Volume 2 Chapter 29 Let's Go, It's Time to Depart
In front of the Sanroze mansion, a carriage and a decorated carriage are parked. The decorated carriage's platform is stacked with gifts, travel supplies, and food. The carriage is a luxurious black box type, designed for about 6 people, grander than the one Cain and his group usually use.
* * *
"Whoa, we've even got such a fancy carriage at home, huh?"
Chris mutters as he looks at the black box carriage.
"What are you talking about? We borrowed it for this trip to the Shield borderlands. We're not exactly rolling in dough yet, can't afford to buy and maintain more carriages."
Arthur retorts with a look of exasperation at Chris.
"Huh, is our home that risky?"
"It's not on the brink of collapse right now, but if we do nothing, it'll fall apart within a decade. Helping father with his work this time really opened my eyes. Both parents have been implementing various measures, but it'll be a few years before we see results."
"Elder Brother Arthur, after graduating from the academy and serving a few years in the royal capital's knight order, I want to return to Sanroze territory and start a family, so please do make it prosperous."
Chris firmly grips Arthur's hands, enveloping them.
"What are you saying, you're going to help too."
Arthur speaks in a low, calm voice, tinged with anger.
"Y-Yes, I got your word on it."
Arthur breaks into a cheerful laugh, his expression crumbling.
* * *
"Sir Cain, please be careful on your journey. I really wanted to join you..."
"Gardy, surely a newlywed shouldn't be apart so soon."
Gardy and Cain are chatting as they carry supplies to the decorated carriage. Gardy got married to Noel just yesterday and is planning to take a vacation starting tomorrow. In this other world, honeymoons are not common, and it seems that taking a week-long break after marriage is the norm.
"I'll bring you back some souvenirs, so look forward to it."
"Thank you for your kindness. I'll be content as long as I return safely."
'Gardy, isn't that a warning flag?'
"No need to worry, the knights will guard us."
* * *
"Lydia, Alice, this is your first trip in a while, so be very careful. Lydia, here's the letter to give to the Border Count Shield. Please deliver it."
"Certainly, I will take it."
"Alice, at the Border Count Shield, there's Nadia, who also studies at the academy this year. Say hello. Since you'll become friends, make sure you get along."
"I understand, I'm not a child."
Luke hugged Lydia and Alice in that order.
* * *
"Lala, here are the 'Flash Bomb' and 'Explosion Ball' you asked for. You probably know how to use them, but just in case──both are powered by mana and will go off 2 seconds after activation. They're a bit stronger than usual, so be careful."
Benjamin handed Lala a small bag.
"Thank you. It's best if we don't have to use them. I promise to protect everyone."
"Please take care," Benjamin said with a fresh smile, shaking hands with Lala.
* * *
"Well then, everyone. Please get on the carriage."
Knight Captain Argyle calls out to them, acting as their escort for the journey.
"""Alright, father. I'm off."""
"Be careful. I'm counting on you, Argyle."
"Yes. *Huff*"
Lydia and the others smile and reply to Luke, while Knight Captain Argyle salutes.
The leading knights ride their horses ahead, followed by the carriage and wagons. Luke and the others, staying behind, watched Lydia's party leave through the gates of the estate.
"It's gone now, father."
"Yeah, just thinking I'll be alone at the estate for 2 weeks makes me feel down. Do Arthur and the others leave tomorrow?"
"Yes, they leave before noon. Maybe the estate being quiet will help them work better?"
"Without Lydia's help, they'll take even longer."
Luke, carrying loneliness deep inside, entered the estate.
* * *
"Rattle, rattle, rattle!" After leaving Sanroze's town, about 2 hours had passed. At first, Alice and Cain, who weren't used to venturing outside the town, enjoyed the passing scenery, but it soon became monotonous, and they both grew quiet.
In the swaying carriage, reading a book was difficult, and they weren't tired enough to sleep.
'Ugh, it's not just the carriage's quality, but the road is so bad it's shaking terribly. I get why isekai protagonists often try modifying suspensions──I totally feel them now.'
"Mother Lydia, how much longer until we rest?"
"Soon, I think?"
Lydia, who'd been reading calmly despite the jostling, looked up to answer.
As they chatted, the carriage slowed. It crawled along for a bit before reaching a wide spot by the road and stopping.
"Good work, everyone. We've arrived at the first rest stop."
After a knock on the carriage door, Lala's voice announced their arrival.
"Lala, go ahead and open it. Help Alice and Cain get out."
"Yes, ma'am," she said, opening the door.
"Come on, Lady Alice, Sir Cain, let's stretch those legs!"
Alice and Cain practically leaped out of the carriage. The rest stop was about half the size of a soccer field. Grooms prepared water buckets for the horses, giving them drinks and massages. The knights split into groups──some keeping watch, others tending to the horses.
"Hey, Lala, how long until we reach the village where we're staying tonight?"
"Hmm, probably around evening, Lady Alice."
"Still so long, huh? I might get so bored I pass out before we get there. Nothing to do is just... boring."
Alice sighed, staring down the long road ahead.
Cain, meanwhile, looked back at the road they'd traveled and ahead at what was to come, thinking, 'Is paving everything in cobblestones overkill? If the roads were better maintained, there'd be less shaking, and we could go faster. Maybe I'll ride up front with the driver to check the road conditions until the next break!'
Cain returned to the carriage to get Lydia's permission.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!