It’s two more days of walking before they see smoke rising in the distance.
Finally!
They’d cleaned themselves up as much as possible in a stream yesterday, the cold water shocking Lexi once more and making her absolutely miserable, though she’s glad she looks somewhat presentable after all that shivering.
Hopefully this way we’re less likely to be refused service.
The town seems to cater to merchants seeking to purchase raw materials from the mines nearby, and the three of them get stared and pointed at from the moment they near the gates. Still, at least no one approaches them, for which she’s grateful. If anyone comes near enough to her, they might see her crystal eyes.
Once again, Eric slips some coin to the front desk after paying for their rooms, which comforts Lexi a bit more since that probably means this place is managed by people related to the Hawk Legion.
Don’t assume they’re your friends.
She’d sworn never to make that mistake again, long ago.
They might not be my friends, but they’re keeping me safe. Better to get to that snake den of a capital city than go through that stupid Heckler joint again.
Over a delicious dinner of pasta and steak - and Lexi wonders if the base ingredients are the same as in her world, or if the steak came from some weird animal - Ray tells her that this town is always bustling even in winter as it’s only six days from the capital, and the mines produce excellent quality magic stones.
Magic stones?
Her curiosity is so evident, it brings another lift to thick, scarred lips.
“Magic stones have many functions, my lady. They can be imbued into weapons to grant additional properties, or used for other purposes like in recording devices, communication devices, heating or cooling units, and more.”
Communication devices?!
“We did not bring any such devices for our undercover mission, my lady.” Why not? “Magic item detection units would have been triggered.”
Oh.
“Can’t we borrow someone’s communication device and call for transport?”
It’s out of the corner of her eye, so she’s not sure if Eric actually smiles at that, though she thinks he does because a nearby waitstaff gasps.
“My lady, while we regret that you have to suffer through such inconveniences during the journey, unfortunately not all communication channels are safe.” Ray’s voice is kind, but the meaning behind the last part of his sentence chills her.
That’s right, we’re on the run and hiding from people who want to extract my abilities.
Lexi isn’t foolish enough to think that the Viscount of Bento is the only such monster, not when the knights are taking her on such a roundabout route to the capital.
“I’m guessing these magic items are expensive?”
It would explain why she hasn’t seen any so far.
“Yes, my lady. Even the Viscount of Brego only possesses one communication device, a magic item detection unit, two temperature control units, and...” The fact that Ray’s voice trails off tells her whatever other magical devices the viscount has are related to the ‘extraction’.
“How much do these items cost?”
While the question is partly to distract herself from thoughts of eternal torment, Lexi has always been interested in learning about new cultures thanks to her father.
“A regular communications device that is easily tapped into costs 600 gold coins.”
What the HELL?!
At her gaping, Ray decides to double down, green eyes twinkling.
“A magic weapon of the lowest caliber costs no less than 300 gold coins, a heating unit with a three year lifespan costs 200 gold coins, and a basic magic item detection unit costs 3,000 gold coins, my lady.”
Holy hell.
Not only do these prices put such items far out of reach of commoners, they also mean that her 1,000 gold coin signing bonus wouldn’t go very far in terms of magic equipment.
“So how much does a really good magic sword cost?” She’s truly curious, and wonders if the two knights with her own any since it’d give her an indication of Imperial Knightage benefits.
“I’ve heard that the Commander of the Hawk Legion owns a magic sword that costs more than 600,000 gold coins.” Ray is smiling now, eyes sparkling with mischief as he speaks of his commanding officer indirectly.
SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND GOLD COINS???!!!
That’s enough to take care of a family of six for 120,000 years!
Eric has a slight smirk on his face as he calls for more wine, and part of Lexi wonders if this man was just born filthy rich or if the imperial family pays him that well.
“I’m told the Imperial Knightage is among the best paymasters in the empire, my lady.” Ray is really enjoying himself for some reason. “And that members of the Hawk Legion receive the greatest benefits.”
Way to go about boasting, dude.
This hulking man is essentially telling her that they’re the cream of the crop in terms of NPC warriors.
