Chapter 117: The Carriage Journey of the Gentlemen

The group that departed from the capital of Klaufendam formed a long procession and headed south through the forest.

Viscount Janssen’s territory was to the northwest, the Bisseling territory was to the north, and the recently visited Inoccenti Border Marquisate was to the south, down the river.

So, for Isamu, it had been over six months since he last traveled this road.

Although he didn’t remember much of the scenery from the carriage window, it looked completely different now that the seasons had changed.

“What’s wrong, Isamu-san?”

While Isamu was gazing absentmindedly outside, Annemarie, who was sitting close to him, called out.

“Oh, Anne. Well, I was just thinking how different the atmosphere is compared to when we came. It’s probably because the seasons have changed, and maybe I’ve gotten used to this world.”

Isamu replied with a light smile. Since they got engaged, Isamu started calling Annemarie “Anne,” and they dropped the honorifics.

Anne Marie said, “It’s always like this…” and there was no change in her tone before and after the engagement.

“It’s been over half a year already… hehe.”

Anne Marie, who had rested her head on Isamu’s shoulder, chuckled softly as if she remembered something.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, well, I never thought I would be engaged to Isamu-san back then. It’s just strange, you know.”

“Haha, yeah, it’s true. I never thought something like this would happen to me either. Oh right…”

“?”

“When I first saw Anne, she was such a stunning beauty that I was surprised. And then I accidentally caused trouble for her, so I panicked, thinking it would be really troublesome to trouble such a beauty. But I thought, if there’s such a beauty, then this other world isn’t so bad after all.”

Isamu also laughed as he recalled those days..

“…Why are you suddenly saying that!?”

“Haha, sorry sorry. But I’m glad I got to meet Anne back then. Oh, right… That redhead… was it Mr. Felker? If I meet Mr. Felker, I have to thank him.”

“Yes, that’s right. If Isamu-san’s abilities are known, will he be regretful? Even if he regrets it, he won’t be taking my husband back…”

“Nyahhh.”

Anne Marie also nodded. The last word was a small whisper that no one else heard, but only Orihime, who was nestled in an even smaller kotatsu on top of the kotatsu table, meowed softly in agreement.

On the first day, Orihime didn’t emerge from her private kotatsu, likely due to the cold. However, from the afternoon of the following day, she began to emerge from the kotatsu and visit various carriages. She must have gotten bored of staying still.

And the fact that she started to show her face in various carriages meant that those uncles were stirring up trouble again.

“Orihime. I have some top-grade Ruffian Pigeon here. Care to come to my carriage?”

“Ah! Your Excellency, cutting in line isn’t nice! Hey, Orihime, if you come to my carriage, you can have all the Spike Goose, your favorite, you want!”

As expected, as soon as break time came, an ugly squabble erupted over food as a means of pacifying each other.

“No cutting in line. And do you have no reservations about being so familiar with your superiors?”

“That’s a separate matter altogether. Your Excellency, do you not have a generous heart to yield to your juniors?”

“No cutting. Besides, you’re hardly so young as to be considered a junior. Moreover, you…”

As it was turning into a mere quarrel, those around could only smile wryly.

Meanwhile, Orihime promptly withdrew from the scene of the ugly dispute and relaxed among the members of the royal match under Tiramisu’s company.

“Orihime-sensei, that’s a bad example, okay? Don’t imitate it, okay?”

“Nyaa~”

Being a capable woman, Orihime responded with a relaxed answer, seemingly aware of everything, while sitting on Tiramisu’s lap.

“Goodness, it’s troublesome when the big shots start acting recklessly…”

“It is indeed. But no one can stop them…”

A little away from the main group, Klaas the veteran steward of Bisseling family and Rudolf from the Klauffeldt family were having such a conversation over tea.

However, contrary to expectations, Orihime hardly entered any carriages, instead visiting the driver’s seats of various carriages, much to the amusement of the drivers.

Seeing this, Maraine and Dafyyd offered to become drivers themselves, but they were each admonished by their respective knight commanders and stewards.

“What are they up to…”

Selfars, the only uncle not participating in the dispute, sighed deeply as he watched.

On the third day of the journey, just as we were about to reach the halfway point between the royal capital and our destination, it started to rain coldly.

It wasn’t snow, so it wasn’t the worst-case scenario, but the slow progress and the annoying cold that chilled to the bone were troublesome.

But this journey was a bit different.

“Hmm, this kotatsu magic tool is wonderful. What warmth…”

“You’re hogging it, Sel. Equipping only ourselves with such nice things. And seriously, your son-in-law can get away with anything.”

“That’s unfair. If you think so, go back to your own carriage, Dafyyd. And Your Highness, please don’t put your head in here…”

The three gentlemen landowners gathered in Selfars’ carriage and entered the kotatsu.

It all started with the difference in the coachman’s complexion.

While the coachmen of the other families were steering the carriages, wearing waterproof covers and suffering from the cold with lips turning purple, only the coachman from the Klaufeldt family had a healthy complexion.

When the coachmen from other families asked about it, it turned out that the Klaufeldt family’s carriage could warm the seat and floor of the coachman’s seat.

Thanks to that, as long as they didn’t get wet, they were quite warm.

The coachmen from other families who were allowed to sit in the coachman’s seat were surprised. From their feet to their waist, it was pleasantly warm.

And surprisingly, it was even warmer inside the carriage.

This story soon reached Maraine and Dafyyd, and they hurried to Selfers’ carriage to check it out.

By the way, when it was time for the shift change, the coachmen from other families took turns sitting in the Klaufeldt family’s coachman’s seat.

