Chapter 100
I now sat inside a carriage provided by Duke Barga as we returned to Fort Barga from the capital . The carriage was escorted by the Knights of West Barga, who’d specifically came to pick us up . Two men on horseback approached the carriage, one of them was the Knight Brigade Vice Leader Viscount Butler Canyon, while the other was the Barga family escort commander .
“Shaft, I heard from the Commander . You’ve done quite well in the Capital and Veneer . ”
“Pardon me, but we still took a lot of casualties on the return trip . ”
“It’s impossible to have a job go perfectly all the time . The most important thing is that Lapitirica-sama is safe, and that’s a fact . Otherwise, there’d be no point for escorts to exist . ”
“As His Highness Viscount said, we’ve pledged our lives to His Excellency . Thanks to Shaft-dono, we were able to fulfill our mission . ”
“Sorry that I can stay to serve Duke Barga . After this, I guess you guys can rely on him . ”
All three of us turned to the person riding at the front of the carriage, the young knight who’d acted as my body double .
“That young man isn’t half bad . Even among the knights, he’s an exceptional swordsman . If Lapitirica-sama marriage to the Royal Family goes smoothly, I think I’ll write a recommendation letter for him . ”
“Why, doesn’t Shaft-dono apply to become a knight? Given your achievement, His Excellency Duke Barga should’ve given you an ample reward . ”
“I’m not interested in becoming a knight . But if you ask me, if there is something I want for completing the mission, then I do have one thing . ”
“Hoo, here I thought you were the type that hid your gree well . If there is indeed something you’d like, then please convey it to His Excellency Duke Later . ”
Viscount Caymon seemed to take special note to my response . Then, I guess all I needed to do was ask . If it’s impossible, then so be it .
“Then—”
◆◆◇◆◆◇◆◆
Three days after leaving the capital, the Fort Barga finally came into sight . Through the days, there’d been no sign of the Dark Guild anywhere, and nothing occurred as well . I’d been idle the entire time, enjoying the scenery during the journey . To be honest, it was a bit boring .
Now that I thought about it, there was something .
At one point during the journey, I’d been too idle for my own tastes . So I decided to look around with the FLIR mode on . When we’d set up camp in the rest area, I’d gotten off the carriage and went to help Lapticia-sama and Ashley off . When I looked to the rear of the carriage, I saw something . Coming from the carriage I was in was the Duke and Duchess . I’d seen something like a lump of heat . But why was there a lump there?
I opened the door and helped the girls off, but I kept my eye on it the entire time . Afterward, I approached the Duke and Duchess carriage . I signaled the driver to stop, walked closer, then– opened the cabin door vigorously .
“Buhii!”
Whoops, it seemed that something just fell on the ground .
“Oh? Thank you, Shaft-kun . ”
“We arrived at the rest area, Your Excellency . ”
I waited for Duke Barga to exit, then helped the Duchess climb down . After seeing them off, I looked behind me .
“Hi, Vi . ”
“What in the world was that for, ‘Black Mask Shaft’?”
“I should be the one asking . Have you been stalking the Duke wherever he goes like that?”
“What are you saying? I’m not doing anything wrong . As Frank-sama’s escort, I have to be by his side day and night . Whether he’s going out, eating, or heading to the bathroom, I need to stay by his side until he goes to bed . ”
This woman, kuuuuuuueeeeeeeeehhhhhh!
“I’m going, ‘Annoying Bug Shaft’, Frank-sama is waiting for me . ”
As I watched Vi leave to chase after the Duke, I noticed a man following slowly behind her . He must’ve been the Duke’s exclusive male escort . Whether he noticed my gaze, or not, I could see that he had an exhausted look on his face . I see… He must’ve struggled hard…
“… Yeah, of course . . ”
That was pretty much the only notable event during the journey .
When we arrived at the Duke’s home in Barga, Bardiche Castle, I was guided to the Duke’s office .
“Shaft-kun, I hereby declare the escort request has come to an end . It was for a short time, but thank you for your assistance . ”
“I’m glad to be of help . ”
As for the reward we’ve decided in advance, in order to prepare that something for you, I have written this letter . You can bring it to the Mercenary Guild in town . ”
I received the letter and lightly scanned it . It seemed that everything I requested was listed .
