“Vice-Captain.”
“…….”
“Vice-Captain.”
“…….”
When there was no response even after calling him twice, which was unusual, Dwyne looked at Edner with a puzzled expression.
What could he be thinking about so deeply?
“Vice-Captain.”
“…Hm? Ah, what is it?”
When Dwyne called him once more, Edner finally raised his head.
“The additional mercenaries we requested have arrived. They say they’re locals from here. Still, their skills are reliable.”
“…….”
However, even at Dwyne’s words, Edner’s reaction remained subdued. Dwyne looked at Edner with bewildered eyes.
“What are you thinking about so much? Hasn’t the permission to use the transfer magic circle already been approved? We’ve replenished our personnel too, so even if monsters swarm again, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
Edner slowly nodded his head. Dwyne was right. In the end, they hadn’t been able to uncover the cause of this strange monster rampage, but the monsters couldn’t enter inside the border where the protective barrier was erected anyway. So Edner just needed to safely escort Rowy to Banayl. The mission had become a bit more complicated, but it was still under Edner’s control. However….
‘Why do I feel so uneasy about something….’
Edner unconsciously began rolling a coin with his fingers.
“Come to think of it, did you find out what that coin is?”
“The coin?”
“Yes? The one you’re holding in your hand. The coin you found in the cave in the Penter Mountains.”
“…….”
At those words, Edner looked at his own hand. Just as Dwyne said, Edner was indeed holding a coin in his hand. A coin with a goat clearly engraved on it. This is….
“…This seems to be nothing important.”
“I thought so too?”
At those words, Dwyne nodded and stood up.
“Then I’ll go check on the other guys. There’s a lot to prepare before we depart. Oh, right. Where is Lord Rowy? I don’t see his escort either.”
“…He said he was going to have cake.”
“Ah.”
A date or something like that…. Dwyne made a lukewarm expression, gave his regards, and left through the door.
* * *
Unlike the others who had assigned tasks, Rowy and Van, who had nothing particular to do, were enjoying their stay in Velstra to the fullest. Today as well, the two tasted all the cakes in a dessert shop, and on a whim, even stopped by a cheese fondue restaurant famous in Velstra before returning late.
“You’re late. If you’d been any later, I was about to go looking for you right away.”
Kyle approached the two entering the inn with a mischievous smile. Then he suddenly leaned down and whispered in Rowy’s ear.
“Actually, the Vice-Captain told me to go look for you earlier, but I stopped him.”
So you could go on a date. Having said that, Kyle winked with one eye. Rowy openly ignored Kyle.
“Has the departure date been set?”
Van, who had noticed the bustling atmosphere of the inn, asked. At those words, Kyle, who had been continuously winking and teasing Rowy, straightened up and looked at Van.
“That’s right. The permission came through quickly. We’re scheduled to depart in three days. Lord Rowy, please prepare as well.”
“Will we use the transfer magic circle in Banayl?”
“Yes. If we arrive at Banayl without incident, we’ll reach the Empire in no time. It’s been a while since you’ve been to the Empire, hasn’t it?”
Rowy nodded his head. He had said he didn’t particularly want to go to the Empire, but somehow Rowy looked excited. Of course, it absolutely wasn’t because returning to the Empire was good… Rowy spoke with a voice full of anticipation.
“It’ll be my first time using a transfer magic circle.”
“Hm? Ah, I suppose it would be.”
Two years ago, when going down to Seraphila, the Crown Prince’s fury had been tremendous, so Rowy hadn’t even dreamed of using a transfer magic circle. So this time he had been secretly looking forward to it… who would have thought he’d get to use a transfer magic circle in Banayl, not Norbel. Since Banayl didn’t have very good relations with the Empire, this might be Rowy’s first and last chance.
“I’ve wanted to ride one so badly.”
Rowy said with an excited voice.
“We’re departing in three days? Why not leave right away tomorrow? Then when will we arrive?”
“The permission to use the transfer magic circle has been granted, but we still have some leeway until that date. Since what happened before, I think he wants to prepare more thoroughly before departing.”
“When are we leaving three days from now?”
“Probably sometime in the morning?”
