Interlude: A Long-Awaited Homecoming

It was a rare stretch of holidays at the academy.

For these two days, Lena would be tied up attending student council orientation sessions, while Esther planned to participate in a pharmaceutical symposium that had drawn scholars and healers from across the capital.

And so, with his schedule momentarily free, Ryu decided to return to the Viscount Arden territory—if only for two short days.

“Ryu-sama, can you truly make the round trip in just two days?”

Sebas’s voice carried both concern and disbelief.

From atop his horse, Ryu answered lightly,

“Plenty of time. Right, Axel?”

“Brrr.”

“I see…”

(If Ryu-sama says so, then it must be true. My worry was unnecessary.)

Sebas lowered his head slightly.

“Please give Iris-sama my regards.”

“Leave it to me.”

With Sebas watching him off, Ryu departed the capital—not toward the main road, but first toward a nearby forest.

High upon the branch of a towering ancient tree, he crouched silently, observing a familiar sight below.

“Hm. The goblin settlement appears unchanged.”

Ramshackle huts encircled the crude sacrificial altar where Klim had once been burned alive. The goblins moved about freely, shrieking, bickering, living their grotesque little lives in peace.

(There are fragments of what look like Klim’s bones scattered here and there… but not a single trace of clothing or ornament remains—nothing that could confirm his identity. With this, the incident is completely buried in darkness. I feel somewhat sorry for the duchess… but it’s far better than the entire ducal house being destroyed.)

Unless a second Klim were to appear in this world, Ryu would likely never visit this place again.

He leapt down from the branch, landing soundlessly. With a quiet incantation, he conjured the Azure Dragon. After taking Axel into its maw along with himself, the dragon ascended, vanishing beyond the clouds in mere moments.

Around midday, the lord of Arden returned to his estate for the first time in several months.

The manor erupted into frantic motion at the sudden development—servants scrambling, knights straightening their armor, stewards whispering orders.

Only Iris, his mother, remained entirely composed.

“Oh my. Welcome home. You’ve grown taller again.”

“Yeah. Right in the middle of a growth spurt.”

“Well then, come to the study. There are several important documents only the head of the house may touch.”

“Got it.”

They walked together to the study.

“What brought this on? You rarely return without reason.”

“No particular reason. If anything… I’m a bit curious about the port town.”

“This week the Stingray Battalion is assigned to port security. Stop by and greet little Stingray while you’re there.”

“Understood.”

“How long are you staying this time?”

“I’ll leave tomorrow night.”

“So sudden…”

“I’ve got lectures at the academy the day after.”

“You did take that instructor position on a whim… Let me guess—your assigned class is 1-A?”

“Oh? You figured it out. As expected of my mom.”

“I’m your mother. Your thoughts are transparent to me.”

(If his sister complex goes any further, it may actually become refreshing.)

Inside the study, Iris gestured toward the desk.

“The important documents are in the lower-left drawer.”

Ryu retrieved them and began reviewing each one carefully, stamping approvals where necessary.

Documents of this level could never be transported to the capital. For that reason, even a frequently absent lord like Ryu had to return at least twice a year.

“I see. Hinomaru Trade is performing even better than expected.”

“Yes. Recently, sweets from Edo and citrus from Tosa have become the talk of the territory.”

“Those are good. Glad I added them to the trade list.”

(I should buy a lot on my way back.)

When the paperwork was finished, mother and son lingered for a time, exchanging light conversation and updates.

“I’ll go inspect the port town.”

“Very well. You’ll be dining here tonight, of course?”

“Yeah. Tell the head chef to prepare portions for me and Axel.”

In the garden, Ryu found Axel lounging in an unusual place—before the old residence.

“You’re rolling around somewhere nostalgic.”

“Brrr…”

Ryu glanced up at the cracked second-floor window.

That had once been his room.

(Until two years ago, I used to glare from that window every day—watching my father come and go with his prostitutes through the main estate…)

The memory stirred no pain now. Only distance.

