Chapter 40

"Here comes the town," I said.

At my words, a small window behind the driver's seat opened, and Aru's face appeared.

"That's the town of Fendy, right? Lady Natalie is there..."

But can we just enter the town like this? I doubt they have any identification to prove their status.

Saying we're from the Lunette Empire and asking to be let in would also cause problems.

Fortunately, it seems they had brought simple clothes before getting on the carriage, and they had changed into them.

While I was thinking, we reached the entrance of the town.

The guards were wary of the carriage pulled by Kokuyou, but one of them recognized me and relaxed when he saw my face.

"Hey, it's Toya. What are you doing pulling a carriage?"

"Well, I was on a job, and I picked up this carriage and some people. They were attacked by bandits, and their horses were killed, so I'm pulling it instead. They say they have a friend in this town, so I brought them here. Can we go in?"

"Sure, but it's the rule. I need to check inside."

I got down from the driver's seat and opened the carriage door.

Inside, the two of them were hugging and crying.

I had explained the plan beforehand, but to act so convincingly... I couldn't help but smile wryly, but the guard seemed convinced.

"No identification, huh? Then it's two silver coins."

I took out two silver coins from a small bag in my pocket and handed them to the guard.

"Is this okay? I'll take them to their friend's place. Thanks."

"Sure! Take care of them."

I got back on the driver's seat, thanked the guard, and drove the carriage into the town.

After a short distance, I opened the small window and called out to them.

"It's safe now. We're going to Natalie's place."

"Thank you. I didn't expect we'd have to act, though."

Sharu blushed slightly, remembering her performance.

I drove the carriage through the town and stopped in front of a shop.

"We're here. This is Natalie's shop."

I got down from the driver's seat and opened the door for them to get out.

I told Kokuyou to wait and went into the shop.

Natalie came out from the back when she heard the door open.

"Welcome... Toya? What's going on?"

"I brought some guests..."

At my words, Sharu and Aru came into the shop.

"---Lady Natalie..."

When she saw them, Natalie's eyes widened.

"Sharu...? And Aru... Why are you here?"

The unexpected combination made her look back and forth between me and them.

Sharu's eyes were filled with tears, and she looked ready to pounce.

Natalie seemed to understand and spoke up.

"Something must have happened... Let's go to Toya's house."

Why my house...?

My job was supposed to be done here.

"I want to eat 'that.' I want to eat 'that.'"

She placed a book on the counter as she said this.

"I got a new magic book for you. How about it? Will you do something about it?"

...A magic book, I do want it.

I can already use advanced elemental magic from the books I have. There were also Natalie's books on magic theory, but if I can learn new spells, that would be even better.

"Alright. Can you leave now? I'll take you in the carriage."

"I can close up quickly. Wait outside."

The three of us went out of the shop and told the two to get in the carriage.

Natalie came out after closing up quickly.

"I'm ready. By the way, that's a fine carriage. The Empire has really developed, hasn't it?"

While riding in the carriage, Natalie asked Sharu, who shook her head.

"This is Toya's carriage. He was kind enough to..."

Natalie's eyes widened at this.

"---I'll hear the whole story later, okay?"

Natalie smiled and got into the carriage.

The carriage started moving towards the mansion.

We soon arrived at the mansion.

I stopped the carriage in front of the mansion, opened the door, and the three of us got out.

Sharu and Aru were surprised to see that an adventurer like me lived in such a mansion, and their mouths dropped open.

"Is Toya a noble's son...?"

I shook my head and looked at Natalie.

"This mansion is mine because I lost a bet to Toya."

Natalie puffed out her chest, but I smiled wryly, thinking about the high taxes I now had to pay instead of rent.

When we entered the mansion, Felis appeared.

"Felis, I'm back."

Because there were other guests, Felis didn't say anything, just smiled slightly and nodded.

"Sorry for the intrusion... House spirit!? Toya, is there a house spirit in this house!?"

"Yes, as you can see."

Sharu's eyes sparkled as she approached Felis.

Felis watched Sharu approach and nodded.

"I see..."

"What's wrong, Natalie?"

"It's fine. I'll tell you later. For now, I want 'that.'"

Natalie seemed to have come to a conclusion and headed to the dining room as if it were her own home.

After guiding Sharu and Aru, I said I would put Kokuyou in the stable and left the room.

It would be better to give them some time alone.

I went out of the mansion, put the carriage in dimensional storage, and led Kokuyou to the stable.

I placed new hay and patted her before returning to the mansion.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

When I entered the room, Natalie was angry, and the two were crying.

It was hard to join the conversation without understanding what was going on.

I prepared tea for everyone and placed it in front of them, then sat in an empty seat.

"---Toya, can you hide these two in this mansion for a while?"

"---What?"

I couldn't understand her sudden request and could only respond like that.

Thank you for always reading.

I'm working hard on writing!