Year 7446, Month 3, Day 25
Sister-in-law Shani-san arrived in the afternoon. Since the still was still early they said that after a short break they would go to the company in the capital and then make deliveries and take measurements for the knight group tomorrow. Also, in regards to my returning home but the I discussed it together with the {Slaughterers} the day before yesterday and yesterday and decided on it.
Since there's also the two reincarnated people, Kuro and Mary, in the end I decided to return to Bakuddo once. There's also the matter of greeting my parents so Miduchi is coming along as well. Also, Gwine is accompanying us.
The reason is simple. It's for producing the map along the way.
Gwine is a Free Person but we'll be accompanying as well and above all else she's also an employee of Greed Company so there's no problem with moving between different territories. I already knew that when it comes to the registered employees of Greed Company which has a Type-2 First Variety license I can easily get proof of passage issued for them.
After that is one more, I'm having Angela accompany us to take care of everyday tasks.
Putting aside Miduchi and Angela, when I said I would be returning along with Gwine, it's only obvious there's someone who butt into the conversation.
"Eh~ if you're bringing Gwine along then bring me as well."
"Just a moment Ral, think about it a bit."
"Eh~ I mean, isn't it unfair for just Gwine. Bel, don't you really want to go along too?"
"Eh? Th..That is, of course I want to go a bit as well but..I've never gone out to any place other than the capital after all.."
"What are you saying you idiot. It's not like we're going to play."
We are going to play though.
"I want to go too, I want to go, I~ want~~ to go~~!"
Chi..It can't be helped.
"Hey Ralpha, listen carefully to what I say."
I put my hands on both shoulders of the idiot and made an expression that I thought seemed pretty serious while properly staring into her eyes. Stop turning red..somehow it makes my ass itch.
"You already understand that I can't bring along everyone right?
..Yeah, that's right.
Putting aside that I'm leaving behind my slaves, right now is the ideal time to train the {Butchers} and {Exterminators}. Isn't that something you said as well?
It's necessary for someone to properly look after them. Then when it comes to that you know, think about who's staying behind.
Zenom is reliable but if his most beloved person isn't beside him..for a number of months don't you think he'll started to get worried.
Toris has recently started to use his head but if it's just Bel acting as advisor to him she's still got a ways to go. Someone needs to lend them their wisdom.
Bel is level-headed but she has a tendency to get too far ahead of herself. Toris still can't properly hold the reins on her. Don't you get that it's necessary for someone to hold things in check?
Basutoral is still a newlywed and Zulu is my head slave. There's no way for them to move.
You already get it right?
Listen well, you're the one who's been together with me for the longest. While I'm not around, out of everyone who in the world do you think it is that I can trust to leave things to the most? Are you going to make me say everything?"
"Eh...Yeah..If that's how it is then..me..I guess?
That's right isn't it. It's just as Al said.
A ha ha..I still wasn't thinking enough about it...
..Yeah. Alright! While you're not around, I'll properly keep an eye on things!"
And she's saying something like that.
I'm saved she's as easy as usual.
In the first place in regards to the {Slaughterers} I haven't left anything to you.
Everyone who heard it was looking at the lone idiot get roused up with lukewarm eyes.
Also it's only obvious but along with my returning home, exploring the 8th floor is put on hold. Everyone who remains will be looking after the {Butchers} and {Exterminators} but as long as they don't do anything unreasonable since a lot of them were originally veterans it should be fine. Rather than that, by the time I return they might have gained the ticket to go to an even lower floor. Zenom said, "Leave it to us, also their abilities were originally high. By the time you return we'll show you can we can pull them up to the 5th floor." while smiling.
There shouldn't be any problem with leaving the {Slaughterers} to Toris and Zenom. If it's them then even without Miduchi and I they should be fine up to the 7th floor. If they leave some leeway and only go up to the 5th floor ro so while I'm not around then there shouldn't be any real problem. As long as they remain completely careful of the powerful enemies that rarely appear and avoid them then they have Gwine's map so it should be like riding a big boat.
I gave out some detailed instructions but Toris said, "Leave things to me.", just in case I also gave 50,000,000 Z in cash to Zenom. And then, each of us got on our war horses to be included in the caravan that sister-in-law Shani-san was commanding. Because of problems with their physique, Gwine was riding with me and Angela was riding with Miduchi, also in part to act as horse riding training for each of us.
Putting aside Gwine who's gone to play in the capital and made up excuses to ride my horse under the guise of horse riding training all the time, Angela said, "For a mere slave to ride a horse.." and was showing restraint but I've heard that even the fourth knight group has combat slaves that ride horses and act as commanders. Even if combat is impossible at least become able to ride it while it walks.
