Chapter 84

The dormitory of the Royal Noble School of Sairyum in the study abroad destination did not seem to have very spacious rooms, so the amount of luggage one could bring was limited. Since essential living items were provided by the dormitory, one could only bring a few personal items.

A carriage loaded with Cain's school uniform, casual clothes, hobby items, and study materials was parked in front of the Elgrandark family's entrance. In front of the entrance, Dismaier, Elise, Dian, and the servants, including Ilvareno, were gathered to see Cain off.

"Remember to behave as a representative of the Limutbreak Kingdom. Make many friends and strive to become a bridge for future diplomatic relations."

"It's said that the winter there is colder. Take care of your health and do your best."

Dismaier and Elise encouraged Cain with these words and hugged him tightly in turn. Cain also wrapped his arms around their waists and hugged them back.

"Dian, I'll write to you. I'll come back every break. Please stay healthy and cheerful."

"Big brother, I'll write back. If my letters are late, I'll send you letters too. Bring back lots of souvenirs, okay?"

After exchanging words, Cain hugged Dian tightly, stroking her hair and burying his nose in it to sniff. After letting go of Dian, Cain looked for Ilvareno with his eyes. When their gazes met, Ilvareno nodded slowly. Cain nodded back, took a step back, and stood in front of the carriage.

"Father, Mother, Dian, I'm off. Please take care of the family."

Cain gave a gentleman's bow and climbed into the carriage. Palpantur followed and got in, and the carriage slowly started moving as the door closed. Cain stuck to the window, waving back to Dian, who was waving goodbye. The knights guarding the gate also waved as the carriage passed through.

The territory's knights had been completely replaced since Cain and Dian started behaving as a gentleman and a lady. They watched over Cain and Dian's morning and evening runs every day, but they had never done a high-five.

As the carriage started moving on the capital's road, Cain moved away from the window and sat deeply in the chair. Palpantur was sitting in the chair diagonally opposite.

No matter how mature he was, Cain was still only 12 years old. It would take 3 days to reach the border and 4 more days to reach the capital of Sairyum. Palpantur was accompanying him as a guardian.

"Seven days in total. It's quite a distance, even to a neighboring country."

From home to the neighboring country's capital in 7 days, and 14 days round trip. With only 2 days off on the weekend, it was impossible to come back. Cain muttered, wishing that transfer magic could be used more casually for long distances.

"The number of days includes using the carriage and staying overnight in safe inns. For example, if you change to faster horses and travel day and night, the one-way trip can be shortened to about 3 days."

Palpantur picked up on Cain's mutter and said this. A one-way trip of 3 days, which meant 2 days of continuous travel day and night, was quite a tough journey.

"Still, 6 days round trip."

"With a week off, you can spend one day at the Elgrandark mansion."

"When I get there, I'll check the calendar for holidays and such."

"That would be best."

Palpantur nodded slowly.

At the border, Palpantur presented the family crest and Cain's study abroad certificate, which he had received from Dismaier, and filled out the necessary documents. Cain, standing nearby, asked the border official about the procedures and documents needed for temporary returns during his study abroad, as well as the methods and time required to send letters across the border. Cain greeted the official politely, tilting his head and smiling, and the official, lowering his eyes, kindly answered all his questions.

After crossing the border, the language used in the inns was different. Palpantur, however, used the Rium language fluently and arranged the inn and meals without any problems.

"How many languages can you speak, Palpantur?"

"I can use all the languages of the countries adjacent to the Limutbreak Kingdom."

"That's amazing. Wouldn't it be better to work in the foreign affairs department at the royal castle instead of being a butler for a noble family?"

"Only nobles can work at the royal castle. Although I now bear the name of the Palpantur family, I was originally a commoner."

Cain's eyes widened at Palpantur's confession. It was the first time he had heard this. The Palpantur family was a marquis family. They did not have a territory but ran several jewelry stores in the capital and were wealthy. The accessory workshop where Selenosta lived and worked was a subcontractor for the Palpantur family's jewelry stores.

