Ugly Guy, Hardcore Fighter-Chapter 79: Welcome to Selenoa, the Country of Gratitude
-Thank you DCRangeRange, Dean Dexter and Cannedbread
Follow me on Patreon via Linktree https://linktr.ee/Mnotia-
Once we crossed one mountain, the scenery changed to white and blue.
Beyond the hill spread white castle walls, and within them blue roofs lay piled in many layers. In the center stood a white royal castle. From a tower jutting high into the sky, a golden bird flag swam in the wind.
Above the castle gate, blue letters were displayed.
〈Welcome to Selenoa, the Country of Gratitude〉
“It is just as it was written in the newspaper.”
Seika-san opened the newspaper from inside the cloth bundle.
The text had been rewritten many times since three days ago. This morning’s front page was the Selenoa Founding Festival. The second page was the market sale. On the third page, there was new sighting information about a person claiming to be Ardeen.
『Today at noon, in the South Plaza, the Wandering Hero Ardeen makes a joyful visit to the orphanage』
“It hasn’t happened yet.”
“Didn’t they interview Ardeen himself?”
“I have not been interviewed.”
Not you.
Over these three days, the newspaper had accurately reported the arrival of rain clouds and even tracked down the whereabouts of a lost child.
It turned events that actually happened into articles almost simultaneously. And if an event was scheduled, it sometimes printed it before it began like this.
It was not precognition.
It simply knew scheduled facts faster than anyone else.
That was the strange thing about this newspaper.
When asked the reason for entry at the castle gate, Seiji-san answered honestly.
“We came to confirm the matter of the person claiming to be Ardeen in Selenoa.”
Far from being wary, the gate soldier’s face lit up.
“You’ve come from outside the country to visit Hero Ardeen-sama? Welcome.”
Seiji-san’s mouth twitched.
Before Seiji-san could say anything, the gate soldier called the immigration officer.
“Four honored fans of Ardeen-sama!”
Four silver bracelets were immediately lined up.
“Please use these during your stay. They are foreigner Gratia bracelets. Gratitude received within the country is recorded on the bracelet as Gratia. They can also be used for payments at markets, dining halls, and lodging facilities.”
“Gratia... gratitude becomes money?”
Seika-san tilted her head slightly.
“I believe it is likely the currency used in this country.”
Seiji-san took out one gold coin engraved with 〈300 Lira〉 on its surface.
“Is there a system for exchanging Lira into Gratia?”
“I am very sorry. Gratitude itself cannot be purchased with money. However, if you donate Lira to the kingdom, we provide proxy Gratia as gratitude for that contribution.”
“Then, if I donate this, how much would it be?”
The clerk turned a calculation board toward us.
〈Donation amount 300 Lira〉
〈Donation to the Kingdom 240 Lira〉
〈Contribution evaluation amount 60 Lira〉
〈Proxy Gratia granted 6〉
300 Lira, in Japanese yen, is about 30,000 yen.
Eighty percent of it is taken as a donation, leaving twenty percent. One-fifth of the original.
Just by going through the procedure, 30,000 yen becomes proxy Gratia equivalent to 6,000 yen.
“What is this 240 Lira?”
“It is a charitable donation from all of you.”
“We haven’t shown any goodwill yet, though.”
Seiji-san stared at the calculation board and thought for a moment.
“We can’t enter the country without its currency. Then, please start with just 300 Lira.”
The clerk received the gold coin and put 6 Gratia into Seiji-san’s bracelet.
We passed through the castle gate.
The first thing we heard was neither the sound of bells nor the calls of merchants.
“Thank you.”
An old man bowed his head to a young man who had carried his luggage.
The old man’s bracelet and the young man’s bracelet drew close, and a soft light was born.
The young man’s number increased by one.
A market clerk, while handing bread to a customer, even taught them how to cook it.
Three people called out at the same time to a traveler who had lost their way.
For a child who fell, nearby adults always extended a hand.
Light and numbers followed people’s goodwill everywhere.
“It’s just as the article said.”
Seika-san said happily.
The newspaper was being rewritten even then.
『Freight wagon overturned on South Third Street. No injuries.』
A map and even the time it occurred were printed.
“Let’s go take a look.”
Seiji-san said.
There was time until the person in the article appeared. We also needed to verify the newspaper’s accuracy.