We quickly finished up the deliveries in the capital and I told Rozural and the others that I would be gone for about 2.5 months returning to Bakuddo for a bit this time. I also told them that if any problems occur during that time to report it to Toris or Zenom, additionally since it's about that time I told them to start organizing their belongings.
It's almost been about two years since they came to the capital. The next time there's deliveries another squire family should come to Rombertia to switch with them. Going off of the period it should probably be around summer. Since there's also the matter of teaching them their jobs, we should look at the change taking around 1-2 weeks in time.
There's also the amount of furniture that's increased in the capital so it's necessary for them to at least organize it so it can fit into two carts. Even when they go to return to Bakuddo I'm sure that they won't return with a completely empty load. They'll probably do business in Keel and Doritto, so they should normally be stocking up for the sake of that.
In order to thank the Saguretto Company of Doritto for coming to Bakuddo every month at a fixed time to sell us daily necessities we also bring back unusual goods(It's generally mirrors that don't reflect very well, small bottles with perfume, expensive accessories, or cloth dyed a beautiful color. Depending the case they carry magic stones for other companies as well) from the city and that's an important job. Of course it's not for a free.
.................
The journey to Bakuddo was advancing smoothly. We followed along the coast from Baldukk towards the Southwest direction about 100 km over 3 days and arrived at a location that Gwine didn't know about. Starting from here the amount she was talking decreased and she was often looking restlessly around the surroundings. I guess a map of the areas along the road are properly being carved into her memory.
Along the way, since we didn't do anything like staying several days other than just lodging, in around two weeks we were able to make it to around the mountain road I met Zenom and Ralpha in the past. That time we were staying several days to play in a number of towns here and there along the way, so it took around three weeks from here to Baldukk. I was curious about everything I saw. I was a brat after all. Though I guess that's still the case now huh?
Just like that another week passed and we entered Viscount Penlaid's territory as we left the royal territory. We entered a random inn in Karumu the capital of the Viscount's territory and everyone ate dinner together. Since the restaurant the four of us entered was a bit packed we all ended up eating at a table a bit away from everyone from Bakuddo.
Angela was quietly eating her food without joining the conversation but since we're all brats, not to mention excluding me they're women, I guess she was being cautious someone might try to pick a fight with us as she scanned the surroundings. Even though it's fine for her not to be that highly strung..Even though she was given detailed instructions it's quite hoesnt of her. With that loyal dog on our side we were,
"Come to think of it, it wouldn't be strange for there to be a "reincarnated person" around here right."
"That is certainly true..but, there's no way of searching for them.."
"Right~ Mary-san, was it? If their house is a business like hers and it's going well there's not much need for them to move around after all..If that sort of thing hadn't happened then even I think I would be a peddler around now."
"Hmn, that's right isn't it. Even if they were born as a serf, normally they almost never have any chances to leave their village since they're born..Kuro and Basutoral are special cases I'm sure.."
"Thinking like that and Toris-san had things quite difficult right.."
"I can recall his troubles. I heard that he walked around quite a bit."
And, we were talking about things that there wasn't even any way of entering.
In our surroundings what seemed to be merchants from a different caravan were talking about how they were attacked by a group of orks last month. It seems they were attacked on a road barely along the border between Viscount Penlaid's territory and Viscount Yoraizu's territory in the Southeast. If I remember correctly I think Marquis Webdos's territory had a really small area of border connected to it as well.
In the south of Karumu there's the Pitosu mountain range with it's highest peak of Mount Pitosu at 1,500 meters towering just before Marquis Webdos's territory. We have no choice but to take a bit of a detour around towards the direction of Viscount Yoraizu's territory but there should still be a distance of several tens of km until the border so they shouldn't be any harm to us.
Since it's not on our way I don't have much interest but in the East of Viscount Pendlaid and Viscount Yoraizu's territory is that Dirt Plains and there's a bunch of small territories. Though I say that, it doesn't have much relation the borders of Viscount Penlaid and Viscount Yoraizu's territories. It shouldn't have much relation to me in the future either I'm sure. When it comes to the Dirt Plains rather than something like orks I'm sure Devas Kingdom is scary.
Putting that aside, since it seems their caravan took a skilled ambush they suffered a decent amount of damage but they were splendidly able to repel them. As expected of a Type-3(probably) company wandering around in the remote areas.
The skill of their escorts must have been good as well. However, it seems they weren't able to kill the orks that attacked them.
Even though they were able to do a reasonable amount of damage, since the attacking side retreated before taking any damage they must have a considerably careful and intelligent leader. Different from Baldukk dungeon, I guess that means that the orks wandering the border of Viscount Yoraizu's territory are quite something.
