『Then you think I’d deceive my cute son? Even if you’re rotten, you’re the man who was to become the next Head. You must have been treated befitting of that. If you don’t like something, then giving an order to change it is normal for your ilk. Also, the fact that you got the minimal treatment is your own fortune.』
“Fortune?”
『That’s right. You know you were in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange if you died, right? More so than kicking you out because they didn’t like you, it would be easier on them to kill you, and feign that it was an illness.』
Being told that was quite a shock. I truly was in an environment where my needs were minimized. Of course, it was also one where I was never recognized.
And after being told, the fact that I wasn’t killed began to sound strange for the first time. Even for Celes, who treated me as a hated figure.
『Finally starting to get it? You never thought it was strange before, right? Where was the charm that pulled the wool over your eyes? A monster great enough to twist your environment. You’re lucky to have survived. That may just be how much your parents loved you, and resisted that monster.』
A monster that even altered the environment… that was Celes, the First Generation concluded.
『Those ones have nothing like common sense, and it may just be by a whim that you were thrown away. There’s no way for me to understand a monster’s feelings. But they truly do exist.』
The First’s monsters of history.
I was slightly swallowed by his words. My experience with Celes makes it something I can’t laugh away.
“Then… is Celes the cause of it all? I wasn’t wrong?”
『No idea about that one. By what I know about you, you’re a brat oblivious to the world that causes trouble to the old man’s descendants. A true spoiled brat. And I also don’t know that girl known as Celes. I only ever began to be able to speak like this when your Skill manifested in here.』
“R-really?”
The things I lacked a response to continued to multiply, and I could do nothing but stay silent. There, the First Generation spoke.
“Hey, you, what do you plan on doing from here on out?”
“Eh? Well… I’ll become an adventurer, right?”
『Wrong! In a time when the country might be swept up in turmoil, and you know it’s going to happen, what is your course of action, is my question! The life of that Novem-chan’s in your hands too! If you act poorly, I’ll smack you, you got that?』
Today, I learned that there were many things I hadn’t been giving thought to.
I thought it would work out one way or another, but right now, I have the existence called Novem alongside me. You could say she arbitrarily tagged along of her own accord, but abandoning her isn’t a possible option.
“I-I am…”
『… You need to think of yourself more. Just looking at you irritates me.』
Saying that, the First Generation headed off to his room. He opened the door, and slammed it behind him with all his might. Having been left in the meeting room, I thought for a while about what it was I should do.
–
–
–
“It’s come into sight, Lyle-sama!”
Standing up high on the loading cart of the wagon, Novem shouted as she pointed at the city of Dalien that had come into view.
Perhaps because our long voyage was finally coming to an end, Novem’s expression was bright. My mood had also become lighter.
I plan to exert myself as an adventurer in Dalien for the time being. Meaning our travels will be put on a temporary hold.
“It sure has. It doesn’t look like a bad place.”It didn’t seem overflowing with people like the Imperial Capital. And I won’t say it was noisy, but it was a lively city.
Dalien… like Zell had told me, it was a town with the energy to drive forwards its development.
I looked at the side profile of Novem’s happy face as I thought.
(Just… what is it that I should be doing…)
I had been thinking about it since yesterday, but I couldn’t find an answer whatsoever. Even if I wanted to consult someone, it seems that today’s the First Generation’s turn to look over me, so even if I call out, there’s no response.
He must be feeling quite irritated, looking at me.
“The adventurers’ guild in Dalien is is quite big, I hear. There’s an abundance in work to be found, and it’s said to be a perfect place for a novice to start out.”
“Where did you hear something like that?”
“When we were out shopping in the capital. It was where we were to stay for a while, so I was curious as to what sort of place it was.”
As Novem said that, I heard a voice from the Jewel.
『… What a good kid. She’s more than you deserve. Compared to that, you didn’t even dry to collect information… che!』
I heard him click his tongue.
“… Novem, I’ve caused you quite a bit of trouble. I-I’ll also work hard from here on.”
I felt my own worthlessness, as I gave my thanks to her.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m doing this because I want to. Lyle-sama, let’s work hard together.”
“Y-yeah!”
There, this time, the voice came from the owner of the cart, a young peddler…
“Che!”
『Che!