第４３６堀：ピクニック (Part1)
**Chapter 436: Picnic**
**Picnic**
**Side: Comet**
"Boring."
That was the word that slipped from my lips.
"Master, please refrain from saying things like that."
From beside me, the young girl Popuri said that, but I couldn't stop.
"Boring."
I mean, I can't help it. I thought that for the first time, I’d be able to see countries other than Weed on this continent. But we rushed out of Roschur, didn't stop by any particular towns or villages, and just kept moving at a brisk pace. The scenery isn't anything novel, and the plants don't seem all that different from the other continent.
"Well now, Comet-dono, don't be like that. Being able to take a leisurely lunch like this is a rare luxury in this day and age."
"I suppose so. Oh, Riel-kun, give me that sandwich."
"Okay. Here you go, Comet."
"Thanks."
I took a big bite of the sandwich I received from Riel-kun.
Yep, as expected, Hifie’s homemade cooking is delicious.
Like Taizo-san said, I don't want this lunch to be interrupted, so I guess I’ll tolerate this peacefulness.
"However, I heard that monsters appear normally on this continent, yet we haven't encountered a single one. Eris-dono, why is that?"
"Popuri, if monsters were popping up on the main roads connecting countries, logistics would come to a halt, wouldn't it?"
"Ah, I see. So they are periodically culled, or there are patrols?"
"That’s right. Well, they do appear sometimes, but it’s usually just one or two Goblins or Slimes that anyone could defeat. If a pack is found, they are eliminated immediately."
I see. Now that you mention it, that’s obvious.
It means they’ve secured the safety of important areas. Since we are heading toward the royal capital of a country, we aren't going to any monster dens off the beaten path, which is why this journey is so laid-back.
*Sigh*, at this rate, the Magic Kingdom is my only hope for entertainment.
A country created by the God of Magic—I wonder what it’s actually like.
"Come to think of it, Ria."
"Fuh-nee?"
"……Please finish eating before you answer."
"Nom, nom… *gulp*. So, what is it?"
"Ria, have you ever heard anything about the Magic Kingdom?"
"Ah, before I came to Weed, I was a village girl and then a slave, so I don't know anything about other countries. Riel or Eris might know more."
At Ria-kun’s words, everyone’s gaze shifted to the two of them.
Come to think of it, nearly half of this group is from the other continent, so they don't know anything about the situation on this side.
"Hmm. I don't really have an image of the Magic Kingdom. I heard that over there, magic is everything, and people who can't use it are treated poorly. So, back when I was an adventurer and couldn't use magic, I never went out of my way to visit. How about you, Eris?"
I see, so beastmen like Riel wouldn't go near it.
They naturally channel magic power into their physical abilities, so their aptitude for formal magic is low.
With that, all eyes turned to Eris.
"Let’s see. I have visited before on a sightseeing trip—or rather, a journey to broaden my horizons. As an elf, I am somewhat well-versed in magic, so I was interested in the 'Country of Magic'."
"And? How was it?"
"If you ask me that, it’s hard to answer because I’m sure you have high expectations, but compared to Weed, it’s not even a contest."
" " "Ahhh…" " "
Everyone’s voices of realization overlapped.
Of course. Weed is on a different level.
The difference in basic technical capability is like heaven and earth.
After that disclaimer, Eris-kun continued.
"Well, I think it lived up to being called the 'Country of Magic'."
"How so?"
"Like Popuri, they have established magic academies. People even come from various other countries to study there."
"Oh, I’ve heard of that too. But I heard the entrance exams are quite difficult."
"Yes. However, if you can get in, the tuition isn't that expensive. In exchange, you are forcibly registered with a state-run research institution, and you have a mandatory obligation to report any research results."
"Well, that’s to be expected, I suppose. I had a reporting requirement in my territory too. I guess it’s the equivalent of a magic university on this continent."
"Yes, the official name is the Nonoa Magic Academy. Well, naming it after the founder seems to be the standard, doesn't it?"
True, if you give it a grand name, you might not live up to it, and giving it a nonsensical name is also weird, so using your own name is easier for those around you to accept.
The new weapons I’ve made are now called things like 'Holy Swords' and other grandiose names, but the official name was 'Convenient-Strong-Sword,' or 'Con-Str-Sword' for short.
Names are difficult, aren't they?
"I had an acquaintance who worked at the academy in the Magic Kingdom, so I was allowed to stay there for a while."
"Wait? Isn't that pretty important information? This is the first time I’m hearing about it."
"Indeed. It’s news to me as well. Have you told Yuki?"
"Of course I have. But I was just a guest, so I didn't have any significant information. At most, things like ring-type catalysts that replace high-performance staves being distributed to the public, or cheap magic tools for lighting fires being sold—that’s about it."
"I see. If it’s just that, Narjia-san mass-produces those as a hobby, and for fire-lighting tools, you’d just say 'why not use a lighter or matches?'"
It’s no wonder Eris-kun’s information didn't reach us.
Yuki-kun had to prioritize information in the limited time he had, so he must have deemed this information to be of low importance.
I feel the same; I don't think it’s necessary.
If she had known something deep, it would be different, but as a mere guest, she only knew things anyone could look up.
Or perhaps, if we didn't have the means to act as envoys for Weed, he was planning to infiltrate it using Eris-kun’s connections?
"So, did you meet this Nonoa person?"
"Unfortunately, I have no memory of meeting them."
"I guess you don't get many chances to face the head of a country, huh."
I said that as I finished off the rest of my sandwich.
Faide-san was devouring a vegetable sandwich he got from John-kun.
Man, is it really okay to be that happy about a man’s home cooking?
Well, it’s someone else’s hobby, so it’s fine.
While I was thinking about that, Taizo-san, perhaps sensing an opening, asked a question in my stead.
"Eris-kun, and Faide-dono. I’d like to ask as well—do you remember what the lives of the residents were like?"
"Let’s see. It felt quite ordinary. The main streets were bustling, but once you stepped into an alleyway, there was no sewage system, so the stench was terrible, and thugs, thieves, and dead bodies lying around were the norm. Well, being the 'Country of Magic,' I felt it was slightly less than elsewhere, but still."
"I don't have anything particular to add either. Magic is just widely used in general; otherwise, it’s not that different."
"I see. As a ruler, it’s not much different… I see. Well, that’s how it is."
"Why did you ask such a thing?"
"No, I was wondering if they were using magic to conduct some unique form of governance. But it seems that’s not the case. If there were, I thought we might have an opportunity to not only negotiate but also learn from their strengths."
"I see. But at the time, I was just a sightseer, so even if there were revolutionary things, I might not have grasped them."
"That’s true, too."
"Eris was in the Magic Kingdom before she became a slave, right? That was a long time ago, so we should just take a good look for ourselves this time. Right, Ria?"