When we arrived at the scene, a freight wagon for transport had fallen with its wheels up. Its cargo was fruit. Nearby people were picking up apples that had rolled onto the road.
No one put the apples they picked into their pockets.
The driver, pulled out from under the wagon, thanked each person who had helped him.
“Even though no one instructed them...”
Seika-san murmured quietly.
Too many people had gathered, and three hands reached for the same apple. Even so, they smiled and yielded to each other.
After watching the wagon cleanup, we headed to the South Plaza.
On the way, in front of a treatment clinic, a mother holding a child with a fever bowed repeatedly.
“I’m sorry. Right now, I don’t have enough Gratia to pay...”
“It’s all right. After your child gets better, please help clean the waiting room.”
The mother bowed deeply once more, held her child, and went into the clinic.
They did not turn away the sick just because they had no money.
Here, it seemed that after recovering, one could repay with whatever they were able to do.
It was about thirty minutes until noon.
From the street leading to the South Plaza, the smell of stewed vegetables drifted over.
“Since we’re here, let’s actually try how Gratia is used.”
Seiji-san looked at the communal dining hall ahead on the street.
“Agreed. It’s been smelling good for a while.”
The communal dining hall with the blue roof was also close to the South Plaza, where the person from the article was said to appear.
We decided to have an early lunch there.
Vegetable soup poured from a large pot, and round bread.
For four people, it was 4 Gratia.
Seiji-san held out his bracelet.
The number that had been 6 decreased to 2.
After donating 30,000 yen and eating lunch once, only 2 Gratia remained.
Coming to this country many times as a foreigner seemed like it would be tough.
In the back of the communal dining hall, an old man who had once been a furniture craftsman was telling old tales to children.
Even if he could no longer make furniture, he could make people happy with what he knew. Every time the children laughed and said “Thank you,” light gathered in the old man’s bracelet.
With that Gratia, the old man received warm soup.
“This country is full of thank-yous, isn’t it?”
Seika-san gazed at that light happily.
“Yes. I was surprised by the donation system earlier, but I think it’s wonderful that the people living in this country can support each other.”
Seiji-san nodded honestly as well.
Selenoa, as seen while waiting for noon, was not bad.
Rather, it seemed that people looked at people more than in any country we had seen so far.
Noon.
When we arrived at the South Plaza written in the newspaper, the area in front of the orphanage was full of children and adults.
Apparently, a small magical beast had come down from the mountain behind the orphanage. It climbed onto the roof of the building, and one child was left stranded at the edge.
The magical beast raised its claws.
Seiji-san’s foot stepped forward.
Before that, a golden light descended onto the roof.
“People call me this. The Wandering Hero Ardeen!”
A bright red fist caught the magical beast’s claws.
Standing golden hair.
On his muscular chest, a holy emblem floated.
A third eye on his forehead. Large wings extended from his back, and even his steel armor and sword at his waist were wrapped in pale blue light.
Seiji-san had not transformed.
And yet, the one on the roof was none other than the Ardeen we knew.
I looked at the roof.
Then at Seiji-san beside me.
Then at the roof again.
Ardeen.
Seiji-san.
Ardeen.
Huh?
In other words, that’s—a fake?
The children raised cheers.
The fake Ardeen held the child in his left arm and pinned down the magical beast with his right fist.
“Evil has no name to declare. But if I dare declare one, it is the indomitable crimson soul—Ardeen!”
Just now, right after declaring his name, didn’t he say he had no name to declare?
“Red Cutter!”
A burning hand blade flashed.
Only the magical beast was blown off the roof and fell into a thick net on the ground.
The child was rescued without a single scratch.
It was perfect.
From entrance to rescue, special move, and curtain call, it was a perfect hero show.
Seiji-san was clenching his fist.
“Um, Seiji-san.”
“No. It was a wonderful rescue.”
“I haven’t asked anything yet.”
The fake Ardeen handed the child to the teacher and placed his left hand on his chest.
He tilted his face slightly and smiled.
“Give your gratitude not to me, but to those who love you. Farewell. We shall meet again where voices cry for help.”
He turned on his right foot and spread his white wings.
The wind he stirred swayed his golden hair and mantle, and he flew straight into the blue sky.
Even his exit was absurdly cool.
More strength entered Seiji-san’s clenched fist.
This might be a topic I shouldn’t really ask about.
But I was absurdly curious.
I secretly whispered into Seiji-san’s ear.
