Chapter 96

As summer vacation approached, I was summoned to the castle.

I was led to the usual reception room and spent the waiting time enjoying the refined-scented tea that had been prepared.

Before long, the king, Duke Eric, and Chancellor Magna entered the reception room. Cain tried to stand up, but the king gestured for him to stay seated.

"Cain, I kept you waiting. It's fine to stay as you are."

The king then sat in his usual central seat, with Eric and Magna taking their places on either side.

"Regarding the matter of the Holy Maiden we discussed earlier, we now know when she will be arriving. I would like you to go to the border town of Silvesta, which is part of the Marinfort Kingdom, to welcome her. Magna will provide the details."

Cain nodded in acknowledgment, and Magna began his explanation.

Silvesta is located five days' travel southeast of the capital and is governed by Baron Ragnar von Ruest Silvesta. Due to its proximity to the Marinfort Kingdom, it has a large number of devout Marinfort believers and is famous for its wine production, which is exported to other countries.

Cain was told that the wine he had procured for the debutante ball in the capital was also from Silvesta. Of course, for Cain, who was still underage and had not yet consumed alcohol, this information was not particularly meaningful.

"Arrival in Silvesta is scheduled within ten days after the start of the school's summer vacation. We would like you to enter Silvesta a bit earlier and prepare with Ragnar. However..."

Magna glanced at the king, looking a bit uncomfortable. Sensing this, the king began to elaborate.

"Ragnar is also a devout Marinfort believer. He might go a bit too far, so it would be helpful if you could keep him in check. He's not a bad person, but..."

The king explained with a grimace.

For a devout believer, the Holy Maiden is considered a messenger of God, and to contradict her is tantamount to defying God.

Cain listened, sensing that he would be getting involved in another troublesome situation.

"By the way, to stop Ragnar, you are a viscount, while he is a baron. You might not be able to stop him. So, I will give you this."

On the table was a noble's certificate made of platinum, clearly more luxurious than the viscount's certificate Cain already had. However, the emblem on the certificate was the same as the flag of the Esfort Kingdom. Indeed, it was the emblem of the royal family.

"This is a certificate that can be held by members of the royal family or their representatives. I would like you to act as a representative of the royal family. With this, you should be able to stop Ragnar if he goes too far... I hope so..."

"Shouldn't Silk hold this certificate...?"

Since the Holy Maiden is a woman, Silk would naturally have more interaction with her. If Silk had the authority, Cain could focus on his role as a bodyguard.

"That won't do. Only the head of a noble family can hold this certificate. The authority is not delegated to family members."

The king rejected Cain's suggestion. Indeed, while noble family members are treated as quasi-nobles, they do not have the authority of the head of the family, and they are not allowed to hold the royal family's emblem.

"Understood. I will take good care of it."

Cain took the royal family's certificate from the table and stored it in his item box.

"Then, I leave it to you."

With those words, the three left the room. Cain, left alone in the reception room, looked up at the sky.

"I can only pray that nothing happens..."

◇ ◇ ◇

The day before the start of summer vacation arrived. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a two-month break from school, and Cain was set to travel to Silvesta with Silk to welcome the Holy Maiden.

"Cain-sama and Silk traveling alone together..."

Therese was in a slightly bad mood in the classroom on the last day of school. Of course, the reason was that Cain and Silk were going on a trip together to welcome the Holy Maiden.

She had repeatedly petitioned the king to allow her to accompany them, but as a princess, it was not appropriate for her to go, and her request was denied.

"Hehe, don't worry. We'll be back soon. Therese, wait for us at the castle!"

Unlike Therese, Silk was in a good mood as she said this.

Her beaming smile only made Therese more irritable.

"It's not a trip! It's a noble's duty! We'll be back as soon as we welcome her. I'll buy souvenirs if I find something suitable!"

It took some effort to reassure Therese. Hearing about souvenirs, Therese's expression gradually softened.

"Cain-sama, it's a promise, okay? Don't forget."

Cain nodded repeatedly in response to Therese's words.

◇ ◇ ◇

The first day of summer vacation. Several carriages were prepared in front of the castle, and the attendants and guard knights were busy with preparations.

Cain did not yet have his own dedicated guard knight, so the guard knights for the Holy Maiden's welcome were dispatched from the Royal Guard.

Cain had stored all his luggage in his item box and was spending the time waiting for the preparations to be completed by drinking tea on the terrace, which had been served by a maid.

Therese was sitting next to him to see him off.

"I'll miss not seeing Cain-sama for a while..."

As they chatted, a carriage with the duke's emblem arrived at the castle. Silk, dressed for travel, got out of the carriage.

"Cain-kun, sorry to keep you waiting! It will take a little more time to get ready. Shall I have some tea too?"

Silk sat across from Cain and gestured to the maid, who immediately began preparing tea without a word.

"I wish I could go too... I envy Silk..."

Therese sipped her tea, still complaining about the king's refusal to let her go.

The conversation gradually picked up with three people, but a knight came to call them, indicating that the preparations were complete.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Everything is ready, so please come with us."

Prompted by the knight, Cain and Silk stood up and headed for the carriage.

The carriage they would ride in was a large, ten-passenger carriage prepared by the royal family. Four horses were harnessed, and the Royal Guard provided the driver and guards. The number of guards was twenty, more than usual, making the security extremely tight.

As they boarded the carriage, Duke Eric came to see them off.

"Cain-kun, Silk, I'm counting on you."

"Yes, of course."

"Got it."

They responded to Eric's words.

"Oh, and Cain-kun... No sleeping in the same room, okay?"

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

"What... What did you say!"

Therese was the one who reacted most strongly to Eric's words.

"Cain-sama sleeping in the same room with Silk... I haven't even done that with me, and he's going to do it first..."

Therese muttered, looking down.

Cain immediately denied it.

"Therese! That's not going to happen! Don't worry!"

"Ha! That's right... We haven't even announced our engagement, so sleeping in the same room is out of the question."

"That's right. We haven't even announced it, so that's not possible. Right, Silk? From Silk too—"

As he turned to Silk, she was looking down with a bright red face, muttering, "Sleeping in the same room with Cain-kun..."

"Hey, Silk! Come back to this world!"

Silk looked up, seemingly startled by Cain's words.

"Therese, don't worry. I won't sleep in the same room."

Her cheeks were still flushed, and it seemed her mind was already in a fantasy.

"Sorry, but it's time to go..."

A guard knight interjected, looking apologetic.

Cain looked around and saw that the preparations for departure were complete, and they were just waiting for his signal to leave.

"Ah, sorry. Come on, Silk, get in the carriage. Let's go once you're in."

Cain urged Silk to get in the carriage and followed her in.

"Then, let's go!"

With Cain's words, the lead guard moved forward, and the carriage followed.

Cain stuck his head out the window and waved to Therese.

"Therese, I'm off!"

"Cain-sama, be careful. I'll be waiting for you!"

Cain continued waving until Therese was out of sight.

And so, the carriage set off for the town of Silvesta.

Thank you for always reading.

The first revision for the book publication has been completed and submitted, and I have moved on to the new chapter.

I have been working on the latest story.

Until the next checkback, I plan to continue working on the next chapter.

Thank you for your continued support.