Chapter 61

In front of Shal, some of the soldiers kneeling on one knee were shedding tears.

Everyone wore expressions filled with joy. It was surely a testament to how much the royal family of this country was revered.

Shal told the soldiers to stand up.

"Everyone, thank you for protecting this city. I went to the Kingdom of Effort to find Lady Natalie, the 'Sage of Twilight.' And—she has come here to assist the Lunette Empire."

"It's Natalie. If I'm here, it doesn't matter how many enemies there are. Moreover, this time—there's a powerful ally with us."

Natalie gently sent a glance my way.

At the same time, a loud cheer echoed.

"Is that the legendary Lady Natalie!?"

"Every battle Lady Natalie has fought is said to have been a victory, a legend!"

"Now we can win!!"

The soldiers erupted in joy.

...I didn't know Natalie was so famous. She looks like nothing more than a gluttonous little girl to me.

Seeing Natalie puff out her chest and stand proudly, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Noticing that I had laughed, Natalie glared at me.

In the midst of this, a wolf beastman soldier who had been directing operations from atop the gate approached.

He was probably in his thirties, with a well-trained body that exuded a different aura from the other soldiers. He must be the captain.

He knelt before Shal and bowed his head.

"Princess Charlotte, it's good to see you safe... I am Raid von Linax, the commander of this city's troops."

"Lord Linax, thank you for protecting the city of Rian. ——I have heard that the capital has already fallen to the Kingdom of Generate. If we can reclaim Rian as our base..."

Shal clenched her fist tightly as she spoke. She must be thinking about her parents and the people.

"First, you must be tired from the long journey. Please rest at the mansion. ...And who is that person?"

Raid sent a glance my way. I was still holding the sword to the hostage.

"This is Lord Toya, our savior. And—"

Shal's cheeks flushed.

...Don't say it? Making a problematic statement at a time like this would only cause confusion.

"—the person I will marry in the future."

Shal said the one thing she shouldn't have said, and said it clearly and firmly.

Raid's eyes widened in surprise, and I put my hand to my forehead, looking up to the sky.

"......I see... Then I will guide you. Hey, someone, take the hostage away!"

Despite his slight shock, Raid gave orders to the soldiers. A few of them came forward, and I handed over Banette.

"Thanks to you, this city has been saved. I am truly grateful."

The soldier bowed to me and led Banette away.

"I have a mansion here, so let's go there. You know where it is."

For the time being, our base would be Al's house in the city.

Al and the soldier got into the driver's seat, while Shal and Natalie boarded the carriage.

When I tried to get into the driver's seat, I was refused with, "We can't let the future king consort ride there," and I had to board the carriage.

...What's a king consort? I tilted my head at the unfamiliar word and sat across from the two of them.

It was my first time riding in a carriage, but the interior absorbed vibrations and was very comfortable.

The carriage, guided by Al, proceeded through the city and arrived at the mansion in about twenty minutes.

When the door opened and I got out of the carriage, a magnificent mansion stood before me, making me look up in awe.

It was several times larger than the house we had lived in in the city, and my mouth dropped open in surprise.

"...What!? This is Al's house...?"

"Yes, it is! My grandfather and my brother live here now."

"Your grandfather...? Could it be...?"

Al's house was incomparably larger than the other mansions in the area.

"Yes, my grandfather is the lord of this city. He and my brother are running it together."

I had thought Al came from a knight's family because he was a royal guard, but it turned out to be completely different.

And it seemed that the message had already been sent, as a dignified old man with impressive horns and a young man stood at the door of the mansion, with maids lined up beside them.

The old man, despite his age, was dressed in a way that suggested he was a warrior, with his clothes pushed up by his muscles.

Al stood before the old man and bowed.

"Grandfather, it's been a while. I have returned with Princess Charlotte."

"Indeed, it's good to see you both safe. It's a relief that Princess Charlotte is safe. Please rest in the mansion. Everyone, please come in."

The old man answered with a kind voice, his eyes smiling.

Cokyoh was led to the stables by the soldiers, and we were guided to a large reception room by the maids.

And thirty minutes later.

I was standing in the middle of the training ground, sword in hand, with several knights pointing their swords at me.

...How did it come to this?

Thank you as always.

I had planned to update at 7:00 AM, but I struggled until 3:00 AM last night and gave up.

I managed to finish and post it in the morning!

Then, when I tried to schedule the post, I realized I hadn't posted the previous chapter...

So, the next update will be on the 25th (Wednesday), when the second episode of the comic adaptation of the Reincarnated Noble's Adventure in Another World is released!

Thank you for your support.