Chapter: 15
“Miss, it seems we’ve arrived.”
After hearing the maid’s words, I staggered to my feet.
Looking out the carriage window, the scenery that had been moving now stood still.
Did we finally arrive in Evans?
This journey was truly exhausting.
I never thought I would feel the expression “leaving home is tough” so deeply.
The sleeping conditions are awful.
The food is tasteless.
I can’t even wash properly. All I do is roll around as Possell tells me to.
But the worst part was the bugs.
No matter how well I prepare, we’re camping with torches lit, right?
So, bugs are bound to swarm us.
But the bugs in this damn fantasy world are far more vicious than modern bugs.
Just thinking about them is terrifying.
When a knight set up a magic circle to repel bugs, the bugs that had been quietly lingering outside the circle…
Until now, I had been questioning whether I really needed to learn magic.
Since I decided to be a tank, I didn’t really need to take on the magic tree.
But this time, my mind has changed.
I must learn magic, even if it’s just for the bug-repelling magic circle.
While staying at the academy, that’s one thing, but after graduation, I’ll be camping so often that it’d be horrific to think there won’t be a bug-repelling magic circle.
Anyway, after enduring all that for about two days, I became sick of camping.
Having lived in a worse environment than during military training, I never wanted to camp again.
I guess I can sleep indoors today?
Now that we’ve arrived at the village, I should be able to sleep here, right?
Right?
I got out of the carriage and looked ahead to see Possell talking with the village chief of Evans.
It was a bit far, so I couldn’t hear the conversation clearly, but judging by the bright expressions on their faces, it seemed like things were going well.
“Miss, did you manage to rest?”
A voice called from behind as I stretched.
It was Karl, carrying a load that seemed to be twice his height.
Karl’s punishment didn’t end with last night.
The nature of his wrongdoing was too serious to be resolved in a day or two.
After all, he did lay a finger on the noble daughter of the family.
He was continuously called upon for various dangerous duties.
He was always summoned for night watch, and he was the first to be called when there was a beast attack.
Even during ordinary times, he carried most of the knights’ gear.
It was more akin to the life of a slave than that of a knight.
Having lived this kind of life throughout the journey, one would expect his expression to look grim, but Karl’s face remained bright.
I couldn’t understand it.
“Miss?”
‘A little bit.’
“The carriage was terrible, but I managed to rest somewhat.”
I had just been marching with the knights outside before collapsing from exhaustion and hopping into the carriage.
The carriage was shaking so much that it hardly felt restful, but after catching my breath a bit, it got better.
“How was the journey? Was it bearable?”
‘Is that even a question?’
“Is that what you call this?”
Would you say it was bearable?
This trip was unequivocally the worst journey of my life!
Even if you think of it as training, it’s the same! I’d rather have the winter training I did in the military!
…Well, maybe not.
Anyway!
If you expected me to say something nice, you were greatly mistaken!
I’m confident I could complain about this journey all day long!
“Ahaha, Miss, it’s because you don’t come outside often. Once you get used to it, this will all feel easier.”
‘Will it really feel easier over time?’
“Crap, do you think it will? The reason you think that is because you’re silly.”
You’ll eventually get used to it, sure.
But it won’t be easier; it’ll just be a little less screwed up.
Getting easier means technological advancements.
The riding comfort of carriages improves, camping facilities get better, and the quality of meals rises.
Will these things improve over time? Not a chance.
Well, eventually, after a very long time, it might.
Like, say, 300 years later.
But by then, I’d be old and decrepit, so it won’t mean anything. Right?
As I shot back my sharp reply, Karl avoided my gaze.
He probably said that jokingly, but it didn’t seem like he truly believed it.
‘Still…’
“Still, it’ll be fine today. You’ll be able to sleep in a bed.”
“In a bed? Oh. I guess you can do that alone, Miss?”
‘What? Me alone?’
“Hmm? Just me?”
“Yes. Our knights are going to camp near the dungeon.”
Karl explained that while Evans is a big town, it couldn’t accommodate all the knights.
As the military of the Count’s family, they could instill fear in the local citizens. Since the knights weren’t here for work but for training, they can’t harm the locals, which is why they seemed to be camping near the dungeon.
Hmm.
Given that, maybe I should camp with them?
If the Countess were to drop into a village like this, it’d cause a stir.
But I do need to stop by the village, right?
I have something important to pick up from Evans Village.
This complicates things.
“You can sleep in the village, Miss.”
Startled by the voice that came out of nowhere, I turned to see Possell standing behind me.
That massive presence somehow moved stealthily—it’s impressive!
“Sleep in the village, you say?”
“Yes, you must have been tired from all the camping, so take a day to rest.”
‘But wouldn’t the villagers be uncomfortable with me?’
“Do I really have to sleep in such a shabby village?”
The considerate words I intended came out aggressive thanks to my skills.
Oh no, if I keep speaking like that…
I panicked and looked around swiftly.
I wondered if the village chief from earlier was still nearby.
…Ah. He was.
Behind Possell stood the village chief, wearing a stiff smile.
A village chief would be someone deeply affectionate toward his village, yet here I was, openly calling it a shabby place right in front of him.
How in the world am I supposed to handle this?
Is it even possible to fix this?
…
Whatever. What if it can’t be fixed?
Are those folks out of their minds enough to mess with the Countess?!
If they have a problem, let them try revolting!
“Please, it’s better for the knights this way.”
They did show me a lot of consideration during camping trips.
Being from a family they serve, they really pay attention to me.
Perhaps it would be better to step back this time? That way the knights could take a moment to breathe.
Possell glanced at the knights, as if looking for a consensus.
But the knights shook their heads desperately, standing politely.
What’s going on? Don’t you all think it’s better for me to stay with you?
You look genuinely concerned about my every move, don’t you?
Why?
“Alright, Miss, if you follow the village chief, he will show you to your lodging.”
‘Okay. Got it.’
“Just got it.”
However, since Possell leaned in close and insisted on a decision, I had no choice but to nod along.
How could I refuse when that menacing hulk was pushing his face into mine?
No matter how much higher my status is, I can’t say no to that face!
When I stated I would sleep in the village, despair washed over the knights’ faces.
Why are they acting like that? What disaster do they think would unfold?!
After gaining my consent, Possell introduced the person standing behind him.
“This is the village chief of Evans Village.”
I know. I’ve seen him before in the game.
He is the one who offered various little quests.
None of those quests were significant though, so he wasn’t the NPC I’d go to unless in a hurry.
“Greetings! Countess Lucy! Welcome to Evans Village!”
As I set foot into Evans Village, I realized I had been operating under a misconception.
Children were running around, shouting joyfully near the entrance of the village.
People were gathered near the well, chatting merrily.
Others were working hard, beads of sweat dripping down their brows.
These weren’t NPCs just standing around mindlessly, but rather individuals living their own lives.
That’s right. This world is from a game, but it’s reality as well.
As I was lost in admiration, the villagers suddenly noticed me and began kneeling one by one.
Huh? Why are they acting like that?
Why do they look frightened? What have I done to deserve this?
‘Chief, why are those people acting like this?’
“Panata, what’s going on with them?”
“I’m so sorry! Young Lady! If you found it unsettling!…”
The chief raised his voice, sending the villagers’ initial fear spiraling into greater panic.
Watching their pale faces with foreheads pressed to the ground, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I came to this village for absolutely no good reason.
What on earth have the rumors about Lucy Allen spread that caused them to act like this?!
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