Rising Life Volume 2, Chapter 23

Volume 2: Episode 23 Adventures in the Street Market

　Kian follows Christy out of the Adventurers' Guild building.

　Outside the building is a marble platform with a rectangular space leading down a few steps to a brick-paved path.

　Manon――Mariabelle was sitting quietly on the steps, hidden in the shadow of a flowerpot on the left as you face the front of the building.

　She was dressed in the simple robe she had worn during the examination.

　Unlike Christy, who was dressed conspicuously, she was dressed to be seen.

　Or perhaps she's intentionally making Christie stand out so that Mariabelle herself, the key is not to be noticed.

「Manon!」

「――Christy. Welcome back. The result is.......It seems I don't need to ask. Hello, Kian-sama」

「Hello, Mariabelle-sama.」

　She was still wearing a white mask on her face.

　Her golden hair is visible through the gap in the hood, the same as before.

　The same blue, dark blue eyes stared up at Kian through the hole in her mask.

「Well, you don't need to call me "-sama".」

「That's not how it works. ......Mariabelle-sama is the lord of this frontier count's territory, after all」

「I see that my identity is already known. Still, I am a lord in name only. I leave the actual politics to the stewards and female magicians, and I'm just a good-for-nothing who spends her days playing around like this.」

「No, ......, uh, ......」

「My, was that remark too much for you to respond to?」

「Of course it does.」

　Christy let out a sigh beside Kian.

　Her arms were folded to emphasize her ample bosom. He was surprised to see them shake with just a big exhale―probably more than Esther's and about the same size as Arueno's.

　Kian looked politely at the lord girl, whose appearance was in stark contrast to the dark-haired female magician.

「I was asked to escort you, but...」

「Indeed. I'd like to go shopping in the western stalls.」

「Then you didn't bother to hire me, did you? You also have Christy-san, and if you wanted someone who could use a sword, you could have asked any of the free guards to come and change into their plain clothes.」

「I wanted someone who knew the street well. Also, someone who might be able to avoid getting into trouble. If it was an escort, though, Christy would be enough. If I had told the guards, they would have pushed me back into the room in the first place, and that's why I would have asked you.」

「Haaa ......」

「――Though that was just a pretext, Actually, I wanted to meet you again and talk with you.」

　Mariabelle's dark blue eyes under her mask softened as she said this.

　She placed her slender hands on the white mask and undid the clasp.

　When she looked up again, she revealed the fragile face you often see in portraits

　She had thin golden eyebrows and rounded eyes.

　A pointed nose and plump, cherry lips.

　Her cheeks were slightly rosy, and she smiled.

「My name is Mariabelle Danofern. I am the nominal lord of the Ezerland Frontier's Count territory. As you can see, I am a "delinquent" who escapes from the fortress during the daytime to play around. Pleased to make your acquaintance.」

「...... I am Kian, an 8th-class adventurer belonging to the East End Adventurers' Guild. Pleased to meet you, Your excellency.」

「Oh, you passed the exam?」

「Yes, thanks to Christy-san」

「Hmph, well, you're in luck. Manon said something like, 'I want to go see the Hero who defeated Griffin single-handedly,' so this me, who graduated at the top of my class from the Academy of the Royal Capital, decided to join the party. You can thank me and Manon for that.」

「Top of the class at the academy.........You mentioned it before. Amazing. Christina-san is an excellent magician, isn't she?」

　Kian said with a smile, but in his head, he was tilting his head.

(A one-woman magician who graduated at the top of her class and was under the command of a frontier count ......? I wonder if there weren't more options. Which research department did she graduate at the top of her class?)

『Does the department you graduated from make a difference?』

(Of course. If she graduated at the top of her class from the "Department of Ritual Magic", she would be a top candidate to become an executive in a Magician's Guild or a Female Magician's Association. If she graduated from the "Department of Magic Policy", she would end up in the royal court magician and eventually become an advisor to the king. It is also possible to graduate from more than one department. For example, if you graduate from both the "Department of Ritual Magic" and the "Department of Magic Policy" after fulfilling the graduation requirements――you will be a real genius, I think)

『I see. On the other hand, if it is the Department of Ancient Civilization Studies is...』

(That is the research department at the monastery in Azrair. There is no such department in the Department of Magisterial Law at the University of Franz. If I remember correctly ...... I think it was called "Department of Prehistoric Civilization Studies" at Franz. It is relatively easy to get a first degree there, for example. Relatively speaking, though.)