“What’s the average annual household income by rank of nobles, and the average household income by tier of commoners?”
At that question, Eric gives her an assessing look, but says nothing.
“A duchy earns more than three million gold coins a year, a marquisate anywhere between one to two million, a county approximately 600,000, a viscounty in the 200,000 to 300,000 range, and a barony around 100,000.”
What the fu-
“In terms of commoners, from what I’ve heard the wealthiest commoner families in the capital earn between 10,000 to 20,000 gold coins a year, while the middle class makes approximately 2,000 a year. While we know that a family of six can survive for a year on just five gold coins, there is unfortunately no official information about their income.”
So that means I’m getting a signing bonus equivalent to half a year’s income of a middle class commoner household. But everyone addressed me respectfully from the moment we met, which means players stand higher than commoners by default, regardless of a player’s rank.
“Why do you ask?”
Of course Eric would ask her that, no doubt trying to figure out what’s going on in her head.
“I’m trying to understand this world.” Duh.
Lexi gets the feeling he’s pleased with her answer, even though his face doesn’t change.
Still, talk about income inequality. How have there not been revolutions and storming of palaces yet, like in the history books? Does everyone really accept this as the way things should be, or is something else going on?
Despite the copious amounts of wine they’re imbibing, she’s not foolish enough to bring up such a topic when surrounded by strangers.
----------------------------------------
“There has never been a revolution, my lady.”
WHAT?!
They’ve wandered off the beaten path once again, which means she’s comfortable enough to ask such questions and look around openly, though there isn’t much to see except more odd-looking trees and plants, and the occasional birds that look somewhat familiar.
Well, they ARE called the ‘Hawk Legion’, which means there’s at least one similar animal here as back home. The eggs I’ve eaten look and taste like chicken eggs, and that steak tasted like beef, so I guess they have the same animals and plants, plus a couple more unique ones.
“Do you mean that the commoners are perfectly happy with their lot in life?”
It’s inconceivable to her, truly, because where she comes from everyone is always looking to have more, to be their authentic self but only in a way that feeds the endless march of capitalism.
She should know. It’d been her job to ensure people bought things they didn’t actually need just because companies wanted them to.
Most people will grow to love their servitude, after all.
“The Solusol Empire was founded by Emperor Luxendia 600 years ago, my lady.” Is that why they use the character ‘L’ behind the year? To denote the age we’re living in? “The nobles exist to serve as the Emperor’s representatives throughout the vast reaches of this nation.”
He doesn’t mention anything about the commoners, and she suspects she knows why.
“So even if commoners aren’t happy about being so poor compared to nobles, they don’t do anything because enough of them are afraid of repercussions and satisfied with the scraps they get?”
Ray just nods.
Hang on.
“Why are you telling me all this? Isn’t it your job to protect the emperor and keep the empire safe - income inequality and all? Why do the two of you seem to care about commoners?”
They’re nobles, so if they’ve been indoctrinated since they were born...
“Jord cares.”
The Crown Prince is a radical?
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Bet he’s not very popular among nobility then.
When she gives voice to her thoughts, Eric stops walking but doesn’t turn around.
“He knows how to hide it. But he cares, and so do we.”
Why?
The redhead simply starts walking again without a word.
“Her Imperial Highness, Princess Lucretia, cared deeply for the plight of the poor, my lady.” It’s hushed and whispered, but Lexi hears it anyway.
I see. So the late wife of the Crown Prince was unconventional, somehow persuaded her husband to her point of view, and these two were dragged along for the ride.
Or maybe these two have always been different from other nobles as well, but it’s a bit of a difficult question to ask when she can’t defend herself in case they get angry.
Speaking of...
Level 4 full bio [https://i.imgur.com/rTloatU.png]
Yes! I leveled up AND I got a new passive skill!
Clarity Allows user to see past illusions in accordance with user’s level. Current level: 4 Illusions that are level 4 and below do not work on user. [https://i.imgur.com/9LGNhLP.png]
This’ll be useful.