It seems a bit of that conversation entered Gwine's ears as she lowered her eyes and bit her lip.
The only thing the three of us could do was offer Gwine some vodka.
We plan to depart early tomorrow morning so we decided to quickly go to sleep.
..................
Year 7446, Month 4, Day 22
We finally returned back to Keel. Now that we've come this far it's just another week in distance until Bakuddo. Sister-in-law and I both tried to stay at the nostalgic Binsu Manor but there was only one two-person room and three one-person rooms open. In regards to the one-person rooms on the top floor we left one to sister-in-law and one to the veteran squire Jimu, while on the lower floor Miduchi and I took the two-person room, and Gwine took the one-person room next to that. The remaining escort squires and Angela who there wasn't enough rooms for were able to secure a slightly cheaper inn without problem.
Following that sister-in-law and the squires stopped by Webdos Company, they went to sell wholesale the things they stocked up on in the capital. Also, it's only obvious but we aimed our horse's heads towards the headquarters of Webdos Knight Group. Kuro and Mary should be getting along energetically. Currently, I wonder to what level they've reached with using weapons? Putting aside investiture as a knight, I wonder if they've at least set it as their goal?
There were two gatekeeper-like soldiers standing at the gate to the knight group headquarters just like in the past. We were asked our identities but both Miduchi and I were wearing the rubber protectors from Bakuddo. Their voices were soft. I guess before I noticed the interactions for Bakuddo have changed to those with a direction relation. Come to think of it, other than the provision to squires of Bakuddo village the only ones we've sold this armor to is the first knight group. We are selling a small amount to the second knight group as well but we shouldn't have been selling them to the Webdos Knight Group.
I stepped forward and stretched out my hand to have them confirm my status while requesting to meet Kuro and Mary. However, unfortunately right now excluding the bare minimum number of people most of the knight group has been out since two weeks so our meeting was impossible right now. It seems they've gone out to subjugate a {Horned Bear} in Buraizu Village which is about 1.5 days walk to the Northeast from Keel.
This morning, they received contact that they were safely able to defeat it so at quickest they should be back tomorrow evening or at least the evening of the day after tomorrow. It seems that two squires were killed by the {Horned Bear} but supposedly the victims weren't Kuro or Mary. I feel a bit sorry for the two who passed away but I was bit a relieved after confirming that.
If they're not around then it can't be helped so I tried asking about Kuro and Mary. Whether or not they have any plans to receive investiture as knights, and if they do around when, or if that isn't the case their evaluation, I have a lot of things I'm interested in. However, as expected the gatekeepers were keeping their mouths shut about details of the members reputation inside of the group to outsiders like us and we were able to gain any information.
No matter how I tried asking they wouldn't respond to anything other than the fact that they were safe, so, I was just about to try yelling that my brother and his wife were members, and even that wife was the commander's daughter! borrowing the authority of relatives but since it seems shameful I stopped. It seems I'm still quite young as well.
In the first place since they saw my status they should already know I'm from the Greed household.
The fact that they weren't trying to suck up to me is proof that discipline is properly being maintained. Being devoted to your duties is a good thing and Marquis Webdos Territory with a knight group like that is a good territory. No, that's being a poor loser. In the first place there's no benefit to them trying to earn points with me.
It can't be helped. It should be fine if we meet them on our way back from Bakuddo. I thought about showing my face in Mary's house at Binsil's restaurant but stopped. It's fine on our way back.
We returned to Binsu Manor and Miduchi handed me a knife with an expression like she had determined her resolve.
"Erase the scars on my forehead and cheek."
"Is that fine? The chances of it not healing are higher.."
The scar on Miduchi's face is one from quite a bit in the past, she suffered it when she was still a child. She said that the injury was serious and even {Cure All} couldn't completely heal it. That is~ I'm sure. If you don't use healing spells soon after you suffer injuries sometimes the scars remain. Even teacher Mila said the "scar itself has become the normal state" for the body already so even if you try gouging out the wound and using the spell {Regenerate} there's not much hope for it to cleanly heal back over. Even if the new wound heals right away, she said the old scar will end up being regenerated together with it.
If it won't be fixed then going to the trouble of suffering such pain will just end in a loss, in the first place it's not so easy to gather the courage to gouge out your face. Certainly scars on the face are a point that's said to be unattractive and it can be thought that it's become a complex for Miduchi. I can understand her feelings of wanting to heal them.
"Yeah..But, I feel like if I don't test it out now then I'll never be able to gather my courage for the rest of my life...As expected I can't gather the courage to gouge my face out on my own so I'd like you to do it for me."
