Chapter 13

I was currently sipping a light beverage alongside Carusien in the cozy, pleasant-atmosphere lobby of an inn located in the large metropolis of ‘Pars,’ where a festival would kick off starting tonight. True to my expectations, the walk had taken about two days, and while I had thoroughly enjoyed the camping experience I’d been looking forward to, something still felt unsatisfying.

Seeing me like that, Carusien naturally picked a fight now. Having stuck together day and night for two full days, I knew how he’d react even without looking.

“No, what on earth is there to be so dissatisfied about?”

“Hmph.”

Yet, annoyed as I was, I simply sipped my drink—which boasted a tart yet delicious flavor—in response to his words.

And I thought to myself inwardly.

What am I so dissatisfied about, you ask?

If I could genuinely and honestly just scream it out loud right now, I would have flipped all these tables and gone on a rampage. It’s such a pity I can’t do that. Instead, I howled on the inside.

What am I dissatisfied about?! Damn it, everything is a disappointment!

The world is too peaceful, that’s what’s wrong with it!

Truthfully, even while dragging Carusien along with me, one thing I had secretly anticipated was an encounter during travel—the kind that serves as an absolute staple of fantasy novels. Normally in a fantasy world, two individuals who were still, in a way, children like Carusien and me would never travel all by themselves.

Why? Because it’s a place where monsters exist, bandits exist, human traffickers exist—a place where you never know what kind of incident might break out at any given moment.

If Carusien hadn’t been there, the Duke wouldn’t have granted me permission to go on a trip in the first place. Come to think of it, I hadn’t even bothered asking for formal permission. But given the nature of the Duke’s position, he certainly knew by now that I had gone on a trip, and he undoubtedly knew my traveling companion was Carusien.

He might only be serving as my swordsmanship instructor right now, but this damn hunk of a guy, loaded down with heavy protagonist buffs, possessed truly absurd levels of strength.

An ogre, called the king of carnivorous monsters? What is there to worry about when you have a guy who can cleave a scarecrow in half with a wooden sword?

What if bandits show up—how could a mere human commit murder? If Carusien were the type to harbor hesitation like that, he wouldn’t be living his life with such a complete lack of flexibility. He’d slice them clean through in a single stroke. Chopp-chopp.

Anyway, my original plan was to use this guy’s strength to rescue people facing life-or-death threats from monsters—a classic fantasy novel cliché—and have them say,

[To be travelling at such a young age, you are truly amazing.]

…While looking utterly astonished, to which I would reply,

[It’s nothing much. Heh-heh-heh.]

…That was my dream, and it had just been shattered! My dream had been completely crushed. Even if it wasn’t specifically that, some sort of incident ought to happen—was it because this wasn’t a standard fantasy, but a world inside a romance fantasy novel?

“The world is too peaceful.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Ugh, the lack of fun… we need an incident.”

I had been stuck in this exact state ever since we arrived at our destination city after two whole days of not a sing-le problem occurring. This wasn’t the kind of trip I had in mind. Something exciting needs to happen! No, if there isn’t anything, I’ll cause one myself!

With my eyes sparkling, I looked around the people inside this pleasant, calm inn.

Perhaps because the festival started today, there was a wide variety of people present.

From mercenaries who looked disgruntled because they couldn’t find a room at another inn due to the festival crowds, and nobles quietly enjoying a light cup of tea while soaking in the quiet atmosphere, all the way to commoner families enjoying a harmonious meal together.

Watching those people, a great idea popped into my head. Festivals are meant to have that explosive kick that shatters this kind of quiet atmosphere, wouldn’t you agree?

“Lady Armienne?”

Seeing Carusien call out to me in surprise as I suddenly sprang up from my seat, I grinned. Leaving a flinching Carusien behind, I raised my fist and slammed it down straight onto the wooden table.

Bang!

Naturally, the sudden noise drew all eyes straight toward me, and looking right at them, I shouted out.

“I am Armienne de Celion of the ducal household of Celion!”

“No, what in the world is this…?”

I laughed as I watched the inn turn as silent as the grave the moment I revealed my identity. I laughed on the inside and outside. Carusien stared blankly at me, seemingly entirely unable to imagine what was about to happen next.

“I am going to propose a wager right here and now. Yes, a wager. To truly enjoy a festival, one must not be in their right mind. A festival is something best enjoyed only after getting properly drunk on the atmosphere, so it can be enjoyed doubly as much. Isn’t that right!”

“………….”

