Year 7442 Month 2 Day 30

I returned to the village once and after gathering together a few people returned to the watering place to recover the corpses of the Horned Bears. Of course, I also

retrieved my tools I left in the camp which was my original goal. The meat of the Horned Bear is clearly divided into edible portions that are extremely tasty and

portions that aren't so good, if it has a lot of muscle then it's not very delicious. Since the meat on the stomach has a lot of fat and not much muscle that seems

to be why it's so delicious. However, it's not like other parts of it can't be eaten so I retrieved anything that could be eaten. Especially the cub, even the muscle

parts are considerably soft and the majority of its body is fat so it's particularly delicious. Unlike last time, the fact that there was a cub was the reason people

came to retrieve it this time.

I was worried that it would be eaten by other animals and monsters but I wonder if it was just a coincidence, it seems that the large carnivorous animals didn't see

it. There's only a few large carnivorous animals including those that are nocturnal around this area other than the Horned Bear, so I thought Goblins or Kobolds would

eat the Horned Bears corpse but it seems they didn't find it. According to the squires if it was a watering place that a Horned Bear used then unlike other animals

Goblins and Kobolds have some intelligence so they would avoid it. When Farne and the squires saw the corpse of the Horned Bear they were horrified over how

gruesomely it was destroyed but quietly disa.s.sembled it and we all carried it back.

The meat of both the mother and child bears were very popular in my family. Above all else my nephew and niece were smiling with their faces covered in meat sauce.

Seeing that scene I was finally able to relax my shoulders that I had completed everything I needed to do.

Year 7442, Month 3, Day 1

The next day I was repairing the house. In the end I wanted to make the house as easy to live in as possible. Since I lived here for 14 years I'm considerably

attached and I figured I would go around fixing the places I used to think were inconvenient. Since I'm leaving here next month, I'll do everything I can for now, I

use earth magic to make stones and reinforce the fence, I add another dirt hill with rocks to the joint baths near the house, on top of that I add a rubber sealed

bath as a storage tank and connect it to the house using a rubber hose making a simple water supply.

One of the rubber hoses I pull outside and connect it to the shower head I made with rubber, then even if you don't use magic you can take a shower. Since Farne

can't use fire magic he can only make the water but if it's an amount the size of the water tank then Sharl can easily heat it up with her level 5 fire magic so I

don't think it will be a problem. It would have been fine if I made a bath as well but there's always the joint baths for a bath, so I didn't think there was any

necessity to make it in the house.

At the same time as I was doing those things I also gave Farne all of the iron, nickel, chrome and metals I had saved up (the majority of it was iron in total more

than 4kg but as long as you can use fire magic you could make an alloy with it and I thought it might come in handy for making some kind of armor), the bayonet I

used to use in the past I gave to Myun's son Ailad. Since he's the same Al as me, when I told Myun that I want him to practice and use it she laughed and said to

leave it to her. What am leaving to her?

Just like this the final time I spend in this house slowly pa.s.ses.

Year 7442, Month 4, Day 5

I decided to depart along with the delivery of rubber to the Marquis Webdos knight group. The usual caravan lead by Hegard to deliver rubber products is a large

group this time. Including the usual Hegard, there's one person from the rubber exclusive squire family, either Farne or Shani, after that is two squires as guards

and two squires to drive the carriage for a total of 7 people but since it seems that both older brother and Shani will come long this time, including me it's a

group of 10. There's roughly 220 km to Keel, it's a trip that takes 7 days and 6 nights.

I wear the new knit boots I made myself, equip the newest type of rubber protectors, lift up Zett and Becky and rub cheeks with them, put the strap of my bayonet on

my shoulder, and start walking besides the carriage. I'm sure the next time I return to this village it will be at least 2 or 3 years later. Of course, that's in

order to remake my rubber protectors to fit my body as it probably won't fit anymore by then.

I'm sure Zett and Becky will have started their magic training by then and there's a chance there will be more rubber products as well. I wonder if the village will

have grown even more? And Farne might have even inherited the rank of Viscount from Hegard by then. Although, I can't ignore the possibility that he could suddenly

die while I'm looking around but it's not something to think about for now.

All the people in the village came to see me off. Just like Mill in the past.

