Chapter 6: Departure to Marquis Fernandes

“Tina, you don’t really have to come with me, though?”

“I am Kurt-sama’s partner. I’ll attend to you no matter where you go!”

Tina and I are inside the carriage arranged by Marquis Fernandes. We are departing towards Marquis Fernandes’ territory. In that place, the announcement party to celebrate my engagement to Faruno and the pastry-making for the duchess’ present are both awaiting. Things will get busy soon.

“Kurt-sama, Tina-san, please do your best. I wish I was allowed to go as well, but I cannot part from this place no matter what.” Volg, Faruno’s butler, expresses his apology while sending us off. He can be said to be a heavily armed existence. If he’s not around, the process of building Faruno’s residence will surely slow down.

“Volg, you should just focus on your own duty. I’m going to do my best in my own. That’s all.”

I owe Volg. Just as he said on his first day here, he’s been training me to use both mana and ability at the same time. I have an opponent to go all out with, and he also makes me realize my imperfections. Volg taught me how crucial it was. Thanks to him, I’ve gradually become stronger.

“I’m leaving Faruno-sama to you. If you’re giving me high praises, maybe my salary will increase.”

“I’ll think about it if you treat me next time.”

Volg and I are throwing jokes at each other. Our bond grew deep from exchanging fists.

“The present from Faruno-sama really suits you, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, I’ll use it with great care.”

I hit my chest. There’s a hidden pocket beneath where I store the present from Faruno.

“How splendid. My lady will surely be pleased as well.”

When Volg came to greet me, I received Faruno’s gift from him. The true form of the present was a cake knife. It’s of really high quality, way beyond this civilization. It’s indispensable for a pastry chef, so I was truly happy. That’s why I made an inner pocket in my coat and carry it with me everywhere.

“Kurt-sama, Volg-sama, it’s time to depart.” The coachman called to us.

It’s about time to go, or else we won’t arrive in Marquis Fernandes’ territory by sundown.

“Bye, I’ll be going. Salt, I’ll leave the things here to you while I’m gone. I’m sorry for adding to your burden.” I call out to another man in this place. Salt is the settler’s village’s representative. He’s a popular man, I rely on him whenever I’m not around.

“Got it. Don’t worry about us, young master. Just go all out. With your great effort, this land will become more and more prosperous.”

Because he’s here, I can be absent. At the end, as I have to oversee the whole Arnold fief from the main village, I’m planning to leave things in this village to him. The tasks to take care of the bees while I’m gone are left to several new members from other villages. These past few days, I drilled into them the minimum tasks for beekeeping. With the current number of the bees, they suffice. In my end game, they’ll go back to their own village and lead the beekeeping in there for me.

“Then, we’re departing.”

The coachman whipped the horses, and our horse carriage departed.

☘

“Kurt-sama, going to Marquis Fernandes’ territory means going to Eclaba, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right. It’s Eclaba. I also brought enough money with me. That place has a lot of things, so I’m excited. Ah, I really want to buy some ingredients for pastries. I’ll be speechless if they have cacao.”

“Cacao? That’s the first time I heard it. But it sounds delicious! ……Eclaba, it’s really nostalgic.”

Marquis Fernandes governs a vast territory. There are rich lands, so of course it has towns. Marquis Fernandes’ house resides in the port town of Eclaba. With the harbor as the transportation check point, it’s a hugely active commercial town, brimming with many things. In this region, there’s no town that can compete with it. And then, Eclaba is a nostalgic place for me and Tina.

“I met with Kurt-sama in that place.”

“Yeah, I’m moved whenever I remember the Tina back then.”

“Mou, stop it, please. I feel a little embarrassed with myself at that time.”

Tina was originally an orphan from Eclaba. Her mother, who once lived in a village of beastkin and elves, violated the village’s rules to marry a human and practically eloped by going out of the village, then lived in Eclaba with her husband. However, Tina was left alone as her parents both died from an epidemic.

“But because that happened, I can be with Tina. That’s my precious memory, you know?”

“Mou, I don’t know Kurt-sama anymore.” Tina adorably looks away, even her tail turns away from me.

I wryly smile. Really, it’s because your reactions are so cute that I can’t stop teasing you. I’m messing around with Tina like that in the horse carriage, and the errand man from Marquis Fernandes opens his mouth to speak.

“Excuse me, Arnold-sama. Isn’t that spear heavy?”

“It’s not heavy. I want to keep it close all the time, just in case.”

I held Ginsen close to my chest. From the time we left the village, it never leaves my side. Because I have a bad feeling.

“But you must be tired. Please let me take care of it.”

“There’s no need to do that, because it is already a part of my body.”

“But, that, Arnold-sama is our important guest. I can’t let you feel any inconvenience as our guest. If anything happens, it’ll be given back to you as soon as possible, so, please allow me to take care of it?”

He’s excessively persistent. I start to feel wary about this guy. Something is fishy. But let’s just observe the situation.

“Since you insisted, I’ll let you handle it. Also, this isn’t a spear. It’s a weapon called naginata, and his name is Ginsen. Treat it with care.” So I say while passing the naginata. I prepared an insurance closely. I should be able to deal with anything just like usual.

After that, the man’s lips turned up in a tiny smile. Seems like he’s thinking about something wicked. Now then, what kind of move will he make?

Acting nonchalantly, my wariness grows stronger.

Isecai’s Notes: 

Ekuraba’s appearance! The first(?) crossover with Tsukiyo Rui-sen’s other titles. I think the other translator put Eclaba in it. It… sounds like a shortened version of eclair bars, so I’m inclined to agree with this romaji. xD

By the way, I just realized how “light” this WN is compared to The Wolf Lord’s Lady or Herscherik. It’s not just about the number of characters (okay mainly it is), but more about the shorter sentences. Awesome.

Seems like we’re going to see some martial prowess before getting to our sweets goodness, again. I start to see the pattern here.