While they walked along a cobblestone path extending southward, Nox was explaining to Nana the benefits of stones he had heard about yesterday.
“Therefore, I no longer need to update my adventurer’s license so often,” Nox said.
He didn’t mention the fact that Nana could be a target just for being Astra’s companion; he simply told her that he had been asked to work at least once a month.
“So, it seems alright to wait until we reach Sarosso,” Nana remarked.
“Yes. But it will soon turn into a mountain path ahead. There are few accommodations, so we will have to camp for a while. Eventually, we will probably have to deal with getting rid of the monsters,” Nox reflected.
The fact that they could spend the night without worrying about monsters at the accommodations was due to the installation of magical devices that protected against monsters. Since barrier devices were expensive, it was impractical for one person to have them. People sought refuge around inns established with public funds, which then turned into villages.
In summary, outside the inns, there was always the possibility of encountering monsters, but Nana was carefree.
“With Nox-sama, isn’t it as if we’re at an inn anywhere?”
After all, he could create much more excellent defensive spells than the city’s barrier devices, and he could provide a roofed house and a bed. Thanks to storage magic, they always had fresh food, water magic was convenient for washing, heating it provided hot water. Nana’s journey to Galaxy was much more relaxed compared to her previous itinerary.
“That’s right… should I start a business like this?”
A service that accompanies you on your journey and helps you establish a base wherever you choose. Nox was seriously considering whether merchants or amateur nobles could find demand even with a slightly higher price.
“No, you shouldn’t, people would come trying to take advantage of something bigger,” he warned.
Easily establishing a solid base in your favorite place would also be highly advantageous in war. The fact that powerful mages were coveted everywhere was already a well-known fact by all organizations, but if it was discovered that they could also use such convenient magic, the competition to recruit someone like Nox would reach bloodshed levels.
“So… maybe adventurers are the most suitable for this after all?”
When Nox’s magic talent was discovered, Jenny reminded him over and over:
“You have great power. Don’t follow anyone. Use magic for yourself.”
These were words to protect Nox. Perhaps it was fortunate for young Nox that it was Jenny, not a subordinate of Edwin, who taught him magic.
Nana, neither affirming nor denying, had no intention of keeping Nox just as an adventurer.
As they had that conversation, they passed by some inns. Nox visited the adventurer’s association every time. Although he didn’t need to accept assignments, he explained to Nana, who wondered why he did it; “If you look at the bulletin board, you’ll know what types of monsters and events are happening. And if something interests you, you can even ask the employees directly.”
“Jenny used to say, ‘To hear gossip, go to the tavern first,’ but with our appearance, they probably won’t take us seriously,” Nox mused.
In inns, there were usually taverns where drunk people easily became indiscreet. If you encouraged the conversation a bit, they would tell you all kinds of things, Jenny laughed.
However, in his daily life, Nox was a young man of gentle manners. He eliminated most of his prey from afar with a single blow, so his clothes were rarely damaged. And for Nana, who only watched him, the situation was starting to seem normal.
“I bet no one would imagine that I am the heir princess of the neighboring kingdom and you a royal prince,” Nana murmured.
At that moment, a question arose in Nana’s mind:
“…By the way, Nox-sama, have you ever drunk alcohol?”
“No, never.”
Although Jenny was a fairly carefree person, she had enough common sense not to pressure Nox, who was underage. She had told him they would drink together when he was older, but this time, she did not urge him to go out into the city at night due to Nana’s presence.
“Why don’t we try drinking in the next town, Nox-sama?”
“Eh?”
The only thought on Nana’s mind was to see Nox drunk. Despite having recently witnessed his reaction to a joke, her curiosity remained strong.
***
Jenny’s casual recommendation of “If you just want to drink good liquor, go to a local tavern frequented by locals” proved useful one day.
At the cozy bar of the tavern, Nox admired the drink he had been served. When he asked the owner for a recommendation, he noticed that Nox was not accustomed to drinking, so he served him a mild liquor with a delightful aroma.
“By the way, I remember reading in a book that Zepians tend to have a high resistance to alcohol,” Nox mentioned.
“Yes, my mother is much more resistant to alcohol than my father, who is Acolian,” Nana responded.
With that attitude, Nana ordered an unfamiliar drink for Nox, already on her second glass and showing no signs of having drunk.
On the other hand, Nox enjoyed the accompanying jerky and preferred it to the alcohol. Although he was adorable, with that attitude, he never seemed to be drunk.
“Why don’t you try this drink, Nox-sama? It’s sweet and delicious,” Nana suggested, offering him her cup.
It was sweet but with a high alcohol content.
“Really? Then, just a sip,” Nox accepted without realizing the trick and tried the drink
“It’s true, it’s sweet! But, woah, it hits the throat!” Nox commented, with a slight blush on his cheeks and a brighter smile than usual.
Perhaps somewhat affected by the alcohol. Despite this, he sincerely thanked her for the sip and returned the cup after just one sip.
“Did you not like it?”
“No, it was delicious. But, it was for you, Nana. Since we’re here, I’ll order a different one next time,” Nox replied, showing moderation in his drinking.
Nana thought about the next strategy, as Nox had demonstrated prudence in his way of drinking.
