Chapter 29 Snowy City - Platnovena
"It's cold! So cold!"
It had been a few days since the day I was promoted from a "trainee" Royal Alchemist to an "assistant."
Before I knew it, Arnold and I were riding on horseback through a world covered in silver.
"We're almost there, so be quiet."
He said annoyingly above my head. Arnold's chest was pressed against my back, but the warmth didn't come through because of the thick coat.
After being ordered by Kasper-san to travel to the branch in the north without any explanation, we arrived in the Platnovena region. We left the capital immediately after receiving the order, changing carriages, boarding a ship, and suddenly finding ourselves in a world covered in silver.
The Platonovena region is a place where it snows all year round, like the typical late-game area in an RPG. I once visited this place in the late stages of a game. The scenery and the field BGM were fantastical, and I used to really like this place back then. But now that I'm here again, I don't have time to enjoy the scenery. It's cold. Really cold. My exposed skin feels like it's being pricked by needles due to the intense cold.
"Look, over there."
Arnold pointed and said that, and indeed, a city could be seen. Even from a distance, the cityscape felt somewhat nostalgic.
As we approached the lights of the city, I remembered that this region was ruled by young noble. There was a man with silver hair and clear aquamarine eyes who was somewhat popular due to his appearance. Although he seemed icy at first glance, I recalled that he had a younger wife— and as these memories flooded back, the city was right in front of us.
And then, I realized something.
At the entrance of the city, under the towering arch, stood a woman. She seemed to be staring intently in our direction.
The woman had fiery red hair that resembled burning flames. The tips of her hair were a slightly faded orange, creating a beautiful gradient.
Swinging her long hair that reached her waist, the woman waved towards us. I lightly nodded from my horse, wondering if she was from the Platnovena branch here to greet us, but...
"Arnold, you're still as unfriendly as ever!"
"Hello, Vilma-san, it's been a while."
It seems Arnold and Vilma-san are acquaintances. Vilma-san, despite being a woman, had a very dignified voice.
Arnold dismounted the horse first. He smoothly extended his hand towards me, so I awkwardly got off the horse with his help. Immediately, the woman with red hair spoke to me.
"So, you're the rumored Special Case No. 2, huh?"
"Hi, I'm Laura Ampère."
In response to my greeting, Vilma-san smiled with narrowed eyes. Her smile wasn't the typical cute, feminine one, but rather a neutral and cool one that could be described as stylish.
"My name is Vilma Aima. I'm a member of the Platnovena branch here."
She carried herself with a slightly pompous tone that suited her well.
After exchanging greetings, she started walking, apparently about to guide me to the branch.
――Since I was secretly questioning it since being ordered on this business trip, I wondered where this Platnovena branch was located. In the first place, although the term "alchemist" and the expression "alchemist working at the royal palace" had appeared several times in "Last Brave," the term "Royal Alchemist" had not been mentioned.
In other words, in my memory of Platnovena, there was no building called the Platnovena branch where a Royal Alchemist was dispatched.
"Sorry for calling you out of the blue."
"No, I've been dealing with monsters a lot lately."
"I see. It's a bit embarrassing, but I haven't been able to finish synthesizing the healing potion in time..."
Listening to the conversation between the two who seemed to have been friends in the past, I finally realized the purpose of the visit here.
I had a vague sense of it. The sudden business trip and the equally sudden promotion seemed to indicate that there was some serious reason behind it, and I was almost certain of it. And when it comes to a serious reason that requires an alchemist, the possibilities are quite limited.
"The capital was recently attacked by monsters, right? We requested support, but we didn't have high hopes... I'm pleasantly surprised that you two are here as requested."
"They used a special case to forcibly increase the manpower."
"A special case duo, huh? That's reassuring."
I smile wryly at the mention of the special case duo.
From Arnold's words, it seems my sudden promotion was to meet the deadline for this support request.
With the recent possibility of an attack like the other day, it's no longer a far-fetched idea. They want to have a proper Royal Alchemist in the capital as much as possible. However, they can't leave a city with a high risk of monster attacks unattended. As a compromise, I was honored to be chosen. That's about it.
Vilma-san stopped and turned to me. She lightly bent her knees and met my gaze.
"Laura-kun, could you stay here for a while and help with synthesizing healing potions? Can I count on you?"
Vilma-san asked me again. I nodded vigorously.
While I may not fully understand the role of an assistant yet, if there's something I can do and I can utilize this ability, I want to do my best.
I straightened my back and smiled at Vilma-san. Due to nervousness, my cheeks twitched ever so slightly.
"I've just become an assistant, but I'll do my best to fulfill my duties."
* * *
After exchanging greetings, Vilma-san mentioned that she had arranged accommodation for us, so Arnold and I relied on the map and headed there. Even though the map of this city is firmly in "my" mind - the buildings indicated on the map should be the mansions of the noble ruling this region, unless my memory is mistaken or there are no discrepancies with the game like the vanished fountain square from the other day. The inn is located elsewhere.
I stole a glance at Arnold's face as he walked a few steps ahead with the map in hand. Without changing his expression even in the freezing cold, I asked him about something that had been on my mind since earlier.
"Have monster attacks been increasing recently?"