“Thank you for your kindness . ”
“Rather, I’m wondering whether it’s enough . Would you accept becoming a knight if I increased the reward?”
“No, the current reward is more than enough . Very well then, I’ll excuse myself now . ”
I decided to leave as soon as possible . If we talked too long, I was afraid he’d ask for another favor . So, let’s just receive the reward and get out of here . Being favored by the Duke was one thing, working for him was an entirely different matter . I’d only do it if it’s in the form of a request . I excused myself and headed to Lapitirica-sama’s room .
It wasn’t set in stone yet, whether Lapitirica-sama would marry the prince or not . However, I was sure she was the best candidate . If there’s no one else with superior ability and achievement comes the third prince’s next birthday, then she’d become his bride . Until that day, Lapitirica-sama would still need to continue training hard .
In her room, Lapitirica-sama thanked me for my service and bade me goodbye for now . Although we actually worked in the same team to conquer the Green Ogre Labyrinth, the me who escorted her these past days was different from me then . Our social statuses were different, and so were our roles . The next time we’d meet, It’ll be under different circumstances as well .
While I thought so, I left the castle .
Ashley waited for me outside the gate . For now, we’d head to the General Guild together . Ashley would resign from her position, while I’d claim my reward .
As we walked down the street, we reviewed our future plans . Ashley would head back to the Zephanel family’s head home in the southern parts of Kurtmerga Kingdom . She’d received her order to lead a subjugation force against pirates . Apparently, it’ll take two months to travel to the southern port by carriage .
Therefore, after reorganizing her stuff in the city, Ashley would head back to the capital . From there she’d join a transfer magic team that is heading there in order to shorten the time . In the meantime, I’d conquer the Wolf Labyrinth . Defeat that guy, and show those who dropped me into this world what I’m made of . Then I’ll head south by land . I’d most likely arrive there much later than Ashley, but it couldn’t be helped . I intended to use VMB’s vehicles to cut down the travel time as much as possible .
We confirmed our plans before Ashley entered the General Guild’s main office . I then headed to the Mercenary Guild .
Chapter 100
I now sat inside a carriage provided by Duke Barga as we returned to Fort Barga from the capital . The carriage was escorted by the Knights of West Barga, who’d specifically came to pick us up . Two men on horseback approached the carriage, one of them was the Knight Brigade Vice Leader Viscount Butler Canyon, while the other was the Barga family escort commander .
“Shaft, I heard from the Commander . You’ve done quite well in the Capital and Veneer . ”
“Pardon me, but we still took a lot of casualties on the return trip . ”
“It’s impossible to have a job go perfectly all the time . The most important thing is that Lapitirica-sama is safe, and that’s a fact . Otherwise, there’d be no point for escorts to exist . ”
“As His Highness Viscount said, we’ve pledged our lives to His Excellency . Thanks to Shaft-dono, we were able to fulfill our mission . ”
“Sorry that I can stay to serve Duke Barga . After this, I guess you guys can rely on him . ”
All three of us turned to the person riding at the front of the carriage, the young knight who’d acted as my body double .
“That young man isn’t half bad . Even among the knights, he’s an exceptional swordsman . If Lapitirica-sama marriage to the Royal Family goes smoothly, I think I’ll write a recommendation letter for him . ”
“Why, doesn’t Shaft-dono apply to become a knight? Given your achievement, His Excellency Duke Barga should’ve given you an ample reward . ”
“I’m not interested in becoming a knight . But if you ask me, if there is something I want for completing the mission, then I do have one thing . ”
“Hoo, here I thought you were the type that hid your gree well . If there is indeed something you’d like, then please convey it to His Excellency Duke Later . ”
Viscount Caymon seemed to take special note to my response . Then, I guess all I needed to do was ask . If it’s impossible, then so be it .
“Then—”
◆◆◇◆◆◇◆◆
Three days after leaving the capital, the Fort Barga finally came into sight . Through the days, there’d been no sign of the Dark Guild anywhere, and nothing occurred as well . I’d been idle the entire time, enjoying the scenery during the journey . To be honest, it was a bit boring .
Now that I thought about it, there was something .