Curiosity makes her tap on the other skills she has, just because, and while there hasn’t been any changes to the other passive skills, her active skills have improved.
Foresight Grants user ability to see the future. Length and duration at current level: up to 10 minutes in the future for 15 seconds. MP required: 16 [https://i.imgur.com/IiJHVMR.png]
Hindsight Grants user ability to see the past. Length and duration at current level: up to 10 minutes in the past for 10 seconds, can only be activated upon touching the specific object or person whose past the user wishes to see. MP required: 15 [https://i.imgur.com/wvhUdmc.png]
I can see further and for longer? And the MP cost went up too. Do these improve every level?
She wishes she’d checked when she’d made level 3.
Never mind, just make sure to do it in future. Now about those stat points...
Strength: 3 + 2 Speed: 6 + 3 Dexterity: 4 + 2 Agility: 4 + 3 Intelligence: 8 + 2 Vitality: 6 + 4 Charisma: 5 + 2 Luck: 6 + 2 [https://i.imgur.com/wHKauw7.png]
System message: confirm distribution of stat points? [https://i.imgur.com/hrduKEN.png]
Yes.
System message: stat points distribution confirmed [https://i.imgur.com/7hNILUn.png]
Woah. So it’s linked.
P-ATK: 2 M-ATK: 7 P-DEF: 7 M-DEF: 2 [https://i.imgur.com/eLgipXU.png]
Not only does her HP go up by 4 thanks to the added Vitality boost, but M-ATK and P-DEF rise by 5 points each.
Is it because Intelligence and Vitality are now at 10 each? Like a bonus or something?
There’s no way of finding out from the stupid screen, so she files the information away and resolves to monitor the pattern.
It’s a habit of hers anyway, just as it is to count in the back of her mind - silly, inane things like gulps of water and the number of stairs climbed.
But what’s the point of M-ATK when none of my skills are offensive? They’re all about getting information. Unless the remaining two active skills have some sort of attacking function?
It doesn’t quite make sense, especially when she knows her ultimate skills don’t actually cause damage.
Or maybe...maybe M-ATK influences the strength of a spell that’s applied onto others?
...I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what other active skills I get. If it isn’t relevant, then this M-ATK parameter is just a placeholder that the system forgot to remove from the template.
At least all the other stats make sense and apply to her right now.
“What did you allocate your points to?”
This guy...
Rolling her eyes, even if none of the knights can see due to her hood, she answers and is greeted with the expected follow up.
“Why?”
Lexi wants to sigh or smack him, but holds herself back.
“I’m not a physical-type, so adding to the strength stat is just so I don’t get too unbalanced.” They’re walking under some jiggly trees with yellow bark and purple leaves, reminding her of a carnival.
“Speed’s to help me get away, like I said before. Agility is to help dodge, dexterity is related to my hands which suits someone like me, right?”
Please just think I’m an alchemist. And I have no idea if a sage makes things - I guess they do because their base is alchemy so let’s hope putting points in dexterity isn’t a waste.
“Intelligence, charisma, and luck are obviously necessary for my survival in the capital, and since I use spells intelligence is even more important. And, of course, vitality to boost my HP.”
A soft hum is her only response, but something tells her the cold commander approves.
----------------------------------------
Two days before they reach the capital, when she can see it rising up to the sun in the distance, Eric and Ray suddenly stop and pull her into the shadows.
From their body language, Lexi knows she shouldn’t be stupid and ask questions right now.
Staying as still as possible, watching as the knights stealthily draw their swords and take up defensive positions, she strains her ears to listen.
Horses.
A number of them, coming towards us up this hill.
They’ve been taking the long way around to the city, which means they haven’t encountered anyone on this path.
No one really uses this dirt road, but the people who’re coming are for some reason.
Calling up the skill menu, she’s about to activate Foresight when Eric holds out a hand and sheathes his sword. Ray immediately stows his weapon away, and the two knights visibly relax as they step out of the shade.
Friendlies? Or people they’re friendly with, but who might not be with me?