“What was that?”
“Yes. It was Hero Ardeen.”
“Officially recognized?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you maybe angry?”
“I am not angry. However, during a rescue, the child should first be evacuated to a safe place.”
He looked extremely frustrated.
“I am merely verifying.”
Seiji-san pressed the point with a serious face.
...Huh? I didn’t say that out loud just now, did I?
When the commotion settled, the newspaper’s pages were rewritten again.
『The Wandering Hero Ardeen Rescues an Orphanage Boy』
It was an extra edition reporting the rescue drama that had just happened.
It was written so well that it was a shame they couldn’t include a photo.
At the edge of the plaza, an official wearing a blue armband was hearing from the teacher and children about the details of the rescue.
Who rescued whom from what. How dangerous it was. They were called 〈Gratitude Record Officers〉, whose role was to later inform the citizens of the benefits received.
The completed records were apparently posted on the town’s 〈Gratitude Bulletin Board〉.
Officials rushed over immediately after the incident. At that time, I thought it was a well-organized country.
We chased after him, but the fake Ardeen had disappeared.
Instead, a young man in a white cloak was speaking to the orphanage children.
He had only two guards.
The young man knelt and grasped both hands of the rescued boy.
“You must have been scared. It’s all right now.”
“Abel-sama!”
The surrounding children ran up to him.
The young man in the white cloak. Abel, the King of Compassion.
The king remembered each child’s name. When he noticed the orphanage roof was cracked, he arranged for repairs on the spot.
He handed his own handkerchief to a crying child. When the child tried to return it, Abel shook his head.
“You don’t have to return it. You smiled for me. That is my reward.”
It did not look like an act.
“You came all this way from far away. Thank you.”
Abel looked at us.
It was such a direct smile that it did not seem like a face meeting us for the first time.
“You are the people from Visbridge, yes? It is an honor to meet you.”
Seiji-san gave a bow.
“You know of us?”
“Of course. The company that saves people suffering from Special Notes. The representative is Kai-shi, the executive is Kato-shi. And this is Seiji-shi, yes?”
“The honor is ours that you know of us.”
Seiji-san bowed, looking just a little pleased.
“Then, may I ask one question? It concerns the person just now who called himself Ardeen.”
“You mean him.”
Abel’s calm smile did not falter.
“I do not grasp all of his actions either. However, it is a fact that many citizens have been saved by him.”
“Please let us speak with him directly.”
“Of course. When I meet him next, I shall tell him that you came to visit.”
We had chased him this far, and in the few minutes it took the newspaper to make an article, the fake Ardeen disappeared without a trace.
We would end up visiting this country many times. As long as we remained foreigners, just donating for proxy Gratia would lighten our wallets.
“It seems we will need a base here for investigations for a while.”
Seiji-san said.
As if he had been waiting for those words, Abel brought his hands together.
“Then, why not establish a Visbridge branch in Selenoa?”
“It is a grateful offer. However, I must consult with Executive Kato-kun and Representative Kai-san as well.”
“But the one who can actually decide on opening a branch is Seiji-shi, the Chairman, is it not?”
Seiji-san’s smile vanished for just a moment.
“...You know a lot.”
“Excuse me. I have seen your activities in the newspaper.”
Abel smiled calmly.
“These kinds of talks tend not to progress when you take them home to consider. Do immediately what you believe is right. That is my philosophy of success.”
The orphanage teacher nodded immediately.
“Abel-sama decided on repairs on the spot the very day this orphanage leaked rain.”
“Even during the flood damage, food arrived before dawn!”
“Abel-sama really is an amazing person!”
Abel’s proposal was convenient for us as well.
Investigating the person claiming to be Ardeen. Verifying the newspaper’s accuracy. Selenoa’s work system. And what Visbridge could do in this country.
Seiji-san did not answer immediately, and looked at Seika-san, Rizu, and my face.
“My formal answer will come after I contact Kato-kun and Kai-san. However, on the premise of opening one, I will ask about the detailed conditions.”
“That is enough. Thank you.”
Abel grasped Seiji-san’s hand with both hands.
As a display of joy from someone meeting for the first time, it was just a little too big.
But amid the citizens’ happy applause, even that looked like the king’s enthusiasm.
-Thank you DCRangeRange, Dean Dexter and Cannedbread
Follow me on Patreon via Linktree https://linktr.ee/Mnotia-