Chapter 16. Walk

The Young Lady's enrollment in Magic School came sooner than I expected.

Apparently, she was supposed to have enrolled a while ago, but it was delayed for various reasons.

“Doggy, I'm going…?”

“Have a good day.”

“Don't get bullied without me…!”

“Uh, yes….”

“Who's gonna give you snacks…?”

“The maids will take good care of me, so don't worry.”

Even I felt a little sad at the thought of the Young Lady leaving.

After seeing her almost every day for two years, she was now off to Magic School.

She’d be staying in the dedicated dorms there.

I heard it was the most secure and heavily guarded place in the Kingdom, so raids weren't a concern.

Lowell would escort her to and from the mansion on weekends.

Her safety was practically guaranteed.

“Ah, this won't do…! Get in this bag!”

“Young Lady…? I don't think even half of me will fit.”

“Use your Aura to squeeze in!”

Anyway.

The Young Lady, clinging to me until the very end, finally left for Magic School.

Afterward, peace… no, *boredom* descended upon the mansion.

That's because Daren and Kaiden had also left, serving as both servants and Bodyguard Knights.

If they could be taken along, I wondered why I couldn't have gone as a servant too—but there was the complicated matter of my status, and more importantly, it seemed the Young Lady, despite her tearful pleas, had no intention of changing my identity from dog to human.

So here I was, stuck in the doghouse.

“Who am I supposed to spar with now?”

“With a scarecrow, I suppose.”

“Damn.”

And if there was another reason, it was that Lowell had subtly opposed taking me along.

Well, considering the old man’s personality that I’d come to know…

“So, is there something for me to do?”

He probably decided it was better for me to stay here.

Then he must have something for me to do, right?

“You catch on quick.”

“It’s been two years.”

I'd been with Lowell for two years.

I felt like I knew him somewhat by now.

“It's about time you went outside, don't you think?”

“Outside?”

“Do you remember the last time you went outside?”

“...I don’t even remember.”

As a kid, I was sold at the Slave Market and went straight to the Colosseum.

Even after that, I'd been stuck in the mansion.

Truthfully, I’d never properly experienced the outside world.

“Since the Young Lady won’t be here on weekdays, you’re free to go out during that time.”

Saying that, Lowell tossed something at me.

“What’s this?”

What I caught was a silver seal.

No, not silver-colored, but actual silver?

The emblem in the center was familiar.

It was none other than…

“The Void Family seal.”

Yes, a black raven wielding a knife.

The Void Family emblem.

“You’re giving this to *me*?”

“Yes, it’s given to retainers who have earned merit. Use it as identification.”

“Hmm….”

I guess it's like an ID card.

With this, my identity could be vouched for anywhere in the Adel Kingdom.

“I’ll put it to good use.”

More than that, the fact that he gave me this…

meant there was something I needed to do outside, right?

“So, what am I supposed to do out there?”

“For now, just take a walk around for a week.”

“Is that alright?”

“Except for the weekends when the Young Lady might visit, wander around and familiarize yourself with the outside world during the weekdays.”

Lowell then tossed me a pouch.

*Clink.*

Just by the feel of the heavy pouch, I knew what was inside.

“Money?”

“I’ve also included a map of the Capital since you won’t know your way around.”

“Oh, you shouldn't have.”

I peeked inside to find a small map and a bunch of silver coins.

…How many Silver Coins are there? It seemed like a considerable sum.

“You’re giving me all of this? That’s generous.”

“No, it’s yours.”

“Huh? This money is mine?”

This money was mine? Just by looking, it seemed like quite a bit.

“It’s this month’s salary, paid in advance.”

“...Could you explain that in a little more detail?”

He was paying me a salary?

I’d never received one before, obviously.

Who would pay a doggy that spent all day lying around, getting fed, training, and playing with the Young Lady?

But giving me a salary meant he planned to make me work for it, right?

“I’ll be asking you to do some work in the future, but I won’t force you. So for now, go out and enjoy yourself.”

However, as if he wasn’t ready to tell me yet, Lowell turned his back and returned to the mansion.

Watching him, I tucked the money pouch into my pocket.

…Well, whatever.

I couldn’t stay cooped up in the mansion forever.

It was about time I went outside.

***

“You’re going out?”

“Yes, Lowell suggested I take a look around.”

“Gasp!”

News of my outing caused quite a stir in the mansion.

“We’ll get you ready!”

It was the maids who had been taking care of me, rushing over to dress me up.

“No, just prepare some ordinary clothes, please.”

“What? It’s a perfect opportunity to dress you up like a young master.”

“I just want to look around discreetly.”