「We were lucky to get Christy. I had heard from the steward that "There was an outstanding magician who had been failing at finding a job", and I asked him to go and recruit her.」

「Hey, Manon!」

　Christy, who was proudly displaying her big breasts, instantly turned red.

　Mariabelle, on the other hand, put her hand over her mouth and smiled gracefully, "Hohoho".

「Isn't it good? There is nothing good in being pretentious.」

「No, you see, there's a certain honor.」

「For me, just being a graduate of the Royal Academy is an amazing achievement. What's more, to be at the top of your class,......, I honestly respect you」

「......! As long as you understand!」

『You're getting better at talking.』

(No, I mean it, though ......)

　Kian spilled his white teeth as he replied to the glasses.

「When you get a chance, please tell me what you have learned. I'm very interested.」

「Haah? Of course, you wouldn't understand a millimeter of what the essence of magic is, even if I told you. Can you even read and write?」

「Let's see....... I think I can read and write Azrair and Western Common and Eastern Common without any problems. I can at least read and translate modern Elvish, but I think writing it is questionable. Speaking it is absolutely impossible. Pronunciation is too difficult. Reading and writing ancient elvish is impossible. I can read about the most commonly used magical languages, but......That doesn't qualify as being able to read, does it?」

「Hah, as I expected, it's a big deal for a commoner――Wait, you caaaan!? Eh? You're kidding, right!? Huh? Azrair language aside, you can also read Western Common and Eastern Common!?」

「Yes. We are talking about Western Common Language right now.」

「C-Certainly .......and you're super good at its pronunciation.......wait, I won't be fooled! My father used to say that trying to make yourself look big is a scammer's usual tactic!」

「Eh, ehhh!? I was just being honest, though」

「You shouldn't do scams!」

「Wait a minute, what did you say these things are called ......, Right! It's a boomerang!」

「Huh!? I-It's not a boomerang!」 (TLN: Boomerang here is internet slang "coming back on you")

「Come to think of it, we played with boomerangs together the other day, Christy. It was a lot of fun. I want to do it again!」

　Mariabelle boldly ignores Christy's words and tries to proceed with the conversation in a carefree manner.

　The progress of the conversation seemed to be getting chaotic, so Kian decided to pull back somewhat forcefully.

「Um, I'm sorry. So, what is it that Your Excellency wants to talk to me about?」

「――? I simply want to meet you and talk, though. I have no other intention.」

「Yes. ......」

　Then did she come all the way out from the Ezerland Citadel with a quest just to make small talk?

　That is just too strange.

　Free-spirited and eccentric.

　The bards have been calling her the fragile princess of the frontier, but my image of her has been completely overturned.

　When Kian's expression turned indescribable, Mariabelle smiled and closed one eye.

「That is to say, I was only joking.」

「Eh? ........I don't know what's going on anymore .....」

「Ufufu. I have other intentions. Oswalt seemed to like you a lot during the exam, so I became more interested in you ....... I don't know much about dungeons, and I'm utterly hopeless about martial arts, but from Oswalt's reaction, I thought that you must be a very talented warrior, Kian-sama.」

　Mariabelle took a step closer to Kian.

　A deep dark blue-like sapphire stared up at Kian.

　She is not capable of seeing through the lies of others like Serena.

　But, when he gazed into these eyes, Kian felt as if she could see right through him to the depths of his true nature.

「The other day, at the far end of the examination hall, it was actually you, not Christy, who defeated the monster known as Shield Cain――Am I correct?」

「Huh? Huuuuuuuh!?」

「......It was Christy-san who was doing the last hit. There is no doubt about that.」

「You mean to say that Christy was the one who defeated it alone?」

「....... That is ......」

　I can't tell a lie, but I also can't humiliate the magician accompanying her in front of Her Excellency, the Count of the Frontier. Kian lowered his gaze, at a loss for a response.

　After staring at Kian like that, Mariabelle smiled at him.

