I Want to Live a Normal Life

Episode 4: The Obraine Border Count Residence

“Why?”

“…”

“Hey, why?”

I pressed the guild supervisor desperately, as I received an unreasonable request through a nomination. It came from the lord.

Why would a D-rank like me get a nomination? It’s because the Adventurers Guild is under the country’s control. Well, you can’t expect the country to let an organization with a large number of rough individuals run wild. They give the Adventurers Guild some autonomy in exchange for handling unreasonable requests like this, right? So, if you’re a somewhat influential noble, you can push through a nomination like this.

By the way, the Merchant Guild is an independent organization from the country. Maybe their past leaders handled things well. They’ve become an entity that even the country can’t easily meddle with. Well, it wasn’t much of a problem in the original story since they sided with the protagonist, but it must be troublesome for the country.

But getting back to the point, it was Fenfield again who caused all this. Thankfully, he really appreciates me. He seems to have heard about my recent promotion to D-rank. Or rather, the guild reported it to him. As a response to that letter, he said something like, “You’re an important asset to us, so I can’t give you up.” Yeah, that was fine.

But somehow, that conversation reached the lord. Well, it’s Fenfield we’re talking about. He probably told the lord himself or someone close to him. Like, “There’s an interesting guy over there,” kind of thing.

And then, I received this unreasonable request through a nomination. Why?

“For now, calm down. A nomination is just a formality.”

“…?”

“The lord wants to introduce you to his son. But if he invites you as a guest, it will be too formal, right? There will be etiquette to follow. You definitely wouldn’t come then, right?”

“Yes.”

“…You answered so quickly. Well, whatever. But if it’s a request to adventurers, you don’t need to worry much about etiquette, right? There are fewer people who can handle it properly. It’s consideration for that. Of course, you’re allowed to refuse.”

“If you had said that…”

“You got really grumpy as soon as you heard about the nomination.”

“…”

Now it was my turn to look away. I mean, if someone tells you, “The lord has nominated you,” as soon as they see your face, wouldn’t you? …Sorry.

“…Who is this ‘son’?”

“He’s the eldest son, Alt-sama. He should be around ten years old. He’s good with a sword but seems to be struggling with magic. Seeing your magic, which is close to his age, might be good motivation for him. Of course, you only need to show him magic within your capabilities.”

“I see.”

“So, what will you do? As I said earlier, it’s okay to refuse.”

“No, I’ll accept.”

“Oh, you’re accepting. That’s a relief.”

I hesitated a bit but decided to accept the request. I owe it to the supervisor. Besides, he’s the kind of person who treats even a simple D-rank adventurer with care, so he must be as rumored. I want to meet Border Count Obraine to learn more about these things. Besides, there’s a possibility that Galgaine is around Border Count Obraine’s territory.

“Hmm, the residence of Border Count Obraine is amazing.”

Three days later, when I visited the lord’s residence by carriage sent by the guild, I was escorted to the reception room. Stylish furnishings were arranged inside. They must be expensive, but there’s no sense of oppression. It’s quite different from the gaudy marquis’ mansion somewhere. So, this is what a capable noble is like.

After a few minutes of waiting while drinking the tea brought by the maid, I finally met the mysterious figure, Border Count Obraine.

“You’re Mine, right? Thanks for coming. I’m Lux Obraine, the lord of Obraine Territory.”

“…Nice to meet you. My name is Mine.”

“Ah, you don’t have to be so formal. I heard about you from Wayne. Got interested in you.”

“…I’m honored.”

The smiling Border Count Obraine, who introduced himself, was a handsome man in his late twenties. I don’t recognize his face. But this guy, with his golden hair and blue eyes, looks like the epitome of a noble, yet his magical flow is quite refined. He seems quite strong. Or rather, judging by the density and flow of magic alone, isn’t he in the class of “Sword Saint”?

Behind Border Count Obraine, Fenfield was standing at a slight angle, probably also acting as a guard. When our eyes met, he winked. Yep, it’s definitely you.

“As I conveyed through the guild, today I want my son, Alt, to be demonstrated magic. Of course, I’m not asking you to reveal all the cards in an adventurer’s hand. Show what you can within your limits.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you. Shall we go to the training ground then?”

“Yes.”

He’s not coming off as overbearing towards me, an adventurer, and he’s creating a friendly atmosphere. Quite different from some marquis, huh?

…Come to think of it, I completely forgot about wrecking the marquis’ training ground. Should have done it before entering the forest area. Major oversight.

“Daddy!”

“Oh, Liela. What’s up?”

“I’m going to watch big brother’s training!”

While heading to the training ground, a girl ran up to the Count. She’s a cute girl with the same golden hair and blue eyes as the Count. About five years old? It’s easy to imagine she’ll be gorgeous when she grows up.

…Wow, the Count’s face is totally relaxed. Hey, this girl has a lot of magic power. More than anyone I’ve seen at the Adventurers Guild. She’s promising for the future.

“Oh, are you a guest?”

“Yeah, Mine here is going to show magic to Alt. Mine, this is my daughter, Liela.”

“Nice to meet you! I’m Liela!”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Mine.”

“Daddy, I want to see magic too!”

“Mine, is that okay?”

“It’s fine.”

“Yay!”

Is there anyone who can refuse in this situation? Well, I’m not planning to refuse, but still.

But this girl…she somehow looks familiar. I can’t remember where I’ve seen her before. She has the appearance of a heroine, but if she were a heroine, I would remember, right? Ugh, I hate this kind of thing the most.

Still, considering that the Obraine Border Count family didn’t exist in the original story, it might be wise to be careful. It’s the same with Mine’s siblings; I don’t want children to suffer as they did in the original.

“That’s the training ground over there.”

“…It’s spacious.”

“Haha, even though I’m entrusted with the border. It’s my duty to be prepared for anything that might happen. Of course, it’s better if nothing happens.”

Ah, he seems to be a similar type to Hertia Borderlands of Alteria. A type that says, “We won’t start anything, but if you come over here, we’ll fight back with all our might?” Thanks to people like them, the border is calm. On the flip side, they probably won’t get along with the current King of Hartelia, who wants war, and his hawkish supporters. There’s probably a reason why the Obraine family didn’t exist in the original story.

“Alt is training over there.”

In a corner of the training ground, I see a boy sparring with a knight-like person. …Isn’t he bigger than me? And he’s ten? Not fair.

“Alt.”

“Brother!”

“Father! Liela!”

“――Huh!?”

“Alt, this is Mine, who will show you magic.”

“I’m Alt. Nice to meet you!”

“…I’m Mine. Nice to meet you.”

I almost let out a surprised voice when I saw Alt’s face. It’s because the boy in front of me was a character from the original story.

Like the original Mine, he’s one of the modified subjects and a member of the unit that primarily assaulted the Arlight territory alongside the original Mine and others. He was a swordsman who fought alone against the protagonists who invaded Ortya and was eventually slain. He didn’t have a name in the original story, but he was incredibly strong, so he left an impression. He’s still young, but there’s no mistaking it.

If he turns out to be the son of Border Count Obraine…Yeah, something is definitely going to happen to this family in the future. And it’s going to be something crappy.

This country really sucks, after all.