Chapter 12 : Escort Mission (1)
by AfuhfuihgsWe packed our bags and left the family estate within a day.
There was no time to say goodbye.
My father and the rest of the family were all in the royal capital, so there was no opportunity to meet them.
I only left behind a letter, saying that I would be away for a while.
Since my father had always hoped for the second son, me, to leave the house, he would likely understand this level of independence. Besides, it’s not like I’m leaving forever—I’ll return during the holidays.
The only issue was that Ray, who was formally employed as the family’s butler, was coming with me…
“I’m fine,” Ray declared firmly.
I scratched my head and asked, “…Will Father think the same? Weren’t there complicated matters like salary or the length of your employment?”
“It’s fine. My role is to serve you, Edgar. That applies regardless of the field, and it doesn’t matter the time or place. Even if it means leaving the family estate, my contract with the lord remains unchanged.”
Ray spoke with a completely calm expression.
Seeing the certainty in her face somehow reassured me.
Not much time had passed since my return, and I hadn’t met many people yet… but Ray was undoubtedly the most trustworthy person I’d encountered so far.
She dutifully fulfilled her role as a butler, and her work was always impeccably handled.
She possessed a deep expertise in her duties, often knowing more about the Mulick family than I did.
‘People who handle their responsibilities well are always impressive.’
To accomplish something big, you must first manage yourself.
I liked people who took their work seriously, like Ray.
Even though her speech was formal, it had a strangely calming effect, and hearing her say everything was fine always filled me with confidence.
“Alright. If you say so, then I’ll trust you.”
I nodded in satisfaction.
Flinch.
But at my words, Ray’s body trembled slightly.
It was as if she’d just heard something completely unexpected.
I sighed inwardly.
‘Damn it, 10-years-ago Edgar, not again.’
What on earth did this guy do, that a simple expression of trust would cause this kind of reaction?
Every time I dig into his past, more disturbing tales surface.
“…And the reason I’m still able to serve you is because you secured the position of 3rd-class instructor,” Ray said, quickly regaining her composure.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Normally, 5th-class instructors aren’t assigned assistants and are placed directly under senior instructors, but starting from 4th-class and 3rd-class instructors, you’re granted a personal office and can be assigned an assistant.”
That was news to me.
I knew that being a 3rd-class instructor was a relatively high rank, but I hadn’t expected such appealing perks.
It marked the beginning of being treated as a full-fledged educator.
It seemed the position I’d earned wasn’t just any ordinary role.
“So, does that mean you’ll be my assistant, Ray?”
“Yes.”
“Is that already decided?”
“Yes.”
“…I don’t recall making that decision myself.”
I had only just learned today that I could even choose an assistant.
Yet here I was, already having one assigned.
Then, out of nowhere, Ray stared at me intently.
And then, she asked the one question I should never be answering.
“Do you dislike it?”
“Misunderstanding.”
And so, with our bags packed, we left the Mulick estate.
The capital, Tristan, was located in the southwest of the Kleppe Kingdom.
Its location was chosen due to both geographical and economic factors, but in reality, it was quite a distance from the Mulick family’s estate, which sat at the westernmost edge
If we traveled by carriage, it would take more than four days, and if we walked, it would take over a month.
The reason we were able to reach such a distant place in just one day was thanks to the ‘Warp Gates’ installed at key points in major cities.
It took less than an hour instead of days.
Moreover, the Mulick family is renowned within the kingdom as a ‘great magic family.’
Naturally, within our territory, there was a special Warp Gate made by my father himself.
That’s why Ray and I were able to travel so conveniently during the instructor exams.
“The Tristan Warp Gate is undergoing an emergency inspection?”
However, a minor issue arose.
When we arrived at the Warp Gate on our family estate, we were informed that it was unavailable.
“Yes. I asked the gate’s overseeing mage, and they said that the capital’s gate would remain closed until tomorrow.”
“Hmm… any solutions?”
“They are recommending self-travel from the nearest special city, Saxe. The Warp Gate in Saxe is operating normally.”
