At Tsuia

Let me reorganize our party lineup for this trip. First, there's my party: me, Niku, Ichika, and Rokuko.

Then Team Bacchus: Gozoh, Roppu, and Wataru.

And as extras, the Tsuia noble's daughter Maiodoru and her maid. Plus the disappointing elf Shikina.

That's ten people total, not counting the coachman. Of these, Maiodoru and the maid will be leaving us at Tsuia, so we'll be heading to the capital with eight people.

By the way, the carriage and coachman were provided by the Tsuia family. It was a proper noble's carriage drawn by two horses, complete with their family crest, a proper roof, and doors. Not a covered wagon. A solidly built box-type carriage. And large enough to fit all ten of us.

For now, we'll be using this carriage to get to Tsuia. It's nice that our luggage is light thanks to [Storage].

Gozoh came to talk to me before we left.

"Hey, Kehma. Uh, so, what about Salamander-dono?"

"He's got the Flame Dragon's training to handle, and he said he doesn't want to leave Tsuia Mountain since it's too much trouble. I left him behind."

"I-I see. Would he come if you called for him?"

"How would I call him? Send him a letter?"

"Huh, no, I mean isn't there something contractual for that? Like at [Flame Cavern] that time."

"He was just originally hiding there. That guy basically just lazes around in [Flame Cavern]."

And so Ittetsu's public profile now included the "lazing Salamander"… Dalamander setting.

Well, his daughter apparently sees him that way anyway, so it should be fine, right?

"I see. So you two hit it off because of that… is the key to it Beddhism, maybe?"

Beats me.

Anyway, with that, we set off on our journey to the capital.

Rei, I'm leaving the inn and dungeon to you!

 

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We traveled by carriage and arrived at Tsuia without incident.

Still, it only took two hours one way… It used to take six hours just to run from the dungeon to Tsuia. Apparently it wouldn't even take an hour on a fast horse during the day.

"As expected of a noble's carriage, so comfortable… But wow, with Maiodoru-sama here, we don't need inspection and the toll is free… as expected of nobility."

"You don't need money to enter your own house, right? Plus this carriage basically serves as identification."

"That's right, Gozoh-san. But even nobles have to pay the toll, you know? Even I properly pay it!"

"Oh yeah, you're a hero so you're technically a noble too, Wataru. I forgot."

Actually, even without that, we had a pass from the guild for this trip, so the toll would have been waived anyway.

Really, it's more like as expected of Haku-san, the Adventurer Guild's Grand Master.

"Hah, I want to stay with Kuro-sama longer."

"… The lord's mansion is coming into view soon, so please prepare to disembark."

"It's alright, Kuro-sama. I left the preparations to my maid, so I can stay by your side until the very last moment."

For now, we headed to drop them off at the lord's mansion.

And there, we received a personal welcome from the lord himself, Vonodoru Tsuia.

"Ooh, Kehma-dono. It's been a while! Nishimi-dono as well, it's been too long. Mai, have you been well?"

He smoothly greeted me first… I wonder what he's thinking. Does he have some ulterior motive?

Given that he put Maiodoru last and Wataru second, I don't think it's just because I was the one looking after his daughter.

"Yes, Father. My relationship with my fiancé Kuro-sama has deepened considerably."

"I see, I see! You've gotten close enough to call Kuroinu-dono by a nickname! Ah, isn't it wonderful to see our children growing up, Kehma-dono?"

"Hahaha… well, as you can see, I've delivered your daughter safely."

I didn't really understand the hidden meaning behind his words, so I just went with a diplomatic smile for now.

"'Fiancé Kuro-sama,' you say!? Kehma-san! Isn't Kuro-chan a gir…!? Wait, could it be… a, a trap…!? Eek, traps, scary!"

"H-Hey. Come back to us, Wataru."

"Hah. Sorry, I lost myself for a moment."

Oh right, Wataru had that experience of being tricked by a marriage scammer who turned out to be a guy.

"Kehma-sama. This is where we part for now, but please feel free to continue using this carriage and coachman. With this carriage, entering and exiting towns along the way should go smoothly."

"Hmm…"

… But it has their crest on it. I'd prefer a different one.

When I glanced at Vonodoru, our eyes met.

"Now, now. Don't worry about it. This much is only natural to do for my daughter's fiancé."

"… Could I borrow one without the crest? I feel like various troubles might arise because of it."

"On the contrary, I believe going without the crest would cause more trouble later on. But if Kehma-dono insists, I can arrange a carriage without one?"

Could Haku-san have said something to him…? I'm worried about bandits targeting us along the way because of the crest though…

Just then, Wataru chimed in.

"Oh, Vonodoru-san. A covered wagon with the crest, please! After all, when you think of traveling by carriage, covered wagons are the way to go, right, Kehma-san?"

"Hm? Then as Nishimi-dono wishes, I'll have a covered wagon prepared. Is that alright with you, Kehma-dono?"

"Oh, yes. I'm not too familiar with carriages, so I'll leave it to you."

Traveling by covered wagon, huh. It really brings a certain RPG to mind. Maybe defeated monsters will get up and look like they want to join our party.

"Hey, Wataru. Why the crest?"

"Kehma-san, your base at Golen Village is close to Tsuia, right? It's better to clearly show your connection to Vonodoru-san."

"… To prevent other nobles from intervening?"

"Exactly. It's better to just accept the crest here, you know?"

Is that how it works? What a pain…

"Kehma-dono! How about some tea while the carriage is being prepared? I'd love to hear more about the young lady with you."

The lord smiled at both me and Rokuko.

"Oops, I need to take care of some travel preparations. I'll leave this to you, Kehma."

"Oh, I just remembered I need to deliver some documents the guild asked me to bring. I'll pick up a delivery quest while I'm at it."

"I'll go too. Ya need our party members present to make it a joint request, right?"

"Oh, then I'll tag along too! Heheh, I'll mooch off the guild contribution points!"

"I'll go buy some booze with Gozoh. Wataru, take the request under Team Bacchus."

They scattered like baby spiders, and before I knew it, only me, Rokuko, and Niku remained.

Rather than them being tactful, it felt more like I was the one too slow to escape the hassle. Yeah.

"… Well then, shall we accept the offer for tea, Kehma?"

"… Yeah."

By the way, during the tea time, I heard some quite useful information about noble manners and such, so it turned out well in the end.

 

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While I was listening to valuable stories from the lord, the carriage was prepared, and we quickly transferred our minimal luggage.

Since it was mostly just handbags, it was done in no time, and the moment to part with Maiodoru came surprisingly quickly.

"Everyone, please take care. And Kuro-sama, take care… nn."

"Nnh."

Oh, a farewell kiss on Niku's cheek from Maiodoru. She casually pulled off something Rokuko couldn't do. So this is what it means to be a noble's daughter.

"Wha!? Y-You did it, Mai."

"Fufufu, if you can't manage at least this much, Rokuko-sama, someone might steal Kehma-sama away from you."

"I-It's fine! Kehma and I have a relationship that won't end until death…! It's fine, right?"

It's fine. Probably.

"Hmm-hmm? It's not necessarily fine, Rokuko-dono! After all, I am here!"

"Back off, perverted elf. Say that after you can at least do your seven times tables without mistakes."

"I-I don't make mistakes! … If I use my fingers."

When did Rokuko and Shikina get so close? I had no idea.

And so, we departed from Tsuia. All we did this time was have tea with Vonodoru, but Tsuia is a place I can visit anytime, so this much is fine.

… Beyond here is somewhere I've never been. I'm a bit excited to see what it's like.

"It takes about five days by carriage to reach the next town."

… That's pretty far!?