Chapter 78

Three days later. A safety declaration was issued, including the adventurer's guild and the lord.

"Now we can finally return to the capital, right?"

"Yeah, that's right..."

When we get back to the capital, will there be more talk of arranged marriages...? I really can't stand that. Even though it's a world where it's normal for nobles to have multiple concubines, I'm originally from Japan, so my sense of ethics just won't let me.

If I were reading a game or light novel, I might have been excited, thinking, "Yay! A harem!" But now that I'm actually in that position, the complexity of human relationships is just too much.

In my case, it's officially just Shal and Al, no... I can probably exclude Natalie.

I think they both get along well, so there shouldn't be any problems, but I don't want to add any more.

I can't help but sigh, thinking, "It's not that simple, is it?"

I'd like to go back into hiding in the Kingdom of Salandiel... The arrest warrant should have been lifted by now.

As I sit in the room, lost in thought, there's a knock on the door.

"Everyone is waiting for you outside."

I stand up after hearing the maid's report.

We're about to start the journey back to the capital. Ideally, we could go by ourselves, but this time we'll be traveling with soldiers.

It seems that unless there's something special, we can't act freely.

When I step outside the mansion, I see three people standing in front of a carriage with the royal emblem.

It seems that we need to show our noble status. I wish I could use my own carriage, which is more comfortable...

The servants, including Jade, Lise, and Myra, are there to see us off, along with the guild master.

I shake hands firmly with the guild master.

"I'm really grateful that you, Marquis, were here in the city. Without you, I can't even imagine how much damage there would have been. I really appreciate it."

"It was just good fortune. Please keep in close contact with Jade and the others from now on."

When I indirectly tell the guild master to get along with Jade, he looks a bit uncomfortable.

Is he really that much of a dislike... of Jade...?

"Jade, from now on, try to take the guild master's opinions into account. The adventurer's guild is necessary for the city, after all."

I tell him this as if I'm scolding a child, and Jade nods obediently.

"Of course, Marquis. As you say."

"And listen to what Lise says too, okay?"

"......Yes..."

It seems he doesn't like being told what to do by Lise. But I feel reassured knowing that Lise is here.

She's the best adventurer in the city, and she's well-trusted by the guild. She's also well-liked by the residents.

"Thank you, Lise. Thanks to you, we were able to save this city."

Lise is dressed as a noble lady for the send-off, not in her usual adventurer's outfit. She's still keeping her identity as an adventurer a secret from Jade.

"Thank you. Please come back to this city again. If I have the opportunity to visit the capital, I'll come to see you."

Her tone is different from usual, and I almost burst out laughing.

I cough to cover it up and shake hands with everyone in turn.

After receiving everyone's goodbyes, I whisper to Shal as we head towards the carriage.

"Would it be okay if I went to the Kingdom of Salandiel or somewhere by myself?"

At the same time, I'm grabbed by both arms by Shal and Al.

"Of course not."

They firmly hold my arms to prevent me from escaping and we get into the carriage.

...I guess I can't get away with it.

Indeed, there's a lot to be done after we return to the capital.

We need to confirm the documents to be submitted to the commercial guild headquarters of the Empire of Sifansy with the emperor. There are also letters that might be piled up at the mansion that need to be checked.

...I guess there's no choice. I'll just have to endure for a little while. I can always find a way to escape the capital when I have the chance.

"By the way, Toya-sama, to prevent you from leaving the capital alone, we've posted wanted posters at all the gates, so you can't easily escape."

...What's that? I've never heard of it before. I didn't expect Shal to be so prepared.

"Well, Toya, on the journey to the capital, I want to have your cooking."

...As usual, Natalie's words completely ignore the situation, and everyone in the carriage bursts out laughing.

◇◇◇

We arrived at the capital without any problems.

As planned, we arrived and went straight to the audience with the emperor. Normally, it would take a few days to apply, but this time it's about the dungeon flood and the confrontation with the hero of the Kingdom of Generate.

