180-Chapter 11-14 Return Route

I knew you'd be pissed.

It's so predictable, it's actually quite boring.

Albert and Cain were right, Rion was scolded by Ediria for his response to Doni and Lani. It wasn't by raising his voice or being sarcastic, but they pointed out the bad points in a matter-of-fact manner, and made him think about what he should have done about it, and made him answer them one by one. In addition, the frontier count in the meantime was completely airborne. Rion said that he must have been very depressed that he had to meet Doni and Lani, whom he had never met before.

'Tadamama~!

Mr. Chris returned to the frontier count's mansion alone before dinner. Amur said that Leni-san would be accompanying him to educate him while he was in Shellhide, and Chris-san would return to the mansion in the evening and meet up with Leni-san in the morning.

'No~ Leni's story was quite interesting. After all, Leni is the most popular woman in Nanao.

Leni was the most popular woman in Nanao, he said, according to Amur. Leni told him about her experience as a reference for Amur, and Chris found it interesting and useful.

Chris said it was interesting and useful for him.

As usual, Rion teased Chris, but as usual, Chris's fists didn't growl. We were surprised by the unexpected turn of events, but the surprise of Albert and Cain was the greatest of all.

'Totally, Rion can't get rid of the student feeling for any length of time.

Hearing Leni's story with Amur must have given Chris some idea of what he was thinking. Maybe this time, the Amur matter is starting to have an effect on Chris-san. Well, it's just the beginning, so it can't be helped that his fists are clenched tightly.......................but at this rate, it won't be long before Chris-san has a boyfriend.

Jeanne and Aura were asking Chris a lot of questions, as if they were curious about what Leni-san was talking about.

While watching them.

Hey, Temma. Miss, have you eaten something bad?

And someone was really worried about him. Rion would be better off growing up, even if he was half as good as Chris. Albert and Cain, who could be seen at the edge of their vision, also had a dumbfounded look on their faces when Rion said that.

That night, I thought they were going to have a millionaire's tournament late into the night like yesterday, but the three women all decided not to participate. The reason for this is 'because it's bad for your skin.

The reason for that is 'because it's bad for your skin. That's just the beginning!

You're the man, Mr. Merlin and I'm going to do the "revolution" thing.　

Huh!

Cain, you've been shooting at Leon for a while now and I'm up.

So, if I'm going to be a poor man and I'm up, then Rion will have lost ten in a row.

Since we don't have any ladies, we're doing it without a shift today, but as usual, Grandpa has a monopoly on the millionaire's position and Rion has a monopoly on the millionaire's position and Rion has a monopoly on the millionaire's position. Well, Grandpa is defending his position to the death with his good luck and strong reading, but Rion has been unable to climb up from the great poor man due to his own lack of luck and misreading, as well as Cain's interference.

''Oh shit!　If only Cain hadn't interfered over there...

'I'm sure I sabotaged it, but even when I didn't, I lost. And we're losing more when we're not.

Ahhhhhh... I don't feel so good today.

It happens all the time.

All of Rion's excuses were rammed into Cain and Albert.

'Let's take a break and.......Speaking of which, Temma, what are your plans for the future?

Rion ignored their tweaks and tried to buy time with a different story. Well, no matter how much time they bought time, when they resumed, they would start off with Rion's great poverty.

''In the future.......Since we've come to the Haust Frontier Count territory, I'm thinking of taking this opportunity to go to Kukri Village.

Nuh-uh... are you okay?

The first person to react to my words was Grandpa. Even with Uncle Mark and his friends, we had rarely talked about Kukri Village, so he was understandably surprised by what I had said.

I knew I had to go to Kukuri Village again, but I never went because it was too far away or because I was afraid. If I miss this time, I have a feeling I won't go again for some reason or another.

I won't say anything if you're okay with it, but you can turn back if you don't think you're ready.

''Kukri village is at the edge of the frontier county territory, so it's quite far from 'Shellhide'. Well, it's still closer than from the royal capital, though. If we have to turn back on the way, we can still go from the Royal Capital when it's safe to do so!

