◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey
Chapter 13: A Famous Person
“Good morning”
“Pya—
“…Good morning”
As I opened my eyes to the morning light, my gaze met that of Marius’, who was leaning against a tree while reading a book. His face was not one I was particularly happy to see first thing in the morning.
Marius’ sleep hours are quite short compared to others, and about half of mine. Both in the past and now, he often spends his time reading alone.
As I sat up, Pya stretched with a big yawn, then climbed along my side to settle on my back. Does it really consider my back it’s home now? Clinging on there seems like a lot of effort too.
Psshh—
Psshh? And if i’m not mistaken, there are signs which indicate it fell asleep. Sacred beasts are…
“There was a halo surrounding the moon last night.”
Marius closed his book and moved closer to the open fire.
When a faint ring of light surrounds the moon, it often means rain will fall the next day.
“I hope it holds out until noon.”
The town isn’t far from here; we should be able to have lunch there.
I pour the cooled water from the pot by the campfire into a water pouch. Judging by the remaining amount, Marius has likely already prepared his share. The water around here isn’t very good, since drinking it as is when you’re unwell can upset your stomach. The water in my territory however, can be drunk straight.
Afterward, I boiled the freshly drawn water and had breakfast while drinking tea. I took out some ham and cheese from the supplies and toasted them to eat.
“Lord Shinju was able to sleep after all.”
I was right after all! I silently screamed in my mind as Marius peered over my shoulder while holding the cheese in one hand and spoke.
“Once we arrive at the town, we’ll have a meal first. If it isn’t raining, we might get to choose a horse.”
“Wouldn’t a donkey be better? For the next town, it’s manageable, but beyond that, carrying feed for a horse along with everything else will be quite troublesome.”
“But considering that there might be monsters further ahead, a horse would be better.”
I strongly insisted.
The donkey will eat thistles and straw from the surroundings, but a horse won’t. However, when it comes to monsters, a horse is less likely to be frightened and provides a greater sense of security.
“You, don’t you just like horses more?”
“I mean, they’re big, cute, and strong aren’t they!?”
“Right. Horses are cute.”
A moment of silence fell in. —I’ve become slightly unsure of what we were even talking about.
Marius and I belong to the horse faction, while Shato and Elaine belong to the Donkey faction. However, since donkeys are tougher in harsh environments and cheaper, Marius has often chosen a donkey in the past, though reluctantly.
After all, keeping a horse costs just as much as its own food and lodging. Moreover, it would make us appear wealthy, and we wouldn’t be able to stay at a temple that accepts penniless travelers. Well, it’s not like we plan to rely on the temple this time, and in reality, Marius and I are of the wealthy sort.
After a pointless argument, we arrived at the town. It’s much cheaper to gather what we need here than to get everything in the capital.
“I wonder how this thing on my back appears to the townspeople.”
I mumbled as we entered the town and looked upon the gate.
“It usually can’t be seen, or will appear as if you’re carrying a faint light on your back.”
“If it’s going to glow on my back like that, it might be better to just show its form instead…”
Maybe it would’ve been better if only the ears were visible around the shoulder area, peeking out from the cloak. That way, there might be people who wouldn’t notice.
“If Lord Shinju wanted to reveal itself, it would, and if it didn’t want to be seen, the glow wouldn’t appear.”
“It sure is a troublesome Sacred Beast.”
Since it sleeps too.
After finishing up the procedures and entering town, we’re at the public square. And right in the center of the public square lies a statue of me, made out of bronze.
“Well, this sure is kinda embarrassing here.”
Since the statue is of my younger self, it won’t be made much of.
The appearance from my younger days during the demon lord’s defeat is well known, having been made into portraits and statues and displayed all over the place. However, my face after aging hasn’t spread as widely.
Since Marius was the top of the temple, he’s been called upon for various ceremonies and events, so his current face is also well known.
Hm? My face from my younger days?
“It seems we can be seen.”
“Wha-! Don’t keep your distance!”
Marius tried to distance himself from me hesitantly.
“First, I suppose you should hide your face with a hooded robe. I’ll secure the inn in advance, so take your time.”
As he said that, he pointed with a nod towards the inn, where the dining hall was on the first floor.
Inns facing the square are a bit more expensive, but they’re usually safe and fairly clean. There are other cheaper decent inns if we take the time to search, but since we’re not staying for long, it would be a waste of time.
“Kugh…”
I headed toward the inn, letting out a sigh as I looked at the unusually cheerful back of Marius.
That said, I can’t exactly ask him to buy me a robe while I secure the inn instead of him. I don’t want to owe that guy anything!
I tried to give up and leave the square with the statue… but I couldn’t. Markets are usually held in squares, and here too, I could see stalls with clothes stretched out as makeshift roofs.
It’s fine. Just because I look exactly like the statue, no one is likely to approach and talk to me. No one would think I’m the person from fifty years ago after all, especially when comparing my appearance now with how I looked back then. The impression of the color is also quite strong too.
“Would that gentleman happen to be the grandchild of the Swordsman, Lord Suirun?”
“Wasn’t his grandchild the one and only princess?”
The voices of the townspeople were heard clearly. Ah, ahh, I have nothing to do with this. I’m not involved.
“He’s not the right age to be the one who succeeded the knight commander or the frontier count, is he?
“Was there an illegitimate child?”
“I see, an illegitimate child then.”
We ended up at a weird conclusion!!!
