8 City

"Ah....Yes! I mean, I'm not hurt that much, I'm okay.."

That was bad, I spaced out because I just met a beautiful woman for the first time..

In Japan, you wouldn't even have a chance to meet a natural blonde in your whole lifetime. Sure, there were those who bleached and dyed their hair, but nothing can beat a natural blonde-haired beauty. There has never been a moment like now where I was glad to be alive.

I accepted her outstretched hand, and let her pull me up. I could've stood up by myself if I wanted to, but I decided I should just give her face, and not be rude. It was definitely not because I wanted to hold those soft hands of hers. No, not at all. I am a gentleman, I wouldn't have such ulterior motives.

"Thank goodness. I thought I wouldn't make it in time.."

While showing a bright smile, she released a sigh of relief. Is this one of those hidden camera shows? Money scams? But even if that was true, I still wouldn't mind.

I got to meet a beautiful girl after all. She was even nice to someone she just met for the first time.

This, this is it.

One of the main reasons fantasy tops reality, beautiful girls that are kind to you! Even for someone like me, she was expressing a relieved smile after seeing me without injuries.

If someone were to tell me she was a goddess, I would agree in a heartbeat. There would be fan clubs, idol bands....wait, I'm getting off track here. Delusions are dangerous..

"Thank you very much for saving me, knight-sama."

I say while bowing in gratitude towards the my gentle benefactor. I didn't want to disrespect her with a crooked bow, so I bent my body 90 degrees forward, and hoped for the best.

"Ah, please don't call me knight-sama, it's embarrassing..."

With a flushed face and exaggerated waving of hands, she hurriedly corrected me. Did she not like being called a knight? Then what was the point of dressing up like that? Even so, I shouldn't be ignorant, since I did not know much about this world too. Let's just go along with it for now.

"I, I see..then what would you like to be called? If you don't mind me prying.."

"Ah, no, it's no trouble at all. *Cough* My name is Elise von Sheilastaire, second daughter of the Sheilastare house. A pleasure to make your acquaintance..."

"It's Kyouya, Sairenji Kyouya. I didn't realize I was in the presence of a noble, please excuse my conduct from before."

Yes, it turns out, that Elise-san here might be a noble, no, I'm pretty sure of it. Of the many games of the fantasy genre I have played through, almost all games had a common trope. That is..

Nobles were the only ones with such overbearing names such as that. No question about it. If I say anything rude, it would lead to my head rolling around, in a literal sense. Or at the very least, they might throw me in some kind of dungeon where I would be subjected to weird punishment play..wait, that's not right.

"You have a weird last name. Are you a noble too Sairenji? No, but if that were the case, I would've known about your house.."

Damn, I messed up.

Based on what she just said, this world seemed to only let nobles have last names. That meant that commoners had no surnames. And I, the idiot that I am, had now just given my real name that she now thinks is strange.

Alright, time to smooth this over! I'm counting on you, my partner!

'Bluffing Zone, Open!'

Ah, that was embarrassing now that I think about it. I'm glad I didn't say that out loud. Anyway, let's do this!

I fixed my posture, prepared the right courtesy gestures, and looked at Elise-san straight in the eye..

"My, my, young lady, you are slightly mistaken. Even if the young lady had memorized all the noble houses in this kingdom, which is quite impressive I must say, I do not come from this country, and I am surely, not a noble.

I hail from across the land, far out of reach. Finally, my surname is Sairenji, whilst my first name is Kyouya. I would be most glad if you would remember this from now on."

With a slightly lower, but still polite voice, I correct her mistake while at the same time praising her a little bit. Smoothly getting out all the things I wanted to say in the accent of a certain charismatic butler in a game I played before, I bowed once more, showing that I have said my peace, and implying gratitude towards her for listening..

After I had said that, she showed a surprised expression. Like she couldn't believe I was the same person. It's to be expected after all, years of training had resulted to me being completely detached to every one of the facades I put on. At first I would get flustered at the embarrassing lines I spew while in this state, but now, I've learned to let it be.

I just use one facade that fits the situation the best, and then completely go on auto-pilot. If not, I would have long gone insane. If any of my steps in cultivating this godly technique were off by at least a centimeter, I wouldn't even know who I was anymore.

Maybe I would get confused at which personality is really me, or maybe I would become someone who had a personality disorder. Sometimes, it was important to let go before you get hurt in the future.

