Chapter 139 |
Chapter 139.2. The Third Year at the Academy - Second Home (2)
All greetings exchanged and amidst the hectic preparations, I welcomed the morning of departure.
In the magical bag, the Telpes Bag, I packed a few personal items and the remains of the Iron Golem.
Leaving all the furniture behind, the place still felt lived-in despite the move.
After washing my face at the water station, I stepped into the backyard to check the weather.
A faint sunlight peeked through the gaps in the slightly bright clouds.
The weather wasn't great, but there seemed to be no worry of rain or snow.
Exhaling a small white breath, I lowered my gaze.
Only a few snow-covered trees remained.
The cold has lingered longer than when I aimed for Selene three years ago.
Lambert said he would head to Keten on foot. Avoiding the carriage was probably the right choice.
The journey would take a week.
On foot, there wouldn't be significant changes, but depending on the road conditions, it might take a few more days.
"Good morning."
Noticing me, Emily and Ginny came over from the apartment complex.
Returning the greeting, I glanced up at the building.
Elliot and the others had finished moving their luggage, but no one had moved out yet.
Since the handover of my home wasn't complete, they would start all at once to coincide with my departure.
The founding of the clan would also happen then.
Hearing the conversation, Nails and Dana, and after a while, Ted and the others joined.
While chatting and having breakfast, Roof-sama and Little Roof-sama floated over.
"After all, you couldn't part with these guys, huh?"
I handed over partial armor, weighted knives, Roof-sama, and Little Roof-sama to Ted, but the command hierarchy remained unchanged. The order was still me, Dana, and Ted.
Well, Dana would mostly be at her old home from now on, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Poking with my fingertip, the two boards spun around.
"I'll come check on you in a few months. Until then, protect everyone."
As if acknowledging, the two boards spun again.
With preparations complete, I handed the keys to Ted.
Then, amidst the sunrise, we headed towards the south gate, making small talk.
Upon arrival, gathered were Lambert and Felix's master-servant pair, Elphimia and Lola.
Additionally, Everlasting Harvest stood there as if it were natural.
Moreover, Zerett and Barden were clearly dressed for travel.
Glancing sideways, I approached Lambert.
"...We didn't hire them, right?"
"Of course not."
Lambert also replied in a puzzled, subdued voice.
Unfazed by the atmosphere, the two crossed their arms and smiled defiantly.
Ismira remained expressionless as usual, while Corpus looked uncomfortable.
They were dressed normally.
I thought Zerett and the others had just gone ahead, but...
"However, we did hire adventurers."
Following Lambert's voice, I saw a man and woman approaching from down the road.
Sekies and Amber?
The two from Yabusho came through the refugee district, approaching us.
After smiling at me, they turned to Lambert.
"Kept you waiting?"
"No. We just arrived."
After a brief reply, Lambert whispered to me.
"Sorry for not telling you. I was debating until the last minute whether to add more people."
"No need to apologize, but..."
While saying so, I glanced at Lambert.
Yabusho is skilled, but I didn't want them to think it was just a simple escort request.
"Nice to meet you!"
Suddenly, Sekies raised his voice.
Then Amber quietly approached with a smile, adding, "I heard someone's after you?"
Sekies also had a bright expression, but his eyes weren't smiling.
They seemed to have been told the minimum information.
Who the opponent is doesn't matter much.
"What about Balner and Velette?"
"They're still scouting ahead. The most dangerous time is right after departure—so Velette said."
"Indeed. Understood."
I smiled wryly and replied in a low voice.
Outside the city lies the refugee district, dotted with Dana's workplace, the ranch facilities.
Now that you mention it, it might be the most dangerous.
With many hiding spots and Selene city nearby, it's easy to let one's guard down.
Having Yabusho along might help.
Sekies and Balner are skilled, Velette is wise, and Amber is a sacred magic practitioner. With them as escorts, the chances of returning safely increase significantly.
But then—why are these guys here?
I glanced at the two standing imposingly.
They're not dressed for a farewell. Maybe they have plans to travel far for another matter—no, probably not.
Ismira and Corpus aren't carrying luggage and are in casual clothes.
Since pondering wouldn't lead to a conclusion, I decided to ask directly.
"A bit overdressed for a farewell, aren't you?"
"A compromise."
"We caught wind of a farewell party."
Ismira replied indifferently, and Corpus took over.
Puzzled by the unclear answers, they explained the situation.
Zerett and Barden had somehow learned about the farewell party and tried to join as if it were natural. But Ismira and Corpus stopped them, saying not to interfere with the farewell, and the alternative was seeing us off.
I see, I understand the situation now.
But why are you fully dressed for travel?
Unconcerned by my confusion, the two eagerly awaited our departure.
I kind of see it now.
