Chapter 80

After that, we finished settling the accounts for the magical devices and went shopping again.

We bought expensive clothes and fabrics from the shops in the northern district, as well as tea leaves for making tea.

Mother Elna bought sugar and tea leaves in bulk, then took Father Nord into a clothing store again.

It must have been the umpteenth store we visited by now, as the afternoon wore on.

I don’t need fancy clothes, so this time I was allowed to rest on a bench outside the store. I’m not really interested anyway.

Yes, I was giving the couple some alone time. It’s not because I was tired or anything.

I wanted a drink, but there didn’t seem to be any stalls around.

Perhaps there aren’t many in the northern district, which is mostly inhabited by the wealthy. If there were, a cup of juice might cost a silver coin. In that case, it would be better to go to a café.

But I didn’t want to leave this spot.

As I sat on the bench, wondering what to do, a bell-like sound came from the clothing store.

Thinking the shopping was finally over, I lifted my head eagerly, only to see Mother Elna entering the next clothing store.

“Didn’t we just go into that one!?”

Did she hear my shout? Father Nord followed her into the store with a wry smile.

Why did she go back into the store we just left?

She made quick decisions when buying sugar and tea leaves, but why does it take so long to buy clothes?

She goes there, comes back, and goes there again. It feels like I’m patrolling the capital today.

Moreover, she expands her range of movement until she finds something she likes. It’s overwhelming.

I’ve heard that women get satisfaction from the process of looking around before buying. If that’s true, it’s terrifying.

It was past noon. Would this continue until evening…?

“…Finally finished.”

In the evening, as soon as we returned to the inn, I collapsed onto the fluffy sofa.

“…Yeah.”

Father Nord, who had been dragged around the most today, collapsed onto the sofa opposite me.

We buried our faces in the sofas and fell silent. We didn’t even have the energy to speak.

Mother Elna was currently checking the delivered luggage with the inn’s staff.

Would all that luggage fit on the cart? Especially the jars of sugar.

The return trip would be tough for the horses pulling the luggage.

And when we get back, Baltro will have a tough time too.

While thinking about these things, I closed my eyes, and the door to the room opened.

Perhaps because we were so tired, neither I nor Father Nord turned around.

Mother Elna was still checking the luggage, Mina couldn’t move after eating too much from the stalls, so it must be Sara.

The sound of dishes clinking and tea being poured.

Then, two cups of tea were placed on the table.

“…Thank you, Sara.”

Our muffled voices.

“…You’re welcome. Good work today.”

Sara, sensing our fatigue, quietly left the room.

We were both thirsty, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to drink until the tea cooled down.

◆

The next day, it was finally time to leave the capital.

Preparations had been made early in the morning, and the carriage was ready.

Our guards, Rumba and Gates, were also present. It had been a while since I saw them together.

Father Nord and the others only saw one of them when they went on party trips.

“Hey! Al! Did you see that?”

As soon as Rumba saw me, he came over.

Gates was helping to organize the luggage on the cart.

“I saw it! It was interesting in many ways! I even bought a book about it.”

“A book too! That’s great. It’s the child’s job to pass on the father’s achievements.”

We nodded and exchanged a dark smile.

“This carriage ride back will be fun.”

“Yeah. Actually, I secretly bought the famous Dragon Muffins.”

The Dragon Muffins are those. They were one of the things that helped Mother Elna and Father Nord bond at the theater.

They became popular thanks to the Dragon Slayer play and are now famous for the rumor that eating them with someone you like will bring you together.

I found the store when I explored a path Mother Elna had avoided.

“Let’s snack on them and chat.”

The carriage ride will be long, but it won’t be boring.

After that, we got into the carriage and left the capital.

We slowly made our way through the main street in the south, where various people and things gathered amidst the hustle and bustle.

Normally, I would feel nostalgic, but for me, it’s a place I can always come back to, so I don’t have any particular feelings.

Now, I just want to return to Coirat Village as soon as possible. I want to get back to the mansion and relax.

The carriage soon approached the southern gate.

On the first day, I was curious and ran out, but now I don’t do that.

There are predators lurking there. I don’t think anyone would willingly go there to be eaten.

When we went through the simple procedures to leave the gate, Father Nord didn’t get out of the carriage.

It was because the guards were the same short-haired and skinhead men from the first day.

“Please show me your noble emblem… and your physique.”

I couldn’t hear anything.

Father Nord showed the emblem on his notebook without getting out of the driver’s seat, stretching his hand as far as he could to keep some distance.

I don’t think he was that scared even when facing a dragon.

It seems this world is not for adventuring. If you do, you might not be able to return to your original place.

“I can’t see it clearly.”

“Ah!”

The short-haired guard, who said the emblem was too far, grabbed Father Nord’s hand to check the emblem.

It seemed more like he was checking Father Nord’s skin. Thoroughly.

“Is Mina’s stomach better now?”

“Yes, it’s fine. I overdid it yesterday.”

Mina, embarrassed, stuck out her tongue.

“You looked like a pregnant woman when you came back.”

“It was tough bringing her back.”

Sara’s voice made Mother Elna and the others laugh.

Outside, it was a crisis for her husband’s chastity, but inside the carriage, it was a warm atmosphere.

“Still as beautiful as ever. I’ve been on duty here for a while. If you’d like, there’s a good inn nearby.”

“No, no! We’re going home now! We won’t go!”

Speaking of which, the skinhead man was nowhere to be seen.

Thinking about it, I looked out the side window and saw the skinhead’s face right in front of me.

“Ah!”

I almost cast a spell, but I protected myself by closing the curtain.

My heart was pounding and my chest hurt.

After calming down a bit, I wanted to peek outside again but decided not to.