The moment Leon finished, Albert and Cain instantly moved in.

'That's not the point!　Read the air, you idiot!

And he was hitting him. By the way, Albert and Cain had punched him in the side and pigeon tail at almost the same time, making Leon scream in agony.

"As expected, that was a bit annoying for me too...

And then even Grandpa started to move.

'Please do it, Master Merlin!

Take your pick!

As soon as Grandpa stood up, they took Leon's arms from both sides to block his movements.

Wait, wait, I'm sorry...

I feel sorry for the poor kid, so I'll just have to take care of him now...

Grandpa's method of attack was a deco-pin. I don't know what the peak strike was, but its power wasn't half bad, and Rion's head was turned backwards with such force that his consciousness was nearly flying as if he had suffered a mild concussion.

''What noise!''

The noise of the commotion seemed to have reached Chris and the others' room, and all three of them came in a hurry.

Chris, don't run in the hallway. Chris, don't run in the corridor, you're back to the same Chris you saw yesterday.

It sounded as if you had hit something with a whip, though?

'It's no big deal. It's just that Leon said something stupid as usual and Lady Merlin chastised him for it.

'Well, 'Merlin-sama' isn't the usual, but that can't be helped. Rather, Rion should be grateful that it was only that bad.

After listening to Cain and Albert's explanation, Chris was half convinced, but he didn't understand the meaning of the chastisement by the other half of the grandfather.

I guess this explanation gave me the general idea, but Chris didn't ask me more than that. However, I felt I had to say why I was aiming for Kukri Village, so I decided to just ask him to listen to me.

''That's what happened I agree with heading to Kukri village. But if you just decided on a mission that you have to go there even if you're forced to, then I don't think it's necessary now.

It's okay. I've given it a lot of thought.

Then I won't say anything.

The conversation with Chris ended there, but Jeanne and Aura didn't seem to understand the situation very well. Well, even if they were to oppose it, I can't leave them at the frontier county house, so I have no choice but to take them there no matter what.

You can't disagree with Temma's decision, and you can't leave me here, so that kukri village?　It's fine to go to.......but what's going on in that village now?

I heard that the village became uninhabitable after the incident and is now abandoned.

So, you're going to Kukri village on a day trip?

'No, I'd like to spend a few nights there if I could. I don't know what's going on in the abandoned village, but I'd like to clean up and do some simple maintenance after I visit the grave.

I've heard that there is a grave of my father and mother, albeit a simple one, so I want to keep the area around them clean and well maintained so that it's easy to see that the grave is there.

The reason for this is that Albert and his friends don't have to go that far together. And I'm sure they'll make a few stops on their way back from Kukri village.

If they went to Kukri village, it would be quite a long way, and if they were to take a further detour from there, the return to the royal capital could be stretched out by months. Therefore, I thought of leaving the three of them here, but they did not nod.

''If we're going to stop off on our way back to the royal capital from Kukri Village, that would include Gunjo City, right?　If that's the case, I'd like to go and see Primera, as well as visit her. Even if you don't stop by, I'd like to join you on the way.

''Me too. It's impossible to visit the Marquis Samons' territory because it's too far off the route, but if I've come this far, I'd like to visit the Duke of Sangha's territory after a long time. Even now, I don't have the opportunity to visit other fiefdoms, and that opportunity will be even less in the future.

'I'm in a situation where I've already accomplished my goal. The rest should be free to do whatever they want. Besides, if I leave Temma here, the other nobles will say that I'm using Temma only for the benefit of the frontier county family.

And so it was decided that the three of us would follow them. Chris thought that because of his work with the Kingsguard, he couldn't go any further.

Of course I'm with you!　This time I'm 'following Temma-kun on business'. If Temma-kun is going to extend his trip, then automatically my assignment will be extended as well!

I'm calling it a complete trip, but since the request of the frontier county family is over, it wouldn't be wrong to call it a trip from here on out. Well, it's unclear if Chris-san's logic is valid, but even if I returned to the royal capital alone here, that would be a problem, so even if I got angry, I guess I could argue that 'the decision I made at that point was correct'.