Oh, I just said a good thing there. Maybe. So I was just glad that I had perfected this technique. Having an arsenal of different facades for every situation is surprisingly useful. Well, only when it comes to people though.

"Young lady!? No....umm, Kyouya-sama must have come from the east huh? In any case, I am 16 years of age, so I am already considered a full-fledged adult. Please don't make fun of me.."

With a teary-eyed face that was getting redder by the moment, she stared at me like a cute kitten. So someone that could kill a goblin in one strike could be this cute huh. The gap is too much to bear! If she was my girlfriend, I would've pushed her down right this second. Wait a minute, did she just say something about the east?

"Hmm? Why would Elise-sama think I was from the east?"

I ask with a perplexed expression. Was it normal for people like me to come from the east?

"Ah, no, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that people with black hair and eyes, with names such as yours, are often not seen around here. And when they are, some reports have said that they came from the 'Eastern Empire'."

I see. Did this mean that other people, besides me were sent to this world? Did they build a country of their own? I wouldn't know about it. I also didn't think Elise-san knows about it either, judging by how vague she explained it.

But one thing's for sure, I had to visit that place sometime in the future. Who knows, I might have someone I know there. At the very least, I would have people in the same boat, talk about their experiences.

Another goal was added to the list, and they just keep piling up. But with this, I should have a better chance to keep busy. If not for these, I would have preferred to spend my days like a shut-in, since the world was dangerous after all.

Monsters walking around in every corner once you leave human civilization. Of course, I had no way of defending myself, yet. I didn't even have a weapon. Alright, there are many things I have to do, but I had to enter the city first.

And to do that..

"I see, then it seems that you have caught me. I am from the east. It is nice to meet you."

I had to lie and move this conversation along. I am sorry Elise-san, but I'm not sure I could tell every one of my secrets or who knows what could happen to me. It hurt lying to a beautiful girl, but it couldn't be helped. I had to steel my heart. Be strong, me!

"Aha, I knew it! Then-"

Just as Elise-san was about to say something, someone called out from afar.

"Ms. Elise! What are you doing here?"

It seemed Elise-san was familiar with the voice that interrupted our conversation, since she stopped talking, and turned her head to confirm the identity of the person. As her eyes went to a certain direction, so did mine.

The one who called out to Elise-san was a guy. He looked to be the same age as me, but had flaxen colored hair, likened to amber, honey-colored eyes and tanned skin. He had a sword affixed to his waist, leading me to believe that he was a swordsman. His face was dyed with worry and slight relief.

"Oh, Gerald! What is it?"

So the guy's name was Gerald eh..

"Don't you 'What is it?' me! We're late for the meeting! What are you doing out of the city like this!?"

"Ahahaha, sorry Gerald, I just wanted to get some fresh air before the meeting started, but I forgot about it soon after."

Judging by how they spoke to each other in a friendly manner, it seemed the two were close. Also, on a side note, maybe Elise-san was slightly air-headed? Well let's not judge her just yet.

"*Sigh* Why are you always like this, you just got promoted to captain you know? In an...Hmm, who's this?"

Oh, it seems my presence finally got noticed. I would've liked to observe a little longer but I guess that has come to an end. Might as well introduce myself to the new person that had just arrived.

"Ah, my name is Kyouya, Sairenji Kyouya, the former is my surname, while the latter is my first. Nice to meet you.."

I bowed once more to express my greetings.

"So someone from the east could be this polite heh, the name's Gerald, Gerald Strauss. I'm the Vice-Captain of the Order of Royal Knights. This is our captain, Ms. Elise von Sheilastaire, daughter of the prestigious Sheilastaire house. But, it seems that you two were already acquainted?"

A vice-captain and captain of knights huh? I guess that explains the matching armor set they have. They were both wearing pure white armor with metal plates, branded with the same insignia of a weird symbol.

"Ah, yes, Elise-sama here saved my life when I was being attacked by a monster. I am really grateful towards her. If she wasn't there in time, I would have already been dead."

The exaggerated praising words that came out of my mouth seemed to have made Elise-san go redder and redder but I pay no mind towards it and continue speaking to Gerald-san.

"Really? Our clumsy captain did that? Well, I admit that she is only useful in fighting. If you take that away from her, she would be a useless girl without any redeeming qualities."

"Ah! I told you not to say that anymore! People would think that I am just a muscle-brain if you phrase it like that!"

While Elise-san was trying to playfully? punch Gerald-san, the latter quickly dodged her strikes. It was just my imagination that every time Elise-san threw a punch, a sonic boom followed. Un, let's go with that. I did not see anything. For now, let's steer this conversation back on track.