A reasonable solution.
It seemed that the capital’s administration had dealt with similar situations before, as they quickly provided recommendations along with the problem.
“Is it quick to travel from Saxe to Tristan?”
“It would take about four hours on foot.”
“We have enough time. We won’t be late for my instructor appointment.”
“Even if we’re delayed, it should be fine. The carrier pigeon must have reached the family by now, but it’s likely that the appointment itself has been postponed.”
Ray’s guess made me look up.
“Really?”
“Yes. According to the regulations for new instructors at Tristan’s Hero Academy, if the kingdom or academy encounters any issues that delay the arrival, the instructor’s appointment can be postponed by one day to a week.”
“…I didn’t know about that.”
At this point, Ray was starting to scare me.
Not only did I not know such a regulation existed, but I also never expected someone to memorize it.
Is this really part of a butler’s duties?
No matter how I looked at it, Ray seemed like too much of a talent to stay as just a family butler.
Anyway, we headed straight to Saxe’s Warp Gate.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a bustling crowd and voices calling out from all directions.
“Looking for a heroic swordsman to travel with us to Tristan! Just one spot left!”
“Welcoming new instructors selected for the academy! Join us for the journey and protection mission! Generous pay offered!”
“We’ll take you directly to Tristan! Pay the fare, and we’ll head off as soon as negotiations are done!”
Saxe is a newly built city near the capital, Tristan.
It was established to help disperse the population that would otherwise flood into the capital, and such cities typically attract ‘adventuring heroes.’
The city is well-equipped with lodging and rest facilities, which is why a large number of heroes who go on expeditions to clear ‘monster hunting grounds’ or ‘monster dens’ gather here.
That’s why, in places like Saxe, you often hear market-like voices calling out like this.
Most of these are likely adventurers sharing their opinions.
“…But today, the nature of the calls seems a bit different.”
“It’s probably because the Tristan Warp Gate inspection caused people to flock here. Ordinary citizens traveling directly to Tristan would need some protection, after all.”
I tilted my head at Ray’s calm explanation.
“Why? Are there monsters that show up along the way?”
“There are, on the shortcut we’re taking. There are rumors of a monster den nearby, but it hasn’t been located yet.”
“Real monsters?”
“If you’ve unlocked the second fork in the road, they should be manageable. Anyway, since we’ll be hiring a special carriage, there’s no need for concern.”
Ray reassured me with a calm face.
Of course, no matter how strong the monsters or beasts are, they wouldn’t pose a threat to me at my current level. But since Ray didn’t know that in detail, she was probably opting for the safest way to reach the capital.
As meticulous as she was, her plan was thoroughly thought out.
“…There are no special carriages left?”
But for the first time, her calm face broke.
The well-crafted plan had crumbled like paper.
“Yes, not just the special carriages, but even the regular ones are all gone. The Warp Gate inspection has caused a rush of people, and with the recent selection of new instructors at Tristan’s Academy, many heroes are flocking there as well.”
The carriage rental owner apologized profusely, repeatedly bowing his head.
The Warp Gate inspection had been a sudden event, so we hadn’t been able to make a reservation. It was an almost unavoidable situation.
I lightly patted Ray’s somewhat defeated-looking shoulder.
“It’s fine, Ray. There are so many people here; it couldn’t be helped.”
“I’m sorry, Master Edgar. I didn’t plan well enough.”
“As long as we get there, it’s fine. You said it would only take four hours on foot, right? We’ll get there quickly.”
Ray had always fulfilled her role as a butler, often going above and beyond. There was no need for her to feel down over something beyond her control.
“Understood. I’ll start preparing for our walk…”
Ray immediately pulled out a map and began drafting a new plan for traveling on foot.
But just then, a cheerful girl suddenly blocked our path.
“Hello~! Excuse me, but are you perhaps the hero instructor heading to Tristan?”
She had bright green hair tied into twin tails, a confident expression, and a striking sword strapped to her back.
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