"Fuck!"
[Your language.]
"Are you my mom? Shut it!"
I retorted to Jarvis before subtly wiping the sweat off my face. I was trying to keep my face hidden, after all.
After walking for three hours, I arrived at the capital of the Falkrona Duchy, and I quickly realized that I had made a mistake. I had trusted Jarvis to choose a suitable departure day, one that wasn't too hot or too cold since I would be walking for hours. However, it seemed like he had picked the worst day possible.
The sun blazed in the sky, not a single cloud in sight. I could feel my makeshift black mask sticking to my damp skin.
Oh, how much I longed to tear that mask off and let my face breathe.
Well, maybe not.
Ever since I became acquainted with Cleenah, I had developed a rather unfavorable opinion of the gods. So, perhaps only they would know the extent of my frustration.
"I... will... kill... you, Jarvis," I muttered in a low, somewhat eerie tone, my throat feeling parched.
'Why on earth did he choose this cursed day?'
I could manage to survive, but my clothes were thoroughly soaked in sweat. Fortunately, no women or anyone for that matter approached me. Or rather, it was more accurate to say that nobody dared to approach me.
Who would, honestly?
A figure cloaked in all-black attire, wearing a rather eerie mask, strolling down the streets while being subjected to the scorching sun. Yeah, that's bound to turn a few heads.
It's my own fault, really.
I had chosen to wear these clothes under the assumption that it was the norm in this world. I mean, wouldn't people want to hide their identities in a bustling capital city in a fantasy world?
Additionally, considering the presence of guilds and dungeons in the city, I was sure that there were adventurers who wore masks or some kind of disguises. But reality had a way of smacking you in the face.
Yes, there were people in what seemed like leather armor who could have passed for adventurers, but none of them were hiding their faces like I was. Burly men were proudly displaying their muscles, and women were flaunting their curves. Among them, you had the nobles who either donned traditional, elegant attire or more modern clothing, depending on the generation.
While the setting was technically futuristic with modern clothes available, many nobles still clung to the traditional dress code of suits, dresses, tunics, and formal shirts. Particularly among the older generation, traditional attire was the norm, while the younger generation embraced modern styles similar to those on Earth.
However, there was one exception to this unspoken rule.
Within the high-ranking noble mansions and the Celesta Empire's Royal Palace, certain standards were upheld. At high-ranking noble residences, you could technically wear modern clothes, but doing so would earn you disapproving looks from all corners of the mansion, even from the maids and butlers.
As for the royal palace, wearing anything other than suits, dresses, tunics, or formal shirts was strictly prohibited. There was simply no room for modern or casual clothing there.
In my ignorance, I had let my fascination with a few books and Japanese novels from Earth blind me, leading to my current, rather absurd situation. I was unintentionally terrifying everyone around me.
Thankfully, people were mostly avoiding me, albeit throwing the occasional wary glance in my direction.
'The next time, I'm definitely choosing the day myself.'
I inwardly snorted while making sure Jarvis received my thoughts.
[I selected the most suitable day for you.]
"How so?"
I wanted to punch him for his seemingly sarcastic response, but I bit back my frustration and waited for an explanation.
[Today happens to be Belle Falkrona's birthday.]
"..."
I froze at his words, coming to a complete stop in my tracks.
What?
Edward's aunt's birthday? My aunt's birthday now?
"Are you serious?"
I asked, still trying to wrap my head around this revelation.
[Hundred percent certain. It's a piece of information in my data.]
'And just why do you have such information in your data? Is that guy some sort of creepy fanatic obsessing over fictional characters?'
I was rendered utterly speechless.
When I had seen him in Japan, he had appeared to be a professional and composed individual...
[I can't say for sure, but since the information is in my data, it must hold some significance.]
Like hell!
"What's your intention in choosing that specific day? Belle's birthday?"
I redirected the conversation, resuming my walk. The discussion was veering off into strange territory.
He must have had a reason for picking this day in particular.
[You will be seeing your aunt again after a month. You left the mansion without informing her, and now you'll be returning as though nothing happened. How do you think she'll react?]
"Ah."
I understood what he was getting at.
"Wouldn't she just want to give me a tight hug? I mean, like any caring aunt would. After how she acted with me a month ago, I believe that's how she would react."
I had a pretty good inkling that Belle would be overjoyed to see me safe and sound. Well, she had acted quite worried when I left a month ago, so I assumed as much.
[She might want to hug you, but in what condition will your body be at that time? That's the real question.]
That guy really had a knack for being logical. He had definitely evolved as a conversational AI.
Was I happy about it? Not really. Dealing with a chatty Cleenah was already a headache in itself.
But, he was correct. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I could easily imagine Belle giving me an earful for hugging my battered body.
'And then?'
[A birthday gift to appease her.]
I see. It made sense. A thoughtful gesture to calm her down after worrying about me. This Jarvis knock-off might not be so bad after all.
However, there was one tiny issue.
'I don't exactly have money though.'
[There are various methods to acquire funds available in my data.]
One day, I would love to have a peek into that data of his. It could very well be a goldmine of information.
'How about robbery?'
I cast a furtive glance around, looking for a potential target. I needed someone weaker than me, preferably with a questionable personality. And let me tell you, there was no shortage of such individuals in this world. Trust me, I had played the game.
[The Duke's son resorting to thievery in his own capital.]
"..."
[If you get caught, and that's quite likely in such a secure place, the consequences wouldn't be pleasant.]
'Alright then, what's your suggestion?'
[...]
He didn't reply, but I knew exactly what he was hinting at. I raised my eyes and stared at a towering structure ahead.
An [Eden Guild].
I was admittedly too lazy to head into the [Enigma Dungeon] just for some money-making, but I had to admit, it would serve as good training.
I pushed open the heavy door to the guild. Naturally, I gathered quite a few curious glances due to my bizarre black attire and ridiculous mask. Let's just say, those three days I spent crafting this ugly mask had been wasted. Cleenah had called it stylish, but now I realized she had likely been mocking me.
I heard giggles and snickers around me as I stood in line to register myself. Edward had never bothered to register at the Enigma Dungeon in his town, so this was my first time doing it.
"Oh, would you look at that!"
"Absolutely stunning."
"I think I'm in love..."
As I waited in line, I noticed a commotion nearby. A crowd had gathered around some newcomers who had just entered. I couldn't see them clearly due to the crowd, but I was pretty sure they were high-ranking nobles.
Look at them, leaving their comfortable zones for the sake of nobility...
Maybe I shouldn't have abandoned my noble status?
[It's a bit late for that, unfortunately. You can only regret your past decisions.]
'Maybe, but aren't you being a bit harsh? I mean, he slapped me. I was angry.'
After five minutes of waiting, I finally finished registering.
I'll admit, I was slightly nervous when the attendant asked me to remove my mask.
[You could have come up with a better excuse. She definitely didn't believe you. My data tells me that—]
'Don't use your data on pointless stuff like that!'
Honestly, even without his data, I was pretty sure she saw right through my excuse. But I had no idea how else to respond, so I claimed I was sick.
Oh boy...
Even I wouldn't believe such a flimsy excuse if I were in her shoes.
What a pathetic cover...
I entered the [Enigma Dungeon], trying my best to erase that embarrassing memory from my mind.