"Is that so, but I still think that Elise-sama was still beautiful and showed refined movements when she killed that goblin. Please tell me if there is anything I could do to repay this debt."

Naturally, I didn't have anything to give them since I just came into this world three days ago, and I also didn't know how to materialize the money I got from killing the self-proclaimed god of darkness. But I was confident that I could try doing something else..

When they heard my words, they showed different reactions. Gerald-san had an impressed expression on his face while Elise-san's head was producing steam. What's wrong with her?

"T-t-there's no need, Kyouya-sama! It's a knight's duty to protect the people after all!"

You're not that believable with that nervous face, Elise-san. But it was still as expected of her.

"As the captain had said, there is no need for repayment. Just think of this as a fateful encounter. Oh, look at the time. Ms. Elise, we must be going. The old man would get mad at us again. That reminds me, where are you headed Kyouya?"

He's already speaking to me familiarly eh, and what's with that remark? How does an old man remind you of me!?

The thoughts in my head that could be disrespectful when spoken out loud, were buried deep within the recesses of my mind. I had no interest in dying in the hands of nobles after all. No thank you..

"Ah, I was just about to head inside the city, But it's my first time here so I don't know if I can enter."

Wait for it..

"Is that so? Well then, you can just come with us, I'll put in a good word for you. It's on the way after all."

There it is!

"Would you really? Then I am very thankful for this. Then please.."

"No, it's not a problem in the least. Now, let's go....you too, Ms. Elise..."

One of the captains of the royal knights, the esteemed Elise-sama, was trying to escape while we were talking, but was quickly grabbed by Gerald-san by her collar. Ah, even if you cry like that, I can't do anything to help. Please forgive this one for being weak and afraid of getting killed by Gerald-san's sword.

After a few minutes of us walking uphill, simultaneously dragging the pouting knight captain behind us, we reached a tall wooden gate composed of a large entrance, surrounded by tall walls of at least 10 meters.

The walls were made out of dark-grey colored stone. Which meant that there was still no concrete in this world. It had signs of age here and there. This wall must have been built a long time ago. I wonder how much this wall encloses?

Idle questions about the history of the never-before seen monument of a city wall entranced me. But I was soon snapped out of it when we reached the gate entrance, where two men in chain mail were standing on guard with spears in their hands. Those look sharp.

I let Gerald-san go first, so that he could do all the talking. I was nervous of getting accused as a criminal after all. Even if there was a highly unlikely chance I would be. Oh, it seems they are done. I was beckoned towards the gate.

"I talked to them just now, and they said it was fine. As long as you pay 1000 Sera and place your hand on this orb to create an identification card, you can enter the city."

That's fine and all Gerald-san, but what the heck is a Sera!? Wait, let's calm down and think. I would just be thought of as weird if I suddenly acted out right now. Let's see..

"Hmm? Do you not have enough Sera? I could lend you some if you want? Here.."

Just when I was in my thinking state, Elise-san, who suddenly displayed a dignified appearance was in front of me, and materialized a silver coin in her hands. Then, she held it out to the me, who she thought was poor.

Ah, your kindness to the pitiful me warms my heart.

It seemed that 'Sera' was the name of the currency in this world. I'm really sorry but it's not like I was in need of money. In fact, I had more than enough. Though, the only problem was that I couldn't figure out how to bring them out like Elise-san did.

Is what I'd like to say, but that would just be suspicious. Judging by the way they said it, materializing money from your fingertips was supposedly common in this world. I could not let anyone know that I was not from here.

Who knows what would happen. I didn't want to think about it, so I could only regretfully suck up my pride and accept the kind offer. Ah, my debts are increasing at a rapid pace just a few days after I arrived here.

"Yes, I would gratefully accept your kindness. I'll be sure to pay it back with interest in the future."

Naturally, I would pay it back as soon as I can, once I find out a way of summoning money, but for now let's gratefully oblige. Hmm? It seemed that my plan to be courteous backfired? When they heard the word 'interest', they just tilted their heads in confusion.

This was bad. Was there no concept of 'interest' in this world? I had to gloss over this quick before they get suspicious of me. No sooner after that, I would find a cold, damp, cell my home for life.

Just as I was panicking inwardly, not letting it show on my face of course, the man who seemed to be one of the entrance guards brought out a crystal ball the size of two fists..

"Now, person from the east, place your hand on this orb."