Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?! - CH 43

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

“Well, to Vanderwall? I was going to invite Sapphiras-sama to my family’s summer resort, but……”

Aurora put her finger to her cheek and looked a little disappointed. Shortly after Percival invited me to his estate, Aurora also invited me to their summerhouse. ‘There’s a villa by the lake,’ she said. I heard that on the lake you can take small boats and fish for trout. That’s also quite tempting, though.

“However, I’m sure Sapphiras-sama won’t be bored if he goes to Vanderwall with Percival-sama.”

I heard that even though it’s a summer resort, if someone from the Duke’s family is staying there, there are often evening parties attended by influential people from the surrounding area. It’s a long awaited vacation, but that’s a bit…besides, I’m not very good at socialising. I really respect Miss Aurora for being able to do that sort of thing.

“There have been a lot of things going on lately, so please stretch your wings as much as you can since it’s a rare long vacation.”

Aurora said that as well, and I’m suddenly looking forward to the long vacation.

I was in such a hurry that I started packing that night, even though the vacation was still a long way off. First, I packed a few ordinary clothes in an old cloth bag. After that……I thought, but I didn’t have anything else to take with me. Actually, a knife, a rope and some preserved food would have been nice, but there was no way I would have such useful tools. Anyway, the best way to travel is to be light. I carried as little unnecessary baggage as possible, and if I really needed something, I would get it from the local market.

Ah, I can’t wait to go on a trip!

I see, I now understand why everyone around me is so restless. Everyone feels this way.

I spent my days in the same state of mind as everyone around me, and finally entered the long-awaited long vacation.

“……Sapphiras, can you ride a horse?”

“Yes.”

I rode Unisus, so I can at least ride a horse without any problem.

“I’m going home on horseback, but I only have one horse. Would you be willing to ride with me?”

“I don’t mind at all. But will the horse be all right with two people on it?”

“Vanderwall horses are different from ordinary horses. It is a horse that can run for three days and three nights without eating or drinking in a forest full of magical beasts. It’s no big deal to carry me and Sapphiras on a journey.”

“Vanderwall horses are amazing.”

Percival seem to have came to the royal capital riding his mighty horse. In the royal capital, there is a stable for the Belisario family, and it seems that they have a groom. He usually has his horse looked after there.

Early in the morning, the streets are sparsely populated. We are on our way to the stables.

It takes about six days on horse to get to Vanderwall, weather permitting.

You might think I should just go by transference because I can use it, but I’m not such a tactless man. I also have the heart to enjoy traveling normally.

“Percival-sama, we have been waiting for you.”

At the stables on the outskirts of the royal capital, a stable hand was already waiting with the horse ready.

“Eh……this is Percival’s horse?”

I looked up with my mouth agape. I’m small, so I usually look up at horses, but this horse is even bigger.

“Ah, its name is Matteo.”

Matteo was pitch black and much bigger than most horses. His legs are thick and sturdy. If it’s a small magic beast, it’s tough enough to crush it. His body was glossy and black, and its mane and tail were smooth. It’s been well cared for.

At any rate, so this is a Vanderwall horse……

“Nice to meet you, Matteo”

When I call out to him, Matteo snorts. Even if I reach out my hand and stroke his nose, I don’t show any disgust. He does not seem to have a nervous disposition. While I greet Matteo, Percival straps the travelling luggage to his horse. His luggage is also minimal, quite small for a week’s worth of luggage for two travellers.

“Well then, let’s get going.”

“Oh!”

It’s finally the beginning of our journey!

Percival and I straddle Matteo’s back and set off for Vanderwall. Basically, we’ll stay at an inn, but I hear we’ll be camping out in the open a few times. Matteo rides along the road with a steady gait. We plan to continue riding to the town where the inn is located, but Percival has prepared a thick folded cloth for me. Thanks to the fact that I’m sitting on it, I’m very comfortable at the moment. Besides, Percival’s support behind me gives me a sense of stability. Above all, the view is great because of the high visibility. Vanderwall horses are amazing.

“Don’t hesitate to tell me if you get tired.”

“I’m not tired at all! But Matteo is amazing!”

We’ve left the royal capital and have been riding for quite a while, but Matteo’s legs haven’t slowed down a bit. He passed a number of wagons and ran nimbly.

“In Vanderwall, they have been breeding horses that are a little bit bigger than the rest for generations in order to produce stronger horses. It’s paid off, because now we have big, strong horses like Matteo. Nobles hate them because they are ugly, but in Vanderwall, a thin, weak horse cannot compete with the magical beasts. They may not be beautiful, but they have an unflappable character and strong legs that can keep them going even on the roughest of roads.”

“No, Vanderwall’s horses are beautiful! I like them! Matteo, you’re a great horse.”

I pat Matteo’s neck, respectfully. Such a fine horse is not ugly. If they saw this horse on the battlefield, that alone would probably frighten the enemy cavalry.

“I see, I’m glad Sapphiras said so.”

Percival’s voice sounded heartily happy when he said that.

The weather has been good and our journey has been smooth. The accommodation we stayed in was comfortable. We sometimes eat local specialities and enjoy the journey to the fullest.

On the fourth day, we decided to stay in the open air for the first time. We were in the middle of the most difficult part of the trip, the mountain pass. Matteo could climb the steep mountain paths without difficulty, but we felt sorry for him if we had to let him run all night. There was a flat area that looked like a good place to camp, so we decided to spend the night there. We don’t have to worry about magical beasts or bandits, as we have barrier magic.

While Percival put up a simple roof to protect us from the night dew, I gather wood to make a fire and cook soup. Matteo has had his saddle removed and is eating grass from the area.

The soup is made from dried meat. I bought it in the town where we stayed yesterday. Mufufu.

This dried meat is originally a portable food for adventurers and soldiers, so it is very salty and spiced. The basic way to eat it is to throw a piece of this meat in your mouth. That’s it. As you hold it in your mouth, the saltiness gradually dissolves into your mouth. It is a substitute that can be eaten on the move, without the hassle of cooking. If you use it as an ingredient in a soup, the saltiness and the flavour of the meat dissolves into the soup, giving it a good taste. If you’re always eating portable food, your energy will wither. This is the wisdom of adventurers.

When the saltiness of the dried meat came out sufficiently, I threw in the potatoes and dried potato stalks. Simmer until the vegetables are soft and it’s done. It gets cold at night in the mountains, so the hot, spicy soup is delicious.

“Your skills are good.”

Percival, who has finished putting up the roof, looks at my work and says admiringly.

“I read about it in an adventure story. I finally get to show off my knowledge.”

“Sapphiras will do just fine in Vanderwall.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

I’m glad to hear that I can get by in Vanderwall, which is full of strong men. The foundation as an adventurer is fine.

Percival and I soak the dried noodle dumplings in the soup we’ve just made and ate it.

“It’s delicious. I never thought I’d be able to drink such delicious soup in the camp.”

“I’m glad it tasted so good.”

After the meal, Percival served us tea and cookies. The cookies were quite hard, and if you force yourself to chew them, you might break your teeth. However, the cookies were simple and tasty, with a hint of sweetness and a nutty flavour. I take a cup of tea and let it slowly melt in my mouth.

We’ve made it so far, it seems we’re almost to Vanderwall.

That night, I slept soundly under the starry sky, using the thick cloth under my buttocks as a pillow.

Matteo is a truly tireless horse, and we completed the rest of the journey in no time at all, with hardly any rest.

Finally, we were in Vanderwall territory, Percival’s hometown.