In order to not get them dirty she took off the clothes on her upper body and sat down on a chair as I looked into Miduchi's eyes. It seems her intention is strong.
"You...But, if that's what you want then I'll do it."
Just in case I thought and gouged out my left arm. Then quickly used the spell {Regenerate}..since I haven't practiced it very much it took close to 1 minute. No, even like this I practiced it around 50 times. Along with the activation of the spell the flesh from the wound on my left arm swelled up as we watched and returned to completely clean skin. Though it's dirty with blood.
Oh~ ouch. I immediately used {Cure All} on myself consecutively for the sake of stopping the pain.
Seeing my left arm Miduchi smiled just a bit and nodded.
Miduchi folded the towel in her hand and bit down on it.
I understand.
...
.......
.............
"It's impossible...The scar returned."
Miduchi is looking downward. I used healing spells plenty on it and there shouldn't be any pain remaining anymore.
"Idiot, don't cry."
".."
"Father, brother, sister-in-law, and even sister have all met you with that face right? What's there to be embarrassed about at this point.."
"..That isn't"
"..Though I get your feelings."
"But, I still haven't met mother-in-law, and there's everyone from the village as well.."
"No one will be bothered over it."
"I'm bothered over it.."
"I see..Sorry. That I was thoughtless.."
"Wun, it's fine. But if even you had these sorts of scars.."
"Certainly I know your face from the time when it had no scars."
"Then.."
"But, I think your current face is even more attractive."
The next morning, when we were having breakfast with Angela who was staying in the cheap inn, she said, "Your face is red. Have you caught a cold?" to Gwine who was staying the room next to ours. I guess the stimulation in the night was sli~ghtly strong for Gwine. We're, still young after all.
.........................
Year 7446, Month 4, Day 28
We've finally arrived at Bakuddo village.
However~ it's something I felt since around the time we passed the town of Denzulu but the roads leading to Bakuddo haven't been properly maintained. Particularly from Badeddo village to Badetto village, and then the road leading to Bakuddo village has all sorts of rugged rocks laying around, there's mud remaining here and there, the condition was considerably bad. If it's this certainly at best you could call it a remote region. Along with that our advancing speed dropped quite a bit as well. Once again I realized that the maintenance situation of the roads in the King's Direction Territory leading between the towns and villages centering around the capital Rombertia are extremely excellent.
Seeing Bakuddo village it's..truly been four years I guess? It's the nostalgic scenery of the village.
Was this road this narrow?
Were the tobacco fields spread out over there that small?
It seems that that area has become a field for rubber trees...
Why is there soba spread out in a place like this?
If you're going to scatter soba either way then on the other side of the river is...
The scenery of Bakuddo village dyed madder red on the verge of twilight wasn't particularly beautiful.
But, for some reason it hit my heart.
In terms of time it should be about when the serfs are finishing up their jobs for today and heading home.
There's still a considerable number of people in the fields and they're in the process of cleaning up.
"Al, is it nostalgic?"
While Angela was controlling my war horse with unfamiliar hands, sister-in-law Shani-san said as she approached us on her war horse.
"Yeah.."
Since we approached the village from the South everyone in the fields noticed us and are waving their hands. However, after noticing again that the number of horses increased and there's more people they came running over. I never got very familiar with any of the serfs from the village but it seems they remember the little brother of the lord. I was a bit surprised when everyone started saying things like, "Al-sama! Welcome home." or "Al-sama, it's been a while. I'm glad you're healthy."
"Surprised? Everyone is grateful to you. In regards to rubber, substitute fields, thresher, and the use of horses and cattle in farm work. The taxes haven't changed since you left but the income itself changed. It's just a bit but the amount of wages we can give to the serfs has increased as well...Of course, it's not like you made all of it but everyone knows that you prepared it and left the path for us. The former master talked about all of it after all."
I see..Father...
"Well, in the past I was surprised by you as well. Even though I heard about you from Farne. But, okay? It was certainly you who helped make this place this wealthy. I think that taking a look around once while you can now would be for your sake."
Sister-in-law...
By the way, it's only obvious but in regards to Miduchi, Gwine, and Angela, it seems they're being politely ignored.
However, there were a lot of people who made surprised faces seeing Miduchi with the rubber protectors on as well.
I guess it's because they aren't used to seeing dark elves. Miduchi has her face raised while wearing a helmet with the same design as mine. Yeah, that's fine.
Ah, what I can see over there is the house.
It seems that the water bucket I made in the past before leaving the house is still being used just like that.
It hasn't changed...
And, in that case, I wonder where the four of us will be staying?
Well, I'm sure Miduchi and I will be in the guest room though.
Ah, come to think of it I never mentioned it.
Our village even has a bath.
