Chapter 11 (2/2)

This is exactly what I want the time for. Before reaching the village and coming into contact with a large number of people, I want to learn Sedia’s commonsense, and mentally ready myself.

What I’m most curious about, as it seems so important, is the relations.h.i.+p between anki and wizardry, but let’s start with the basics.

“That’s quite a broad question. What do you want to know specifically, Margils-dono?”

It seems that inside his head, this way of addressing me has already taken root. Well, let’s just bear it.

“That’s true…… Alright then, how about the countries and history of the continent?”

For some reason, Sedam laughs delightedly.

“If I am to speak of this, one or two nights would still be insufficient. Let’s go further in depth after we set up camp……”

“I’m sorry, please give me just the outline for now. In simple terms.”

“...... Well that’s fine too, I suppose.”

Clearly enthusiastic about this subject, his summary turned out very easy to understand.

Firstly, the region that we are currently in is called Liuus, which is located near the centre of the whole continent, and is comprised mainly of Liuus Lake and the city states and small countries that dot its sh.o.r.es. As I had heard from Mora, these small countries are all allied together under the name Liuus Union.

This highway and Yuule are both within the borders commanded by the Carbanera Knight Order.

At the other end of this highway lies Liuus Lake and the city of Lelis, which is Mora’s and these adventurers’ birthplace. Further west beyond Yuule is a very dangerous wilderness, but beyond even that is a rich and bountiful country, so at times there are travellers or caravans or adventurers coming and going. Far to the north of Liuus Lake is the largest country on the continent, Shulendal Kingdom, while the south is currently embroiled in a rebellion that is causing public order problems even in Liuus.

“I see, I see……”

This is so similar to the moments in TRPGs where, at the start of a new scenario, the game master does the “you are now in a ~~~ world” part that I find myself unconsciously nodding along.

It seems to me that it would be safe to say that this world is, in general, of the medieval Europe variety.

“Alright, next question. What are anki?”

“...... That’s a difficult one.”

Even Sedam, who I now know really enjoys talking, struggled a bit, but the overall gist of his explanation of anki is as follows.

Firstly, the term ‘anki’ is the catch-all term for a variety of different races, including small demons, large demons, and rock demons. What makes them distinctive is their unappeasable desire to destroy all intellectual living creatures who are not anki, including humans, dwarves, and elves (there really are elves). Almost all countries and regions acknowledge anki to be an absolute enemy to all humankind. There is even an unwritten rule that in the event of anki appearance, all nearby conflicts must cease and all forces present must partic.i.p.ate in a joint campaign against the anki.

“After all, there was a time in history when the anki nearly completely wiped out the human race.”

So revealed Sedam grudgingly.

Fortunately, the absolute number of anki today is not high. Sedam and the other adventurers have only come upon anki a few times, and in all of those cases, what they found were only ‘stragglers’ that had gotten separated from the mob.

Strangely, anki do not have a specific homeland. Instead, they ‘build nests before anyone notices.’ Once built, a nest will continue sp.a.w.ning anki limitlessly. Which is why when a large scale anki nest is found, there is no choice but for everyone to join forces to destroy it. In some countries, this job has apparently become a duty for the n.o.bles and knights.

“What was the case this time? I find it hard to call that number mere stragglers though.”

“You’re right.”

Sedam scrunches his face into a grimace.

“Then it would mean that there is a nest nearby……? It must be destroyed, then.”

“When this is reported to the Knight Order, that is most likely what things will turn to, yes.”

He sounds averse to flaunting his power, and maybe even reluctant to fight. But anki are not existences that can be left alone for personal reasons, as I’ve already learned firsthand. This is what I meant about Sedam being reliable.

…… This has crossed my mind even before we set off, but it seems that the laid back early retirement life that I’d been looking forward to will have to be put off for a while longer.

Preparations for camping out would have been over with a single word in the game, but the real thing turns out to be a pretty big job.

But with that said, when I tried to help, Jiruk and Ted stopped me while saying “No no no no no, we cannot let Margils-sama do something so menial,” and even Sedam said “You’re our guest, so please stay still”, so all I did was watch.

While Mora and Fijika are stirring the pot that they had thrown meats and beans and spices into, I take the opportunity to chat with the magician, Claura.

This world’s ‘magic’ and my ‘wizardry’ are different, and it is about high time I got around to identifying the specific differences.

“This is not the place to go into such a topic.”

This lady with a comb adorning her wavy blond hair answered me curtly.Unnn, although she is older than Mora, talking to young women really does tire me.

“Ahh, ermm, so……”

As I am trying to find my words, Claura speaks again, while gazing intently at me with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

“May I have some of your time once we arrive at the village? Let’s find a secluded spot and talk at length.”

“Ohhh, Margils-sama is so popular!”

Ted jokes about it next to me, but all I feel is that this is going to turn into something extremely troublesome.

“...... After all, depending on where the conversation heads, the Magician Guild might get blown sky high.”

See?

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