendered. Desmond, who had transformed into a small dog the size of a puppy, looked at me as if I were pathetic.
‘What? You like going outside too.’
[Well, that is true!]
In the end, we snickered at each other. Meanwhile, Hamilton, looking as if he had aged several years in an instant, led me to the room where we would stay the night.
“You must stay right next to me at the night market.”
“Yes! But where’s Philip?”
I looked around for Philip, who had disappeared from sight at some point. Hamilton replied in a grave tone.
“It would be more comfortable for the maids to attend to you than that man.”
“No, I like Philip.”
“……I will bring him shortly.”
It seemed Hamilton didn’t approve of Philip. Although I had offhandedly explained that he was a servant, Hamilton didn’t seem to believe it.
Then again, a trained knight like Hamilton would inevitably be suspicious upon seeing Philip’s disciplined physique. Still, I had to manage him strictly until I could send Philip to Dantalion as a witness.
“I thought you had abandoned me, My Lady, hic.”
“As if I would do that.”
As soon as Philip saw me, he clung to me, pretending to cry pathetically. Even if he was brainwashed, it was ridiculous to see an elite member of a fanatic group acting so foolishly.
I gave a small smirk, patted Philip’s head half-heartedly, and told him we were going to the night market later. His eyes sparkled at the news.
“A night market? I’ve never been to one either. I’m looking forward to it.”
“You didn’t go when you were young?”
“No, the most I ever saw was that village. This place seems like a huge city.”
“I suppose so.”
I nodded, also surprised as I looked around this place, which was a small city but still smaller than the capital. Even coming from another world, I found it fascinating.
If Hamilton tried to make us come back early, should I just make a run for it with Philip and Desmond?
I waited for the night market to open while secretly harboring such mischievous thoughts. Soon, dark shadows fell outside the window.
“Whoa.”
I had my face bundled up in a hood thanks to Hamilton, but I gasped in admiration as soon as I stepped outside. Along with all sorts of brilliant lights, there were even more stalls lined up than during the day.
I explored the night market breathlessly. Perhaps because it was the East where trade flourished, there were many exotic goods and foods.
I took a bite of the candied fruit Hamilton bought for me. Various small fruits that could be eaten in one bite were coated in a thin layer of sugar syrup. No matter how I looked at it, it seemed just like tanghulu.
The taste and texture were exactly the same. I felt happy as I ate the candied fruit. While the Imperial Palace had many more delicious desserts, it had been a long time since I’d enjoyed this kind of cheap, sweet treat.
“By the way, I heard the South is in an uproar lately?”
“……?”
A short distance away, some drunken men were conversing loudly. I strained my ears to listen to their conversation.
“Yeah, I heard a plague is spreading.”
“Ayy, your information is outdated. I heard the plague is mostly under control.”
“Really? Then what’s the fuss about?”
“They say the Quincies are acting up again. People are saying a war might break out.”
“……!”
What?
My jaw dropped at their conversation.