Chapter 20 – Vallen Myers and Cecil Myers

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The carriage sways.

Gara-goro, gara-goro, the wheels clattered.

The familiar townscape receded into the distance.

Before boarding the carriage, I hesitated about whether to greet the coachman and Tooth, but in the end, I chose to depart without doing so.

I had already informed them that I would eventually leave.

So I figured there was no need to mention it again.

At that moment, though, I also wanted to consider where I was headed next.

“By the way, Ati, you’ve been to the Western Continent before, haven’t you? What’s it like?”

“That’s right… It’s a place where demi-humans are seen about as often as humans.”

Demi-humans.

They’re rarely seen on the Northeastern Continent, so I’m rather curious.

“I don’t think it’s a bad place. Sure, there are occasional clashes due to the multitude of different peoples and races, but even so, its vibrant diversity is very appealing.”

Clashes are a bit scary, but the bustling atmosphere is something I’m looking forward to.

“Once we arrive over there, I’d appreciate it if you could show me around.”

“Yes. I had intended to do just that, so there’s no problem.”

“Sorry, though.”

“There’s no need to apologize… I’m genuinely pleased to be of service to Harold-sama.”

Ati’s words made me feel a little self-conscious.

I wasn’t sure if that was truly what Ati meant.

But I thought that a little bit of conceit wouldn’t hurt.

So I chose to interpret it in a positive light.

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The scenery shifted from town to town.

When night fell, we stopped at an inn, and the following day, the carriage was on the move again.

Passengers came and went, and the group kept changing.

Women, youths, and middle-aged folks—their appearances and ages were all over the place.

And then, at one point, a duo with a somewhat unusual air boarded.

An elderly man, sword hanging at his waist, and a red-haired girl.

It was immediately obvious that they were grandfather and granddaughter, but it was the first time I’d seen both of them carrying swords.

The elderly man had the unmistakable look of a jolly old fellow, yet his build was surprisingly sturdy for his age.

The girl, for her part, seemed slender and delicate, yet her posture—with a well-conditioned core—was distinctive.

Besides being grandfather and granddaughter, they might also be in a master-disciple relationship.

Just as I was thinking that, the jolly old man fixed his gaze on my face.

“…Hmm?”

With a suggestively meaningful stroke of his beard, the jolly old man peered intently at me.

W-what is it…?

“What are you? I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before…”

Even though he said that so suddenly, I didn’t know this old man at all.

Surely, he’s got the wrong person.

“…Isn’t it just a mere resemblance to someone else?”

“Hmm. Now that you mention it, if he were still alive today, he certainly wouldn’t be this young. And besides, he wouldn’t have had such a kind face. …What was his name, that guy? I remember—he was an incredible fellow. So formidable that even my own son was no match for him. He was one of those who carried a spear, just like you.”

The jolly old man mumbled, his mouth twisting in a peculiar way.

Then, a girl—apparently his granddaughter—smacked his head with a スパン.

“Hey, grandpa! That’s pretty rude, all of a sudden!”

“Well, if you say so, I might be a bit senile myself.”

“Geez… stop joking around. …Can you say your name?”

“I can say that: Vallen Myers.”

“Then what is my name?”

“Cecil.”

It appears that the old man is named Vallen, and the girl is named Cecil.

What a delightful pair, this old man and his granddaughter.

At that, Ati, who was sitting next to them, chuckled softly.

“Then, what does grandpa call his son—my father?”