Among them was Myun holding Ailad. After seeing them I remembered last night when I stopped by the Tobas family to greet them. Thinking I had to tell Myun after I

resolved myself I said to Myun, "When I get to Keel I'll find this Beguru guy and without fail cut off any future worries. Definitely. Therefore Myun rest east" after

saying that Myun gently hugged me and said, "Al-sama, I'm very happy now. Thank you very much." I hit my chest and said just treat it like you're on a large s.h.i.+p but

since there's no saying like that in Orth she didn't get it.

However, Myun gave me the Sagal bracelet saying "it might come in handy for something". Since no one can use it other than Myun I tried to turn it down but Myun

wouldn't let me. She said "if you sell it I'm sure you can get something for it". However, this is something Myun has held onto since the past and a magic tool that

was made for her sake. Since it's useless even I hold on to it and furthermore I don't know what she thinks about it but it's the only thing Myun's parents left to

her. No, I haven't heard from Myun if she resents her parents though so I don't know. Even though I'm grateful for the effort but I tell Myun I can't take it so

instead she gave me a magic stone. It was about 3 cm and had become considerably white-ish.

I'm sure it's from all the times she went hunting at night since the past. The value had exceeded 100,000. It has the same amount of worth as a gold coin. Since Myun

didn't seem to hunt any large prey I'm sure it must have taken all the time since she came to Bakkudo to save up this much. It should have taken about 15 years. Then

in exchange I say and I gave Myun the magic stone from the Horned Bear I defeated a bit before. This one is about 5 cm and grey so it's value is about the same as

the one Myun gave me. This should be fine right, Myun. Since I've already received various things from Myun. My heart can't endure taking on anymore debts than this.

I remember about things yesterday while staring at Myun and she overlapped her hand with Ailad and waved at me.

Year 7442, Month 4, Day 12

Just as planned we arrived at the capital of the Marquis territory, Keel. It's my first time seeing a village or town other than Bakkudo since I reincarnated in

this world so I've been looking around restlessly since was pa.s.sed through the towns of Doritt and Balgo. However, while those towns were just like a slightly larger

re-made version of Bakkudo, this Keel is larger enough that you could actually call it a town.

A lot of the buildings are made of stone and the mortar that they used seems to be considerably high-quality. There's few parts of the town that seem to have

grown unplanned but there are a considerable number of buildings that seem like they've been there a long time so you can tell the town has been developed based on a

plan since a while back. It seems that the volume of water flowing through the middle of the town is abundant as well which gives off an energetic feel. I look at

the town while walking down the street and we went to a station for the knight group that's on the edge of the central street. It's a proper building surrounded by

stone walls. I don't know if we're already able to pa.s.s just by looking but we enter the gate without being questioned and various squires and servants that were

wandering around gather.

Several knights and squires that pa.s.s by greet Hegard, Farne, and Shani. And I guess the person who takes care of finances was contacted because they came along and

started to inspect the delivery goods. The inspection smoothly continues as he roughly counts the number of items and should end soon. Since it's already close to

the evening today they'll take tonight until tomorrow around noon to finish inspecting so we should receive the money tomorrow evening. In other words they'll spend

the night in Keel today and tomorrow. We split up from Farne and Shani for a bit here.

It seems they're spending the night at Shani's father the leader of the knight group Sendhel's house tonight. It seems that Hegard and the remaining members have a

regular inn they always stay at so they'll stay there tonight as well. After going to an inn called Bins Manor the person who seems to be either the clerk or the

master bows his head politely to Hegard.

Tonight I'll eat dinner together with Hegard and the others and stay at this inn. I'll be separating from everyone from the village today and tomorrow so I was

offered alcohol for the first time. We do a toast with lukewarm beer (probably ale), and lick our lips at the slightly high-quality cooking. Though it was lukewarm

the first alcohol I've had in a while was good. I thought of lowering the temperature to be just right with fire magic but Hegard isn't very strong with alcohol so I

thought it would be bad if he drank too much from it being too delicious and stopped.

The next day my parents show me around the main places in Keel starting in the morning and in the evening we returned to the inn. The knight group's financial

manager was waiting at the inn and carries out the payment for the goods delivered this time. I go to the room to put away some of the presents that my parents

bought along the way and think about the final moments that pa.s.s by indifferently. After s.p.a.cing out for a bit I return to the lobby of the inn it was where the

financial manager had just finished the payment and some idle talk and was being seen off by Hegard and Sharl. There with perfect timing Farne and Shani returned.

After confirmed that the entire family had gathered Hegard has us all a.s.semble in the room. Since they're planning to depart for Bakkudo tomorrow morning I'm sure he

wants to have a final conversation.