Year 7446, Month 3, Day 25
Sister-in-law Shani-san arrived in the afternoon. Since the still was still early they said that after a short break they would go to the company in the capital and then make deliveries and take measurements for the knight group tomorrow. Also, in regards to my returning home but the I discussed it together with the {Slaughterers} the day before yesterday and yesterday and decided on it.
Since there's also the two reincarnated people, Kuro and Mary, in the end I decided to return to Bakuddo once. There's also the matter of greeting my parents so Miduchi is coming along as well. Also, Gwine is accompanying us.
The reason is simple. It's for producing the map along the way.
Gwine is a Free Person but we'll be accompanying as well and above all else she's also an employee of Greed Company so there's no problem with moving between different territories. I already knew that when it comes to the registered employees of Greed Company which has a Type-2 First Variety license I can easily get proof of passage issued for them.
After that is one more, I'm having Angela accompany us to take care of everyday tasks.
Putting aside Miduchi and Angela, when I said I would be returning along with Gwine, it's only obvious there's someone who butt into the conversation.
"Eh~ if you're bringing Gwine along then bring me as well."
"Just a moment Ral, think about it a bit."
"Eh~ I mean, isn't it unfair for just Gwine. Bel, don't you really want to go along too?"
"Eh? Th..That is, of course I want to go a bit as well but..I've never gone out to any place other than the capital after all.."
"What are you saying you idiot. It's not like we're going to play."
We are going to play though.
"I want to go too, I want to go, I~ want~~ to go~~!"
Chi..It can't be helped.
"Hey Ralpha, listen carefully to what I say."
I put my hands on both shoulders of the idiot and made an expression that I thought seemed pretty serious while properly staring into her eyes. Stop turning red..somehow it makes my ass itch.
"You already understand that I can't bring along everyone right?
..Yeah, that's right.
Putting aside that I'm leaving behind my slaves, right now is the ideal time to train the {Butchers} and {Exterminators}. Isn't that something you said as well?
It's necessary for someone to properly look after them. Then when it comes to that you know, think about who's staying behind.
Zenom is reliable but if his most beloved person isn't beside him..for a number of months don't you think he'll started to get worried.
Toris has recently started to use his head but if it's just Bel acting as advisor to him she's still got a ways to go. Someone needs to lend them their wisdom.
Bel is level-headed but she has a tendency to get too far ahead of herself. Toris still can't properly hold the reins on her. Don't you get that it's necessary for someone to hold things in check?
Basutoral is still a newlywed and Zulu is my head slave. There's no way for them to move.
You already get it right?
Listen well, you're the one who's been together with me for the longest. While I'm not around, out of everyone who in the world do you think it is that I can trust to leave things to the most? Are you going to make me say everything?"
"Eh...Yeah..If that's how it is then..me..I guess?
That's right isn't it. It's just as Al said.
A ha ha..I still wasn't thinking enough about it...
..Yeah. Alright! While you're not around, I'll properly keep an eye on things!"
And she's saying something like that.
I'm saved she's as easy as usual.
In the first place in regards to the {Slaughterers} I haven't left anything to you.
Everyone who heard it was looking at the lone idiot get roused up with lukewarm eyes.
Also it's only obvious but along with my returning home, exploring the 8th floor is put on hold. Everyone who remains will be looking after the {Butchers} and {Exterminators} but as long as they don't do anything unreasonable since a lot of them were originally veterans it should be fine. Rather than that, by the time I return they might have gained the ticket to go to an even lower floor. Zenom said, "Leave it to us, also their abilities were originally high. By the time you return we'll show you can we can pull them up to the 5th floor." while smiling.
There shouldn't be any problem with leaving the {Slaughterers} to Toris and Zenom. If it's them then even without Miduchi and I they should be fine up to the 7th floor. If they leave some leeway and only go up to the 5th floor ro so while I'm not around then there shouldn't be any real problem. As long as they remain completely careful of the powerful enemies that rarely appear and avoid them then they have Gwine's map so it should be like riding a big boat.
I gave out some detailed instructions but Toris said, "Leave things to me.", just in case I also gave 50,000,000 Z in cash to Zenom. And then, each of us got on our war horses to be included in the caravan that sister-in-law Shani-san was commanding. Because of problems with their physique, Gwine was riding with me and Angela was riding with Miduchi, also in part to act as horse riding training for each of us.
Putting aside Gwine who's gone to play in the capital and made up excuses to ride my horse under the guise of horse riding training all the time, Angela said, "For a mere slave to ride a horse.." and was showing restraint but I've heard that even the fourth knight group has combat slaves that ride horses and act as commanders. Even if combat is impossible at least become able to ride it while it walks.
