Chapter 74

Without thinking, I jumped onto the returning carriage.

Sightseeing in town? Visiting people? I didn’t care. Liz, Liz, Liz.

After securing the bare minimum of food supplies, I jumped onto the last carriage.

For two days, I must have looked quite strange to those around me, as I was constantly anxious.

I arrived at the village when it was quite dark.

Jumping off the carriage, I hurried home.

The moment I knocked on the door and saw Liz’s puzzled face, my emotions exploded.

“Liz, Liz, Liz, I’m sorry, Liz...”

I didn’t know what to say. I just kept apologizing and repeating Liz’s name.

“I don’t know what happened... It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Liz slowly hugged me back and patted my back until I calmed down.

Once I had calmed down a bit and peeked inside, both of us were frozen in shock.

Well, it’s not every day that a grown man starts crying in front of his house.

“I betrayed Liz a little. It was out of self-reproach. I’ve let it go now, and I won’t make the same mistake again.”

After saying that, I sat down at the dining table. The meal had already started. Tisha hurried to prepare more food.

However, I hadn’t eaten any of the preserved food on the way back, so I decided to eat that. I had been too anxious to even think about eating.

While listening to the details of the past two days, we chatted.

When the conversation settled down, I brought up the matter of the baron that Norwe had mentioned.

“I spoke with the viscount. The conclusion is that he wants me to become a baron and start a new village.”

The three of us were speechless. It’s understandable; I still can’t fully believe it myself.

“If Liz wants it, I’m considering accepting this offer. Can you give us your blessing?”

With a serious expression, I looked at Ast. He was also bewildered by the unexpected proposal, but he was thinking about his daughter’s struggles.

Logically, starting a new village is a heavy responsibility and hard work. It’s impossible for Liz to just sit next to the person in charge.

As a baroness, there’s a lot she would have to do. It’s a different kind of heavy responsibility compared to being a hunter or a farmer.

After much deliberation, he squeezed out his words with a pained expression.

“Liz’s life is her own. But please protect her as much as you can.”

I can’t truly understand the feelings of a parent sending their daughter off to marriage. I never had children, even after my divorce. I thought that one day I might come to understand this pain.

“I’ve already made up my mind. I’m going to walk with Hiro. After all, I can’t be a hunter forever, right? And my husband is a noble. But that’s not all.”

Liz said this matter-of-factly. The atmosphere lightened a bit.

“I see... I see... I see..."

Ast remained silent, his face set in a thoughtful expression.

Given the choice I made back then, I can’t really say anything. But I promised to work hard so that the two of us can have a happy life and walk together.

After finishing the meal, I quickly cleaned myself. Honestly, I had planned to stay at an inn in town, so I was wearing the same clothes. My body felt disgusting.

Tisha tried to prepare a bath, but I declined and used my water magic to fill a basin with hot water.

During the journey, I had practiced water magic endlessly because I was bored, and I finally managed to fill a basin with hot water, similar to a bath.

I felt happy about saving the cost of firewood.

After doing the laundry and preparing the bed, Liz visited.

“I was surprised. You suddenly came back and started talking about becoming a baron. I thought something had happened.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t explain the details, but I betrayed Liz. I rushed back to apologize first.”

“Hmm... Are you reflecting on it?”

“I am. I won’t think about Liz’s happiness alone anymore.”

“You’re such an idiot... Are you still saying that? You didn’t understand what I said back then at all!”

“Yes, you’re right..."

After that, I was scolded for a long time. Well, it was to be expected.

But I’m grateful that I can be scolded like this. I need to work hard so that I don’t lose this again.

“So, when do you need to reply to the viscount?”

“The national budget planning starts at the end of the year. We need to reply a month before that, or we won’t have a say.”

“That means we only have about a month and a half, right...”

“Yeah...”

Right, I came here in mid-September, and after dealing with the goblins and the aftermath, it’s now mid-October.

“What are you going to do?”

“If becoming a baron is decided, just replying will be enough for now.”

“What about the rest?”

“Well, the viscount, or rather, the viscount will be my guardian, but I also want to approach the duke above him?”

“You know him?”

“No, but I want to increase the number of allies during the budget planning. Tomorrow is a day off, right? I’ll prepare a bit.”

“Prepare? What for?”

“It’s a secret. It won’t be fun if I tell you.”

Liz looked displeased but flopped onto the bed.

“Dad said that, but I trust Hiro. You know?”

Even if you say that, a parent can’t stay calm when thinking about their daughter’s struggles.

“Besides, I’m going to live and walk together with you. Happiness is only at the end. Be prepared, okay?”

Hearing that, I realized how strong women are and felt embarrassed about my own worries.

Wrapping myself in the long-missed futon and feeling the warmth next to me, I remembered the anxiety from that time and realized how much I cared.

Feeling relieved, or maybe just tired from the journey, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.

Drowsily listening to the sounds outside the window, I thought, the insects are getting louder. It’s already winter. I have a lot to think about.