How'd Eric even know they're coming, when I couldn't hear them until after Eric stopped?
The sounds of hooves are getting nearer very quickly, which means their riders are in a hurry.
A whistle, and then she hears the horses pick up the pace.
System message: Use skill - Foresight? [https://i.imgur.com/VMbLxm8.png]
What do I do?
What CAN I do? There’s nowhere to run, not when these guys have that crazy Flash skill.
It doesn’t take long for the mounted company to round the corner and spot them, moving towards the trio as a seamless, trained collective. They’re clearly high-ranking knights, given the horses are well-groomed with manes and tails that suit a shampoo commercial, as well as reins and saddles made of expensive leather and inlaid with the occasional gold piece.
As for the knights...
Pristine capes of brilliant blue, the same shade as Lexi’s eyes, with pressed and starched uniforms, and boots shone to perfection despite their current location being a ways off from the city.
Lexi is too distracted by the man who’s moved to the front to wonder about everyone’s impeccable grooming, because he literally sparkles.
What the hell?
Staying in the shadows, she rubs her eyes and squints.
Oh.
It’s Guide, which means this man is important in her journey somehow.
Thank God.
If she’d ended up in some sort of world involving sparkly people - like some of the stories she’d read - she’d really hurt somebody.
Although...
Objectively speaking, the blond riding at the head of the pack is ridiculously good looking and would be drawn surrounded by sparkles in every panel if this were a comic.
Even if those golden eyes are focused entirely on Eric, and narrow as soon as the cold man waves jauntily.
Jauntily?
ERIC?
The riders pull the reins shortly before running the commander over, and then the golden man leaps off gracefully before stalking towards a relaxed redhead, eyes blazing and fists clenched.
How does this guy look so hot no matter what?
Lexi had thought Eric the best looking person of anyone she’d seen so far, but now she realizes how woefully narrow her world view had been.
“You!” The shining man has grabbed Eric by the shirt, and Lexi wonders if there’s about to be fisticuffs.
A chuckle which makes her doubt her ears, and then: “Hey, Jord. You didn’t have to come pick me up.”
JORD?
That means the glittering golden individual is the Crown Prince, Jordan Solusol. As soon as she realizes, a number appears over his head.
Damn, not just a pretty face.
The prince is at level 80, which makes her rethink her assumptions about the imperial family.
“What took you so long, Ric?” His highness doesn’t even wait for an answer, embracing the redhead and holding tight.
Oh? Are these two...
When Eric laughs, he sounds just like Alric. “Long story, Jordy, but I’ve missed you too.”
Ray steps forward then and bows with a hand on his chest. “Your highness.”
At that, the prince releases his childhood friend and spins towards the vice-commander.
“Ray! It’s good to see you!” Wow. When the prince smiles so happily, he doesn’t need Guide to sparkle.
The other knights have dismounted, and they greet her escorts with straight backs, right fists thumped over their hearts, and a synchronized “Welcome back, Commander Tridentia and Vice-Commander Fortisutum!”
Did they practice this?
Eric is casually patting arms and shoulders, tone light, and Lexi wonders if she should start running now.
“This is the player?” Immediately all eyes turn to her, and she thinks she really should have acted faster.
“Your highness.” Ray has stepped towards her, holding an arm out as though beckoning to Lexi and directing attention towards her even more. “This is Her Excellency, Alexandra Hargreaves.”
The eyes of all the knights who’d just arrived widen at the name. Lexi’s eyes widen too, because of the honorific used.
Isn’t that usually reserved for ambassadors?
...I guess since I come from another world I kind of am an ambassador.
“A Hargreaves at last.” It doesn’t look like anyone’s about to chop her head off, so she takes a tentative step forward. “Please be at ease, my lady. My men and I mean you no harm.”
And I’m supposed to just trust you? You’re gorgeous, but I don’t know you.
Still, it’s not like she has a choice, and both Eric and Ray seem completely relaxed so she continues walking until she’s two arms’ lengths from the prince.
As soon as she pushes her hood back, those golden eyes widen in shock.
