Chapter 2: Pilgrimage to the Sacred Site ①

A sacred-site pilgrimage—it's the act of visiting a place that moved you deeply and experiencing the work you love through all five senses, beginning with sight.

"In other words, if I go to Swordria, I’ll experience everything there with my five senses and preserve that emotion for future generations. That makes it overwhelmingly meaningful—something completely separate from my personal desires. It’s not just selfishness. By sharing that experience, the people in this countryside will be able to picture the scenery too, and their lives will surely become more fulfilling than ever befo—"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. So shut up already. Seriously, when you start talking that fast, it’s creepy."

A beautiful girl with long silver hair tied loosely at the nape of her neck abruptly cut off my passionate speech by shoving a piece of bread straight into my mouth.

Apparently, my explanation of sacred-site pilgrimages had grated on her short temper. She frowned openly in irritation. I should probably keep it shorter next time…

But even if she’s my childhood friend, is this kind of violence really acceptable? Even my mother, who prepared breakfast, is watching us without intervening.

"Thanks, Hikari-chan. Ever since this idiot heard he could go to the royal capital, he’s been like this—loud and nonstop."

"Don’t worry about it, ma’am. I’ve always known Toma’s an idiot who loves the capital and big cities. Still… he’s about to be an adult and he’s still like this. I’m not sure what to think."

Apparently, both my mother and my childhood friend consider this kind of violence perfectly acceptable. I object.

"It wasn’t even that long. I only spoke in a single breath."

"Try being the one listening to that in a single breath. Nobody expects that much talking from a simple question about why you want to go to the capital. Honestly, Toma, you should calm down in general."

Hikari looked at me with half-lidded, ruby-red eyes full of exasperation.

Man… beautiful people really have it easy. Even when they’re looking down on you like that, your first thought is still that they’re cute.

Anyway, putting that aside, I should probably explain the current situation—for my own sake as well. For example, why the moment I regained memories of my past life, I immediately realized this world was Legenda Septima Rex.

First of all, there are far too many imitation swords in this village. Seriously—it’s not just one per household. It’s closer to one per person.

On top of that, houses are decorated everywhere with sword crests and similar motifs. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about medieval culture, but there’s no era where people kept this many swords lying around. Even for chopping wood, axes would be far more practical.

In this world, monsters—the kind you typically see in fantasy settings—don’t exist. Large-scale wars between nations are also impossible.

That seemingly contradictory situation is exactly why I realized this world was Legenda Septima Rex. In the country where the protagonist lives, the word "sword" carries a special meaning.

"It’s pretty shocking that diplomacy ultimately gets decided by kings fighting each other…"

"Right now, our country doesn’t even have a king. There’s a legendary sword stuck in the royal capital, and whoever pulls it out becomes king."

Hikari cut into my muttering, casually washing down her bread with milk, sounding completely uninterested.

But despite her delicate appearance, I know she secretly loves stories with that kind of romantic flair. Even now, the hair tied behind her like a tail swayed slightly from side to side.

I used to be an otaku myself. I understand that kind of appeal all too well—or so I thought, as I wiped the milk mustache from her lips.

Diplomacy is usually handled by politicians, but when negotiations break down—or neither side is willing to compromise—it’s ultimately settled through a battle between the kings representing each country.

At present, this country doesn’t have that representative king—the "Sword King."

In fact, it hasn’t had one for about 500 years.

You’d think a country couldn’t survive like that, but perhaps nations like this exist as buffers between others.

At the very least, ordinary people like us haven’t seen our lives affected much. The politicians must be working incredibly hard. When I finally reach the capital, I’d like to salute the royal castle where they work.

"By the way, Mom, aren’t you coming with us? I heard there’s a huge castle there."

"Don’t be ridiculous. If I go, who’s going to run this tavern?"

She had a point.

The village I live in isn’t particularly large, but it’s not tiny either. Most people know each other, though occasionally you’ll see someone unfamiliar.

In the countryside, where entertainment is scarce, a tavern is an essential place for people to unwind—practically a lifeline. The only alternative is the brothel, but I remember one customer complaining that there weren’t any good women there.

