Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 47 : What Remains (2)

What Remains (2)

"A day out?"

Monet widened her eyes and looked at me closely.

"You're not planning to take me somewhere strange again, are you?"

It seemed Monet was still quite hurt by what had happened in the empire, as her wariness was obvious.

I put on my most harmless smile and replied, "Don't worry. This time, we're going to Kiten Forest."

"The fairy forest, you mean?"

"That's right."

Kiten Forest was quite a famous place in Vanhart's domain.

There were no monsters, and the tales of special beings called fairies living there had even turned it into a tourist attraction.

"There were rumors that the fairies in Kiten Forest kindly guide visitors and take care of them. I always wanted to go at least once... Okay!"

As expected, Monet, who'd loved fairy tales since childhood, took the bait right away.

"Then we'll go this weekend, so prepare at your leisure."

"Yes!"

As I watched Monet bow deeply, then leave with light footsteps, the Eye of Shimosha sparkled.

[Tsk tsk, what are we going to do with that innocent child? She's always being tricked by swindlers like you.]

"Tricking? Monet will actually be delighted she gets to see the fairies."

In fact, while Fabian is clearing the dungeon, Monet spends her time playing with the fairies.

"Well, since Monet's agreed..."

[Since she's agreed?]

"We need to prepare to go to the dungeon. First, I need someone who knows dungeons well."

I couldn't be sure that the information in the Synopsis was all there was. It was risky to enter a dungeon alone, with so many unknowns.

[Why not just take the knights?]

'What knights would that be? We barely have any left.'

[Oh, true.]

There were a handful left, but to be honest, none of them were particularly skilled.

I felt bad for those who'd stayed loyal to the family, but frankly, I didn't trust them.

Rather than that, it would be better to take an adventurer familiar with dungeons.

'Later, if I have time, I should check their swordsmanship.'

Maybe not before, but now I was confident that I could help the knights with their training if needed.

Thinking that, I returned to my room to get ready to go out.

* * *

Basically, if a town is even somewhat large, there's an adventurers' guild.

It's called a guild, but really it's almost more of a manpower agency, taking on a variety of requests.

'Fabian also went to Kiten Forest because of a guild request.'

Fabian had returned to Vanhart's domain after finishing his business in the Eintban kingdom.

To help Fabian recover from everything he'd been through, Monet had suggested returning to Vanhart's lands.

'Of course, in the original story, I died, so the land would've gone to some other noble.'

Probably the Deoric or Bellen family would have taken over.

Anyway, back in his homeland, Fabian stayed in the area a while, helping out with guild work.

That's what the episodes set in Vanhart's domain were about.

"Excuse me."

As I pushed open the rattling door and entered, everyone inside turned to look at me.

I was wearing fine clothes, so I stood out as I walked into an adventurers' guild.

"Oh!"

The guild receptionist rushed out to bow on seeing me. She had brown hair and a gentle look—I recognized her, too.

"Welcome, young master Clay. I've heard the rumors. They say you achieved great merit in the war and attended the Empire's Founding Festival..."

Sara, the guild receptionist, trailed off at that. She seemed to guess something must have happened since I'd returned earlier than expected.

"I just came back a little early because of something. And now I'm a count."

"Oh! Forgive me, Count."

"No need to call me that unless you want to... I'm honestly still not used to the title. Just call me like before."

"All right."

Sara smiled freely, just as she had before.

'Looks like Sara... doesn't have any particular connection with Fabian.'

Adventurers' Guild "Red Eyes".

This was the guild that Fabian used as his base for a while.

He was obviously involved with Sara often enough that I'd wondered if she was a 'main character', but apparently not.

I had some information about Fabian, but it was all pretty fragmentary—just a few work-related interactions.

"So, what brings you to the guild today?"

"Same as always, I'm here with a request."

"I suppose there's been a monster outbreak somewhere?"

After the loss of many knights, I had hired adventurers a few times to deal with monsters and maintain order.

It cost a bit, but was less expensive than deploying knights and they were dependable, with guaranteed results.

"No, nothing like that. I heard a rumor about a dungeon and wanted to check if it was true."

"A dungeon, I see... In that case, you'll want experienced adventurers. How many do you need?"

"Two or three will be enough. We'll just scout on the first day—if it turns out we need more, I'll bring extra later."

"May I know the location of the dungeon?"

"Kiten Forest."

Sara's expression became curious when I said Kiten Forest.

"I haven't heard any rumors about a dungeon there."

"I found out about it by chance myself. But as you know, it's a famous tourist spot. Anything could happen, so I want to be sure."

"You pay attention to even the smallest things, young master. I really think we're lucky to have you as lord."

Sara's smooth flattery was certainly professional.

"Understood. When will you be heading to Kiten Forest?"