At one point during the journey, I’d been too idle for my own tastes . So I decided to look around with the FLIR mode on . When we’d set up camp in the rest area, I’d gotten off the carriage and went to help Lapticia-sama and Ashley off . When I looked to the rear of the carriage, I saw something . Coming from the carriage I was in was the Duke and Duchess . I’d seen something like a lump of heat . But why was there a lump there?
I opened the door and helped the girls off, but I kept my eye on it the entire time . Afterward, I approached the Duke and Duchess carriage . I signaled the driver to stop, walked closer, then– opened the cabin door vigorously .
“Buhii!”
Whoops, it seemed that something just fell on the ground .
“Oh? Thank you, Shaft-kun . ”
“We arrived at the rest area, Your Excellency . ”
I waited for Duke Barga to exit, then helped the Duchess climb down . After seeing them off, I looked behind me .
“Hi, Vi . ”
“What in the world was that for, ‘Black Mask Shaft’?”
“I should be the one asking . Have you been stalking the Duke wherever he goes like that?”
“What are you saying? I’m not doing anything wrong . As Frank-sama’s escort, I have to be by his side day and night . Whether he’s going out, eating, or heading to the bathroom, I need to stay by his side until he goes to bed . ”
This woman, kuuuuuuueeeeeeeeehhhhhh!
“I’m going, ‘Annoying Bug Shaft’, Frank-sama is waiting for me . ”
As I watched Vi leave to chase after the Duke, I noticed a man following slowly behind her . He must’ve been the Duke’s exclusive male escort . Whether he noticed my gaze, or not, I could see that he had an exhausted look on his face . I see… He must’ve struggled hard…
“… Yeah, of course . . ”
That was pretty much the only notable event during the journey .
When we arrived at the Duke’s home in Barga, Bardiche Castle, I was guided to the Duke’s office .
“Shaft-kun, I hereby declare the escort request has come to an end . It was for a short time, but thank you for your assistance . ”
“I’m glad to be of help . ”
As for the reward we’ve decided in advance, in order to prepare that something for you, I have written this letter . You can bring it to the Mercenary Guild in town . ”
I received the letter and lightly scanned it . It seemed that everything I requested was listed .
“Thank you for your kindness . ”
“Rather, I’m wondering whether it’s enough . Would you accept becoming a knight if I increased the reward?”
“No, the current reward is more than enough . Very well then, I’ll excuse myself now . ”
I decided to leave as soon as possible . If we talked too long, I was afraid he’d ask for another favor . So, let’s just receive the reward and get out of here . Being favored by the Duke was one thing, working for him was an entirely different matter . I’d only do it if it’s in the form of a request . I excused myself and headed to Lapitirica-sama’s room .
It wasn’t set in stone yet, whether Lapitirica-sama would marry the prince or not . However, I was sure she was the best candidate . If there’s no one else with superior ability and achievement comes the third prince’s next birthday, then she’d become his bride . Until that day, Lapitirica-sama would still need to continue training hard .
In her room, Lapitirica-sama thanked me for my service and bade me goodbye for now . Although we actually worked in the same team to conquer the Green Ogre Labyrinth, the me who escorted her these past days was different from me then . Our social statuses were different, and so were our roles . The next time we’d meet, It’ll be under different circumstances as well .
While I thought so, I left the castle .
Ashley waited for me outside the gate . For now, we’d head to the General Guild together . Ashley would resign from her position, while I’d claim my reward .
As we walked down the street, we reviewed our future plans . Ashley would head back to the Zephanel family’s head home in the southern parts of Kurtmerga Kingdom . She’d received her order to lead a subjugation force against pirates . Apparently, it’ll take two months to travel to the southern port by carriage .
Therefore, after reorganizing her stuff in the city, Ashley would head back to the capital . From there she’d join a transfer magic team that is heading there in order to shorten the time . In the meantime, I’d conquer the Wolf Labyrinth . Defeat that guy, and show those who dropped me into this world what I’m made of . Then I’ll head south by land . I’d most likely arrive there much later than Ashley, but it couldn’t be helped . I intended to use VMB’s vehicles to cut down the travel time as much as possible .
We confirmed our plans before Ashley entered the General Guild’s main office . I then headed to the Mercenary Guild .
