Chapter 27

A few days later, Laila was wearing a dress for going out.

It wasn't for a formal event but for a business trip to a provincial city, so it was just a slightly more stylish version of a dress that ordinary women would wear. Since she would have to walk a bit, she chose short boots with low heels and a small hat that sat atop her head and was secured with hairpins.

(Now that I think about it, this is the first time we're all going out together...)

Vernele and Helka, who usually wore robes as their uniforms at the magic research institute, had changed into jackets and slacks, and dresses that seemed easier to move in than usual. However, it seemed that some proof of their affiliation with the institute was necessary, so they were wearing mantles with the institute's emblem over their outfits.

Julius was dressed in his winter civilian clothes, but the new gray jacket that had arrived recently fit his figure perfectly. The sight of his tied hair hanging over his shoulder was quite picturesque.

After Julius and Vernele gave instructions to the magician on duty, it was time to set off.

"... There's no horse for the carriage."

"You don't need one. We're going to fly."

"Huh?"

In front of the mansion, the Baltzsek family's carriage, adorned with their coat of arms, had no horses attached. There was no driver either, and Laila was wondering what was going on when she blinked at Julius's words.

(Fly...?)

"Are we flying? The carriage?"

"Yeah, it's faster and more romantic, I think."

Julius, laughing, took Laila's hand and led her to the carriage. Helka, carrying their luggage, followed, and Vernele sat on the driver's seat.

(Using magic to fly? But the carriage looks so heavy...)

The carriage itself was heavy, and with the added weight of four people, it would be quite a load. Laila was fidgeting, holding onto the window frame and looking outside, but when Vernele announced the departure from the driver's seat, Julius and Helka raised their hands, and a warm breeze filled the carriage.

And then—

"Wow, it's floating!?"

The heavy carriage rose smoothly, passing over the surrounding trees and the mansion's roof, and soon it was floating high enough to see the peaceful countryside. It then started flying straight east. Julius and Helka lowered their arms, and it was decided that "the rest is up to Vernele until we land."

"At this rate, it should take about thirty minutes to reach the town. ... How about it, Laila?"

"... It's amazing!"

Julius said it casually, but Laila couldn't take her eyes off the scenery outside the window.

The autumn sky seemed closer than usual, and the bluish mountains spread out below her line of sight. The carriage was flying at a considerable speed, and the fields planted with autumn crops, pastures, cattle grazing areas, and clustered villages passed by quickly below. It was undoubtedly much faster than a regular carriage.

"I didn't know magic could do this... It's my first time learning about it!"

"Yeah. When we have business in the capital, we avoid flying because there's a risk of being shot down, but for trips to the provinces, we usually fly."

Indeed, if something like this flew over the capital, it would probably be shot down by magic. While Julius and the others, being magicians, might survive, Laila would be a sure kill.

The carriage flew steadily, probably due to Vernele's stable magic.

"... Vernele's magic is amazing."

"I'm better. I can make our mansion float if I try hard enough."

"... Don't compete over something like that."

Helka, calm as always, pointed out, but Julius seemed a bit annoyed that Laila had praised Vernele. Julius's arm wrapped around Laila's waist, still pressed against the window frame, and his chin rested on her right shoulder, making her shudder.

"What, what is it!?"

"... Today, Laila smells sweet and sour around here. Is it perfume?"

This "around here" was probably Laila's neck, where Julius was sniffing. Indeed, this morning, she had applied a new perfume that Helka had bought, in that area.

"Y-Yes. It has a nice citrus scent..."

"Got it. ... Mixed with Laila's scent, it smells really good."

"D-Don't eat it!?"

"I won't eat it. ... But I want to stay like this until we reach the town."

"..."

"... Is that okay?"

At his request, Laila glanced sideways. Helka was reading a novel she had brought and wasn't paying attention to them. Laila was grateful for her considerate nature.

"... Until we arrive."

"Thank you, Laila."

His laugh was as refreshing as a young boy's, but when he blew a gentle breath on her neck, Laila jumped again.

... Actually, the back of her neck was an extremely sensitive spot, but she resolved not to let Julius know.

As Julius had predicted, the carriage began to descend about a quarter of an hour after they left the mansion and landed smoothly with the help of Julius and Helka.

This was a provincial city surrounded by a fortress, and since it was the closest town to the eastern kingdom of Oluva in the Rendia Kingdom, it was also prepared for sudden attacks, with the magic military permanently stationed there.

Laila and the others' visit had been announced in advance, and when they landed in front of the town, people who looked like magicians were already waiting in front of the huge gate.

"Let's go down. It's fine, hold your head high."

"Yes..."

Holding Laila's hand, Julius helped her out of the carriage. The people who greeted them bowed, but Laila noticed that many of them stared at Julius for a moment.

This might be the first time Julius had appeared in front of many people outside of the Baltzsek family's parties. The magic military, who only remembered the emaciated Julius from their memories, were naturally shocked to see him now.

"Thank you all for the warm welcome. I appreciate it today."

When Julius greeted them with a clear voice, they all responded with bows.

At the end of the path they created, a middle-aged man who seemed to be the town's leader was waiting. He smiled happily when Julius greeted him.

"Master Julius, we welcome you with all our hearts! How is your health?"

"Thanks to my fiancée, I'm feeling great. ... Let me introduce her. This is Laila Kilka, my fiancée."

"I am Laila. Nice to meet you."

When Laila curtsied, the leader seemed to recognize her name.

"Kilka... Ah, the trading company!"

"Seeing Master Julius looking so happy makes me very happy. ... Please, this way."

"Ah, thank you for the guidance."

Julius was dignified even when dealing with someone much older than himself, and he responded gracefully without looking down on them. His profile was truly captivating.