Chapter 7

The journey to the earl's territory was peaceful.

Without being attacked by bandits or monsters, and without the weather turning bad, it felt like a bit of a mini-vacation.

If it had been a trip with Sir Zito, it would have been a much heavier affair. Initially, I thought I would have to handle everything on my own, so it was fortunate that Sir Felis came along.

I don't know about Sir Felis's diplomatic skills, but he is better at reading people's feelings than Sir Zito, so I don't think he'll do anything too reckless.

Sir Zito is very reliable in actual combat, so I was personally happy that Sir Felis could support him in other areas, but reality can be cruel.

"Thinking about something difficult again?"

When I fell silent, Sir Felis leaned in to look at my face.

"No, it's nothing serious. I was just thinking that someone like me would be standing in a negotiation with nobles."

"Who else but you or Sister Mil would do it?"

"Of course, it would be Brother Zito, in the usual course of things..."

I'm not someone who doesn't understand people's feelings, but why does he always back out when it comes to negotiations? I understand the need to protect ourselves from external threats and focus on training military officers, but I think the Crowren family should also cultivate more civil servants.

No, it would have been better if Sir Felis had taken the role of the head of civil servants.

"Well, I don't expect Brother Zito to handle this now, but at least try to behave. If you want, you can go eat with the locals, and we'll take care of the rest."

"Sure, I'm good at that."

It's rare for someone in charge to be so untrusted.

As we continued our light discussion, we could see a fence on the other side of the hill. It was one of the earl's defensive walls, near the training grounds, but there was no sign of any monsters yet.

"We're almost there. We should be able to enter before sunset."

Thinking about meeting the lord and his son in two days, my hands started to sweat. As I wiped them, Sir Felis chuckled and patted my shoulder.

"Take it easy. If it doesn't go well, Sister Mil will handle it."

That kind of attitude is enviable. I swallowed and urged the beast cart forward.

---

We arrived at the Mizugar Earl's territory.

The guards at the fence ran over when they noticed us.

"Hey, we need to check you. Stop there!"

I stopped the beast cart as instructed and got out. They were just doing their job, and we didn't look very noble, so it wasn't a problem, but I wondered if that tone had ever been an issue.

Well, let's hope that the etiquette-conscious nobles don't use this entrance.

"Sorry, but we need to check the cart. Three of you, who's the representative?"

"It's me."

Brother Zito raised his hand and smiled. ... What's with the family crest on his equipment?

I couldn't tell if he was finding the situation amusing or if he had genuinely forgotten. The other party definitely thought we were ordinary people from the neighboring area.

I hurriedly took out a short sword with the family crest from my pocket.

"Sorry, we are actually this kind of people."

When I showed the short sword, the guards froze. Well, if you had asked who we were first, this wouldn't have happened, but I feel bad for our eldest son.

Since the other party was frozen, I chuckled and opened the cart's cargo area, pointing inside.

"Feel free to check."

"Very sorry, but it's a rule..."

"Sure, sure, you're doing your job."

The guards shrank back and, suspiciously, didn't thoroughly check the cargo area before the entry inspection was over.

"By the way, what's the purpose of your visit?"

"We have an appointment with Lord Mizugar in two days. Until then, we'll be staying at the 'Chinkah Lou' inn. If anything comes up, you can find us there."

"Understood. We apologize for the inconvenience."

"Don't worry about it."

So, we successfully entered the territory. Probably, I was being too humble for a noble, but as long as there were no waves, I was fine.

I stretched and turned to the others.

"What do you want to do? Should we head to the inn first?"

"Sure. Oh, by the way, Sir Felis, you can go to the guild if you want. We'll take care of the luggage."

If you can take care of your business first, that's great. When I glanced at Brother Zito, he nodded.

"Sure. You want to meet a craftsman, right? I have some shopping to do for Sister Mil, so I think it's fine for everyone to act freely until the day of the meeting. Gargas, once you secure the inn, go out for a drink."