“Then when do we arrive? When do we arrive?”
The excited Rowy suddenly began pouring out questions. Kyle answered in bewilderment.
“Uh, probably if nothing happens, we’ll arrive in about four or five days….”
Velstra, completely surrounded by the Penter Mountains, required crossing the mountain range no matter which country you were heading to.
“Still, the path to Banayl isn’t too rough in terms of terrain, so it will probably be much more comfortable than before.”
“Mmm, I want to ride it soon….”
Rowy’s voice was full of excitement. Kyle looked at Rowy with a renewed expression.
‘Geez, when you see things like this, he’s really just a child.’
Anyone from the Irad Duchy knew of Rowy’s infamy… but whether it was unfortunate or fortunate for Kyle, his post had always been different, so this was his first time directly encountering Rowy. And the Rowy he actually saw….
‘They called him a demon and whatnot… but what he does is actually kind of cute.’
Kyle burst out laughing inwardly. No matter how he looked at it, it seemed people had given a child a terrible nickname. …Especially when he’s a child with such a pitiful past.
‘No, I shouldn’t even think about that matter.’
Bringing up stories about Rowy’s past in the ducal family was absolutely taboo. Kyle, who hurriedly shook off the thoughts that had come to mind, impulsively said.
“Lord Rowy.”
“Mmm?”
“When you return to the estate. If anyone bothers you, please tell me. I’ll scold them for you.”
“…….”
…Who are you to scold them for me? Rowy stared blankly at Kyle.
* * *
“Come here. You’re tired, aren’t you?”
“Mmm.”
Having returned to the room and finished bathing in warm water, Rowy blinked his drowsy eyes and answered sluggishly. Van laid Rowy on the bed and took the spot next to him, using his arm as a pillow for Rowy. Then Rowy naturally burrowed into his embrace. The arms that hugged tightly around his waist were a bonus.
‘Now he snuggles up so naturally.’
Since last night, Rowy’s physical affection had become even more uninhibited. Van’s face wore a pleased smile at the feeling that they had truly become a special relationship. But soon his face hardened at a thought that came to mind.
“No, really. Who does he think he is to say he’ll scold someone or not?”
“Mmm?”
What’s this about now? Rowy looked at Van with a bewildered expression as he suddenly got angry. Van grabbed Rowy’s shoulders and asked in a serious voice.
“Are you close with Sir Kyle?”
“Who’s Kyle?”
“…….”
“What, what is it?”
“Haah….”
Seeing Rowy still not understanding the situation and tilting his head in confusion, Van let out a big sigh.
“Why are you like this?”
“…Never mind. Go to sleep.”
“What….”
Having completely lost his momentum after seeing Rowy didn’t even know who Kyle was, Van just patted Rowy’s back. Rowy had no thoughts about it as usual, so he felt like he alone was acting childishly for no reason. However….
‘If anyone bothers you, please tell me. I’ll scold them for you.’
Van’s expression darkened as he recalled what Kyle had said earlier.
Van also wanted to say something so confidently to Rowy, who made a tearful face about not wanting to go to the Empire. That if there was anyone bothering him, he would scold them. That he would make it so no one could treat Rowy carelessly.
‘But… who can a slave protect and who can a slave scold.’
Van’s face darkened even more. Rowy, who had been quietly nestled in Van’s embrace, saw that Van’s expression was still not good and asked again.
“What’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?”
“No….”
“Then why?”
“…….”
Van, who had been hesitating to answer for a moment, spoke to Rowy in a small voice.
“When we go to the Empire. You’re going to the ducal family, right?”
“Mmm? That’s right.”
“…I’m a little nervous.”
“About what?”
“I’m a slave… if the noble lords and ladies don’t like me….”
Rowy chuckled softly at the awkward phrase “noble lords and ladies.” Then he grabbed the face of Van, who still had a gloomy expression, and made eye contact with him.
“What are you worried about when I’m next to you? Still, if anyone says anything, tell me.”
“…….”
“Got it?”
“…Then.”
“Hm?”
“Can we get married?”
“…….”
Rowy pretended not to hear and closed his eyes.