He got beaten half to death by the regulars who actually used the place.

"Besides, the village chief is taking you to the capital to report your coming-of-age, right? If I tagged along, I’d look like an overprotective parent."

"True… you’re about as hands-off as they come, Mom. I basically grew up like a weed in the yard…"

"A weed with plenty of stubbornness. …Why is it that you’re usually normal, but occasionally go completely insane?"

How rude. She makes it sound like I’m some defective son who randomly starts shouting nonsense.

From any angle, I’ve grown into a perfectly respectable man.

"A respectable man doesn’t get excited and drool watching a pair of dogs mating. Auntie mutters ‘If only it weren’t for that…’ every time, you know?"

"IT’S BECAUSE THERE’S NO SUPPLY!!! THERE ARE NO GOOD COUPLINGS!!! If even dogs have more dramatic relationships than the humans here, what am I supposed to do?!"

I love this village. It’s my hometown, where I was born and raised, and most people here know me.

The problem is that all human relationships are completely self-contained within the village. Occasionally, someone moves in from outside, but that’s extremely rare.

In other words—there are no encounters.

No… that’s not quite right.

It’s not that there are no encounters. It’s that nobody here experiences fateful ones. Not even close.

Childhood-friend couples are great. I genuinely enjoy watching them, get excited about them, feel happy for them, and sincerely hope they stay that way.

But when almost everyone is like that, it gets repetitive!!! I want to see different relationship dynamics!!!!

I know what you’re thinking. Don’t treat other people’s lives as entertainment. I get it. I’d say the same thing—if it were someone else.

The real reason I ended up like this is what I mentioned earlier: there’s almost no entertainment here. Even the few options that do exist aren’t accessible to children.

And now that my past-life memories have returned, I remember a time when endless entertainment existed.

Things you can endure when you’ve never known them…

…become unbearable once you do.

I’ve developed an entertainment deficiency.

More specifically—a favorite-couple deficiency.

"So at the very least, I want to visit the places where those couples meet—to make a pilgrimage and enjoy it in my own way. You get what I mean?"

"As if I would. Stop talking nonsense and finish eating so we can wash the dishes."

With that, Hikari began cleaning up her breakfast. She may sound blunt, but my childhood friend is actually quite capable when it comes to housework.

I want to see a girl like that—someone uninterested in romance—fall deeply in love.

I really want to see it.

And I want her to be happy.

I quickly finished eating and moved beside her to help with the dishes. As I wiped a bit of soap from her cheek with my finger, I found myself asking:

"Hikari, don’t you have a guy you like? Someone who understands you even when you’re being blunt. Someone considerate, but somehow oblivious to the most important things. And when you really need them, they’re always right there by your side—someone you can rely on."

"Just die already."

For some reason, she got extremely angry. Why? Was that question rude?

…Thinking about it again, suddenly asking a girl you live with about the guy she likes is incredibly creepy.

I should reflect on that. A man who can reflect on his mistakes is a good man.

"But still, it’s such a waste. With that beautiful silver hair and those jewel-like red eyes, you’re far too pretty for a remote village like this. If some noble saw you, he’d fall in love at first sight. It’s honestly a waste."

"Seriously… just die already… Every single time…"

Hey! Don’t mess up my carefully styled hair with your soapy hands!!!

I worked so hard on it for my trip to the royal capital!!!

Don’t destroy my best attempt at looking fashionable!!!

"Not noticing something this obvious… is my idiot son missing part of his brain or something?"

Mom! Stop staring at me and muttering things like that!!! Your son’s masterpiece is about to be destroyed here!!!

This hairstyle—crafted with all my fashion sense—the kind that makes people turn around and look twice!!!!

"Masterpiece? You mean that awful poisonous-mushroom hairstyle? Of course people would look twice. They’d think a mushroom monster just showed up."

I will never try to be fashionable again.

Crushed by my mother’s merciless words, I lost the will to resist and simply let Hikari mess up my hair.