My purpose this time was simply to take a walk.

I had no intention of wearing expensive formal attire or getting groomed like usual.

I wanted to blend in with the commoners.

Well, my physique was two heads taller and more muscular than the average adult male here, but it was still better than looking like a Noble or the child of a wealthy family.

“Alright then…”

With my mind made up, the maids, looking dejected, retreated with their various beauty products.

…Why are they so keen on dressing me up?

It’s probably because they’re bored out of their skulls, just like everyone else here.

I’m someone who grapples with boredom myself, so I get it.

Anyway.

“Then please wear this…”

“Ah, thank you.”

I received some normal clothes, probably borrowed from one of the servants, and put them on before heading out of the mansion.

*Clank*

“Have a good time.”

Leaving the mansion, a place I'd been confined to for nearly two years, was surprisingly easy.

I just went to the door and the gatekeeper opened it for me.

“Hmm.”

Before me lay an open road and a small, cultivated forest surrounding it.

I admired the influence of the Void Family, who had built a mansion and a surrounding forest in the kingdom's capital, as I walked along the road. Soon, a large main street and the mansions lining it came into view.

…This is like a high-class residential area.

I glanced at the map to figure out where I was. The map was helpful, with a dot marking the mansion's location. It indicated that the commercial district was east of this main street. Since it seemed like the heart of the capital, I headed in that direction.

I could probably get there quickly if I ran…

But I decided to take a leisurely walk, enjoying the well-maintained forest and the mansions visible in the distance.

…This is pretty nice.

The garden and the sky I saw from the doghouse were nice too, but… seeing the open world like this felt strange.

Come to think of it, since being sold to the Colosseum, I’d only been underground or in an enclosed arena.

This might be the first time I've properly seen the world since I was sold into slavery.

Enjoying this novel feeling as I strolled, I finally arrived at the commercial district.

“Hmm…”

Maybe it’s because it’s near the noble district?

It feels incredibly posh.

I was expecting something like a marketplace from my previous life, but all the shops around here were in fancy buildings with stylish signs. Plus, most of the pedestrians were dressed in high-end clothing, making *me*, in my plain shirt and cotton pants, stand out.

I paused and checked the map again. It seemed like a different commercial area, distinct from the residential one, lay further down this road. I decided to head there.

More than that…

I can definitely see that the Adel Kingdom is quite wealthy.

My image of a fantasy world was that only the nobles were well-off.

But here, even people who didn't appear to be nobles were laughing and enjoying themselves as they walked the streets.

The roads were well-maintained, and the carriages passed by quietly and calmly.

…These people are probably the usual customers of the Colosseum.

But still. With so many wealthy commoners around, why was I born in that crappy shack?

Lost in thought about that now-faint memory of the impoverished home I'd been reborn into, I continued my leisurely stroll.

As I walked, immersed in my thoughts…

The surrounding scenery gradually changed.

The number of people in fine clothes dwindled.

And soon, a street bustling with people dressed similarly to me—people who clearly screamed ‘commoner’—came into view.

This must be the general commercial district.

The carriages were noisy, and grubby kids roamed the streets.

*This* is the fantasy world I expected.

“Outta the way!”

As I walked down the street…

*Thump.*

A boy bumped into me as he ran past.

Wow, classic.

*Jingle.*

I snatched the money pouch the boy tried to steal just as his fingers brushed against it, and tucked it back into my waistband.

I’m not about to fall for some clumsy pickpocketing attempt after all this time. Getting robbed on my first outing would be a real embarrassment.

Still, to even attempt pickpocketing someone my size and build… that boy has the makings of something great. I gave him a light flick on the forehead as I took his pouch, so hopefully he’ll learn his lesson and live an honest life.

Anyway.

I resumed my stroll, browsing the occasional street stalls.

I bought and munched on some unidentified skewers being sold on the street.

I also glanced at the stalls selling trinkets.

Hmm, buying anything here feels…wrong.

I was planning to buy gifts for the maids who usually look after me, and for the young lady who would be visiting every weekend once she settles into Magic School.

I’ll buy those later, at the upscale commercial district on my way back.

After casually exploring the commercial district, I consulted my map and headed towards the place I’d been most curious about.

Let’s see, it should be around here…

There it is.

I stopped in front of what appeared to be a three-story stone building. At first glance, it looked like any other respectable establishment. However, the golden gauntlet emblem embedded in the center of the building and the constant flow of rough-looking individuals in and out caught my attention.

This building's identity: the Mercenary Guild.

Being in a fantasy world, I really wanted to visit this place.

I wonder what kind of mercenaries they have here?

After briefly observing the exterior, I stepped inside.