At Tsuia

All in all this time, our lineup had my party: Meat, Ichika, Rokuko and I.

Followed by Team Bacchus: Gozoh, Roppu, and Wataru.

We even had Maidence, a noble of Tsuia, and her maid. Oh, and the no-good elf Shikina.

We had ten people in all, the coachman excluded. Maidence and the maid will be left in Tsuia though, so we would be heading for the imperial capital with eight people in all.

By the way, the carriage and coachman were furnished by the Tsuia family. It was a nobles wagon, one with a door that had their familys coat of arms on it. It was no covered wagon. It was a properly made box-type carriage. Big enough that all ten of us could fit.

Thankfully, well be able to use this carriage up until Tsuia. Well be fine with our luggage since we have [Storage], too.

Gozoh came to talk with me before we left.

Hey Kehma. Eh, erm, what about Salamander-dono?1

It still has to discipline the flame dragon and its being a bit difficult, so it wont be leaving Tsuia Mountain yet.

O-Oh. So itll come if you call for it?

How would I? Send it a letter or something?

Huh? No, I mean isnt there something for that in your contract? Like that time in [Flame Cavern].

Thats just because it was originally hiding there. That guys been passing his time in [Flame Cavern] from the start, after all.

Theres a Salamander passing the time by idly in there well, thats the sort of setting were going with for Ontentoos public appearance.

I see. So thats why I felt so comfortable with you there? Or maybe the key to it was Beddhism?

Like Id know?

Well, after all that, we started on our journey to the capital.

Rei, Ill be leaving the inn and dungeon to you!

*

We arrive at Tsuia in the horse-drawn carriage without much of anything really happening.

Still though, for us to take just two hours for the trip it used to take us six hours hiking from the dungeon to Tsuia way back when. I doubt itd take even one hour on a fast horse.

That was such a comfortable ride, as expected of a nobles carriage but still though, we didnt even have to be examined or pay the toll since Maidence-sama was with us truly, as expected of a noble.

Ya shouldnt need money to walk into yer own house aye? And this carriage heres basically one big identification device.

Thats correct, Gozoh-san. Though nobles do need to pay the toll. Even I have to!

Oh aye, you were one of them kinda-nobles since yer a Hero, Wataru. I forgot.

I mean, we could have went past without paying the toll for a single carriage this time since itd be put on the guilds tab.

So I guess we should really be saying more like as expected of Haku-san, the adventurer guilds grand master.

Haaah, I want to stay with Kuro-sama though.

Well be reading the lords manor soon, so prepare to get off.

Its alright, Kuro-sama. I left my preparations to my maid, so I can be next to you until the last moment.

Wed decided to head to the lords manor right away.

Doing so, we received a personal greetings from Yudence Tsuia, the lord himself.

Oooh, Kehma-dono. Its been a while! And you too, Nishimi-dono! Mai, have you been doing well?

Wonder what made him greet me first? Did he have some ulterior motive?

I cant see it as him just greeting the person watching over his daughter first, since he greeted Wataruthe person to bring her to me in the first placesecond.

Yes, father. I have also deepened my relationship with my fianc, Kuro-sama.

I see, I see! So youve gotten to the point of giving Kuroinu-dono a nickname! Isnt seeing our children getting along so well refreshing, Kehma-dono?

Hahaha. well, as you see, your daughter has been brought back safe and sound as you anticipated.

I couldnt tell what his hidden meaning was there that well, so I went with forcing a smile just in case.

Wait, what!? Her fianc!? Kehma-sama, isnt Kuro-chan a.!? No way, a crossdresser!?

Y-yeah, Wataru, are you okay?

Ahsorry, I lost myself there for a moment.

Oh yeah, Wataru had that marriage fraud issue with the crossdresser a long time ago, didnt he.

Kehma-sama. We will be parting from you temporary, but please, feel free to continue using the carriage. So long as you have it, your exit from the town should go just as smoothly.

Hmm

It has their crest on it though? I want a different carriage.

When I glanced back to Yudence, our eyes met.

Whaaat? Dont worry about it. Its natural that my daughters fianc would have access to something like this.

Could I get one without the crest on it? I get the feeling various troubles will crop up because of it.

On the contrary, I believe those troubles would only occur if you didnt have our crest on the carriage. However, Kehma-dono, would you prefer for us to arrange one without our crest for you?

I wonder if Haku-sans hand is in this somehow? Im worried about bandits attacking us midway because of the crest though

With that, Wataru interrupted.

Oh, Yudence-san. We would love a covered wagon with your crest on it! Really, traveling in a covered wagon is the best way to go, right Kehma-san?

Hm? I will prepare a covered wagon as youve requested then, Nishimi-dono. I assume you are fine with that, Kehma-dono?

Oh, yeah. Ill leave the decisions about it to him, Im not too versed in wagons.

Traveling in a covered wagon, huh. Man does that remind me of RPG games.

Hey, Wataru. Why the crest?

Kehma-san, you know how Golen is so near Tsuia? Its better for you to clearly show off your connection with Yudence-san.

So its to prevent other nobles from intervening?

Exactly! See how helpful itll be to borrow their crest now?

So that was a thing, huh. Troublesome

Kehma-dono! How about a cup of tea while you wait for the wagon to be prepared? Id like have a chat with you and that girl with you, too.

The lord smiled at both Rokuko and I.

Oh, well look at the time. I have to go do something for the journey. Leave it to me, Kehma.

I have to deliver a few documents to the guild and pick up a delivery commission for a bit.

Im going too. Party members should do stuff together right?

Oh, Ill go with ye then!

Want to get some alcohol with me, Gozoh? Wataru, well fetch the commission as Team Bacchus.

Like a bunch of spiders scattering, they left Rokuko, Meat and I alone in the blink of an eye.

Though it felt more like they were ditching something annoying than leaving tactfully. Yeah.

Well, its a good chance, so how about we treat ourselves to some tea, Kehma?

Yeah.

Seeing as how I was able to hear some good stuff about aristocratic etiquette during the chat over some tea, I guess it turned out alright.

*

The wagon, prepared while I was listening to valuable tales from the lord, had our luggage already loaded onto it so that we could leave right away.

It was almost entirely just small luggage bags, so the time to part with Maidence came surprisingly quickly.

Please take care of yourselves, everyone. And Kuro-sama, see you nn

Oh, Maidence actually gave Meat a goodbye kiss on the cheek. She pulled off something Rokuko couldnt, and easily, at that. So thats the strength of an aristocrats daughter?

Wha!? W-Wow, you did it, Mai.

Fufufu, if you cant manage something of this level, Kehma-sama might get snatched away from you, Rokuko-sama.

N-No he wont! Kehma and I are in a relationship thatll last to death.! Its alright, right, Kehma?

Yeah, its alright. Probably.

Hmhmmm? That is not necessarily true, Rokuko-dono! For I am here!

Step back, you perverted elf. Say that after you can at least manage your multiples of seven without making a mistake.

I-I dont make any mistakes though! If I use my fingers.

When did Rokuko and Shikina get on such good terms? I had no clue they were this close.

Like that, we left Tsuia. We had to drink tea with Yudence this, but now I guess we can come and go whenever we want?

This is the first time Ill have travelled further than here. Im a bit excited to see what its like.2

It will be around five days to reach the next town.

Thats pretty far though!?

1. I am very, very close to eliminating honorifics from my LDM translation. Hrm.

2. Guess teleporting doesnt count.