We quickly finished up the deliveries in the capital and I told Rozural and the others that I would be gone for about 2.5 months returning to Bakuddo for a bit this time. I also told them that if any problems occur during that time to report it to Toris or Zenom, additionally since it's about that time I told them to start organizing their belongings.
It's almost been about two years since they came to the capital. The next time there's deliveries another squire family should come to Rombertia to switch with them. Going off of the period it should probably be around summer. Since there's also the matter of teaching them their jobs, we should look at the change taking around 1-2 weeks in time.
There's also the amount of furniture that's increased in the capital so it's necessary for them to at least organize it so it can fit into two carts. Even when they go to return to Bakuddo I'm sure that they won't return with a completely empty load. They'll probably do business in Keel and Doritto, so they should normally be stocking up for the sake of that.
In order to thank the Saguretto Company of Doritto for coming to Bakuddo every month at a fixed time to sell us daily necessities we also bring back unusual goods(It's generally mirrors that don't reflect very well, small bottles with perfume, expensive accessories, or cloth dyed a beautiful color. Depending the case they carry magic stones for other companies as well) from the city and that's an important job. Of course it's not for a free.
.................
The journey to Bakuddo was advancing smoothly. We followed along the coast from Baldukk towards the Southwest direction about 100 km over 3 days and arrived at a location that Gwine didn't know about. Starting from here the amount she was talking decreased and she was often looking restlessly around the surroundings. I guess a map of the areas along the road are properly being carved into her memory.
Along the way, since we didn't do anything like staying several days other than just lodging, in around two weeks we were able to make it to around the mountain road I met Zenom and Ralpha in the past. That time we were staying several days to play in a number of towns here and there along the way, so it took around three weeks from here to Baldukk. I was curious about everything I saw. I was a brat after all. Though I guess that's still the case now huh?
Just like that another week passed and we entered Viscount Penlaid's territory as we left the royal territory. We entered a random inn in Karumu the capital of the Viscount's territory and everyone ate dinner together. Since the restaurant the four of us entered was a bit packed we all ended up eating at a table a bit away from everyone from Bakuddo.
Angela was quietly eating her food without joining the conversation but since we're all brats, not to mention excluding me they're women, I guess she was being cautious someone might try to pick a fight with us as she scanned the surroundings. Even though it's fine for her not to be that highly strung..Even though she was given detailed instructions it's quite hoesnt of her. With that loyal dog on our side we were,
"Come to think of it, it wouldn't be strange for there to be a "reincarnated person" around here right."
"That is certainly true..but, there's no way of searching for them.."
"Right~ Mary-san, was it? If their house is a business like hers and it's going well there's not much need for them to move around after all..If that sort of thing hadn't happened then even I think I would be a peddler around now."
"Hmn, that's right isn't it. Even if they were born as a serf, normally they almost never have any chances to leave their village since they're born..Kuro and Basutoral are special cases I'm sure.."
"Thinking like that and Toris-san had things quite difficult right.."
"I can recall his troubles. I heard that he walked around quite a bit."
And, we were talking about things that there wasn't even any way of entering.
In our surroundings what seemed to be merchants from a different caravan were talking about how they were attacked by a group of orks last month. It seems they were attacked on a road barely along the border between Viscount Penlaid's territory and Viscount Yoraizu's territory in the Southeast. If I remember correctly I think Marquis Webdos's territory had a really small area of border connected to it as well.
In the south of Karumu there's the Pitosu mountain range with it's highest peak of Mount Pitosu at 1,500 meters towering just before Marquis Webdos's territory. We have no choice but to take a bit of a detour around towards the direction of Viscount Yoraizu's territory but there should still be a distance of several tens of km until the border so they shouldn't be any harm to us.
Since it's not on our way I don't have much interest but in the East of Viscount Pendlaid and Viscount Yoraizu's territory is that Dirt Plains and there's a bunch of small territories. Though I say that, it doesn't have much relation the borders of Viscount Penlaid and Viscount Yoraizu's territories. It shouldn't have much relation to me in the future either I'm sure. When it comes to the Dirt Plains rather than something like orks I'm sure Devas Kingdom is scary.
Putting that aside, since it seems their caravan took a skilled ambush they suffered a decent amount of damage but they were splendidly able to repel them. As expected of a Type-3(probably) company wandering around in the remote areas.
The skill of their escorts must have been good as well. However, it seems they weren't able to kill the orks that attacked them.
Even though they were able to do a reasonable amount of damage, since the attacking side retreated before taking any damage they must have a considerably careful and intelligent leader. Different from Baldukk dungeon, I guess that means that the orks wandering the border of Viscount Yoraizu's territory are quite something.