"Around Saturday this week. Just have everyone ready by 2 p.m."

"Of course."

Knowing Sara, she'd pull together just the right people. In effect, all preparations were now complete.

'All that's left...'

Once I meet the Fairy Queen and clear the dungeon, that will be it, but I didn't let my guard down.

The Synopsis only gave fragmentary information; it didn't tell me everything.

'The most important thing is, why is Damian in the dungeon?'

And in what "state" is he alive?

* * *

"Kiten Forest's famous fairy flower crowns for sale!"

"Welcome! Our fairy guidance package is currently on sale at a great price!"

The village at the edge of Kiten Forest was livelier than I remembered.

The last time I'd come here was as a child, but now it was busier than ever.

"They say the landscape of Kiten Forest is beautiful—I can't wait to see it,"

Monet chatted away happily beside me.

"If I were a fairy, I'd just make people get lost in the woods and wander endlessly."

"F-fairies would never do that!"

"But it must be a hassle for them, since people are always making a fuss right in their backyard, don't you think?"

Because everyone who enters Kiten Forest ends up back at the entrance, a bizarre tourist industry had cropped up around it.

From the fairies' perspective, it actually made sense.

"I suppose... that could be true."

Seeing Monet looking dispirited, I hurried to reassure her.

"But the fact that the fairies have tolerated this behavior for decades probably means they find it fun. With so many visitors, the fairies might just be happy there are plenty of people to prank."

"Y-you're right! I think so too."

Finally, Monet smiled and I let out a sigh of relief.

[See? I told you not to tease such an innocent kid.]

'Be quiet.'

It was hard to deny Grancesia's giggling remark.

"So, young master, are we going straight to Kiten Forest? I really want to experience the fairies' tricks!"

"Oh, of course. But there are a few people joining us—is that okay?"

"People joining us?"

When Monet tilted her head in confusion, I signaled to those waiting a little ways off.

Three slightly awkward-looking men approached.

"Greetings, Count Vanhart."

"Nice to meet you. We're Vince, Herden, and Red."

At the sudden appearance of the three, Monet's eyes went wide, then she looked at me with suspicion.

"... Young master, you're not taking me somewhere weird again, are you?"

"I told you, no. I just hired some guards from the adventurers' guild, just in case something happens in the forest."

"You could have asked the knights."

"Wouldn't it be weirder to take knights on a simple outing?"

"... Now that you mention it, you're right."

Monet bought my prepared excuse without much trouble.

[How is someone that naïve going to survive in this world?]

'She's lucky, so it's fine.'

[... Can't argue with that.]

With a sigh, Grancesia finally quieted down.

"Count Vanhart, is there really a dungeon in Kiten Forest?"

Vince whispered quietly so Monet wouldn't overhear.

"I heard it from a reliable source. It's true."

"I see, understood."

"Let's get going then."

If we kept talking, Monet would get suspicious for sure. And surely enough, she tried to join our conversation.

"What were you talking about?"

"Oh, it's just—I'm actually from this village. I was telling the count about local legends!"

"Really?"

Vince replied quickly.

"Yes, truly! I know a lot of legends."

"Legends? About fairies?"

"Yes, those too. But there are others as well."

It didn't seem like Vince was just making excuses to avoid Monet's suspicion.

"Would you mind telling us?"

"Not at all. It's easy."

He cleared his throat and began.

"Hundreds of years ago, a terrifying mage lived here."

"A mage?"

"Yes. He was so powerful, corpses piled up like mountains under his hand."

Was there really such a strong mage?

I felt like I would have heard about someone like that, but I had no memory of it.

"Haha! Seems you think I'm making it up. But you do know the man who killed this mage."

"Who was it?"

"It was the Sword God Damian! He killed the mage, and it's said he died here as well."

I widened my eyes at the mention of Damian's name.

"Come on, there are a dozen different places rumored to be where Damian died."

"True. Heh, it's just a legend. But who knows—maybe this is the real place?"

Vince laughed, and Monet shook her head. It seemed he didn't really believe Damian died here, either.

Damian's final fate was a mystery.

He simply vanished one day, leaving no trace.

'Could Vince be right? I know Damian's here for certain, but...'

Knowing that, I couldn't just brush off the story.

Suddenly, Grancesia muttered softly to herself.

[Damian, Damian... hmm.]

'What's that about?'

[No, it's just—the name sounded familiar when you mentioned him before, but I still can't quite remember.]

She seemed unable to remember further, and quickly added,

[Well, if I remember, I'll tell you. Maybe something will come back when we meet him.]

'All right.'

Grancesia also lived centuries ago.

She was almost of the same era as Damian—maybe she really did know something.

'I'll just have to meet him myself to find out.'

With that conclusion, I headed into Kiten Forest with my party.

---