The Adventurer Who Lacks Magic Power - Chapter 17

Fien took a liking to the work clothes and even wore them inside the carriage. Well, they do have beautiful embroidery and bear the Hamawarl Viscount family crest, so they look good.

The mystery of why work clothes were so great became apparent when five orcs appeared. As per our pre-arranged plan, the knights guarded the viscount and maids inside the carriage, while adventurers took defensive positions against the orcs.

Quickly disembarking from the carriage, Hyalda and Fien, standing on the carriage’s coachman seat, attacked the orcs before the adventurers, swiftly defeating them. After the battle, they nonchalantly returned to the carriage, sitting down as if nothing happened. It was my duty to deal with the orcs I defeated, store them in the Magic Pouch, and then proceed with the journey.

Adventurers were content since I promised that the beasts I stowed away in the Magic Pouch would be submitted to the adventurers’ guild in the capital, and the escort adventurers would share the rewards.

The two were preparing for the magic tournament, conducting training against moving targets.

Even after leaving Hamawarl territory, we occasionally encountered wild beasts, but our larger group discouraged them from approaching. Hyalda and Fien were disappointed that it didn’t turn into practice.

So, I rode in the maids’ carriage, created a 40 cm earth magic sphere, and shot it diagonally ahead, much to the viscount’s amusement. It was target shooting practice.

Speaking of amusement, Hyalda, imitating my camp house, brought a container-like wooden box, 10 meters in length and 3×3 meters in width and height. It became popular among the escort knights and adventurers for breaks on rainy days or camping.

We arrived in the royal capital, Helisen, as planned, in 20 days. Except during this season, visiting nobles’ mansions in each town would add more days. Currently, everyone is heading for the capital, so greetings are unnecessary, but dealing with nobles is troublesome.

Once in the capital, I bid farewell to the viscount and stayed at a hotel. There was a branch of the Egdora Hotel in the capital, and accommodations were arranged there, reassuringly stated by the viscount.

Regardless, I went with the adventurers to the capital’s adventurer guild, handed over the orcs, and said my goodbyes. Dressed inconspicuously in olive-green adventurer attire, I headed towards the Egdora Hotel mentioned at the guild.

Near the guild, I noticed a few shady characters. Why are they getting closer?

“Hey, big brother, making some money? A bit short on cash, you know?”

“Uh, I’m only 15 and not an adventurer, so I don’t earn. Please try elsewhere.”

He grinned, slipping past me but kept following.

“Ah, you were with those guys who came from the countryside earlier. I know you were selling orcs from your Magic Pouch. As a courtesy to the adventurers in the capital, why not treat us to a drink?”

“Could you lend me your Magic Pouch? A kid like you shouldn’t have something like that.”

“Alright, how about a greeting then?”

I had prepared a slightly hardened softball-sized object and shot it into his stomach. I kept it at the impact level of a minor traffic accident. He doubled over, groaning. Since today seemed like a day he wouldn’t be able to drink anymore, I left him and headed for the Egdora Hotel.

It’s massive! The hotel I stayed in was probably four to five times the size. An old doorboy opened the door, casually asking, “Do you have business with our hotel?”

“I should have a reservation.”

“I apologize. Allow me to guide you to the front desk.”

Guiding me to the front desk, the attendant remained discreetly behind. Good, a check for suspicious characters and safety measures until they are sure. It’s like a mirror for bodyguards.

“I’m Kaito; there should be a reservation.”

The receptionist operated something, and a bell rang in the back. A well-built middle-aged man came out.

“Kaito-sama, welcome.”

“Kaito-sama, we’ve been expecting you. I’m the manager, Yaraato. Let me show you to your room.”

He gestured to the doorboy to step back and led the way to the room.

“Please feel free to use it like the Egdora room, just as you please, like Viscount-sama. If you need anything, pull the string next to the door, and an attendant will come.”

After saying that, the manager stepped back, and a maid came in with tea and cake. The service seemed more experienced and standardized on a larger scale. I changed into the clothes the viscount made for me, enjoying tea at the hotel. I’ll keep this attire in the hotel to avoid obscuring the viscount’s face. When I go out in the city, I’ll transform into a young merchant style. After having breakfast, I went to the reception counter, expressed my intention to tailor some clothes, and had a tailor called. I also borrowed a map of the city of the royal capital. The tailor was given the same design as the clothes I was wearing: calm chocolate brown, gray, and dark green in different colors. Additionally, I ordered two sets of clothes in calm colors suitable for the royal capital, leaving the design to the tailor.

The map of the royal capital showed only the royal castle and the noble district. Due to military reasons, this was unavoidable, but not knowing the location of the Hamawarl Viscount’s mansion was troublesome. So, I decided to take a stroll and check it out. When I asked the manager, and he told me it was far away, I changed my plans to a visit to the market. There was no particular reason to go, anyway.

Transforming into a dandy style, I descended. There, I unexpectedly bumped into Hyalda and Fien.

“What are you up to?”

“Oh, Kaito, that outfit suits you too. We want to practice magic outside the city. We came to ask you for guidance. Are you going somewhere?”

“It’s nothing important. I thought I’d take a leisurely stroll and explore the market.”

“In that case, Master, please give us guidance in magic.”

This time, transforming into an adventurer style, I left the hotel with Hyalda and Fien following.

The manager himself saw us off, and the feeling was a bit uncomfortable. We left the capital’s outskirts in a carriage with six guards and deviated from the road for a while, entering a grassy field.

Since I was asked to be a target, I created a defensive wall, hid, and threw targets out in a fan shape.

Since the direction and timing were irregular, only half hit.

The target shooting in the magic tournament involves shooting targets arranged in two rows, 1-6 and 7-12, in numerical order. Competitors shoot them from a distance of 50 meters. It’s a competition where three people compete.

Hyalda and Fien had powerful shots, but my accuracy decreased subtly past 40 meters, and the power halved. I couldn’t even reach 60 meters.

Hyalda and Fien exchanged glances, and while smiling meaningfully, they seemed to be having fun, but I stopped

 before my magic power halved, pretending not to notice.

“Until the magic tournament, occasionally accompany us in practice.”

“Can you escape that easily? Nobles’ socializing is tough, isn’t it?”

“Your father seems to be having a hard time.”

“Hohen is involved with the Hohen Trading Company. He informed lords of various territories about criminal activities related to affiliated trading companies, leading to their dissolution. The lords who received the information were apparently quite grateful. His face gained quite a reputation through this. Nobles can be quite frightening.”

“Well, do your best. I’m also bothered by the rumors in social circles. People flock to me, a young merchant, to confirm the truth. Since I can’t say I don’t know, and if I talk carelessly, what I’m hiding might leak. So, probing with questions from the wives of the problematic nobles is a bit of a pain. Sometimes, you need to relieve stress with magic practice.”

On the way back in the carriage, they complained, and I listened to their grievances as a form of relaxation. As long as I’m not involved in the commotion, do whatever you want! That’s my honest opinion.

After enjoying tea at the hotel, I saw Hyalda and Fien off.