It seems a bit of that conversation entered Gwine's ears as she lowered her eyes and bit her lip.
The only thing the three of us could do was offer Gwine some vodka.
We plan to depart early tomorrow morning so we decided to quickly go to sleep.
..................
Year 7446, Month 4, Day 22
We finally returned back to Keel. Now that we've come this far it's just another week in distance until Bakuddo. Sister-in-law and I both tried to stay at the nostalgic Binsu Manor but there was only one two-person room and three one-person rooms open. In regards to the one-person rooms on the top floor we left one to sister-in-law and one to the veteran squire Jimu, while on the lower floor Miduchi and I took the two-person room, and Gwine took the one-person room next to that. The remaining escort squires and Angela who there wasn't enough rooms for were able to secure a slightly cheaper inn without problem.
Following that sister-in-law and the squires stopped by Webdos Company, they went to sell wholesale the things they stocked up on in the capital. Also, it's only obvious but we aimed our horse's heads towards the headquarters of Webdos Knight Group. Kuro and Mary should be getting along energetically. Currently, I wonder to what level they've reached with using weapons? Putting aside investiture as a knight, I wonder if they've at least set it as their goal?
There were two gatekeeper-like soldiers standing at the gate to the knight group headquarters just like in the past. We were asked our identities but both Miduchi and I were wearing the rubber protectors from Bakuddo. Their voices were soft. I guess before I noticed the interactions for Bakuddo have changed to those with a direction relation. Come to think of it, other than the provision to squires of Bakuddo village the only ones we've sold this armor to is the first knight group. We are selling a small amount to the second knight group as well but we shouldn't have been selling them to the Webdos Knight Group.
I stepped forward and stretched out my hand to have them confirm my status while requesting to meet Kuro and Mary. However, unfortunately right now excluding the bare minimum number of people most of the knight group has been out since two weeks so our meeting was impossible right now. It seems they've gone out to subjugate a {Horned Bear} in Buraizu Village which is about 1.5 days walk to the Northeast from Keel.
This morning, they received contact that they were safely able to defeat it so at quickest they should be back tomorrow evening or at least the evening of the day after tomorrow. It seems that two squires were killed by the {Horned Bear} but supposedly the victims weren't Kuro or Mary. I feel a bit sorry for the two who passed away but I was bit a relieved after confirming that.
If they're not around then it can't be helped so I tried asking about Kuro and Mary. Whether or not they have any plans to receive investiture as knights, and if they do around when, or if that isn't the case their evaluation, I have a lot of things I'm interested in. However, as expected the gatekeepers were keeping their mouths shut about details of the members reputation inside of the group to outsiders like us and we were able to gain any information.
No matter how I tried asking they wouldn't respond to anything other than the fact that they were safe, so, I was just about to try yelling that my brother and his wife were members, and even that wife was the commander's daughter! borrowing the authority of relatives but since it seems shameful I stopped. It seems I'm still quite young as well.
In the first place since they saw my status they should already know I'm from the Greed household.
The fact that they weren't trying to suck up to me is proof that discipline is properly being maintained. Being devoted to your duties is a good thing and Marquis Webdos Territory with a knight group like that is a good territory. No, that's being a poor loser. In the first place there's no benefit to them trying to earn points with me.
It can't be helped. It should be fine if we meet them on our way back from Bakuddo. I thought about showing my face in Mary's house at Binsil's restaurant but stopped. It's fine on our way back.
We returned to Binsu Manor and Miduchi handed me a knife with an expression like she had determined her resolve.
"Erase the scars on my forehead and cheek."
"Is that fine? The chances of it not healing are higher.."
The scar on Miduchi's face is one from quite a bit in the past, she suffered it when she was still a child. She said that the injury was serious and even {Cure All} couldn't completely heal it. That is~ I'm sure. If you don't use healing spells soon after you suffer injuries sometimes the scars remain. Even teacher Mila said the "scar itself has become the normal state" for the body already so even if you try gouging out the wound and using the spell {Regenerate} there's not much hope for it to cleanly heal back over. Even if the new wound heals right away, she said the old scar will end up being regenerated together with it.
If it won't be fixed then going to the trouble of suffering such pain will just end in a loss, in the first place it's not so easy to gather the courage to gouge out your face. Certainly scars on the face are a point that's said to be unattractive and it can be thought that it's become a complex for Miduchi. I can understand her feelings of wanting to heal them.
"Yeah..But, I feel like if I don't test it out now then I'll never be able to gather my courage for the rest of my life...As expected I can't gather the courage to gouge my face out on my own so I'd like you to do it for me."