But I could still feel someone there, so he must still be there.

In the warm carriage, I was the only one trembling, and at the moment when Father Nord’s butt was about to be touched, an angelic voice came down.

“The cart is all checked! No problems!”

“Hey! I told you to take it easy!”

The short-haired guard yelled at the serious young man.

“Okay, let’s go, Lou!”

“Yes, sir!”

Lou, the driver, flicked the reins and urged the horses forward.

“Hey! Wait! I haven’t checked the butt yet!” the short-haired guard shouted, but we left the gate.

We escaped from the evil gate and left the capital.

◆

On the return trip, I talked a lot with Rumba and Gates about Father Nord and Mother Elna.

We ate Dragon Muffins while talking.

Every time I heard a story, I laughed out loud.

The more we got into it, the more our voices seemed to reach the carriage, and Father Nord scolded me several times.

Mother Elna confiscated the Dragon Muffins from me.

I think it’s harsh to be scolded just for having a good chat.

So, to pass the time, we set off fireworks, got scolded again, and were forbidden to go to the cart, and this went on for about seven days.

Finally, I returned to Coirat Village.

I could feel it as I sat next to Lou.

The vast nature and the clear air.

The peaceful atmosphere was incredibly soothing.

The capital is full of tall buildings and people, which is tiring.

While listening to the sound of the horses’ hooves, the flowing water, and the villagers plowing the fields, the carriage moved slowly.

Occasionally, villagers who noticed our return waved and called out, “Hey!” and I waved back with a smile.

Then, Asmo and Thor appeared from a distance and called out.

It had been about three weeks since I saw my mischievous friends, and I couldn’t help but smile at their energetic appearance.

“Hey, did you bring any souvenirs?”

“Give us some food from the capital!”

They said that without even welcoming us back. What a bunch of lowlifes.

“Yeah, I have some—”

I was about to say, “I have some!” but I suddenly stopped.

The food Asmo mentioned was fine. As I expected, I could share the food I bought.

But I had forgotten about Thor’s souvenir.

I thought he would be happy with a cheap sword, but I had forgotten about it because of the souvenirs for Emilia and Elinora, and the shopping with Mother Elna.

What should I do? If I don’t have a souvenir for him, he’ll definitely sulk.

I need to give him something, even a sword I find on the ground.

But there’s no way a sword would be lying around in the peaceful Coirat Village. What should I do?

—Lying around?

This word stuck in my mind.

I remember picking up a sword.

…That’s right! I remember now! I picked it up on the way!

—A goblin’s sword!

Yeah, that should be fine.

“Hey! No souvenirs!?”

My half-cut-off words made Thor anxious, and he called out again.

I replied with a bright voice.

“I have some! Both of you, look forward to it! I’ll come to Thor’s house tomorrow!”

It’s a goblin’s sword for Thor.

“Okay! Got it!”

After I said that, they turned around and walked away as if their business was done.

Hey, it’s been a while since I came back. That’s cold.

At least wave until the carriage is out of sight.

◆

As soon as the carriage arrived at the mansion, Baltro, Mel, Elinora, and Silvio came to greet us at the entrance.

“It’s been a while, kid!”

After greeting us with a noble bow, Baltro was the first to speak.

“It’s been a while, Baltro. I can’t wait to eat your cooking. I’m tired of the food in the capital and on the way.”

The taste of home is Baltro’s taste. The food in the capital isn’t bad, but I’d rather not eat it every day.

And there’s no rice.

“Did you buy that?”

That refers to the fire magical device that Baltro told me to get at all costs.

“Of course. It’s in the cart.”

“Wow! Really!”

Baltro, his large body bouncing, headed for the cart.

I’ll keep the fact that the price is a lot of sweets to myself for now.

“Hey, Mina, did you gain weight?”

“Eh!? N-no, it’s just my imagination!”

“You were eating a lot from the stalls. I think you gained about three kilograms.”

The maids were having a fun conversation, but it would be a disaster if a man joined in.

“Welcome back, Al.”

Silvio, with a refreshing smile, came over.

He’s the one who made me feel like a pin cushion by comparing me to other nobles at the social gathering.

Thinking about it, I felt like I could slap him.

Or a punch would be fine too.

“Welcome back! Silvio.”

“Al? Put down that dangerous hand. Your face and actions don’t match.”

Well, it’s fine. I have other plans to get back at Silvio.

“Silvio, have you become a bit more muscular?”

Silvio’s arms seemed a bit more muscular.

When I asked, Silvio answered with a withered expression.

“…Al, do you know what Elinora would do if Nord and Al weren’t around?”

“…Silvio, I’m sorry for being late…”

Silvio and I, tears streaming down our faces, hugged each other.

It must have been tough. It must have been a long time.

Three weeks of training with Elinora…

Even I, who would usually use Silvio as a shield to escape, felt sympathy.

“What are you two hugging for?”

My sister’s voice, which I hadn’t heard in a while.

I tried to keep my back straight, but I couldn’t.

It’s okay, I haven’t been trained yet.

“Ah, Elinora. Welcome back. If you want a souvenir from the capital, it’s in my pouch—”

“Three weeks, sword training in the capital?”

“…”

No welcome back?

“Sword training?”

“…No.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Elinora’s white hand grabbed my arm, and I was pulled along.

“Hey, Al?”

“What?”

What now? If she says, “Let’s do it seriously today,” I’ll use a transfer to escape.

“…Welcome back.”

“…Welcome back!”

◆

After that, it goes without saying that I was beaten up in training.

If you like, please give me a point rating!

The capital is mostly over now.

The third princess, Alesia, Raa, and Bram will appear again.

For now, I’ll return to a peaceful life.

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