I couldn’t sleep well last night.
It’s been such a whirlwind of events: suddenly being transported to another world, getting caught up in a battle, and then being asked to escort a beast-man noble. The journey to Zacks was filled with tension due to the escort duty, and we both had so many questions for each other. It was more of a situation explanation and assessment than actual thinking.
But once we arrived in Zacks, checked into the inn, and ate, that’s when all those issues rushed in. The fact that Prim and Apricot were bathing and I was alone was also a reason I had time to think.
Considering that guests who came to this world in the past died without exception due to the Helios Orb, there’s no way for me to return to my original world. I spent the night contemplating the cause of my arrival at the Helios Orb, and I still believe the origin lies in my original world. At the very least, it’s impossible unless I find something equivalent to it.
However, searching for it is impossible without any money. Apricot asked me to escort her to a town called Feel, where I’ll also register as a Hunter. I also received a bounty for dealing with a thief, so I should be fine for the time being, but I can’t just do nothing. That’s why I just purchased equipment for Prim and myself at the weapon shop in Zacks.
“After agonizing over it, you ended up choosing a standard single-handed straight sword.”
“Honestly, I wanted a single-edged sword with a curve. But since I’ll be buying a magic silver weapon when we get to Feel, I figured this Iron Sword would suffice.”
I mentioned that I didn’t need a weapon since I can use Engraving Magic and Multi Edge, but I was told it’s bad to go unarmed as a guard. I understood it was reasonable and necessary, so I decided to buy an Iron Sword for now. However, having learned swordsmanship in my previous world, what I truly wanted was a Japanese sword. But I doubt I could explain a Japanese sword in this world, and more importantly, our journey is urgent, so I can’t afford to search thoroughly. Besides, I plan to buy magic silver arms and armor in Feel, so this is good enough as a temporary measure. For the same reason, I’ve also held off on purchasing armor.
Prim has the same idea, but unlike me, she can’t generate weapons. So, as a precaution, she bought an Iron Spear as a spare.
“Well, it’s just temporary, so as long as it lasts until Feel, that’s fine.”
“Yeah. Besides, I know the manufacturing method of Japanese swords to some extent and can explain it, so I’m thinking of asking for one in Feel.”
That’s right. My Engraving Tool also contains e-books and textbooks, and I even have a few games installed.
Since the Engraving Tool is an electronic device, it naturally becomes unusable when the battery runs out… I’m sure you’re thinking that. But that problem has already been solved decades ago. The Engraving Tool is manufactured with the premise of using Engraving Magic, so it’s unacceptable if it becomes unusable due to a dead battery in a pinch. In other words, it’s designed to be usable by flowing magic into it. Furthermore, the multi-functional information terminal-like Engraving Tool I possess is also a special model. It’s a prototype that can perform a simple charge by converting magic into electricity, allowing the full functionality of the engraving program. It was built without regard for cost-effectiveness, making it high-performance, but its usability is a bit awkward, which is a drawback.
Since my Engraving Tool has sword-related data loaded by my Master, I have no issues with reference materials. I was drilled from a young age on the importance of understanding a sword’s structure, history, and manufacturing method to learn swordsmanship, so I’ve memorized about half of it.
“That sounds interesting, but do you think they’ll make it for you if you just ask?”
“Probably not. Well, Japanese swords are more about my preference, my hobbies, so I’ll consider it without rushing.”
I believe it has high practicality because it can be reinforced with magic power. Magic silver is said to be light, so handling it should be easy. Well, since I have an Engraving Tool, I don’t have an urgent need for it.
“Then, shall we buy a beast carriage and depart?”
“Right. By the way, what about a driver or something?”
“Ugh, that’s right… I can ride a magical beast, but I’ve never driven a beast carriage before. Should I hire someone?”
Well, as a noble lady, or rather, a princess, that’s to be expected. Hiring someone is probably the realistic option, but our situation makes it difficult to hire someone easily.
“About that, I’m planning to form a familiar contract with a Grantpus.”
“Ah, that’s a good idea. It might work.”
“Grantpus? Familiar contract? What are those?”
“A Grantpus is a type of earth dragon. It’s excellent as both a beast carriage and a mount, so many people form familiar contracts with them. They’re also strong.”
“A familiar contract is a type of Supplication Magic used to form a contract with a monster. By using it, you can have one monster as your familiar.”
I see. An earth dragon, and magic to make it a familiar. Apparently, there are subspecies of dragons used by humans: earth Grantpus, sea Preciser, and sky Wyvern. If I recall, Grantpus is like a Triceratops, Preciser like a Plesiosaurus, and Wyvern like a Pteranodon. While there are minute differences, it seems dragons have both the dragon type famous in novels and games, and the dinosaur type.
Forming a familiar contract also provides a guard and facilitates communication, allowing the beast to pull the carriage even without a driver. Of course, it’s expensive, and the feeding costs are quite high.