「...... That is just my fantasy, though! That's why I came to see you today, to ask you about it, and to ask you to show me around the Western Stalls! Yes, it was true that I wanted you to accompany me shopping. What do you think, Kian-sama? Will you accept my request for an escort?」

「Of course I accept your request. I am an adventurer, after all, so I have no reason to refuse the request.」

「W-Wait a minute!」

　Christy interrupted.

　She then looked up at Kian as if glaring at him with an upward glance.

「Is it true that you are the one who defeated Shield Cain?」

「About that ...... Yes, it's true」

「......! I-Is that right ......? S-Still, it didn't look like it, though? I believe I stab it with a rock spear!」

「But Oswalt could see it. Isn't that why Kian-sama was invited to the "Order of the Sun" training camp yesterday?」

「...... How did you know that?」

「I heard about it from a knight named Renault de Chatillon. Do you know him?」

　Kian doesn't know how much information she knows, but Mariabelle still gives Kian a carefree smile.

　This is also difficult to reply to.

　He should answer that he knew him, but he felt that the more he answered her questions, the more complicated things would become.

『What are you going to do?』

(It is not good to deny. If Mariabelle speaks to Renault, Renault will be seriously offended because his pride will be hurt. But if I answered that I knew Renault, she would have to dig up everything about yesterday's duel.)

『What's the problem?』

(If word got out that I, a lowly adventurer, had a draw with a knight who could turn into a dragon, my peaceful days would be shattered to pieces.)

『Isn't that good? I'd even rather use that as a story to serve this girl.』

(Because it's not all that good. Something troublesome will definitely happen. I'm going to try to be reasonable here――)

　However, before Kian could say anything, Christy came to him with a red face.

　She thrust her magician's staff at Kian and gave him a sharp look.

「The one who defeated Shield Cain was this ME! You were just staaaanding there! You shouldn't lie! You know how scary a female magician can be when she's angry!?」

「Correction. I give credit to Christy-san. Sorry for lying.」

「――――! Y-You're pissing me off!」

「What do you want me to do then ...... Um, Your Excellency Mariabelle. Are you going to make me duel with the female magician who accompanies you? I've already scheduled a few duels, so I'm already full.」

「Christy. Stay! I say!」

「I am not a dog!」

「Yes, you are my friend, aren't you?」

「Huh? Of course, it's only a business relationship!」

「Eh? ......No way. Perhaps I was the only one who thought we were friends?」

「Urk. ......」

　Christy backed away as if frightened by Mariabelle's visibly sad face.

　A few seconds of heavy silence, and then the dark-haired witch brushed her hair back with a slight flush in her cheeks.

「W-Well ......? We hang out a lot in private, so we might be friends. But what is the definition of a friend anyway? That's where the discussion should start.」

「Definition ......? Christy sometimes says the strangest things. Friends are friends.」

「――――」

　It seems that one word from Mariabelle pierced Christy's heart sharply.

　She had been whispering noisily and suddenly became unable to finish her sentence, and her mouth was gaping.

　Kian watched from the side and thought that although Christy was a strange person, she was actually a very sad person.

『Kufufu, the definition of a friend? What is she talking about, this woman?』

(I'll try not to poke too much into it.)

　Kian replied to Glasses and deliberately said in a cheerful tone to restore the mood.

「Let's see, we are going to the street market, right? Let me show you around. This way, please.」

「Well, thank you, Kian-sama.」

「Please call me Kian, Your Excellency.」

「Then I will, Kian. I'm counting on you」

　Mariabelle walks out with Kian right next to her.

　Right behind them, Christy says, "Wait for me!　......W-Wait!" She shouted and hurriedly followed.

　　×　　×　　×

「There are two places I want to visit in the western stall area. One is "Mao Yue (Yellow Moon)," a store of the Eastern merchants' association.」

　From the main street to the west street.

　From West Street to the street stalls where there are many Azrair people.

　For Kian, it is a familiar area where he used to visit every day to eat food from the street stalls during his days of extreme poverty.

　In the East End town, which is well-preserved and has a rather clean and tidy impression, this street is a rather crowded place.

　Blue, red, yellow――

　Tents of various sizes in primary colors are spread out in the open, and the people passing by are as racially mixed as a salad bowl.