''Well, that's what I'll do then. For now, the details are undecided, but the general idea is to go to Kukri Village, pass through Russell City, and stop at Gunjo City........ Well, roughly, that's the road I took to King's Landing.

To be exact, I didn't go through Russell City to Gunjo City, but it is a city on the way to Gunjo City from the village of Kukri, so it's good to have a good rest.

"Hmm, maybe I know more about the geography of this area than the Countess of the Frontier.

'Then would you like me to lead you to the middle of the way and then change to Master Merlin when you get close to the Kukri village?

Rion's guide is probably a map owned by the frontier county family, but he's making a taut appeal, as if he's thinking of making up for his earlier blunder.

''That might be a good idea.

Yes. I have been to Kukri village by way of Russell City, but at that time, Mr. Cliffe was the driver, and I was the guard, so we were taken by surprise by the orcs.

'And it was a pack led by an Orc King. And for an orc, they seem pretty smart.

I lightly covered Chris as he said to himself, "Chris,

'Yes!　For an orc, he was a crazy wise guy!　Besides, the person in charge at that time was the Deputy Commander of the Kinsmen's Guard, Jean-san, so as a subordinate, I couldn't even have an opinion!

And then, after giving the Oak King more credit, he plainly said that it was Mr. Jan's fault. It was as if he said that if he was the one in charge, it wouldn't have happened, but Chris-san didn't realize the meaning of what he said. Well, since I was the only person here who was likely to tell Mr. Jang what had happened, I could just keep my mouth shut.

By the way, the reason why I'm the only one is because Albert and the other three aren't close enough to Jean-san to talk casually about such things, and Jeanne and Aura can't tell you because of their position (if they did, Aina wouldn't be silent). Grandpa has the potential, but from the look on his face, he seems to think, 'I can't help but ruffle a few feathers while the demon is gone,' and Amour, who is most likely to do it, is not here. Therefore, I'm the only one who's most likely to tell them.

Chris-san doesn't seem to realize that I'm thinking of such a thing, and he's exaggerating somewhat about that time and telling Albert and the others about it.

'Temma........'

While everyone was distracted by Chris's story, Cain called my name in a small voice.

You're going to be a witness, okay?

And then he gave a thumbs up. To which I gave him a silent thumbs-up in return. And Grandpa looked at us with a dumbfounded look on his face. But he didn't pay attention.

We didn't pay attention, but he didn't. "I don't feel like playing cards anymore, and it's late, so I guess we should go to bed.

Right!

Leon agreed with his grandfather's words with a bite. He thinks that if he continues on like this, he'll never get out of the Great Poverty.

''That's right. Then we'll call it an interruption. Next time, let's start with Master Merlin's millionaire. And the millionaires will be in Lyon, of course.

No, no, no!　Next time, of course you'll start from the beginning!　Right?

I don't mind which one I am.

So let's let Cain, who came in second, decide.

We'll carry the results with us.

"d*mn it!

By Cain's immediate decision, it was decided that the next time Rion would be from the great poor. And this time, the shouting echoed throughout the mansion, and Rion was not only angry at Chris-san, but also at Edilia-san and the maids of the mansion.

The next day.

''I'm nervous at the thought of meeting the frontier count-sama!

No, he's definitely more nervous than me.

Doni and Lani were called by the county commissioner to do business with him.

Normally, this kind of permission is done by submitting the paperwork to the authorities, and when the authorities can't decide whether or not it's okay to issue the permission, they come to the Count of the Frontier, but this time, since Leon clearly said 'I'll take it to my father,' it was decided to skip a few steps and meet with him in person.

I've been visiting them early in the morning, telling them what happened and showing them to the house. The fact that Leon went out was punishment for doing something so rash. By the way, Leni-san didn't come here. And Chris-san is not in the mansion either. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

''So why me?''

'We would like to ask Master Temma to represent the young lady. It would be better if we had someone to identify us, even if only in form, but the young lady is busy with a lot of things at the moment and I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

It seems that I'm the replacement for the busy Amur.