"Your manners and work are perfect. You always do everything before I ask, and Father can't do his work without you."

Cain wondered if Dismaier would be fine lending Palpantur to him for a month and a half.

"Despite appearances, Sir is a capable person. He is just a bit rigid."

Palpantur laughed and covered her mouth, as if recalling something.

"I was taken in by Sir and learned many things. I owe my current self to Sir. Sir realized that there were many things I couldn't do as a commoner and arranged for me to be adopted by the Palpantur family."

I have never met the Palpantur family, Palpantur added. If commoners could not work at the royal castle, then Dismaier's ability to assist him in the capital would have been limited. By giving Palpantur the status of a marquis family, Dismaier made it possible for him to accompany him to the royal castle.

"There's a saying, 'Even a bad law is a law.'"

"Cain-sama?"

Cain looked straight at Palpantur and spoke.

"A law that has no meaning, benefits only a few people, or is full of holes... even if it is a bad law, it must be followed as long as it is a law. Father thought that if commoners couldn't work at the royal castle, he would make them nobles. This is one way to follow the law."

"Yes, that's correct."

"It's strange that a person can remain the same even if their status is changed."

"Having a status means having a backing. It can serve as proof that one's character is guaranteed."

"It has nothing to do with a person's abilities. But just because a law has no meaning doesn't mean it doesn't have to be followed. Whether a law has meaning or not depends on one's position, time, and personal sensitivity. Like me and Palpantur now."

"Indeed."

"That's what 'Even a bad law is a law' means. ...But I want to take Ilvareno with me as Ilvareno. Even though he's an orphan and a commoner, I want to show how excellent he is and have him help me with my work."

Palpantur remembered that Cain had said he wouldn't join the knights or the mages, even if his sword skills or magic power were praised.

"Is that why you said you wanted to become a government official?"

"Yes. I'll study the laws of the neighboring country since I'm going there reluctantly."

Cain had said he wanted to change the laws. How old was he when he said he wanted to work in the Ministry of Justice? Dismaier, Elise, and even Palpantur had only thought, "He wants to follow in his father's footsteps."

Currently, only nobles can work at the royal castle, which is the Ministry of Justice. Moreover, to become a member of the Senate, one must inherit the Elgrandark family. Cain, being capable, could have done anything, even if he had run away from home or been disowned by Dismaier. He could have watched over Dian as a commoner. However, that would not have fulfilled Cain's true wish. He had to remain a noble for 6 years, even if it meant being away from Dian.

"Cain-sama, I heard that the Sairyum Royal Noble School has a system for skipping grades. I couldn't check the application method or conditions due to time constraints, but if you can prove that you have the necessary knowledge, it should be easy for you."

"Palpantur?"

"Also, there is a means of transportation using flying dragons in the neighboring country, though it is expensive. It is said that a 10-day journey by carriage can be completed in half a day. You might want to look into it once you settle in."

Palpantur suggested a way to return in less than 6 years, even giving hope that he might be able to return home on weekends. Cain looked at the middle-aged man sitting across from him with a complex expression, wondering if he should be happy or suspicious.

"Dismaier-sama is straightforward, honest, and stubborn. He was raised strictly by his father. Changing the rules... is something he would never consider. He even felt sick arranging for me to be adopted by the Palpantur family, considering it a backdoor method. There may be some aspects that don't align with Cain-sama's young sensitivity... but this is not a matter of disliking Cain-sama."

"I understand, Palpantur."

"However, I feel that 6 years is too long. Putting some distance is effective, but too much time will only increase the distance."

"I'm looking forward to your early return," Palpantur said with a smile.

After that, they quickly completed the enrollment and dormitory procedures upon arriving in the capital of the Sairyum Kingdom and hired local porters to move the luggage in a short time. Palpantur was indeed capable.

"Then, I'll be on my way. Take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Palpantur."

Cain watched Palpantur get into the carriage. As he was about to close the door, he paused and got one foot into the carriage, looking up at Palpantur.

"Take care of Ilvareno."

Palpantur smiled gently and nodded slowly.

"I'll train him to be the best butler."