Chapter 48: Rain’s Retainer

We left Soraval and headed to the rendezvous point with Rain, an open grassland directly along the Abystortas’s path.

The area was deserted because warnings had already been issued to stay away. After Soraval’s all-out attack failed, the town’s defenders had shifted their efforts entirely to evacuation.

“Oh, it looks like Rain is here too.”

The Sleipnir-drawn carriage we had ridden in the other day arrived at the grassland.

…So that was how fast a Sleipnir-drawn carriage looked from the outside. Its intimidating presence was tremendous, more than enough to justify its A-rank classification. What must the Abystortas be like if it was an S-rank monster even stronger than this…?

Rain and another man stepped out, after which the Sleipnir-drawn carriage withdrew toward distant Soraval. Our own carriage had also returned there for safety, so if we retreated, we would first have to make our way back to town.

“Sorry to keep you all waiting.”

“We stopped in Soraval, so we only just arrived as well. More importantly, thank you for helping with my request.”

“No, no. You’re my benefactor, Kakeru-kun! I’m glad you finally relied on me.”

Rain smiled as he spoke. I could not have been more grateful to him, Yuuka, and Aoi.

“So, this person is…”

“Yeah, he’s Gustav, my guard and retainer.”

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Gustav, retainer to His Highness Rain, the Fourth Prince.”

The man appeared to be in his late fifties. Several white streaks ran through his reddish hair, and he wore a black coat resembling a military uniform. A sword hung at each hip.

With his right hand on his left shoulder, he bowed his head to us and greeted us with a low, calm voice.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kakeru.”

“I’m Yuuka.”

“I’m Aoi.”

We bowed in return, mirroring Gustav-san’s gesture.

“I see. Including Lord Rain, four Blessed People have gathered here. What a curious twist of fate.”

Gustav-san looked over the three of us as he spoke. Rain had already told him that we were Blessed People.

When we had spoken through the communication magic tool, Rain had asked permission to tell Gustav-san about us, and I had agreed. It would be easier if someone close to Rain understood our circumstances, and Rain could not leave the royal castle unattended.

Rain’s unique skill was useful, but it gave him no combat ability, so he needed a guard whenever he left the royal castle. Ordinarily, several guards would have been necessary, but Gustav-san alone was apparently sufficient. He had served the country since before Rain’s birth and had watched over Rain throughout his life, making him entirely trustworthy. He also knew Rain well enough to understand how he normally spoke and behaved in private.

“S-rank adventurer Yuuka-dono, I have heard much about you. Hmm, you appear to be a strong warrior befitting your reputation.”

“…Gustav-san, you yourself seem to have considerable experience.”

“That comes with age. Sage Aoi-dono, you possess formidable magical power. This is the first time I have met an elven Blessed Person.”

“I-it’s not that much…”

Even a complete novice like me could immediately tell that Gustav-san was no ordinary man. Like Yuuka and Aoi, he carried the unmistakable presence of a powerful warrior.

This world had people who possessed extraordinary magical power despite lacking unique skills, as well as warriors who had reached great strength through training alone. Gustav-san appeared to be one of the latter.

“And Kakeru-dono. I knew Lord Rain had been making various arrangements behind the scenes, but I never imagined that a Blessed Person existed who could travel to the world from which the Blessed People came. First, allow me to thank you for humoring Lord Rain’s selfish request.”

I had wondered what he intended to say, but he merely thanked me and bowed.

Because Rain had behaved so casually from the moment we met, I had half expected his retainer to be similar. Gustav-san, however, was an exceptionally serious man.

“Rain is compensating me fairly, and all of you are helping me now as well. Thank you for your cooperation too, Gustav-san.”

“Not at all. When I learned that Lord Rain had removed classified national information without authorization and then ordered me to conceal Kakeru-dono’s existence, I developed quite a headache. Still, I was relieved to discover that the person on the other side of this arrangement was someone as respectable as you.”

“Gustav is as dramatic as ever. I told you Kakeru-kun would be fine, didn’t I?”

“……”

Gustav-san pressed a hand to his temple in exasperation.

I had also wondered whether any of this was truly acceptable, so Gustav-san’s reaction seemed far more normal to me. Rain had apparently ordered him not to report my existence to the country. I felt terribly guilty, as though I were making him an accomplice.

“And Kakeru-dono, the confection called shortcake that I received the other day was truly delicious. The balance between the sweet cream and the tart red fruit was splendid. I was astonished that such refined sweets existed in the Blessed People’s world.”

“Y-yes. I’m glad to hear that.”

I had sent Rain two of the cakes we had enjoyed along with the manga, and Gustav-san had apparently eaten the shortcake.

The cakes sold in Japan seemed far superior to those available in this world. Since I would likely rely on Gustav-san again, I decided to send him more once the current crisis was over.

“Well, now that introductions are over, if we dawdle the Abystortas will arrive. Let’s begin the operation right away.”

“Yeah. First, we’ll start with reconnaissance. Leave that to me.”

With that, I took the drone I had bought in Japan out of my Magic Bag.