Other than Amour, the only people who are acquainted with Lani-san are me, Grandpa, Jeanne and Aura, but since I'm supposed to be the leader of the party this time, that's why they said that was the reason.

''Well, there won't be much to do, so that's fine...''

And after the visit.

You didn't really have anything to do. You know, you don't think I should have been there?

Not at all!　It could be that Tenma-sama was there to listen to us, and more than anything else, having Tenma-sama at our side must have been quite a pressure for the frontier earl!

'I'm sorry it sounds like you took advantage, but it certainly helped.

What Lani says about being saved is that I introduced them in a way that guaranteed their identities, which means that if I refused or treated them with disrespect, I would lose my face, and the frontier count couldn't do such a thing to me who owed me a debt....... It seems to be like that.

It's not something to be worried about, because my father would have heard about them even if Tenma wasn't there. It's not a problem for me to give permission to do business with them, since I've made a connection with the southern part of the country, which I've never had contact with before....

If you don't tell me that you're a recipient of Mr. Edilia's message, then ''The quintessential heir to a great nobleman! It's typical of Rion that Doni and Lani's reputation could have been boosted by something like that, but then he just blurts it out so easily. Well, for me it's better than just keeping quiet like that.

I made Albert and Cain listen to the one I left out the last line, and they said

"Rion doesn't have the brains to think that hard!　Absolutely, someone must have gotten in on this!

He said out loud and then immediately afterwards, "From Rion, we'll get to the bottom of this! And then I went to get Leon.

'So, you said you were going to be in the business of serving food, but what are you serving?'

That's "pork miso soup"!

I heard that Tenma-sama was pleased with the miso soup you made with the wyvern. So I thought I'd try a similar 'pork miso soup'.

Since the "Wai Jiru" was accepted, the similar-looking "Pork Jiru" would also be fine, and since "Miso" was a rare ingredient in the frontier counties, it was unlikely to be imitated. For those reasons, they decided that the odds were high.

''That alone won't be enough for the adventurers and workers, so I'm going to sell it with an onigiri.

'Oh, that would be great to throw in the pork broth, and it's good for your stomach.

Lani looked startled for a moment when she heard what I had said casually, but she quickly grinned and

You're right, Master Tenma, you know what you're doing.

I said. He sounded as if I was some kind of bad guy or something.

'And if we stock up on cheap vegetables in a nearby town and change the ingredients, like a daily change... we can make some money.

''Hmph.......of course. I've already had my friends precede me to a nearby town and have them stock up on cheap foodstuffs in large quantities................................at a higher price than the rest of my peers.

Even if the cost of ingredients is a little higher, pork soup has the advantage of being able to add some bulk to the amount of water. With that in mind, they intend to cut off the stocking routes of their business enemies.

''If possible, I'd like to stock up on Wyvern's meat as well, but...''

'For sure, we'll be over budget. And that's enough to turn a profit into a deficit.

Yes. I'm sorry, but I give up. I wanted to make it the centerpiece of the last day, but what's the point if we don't make a profit?

Even if I sold the wyvern meat for less than the market price, I wouldn't make any money if it was enough to make wye juice. It's just that I used my own wyvern that I hunted and I was able to make such a big deal out of it because I was able to split it up as part of my request. If you're going to sell it, the amount of meat should be about a tenth of the amount used at that time, and you'll have to take more than a hundred g for a bowlful.

If they were selling it at a stall in King's Landing, they might be able to sell it just barely enough to make a profit, but for the adventurers and laborers in the low-cost frontier county, it would only be a payday luxury at best. That would not be good for business.

''Well, I'll try to make a thin profit and do my best with pork soup and rice balls. But I'm curious about the taste of the wyvern, can you sell it to me personally?

He wanted to know what the meat tasted like for when he handled Wyvern's meat in the future, so he wanted to make sure it was available now, when he could get it for sure. Of course, at the friendship price....

Well, I've had Lani sell me things for some discounted price, so it's not that I have to give a discount, but I felt like a peddler when I brought that first discount to the negotiations for the meat of the wyvern.