CH. 8

A couple of months had passed without further incident. Things seemed pretty normal, well, as normal as normal is for a fantasy world.

I was now familiar with the area and the day-to-day tasks that my parents completed. Most of the time, Mera would stay at home and look after the house. Whilst usually if Keiran was not in his office completing mundane paperwork for the running of the territory, he would be doing the rounds of the town.

Finally, after being locked down and under house arrest because of what happened last time, I was permitted to enter the town again. It was on one of these trips that I found myself with him.

"Thank you for your hard work as usual, Stoldt."

"It's nothing sir. The rest of the team tend to do most of the heavy lifting these days. I tend to sit back and observe."

"You are not thinking of retiring anytime soon are you? You are far too capable for me to just let you go so easily."

"No need to worry about that. I still have plenty of life left in this aging body of mine." He waved a hand dismissively.

The older guy he was speaking to was Stoldt, the guardsman who had cut down the Gremtcha and saved me. He was also the head of the towns guard.

"I forgot say earlier, thank you for saving me from that Gremtcha that time too."

"Don't worry about it kiddo. Just doing my job."

Since we were so far removed from the capital and the lowest of the ranked nobility, the territory was left to protect itself most of the time. The kingdom would not provide a military garrison to police or defend the inhabitants from marauders and occasional monster that found itself too close to town.

Inclusive of the occasional Gremtcha. Though that was more of a fault of the farmers and not the monster itself.

"That Stoldt is a pretty intimidating guy…"

"You think so, do you Seth?" Keiran patted me on the head as we walked through the town having departed from him.

"Well yeah. Those eyes are seriously intense." Seriously, a head pat?

I pushed his hand from my head.

I wasn't lying either. That piercing look he wore was ice cold. There was no doubt that if looks could kill, then his certainly would.

"Stoldt used to be an Adventurer in his younger days. Not only that, but he was also a soldier in the royal army, obtaining an officer's ranking if I am not mistaken. I am sure that look of his is a result of those experiences."

"An Adventurer?"

Surely, he couldn't possibly mean the type that fought monsters in fantasy stories and games.

"I'm sure we have spoken about this before. Do you not remember?" He looked at me quizzically.

"I-I think we might've? But could you tell me again…"

Shoot, not being able to recall all the memories this body had may very well get me into strife one day if I don't watch my tongue.

"When he was younger, he signed up for the Royal Army, where he fought in a number of battles and earned a reputation as being a fierce fighter and even fiercer leader. Over the course of a series of campaigns, he was lauded with numerous citations and medals for his outstanding service. I believe it was at the completion of one particularly brutal campaign that he reached the decision to leave the military and join the Adventurers Guild."

"Why do you think that was?"

"I cannot say for certain why he made that decision. He has never spoken of it as far as I am aware." He shook his head.

So he was an accomplished warrior, recognized by the kingdom and the people it seems. Why would someone who had achieved so much decide to leave?

The guy certainly commanded an aura of respect just by his sheer indomitable presence alone. His stiff posture and strict mannerisms were obviously established through military discipline.

"What about when he became an Adventurer then? That's a big step from fighting people to slaying monsters."

"He achieved a gold rank after a few years, after successfully slaying a ghoul. The ghoul had been terrorizing the people of this town actually, which was when we met. That was when I heard he was looking for a more peaceful lifestyle… to some degree. I would have been a fool to not recognize his achievements and status. So I offered him the captaincy of the guard position here."

"I bet the townspeople were happy with that. Seeing as he had just saved them."

"Absolutely. Having done a great service to the town, they welcomed him with open arms."

"Maybe I could be an Adventurer one day." A flash of having cleared a dungeon and obtaining the treasure awaiting me at the end ran through my mind.

The allurement of being one was certainly pulling on me. Why not make the most of my new life and experience a thrilling adventure, in a bold new world?

It's the stuff any shut-in dreams about. Slaying monsters, saving people in need, being a hero, breaking new ground and exploring the unexplored.

The game of real-life back home was immeasurably broken. No one began at the same starting grid as everyone else when born. Some people were born into privilege and wealth, compared to others who began in abject poverty.

The country you were born in also dictated your potential for growth. Whether a place was truly free, or subject to an oppressive government. A lot of things worked against you.

No matter how hard you worked towards your goal you could still never reach the pinnacle of your endeavor.

"I absolutely forbid it."

"Huh?!"

Keiran stopped in his tracks and faced me, his expression serious.

"It is much too dangerous. Your responsibility is to take my place as the family head when I am too old. That means you will be in charge of this territory in my stead."

Wait what? That's not something I want to do! But it's not something I can just outright refuse. If I did it would just cause unnecessary conflict between us.

I'll have to play along and probe my way through this minefield carefully, if I want any chance to do what I want.

"I think I understand. But why can't I be an Adventurer until that time?"

"Your duty as a noble, even a lower ranked one, demands you attend a nobles academy in your early teens. Your studies are tremendously important, as are the connections you make between other families during your stay there."

I can't argue with that logic. The structure of society here is immensely different to the democratic government I'm used to. Overruled by a royal family, the noble families below them make up the pyramid of governance and power that supports them.

"I understand…. father… but why can I not complete my education and then spend some time as one? That way, I won't forsake my responsibilities."

"Responsibilities is it… That's a mighty big word for a child…"

Ah dang it. Though I may be a six-year-old physically. Mentally I'm in my early 30's! Another slip of the tongue…

"Uh sorry. Should I not use such large words?" I looked away awkwardly.

"Not at all, I am very impressed. To think how far you have come along… Well it makes me as your father very proud. Although you still speak far less eloquently than I appreciate. As a child, it is not such a major fault. But as you grow you will need to learn proper noble etiquette, lest you inadvertently be looked down on and treated below your station."

Even though I haven't had any experience in meeting another noble family or other powerful members of society, I'm still aware that how you present yourself to someone is important. Especially first impressions.

And if I recall… being a Baronet is bad. We're the lowest of the low. Not an institution of a family that has generations of history with the royal family or other nobility.

"I-I understand… I'll try my best."

"It is quite alright. But back to the topic at hand. Once your education is completed, you will either take a position in the capital to immerse yourself in noble society or join the military and serve a period of service. Being an Adventurer is simply out of the question."

A noble's academy huh… the thought of that makes me feel queasy.

School had been a source of extreme displeasure for me previously, so it wasn't something I was looking forward to. If I could avoid it at all costs then I would.

And serve in the military? I didn't want to do that! So it looked like I was stuck working in the capital…

Wracking my brain, I could not even recall a time when I had ever attended the capital. I wondered what it was like. Would it be an incredibly beautiful city, full of art and philosophy like the renaissance period with an amazing backdrop like in a certain fantasy movie I enjoyed?

Or would it be an impressive, impregnable fortress city, a bastion type monument that stood as a testament to the unyielding, indomitable spirit of the human kingdom? A sight then when observed would send any invading army packing, just by its sheer presence alone, knowing they could never defeat it?

For the moment I'd have to leave this conversation lying and pick it up another time, when I would be in a better position to swing it towards my own goals. Best to change the topic.

"When would we visit the capital-"

"Shit, not the long ears again."

"Elves!"

"I'm outta here. I can't stand those arrogant, spiteful bastards."

The sudden raucous of the townspeople broke through our conversation. Amongst the differences in tones and words, I did manage to pick out one particular part that piqued my interest.

There were elves in this world and they had arrived at this town.