And so came the day they departed for Marzen.
“Move it over here!”
“Check the quantities properly!”
The front of the Veloa Trading Company building, where they’d agreed to meet up with Seilan, was packed with people loading cargo onto carriages and checking quantities. In the middle of that chaos, Rowy, getting jostled here and there, expressed his displeasure with a sulky face.
“It’s noisy and crowded.”
“Just a little more and we’ll be done. Don’t get in the way here, get in the carriage.”
Seilan, who had been checking documents beside him, said a word to the sullen-faced Rowy. At those words, Rowy flared up.
“What? In the way?”
“I’m telling you not to interfere with people working for no reason. We’re leaving because of you in the first place.”
“You’re the one who wanted to bring the trading company along, so why are you blaming me?”
“Yup. Your fault.”
“Ugh!”
Rowy, who had been holding back his irritation from earlier, lunged at Seilan. Startled, Van quickly grabbed Rowy.
“What are you doing now! Let go!”
“Now, now, it’s crowded here, so it would be better to sit in the carriage and wait.”
“I said let go!”
“Please.”
Worried they might actually fight, Van lifted Rowy up and quickly headed toward the carriage. Even while being carried dangling at his side, Rowy continued to make a fuss.
“This is so annoying! Not saying a single word to me!”
Rowy, who had been full of complaints toward Seilan from the coordination of the departure date, was now even stomping his feet in anger. Van tried to placate Rowy, but it was a losing battle. The reason Rowy was so angry was…
“Why do I have to go with his trading company?”
It was because Seilan had inserted Rowy into the merchant journey to Marzen without saying a word. It seemed he’d had the efficient thought that since they were going to Marzen anyway, they might as well do some work while they were at it… But unfortunately, for Rowy, who hated crowds and noise, the trading company was the worst possible travel companion. Beside the thoroughly annoyed Rowy, Van floundered.
“Won’t you part ways with them once you arrive in Marzen? Please just bear with it a little.”
“I absolutely hate noisy things.”
“I know. Now, please sit here for now. There are even snacks that Seilan-nim prepared for you.”
Van quickly put a chocolate from beside them into Rowy’s mouth. Rowy, who had been about to grumble, chewed the chocolate that had entered his mouth.
“……”
“Shall I give you one more?”
“…Mm.”
Whew. Inwardly sighing in relief, Van continued to unwrap chocolates for the now-docile Rowy as he spoke.
“Still, you said that thanks to Seilan-nim, you don’t have to go with the knights.”
“……”
That’s… true. Rowy reluctantly nodded his head. The Duke had wanted the family knights to accompany them to Marzen. It seemed he thought additional surveillance and protection were necessary. However, that order had been nullified thanks to Seilan persuading the Duke. It was thanks to him saying that since Rowy would be moving with his own trading company, knights weren’t necessary.
When Rowy got irritated that he’d brought the trading company without saying anything, Seilan had rather raised his voice, saying that as a result, wasn’t it good since he’d gotten away from the family’s eyes? …But as if that was something Seilan had done for Rowy’s sake.
‘He probably has his own inconvenient business if it becomes known.’
I should find out what it is and tell on him. Rowy, thoroughly displeased, had spiteful thoughts inwardly.
Outside the carriage, preparations for departure were still in full swing. Rowy looked outside with his lips stuck out. There were easily more than ten carriages, and several times more people than that. On top of that, everyone’s voices were so loud. Rowy shuddered and pulled back.
“I don’t want to ride in the carriage either. I get motion sickness.”
“What should we do, then? Shall I carry you on my back?”
“Do you think I’m a baby!”
But you are… Van shoved another chocolate into the mouth of the irritated Rowy. His pouty face is cute though… Van, already completely drained before they’d even departed, continued to placate Rowy.
“Then… what should we do? Would you like to ride a horse instead? Would that still be too uncomfortable?”
“…A horse?”
It worked! Van quickly nodded his head.
“I’ll let you ride with me. Let’s try borrowing a horse from Seilan-nim.”
* * *
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Mm. I’m fine.”
At the words full of worry, Rowy shook his head. Uncomfortable? Sitting on a horse someone else was controlling and just having to watch the scenery was very comfortable. Rowy dangled his feet while cradled in Van’s arms.
‘It feels a bit exciting too.’
Rowy had almost never ridden a horse. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to ride; it was more accurate to say he’d never had occasion to. The reason he’d been tempted by Van’s suggestion was also just the thought of trying to ride a horse for the first time in a while.