The emperor seemed eager to hear about it and canceled all his plans to have the meeting.

In the conference room inside the royal castle, several important figures involved in running the country were seated.

I, Shal, and Natalie took our seats, and Al, dressed in a royal guard uniform, stood behind Shal.

"---That's what happened. And here are the documents."

I explained what had happened so far and took out two documents from my dimensional storage: one for our country and one for the commercial guild headquarters, placing them on the table.

"---I didn't expect to meet a hero... So, Toya-dono, are you saying you're stronger than the hero...?"

The country's officials look as if they can't believe it.

Anyone would think so. Even the head of the knights, Al's father, who has supported this country for many years, lost to the hero.

Although I have the strength to retake the capital, I captured the prince using a trick. If I had accompanied them when they escaped the capital, they would have known my strength, but only the emperor and the others saw it. Oh, Alice was there too...

"Regarding the 500 million G to be paid by the Kingdom of Generate..."

Shal, who also signed the contract, expresses her wishes for the distribution.

"Regarding that, it has already been decided. 300 million G will be used for the reconstruction of ArcLand. 100 million G will be used for the commercial guild's fees and the country's administrative fees, and the remaining 100 million G will be the reward for the Marquis Kisaragi. Is there any objection?"

No one objects to the emperor's proposal.

Honestly, I think it would be fine to donate the entire amount to ArcLand...

"Since there are no objections, I will have it arranged."

"Understood."

The finance officer, I assume, nods and takes notes.

"Still, it's a dilemma to know how to reward someone who has achieved so much in such a short time... How about becoming a duke?"

"I decline! I'm fine as it is..."

The emperor says this with a laugh, but his eyes aren't smiling. If I answer carelessly, I might be promoted to a higher rank.

"Still, you've not only controlled the dungeon flood but also made the hero of the Kingdom of Generate eat his words. We can't just do nothing. Hmm... I know. How about a medal...? If there's anything else, let me know..."

Rewards can take many forms, including promotions, financial rewards, and medals. Medals have no monetary value but are recognized as an honor by the citizens.

"If that's the case, I'll accept it."

If I refused everything, we wouldn't be able to move forward. Honestly, I just want to get back to the mansion and spend some time with Felis. I relaxed on the journey by taking out the guild house, but nothing beats relaxing in my own mansion.

The long meeting ended, and we dispersed after some decisions were made.

I had a private conversation with the emperor, but he seemed eager to hear about the events in the dungeon, so I ended up staying in the castle longer than I thought.

As the sun began to set, the emperor arranged a carriage for me, and I was slowly taken back to the mansion.

I was dropped off in front of the gate, thanked the driver, and slowly looked at my mansion.

"Maybe I can relax for a while now..."

I stretched my back and was about to relax when I was suddenly called.

"Is that you, Toya...?"

---A familiar voice.

I turned around to see Luminia standing there, wearing the same bikini armor as before.

"It is Toya! When I came to the capital and visited the guild, I heard you had become a noble. I couldn't believe it... No, before that, I have something to say. I'm sorry for what happened back then..."

Luminia suddenly bowed deeply.

I remembered that we had fought when I left the Kingdom of Salandiel.

"Luminia, please stand up. It's in the past. More importantly... What about the matter I asked you about before...?"

I had asked her to take care of the orphans, including Saya. Could it be...?

Luminia raised her head quickly with a smile.

"That's right! I came to see Toya about that. After that, I've been staying at the orphanage. I lived there, but—"

Before she could continue, I had to address her attire.

"Let's talk inside the mansion. Please come in."

"Alright, if Toya says so, it's fine... Still, to live in such a big mansion... Being a noble is different, isn't it?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at Luminia's reaction as she looked up at the mansion.

I told a servant to show Luminia to the parlor and went back to my room to change out of my formal clothes into something more casual.

"Still, for Luminia to come all the way here... Did something happen...?"

I felt a bit uneasy but decided to talk to her in the parlor.

I knocked lightly on the door and entered the room, where Luminia was pacing rest