Saying that, Brother Zito pushed 50,000 bells into the hands of Gargas and me. In the Crowren territory, that would be enough for a good meal at a nice place, about 8,000 bells per person. It was quite generous for two days of meals and drinks.

He probably added some personal funds to the expenses Sister Mil said she would cover.

"Is this really okay?"

"Well, I won't be much help this time. It's better to have a little extra, right?"

Indeed, Captain Gargas could use some special allowance.

But... there are these nuances... I can't help but wonder why. But that's just Brother Zito for you.

To avoid Captain Gargas returning the money, I decided to push the conversation forward.

"If you're giving it to me, I'll take it gratefully. So, let's just meet up at the inn when we're tired. Dismissed!"

I clapped my hands. That was the signal, and everyone headed to their respective destinations.

I decided to go to the nearest guild—the cooking guild. For a while, the path was lined with farmland, but eventually, houses appeared, leading to the center of the territory. I hadn't been here in three years, so the area had changed quite a bit, with many new impressive buildings.

Regardless of whether I knew the way, it's good to see the town thriving.

I gave up on relying on my memory and asked a young man walking nearby for directions to the guild. The building he pointed out was quite different from what I had in my head.

"Was it there?"

"The old cooking guild burned down last year and was rebuilt. The warehouse survived, so they're still using it."

"Ah, I see."

That explains it.

Thinking that my memory wasn't as bad as I thought, I entered the building he pointed out. It was clean inside, being newly built.

I looked around the several reception windows, searching for a familiar face.

—And there he was. The side profile of someone writing something had more wrinkles than before. Would he remember me?

"It's been a while, Mr. Batcher."

"Hmm, yes... oh, wait, oh, it really has been a while. Ah, I remember."

It seems he remembered my face. Well, we only spent about two weeks together three years ago, so it's not strange if he forgot my name.

Still, it was reassuring to see that his personality hadn't changed.

"It's been a while. I'm Felis, Vezel's apprentice."

"Oh, oh, oh! Yes, that's right. It's been a while. What brings you here today?"

"Well, I've left home and am starting out on my own. I'll be staying in the earl's territory for a while, so I came to say hello."

"Ah, congratulations, finally, huh?"

An excited Mr. Batcher shook my hand. His hands were thick with calluses, a sign that he was still active.

Just, he was supposed to be a user of the guild, not a staff member.

"But, why are you at the window? What about your shop?"

"Oh, the shop? It's only open at night now. I've left the daytime to my son. But, I get bored, so I help out at the guild during the day. You might not know, but the guild burned down last year. Ideally, the guild members should handle it themselves, but when in trouble, you do what you can, right?"

I see. He's always been a good person, and he's not just helping out because he's bored. He's helping the guild because he can't stand to see it in trouble.

"Is that so... I can see the building has changed."

"Fortunately, we had the funds to rebuild. But, there's no point in dwelling on the past. Oh, by the way, are you free tonight?"

"I don't have any particular plans."

I could meet up with Brother Zito and Captain Gargas, but they would probably go to their favorite places.

"Since you're here, come over for dinner. I'll invite Akim too."

"That's very kind of you, I'll definitely come."

I was originally planning to meet Mr. Akim, but I didn't know where he was, so I was going to stake out the guild.

Three years ago, I asked him to teach me sharpening, but I had to return to the territory in the middle of the training. Even if I can't continue now, I want to apologize for the inconvenience.

But, would he even meet me?

Seeing my worry, Mr. Batcher's smile faded.

"I don't know what situation you were in back then, but it's not uncommon for a kid to run away and be brought back."

"That's... right."

Actually, I didn't run away without permission; I had a limited-time approval. But, I received news of my grandfather's death during the training and had to return. After the funeral, I couldn't come back here.

I still regret leaving halfway.

"Don't worry, you were serious, and he'll understand if you explain properly."

"I hope so."

In any case, I've been given the opportunity.

Now it's up to what I can do.

That's it for now.

I finally understand how to structure chapters.