“There’s no point preserving this place as it is. Better to renovate it into housing for the servants.”

Rather than cling to memories, it was better to transform the space into something useful—something that would serve others.

Soon after, he mounted Axel and headed toward the port town.

Along the main road, he passed several Hinomaru nationals.

In truth, Arden’s port did not only dispatch trade vessels—it also operated regular passenger ships. Most of those he passed were likely tourists.

Incidentally, a certain lecherous samurai acquaintance of Ryu’s had once visited incognito.

But that is a tale for another time.

“Ryu-sama!”

“Ryu-sama has arrived!”

The moment he entered the port town, knights swarmed him like ants.

They were men who had fought beside him on the western front—soldiers who trusted him more than any other commander in the order.

“What brings you here today?”

“You’ve grown even taller!”

“Please take us to the capital with you!”

“I shall fetch a chair! No, use me as your chair!”

With knights crowding him from every direction, Ryu’s field of vision was completely blocked. He could scarcely move.

“Calm down, all of you. I can’t even see the completed trade port.”

Then—

“Ryu-sama!!!!”

“That voice… could it be—”

Through the gaps in steel armor, silver hair flashed brilliantly.

“Out of the way, all of you!!!”

““““Waaahhh!!””””

The silver-haired figure scattered the knights and—whether rescuing or capturing—secured Ryu.

“Ryu-sama! It’s been too long!!!”

“It has, Stingray. You’ve become an even finer battalion commander.”

“And you, Ryu-sama… you’ve grown remarkably. You’ve surpassed me in height, and your presence feels… more mature, somehow.”

She circled him, inspecting from every angle.

“This may not be something one says to one’s lord, but… in a good way, have you stopped being human?”

For a split second, Ryu felt a chill.

“Rude. I am a perfectly legitimate member of the human race.”

“Ufufu. A joke. When will you take me on another adventure?”

“If it happens, it’ll be an expedition to the Grand Federation. Purely my selfish wish—but I want to delve into one of their dungeons at least once in my life.”

“That sounds wonderful!!! Please allow me to accompany you—no, I insist!!!”

Stingray was an active solo C-rank adventurer. With her, the party would be formidable.

“How would you structure the party?” she asked eagerly.

“Two frontliners, two midline, one backline. You as swordsman in the front. Mage Lena and alchemist Esther in midline. And me in the rear as guardian.”

“One frontliner short.”

“Lena has a close friend who’s a swordsman. Or…”

Ryu briefly imagined a certain gozarū samurai.

“Well, either way, we’ll have five. Don’t worry.”

“Understood!!! This is exciting!!!”

“We might not even go.”

“We absolutely will!!!”

A plan for the distant future had been set.

…Perhaps.

Dragged by Stingray’s enthusiasm, Ryu toured the entire port town before returning home at sunset.

That evening, he shared dinner with Iris. Later, he slept in his old room—another rare indulgence.

The following day he visited the knights’ training grounds, greeted Commander Silva and Vice-Commander Dylan, and even joined in the drills.

The next night.

“Well then. See you.”

“Yes. Safe travels.”

(It will feel lonely again for a while…)

Mounted upon Axel, Ryu faced his mother one last time.

“You likely won’t return for several months. Anything you’d like to tell me before you go?”

“…Ah. There is one thing.”

He paused.

“I’ll probably get engaged soon.”

“Oh? And to whom?”

“Esther. The alchemist.”

“My lifesaver… though I haven’t met her yet. …Does that mean Lena will be married off to another noble house?”

“No. Absolutely not. I won’t give her to anyone.”

“Then what do you intend to do?”

“If Lena is willing… I’d like her to become my hidden first wife.”

“I see. A brilliant yet outrageous proposal. Very like you.”

(I’ll save the conversation about little Stingray for another time.)

“Anyway, I’m heading back to the capital. Take care of the estate, Mom.”

“Yes, yes. Leave it to me.”

That night, once more, the Azure Dragon appeared in the skies above Arden—its massive form gliding across the stars before vanishing toward the capital.