"Um, well, you know, even though they call it an attack, it seems like no monsters have actually invaded the city. It seems that groups of monsters frequently appear near the city, but the soldiers manage to drive them away."
With a sigh, Arnold replied, his face slightly distorted.
He had been feeling a sense of unease similar to that of the city for a while now, and now I understood the cause. It was the abundance of soldiers stationed all over the city. Wherever he looked, there were armed soldiers standing without interruption.
――It seems that monster attacks will increase in various places from now on. Thinking about that future, even I can't help but let out a sigh.
Arnold continued, almost as if to cover his sigh.
"It seems that the groups of monsters are gradually increasing in size, and there are concerns that the city will be attacked by a large group of monsters in the future. In preparation for that, you and I have been mobilized."
"For this reason, you want me as an assistant? Because you needed extra help, is that it?"
I recall Arnold's words from earlier. He mentioned using a special case to forcibly increase manpower.
Arnold showed a momentary pained expression as if swallowing a bitter pill in response to my blunt question. However, after softening that stern expression somewhat, he nodded firmly.
"That's right. We never know when the capital might be attacked by monsters. In such a situation, they (the government) can't easily send out two Royal Alchemists for support, but they can't ignore the possibility of an attack on the city either. However, it's unsettling to have just one person for support... When I considered all this, the decision fell on you."
It seems my intuition was correct.
Although I can't say who ultimately made the decision, I believe it was the result of thorough consideration. Otherwise, they wouldn't wait until the day of departure to inform the person, right?
Sending 14-year-old girl to a place where there is a risk of monster attacks made me hesitate.
Thinking that far ahead — I was surprised at how calm I was.
Yes, I have been calmly assessing the situation I am in, but this city might be a place where monsters could launch a large-scale attack. Being suddenly sent to such a place without any explanation, normally one would feel anxious or angry, wouldn't they?
Why do none of those emotions arise within me, I wondered eerily about myself — and I arrived at an answer.
Unconsciously, I seemed to have believed that I would never die at least until around 16 or 17. Because, even though she is a minor character, Laura Ampère is the childhood friend of the Hero-sama who appears in "Last Brave."
――Despite struggling to break free from the future of "Last Brave" on my own terms, I unconsciously cling to "Last Brave" in the parts that suit me.
Arnold, with a tight smile to conceal the sneer hovering at the corner of his mouth, asked in an unnatural tone.
"Did Kasper-san make the decision?"
"No, actually he was against the higher-ups' decision. After all, you became an assistant and was sent to a city that might become a battlefield too soon, which he thought was too dangerous."
Upon hearing those words, the image of Kasper-san looking unusually tired when he was promoted came to mind. Perhaps at that time, Kasper-san had expressed concern for my safety to the "higher-ups" and opposed their decision.
Although I can't quite picture who Arnold meant by the word "higher-ups," the burden on Kasper-san's mind is evident.
"So I volunteered to accompany you. The higher-ups hesitated to send me out of the capital... but I insisted. There were things I wanted to confirm by coming to this city."
Things to confirm.
Upon hearing those words, I tilted my head in confusion.
One of the reasons Arnold was allowed to accompany me is because he possesses strong magic power. In case I'm attacked by monsters, he can counter them with magic. I feel reassured knowing he will protect me. Kasper-san might have gladly accepted Arnold's company.
However, if Arnold leaves the capital city, they will lose a skilled alchemist and magician. Due to taking on such important roles, he seems to be trapped in a rather troublesome position.
Nevertheless, he must have brushed off the objections with a firm determination because he wanted to "confirm something." Judging from the expression "pushed through," there may have been some disagreement. Still, I can't help but wonder what exactly led Arnold to push through in the end.
However, even if I ask, he might not give me a simple answer. It could potentially ruin his mood if I'm not careful. Should I just swallow my doubts and behave quietly, or should I gather my courage and ask outright — while pondering over these thoughts and more,
"Are you Arnold-sama and Laura-sama?"
We were called out from behind.
I turned around at the voice that was described as cute, like the sound of a bell rolling.
"We've been waiting for you. I've been assigned as your guide, I'm Emiliana."
Emiliana. The girl who introduced herself like that bowed deeply once Arnold and I turned around. Then, she slowly raised her head.
The girl in front of us still seemed innocent, but she appeared older than me. Maybe around 16. Her cheeks were flushed red, perhaps from the cold, and her trembling eyelashes seemed so long that they could make a sound with every blink.
The girl had blonde hair styled in a loose bun at the top of her head, and her blue eyes, which were gazing at me shyly, sparkled brightly like jewels, though it sounds cliché.
In short, she was a beautiful girl. So beautiful that I couldn't help but be captivated by her. However, I was also rudely staring at her face for another reason.
――But "I" know her. She looks familiar.
"Arnold Rocco here. And this is Laura Ampère. Nice to meet you."
As Arnold greeted, he bowed his head but his gaze unintentionally turned towards the girl's face. As expected, she seemed confused and uncomfortable by the way I was looking at her. With a shy smile - their expressions overlapped.
――Oh, my future wife.
I almost let slip the muttered words, but managed to swallow them just in time. I covered my mouth with both hands and stared at her face intently once more.
There was no mistake. I had met her before.
The character Emiliana becomes the wife of a noble who rules this region a few years later.
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