“Selfars, can I buy this kotatsu from Silvio?”

Maraine asked while wrapped in the kotatsu futon.

“No, it’s a magic tool cursed to make you unable to leave the kotatsu, so Isamu said he wouldn’t sell it for the time being.”

“What did you say? You’re not going to sell such a wonderful thing? Does that mean we can’t get it unless Isamu is here!?”

Maraine’s face looked like it was the end of the world.

“Serlfars, that’s not good. Isamu belongs to everyone, you know?”

“…Could you please refrain from treating my son-in-law as common property? And Your Excellency, please don’t lie down.”

“Come on, Selfars, don’t be stingy. Just give me the one you’re using. You can always ask for another one, can’t you?”

“What do you mean by stingy? And what’s with the ‘just give me’? I don’t understand at all.”

“Alright then. Let’s ask Isamu directly. He’s a good guy, so he won’t refuse.”

“Oh, well done, Your Excellency! Alright, I’ll ask him directly too.”

“…Please make sure to pay for it.”

That evening, Maraine and Dafyyd asked Isamu to make a kotatsu for them at the inn, and as Maraine expected, Isamu readily agreed without hesitation.

And that night, as there was a spacious backyard at the inn, they decided to use the bath carriage for the first time on this journey.

After several days and in the chilly weather, taking a bath felt exceptional, and both Annemarie and Isamu felt rejuvenated.

Since there were guards posted, they couldn’t keep it a secret from the lords of other families, so Maraine and Dafyyd also tried it out.

The results…

“Isamu, this bath and shower are amazing! And to think they’re even available on a journey… Can I buy this from the Zambrotta Trading Company?”

“No, this is still a prototype, so it’s not for sale yet.”

“What? This is still a prototype!? I can’t believe it… Well, I don’t mind if it’s still a prototype, but Isamu, can you make a set of these for me too? Of course, I’ll pay for it.”

“Oh, Isamu, can I order one for my house too?”

As expected, it turned into a situation where they asked Isamu to make one.

“Well, it’s okay, but it takes some time to make this, so please wait for a while.”

“Of course. It’s fine as long as you make it at your own pace, Isamu.”

Isamu, who always accepted such requests, was a bit different this time.

“Over the past few days, I’ve realized how absurd Isamu’s capabilities are… It’s incredible how he keeps developing magic tools one after another.”

“Indeed. What’s frightening is that he covers all aspects. People who can create amazing things, whether it’s magic tools or anything else, usually specialize in one genre…”

“That’s right. From weapons to armor, carriages, and various magic tools… There are rumors that he’s also good at cooking.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that too. And he even has Orihime by his side.”

As they walked back to their room from the bath, Maraine and Dafyyd spoke quietly about Isamu.

“I’m really glad we took him under our wing.”

“Yes. I truly felt relieved that he became His Excellency’s protege. He also accepts orders for magic tools.”

“Hmm, yes, indeed. It’s quite an advantage…”

Their conversation turned to the topic of individual orders for magic tools.

“Hm?”

“Who’s there!?”

Feeling a chill run down their spines, the two stopped in their tracks. It seemed like someone was there around the corner.

“No, Your Excellency. It’s me, Annemarie.”

As Dafyyd moved to protect Maraine, Annemarie’s familiar voice reached them, and Dafyyd slowly began to step back.

“…Anne-chan? What’s up?”

Appearing from around the corner of the corridor was Annemarie, with a smile on her face.

“Hehehe, I’m sorry. I heard your voices, so I thought I’d say hello.”

Her demeanor was as soft as usual, but there was something in her eyes that didn’t seem to match her smile.

“Did Isamu-san receive another special order for magic tools?”

With a slight smirk and eyes devoid of laughter, Annemarie asked her question.

“Uh, yeah, we placed an order for the bath.”

Dafyyd managed to answer, sweating uncomfortably.

“I see. Following the kotatsu, now even the bath…”

With an icy gaze, Annemarie fixed her eyes on the two.

“You don’t think that just because Isamu-san doesn’t refuse, you can ask for anything, do you?”

The moment Annemarie questioned them, the temperature around them seemed to drop suddenly.

“N-No, we don’t think like that.”

“Yeah, um, we just asked him to take his time with the bath.”

“…I see. I apologize for being rude.”

With a soft smile, Annemarie offered her thanks.

“I was worried because my husband is too kind and often can’t refuse even when he’s busy. I didn’t think you two would be like that, but I’m glad you’re not.”

“O-Of course not.”

“Yeah, um, we won’t force him to do anything.”

“Thank you. Oh, by the way, in the future, if you want to ask my husband for anything, could you go through me? He’s going to be even busier from now on.”

Both heads nodded in response to Annemarie’s request.

“W-Well then, excuse us.”

“Since it’s late, b-be careful out there.”

“Thank you. Good night.”

After exchanging greetings, Annemarie quickly left the scene.

“Huh? Anne? What’s wrong? You’ll catch a cold if you don’t go to bed soon.”

Right after that, Isamu, who had finished tidying up the bath carriage, passed by.

“Sorry, I was talking to Lord Maraine and Lord Dafyyd, so it took a bit longer.”

“I see. Then let’s go back together. We have an early start tomorrow too.”

“Yes!”

With a happy nod, Annemarie took Isamu’s arm and walked back to their room.

“I’ll make sure to protect my husband…”

Annemarie’s whispered words were absorbed into the darkness of the inn’s corridor.

Three days later, on the 28th of the 12th month, just before the end of the year, Isamu finally arrived at the royal capital for the first time in seven months.

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