Chapter 17

"......Haaa......"

Bathed in the morning sunlight streaming through the window, my brain awakens.

It must be just a little after dawn. Looking out from the window, there are hardly any people on the streets below.

I've always been an early riser, but I feel like this habit has become even more ingrained over the past few years. Is this what it means to get older?

I quickly get ready and head down from the second floor of the inn to the first-floor lobby.

Although I once referred to this inn as a cheap place, compared to the accommodations in rural areas like the village of Bident, it is indeed well-built.

"Well, it might be rude to compare, anyway."

I mutter to myself as I descend the stairs.

Even if it is a bit run-down, this is an inn located in the central district of the capital, Baltrain. It must be of a certain standard to survive here.

"Mr. Gardant, good morning. You're always up so early."

"Yes, good morning. It's just my nature."

I exchange greetings with the innkeeper at the counter.

I plan to have a quick breakfast and then take a stroll through the early morning streets. After touring the city with Kurni and Fissel the other day, I thought it might be nice to get to know Baltrain a bit better.

Who knows, I might come across something interesting again.

"Then, I'll have my usual, please."

"Sure, I understand."

It's been quite a while since I made this inn my base.

The innkeeper seems to have a good grasp of my routine, and now the standard breakfast menu is prepared with just this exchange.

This isn't bad at all. It feels like I'm a regular.

Well, it's just an inn, after all.

"---Thank you for the meal."

I savor the simple menu and finish my breakfast.

It's a typical breakfast of bread, bacon and eggs, salad, and milk. Still, as befits an inn in the central district, the quality of the ingredients and the taste are quite satisfactory.

"Well, shall I go?"

It's not really a matter of determination, but I take a moment to gather myself before leaving the inn.

The first step outside leads to a street lined with buildings of considerable height. Though the road is narrower than the main thoroughfare, the well-maintained cobblestone streets clearly indicate that this is a proper city.

What should I do? Maybe I'll just wander around and take in the cityscape.

There's still plenty of time before the knights' training starts.

"Hmm, it's a nice day today. The air is fresh."

After walking a bit, I reach a deserted main street.

Even though it's the main street of the capital, Baltrain, there are no carriages running and very few people around at this hour.

"I wonder if this part of the city has been around for a long time."

I haven't really taken a close look before, but none of the buildings look new. The exterior suggests that they have been around for quite some time.

Given that it's called the central district, it's natural to assume that this area has been the center of the Reberis Kingdom for a long time, and the kingdom has expanded in all directions over the years.

"Hey, you there."

I'm not a folklorist or a historian, so I don't know the details. Still, it's a good way to take a mental break to let my thoughts wander in that direction.

"Hey, you! Wait a moment!"

Since I'm here, I might as well visit the Reberis Palace again.

The palace, which has become quite old in my memory, might evoke a sense of nostalgia when seen today.

"Don't ignore me!!"

"Whoa!?"

I was startled. Really startled.

I had heard some voices, but I never thought they were calling me. I quickly turn around at the sudden loud voice.

"Um... do you need something? Miss."

Sure enough, there was a girl of about ten years old.

Her lustrous golden hair, reaching down to her waist, sparkles in the morning sun.

Her skin, so fair it seems to glow, is that of a healthy young girl. Her outfit, which boldly exposes her thighs and shoulders, is something you'd never see in the countryside.

While the boldness of her attire might be the first thing to catch the eye, the quality of the clothing is immediately apparent. The short, off-the-shoulder robe, with its fine embroidery, enhances her delicate appearance even more.

"Who calls me 'miss'! Really... You're Beryl Gardant, right?"

"…Yeah, but what's up?"

It seems she really dislikes being treated as a child, but she does look like a young girl. More surprising is that this young girl knows my name.

"I'm Lucy Diamond. I'm the leader of the Reberis Kingdom's Mage Corps."

"You're Lucy, huh?"

"Listen to me! And stop using 'chan'!"

This girl is the leader of the Mage Corps? Haha, nice joke.

While her appearance is indeed ornate, it's not impossible for her to be a mage. I used to play with a wooden sword with my village friends when I was young. Ah, fond memories.

"Alright, let's see if this convinces you!"

"Huh? …Whoa!!"

Without warning, the girl named Lucy waves her hand.

It seemed like a child's play, but a burst of flames shot out from her hand.

The sudden burst of flames scorches the air.

The sound, like an explosion, triggers an instinctive fear, and the area is illuminated by the intense light of the flames.

"Are you convinced now?"

"Um...? Really...?"

Her right hand, literally blazing with heat, points at me calmly.

Really? This kid is really the leader of the Mage Corps?

The Mage Corps, to which Fissel also belongs, is a national organization.

It is one of the main forces of the Reberis Kingdom, alongside the Reberio Knights.

"…Well, I get that you're not just anyone."

"Hmph, that's right, that's right."

While I can't verify the truth of her story, I now know that the girl in front of me is not just a child.

"But still, I don't think it's right to use such powers in the middle of the city."

"Ugh... Mmm..."

Just because you want to show off your power doesn't mean you should start shooting flames in the middle of the city.

What if it spreads? I can understand the desire to be recognized, but as a regular guy, I can't allow such dangerous behavior.

"So... um, Lucy, is that okay? Do you have something you need to talk about?"

"Oh, right."

Since she seems to really dislike being called 'chan,' I'll stop. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I don't want to get burned.

After retracting the source of the heat in her right hand, she seems to remember the main topic and tells me the reason she called out to me.

"I've heard about you from Fissel. I need to see you for a moment."