“I’m being hired, so if you two think it’s best, I’m fine with it.”
Half of the bounty for dealing with the thieves is Prim’s share, but it’s still 150,000 El. I think it would be appropriate to cover unexpected expenses with unexpected income, but Prim and Apricot steadfastly refused to accept it. I don’t know how much a Grantpus costs, but I still think it would be a good contribution, so I wish they had accepted it.
“Then it’s decided. Mother, let’s go to the animal pen. I hope we find a good one.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Well, since it’s a living creature, having a good temperament makes it easier to handle. So, we headed towards the animal pen and purchased a Grantpus. The Grantpus I saw for the first time truly resembled a Triceratops, which surprised me. It had two horns, but despite its appearance, it was quite friendly. The average price for a Grantpus is 100,000 El, but the one we bought cost 70,000 El. Apparently, its bloodline isn’t that good, making it weaker than a typical Grantpus. That’s why it hadn’t found a buyer. While being friendly and docile is appealing, its weakness as a guard for our journey was a major reason nobles and merchants wouldn’t welcome it. Bloodline, seriously? Is this a horse race?
“Even if it’s weak, you can’t tell that just by looking. Besides, any thief who would attack a Grantpus is either desperate or strong enough to defeat it. So, you don’t need to worry too much about that, especially with Yamato and Prim here.”
Those were Apricot’s words. Indeed, while desperate thieves are one thing, if we were attacked by thieves strong enough to defeat us, escaping would be a struggle. However, with me and Prim, even a group of common thieves would be no match for us. So, it seems we don’t need to consider the Grantpus’s strength too much. Moreover, if there were thieves capable of defeating a Grantpus, Hunters or Orders would likely have already been dispatched for subjugation. A dangerous road is a major problem for both the country and the Hunter’s Guild.
In Amister, knights are called Orders. There’s a reason for this: the Amister Kingdom has the Order’s Guild. Although it’s called a Guild, the Order’s Guild is the knight order of the Amister Kingdom, so it only exists in Amister. It’s apparently a direct organization of the King, a peacekeeping force in various regions, and also a surveillance body for nobles. If Hunters specialize in hunting monsters, Orders can be said to specialize in combat against people. However, both are combat professions, and it’s not uncommon for Orders to be skilled at hunting monsters.
“Then let’s make the contract.”
Saying that, Apricot took out a knife, made a cut on her palm, and then on the Grantpus’s front leg. She then pressed the wounds together, mingled their blood, and channeled magic power.
“Following.”
Familiar Magic is Supplication Magic used to form a contract with a monster. To form a contract, one must mingle their blood with the monster’s blood and channel magic power. This allows for a simple but accurate sense of each other’s location and enables summoning via a magic circle. It also makes mutual communication easier.
There’s also a magic called Summoning Magic for contracting monsters. This is Bestowed Magic, and there’s no limit to the number of monsters that can be contracted. However, since the monsters need to be cared for and, more importantly, require feeding costs, it’s a difficult magic to use unless one is a renowned Hunter or wealthy. Monsters contracted through Summoning Magic are apparently called summoned beasts.
“There. Your name is Honest. Please take care of me.”
After Apricot gave the Grantpus a name, the wounds on both of them disappeared without a trace. The Grantpus, named Honest, let out a cry and nudged affectionately against Apricot.
“Now, if we attach the Beast Gear, we can depart anytime.”
Once the contract was confirmed, the animal pen attendant began attaching the Beast Gear to Honest. Since it’s intended to pull the beast carriage, we naturally purchased the Beast Gear as well. Ah, it seems they’re finished. I’ve also bought our lunch from the inn, so we can depart anytime now. This world has storage magic called Storing, expansion magic called Mirroring, and magic tools called Magic Bags imbued with these magics, making it easy to store freshly made meals and eat them on the go. Such convenient magic, isn’t it? By the way, both Storing and Mirroring are classified as Supplication Magic, and Mirroring can apparently also be used as a regular mirror.
“Then let’s depart. Please take care of us, Honest.”
Apricot gently petted Honest, who let out an energetic yelp, and squinted, her eyes softening. It seems we have good compatibility, and there shouldn’t be any problems. After purchasing Honest’s feed, we left the town of Zacks.
The journey from Zacks to Feel takes about three days by beast carriage, but about four to five days on foot. While walking, we might have to camp out at night, but with a beast carriage, we can stay at a large town called Emosion or at Prada Village to the north. Unlike Emosion, which lies directly on our path, Prada Village requires a slight detour, but it offers an overnight stay at an inn. Therefore, most people heading to Feel stay at Prada Village. We also have reasons to avoid camping, so after leaving Zacks, we are heading towards Emosion and Prada Village.
Oh, it’s currently midsummer, and according to the Helios Orb’s calendar, it’s July 15th. Like Earth, the days are longer in summer and shorter in winter.
