Chapter 8: Idle Talk: Who is She and Where is She From?
ㅤAround the time Tempest started making a name for herself as an adventurer, she naturally became the subject of rumors in Adventurer Town. Mainly, she was a topic of conversation for drunk adventurers at taverns.
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ㅤ”Whose Ojou-sama is she?”
ㅤ”Tempest is an Ojou-sama~!? I almost got wiped out along with a monster. Ojou-sama are supposed to be more graceful, right?”
ㅤHe didn’t forget to add that he didn’t really know.
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ㅤ”An Ojou-sama splitting a Rock Bear in half?”
ㅤ”Ah…… She split it in half, core and all……”
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ㅤTwo adventurers who had witnessed Tempest’s exploits today tilted their heads, trying to reconcile her actions with their image of an Ojou-sama.
ㅤThe girl in question had single-handedly defeated a large, rock-shaped monster in the form of a bear that suddenly emerged from the ground today. It was clear she knew its weakness, and she defeated it in an instant before it could harm any other adventurers.
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ㅤ”But hasn’t anyone seen her wandering around in a dress?”
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ㅤThe large man with a beard pondered with ale foam still clinging to his mouth.
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ㅤ”Certainly, her attire is good. Her equipment must have cost a fortune. And that magic……”
ㅤ”Right! That’s not self-taught. She was using magic I’ve never seen before.”
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ㅤIn this world, visualization is paramount for magic. Of course, magic power and fundamental training are prerequisites, but being taught by another magician is a crucial point. Seeing the magic performed up close is key to developing a visual image in this world without television or the internet.
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ㅤ”She didn’t seem to have much practical experience, though……”
ㅤ”The other day, I got caught in the torrent Tempest unleashed…… I was soaked……”
ㅤ”That Salamander battle……”
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ㅤA man with a large scar on his cheek and an adventurer with an eyepatch also gulped down their ale, reminiscing about that time.
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ㅤThe only ways to see another person’s magic up close are to gain practical experience or to have a magic tutor. In that respect, the children of wealthy nobles and merchants had an advantage in learning magic. They could learn in a safe environment.
ㅤAs the Marquis’ Daughter, Tempest naturally had a magic tutor at her estate. Her parents didn’t want to encourage their daughter’s unconventional aspirations, but they recognized her talent. Just in case, they invited a reputable magician to the mansion as a tutor so she could serve the country as a Court Magician.
ㅤAs a result, Tempest became even more confident in herself. By practicing the fundamentals, she gained power that couldn’t be achieved through visualization alone. Needless to say, her parents were left holding their heads in exasperation.
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ㅤ”But I heard it was pretty close. The Salamander was going into its pre-attack motion for its big move, so if she had messed up, we all would have been roasted alive inside the dungeon.”
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ㅤA slender B-Rank adventurer joined the conversation from the next table. Since he was talking about the time his party member entered the dungeon alone, it was considered quite credible, and the adventurers started buzzing again.
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ㅤ”Seriously~? Tempest is amazing after all!”
ㅤ”Her attitude is backed up by her skills!”
ㅤ”So, who is Tempest after all~!”
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ㅤThe alcohol was starting to take effect on the adventurers. It seemed to be a topic that fueled their drinking.
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ㅤ”I still think she’s the child of a merchant from a neighboring territory.”
ㅤ”She’s definitely the daughter of some noble.”
ㅤ”Could the daughter of a merchant or noble really be an adventurer!?”
ㅤ”Well, well. I hear they exist if you look for them.”
ㅤ”Where are they~?”
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ㅤAdventurers from that table and this table joined the conversation. Everyone was curious about the root of her inconsistent abilities. She didn’t seem to have much practical experience, but she had a wealth of knowledge about monsters. However, she wasn’t good at dismantling. Her knowledge as an adventurer was lacking. She wielded powerful magic. The conclusion was that she must have come from a wealthy background.
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ㅤ”From a wealthy background, huh. It’s not uncommon for men.”
ㅤ”For men, yes. If a woman has magic power, she’d aim to be a Court Magician or join the Knight Order.”
ㅤ”I once met an adventurer who claimed to be the daughter of an Earl.”
ㅤ”No way~”
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ㅤAs long as they could enjoy their drinks, any topic would do. Everyone was saying whatever they pleased.
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ㅤ”You guys are forgetting something important.”
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ㅤThe large man with a beard cleared his throat and waited for everyone’s attention.
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ㅤ”She herself said, 『I am the Duchess of Blood!』 That’s what she said.”
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ㅤAfter a brief pause, the entire tavern erupted in laughter. The large man with a beard looked satisfied. This punchline had become a standard joke among them.
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ㅤIn the end, they concluded that the true identity of the suddenly-appeared, up-and-coming adventurer Tempest was the illegitimate child of some wealthy person. This, too, was always the same conclusion.
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◇◇◇
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ㅤ”Hic…… Achoo!”
ㅤ”Oh my, Madam! We need something warm……”
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ㅤEllis, Tempest’s maid, hurriedly gave instructions to the servants from Tempest’s room in the Duke’s mansion.
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ㅤ”I’m fine…… Thank you.”
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ㅤ’Someone must be praising my valiant adventurer figure.’
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ㅤToday, she had hunted a large monster and had made a sufficient contribution, and she chuckled to herself, making sure Ellis didn’t notice.
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ㅤFrom the window of Tempest’s room, she could see a faint glimmer of light from Adventurer Town. Unaware that the adventurers were gossiping about her origins over drinks, the night deepened in Blood Territory.