The Guide Map Connects People Too!
[Rivana Passage]
3.5★★★☆☆ (12,457 reviews)
Tourist
★★☆☆☆
That road goes there, and this way, and uh… wait… it’s a dead end!?
Rivana Citizen
★★★★☆
It’d be better if the drainage was improved.
Is it high tide soon?
Gils
★★☆☆☆
The city is beautiful and the people are nice, but the roads are ridiculously confusing…
—
“Hey, didn’t we walk down this street earlier?”
“That’s weird… looks like we’re following the map though…”
“Daddy, are we there yet?”
Rivana’s a huge country, but what surprised me even more is how the roads are like a maze—you get lost so easily.
Narrow alleys turn out to be the main streets, or you suddenly hit a dead end.
Apparently, immigrants filled in parts of the sea to build this place.
The mixed races lingering here must be a remnant of that.
At first, there were all sorts of problems, but it’s settled down now.
That’s largely thanks to Princess Eltia’s gentle and considerate nature, it seems.
Anyway.
I quickened my pace a little and called out to a family of three who looked troubled ahead.
“Are you lost by any chance?”
“Hm? Ah, yeah. We’re trying to get to Karina Square.”
Karina, Karina… here it is.
Hmm, okay.
“If you go straight down this road, it’ll open up a bit. Then head right and you’ll see a clock tower—just past that.”
“Oh, really!? Man, these roads are tricky. Thanks! Are you a local?”
“Ah, no… actually… it’s my first time here.”
“… Your first time?”
“Ah, but, umm, I’m really good at reading maps!?”
I frantically tried to explain, but the handsome dad furrowed his brows slightly.
Can’t blame him—it does sound sketchy. Maybe I overstepped…
“So cute! Your ears are all bouncy~”
“Hehe, thanks! But you’re cuter, sweetheart.”
I glanced over and saw Milfie chatting with the little girl.
The dad seemed to relax a bit, maybe realizing we were all together.
“I see. Sorry about that. Guess I got a little suspicious.”
“Not at all. I was the one being overly nosy.”
“Not at all. My name’s Gias. And you are?”
“I’m Tabito. This is Milfie, and Aqua’s back there.”
“Judging by your looks, adventurers, huh? Makes sense you’d be good with maps.”
It’s hard to say outright that it’s thanks to my ability, but oh well.
Getting complimented by a mature, handsome man still feels nice.
We chatted a little more after that.
Feels like it’s been a while since I talked to someone outside the adventurer circle.
A regular family, I guess?
For some reason, the conversation felt easy and relaxed.
“You’re a fun young man. Oh, sorry—got carried away there.”
“No problem. I had fun too.”
“Right. Actually, there’s a party coming up. Would you be interested?”
A party, huh? Sounds fun—drinks, food, a lively atmosphere.
It reminded me of how, even when traveling in my old world, people would invite me like this.
A chance encounter is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Of course, my answer’s set.
“I’d love to, if you don’t mind having me!”
“Haha, great! At my age, it’s hard to make pure acquaintances. I’ll contact you through the Adventurers’ Guild later. See you then.”
With that, the handsome dad, beautiful mom, and their angelic little girl walked off.
Probably on a family trip.
How nice… they looked like the ideal family.
“You really are amazing, Tabito. I was so nervous I couldn’t say a word.”
“It’s nothing to brag about. They were just nice people.”
“I couldn’t do it either~ Tabito’s awesome!”
“Indeed. You’re amazing.”
I don’t know why, but getting praised so much just for chatting made me super happy.
Thank you, Otherworld Guide Map. Hehe, hehe.
“A party at a Duke’s estate… I wonder what kind of people will be there.”
“I can’t even imagine. But I feel like Tabito could get along with anyone.”
The two of them exchanged glances and praised me again.
… Huh? What did Milfie just say?
“… D-Duke’s estate?”
“Yup. The Duke. Didn’t you see the badge on his chest?”
D-Duke… Duke!?
“Wait, a Duke? That means… like, um, nobility!?”
Let’s see… I think the order was Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron…
S-So that means…
They’re crazy important!?!
“Milfie.”
“What’s wrong?”
“How many people… do you think will be at this party?”
Please… let it be 10… at most 11…
“I don’t know, but maybe around 300? Remember when we guarded Tia? It’ll probably be packed like that.”
A whole bunch of cool-looking guys in suits…
Ugh, ughh!?
“Dukes are the highest-ranking nobles after the royal family, after all. Come to think of it… I’ve heard Gias’s name before too. He owns vast lands and is extremely wealthy.”
“Yeah, same here. And apparently, he has incredible military power too.”
Aqua and Milfie casually dropped terrifying details.
That gentle, handsome older man… military power!?
And why were they walking around with no guards!?
Well, never mind that for now…
Wh-Wh-What do I do!?
A party means formal attire, right?
All I own are these pants with a hole in the right leg.
Can I even get in? No way, right? No way.
“Maybe Tia will be there too?”
At that moment, Milfie’s casual comment rocked my heart.
She has a point.
If just hearing their name jogs memories, they must be famous in political circles too.
There’s a high chance the princess herself will attend.
That means… this is good news.
Come to think of it, the Otherworld Guide Map has always helped me.
I should trust it more.
“A-Alright! I’ll look forward to the party then. But first… I gotta buy some clothes…”
“I’ll help you pick something nice~!”
“Enjoy yourself, Tabito.”
Now that I think about it, won’t they be invited too?
Still not sure, but that’d be reassuring.
Just then, I heard a chime.
Slightly cooler than that greedy glutton title from before, but it still made me flinch a little.
But I love how these titles let me make new memories.
Milfie
★★★★★
Tabito always gets along with people so easily…
I wanna learn from him!
But… at a party… there’ll be women too… meowaa…
Aqua
★★★★★
I want to be as confident as Tabito someday.
He’s truly a wonderful person.
Tabito
★★★★★
A party, huh…
Nervous, but the food’s gotta be amazing.
And there’ll be beautiful people too.
I hope Tia’s there.
Gias
★★★★★
Tabito, huh? He’s a good young man.
And Milfie and Aqua… both never let their guard down, keeping their mana ready to protect him.
They’re excellent adventurers.
I hope all three of them enjoy the party.
What do you think about this chapter?
