Chapter 50
The day had come for me to go to the ducal estate.
Roger came to pick me up in a carriage, and I was now on my way to the estate in the ducal family's carriage.
As expected, it was much more comfortable than a shared carriage. These soft seats absorbed the shocks, so I could travel comfortably without my backside hurting. But it was still just as bumpy.
I wondered if there was some way to improve carriages. I felt like magic tools might make it possible, but... well, I would think about it if I had time.
While I was thinking about that, we soon arrived at the ducal estate. Roger led me to the usual guest room.
"Leon-sama, the clothes you ordered from the tailor earlier, as well as everything else you might need, have all been packed in your luggage. Everything is already prepared, so please take it easy today."
They had already prepared everything? I wouldn't have known what to bring myself, so that was a huge help.
Come to think of it, where was the ducal territory located? I had never even seen a map of this world. We were going by carriage, but how long would the trip take?
"Thank you. This may be a little late to ask, but do you know where the ducal territory is? I've never seen a map of this country, so I don't really know."
"I've heard that it takes about three days by carriage to reach the territorial capital. However, maps are confidential information, so I cannot show one to anyone without the head of the household's permission."
I vaguely remembered hearing that maps had been military secrets on Earth, too. If so, perhaps they wouldn't let me see one either.
"However, Leon-sama might be granted permission. The head of the household is at the estate today, so shall I ask whether we may borrow a map?"
"Really!? Then could you ask?"
"Certainly. Please wait a moment."
Roger said that and left the room.
I hoped permission would be granted! I had always wanted to see a map of this country. I didn't even know where this country was located or where the capital was. If I could see a map of this world, I wanted to look at that, too. Was this a large continent?
As I waited excitedly for a while, Roger arrived carrying two large rolled sheets of paper.
"Thank you for waiting. I obtained permission from the head of the household, so I brought both a map showing the surrounding countries and a map of this country alone."
So permission had been granted! I was incredibly grateful. The head of the household must really trust me. I should work hard for the ducal family so I wouldn't betray that trust.
While I was thinking about that, Roger spread the maps out on the table.
"This is the map showing the surrounding countries. The Kingdom of Laslacia is here."
Roger showed me the map of this world first.
According to the area shown on the map, there was only one continent, and the Kingdom of Laslacia seemed to be located in the continent's lower-left corner.
The country bordered the sea to the south and west, while there were many countries to the north. It seemed to be the largest country, stretching a long way from east to west.
A large forest stretched across the eastern side of the country, and the area beyond it was not marked, perhaps because no one knew what lay there. This was probably the Monster Forest. It seemed that the eastern side of the continent was largely covered by the Monster Forest as well, with nothing beyond it marked.
Perhaps they didn't even know how far the Monster Forest continued.
Even so, seeing it laid out like this really drove home the fact that this wasn't Earth. For some reason, I felt that very strongly. Maybe it was because I had often seen world maps in Japan.
While I was thinking about that, Roger spread out the map of this country as well.
"And this is the map of this country. The capital is here, and the ducal territory covers this area."
The map of this country was a little more detailed than the map of the world. The capital seemed to be located a little southwest of the center of the country.
The ducal territory was a vast region southeast of the capital that bordered the sea. The territorial capital also seemed to be near the coast.
Maybe I could eat seafood, too!! In this world, I had only eaten a little river fish, and almost everything else had been meat. I was starting to look forward to going there.
"Roger, have you ever been anywhere besides the capital?"
"No, I was born and raised in the capital and have never left this city. I am very grateful to be able to accompany you to the ducal territory this time, Leon-sama."
As he said this, Roger's expression softened slightly. Oh! I never thought Roger could look like that. He must be really looking forward to this.
I hoped we'd become friends on this trip. We'd be spending a long time together from now on, after all.
"You'd like to see the sea, too, right?"
"Yes! Ah, my apologies. I am indeed interested..."
Roger seemed to have answered reflexively and was hurriedly trying to cover it up, but his usual poker face had cracked, revealing how flustered he was. Was he really that excited to see the sea?
I couldn't help laughing.
"Ha-ha... I'll ask if we can go see it."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Roger answered with his face slightly red. I hoped he would gradually relax and let me see more of his true self.
I didn't like things being so stiff, after all.
After that, we leisurely drank tea while I committed the maps to memory.
By evening, I had finished getting ready and gone to the dining room. I was now having dinner with the ducal family.
Richard-sama, Catherine-sama, and Frederick-sama were with me today.
"Leon-kun, we're leaving early tomorrow morning, so make sure you get a good rest tonight."
"Yes. Thank you. Who will be going to the ducal territory?"
I still hadn't asked who would be coming with me.
"Oh, I hadn't told you? Catherine, Frederick, and I will be going to the ducal territory."
"I see. But what about your work? Will that be all right?"
I had assumed that Richard-sama and Frederick-sama wouldn't be able to take time off from work, and that only Catherine-sama might be going.
"Work will be fine. In this country, we can take an extended vacation to return to our territorial capital. Things should be fine without me for a little while."
"There is such a convenient system?"
"Yes, knights can use the system as well. That's why I can go with you this time. Well, I suppose I'll be serving as an escort, too."
Frederick-sama said so. An escort? Could there be danger along the way? I froze with a piece of meat still speared on my fork.
"Is there some kind of danger?"
"No, almost none. It's just a precaution."
I see. Then that was a relief. I put the meat in my mouth. Munch, munch... Delicious.
"We're going to the territorial capital to pick up Lucien-sama, right? Do we have any other plans?"
"No, nothing special. I just want to show you around the territory, Leon-kun. Is there anywhere you would like to go?"
They would take me wherever I wanted to go!? Then there was only one possible answer.
"I would like to visit a seaside town. I'm interested in seafood, too."
"In that case, let's go to the port town near the territorial capital. That town has fresh seafood, so the food is very good. I like it there, too."
"Are we going to that town? I'm looking forward to it, too. The food is delicious."
Catherine-sama liked it, too! My expectations were rising.
There was nothing better than delicious seafood!
Come to think of it, once the ice-making machine became widespread, would people be able to eat seafood in the capital, too? Even if it were packed in ice, would it spoil after several days?
No, it should be fine if it was kept on ice. I was looking forward to it!
First, though, I would get to eat authentic seafood. I remembered seafood barbecues and nearly started drooling.
Careful, careful. If I started thinking about it, there would be no end to it, so for now I pushed all those delicious dishes to the back of my mind.
"I'm really looking forward to trying such delicious food."
"Yes, look forward to it."
Our pleasant dinner came to an end. That night, I went to bed early and quickly fell asleep.