The Adventure of the Boy With a Mind of a Middle-aged Man

Toto Village, Millard Territory

Mia and Cliff were currently visiting the Millard territory under the escort of Kurama, one of the executives of the Sagami Trading Company.

About two weeks ago, the new Imperial government was established. His Majesty the Emperor had taken over all authority under Article 1 of the Imperial Charter. In addition, Grey Inez Navarro had been declared a traitor, and instructions to hunt him down had been issued nationwide.

At the same time, the regular army raided the Magic Academy, but the teachers transported all the students to Lador. The teachers transported all the students to Ladol and decided to develop their activities from Ladol.

As a start, Mia and her team were persuaded to go to the Millard family, Cliff's hometown and Sirabe's other hometown.

And so, we first visited the village of Toth in the Millard territory. ......

......

Everyone, without exception, had their jaws hanging open.

"This is a village, right?

In a way, Pruitt's dumbfounded impression was the best expression of how Mia and the others were feeling right now.

On the side of the asphalt, steel-floored street, there were several stories of steel box-shaped buildings, also called buildings. This was like another world.

It's much different from what Teresa told me.

Since then, we've given each other everything we can to exchange information. As a result, we heard that he met Dr. Sirabe for the first time in the village of Toto in Millard territory.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I've been so impressed with your work.

Well, if you're a disciple of Sirabe, it's not surprising that the village is under the influence of the Sagami Trading Company, and more importantly, there's no reason for you to go out of your way to tell a lie. Even if it wasn't Teresa, I don't think she would have doubted it.

However, this was completely different from what Teresa had told me about the village.

"Yeah, it's probably a lot different from the last time I was here. ......

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a place like this in the ...... Milard family territory, Aqua. You knew and you didn't tell me. ......

Cliff muttered hatefully.

But why didn't we hear about this village when we were in Strahheim?

It was true that I had never heard any rumors about the village of Toth during my quest in Strahaym.

I scratched my cheek at the gaze that naturally gathered on Krama-san.

'Master Gray had instructed all parties to keep the information about this village a complete secret from you. There were a few close calls, but it seems that Eight was able to follow through on them.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

Did Eight know who the doctor was?

'Yes, he knew. In the first place, he was a boy that Master Gray had entrusted to him from the Adventurer's Guild for a certain incident. I had never heard of him being a stray, though.

Kurama replied sadly.

"Eight .......

I suddenly burst into tears as I remembered my casual but happy days with Eight.

Pluto also bites his back teeth, Cliff turns away, and Teresa grabs the hem of her skirt, tears in the corners of her eyes.　

When Eight laughed at me, I tried to stop moping, but the memory suddenly stabbed at Mia and the others like a thorn in their hearts.

You can't forget the deaths of your friends and family. Don't hold back, cry when you are sad. That's what people are supposed to do.

Krama simply said.

I don't think you can walk to the Millard house. I'll arrange for a carriage.

She walked into a building with a horse sign on the wall of the village of Toto.

According to Kurama's explanation, the only paved road in Millard's territory is the Tote Village, and cars are prohibited from riding outside of the Tote Village. That's why the horse-drawn carriage service has been established in this way.

I'm waiting at the carriage stop outside the castle gate. By the way, this gate is very high and stretches far into the distance. I can't see the end from here. It reminded me of the Imperial City.

I could only see a little bit of the village, but I felt that the scene here was somewhat similar to the hometown that Eight talked about. Could it be that Dr. Shirabe is also a lost person? If so, it would explain his insane knowledge and mature behavior.

"Well, the carriage is here.

My consciousness, which had been swallowed up in a whirlpool of thoughts, was brought back to reality by Kurama's voice.

The next thing I knew, a carriage pulled by two horses had stopped.

"Let's ride!

Cliff shouted and jumped into the carriage with a grim expression as if he were stepping into the right place.

Mia and the others nodded silently and got into the carriage.

Millard territory - Mirage.

The unpaved ground, dilapidated wooden buildings, and a well.

In a way, Mirage in Millard territory was a small town that defied Mia's expectations. Of course, compared to the village of Toth, everything was a small hope. It was small and poor compared to the major cities of the Empire's territories in general.

The lords of Millard received taxes from the village of Toth. Krama had told us in the carriage that the produce yield of Tort Village was substantial. Then the Millard family has a huge tax revenue. Even if this is the case, Mirage is supposed to be a major city in the Millard territory. If that's the case, it must be more developed than the other cities, or it wouldn't make sense.

And yet, there were only a few stores, and only a handful of barracks. It was more like a village than a city.

"What the hell is your father doing?

Cliff spat out his words with a lot of anger.

"Didn't you learn that in class?　There is no enforceable law in the empire that says you can't use the taxes you collect for the benefit of your people. This scene is not limited to this territory.

The current situation in each of the territories was a fact that Dr. Shirabe had taught him first. So, Cliff should have expected this. But people like to see the reality that suits them. This was clear from Mia's past experience. Maybe Cliff wanted to believe that his father was in good hands. Maybe that's what he wanted to believe.

--It's okay. Cliff could change that!

Suddenly, a nostalgic yet gentle voice popped into his head. As if rushed by it.

It's okay!　Cliff can change this territory!

Mia was shouting loudly.

What the hell, Mia, did you just sound like an eight?

Pruitt blurted out.

"I guess so. Maybe Eight-chan would say that.

Teresa nodded, placing her left index finger on her cheek.

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to let myself get too sentimental with you guys.

Cliff shook his head from side to side and cowered his shoulders. He is back to his usual sarcastic voice.

It's not so much sentimentality in your case, it's just a bit of jealousy.

"Hmph!　That's the only thing I didn't want to hear from you, you little bastard.

Oh, are you trying to fight me?

If you heard anything else, you must be deaf!

The two of them were face to face, bickering.

Mia hurriedly stopped them.

Mia hurriedly stopped them.

Mia stops them. "Hmm. ......

Teresa was laughing at Mia and her friends. It's her usual smile from the bottom of her heart.

"Teresa, you know, what's so funny about this exchange?

"What's so funny about this exchange?

"Because we're all the same!

Teresa exclaimed happily.

"Well, so is .......

Cliff chuckles at Pruitt's wry smile. That's true. The current Mia and her friends are the G-Class from when Eight was here.

That's right. The dark face does not suit us.

"Yes!　Why don't you give your father a good talking to?

Yes, I'll do that!

"You guys have really changed," said Krama, who had been watching Mia's conversation.

"You guys have really changed, haven't you?

I think I heard him mutter something small, raising his mouth.