However, whether due to the terrifying weight of the name ‘ducal household of Celion’ or perhaps because of my own notorious reputation, the people remained frozen stiff, unable to utter a single word. Watching them, I slammed my fist down onto the table once more.

“Answer me! You bastards!”

Only then did the people shout back with pale, frightened faces.

“Yiiiiikes! Y-yes, that’s right!”

“Indeed!”

“That’s right, spot on!”

I looked around at everyone’s eyes, which held a mix of fear and a faint sense of anticipation for what was about to happen next, and opened my mouth once more.

“That is why we are going to start a heavy drinking contest right here. Anyone who can drink, whether man or woman, join in! No absences allowed. Order as many side dishes as you like, and order as much alcohol as you want. The bill for tonight’s stay and food here will be covered entirely by the ducal household of Celion!”

The ducal household had more money than it knew what to do with—wasn’t this the exact time to spend it?

“Ooh-ooh!”

“Wooooah!”

“Long live Lady Armienne!”

The mercenaries and commoners were the first to express their cheers loudly. Since alcohol right in front of them mattered far more than rumors about me anyway, it was the expected result. Swept up in their atmosphere, even the few nobles present, despite looking bewildered, had faint smiles playing at the corners of their lips.

My plan didn’t end there. No, if anything, it was just beginning.

“Ahem, though I would love nothing more than to tip back cups together with you all….”

Gulp.

Catching the gazes of people who now seemed to be eagerly anticipating whatever I was going to say next, I slowly drew out the suspense and turned my head toward Carusien. The gaze of the crowd, filled with expectation, followed my movement and locked entirely onto Carusien.

Right now.

“If word that I’ve been drinking reaches the ears of our esteemed His Excellency the Duke, every single one of your heads might roll! Therefore, as the one who will drink in my stead, I am putting this man forward!”

“…Eh?”

A voice filled with sheer bewilderment reached my ears, but I brushed it off lightly.

“Do you even know who this man is?!”

“We have no idea!”

Prompted by the immediate reply as the atmosphere heated up quite a bit, I pointed my finger at Carusien. Carusien stared at me blankly, looking as though he couldn’t fathom why he was being singled out.

“This man is none other than the famous Carusien de Farba!”

“…Eh?”

The rigid, inflexible man who still hadn’t realized he had fallen right into my trap felt a growing sense of unease. Hearing the name Carusien, the crowd began to buzz even louder than before.

This was the very man so famous that even the estate maids knew of him.

“Don’t tell me, the one who awakened to aura at age seven?!”

“The invincible genius swordsman whom no one can best!”

“The next Sword Emperor!”

Good. Excellent. This is the exact atmosphere. Swept up in the mood, I just kept my mouth running. By now, even I didn’t know what I was saying.

“You don’t seriously think this man only knows how to swing a sword, do you?!”

“Ooooooh!”

“As expected of a sword genius!”

I had no idea what being a sword genius had to do with drinking alcohol, but my goal was to create a fun atmosphere and an exciting event, and lastly, to ditch Carusien for the duration of this festival.

“Naturally, he won’t drink quite as well as he swings a sword. That right there is your opportunity. When else in your lives would you ever get a chance to ‘win against’ Carusien! Drink and defeat this inflexible genius of the sword, Carusien de Farba!”

“An opportunity.”

“Yeah, this is our chance!”

Even though no alcohol had touched their lips yet, the atmosphere was already as if everyone were completely drunk.

“Naturally, since it’s a wager, we can’t have it without a prize, can we?”

Now that I’d brought it up, I had no clue what I should put up as the prize. So, looking around my surroundings, I asked.

“Is there anything you happen to want?”

The moment I opened my mouth, a flurry of voices erupted.

“I want a kiss from Lady Armienne, the most beautiful woman in the world!”

“Crap, who was that just now? Motion denied.”

Obviously not. I had zero intention of locking lips with a man. Unless it was Miel, maybe.

“A hug from the cutest young lady in the world!”

“Uhm, no. Denied.”

It might sound like nothing much, but on a fun festival day like this, I had no desire to go rubbing shoulders and embracing random men either. But why were all their requests so weird? Normally, wouldn’t people want money or some material prize?

“W-well then, even just a handshake with the young lady would do.”

It was getting downright pitiful now. A handshake, at least, was manageable….

“Would that suffice?”

At my words, everyone inside the inn nodded and shouted. Even the nobles, who were supposed to uphold their dignity, were included among them.

“Yes, absolutely!”

“………….”

What is wrong with these bastards?

Wondering if my palms were starting to sweat for no good reason, I clenched my hands tightly shut.