Chapter 6

Kathrine's mother, after a bout of excitement, returned to her room to prepare for the journey. The destination this time was the Duke Kokatsu's Kokatsu City... to be honest, it's a town that doesn't appear in the game, so I have no idea what it's like. All I know is that it takes three days by carriage from Grifield in the Akogu territory where I live.

"Kokatsu territory, huh. Come to think of it, it's the season when Soulflies appear in the Necromancer's Forest."

Mikke appeared, letting out a light sigh.

By the way, Soulflies are a type of firefly. They look gross but aren't monsters. They are thought to be possessed by the souls of the dead because the pattern on their backs resembles a human face.

"The Necromancer's Forest... huh, it's in Kokatsu territory?"

To be honest, it's a bit embarrassing, but there's a mid-boss in the game. His name is Rokumasu, which should not be read as 'romance' because it sounds cute. More embarrassingly, Rokumasu has attributes of light, darkness, earth, water, fire, and wind.

Please don't ask the development team why they appear in order of weakness or why the items needed to defeat the bosses are conveniently obtained... balance adjustments are necessary in games.

"Kokatsu territory, huh. You know the Necromancer's Forest but not Kokatsu territory? That's weird."

Which is weirder, the fake Kansai dialect-speaking calico cat deity or the one-year-old with an old man inside?

"One of the Rokumasu, the Duke of Darkness, Tenebrous, has a castle in the Necromancer's Forest."

Tenebrous is a vampire who leads the undead. He wears a suit and calls himself a duke, but he's definitely not Dracula... the latter is based on a historical figure and is a hero in the area, so various considerations are needed.

"Duke Tenebrous... what a nostalgic name."

Tenebrous is a noble who sold his soul to the demons. He was around even in the time of the previous Demon King, so it's not surprising that Mikke knows his name. But how long do deity messengers live?

"Rokumasu... if they revive, I'll just leave it to the protagonist."

I'll think of a strategy because it's my duty as a noble, but there's no way I can beat such a monster. I'll just hype up the protagonist and the heroine! Since I'm a noble now, I might as well give them the traditional wooden stick and a little money.

"Still, your mom was pretty excited, huh?"

"It's been a while since she's been home, so it can't be helped."

According to the maids, Kathrine's mother came to the Akogu family at 15, gave birth to me at 16, and is now 17. In Japan, she'd still be in high school... Alan, you should be ashamed.

"Isn't this home?"

"To Kathrine's mother, the Akogu family is not home but away... some people are even openly rude to her."

Well, from the perspective of the Akogu family, Kathrine's mother was a bride forced to marry into the Kokatsu family. Moreover, it's unreasonable to expect a woman raised in luxury to handle housework and the duties of a wife.

"Doesn't Alan say anything?"

"Maybe because the main cause is Alan's mother... Alan hasn't seen Kathrine's mother much since I was born, so he might not even realize it."

Alan's mother, who is my grandmother, is Adeline Akogu. But I haven't met her yet. Rumor has it that she doesn't like that I resemble Kathrine's mother. Also, Lumia seems to be pregnant, and Alan is even more attached to her now.

"A mother-in-law and daughter-in-law problem... even if it were Alan, he'd want to run away."

"Kathrine's mother is from the Duke Kokatsu family. As a lord, you need to handle her well. If you want to live for love, you at least need the protection of the Duke Kokatsu family."

If the current situation gets to Lauren Kokatsu's ears, it will be a big problem. No, it's possible that Lauren anticipated this and sent Kathrine's mother as a bride.

"Isn't it sad to have such a relationship with your father?"

"I received more than enough love from my parents in my previous life, so I'm fine. As a man, I might be inferior to Alan, but as a father and a family man, Alan can't compare."

My father was a cook who prepared hospital meals. His broad and reliable back as he left for work on cold winter mornings is still etched in my mind.

"What wonderful parents... that's why you still call her Kathrine's mother?"

"Of course, it's hard to call a younger girl 'mother.' I also have a duty to my real mother."

As we were talking, the door to the room was opened forcefully.

"George, let's choose your clothes for tomorrow."

It was Kathrine's mother, looking excited.

"Mom, you're the best!"

I dashed and clung to Kathrine's mother. After all, she is one of the few allies in the Akogu family. What's wrong with flattering her!?

"Hey!! Give me back my emotional moment!!"

And Mikke, as usual, pointed it out telepathically.

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To be honest, this is my first time going out since I was reincarnated. Until now, I wasn't even allowed to go into the garden.

"Finally, I can breathe the air of the outside world."

By going out, I'll be able to see the differences from the game.

"Do you feel like a prisoner about to be released... but not being allowed to step outside at all is quite overprotective, isn't it?"

"Don't say that. If something happens to me, someone has to take responsibility. If I catch a cold and develop pneumonia, it would be a big problem."

I am the son of the Akogu family and the Kokatsu family, so I am a 'boxed son' rather than a 'boxed daughter.' Extra care is taken for my safety and health.

"Hmm, is that so?"

Because there were people around, Mikke spoke to me telepathically... his smirking face was annoying.

"One guard knight? Seriously?"

The guard knight is a young man with a refreshing smile.

By the way, Alan didn't even come to see us off. The only consolation is that the carriage is impressive. It may not look flashy, but it's made of high-quality materials.

"Wow, this carriage is amazing!! Various magic stones are used without hesitation. It has shock absorption, increased defense, and even fire resistance. To bring out such a carriage, you must have reconsidered Alan a bit, right?"

"Look closely. The crest on the carriage is a silver wolf holding a staff... this is the Duke Kokatsu family's carriage."

The Akogu family's carriage, parked nearby, looks flashy but is designed to transmit shock directly to the buttocks, so I imagine the ride is terrible.

"Is that guard the only one?"

Kathrine's mother, understandably worried, confirmed with the guard knight.

"Yes, I'm the only one. But please rest assured. The virtue of Lord Alan is abundant here. No one would dare to attack Lady or George."

The guard knight smiled, showing his white teeth. His smile was clear and honest, indicating he was sane... but Kathrine's mother and I are two people who could be taken for ransom.

Should I take the time to teach the vassals some history? Many rulers have fallen by believing in their own dignity... I will win the hearts of the people by providing safety and a comfortable life. I have zero charisma.

"That husband of hers..."

Kathrine's mother must have been expecting a story of a couple parting with regret.

"Lord Alan left early in the morning for combat training. He is a model knight, dedicating himself to training even in times of peace."

Yes, a model knight, not a model lord. Training costs money, yet he wastes it.

It's a good thing the shock-absorbing magic stones are working. Grifield's roads are incredibly bumpy.

(Is this intentionally made bumpy to prevent enemy invasion? ... How does it help in a peaceful era to hinder circulation!!)

By the way, the guard knight is also the driver. The only others accompanying us are four maids assigned to Kathrine's mother.

(They're only peaceful in strange ways... it can't be intentional, right?)

Intentional?... I remember George has a younger sister by a year. Her name is Ami Akogu, one of the game's sub-heroines. There was a proposal to make both Ami and stepmother Lumia Akogu targets, but it was rejected. And since Lumia is pregnant, the baby's gender is still unknown.

"Mikke, can you check the border with Kokatsu territory?"

"You're rough with your deity messenger... what do you want me to check?"

I hope my prediction is wrong, but if it's right, it's too dangerous.

"Check if there are any suspiciously trained thieves. If you find any, please contact Lauren Kokatsu."

If I had the charisma to command or the hidden power to protect, I'd feel safer, but if I'm attacked, I'm just a helpless kid.