Probably, "seeing off" got mentally translated to "escorting."
Their combat skills aren't bad, but—they're unsuitable for this trip.
This journey requires delicate handling. Their actions are unpredictable.
After some thought, I beckoned Ted and made a proposal.
Ted agreed and stood before Zerett.
"Zerett-san, would you be a consultant for the Castle of Sorrow?"
"Sure."
Zerett immediately agreed and shook hands with Ted.
He definitely doesn't get it.
"A consultant helps them when they're in trouble. There was something similar before, right?"
"Smash them!"
"Yeah, that's enough."
"W-what about me...?"
With Zerett appointed as consultant, Barden panicked.
Reluctantly, I appointed him as deputy consultant, and the two happily high-fived.
"So, you two stay in Selene."
"Wha—!?"
Their joy turned to stiffness.
As if on cue, the clan members bowed, saying, "We're counting on you!"
Faced with a row of children, the two eventually gave in.
Their overflowing chivalry is their strong point.
"So, what's this Castle of Sorrow?"
Ignoring the despairing leader, Ismira asked.
After I briefly explained, she looked at Ted and the others with interest.
"You made something strange again, huh?"
"Are you against joining?"
"I said I don't want to oppose skilled adventurers. But if it's a favor, I'll sell it anytime."
"What about Corpus?"
"No objections. If this helps them settle down, it's actually a relief."
Corpus also looked at them with hopeful eyes.
And Zerett and Barden, surrounded by children, didn't seem entirely displeased.
Sered and Ranain, Talvitt, and Everlasting Harvest also joined.
For a newly formed clan, it's quite a crowd.
Well, with only Dana as an adult, the burden is heavy.
Regardless of Zerett and the others, Ismira and Corpus will have to work hard.
Watching this scene, Lambert stood beside me.
"Shall we depart soon?"
"Yeah, let's."
I nodded and looked around.
"I'll send a letter when we reach Reedwald. I look forward to the day we meet again."
"We'll protect your home. Come back anytime."
"Don't neglect your training, okay?"
"Of course. I'll win the next match."
"I'll win too!"
Immediately, Gemma chimed in.
Ted was smiling, but Gemma seemed serious.
Still, it's a nostalgic line.
Ted hasn't talked about matches much since he started understanding his position.
Growing up is good, but it's also a bit lonely.
Afterwards, I exchanged words with Nails and the others.
Then, glancing at Elphimia, she quietly looked up at me.
"You haven't forgotten your promise, right?"
"That unreasonable demand? I'll try."
"If you don't want to make me a liar, contact me with your life on the line."
"Got it. First, I'll ask you to develop a communication spell."
Retorting, Elphimia stopped moving.
"That spell sounds useful. I'll consult my father."
"Don't overdo it."
Short-range might be possible, but long-range is probably impossible.
If it could be made, someone would have developed it by now, and even if completed, it wouldn't be released. It would definitely be classified as top-secret magic.
After Lambert and Felix bid farewell to everyone, Sekies took the lead.
"Take care. Let's meet again soon."
With that, we departed from Selene.
Looking back from the refugee district after a while, everyone was lined up in front of the gate.
Some waved with all their might, some smiled, some raised a hand expressionlessly.
Though their farewells varied, they stood there until we passed through the refugee district and could no longer see each other.
Life in Selene has now ended.
I entered Cartilard, met various people in the city, and learned much.
In my future life, I don't think such an intense three years will come again.
Looking back, the spires rose above the outer walls.
Unchanged from when I first saw them.
This city—is my second hometown.
"Brotheeeer!"
Breaking such sentiments, Zerett's scream echoed through the street.
Of course, it had to be him at the very end.
Smiling wryly, Sekies at the front glanced back.
"You're quite adored."
"Spare me."
Remembering being entangled with Zerett and the others, Sekies also smiled wryly.
Passing the refugee district and nearing the ranch, the manager stood in front of the management building.
Apparently, Dana had informed him of our departure.
Bowing politely to the manager, I returned the gesture.
Ranch hands also called out, "Heading out?" as we passed through the grazing land.
Soon after, Balner and Velette came walking down the road.
Standing before Sekies, Balner spoke up.
"We checked the forest. There's still a lot of snow."
"Seems like it'll be tough to proceed."
"But on the plus side, hiding will be difficult. Danger should be minimal."
Velette added, and Sekies nodded.
I turned my gaze from the winding road to the dense southern forest.
Imagining the silver world spread across the forest, memories from three years ago resurfaced.
This time, the opponent is human.
They won't be as straightforward as that guy.
Thinking this, Lambert gave me a puzzled look.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
I shook my head and casually looked around the road.
The Milrim grass... isn't blooming yet.
Spring still seems far off this year.