Preparation for going to the capital took a lot longer than I thought.
[Time left until beta launch: 2 years 3months]
I put my hand on my forehead out of exhaustion.
'I didn't think prepping for a five-day trip would feel like preparing for war.'
I lift my head, trying to regain energy.
'But hey, at least I am on the carriage.'
Sigh
'I hate travelling.'
"I can see that you still hate travelling."
Alice, who is sitting in front of me, starts the talk.
She is smiling, brighter than any stars.
But, somehow, it's her, creepy.
"It's exhausting."
My words are filled with obvious exhaustion.
But, it appears that Alice disagrees.
"It's fun, young master."
Her excitement is strong enough to cover her usual calm demeanour.
'She sure is enjoying it.'
Alice looks like a girl who is going out for the first time.
The bumps on the road are making her chest bounce—unavoidably.
I mean, it's right there. I am a guy, not a saint
'Well... I guess that's a perk of travelling.'
***
The Capital of Devoe comes to vision.
The trip went smoothly.
And.. I say 5 days were wasted.
I ate, slept, read, and tried to figure out what Olivia said to me all five days.
[Your role is ∎∎∎∎∎]
'I guess I have no way to know right now.'
Come to think of it, haven't seen my dad in a while.
Should I go and meet him?
"Heyyyy...."
He sent me letters saying how much he misses and wants me to get better.
He should be at the Capital.
There is no way he will miss someone like Saintess.
'The Freeblood line, is it?'
"Heyyyy... Daniellll."
Yeah.. I should go and meet him.
"Hey, Daniel."
Hearing someone call my name, I turn to the carriage's window.
And.. there is Hogan, riding a horse.
"Lost in thoughts? I have been calling you for a while."
"Yeah, maybe."
Hogan is the son of Viscount Shavuor.
He is a bright and handsome man with the potential to become a Royal Knight.
But... he has one flaw.
"By the way, did you hear that new volume of Heavenly Demon's Diary is out?"
He is a big Eastern Maniac.
Especially for Heavenly Demon.
There was a time he asked me to create a sword technique for him to roleplay.
Other than that, he's a good guy.
"I did hear about it."
I answer in a friendly manner.
He's a friend, so there is no need to be rude to him.
"Greeting, Young Master Hogan."
Alice greets him, too.
"Hey, Alice." "So, Daniel, are you here for it?"
He asks me, his eyes are full of expectation.
"No, not really. I am to meet the Saintess."
The disappointment that appeared on his face was like a chipmunk losing its food.
"Okay, well.. see you at the festival."
After saying his farewell, he hastens his horse.
I look at his back and let out a sigh.
'He really wants that book, huh?'
"What an odd person."
Alice says after Hogan departed.
"Even though The Capital is a full-week trip from the Viscounty Shavuor, he still insists on making the trip on horseback."
Alice speaks in a gentle tone with a bright smile.
At times like this, she looks like a gentle girl who wants to learn more about the world.
That is... "adorable.." I mutter.
"huh?? Did you say something, Young Master?"
I smile, "No, nothing."
***
When we arrive behind The Capital's walls, the festival's decorations are all over the streets. It's lively... and colourful.
The waves of laughter of the children are all over the streets. It's peaceful.
'It's given since it's a Founding Festival.'
'Founding Festival.'
'Around 500 years ago, Founding King, Aron Devoe, defeated the Demon King of all devouring Flame with the blessing of Flame Goddess, Ifarne.'
'It's said that Founding King Aron is her child—born of fire. That's why he can control the fire as if it were part of his soul.'
'But even that king cannot tie down the ancestor of Vindaloo.'
A smirk appears on my face.
'What kind of person is my ancestor?'
While I let my thoughts wander, I notice a bookstore that has just opened up.
It's the only bookstore that sells the book that Hogan enjoys reading.
'No way, he forgot to buy it... right?'
Even so, I decided to buy it.
He is a very forgetful person after all.
I told the coachman to stop the carriage.
Alice, surprised by the sudden stop of the carriage-
"Did something happen, Young Master?"
Her expression is yet to change from that of a curious girl.
'She looks adorable at the time like this.'
After admiring her cuteness, I look out the carriage's window.
"I want to walk around for a bit."
Hearing my response, Alice's expression returns to her usual calm demeanour.
"May I inquire the reason for that action?"
The bright tone disappears, and her usual cold tone emerges.
'There is the Cold Alice.'
'Honestly, I like her better that way.'
"It's a festival."
I reply.
'Yeah, it's a festival. What could go wrong?'
I am going to regret those words.
"If so, I shall accompa-"
"If only the carriage arrives at the estate, it will cause trouble to the coachman."
I cut off Alice before she could finish.
Hearing the truth in my words, she stops thinking of accompanying me.
"hmp!!"
She turns her head away. She is.... pouting???
I guess she is upset that she can't go with me.
So before I get off the carriage, I pat her head.
"Let's go together next time, okay??"
She doesn't reply, but her ears turn red. That's alone enough answer for me.
***
I walk around the streets after I sent Alice off to the estate.
It's quite peaceful.
Children running around, people setting up stalls for the festival.
It reminds me of my late mother.
Those days were fun.
I let out a bitter laugh.
'What's the point of regretting it now?'
I was a little brat,— blind with my talents.
'The one who didn't cherish the time with the ones they hold dear is at fault.'
Maybe she would have been here with me if I hadn't walked into that forest alone.
Putting those painful memories away, I take out the book I bought—in case Hogan forgot.'Friendship is weird,' I mutter.Still, how good is this book, really?
I put it back inside my magic pouch.
I don't want to do anything with it.
Unless it's a magic grimoire, I rarely gaze at it.
And all of a sudden.
[God has updated the system.]
Ohh, Olivia.
I nearly forgot she is around.
'Where have you been?'
It's a good thing that Olivia can read my thoughts.
If not, I'll look like a fool talking to blank air.
'What do you mean by 'updated system.'?'
[After some modifications, God has added quests and a reward system.]
[However, quests are only available for the player.]
[NPCs, such as you, will receive rewards based on theiractions]
Well, that makes sense.
Based on my experiences with board games, NPCs are more like lifeless dolls.
I expected that… but still, being treated like a doll stings more than I thought.
[Host's previous actions had been analysed, giving out a reward for actions.]
[Host had seeked revenge for the poisoning accident, which result in near cripple of host.]
[Reward added]
[Host had killed exactly 236 people. Reward added.]
[Congratulations on receiving two additional traits for the chosen path.]
[Traits added: No border between Good and Evil.]
[Traits added: I know what I am doing.]
I raise an eyebrow at the rewards that Olivia gives me.
When it says, I was expecting some equipment or some items.
'Anyway, let's check those two traits.'
I mean it gotta be something useful, right?
I doubt God will give me something useless.
Then, again. He's doing it worldwide, so it's a possibility.
Bump
When I am about to check the traits that I got as the rewards, a kid bumps into me.
Of course, he falls on his back.
"Are you alright?"
Even if he is the one who bumps into me, I should offer a hand.
I mean, that's common sense.
Without saying anything, he runs off his way.
He seems to be in a hurry.
And.... my wallet's gone.
From the look of it, I can tell he is from the slum.
Even if it's a peaceful time, something never changes.
I could let it slide, but it's a good chance to see how things are going in the slum.
Not because I'm mad or anything. Just… curious.
Yeah. Curiosity.
Totally.