The Second Expedition Trip, led by myself, Hal Harem Von Raymond, departed with a large party of sixteen, including the full members of the ‘Princess Harem’ plus Alicia and Ilisha.
Traveling in two carriages, it was undoubtedly a massive undertaking for an Adventurer Party.
Our first destination, the Former Yver Duchy Territory, was also Sophie’s homeland. There, we forged connections with several individuals. The most significant event, however, was Sophie and Ilisha’s departure from the journey of the Second Expedition Trip.
For different reasons, Sophie and Ilisha were at their physical limits, their bodies utterly broken. It was a situation that even my “Healing Magic” could not mend, and as their condition worsened, I became deeply worried.
Still, it was perhaps fortunate that our visit to Rulus Wolf, the alchemist and authority on Homunculi, proved to be the right decision. Ilisha received a body connected to her roots, Sasha No. 3, and Sophie obtained the body of Meika No. 2, a Vintage Homunculus created from the egg cells of Meika Marie=Maika Yuma Yver, her great-aunt.
However, while the transplantation of memories into their new vessels, the Vintage Homunculi, was successful, they would require rehabilitation for some time to adjust to their new bodies. For this reason, Sophie and Ilisha left our party. Entrusting them to Anya, a Dark Elf and Rulus’s trusted assistant, was certainly a safe bet. I could only hope they would be in good health when I returned to pick them up on our way back.
A minor concern I had was leaving a portion of the payment as Sophie’s old body and my semen. Furthermore, I had also given them an elixir made with Anya’s guidance. Considering Rulus’s eccentric tastes, he might just end up mass-producing beautiful Saintesses beyond compare.
Could it be that, even in this life, I was indirectly contributing to the Asgard Holy Church?
With all our scheduled tasks in the Former Yver Duchy Territory completed, we set off towards our next destination, the Former Yangas Kingdom Territory.
The Yver Duchy was a small country sandwiched between the Wahl Imperial Kingdom and the Espana Imperial Kingdom, who were vying for hegemony in the western nations. Our next destination, the Former Yangas Kingdom Territory, bordered both the Wahl Imperial Kingdom and the Yver Duchy. Geographically, both the Yver Duchy and the Yangas Kingdom were located on the periphery of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom.
This arrangement became clear when examining the origins of both nations. The Yver Duchy’s history began six generations prior with the Imperial Third Prince of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom who swore fealty, taking the title of Duke of Yver. He then established the Yver Duchy with his subsequently developed territories.
On the other hand, the Yangas Kingdom was granted the right to call itself a kingdom due to the meritorious service of the Yangas Margrave, a former vassal of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom, in repelling a demonkin invasion. Moreover, due to the strengthened bonds through political marriages, with the Wahl Imperial Kingdom at the apex, Ly, Liliana, and Sophie were distantly related. In reality, the lineage of royalty and nobles is said to be incredibly complex and intertwined.
Currently, I am driving the lead carriage, with Liliana beside me as our guide. Incidentally, the rear carriage is driven by Eria, with Edele assisting her. Edele, Eria, and Swan Hilda have ties to the northern kingdoms ruled by demonkin. In that regard, Eria and Edele were apparently working on fostering better relations.
Our carriages are following a road that cuts through forests, pastures, and fields of vegetables, essentially traveling on backroads. We passed through several villages and towns along the way, stopping only for an overnight stay. While it’s typical for adventurer parties to camp out to save money, since everyone except me is around the age of girls, I tried to avoid it as much as possible. The local specialty dishes served at the inns, featuring fruits and vegetables unique to the region and fresh river fish from clear streams, were exquisite, and Elise’s stomach seemed to have expanded somewhat. However, it’s likely due to lack of exercise from being in the carriage all the time.
“This is my first time in this area. How much further is it to the Former Yangas Kingdom Territory, Liliana?”
“Hal-sama, even though it is a small country, the Yver Duchy had a considerable territory, so I believe it will still take several days. I have only traveled these roads a few times myself. After all, it is the countryside.”
Liliana, our guide, could only point us in the general direction. The road itself twisted and turned following the terrain, so we weren’t covering as much distance as we had hoped.
“Hal-sama, I can see a town ahead. It appears to be the town of Suzomon.”
As Liliana pointed out, a small town was visible ahead on the road. A wooden signpost by the roadside read, “Welcome to the town of Suzomon!”
“It seems so, Liliana. By the way, it looks like a regular market is being held in this town today. We have some supplies to replenish, so shall we stay here tonight?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
As we drew closer, it became clear that Suzomon was indeed holding a regular market at a most opportune time, with several banners announcing it fluttering near the castle walls. Looking around, we saw traveling merchants heading there, anticipating the market, as well as horse-drawn carts loaded with locally grown vegetables, fish, and wild boar. Naturally, people who would likely attend the market, as well as farm wives from the surrounding areas, were walking towards the town.