However, Van had naturally lifted Rowy up and seated him in front of himself. Rowy, who had been about to say he wanted to ride alone, soon went limp, intoxicated by the comfortable ride that came from skilled horsemanship. The wind was blowing just right, the weather was nice… Rowy, whose mood had improved again, kept looking around at the forest path that wasn’t particularly scenic.
“Are there no monsters?”
The charm of travel is monsters. Rowy asked excitedly. However, unfortunately, there were almost no monsters on the road connecting Seraphila and Marzen.
“This road is usually traveled by trading companies, so they periodically subjugate monsters, so monsters don’t come down.”
Unlike Seraphila, which was an island nation, Marzen was a mountainous country with mines in each mountain range, famous for metals and gems. Due to the nature of the two countries frequently trading expensive gem crafts, the safety of the trade route was prioritized above all else, so it was difficult to see monsters on this road.
Aw. What the heck. Disappointed, Rowy grumbled. Demons and monsters, anyway. At the consistent taste, Van laughed quietly from behind.
“It’s boring.”
Immediately losing interest at the news that there were no monsters, Rowy went limp and relaxed his body. Van, who had firmly secured Rowy’s waist with one hand, slowly guided the horse.
Clip-clop, clip-clop… On top of the slowly moving horse, Rowy yawned softly. Even without monsters… it wasn’t bad. It was literally a peaceful journey. If this kind of road continued, he might even fall asleep.
“Yawn. When do we arrive? Let’s go eat dessert.”
“We have to cross the mountain range. At this speed, we’ll probably arrive at the border in the evening.”
“I’ll ask Seilan about dessert shops later.”
“Yes.”
Exchanging conversation without much substance, the two headed smoothly toward Marzen.
* * *
The party entered Marzen around evening as expected. By the time they arrived at Ens, the capital, it was already late at night. Those who had made Rowy uncomfortable the entire way all left for the trading company building, and finally only Rowy, Van, and Seilan remained.
‘If I had my way, I’d want to send Seilan away too.’
But I can’t ignore the Duke’s orders either… Rowy’s face remained sulky, still upset. Van took care of Rowy and followed behind Seilan. The place where the three of them settled was an inn that Seilan stopped at whenever he came to Marzen because the food was excellent.
“It’s really delicious.”
“Right?”
It was indeed as Seilan had said. Rowy’s eyes widened as he tasted this and that. Van inwardly sighed in relief at the sight of him eating diligently as if he’d never grumbled.
“Here, eat slowly. Try this too.”
“Mm. You eat too.”
The sight of them sitting close together and being lovey-dovey was an eyesore. Whether those two did that or not, Seilan, sitting across from them, just gulped down the freshly poured beer.
“Ahhh, I feel alive. Rowy, aren’t you drinking? Should I order you some wine?”
“Master doesn’t drink alcohol.”
“Why are you answering?”
“Master, you won’t drink, right?”
“…Mm.”
Rowy nodded vacantly and buried his face in the food again. Van, who had looked at Rowy contentedly, turned his head and glared at Seilan.
“Don’t recommend things that aren’t even good for his health.”
“…It’s my fault for thinking of eating with you two.”
In a situation where his appetite had completely disappeared, Seilan shook his head. He wanted to leave the two of them alone and just take off right away, but… no matter what, it was the Duke’s order, so he had to at least pretend to accompany them. Seilan, who had sighed, asked.
“So, what are you going to do now? Are you planning to go straight to the temple tomorrow?”
“Yes. That’s the plan.”
“This exorcism thing, does the Head Priest do it?”
At that question, Van nodded his head. After the demon was extinguished, Rowy had fewer instances of complaining of headaches or suddenly crying all night. However, his memories still hadn’t properly returned. The curse hadn’t been completely lifted. Rowy needed a more powerful exorcism. And when it came to that, the Head Priest was the top expert.
“Hmm, then we’ll need to make a reservation in advance.”
“Pardon?”
“The Head Priest is very popular, so it’s not easy to get a reservation.”
At the incomprehensible words, Van made a puzzled expression. Popular, what does that mean? Seeing Van’s reaction, Seilan added an explanation.
“Ah, you’ve been away from the temple for a long time, so you wouldn’t know. The Elysion Temple has become quite a famous tourist spot now. The talismans drawn by the Head Priest are effective, so they’re the most popular.”
……? He draws talismans? The Head Priest?
“Then since we’re going anyway, do you want to go together during the guided tour time tomorrow?”
…There are guided tours too?
Just what on earth was happening at the Elysion Temple? Van looked at Seilan with trembling eyes.
