Kays Translations

Chapter 66: Arrival

Good. This time, there had been no casualties at all. When I took the situation seriously, it was easily resolved.

The knights collected the magic stones while giving me doubtful looks.

“Lord Julius, may I speak with you?”

I was about to return to the carriage when Lionel stopped me. His narrowed eyes carried an expression I recognised: weary resignation.

“What is it? We’ll depart as soon as the stones are collected.”

“Certainly. However, I can’t approve of you taking the lead in battle. If anything happened to you, none of us would know how to answer for it.”

Was he angry because I had taken over his role? Perhaps my actions made the escort seem unnecessary, although I had never intended that.

“Don’t worry. Monsters of that level can’t defeat me. I defeated a wyvern, remember?”

Lionel released a long sigh and shook his head.

“That may be so, but you still mustn’t expose yourself to danger.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“No. Please promise not to do it again.”

“All right. I promise.”

His intensity overwhelmed me. He truly wanted me to stop. In future, I would have to make sure he wasn’t present before doing anything dangerous.

When I returned to the carriage, Rosalia threw herself at me.

“Big brother! Everything suddenly became quiet. What happened?”

“It’s all over. We should be moving again soon.”

I sat her on my lap, stroked her head, and waited.

The journey continued without further trouble, and we reached the next town. On arrival, the merchant presented another gold coin. This time it was clearly a gesture of gratitude rather than payment made under pressure.

At the inn, the adult members of our party were treated to a modest round of drinks, paid for with the merchants’ contribution.

Everyone ate together while travelling. Rosalia enjoyed these communal dinners, and so did I. I wished we could dine like this at the mansion.

“Lord Julius never ceases to amaze me,” one knight said after loosening up a little.

“He defeated the Great Big Boar with a single spell.”

“And disposed of all six Big Boars before we could do anything. I honestly wondered why we were there.”

Rosalia listened with intense interest. I had the unpleasant feeling that she would repeat every word to Father and Mother.

“Big brother, what magic did you use?”

“What was it? I can’t remember. Surely Lionel and the others defeated them.”

She stared at me with an unmistakable You’re lying expression.

While I searched for an excuse, Lionel answered for me.

“Lord Julius used spells called Wind Blade and Earth Needle. Have you heard of them, Lady Rosalia?”

Lionel had just given her exactly the information I wanted concealed.

Rosalia tilted her head.

“I’ve never heard of either. Did Instructor Carnell teach them to you?”

That was dangerous. If I claimed Carnell had taught me, Rosalia would ask about them during her next lesson and learn the truth. Pretending I had found them in a book would only make her demand the book.

“I… saw them in a dream. Apparently, I possess a natural talent for magic.”

I stuck out my tongue. Rosalia and Lionel both looked utterly unconvinced.

“Then how did you know the monsters were approaching?” another knight asked.

Every gaze in the room turned towards me.

“It was instinct. I have an unusually good sixth sense. I can feel nearby monsters almost as clearly as if I were touching them. Ha ha ha…”

Silence.

No one laughed, although that was clearly where they were supposed to laugh.

I resorted to my final weapon.

“No one believes me? Perhaps I should stop supplying the knight order with potions.”

The knights visibly paled. Once someone had tasted honey, it was difficult to return to a life without it.

“Of course we believe you!”

“Lord Julius’s sixth sense is extraordinary!”

“As expected of Lord Julius!”

They erupted into noisy agreement. Lionel wisely abandoned the questioning. Rosalia alone remained offended, though a generous amount of head-patting and attention eventually placated her.

Despite the encounter with the Great Big Boar, the rest of the journey passed safely. The roads improved as we approached the royal capital.

“We should arrive soon, Rosalia.”

“I didn’t know travelling by carriage would be so exhausting. My bottom hurts.”

Even the thick cushion had its limits. A smoother carriage would have helped. Had suspension technology not developed here? In a world with magic tools, surely someone could invent springs.

“Then we need a magic tool that keeps your bottom from hurting.”

“Can you make one?”

“I don’t know.”

“Mmph!”

She realised I was teasing and puffed her cheeks like a squirrel. I poked one until the air escaped.

“Lord Julius, Lady Rosalia—the royal capital is in sight!” Lionel called.

We leaned towards the window. Ahead stood an enormous walled city. That was Spencer, capital of the Kingdom of Spencer.

Looking carefully, I saw that the city had spread beyond its walls, with cultivated fields extending still farther into the distance.

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