After the family gathers in the room, Hegard starts talking to me.

"Al, I have something to give you. Money for the time being."

Hegard says that and gives me 20 gold coins. It's a great amount of money. Now I understand the value well.

"Th..This much...Is it really okay?"

I feel a bit dizzy over how much money it is. It's true I've earned quite a bit of money I'm sure. I think that the amount would be more than 10x this amount of

money. However, 20 gold coins has the same value as roughly 20,000,000 yen. It's an amount where if I were to go to the countryside of a developing territory like

Marquis Webdos territory then I could live alone for more than 10 years as long as I don't spend too extravagantly. Obviously, after having properly paid taxes. No

matter how you look at it's not an amount of money you should suddenly give to a 14 year old youngster.

"Also, because I'm sure it's inconvenient with just gold coins. I'll give you some silver coins, silver Shu*, and copper coins as well."

In addition he gave me 30 silver coins, 2 silver Shu*, and 30 copper coins. In total it's an amount that is just below 1 gold coin worth but still a considerable

amount.

"Listen well, only put all of the copper coins and 2-3 silver coins into your wallet. Hide the rest of the money in a place that definitely won't be stolen. After

that I'll give you this."

After being told about the counter-measures to pick-pocketing or robbery I was handed a wooden tag. It's a number plate for picking up a horse or carriage at the inn

you're staying. In exchange for this tag you can use the carriage and horse you've left with them for a loan of money. Since this Bins Manor is a reasonably high

grade inn after all. However, what in the world is this...

"I prepared a horse for you as well. The harness and everything is already ready. When you're ready to depart give that tag to someone in the inn. I've paid in

advance for this inn for the next 10 days. I've already requested for it to be taken care of and given fodder during that time."

When I'm wondering what in the world and dumb-founded with my mouth wide open he says he's prepared this outrageous fortune. Farne says to me as I can't comprehend

what's going on.

"The horse is the one I used when I was a knight in the knight group. It's disposition is good and it listens to what you say well. I think it's about 7 years old

now, and it's intelligent so I think it's perfect for you."

Eh? The horse is something older brother bought and gave to me?

"U...Um.. Thanks...Thank you very much. I'll treat it well."

I finally was able to say thanks.

"Next is me. Al, take this with you. It should work no matter where you go inside of the Kingdom of Rombert. This is proof you have the backing of the Marquis

Webdos. If anything troubling happens show it to a knight or official. Even if it's a small village if you show it to the lord they should understand."

After saying that Shani gives me a copper sheet about 10 cm long and 5 cm wide. There's some kind of detailed emblem carved into the copper sheet and on the back

there's a signature carved in with today's date. Isn't this something important?

"Umm, sister-in-law Shani. Is it okay? Giving me something like this..?"

"It's fine. Take it with you. However, that's something that proves your social status so don't show it off to strangers carelessly. It'll be a problem if you were

to lose it by some chance and it were abused."

Shani smiles while saying.

"Sister-in-law, thank you very much. I definitely won't carelessly show it to anyone."

"Then, Al. Last is me. Take this with you. If it's a large town which has a store that deals in magic tool then they'll definitely buy it. If you're troubled with

money sell it."

Sharl says that and puts a bag into my hand. Isn't this the bag that we stored magic stones in! I can tell there's a considerable number of magic stones in it from

the weight. They're probably not all combined into one in case some small change is needed on a trip or for retail.

"Ah...Mother, thank you very much. Mother, father, I definitely won't waste this."

I couldn't raise my head. I'm too grateful that tears are overflowing.

"Al, we don't think you would do something like wasting it. It's fine as long as you use as much as needed in a time when you need it. And then, it might be good for

you to stay in Keel for a little while. At the very least you should stay for the 10 days that I've paid for the inn and it would be good to get used to the

atmosphere of a town. It's fine to leave your belongings in the room of this inn. It can be trusted after all. Now then, let's have our final meal. Farne, you've

made reservations at Dakkulton's restaurant for tonight right? Let's go and eat until we're full right away."

Hegard says that while standing up.

That night we ate a lot, drank a lot, and enjoyed ourselves.

It grows later into the night as my older brother and Shani tell me about the common sense of the city and explain customs I haven't experienced that I've heard

countless times in the village.

The next day, the sun rises, after a short while everyone starts on the road home.

I've finally started to live my independent life.