Do I look that bad?
“Lucy...?”
Who?
“What the hell? Jord! What’s wrong with you?” Eric returns the favor and grabs the prince by his shirt, inserting himself between the advancing royal and a confused player. “Jord!”
“Ric...Ric! It’s Lucy! She’s come back!” It’s heartbreaking to see that expression - all hope, longing, pain, and sorrow - and Lexi looks away. “Lucy...Lucy’s come back!”
Lucy?
Does he mean his late wife, Lucretia?
How could a crown prince marry someone who looks like me?
Lexi knows she has a pretty face, but it’s rounder than it should be, just like the rest of her, and her mother had made damn sure she knew it.
“Jord! Get a hold of yourself, man! This is Lexi!”
So he WAS paying attention.
This is the first time Eric has ever addressed her by name, let alone the nickname she’d introduced herself with when she’d first encountered humans after appearing in this world. He’d called her “my lady” when he’d been pretending to be Alric, but not once since then had he ever used that term or anything else, always deliberately omitting honorifics or her name when speaking to her since he’d blown his cover.
“Lexi...?” Chancing a glance at the prince, she regrets it immediately. He looks confused, the hope fading from his face and being replaced by bitter disappointment, though the longing and pain remain.
“Yes! Alexandra Hargreaves, the player who appeared near the Viscounty of Brego, who’s either an Alchemist or a Sage.”
At those last few words, the prince and his knights stiffen.
Oh my GOD, Eric. Would it kill you to be your usual taciturn self for ONCE?
After so many days on the run, the last thing Lexi needs is more people trying to tear her to pieces in order to seize her power over time.
“An Alchemist or Sage?” The pain and longing are being replaced by concern and wariness. “I see.”
She’s not sure what’s going on, so she stays silent and watches, just as she usually does in such situations.
“My lady.” That perfect face has been wiped clean of everything except a cordial expression. “I apologize for the unsightly scene you’ve just been forced to witness. Allow me to introduce myself - my name is Jordan Solusol, and it is a great honor to meet a player such as yourself.”
Hmm, he’s surprisingly humble.
Then again, if what she’s heard from Eric and Ray is true, this prince isn’t the type to stand on ceremony.
“Your highness.” She knows how to 'act like a lady' when she has to. Good manners have been drilled into her from an early age through countless lessons with withered teachers who were too liberal with their use of wooden rulers. “Lexi L...Alexandra Hargreaves, and the honor is mine.”
“Jord, let’s go.” Eric has to step in when the prince says nothing for awhile, just staring at her with flickers of turmoil in gold. “Tell me you at least brought me my horse.”
That comment seems to snap the prince out of his stupor, and an easy grin appears on a handsome face. “Why would I, when you’ve kept me waiting this long?”
Eric huffs - HUFFS - before rolling his eyes at the heir to the throne. “You told me to make sure to bring you the next Hargreaves, so I did. Don’t be a dick, Jord.”
He’s probably the only person in this world who can talk to a prince like that and get away with it.
When the crown prince laughs, Lexi finally understands why laughter is sometimes described as beautiful.
This guy’s in a league of his own.
“My lady.” A warm hand on her back guides her towards the horses. “Have you ridden before?”
She has, but she knows the level of skill these men have is far superior to hers. Still, she tells Ray she has some experience on horseback, and he looks over the steeds carefully before gesturing towards one in the back, which an auburn haired knight immediately leads over to Lexi.
“This is Lorne, my lady.” It’s a brown horse, with jet-black mane and tail. “He’s the calmest and most obedient of the horses here.”
Thank you, Ray.
The last thing she needs is to fall off her horse in front of everyone.
He helps her into the saddle as though he’d done this plenty of times before, and after some more bickering between Eric and the prince, all of them are mounted - some two to a steed - and they’re on their way to the capital once more.
Later, when Lexi dares to whisper her question to Ray as they’re making camp, the gentle giant tells her that the late Princess Lucretia had white hair and brilliant blue eyes, just like her.
----------------------------------------
CHAPTER 7 END