Kays Translations

Chapter 244: I Have Returned—to the Territorial Capital!

　I limped over to the sofa on numb legs and sat down. Nero immediately brought me a drink.

“Lord Julius, here you are.”

“Thank you. Nero, Brother Alex didn’t scold you, did he? Did he say anything about me leaving the carriage without permission?”

“No, my lord. He said nothing to me. Thank you for your concern.”

　Nero bowed deeply. His loyalty seemed to have grown even stronger during the journey. If something like this happened again, I suspected he would follow me into danger.

　Nero had Lelie to think about, so he needed to value his own safety. I could hardly lecture him, however; I had a family too.

“We should reach the territorial capital tomorrow. It is not as lively as the royal capital, but it is an old and historic city, so I doubt you will be bored.”

“I look forward to seeing it.”

　Nero’s expression brightened. I hoped the territorial capital would someday become as lively as the royal capital.

“The unseasonal snowfall caused considerable alarm in this town. I explained the situation to the mayor, so matters should settle down soon.”

“Thank you, Brother Alex.”

“It is part of a lord’s duty. Julius resolved the cause in advance, but an unexplained change in the weather could have caused serious panic.”

　Brother Alex smiled wryly. He was not flattering me; he genuinely meant it.

　That evening, the mayor invited us to dinner. He had clearly been worried by the unseasonal snow. We were served wild rabbit, which was delicious and pleasantly firm.

“I also told him about the Snow Wolves. He will warn the townspeople to remain vigilant.”

“There may be more on the road ahead.”

“Probably. Cain, do not rush out again as you did today.”

“Of course. I understand.”

　Brother Cain answered with a pale face and a strained smile. Sister-in-law Meeka wisely remained silent. Sister-in-law Daniela, however, looked as though she wanted to say something. Surely she was not planning to encourage me the next time monsters appeared.

“The knights will take the lead. Julius has the best enemy-detection ability among us, so he will remain in the centre of the formation and keep watch.”

“Understood.”

　The incident had made it clear that my ability to detect enemies surpassed even that of the knights who specialised in scouting.

　That made sense. I had invested plenty of skill points in Search while playing alone and gathering materials. I was not a loner, though.

“Cain’s carriage will travel at the rear. Keep watch behind us, just in case. Understood?”

“Yes.”

　Brother Cain looked dissatisfied but accepted the order. Anything attacking from the front would meet the leading knights, and monsters were unlikely to approach from behind unless the convoy stopped.

　The next day dawned beneath a clear blue sky. Our carriages travelled smoothly along the road. We encountered several more Snow Wolves, but the knights in front dispatched them without difficulty.

　I could not afford another incident under Brother Alex’s watchful eye. The knights, perhaps equally determined to redeem themselves, were exceptionally serious.

“Lord Alex, the territorial capital is in sight!”

　The leading knight called back to us. As we emerged from the forest, the view opened and the territorial capital appeared ahead. I had been away for only around three months, yet the sight felt nostalgic.

“We have finally reached the territorial capital. This journey was unusually eventful. Ordinarily, we do not encounter a single monster.”

　Brother Alex smiled at me as he spoke. Looking at me like that made it seem as though I had raised some kind of disastrous flag. It was not my fault; we had simply been unlucky.

“Everything was new to me, so I found it very exciting. I doubt I will ever forget this journey.”

　Sister-in-law Daniela smiled at me. I hoped she would forget at least some of it. Above all, I hoped my supposed heroics would not become a popular tale at the royal castle.

　The carriages continued onwards and finally entered the territorial capital. The city looked much as I remembered it, though patches of snow remained in the shade.

“Brother Alex, there is still snow on the ground.”

“Yes. I sent Father a letter in advance, so he should have been able to prepare for the abnormal weather.”

　That was probably why the territorial capital seemed calm. The people on the streets wore their usual bright expressions, and many bowed as the House Heine convoy passed.

“House Heine appears to be greatly respected by the people of the territory.”

“Father governs well. In addition to preparing carefully for winter, he holds horse races that return money to the common people and provides entertainment such as darts. Magic potions and magic tools are also easier for ordinary people to obtain here than in many other territories.”

　Sister-in-law Daniela nodded happily. She probably regarded it as reassurance about the family she would marry into. The people of the territory still did not know that the kingdom’s princess was engaged to Brother Alex. They would certainly be surprised when the news became public.

　Still, were not many of Father’s achievements connected to me? If Sister-in-law Daniela discovered that, she might embrace me so enthusiastically that I suffocated.

　The carriage stopped while I trembled at that possibility. When the door opened, Rosalia was waiting with Mira in her arms.

“Brother Julius, welcome home!”

“Kyu!”

　The two of them welcomed me enthusiastically. Territorial capital, I’m home!

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