About one hour later, Cain and Vita arrived on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.
Despite how prosperous the Royal Capital was, once one left the city, the view consisted almost entirely of plains and forests with virtually no other buildings in sight.
Because there were specialized monster-repelling devices near the main roads leading to other cities, monsters were rarely seen there. However, as long as one strayed a bit further from the main path, the frequency of monster appearances would increase significantly.
Cain and Vita intentionally headed in the opposite direction of the main road, moving further away from the city. As they walked, they chatted about matters regarding the Queen’s opposition.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything in Vita’s information that particularly caught Cain’s attention. Of course, Cain didn’t let it show and still expressed his gratitude to her.
Even without extra information, the trip wasn’t a total waste. Cain could use this opportunity to practice his Binding Magic on the monsters.
In the original story, the Tragic Prince actually carried a sword; he was essentially a Magic Swordsman who could use both magic and swordsmanship. However, Cain realized that when he transmigrated, he hadn’t seen his personal sword anywhere nearby, so he could only be considered a mage for now.
It was strange, really. Before this, Cain clearly didn’t understand what magic even was, yet after coming to this world, he suddenly knew how to use it. Furthermore, he was quite proficient.
Still, if he had to explain it, it wasn’t impossible. Just as Cain’s hair and eye color had changed to match the Tragic Prince’s palette upon arriving in this world, he was now the Tragic Prince himself. Naturally, he possessed everything the Tragic Prince had.
Unlike those transmigration stories where the protagonist seizes the original owner’s body, Cain was more like he was ‘role-playing.’ Although his appearance differed from the Tragic Prince, his identity and abilities were entirely those of the character.
…However, saying it that way wasn’t entirely accurate either, because the character of the ‘Tragic Prince’ never existed in this world from the very beginning. This world never had a ‘Cain’; it had always been ‘Corellia.’
Fortunately, this wasn’t something that required much concern. In any case, Cain used the monsters to get some good practice in with his Binding Magic.
Cain’s obsession with Binding Magic left Vita, who was standing beside him, looking somewhat bewildered. Cain had specifically asked about the Queen’s opposition and then repeatedly practiced Binding Magic on monsters. Did he intend to personally arrest the dissenters who might resist?
The problem was that Vita didn’t believe such a future would ever exist. Even if they really intended to forcibly purge the Queen’s opponents, they would never let someone like Cain, a ‘distinguished guest of the Queen,’ do the dirty work himself.
If that wasn’t the plan, then what was the point of specifically practicing Binding Magic? He surely wasn’t planning to become a bounty hunter who caught fugitives.
Even Vita, who planned to take revenge on Cain and Corellia, couldn’t possibly imagine the situation Cain was actually facing. Therefore, she could only guess blindly.
It wasn’t that Vita hadn’t asked him for the reason. Cain simply brushed her off with a convenient excuse, which Vita naturally didn’t believe.
Regardless, Cain and Vita spent two or three hours in the outskirts before returning to the Royal Capital.
Although the primary goal was practicing Binding Magic, Cain and Vita also took the opportunity to subjugate any special monsters they encountered. These so-called special monsters were a type that only dropped mana crystals upon death without leaving a corpse.
While relatively rare, they also saved the trouble of rummaging through a monster’s corpse for mana crystals, which was very convenient for people who didn’t want to get dirty. After defeating them, one could just take the mana crystals to the market to sell for money.
After selling all the mana crystals for cash, Cain obtained a certain amount of money.
By his calculations, it was enough to stay at a budget inn for about two days. If he wanted to rely on this to buy a medium-sized villa in the Royal Capital, he feared he wouldn’t be able to afford it even if he worked for 100 years.
Not to mention living a leisurely and peaceful life. If he truly wanted to enjoy life early, this clearly wasn’t a very good profession.
—
“Do you perhaps have something you need to buy? Wouldn’t it be easier if I prepared it for you?”
Watching Cain count his money with a serious face, Vita tactfully remained silent for a while. It wasn’t until Cain had put the money away that she asked him with an expression of confused incomprehension.
“I don’t have anything in particular that I need to buy. I’ve just realized once again that the adventurers of this world don’t have it easy.”
It was impossible for Cain to tell Vita that he was actually planning to leave one day, so he simply went along with the situation and put on a sentimental act.
“Ah…”
After hearing Cain say that, Vita looked slightly dazed as if she couldn’t quite wrap her head around it, but of course, this was also an act.
‘Something is wrong! How could he, someone who is the same person as that woman, be moved by such trivial matters! He definitely wants money to do something!’
Due to her personal bias, Vita didn’t trust Corellia at all, and naturally, she didn’t trust Cain either. Awkwardly enough, Vita had actually guessed right—Cain really did want money.
It was now around 3:00 PM, and the front of the shop where they stood wasn’t exactly a secluded area. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that someone overheard the conversation between Cain and Vita.
“What this young man says is true, but it’s not just adventurers who have it hard. Isn’t everyone living in this world struggling?”
The speaker was a male citizen who looked like he could be found anywhere. He appeared to be a 30-year-old man. After approaching Cain and Vita, he very familiarly joined the conversation, picking up on Cain’s recent sentiment.
“That is true, but do you have some business with us, Mister? Ordinarily, people aren’t so proactive about joining a conversation between strangers.”
Before Cain could speak to the sudden stranger, Vita took the initiative to act as his spokesperson, saying exactly what Cain had been thinking. She looked at the man with a gaze that seemed friendly but was actually full of wariness.
“Hehe, how sharp. As expected of young adventurers.”
The man rubbed the back of his head and laughed awkwardly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“Since you’ve seen through me, I won’t beat around the bush any longer. I see that you two look like you’re short on money. Why not come work for me? While I can’t make you rich overnight, I guarantee it’s much safer and more profitable than risking your lives to hunt monsters.”
As the man rubbed his hands together, the way he winked made him look exactly like a pimp… No, it wasn’t just a resemblance; he basically was one.
‘As expected, this world isn’t lacking these types of people either.’
Cain was fine with it; he didn’t take it to heart. However, Vita’s expression immediately became stern. She instantly rebuked him with a hint of anger:
“We’re really being looked down upon, aren’t we! Are you implying that we look like the kind of people who would sell our character and dignity for money!”
Although Vita seemed easy to talk to, she was still royalty at the end of the day. Now that she was being propositioned like this, she immediately felt insulted. Her voice and expression both turned much colder.
She revealed a bit of the aura of someone in a high position. That kind of royal majesty was enough to make an ordinary person feel nervous and fearful. The man was indeed startled and hurriedly waved his hands to explain.
“It’s a misunderstanding, a total misunderstanding! We run a respectable establishment! Besides, I didn’t want you to do that kind of thing, Miss. Actually, the one I’m primarily interested in is this gentleman!”
“…”
“…Eh? Me?”
As soon as the man spoke, both the angry Vita and the calm Cain were stunned.
Wait? Vita didn’t look like the type to sell her character and dignity for money, so that meant he, Cain, did?
Wow, he really was being underestimated.