In order to not get them dirty she took off the clothes on her upper body and sat down on a chair as I looked into Miduchi's eyes. It seems her intention is strong.
"You...But, if that's what you want then I'll do it."
Just in case I thought and gouged out my left arm. Then quickly used the spell {Regenerate}..since I haven't practiced it very much it took close to 1 minute. No, even like this I practiced it around 50 times. Along with the activation of the spell the flesh from the wound on my left arm swelled up as we watched and returned to completely clean skin. Though it's dirty with blood.
Oh~ ouch. I immediately used {Cure All} on myself consecutively for the sake of stopping the pain.
Seeing my left arm Miduchi smiled just a bit and nodded.
Miduchi folded the towel in her hand and bit down on it.
I understand.
...
.......
.............
"It's impossible...The scar returned."
Miduchi is looking downward. I used healing spells plenty on it and there shouldn't be any pain remaining anymore.
"Idiot, don't cry."
".."
"Father, brother, sister-in-law, and even sister have all met you with that face right? What's there to be embarrassed about at this point.."
"..That isn't"
"..Though I get your feelings."
"But, I still haven't met mother-in-law, and there's everyone from the village as well.."
"No one will be bothered over it."
"I'm bothered over it.."
"I see..Sorry. That I was thoughtless.."
"Wun, it's fine. But if even you had these sorts of scars.."
"Certainly I know your face from the time when it had no scars."
"Then.."
"But, I think your current face is even more attractive."
The next morning, when we were having breakfast with Angela who was staying in the cheap inn, she said, "Your face is red. Have you caught a cold?" to Gwine who was staying the room next to ours. I guess the stimulation in the night was sli~ghtly strong for Gwine. We're, still young after all.
.........................
Year 7446, Month 4, Day 28
We've finally arrived at Bakuddo village.
However~ it's something I felt since around the time we passed the town of Denzulu but the roads leading to Bakuddo haven't been properly maintained. Particularly from Badeddo village to Badetto village, and then the road leading to Bakuddo village has all sorts of rugged rocks laying around, there's mud remaining here and there, the condition was considerably bad. If it's this certainly at best you could call it a remote region. Along with that our advancing speed dropped quite a bit as well. Once again I realized that the maintenance situation of the roads in the King's Direction Territory leading between the towns and villages centering around the capital Rombertia are extremely excellent.
Seeing Bakuddo village it's..truly been four years I guess? It's the nostalgic scenery of the village.
Was this road this narrow?
Were the tobacco fields spread out over there that small?
It seems that that area has become a field for rubber trees...
Why is there soba spread out in a place like this?
If you're going to scatter soba either way then on the other side of the river is...
The scenery of Bakuddo village dyed madder red on the verge of twilight wasn't particularly beautiful.
But, for some reason it hit my heart.
In terms of time it should be about when the serfs are finishing up their jobs for today and heading home.
There's still a considerable number of people in the fields and they're in the process of cleaning up.
"Al, is it nostalgic?"
While Angela was controlling my war horse with unfamiliar hands, sister-in-law Shani-san said as she approached us on her war horse.
"Yeah.."
Since we approached the village from the South everyone in the fields noticed us and are waving their hands. However, after noticing again that the number of horses increased and there's more people they came running over. I never got very familiar with any of the serfs from the village but it seems they remember the little brother of the lord. I was a bit surprised when everyone started saying things like, "Al-sama! Welcome home." or "Al-sama, it's been a while. I'm glad you're healthy."
"Surprised? Everyone is grateful to you. In regards to rubber, substitute fields, thresher, and the use of horses and cattle in farm work. The taxes haven't changed since you left but the income itself changed. It's just a bit but the amount of wages we can give to the serfs has increased as well...Of course, it's not like you made all of it but everyone knows that you prepared it and left the path for us. The former master talked about all of it after all."
I see..Father...
"Well, in the past I was surprised by you as well. Even though I heard about you from Farne. But, okay? It was certainly you who helped make this place this wealthy. I think that taking a look around once while you can now would be for your sake."
Sister-in-law...
By the way, it's only obvious but in regards to Miduchi, Gwine, and Angela, it seems they're being politely ignored.
However, there were a lot of people who made surprised faces seeing Miduchi with the rubber protectors on as well.
I guess it's because they aren't used to seeing dark elves. Miduchi has her face raised while wearing a helmet with the same design as mine. Yeah, that's fine.
Ah, what I can see over there is the house.
It seems that the water bucket I made in the past before leaving the house is still being used just like that.
It hasn't changed...
And, in that case, I wonder where the four of us will be staying?
Well, I'm sure Miduchi and I will be in the guest room though.
Ah, come to think of it I never mentioned it.
Our village even has a bath.