“Are there two carriages and fourteen people, correct? And you are adventurers who are just passing through?”
“Yes, that is correct. We also plan to stay in this town today.”
“There is no entry tax as it is a rural area, but if you cause any trouble, you’ll be eating prison food!”
“Yes, we understand that as well.”
“Hmph. You may pass.”
Our carriages joined the convoy of merchant carts, and after presenting our Adventurer Certificates to the checkpoint official, we were granted passage. Alicia, a noblewoman of the Espana Imperial Kingdom, had also acquired an Adventurer Certificate at some point, allowing her to pass through the checkpoint while concealing her true identity. However, if a Viscountess were to visit such a rural town, it would have caused a commotion like poking a hornet’s nest.
Thus, we were finally permitted to enter the town of Suzomon. Many towns and cities in the western nations, which were frequently caught up in warfare, were fortified cities surrounded by walls, like Suzomon. For villages of a smaller scale, a wooden fence was generally all that was constructed.
Later, we decided to stay at a stylishly built inn on the main street and deposited our carriages there before heading out on foot to the regular market. Incidentally, the inn’s name was the peculiar “Princess Knight’s Longing.” According to Elise, our sub-leader, who made the decision to stay there, the inn’s young proprietress, known for her beauty, had a history involving a certain princess. A certain princess… was she a walking obscenity?! It was an anecdote that made me realize, even now, how prescient Lyusenne and Liliana were in selecting her new body.
At the regular market, mats were spread on the cobblestones of the central square, displaying vegetables, miscellaneous goods, and even antique tools. In a slight distance, more expensive items were being sold in simple structures resembling stalls. Furthermore, a special stage had been erected in the center of the square, suggesting that some sort of event might take place. Of course, the bustling commercial district adjacent to the square was also lively, with even more high-end goods on display. And shifting my gaze, bards and street performers who had set up in the square were doing their best to capitalize on the opportunity, singing their praises and performing their amazing feats to collect the coins thrown their way.
“Even though it’s a regular market, it’s not much of a scale for the countryside.”
Swan Hilda commented frankly on the Suzomon market, stretching with her interlocked hands raised above her head.
“Hal-sama, shall we have some free time from here on?”
“Yes, Elise. You probably want to buy snacks from the stalls, so let’s have free time. Please return to the inn before sunset. And try to avoid acting alone.”
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” Yes, Hal-sama.” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”
Following the proposal of Elise, the sub-leader of the ‘Princess Harem,’ we decided to split into small groups for free exploration. Elise seemed to be heading out with Freya, Mai, and Kirika as a group of four. Lyusenne’s group, consisting of Liliana, Tirna, Dietlinde, and Alicia, started to move. Meanwhile, Edele and Eria gathered around Swan Hilda, forming a group of three. However, the last remaining member, Shera, was looking around, unsure of which group to join.
“Shera, would you like to go with me?”
“Yes! …nano.”
And so, Shera and I ended up exploring freely, just the two of us. Incidentally, Elise’s group immediately rushed towards the food stalls. Their actions were completely unwavering and as predictable as ever. Freya, usually the capable accountant, seemed to consider it a free-for-all today, moving along competitively with Elise. Following behind them were Mai and Kirika, the “small-breasted” group, who seemed intent on eating a lot to grow their chests. Lyusenne’s group began browsing stalls selling antiques and jewelry. With their discerning eyes and appraisal skills, they likely went to see if they could find any bargains. Meanwhile, in Swan Hilda’s group, Edele reprimanded Swan Hilda, who tried to move too quickly, while Eria watched with amusement.
“Thank you for waiting. We shall now commence the customary ‘Blue Sky Slave Market.’ We invite all interested customers to attend. The entrance fee is two copper plates per person (equivalent to 2,000 yen).”
While Shera and I were killing time browsing the stalls, we heard an announcement about the holding of the ‘Blue Sky Slave Market.’ The direction the announcement came from was the location of the special stage we had seen earlier, which was now partially enclosed by temporary screens, and an entrance fee was being collected at the entrance.
“A ‘Blue Sky Slave Market,’ huh… Shall we go, Shera?”
“Yes…nano…”
Interrupting our stall browsing, Shera and I lined up to pay the entrance fee.
Thank you for reading.
episode33-2 The Blue Sky Slave Market of Suzomon ② △ has been scheduled for publication at 0:00 on May 29.
