CH 489

It’s been about two days since we moved from Gust’s stationing place. We were driving our carriage into the castle town of Luitzar.

As I expected, the rate of encounters with monsters was the same as usual, except around the town of Gust.

In addition, many of the monsters we fought in Luitzar fled when the wyvern Angriff threatened them, indicating that the monsters around the town of Gust were in an abnormal state.

I was concerned about Hauzen-san and the others, but I reassured myself that they were not too weak to be defeated by something of that caliber, and continued on my way down the main street.

“It’s been a while. I’m occasionally called upon for requests, but lately I’ve been busy in other towns.”

“One thing or another, Urka’s doing a wide range of requests too. You have a skeleton, but what happened to the ghost that was with you when you were little?”

“Oh, he went to the other side as soon as I graduated from the academy. He said it was satisfying to see his son start his life.”

“Come to think of it, you have a rare skill yourself.”

“Yes, I do. I used to hate it, but now I’m proud of it because I got to meet Lars and everyone in my class, as well as Ogure-san and Sarge. By the way, is it alright that I don’t have to return the “Book of the Dead”?”

Suddenly, Retzel interrupted the conversation, and as if remembering, Urka asked.

“Oh, you can keep it. I can’t make it useful to you. At any rate, I lived in that town until you guys turned ten, and many of the kids in Lars-kun’s class had unusual skills.”

“Really? Me, Urka, Ryuuze and Jack, you don’t hear much about us, do you?”

“Lars, Luciel and Kudelica too.”

“Oh, I see. Half of them are rare? But I don’t think it’s extremely rare.”

When I turned from the driver’s seat, Retzel held up a finger at me.

“Well, I’m not sure how to respond to that, though. It’s as if you’ve been anticipating this situation somehow ……”

“Don’t you think you’re overthinking? It’s not as if everyone is a reincarnator, and I still can’t believe you’re on our side.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

“Oops, while we’re talking about that, it’s the castle. I, the minister, will finish this quickly!”

“No, didn’t you resign as the minister, Basleigh-sensei ……”

“Oh.”

While everyone is amazed at how quickly she forget, we inquired at the gatekeeper and left the carriage with him, and the knight led us inside …… 

“You look familiar ……”

“S-Shut up!?”

The guide was Gong, who had given Makina a bad time in a mock fight before. When I stared at him, he said with a pout.

“I’m sorry about that time. And after all, you guys cleaned up that skeleton mess, didn’t you? And how’s that girl?”

Gong glanced over his shoulder as he said this, and Urka replied with an unusually mean look in his eyes.

“Makina is Lars’ girlfriend. They’re going to get married one of these days.”

“Oh, ohhhhh …… I see ……”

“Well, Makina and I don’t hold grudges because it was a long time ago, and I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t be so stiff.”

“Yeah, you’re right ……”

“?”

Gong slumped and replied to Urka, and for some reason, Basleigh-sensei high-fived him and spun around.

“Why are you so excited?”

“It’s your bad habits …… I feel sorry for the merchant’s daughter and the others too.”

“It’s your one and only downside, being a natural, insensitive, popular guy.”

I feel like Irumi and Lilith are saying horrible things to me too …… I was going to protest, but we arrived at the audience room before I could, so I missed my chance.

“I’ve brought them.”

“Good work, have them come in.”

“See you later. I’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah, we’re going to stop by the guild and spend the night here today, so come by the inn if you feel like it.”

When I said that, Gong gave a small nod and walked back to the hallway, and the doors of the audience hall closed. As soon as it did, a voice came from the throne.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Lars-kun, and Urka-kun. Are the other children not here?”

“It’s been a long time, Veig-san. No, His Majesty King Luitzar.”

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

After walking to the center of the room, I kneeled down and bowed to Veig, the former Knight Commander and now King, and Shiina, the Queen. The previous king had already retired, and according to his second daughter Grace-san, who often came to visit Verna-sensei, he came to the throne when we were in the third grade.

“Hahaha, don’t be so formal. Is Sarge doing well too? I don’t see him around, though.”

“Yes. I’m afraid things are getting a little troublesome, so Sarge, Makina and the others from that time have gone to train.”

“I see …… It’s a little disappointing. And–“

“I think I know what the trouble is. I’ve received a letter from them saying that they might need help. What happened to the town of Gust?”

When Queen Shiina and Veig-san asked with straight faces, Basleigh-sensei looked up and answered for me.

“I’m sorry, but it’s no longer a place where people can come and visit …… However, in an effort to do something about it, the Reflexion Kingdom is working as one to fix the situation. We can’t be sure that they won’t reach out to Luitzar, because of the opponents themselves. I hope you will remain vigilant.”

“Eehhhhhh …… You’re so serious …… Tsuuiiiiiiii!?”

When Basleigh-sensei smiled and hit Lilith, Veig-san nodded and continued.

“Understood. From now on, Luitzar will be on state-wide alert. Also, we are ready to help, so please let us know whenever you need us.”

“Thank you very much! And, I apologize for being so quick, but there is one person I need you to look for.”

“Hmm? You’re looking for someone, no problem. Is he from this country?”

“No, he’s a young scholar named Yogus, a fellow student of mine and Urka’s. I heard that he is currently in the country on an excavation project.”

“A scholar who’s been excavating …… I see, we’ll check it out too. What if we find him?”

“We’re going to Orpha Country tomorrow. It will take us ten days to get there and back, so we will return to Luitzar in ten days and meet up with you there.”

When I mentioned my proposal, Veig-san smiled and nodded that he understood. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that I could now clear up one problem.

“So, now that we’re all settled, you haven’t had dinner yet, right? You said you were leaving tomorrow.”

“No, I’m afraid that would be too much trouble for you ……”

“That’s okay! You are the heroes who saved this country! And I hope you get to see Grace again after all these years.”

“Ah, yes ……”

I don’t like that person a little bit …… he seems to be talking to Luciela …… but I can’t say that, so I told them we were going to the inn first and left the castle.