Cantre

A monster? Is it that villager again calling wolf again?

[Does he often do that?]

"Not really must have spotted something."

I gesture to my rat friend to stay behind and hide. We head outside. There seems to be a small gathering. In the middle is a soldier. One wearing the same uniform as the previous guys. Given I only saw them from very far away.

"I need all of you to cooperate! We are looking for a Queen Wyvern! Extremely deadly and scheming!"

The villagers all become scared.

"Has anyone seen anything?!"

Then they all turn toward me. As soon as he sees me, he freezes for a few seconds.

"Who are you! What's with the orange uniform?! Wait, don't tell me?!"

[*Sigh* Think about it what do you…]

I'm about to say how pointless it would be for us to fight. Maybe even beg him to just ignore me... He kneels.

"Sorry for the trouble, I wasn't expecting to see you here Sir!"

I can hear exclamations of admiration from the villagers. They also whisper to each other confused. Honestly, I'm as confused. Let me think.

There is an orange county, right? Perhaps they have a similar uniform? Why would that one magical swordsman attack me instantly then? Probably because he saw me on the wyvern.

Now the moral thing to do is obviously to dismiss the misunderstanding. But instead, I simply gesture to him to keep my identity secret. He nods excitedly.

"Ah! My bad! I must have been mistaken! This is clearly just a stylish outfit, nothing like the operators of the orange county haha!"

Ok, that just confirms my suspicions.

[Exactly, I'm just a random traveler. But I also know that there has not been any monster here.]

I can hear a villager weakly retort that a Dire-Rat is one. The soldier gives a bow.

"Sorry for disturbing you, I'll-"

[Wait up. Where are you going exactly?]

"To the nearest villages to find information about…"

[No need. I need to reach a city where I can hire a carriage. Care to show me the way?]

"That…Sir, I really don't think this is appropriate for…"

Just a little push.

[Do you think I'm all the way over here for fun? I'll be counting on you.]

He nods. Now, me traveling with a member of the military could be bad. He could bust me at any moment. It also has some advantages. For one he seems convinced I'm some sort of Bigshot. He will be my identity proof in this place. My own personal bodyguard.

Thanks to him others won't dare to question me. At least, I think. I call my rat friend over. The soldier seems to be getting nervous. In any case, we depart toward our adventure. We talk while walking.

"S-sir, why do you have a Dire-Rat?!"

[You've never heard of beast taming?]

"I-I did, Sir! Orange county is renowned for that! But it's just …"

How lucky!

[The fact that it's a rat?]

"T-that…yes."

[He's a good scout. He's pretty smart too.]

Said rat is beaming with every compliment. Is he blushing?!

"S-sir, aren't you worried that it will ever turn on you?"

[Nope, why?]

"No matter how I look at it…there is no beast crest!"

[Oh, it's an invisible one. Wouldn't it be ugly otherwise?]

He's looking at me weirdly again.

0_0

[You okay man?]

"T-that, I thought such ancient art was only known by the royal bloodline."

How do I explain that now…?

[Don't worry about it. Just a small trick.]

"Y-yes, my prince!"

[….]

Wow, at this rate he'll call me a god soon enough.

[No need for such a fancy title. I'm just a regular young man you see.]

"I-I understand!"

We spend the rest of the day walking in awkward silence. With the soldier stealing glances at me from time. Until finally we see a medium-sized town appear. It has guards, but only a wooden palisade.

"Ah, right S-sir! Should I remove my uniform?"

[…?]

"So we can blend in the surroundings!"

[No need.]

After all, I want him as intimidating as possible. As we get to the gates, we are allowed passage directly without any issue. The stern gatekeepers don't even request anything of us. Silently watching by. There is a middle-aged man that comes to welcome us.

"Hey there travelers. I'm the mayor. What brings you to the town of Cantre? For the weary, we have an Inn."

He shows a big business smile.

[We'll follow your advice. Where can we crash for the night?]

"Simply follow me."

He starts walking slowly. That is when comes a young girl out of nowhere. She dashes toward us. Toward the soldier actually.

"Mister! Please help us! They stole my dad! It's not him anymore! It's-"

That's when a man comes out and grabs her putting a hand on her mouth. She's fighting, but not managing to break free. He bows at us.

"Sorry about that sirs, the little one has a very vivid imagination. I'll teach her better."

Then he leaves carrying her. Meanwhile, all the townsfolks are just watching. I guess they must be related, somehow? I'm not going to thoughtlessly intervene in what seems like private matters.

During the whole incident, our guide keeps the same smile. Not showing even a little of expression change. He brings us to the inn and we check-in, for free apparently. The guy in charge doesn't seem to care one bit.

Finally, we are left alone in two separate rooms. I insist that the rat will stay with me to their dismay. I believe there is something wrong with the town.

At first, I'm a little confused but then I get it. I'm no expert but everything is too silent. It reminds me of when I was atop Yggdrasil. Yet there are townsfolks tending their business. In the most orderly fashion possible. There are no screams, no haggling, no conversations either. Simply perfunctory exchanges from time to time.

[Are you ready for some scouting?]

My companion raises his paw in the air.

"Always! What should I do exactly?!]

[Do you see how listless the villagers are? I want you to find out why."

"Yes, Prince!"

[…]

"Yes, my lord!"

[Just go already!]

Before long he comes back. He doesn't seem as easygoing as he once was before.

[What's up?]

"There are bastards here like in the mountain."

[What do you mean?]

"Scum exploiting their own brethren."

Right, he has spent most of his life running or fighting such people.

[What exactly is happening?]

"I'm not sure. But they seem to be drinking some weird stuff regularly. It must be related."

[You'll be able to trace the provenance?]

"Of course!"

I give him a smile.

[Well, then. How about we go for a long walk?]