　Someone's noisy shout or tout voice is constantly rising, and the characteristic smells of smoke from food stalls, burning meat, and spices fill the air among the jostling people.

　Kian leads the two girls to the back, successfully avoiding the densely populated zone

「"Mao Yue" ......is it? They deal in ingredients for elixirs (miracle drug) there, but most of them are, well, dangerous kinds of poisons. I wouldn't recommend going near them.」

「We're not buying medicines.」

「............?」

　Then what are you going for――?

　Kian looked down at the masked Mariabelle again and raised an eyebrow.

　In addition, he extends his arm to Christy, who is staggering behind him after being bumped by someone, and supports her.

「Don't leave my side. It's dangerous.」

「......! D-Don't to――」

「They're after your wallet」

「Eh」

「Over here.」

　Kian whispered quickly and lined Christy up beside Mariabelle.

　He stretches out his arms and brings the girls together for protection and guidance.

「Don't worry, I'm watching.」

「Eh...... yes......」

　The crowd around her may have frightened her, but Christy, who has grown quiet at once, nodded her head.

(At this distance, she'll probably get hit before she can use her magic. She's probably feeling anxious because she can no longer rely on the one thing she can count on.)

『This girl looks surprisingly easy. Looking at it this way, she seems to have a good magic power ...... doesn't she look delicious?』

(Sure, sure)

　Kian replied appropriately and indicated to Mariabelle to the right diagonally ahead.

「That big yellow tent is "Mao Yue"」

「Thank you. Christy, get the money ready.」

「......, I mean, I will do the negotiations, right?」

「No, I will do it!」

「Haah!? Of course you can't! It's dangerous!」

「I can handle it a little! Isn't that right, Kian?」

「I'm watching closely from the side, but if possible, I'd like Christy-san to handle the negotiations」

「See, he says this, and I'll do it!」

「Eeeeh! Let me do it! I mean, I'll do it! This is a decision!」

「A-Are you serious?」

「Yes, if you're worried, please put a barrier on me.」

「A-All right, fine. I'll put it on, just stay where you are for a second.」

　After such an argument in front of the store, Mariabelle stepped into the yellow tent.

　Then, a suspicious Eastern man wearing sunglasses came out from the back of the store.

　Mariabelle had Kian and Christy waiting behind her and talked with the man who owned the store for about five minutes about something. After a while, Christy magically pulled out a bag of gold coins and handed it to the shopkeeper. In exchange, Mariabelle received three small booklets from him.

「Then, I will send one of my subordinates over later and return the copies to you.」

　With a graceful smile, the frontier princess leaves the store with Kian and Christy.

　Kian gave a quizzical look to Mariabelle.

「That booklet is ......?」

「It's a diary. I hope you don't mind it.」

　She smiled faintly and handed it to Christy, never showing the cover.

　But between her hands, Kian could see the words on the cover, written in the Common Eastern dialect.

　"Customer List'――

「――――」

　Kian involuntarily looked back at the "Mao Yue" tent.

　A customer list for a store that also dealt in poison pills.

　This girl had paid a lot of money for it.

　What in the world was she doing this for――?

「Kian, this is the next and last.」

「Ah, yes. Do you know the name of the store?」

「Christy, I need dowsing.」

「Yes, yes, yes. ......」

　The dark-haired girl, who had tucked the booklet into her backpack, tediously said this and pulled out a silver apparatus from under her sleeve.

　It has a rectangular shape, and when she holds it in her hand, the tip of the apparatus begins to shimmer and sway.

「Second, we are looking for an item, not a store. An amber ring with a griffin's crest on the back. It's in this stall area, isn't it, Christy?」

「Yes, definitely. Dowsing is responding well――Over there, that stall.」

　She pointed to a crude tent made from a few rags.

「Let us gooo!」

　Mariabelle said bravely and quickened her pace.

　As was the case during the previous exam, this princess had strong legs and loins for a princess.

　It must be because she walks around a lot regularly.

(You can imagine how hard it is for the female magician accompanying her. ......)

　Kian sneakily gave Christy a sympathetic glance, then hugged her back and followed Mariabelle.

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