Chapter 3

The Mule Margrave's mansion was spacious, but compared to the mansions in the capital, it felt rather simple, or perhaps rugged and sturdy.

In the parlor, a huge stuffed bear was displayed, with a presence that seemed ready to pounce at any moment. Wouldn't an ordinary person faint at the sight of this? ... Or is it okay to have such a thing in the parlor?

As the sound of heavy footsteps approached, the door to the room opened, and there stood the Margrave of Mule, just as I remembered him—no, not the Berserker, but the Margrave of Mule.

"Raji! I didn't think you'd really come to visit my territory! That's great. Where do you want to go? The dungeon? Should we crack down on those rough adventurers? Or perhaps to an unexplored secret place—"

"Father, please don't just state your own wishes..."

Standing beside him was Lady Mira. When I met her with Lady Eva, she seemed like a simple country girl, but now, she exuded a proper noble lady's aura.

Ah—right. It must be because she stopped calling him "Papa" and her manners have become more refined.

"O-Oh... Right. Thank you for coming all this way. So, what brings you here? I thought you'd be in the Holy Capital for a while, considering all the trouble you caused. But it seems the Holy Capital is busy with neighboring countries right now."

Hearing this, I realized something. This man knows almost nothing about what happened in the Lev Magic Empire.

"—First of all, I am honored to be able to meet you despite my sudden visit, Margrave of Mule."

"Such formalities—"

"Lord Raji is a guest personally recognized by the head of the household. You are welcome to visit anytime."

Lady Mira, after performing a simple noble's bow, glared at her father standing beside her. The Berserker flinched.

With Lady Mira here, the Margrave's territory will be safe.

"I have come today with a significant request and to explain what has happened in the Lev Magic Empire."

As I spoke, the Margrave's eyes, which had been flustered by his daughter, changed.

"... You, are you involved in that? If so, I need to hear your story. Sit down—call my vassals."

The spacious parlor suddenly felt cramped with the addition of five muscular men and women. However, once I finished my story, everyone fell silent, deep in thought. I told them everything, omitting some details about Asha and the pact, but I did explain about the "underworld" and the arrival of the Dark Elves and the Underdwellers.

"... Raji, first, about your 'request,' there's no problem. After all, we have plenty of land here."

"Sir, but the food supply in the territory is not abundant. Adding thousands more—"

"Hold on."

The Margrave raised his hand to stop him.

My concern was whether my "request" would be accepted—both legally and in terms of food supply. If it was difficult, I had considered buying food temporarily and looking for other land.

"Raji, from what you said, those Dark Elves have extremely high combat power, right?"

"... Yes, I suppose so."

Ah, this doesn't seem to be going well. The Margrave's eyes are gleaming.

"Then, let them hunt monsters. Meat won't be a problem. And you know, if we can produce something famous in our territory, we might make some money."

"Father, are you thinking of processing and exporting monster meat?"

"That's right, that's right. Let's show those who mock us as a border territory some delicious meat."

Then, the vassals, except for Lady Mira, started giving their opinions. It seems the Margrave's territory has a lot of wildlife, but it hasn't been fully utilized. Strong adventurers focus on dungeon exploration and rare monsters or plants, not on "stable monster hunting." The soldiers of the Margrave's territory only go out when the towns are in danger, and the round trip takes too long to be considered "stable monster hunting." They want to entrust this "stable monster hunting" to the Dark Elves.

I raised my hand.

"Um, just to clarify, the Dark Elves will be happy. The Underdwellers also have higher combat power than regular soldiers, so they should be useful."

The Underdwellers have fought the vicious monsters of the "underworld" without any innate advantages, so they are strong. The Dark Elves are exceptionally strong as well. But I might have said too much.

"Sir, shouldn't we be a bit more cautious about what this child says?"

The vassals looked at me suspiciously.

"From what I've heard, he looks like a child. I can't imagine him being strong."

I could hear Lady Mira, who is two years younger, mutter, "If Raji is a child, what does that make me..." but the agitated vassals didn't notice.

"That's right. Besides, just because he fought alongside the Holy King, he doesn't need any special treatment. There's no need to do more than that."

"A child's word about 'strength' can't be trusted."

"Right, right," voices chimed in.

"... R-Right, Raji?"

The Margrave, making a finger gun shape and placing it under his chin, asked. I had a bad feeling.

"Margrave of Mule. As I've been saying, time is of the essence. If you agree to accept the Dark Elves and the Underdwellers, I want to go to the Lev Magic Empire immediately."

"Oh, oh, right."

The Margrave clapped his knees dramatically. What is he up to?

"Mira, ah, when is the regular ship from the Holy Capital?"

Lady Mira, looking startled, replied,

"Two days from now, the day after tomorrow."

"That's right, that's right. —Raji, the day after tomorrow, a magic flying ship will travel between the Holy Capital and this Margrave's territory. It's an old model, but it can carry cargo, and it will take you half the time to reach the Holy Capital compared to traveling by horse."

"!"

It apparently takes two months to travel from here to the Lev Magic Empire by horse, even on the shortest route. But with the magic flying ship, it would take about a month, even via the Holy Capital.

"May I use it?"

"Sure. But, are you free today and tomorrow?"

This time, I was the one who was startled.

"Then, let's have a match."

Six young men and women, still in their teens, cracked their knuckles and necks as they stood up, and Lady Mira put her hand to her face, sighing deeply.

The grown-up Lady Mira and the unchanged Margrave.