Ch.228228. Could it be that the assailants they’re referring to are those guys?

“You remember the northern region of Lake Territory we visited with Lord Selden Alphonse before, right?”

“Ah… yes.”

“I went there yesterday afternoon and construction was in full swing. You know what was really amazing?”

The walk with Kasia Spear began like being dragged to a slaughterhouse.

But, what exactly was so amazing?

Is construction in the northern region something to clap hands and get excited about?

I took a heavy step forward and opened my mouth.

“That place is where people relocating to Lake Territory will live in the future.”

“You told me that back then. That’s why I advised that separating the original residents of Lake Territory from the newcomers might create some kind of inexplicable conflict.”

“Ah… is that so?”

“I’m disappointed. I remember every single conversation I had with Lord Selden Alphonse…”

I barely managed to stop myself from blurting out, ‘What exactly do you want from me?’

Kasia Spear is no ordinary character.

What if I upset her and end up stuck in Lake Territory?

I sighed briefly and continued speaking.

“I apologize. I’ve been preoccupied with my coming-of-age ceremony lately.”

“Then do you remember this?”

“…What else?”

“When Lord Selden Alphonse saved me from those thugs who were trying to drag me to Spear Territory.”

“…Pardon?”

“I can still vividly see how those thugs collapsed without even being able to react to Lord Selden Alphonse.”

I tilted my head back with a bewildered look.

In the distance, a group was following behind Kasia Spear and me.

They were a group dressed in black masks and clothing.

“Are you saying those people are the thugs you’re referring to?”

Kasia Spear smiled broadly without even turning around.

“That’s right. The thugs.”

How could she refer to the mercenary group her father created for her as ‘thugs’?

Anyone listening would think she had nearly been kidnapped for real.

By the way.

They may be working for money, but it’s sad to see people risking their lives to protect someone being called thugs.

I remember beating them up thoroughly back then because they seemed too disrespectful in someone else’s territory…

Perhaps I should have hit them less?

“But aren’t those people mercenaries assigned by your father, Lady Kasia Spear?”

“So what? They were boasting about being A-rank mercenaries, but they were all defeated by Lord Selden Alphonse alone.”

That’s because, my lady…

I’m the strong one here.

Those guys really are A-rank mercenaries.

I wondered how much her father must love his daughter to form a security detail consisting only of A-rank mercenaries.

They’re high-quality personnel, difficult to gather in one group even with money.

Of course, I also have a mercenary group of similar caliber, but it wasn’t created for just one person, was it?

I showed my palm to the huffing Kasia Spear.

“Please calm down. They really are A-rank mercenaries.”

At that, Kasia Spear immediately changed her expression.

She moved closer to my side as we walked together.

“Still, it’s nice that the Dark Band members don’t interfere much when they come to Lake Territory. It’s all thanks to Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“Haha… is that so?”

“Normally, they would be urging me to return to Spear Territory immediately, but they’re now timidly following behind us, afraid of getting beaten by Lord Selden Alphonse again.”

“Ah…”

“Plus, the scene of Lord Selden Alphonse rescuing me is still vivid in my mind. Whenever I think about that moment, my heart…”

Yes, this is all my karma.

If I had suppressed my personality that day and sent Kasia Spear back, she wouldn’t have fallen for me, and the Dark Band wouldn’t be acting so timidly—they would have made her return to her territory long ago…

I stopped walking and looked at Kasia Spear.

“By the way, when do you plan to return to Spear Territory? I need to visit other territories for business soon.”

“Other territories? Are you perhaps referring to Parsece Territory?”

“No, that’s not it, but…”

Kasia Spear’s expression instantly hardened.

Then, she lifted her head toward me.

“Do you perhaps have feelings for Elina?”

“Feelings?”

“Yes.”

“I wouldn’t say I don’t. As you know, Lady Elina Parsece is not only beautiful but also talented in many areas.”

“…I see. Then what about me?”

I smiled gently at the dejected-looking Kasia Spear.

“To be honest, you and I haven’t known each other for very long, have we?”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“So I’m not sure.”

Why am I so soft-hearted?

One simple phrase—’I’m not interested’—would end everything, but the words won’t come out easily.

Should I say I don’t want to gain favor, but I also don’t want to be disliked?

I especially didn’t want to respond aggressively and make an enemy.

Kasia Spear, who had stopped walking with me, slowly began to move.

She walked a few steps ahead, then turned her head toward me and spoke.

“It’s okay. If the time is short, we just need to spend more time together in the future.”

*

“Hey, Mr. Popular.”

“…”

“Not going to answer?”

“Please speak.”

I gave a mischievous look to Jawil Wilson, who was climbing into the carriage with a sulky face.

“Did you tell Clara that you’ll be away?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“What about Vivian Kataria?”

“I-I sent her a letter saying I would be traveling to other territories with you for a while.”

“Oho!! So you couldn’t be satisfied with just one woman?”

Jawil Wilson waved his hands in panic.

“That’s not it! I just needed to let them know since I don’t know how long we’ll be gone!”

“Because you’re Mr. Popular?”

“It’s courtesy! Courtesy!”

“Wow!! Not only has the cowardly Jawil Wilson become a hero, but now he also knows about courtesy?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“I’m just teasing you, that’s all.”

“Sigh… tease me all you want.”

I tilted my head at Jawil Wilson, who sat down on the carriage sofa with a resigned look.

“By the way, what about Rebecca?”

“She said she’s not ready to meet Lord Serion Lycus yet, so she’s staying behind to train.”

“Oh no…”

Haaa…

I was hoping to get rid of that leech Rebecca while visiting Serion Lycus, but that plan has gone up in smoke too.

Why won’t she leave?

As I let out a short sigh, Jawil Wilson tilted his head.

“So, where are we going now?”

“Lumestia.”

“L-Lumestia? Is Lord Serion Lycus there now?”

“Yeah, he’s in Lumestia. I arranged it by letter, so he should be waiting for us by now.”

“But why is Lord Serion Lycus in Lumestia? It’s the finest territory in the Eastern Continent, so it must be full of knights hunting magical beasts…”

I crossed my arms heavily and looked out the carriage window.

“He must have a purpose.”

“A purpose?”

“Yes, as you said, there’s no reason for him to go to Lumestia for hunting magical beasts.”

I was certain after reading the letter.

The reason Serion Lycus was currently in Lumestia was because of a meeting with Princess Sirin.

He must have asked for help regarding the succession dispute.

Well, whether he agreed or refused, I can ask when we meet.

Jawil Wilson, who couldn’t possibly understand what I meant, blinked several times.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You don’t need to know. Even the time it takes to get to Lumestia wouldn’t be enough to make you understand.”

Jawil Wilson hung his head for a moment before his eyes suddenly lit up.

“Then if we go to Lumestia, could we also meet the Etherian Princess?”

“Why are you concerned about the Etherian Princess?”

“If we’re going to see the Etherian Princess, wouldn’t we have to enter the Imperial Palace?”

“I suppose so?”

“Then it’s a perfect opportunity to savor the delicious imperial cuisine again, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Just thinking about the imperial food we had back then still makes my mouth water!”

What on earth do Clara and Vivian Kataria see in this guy?

No matter how hard I look, I can’t find a single likable thing about him.

I held my throbbing head and continued.

“Anyway, did you tell Wortman to train hard while I’m gone?”

At that, Jawil Wilson broke into a wide grin.

“Haha! I asked Knight Commander Rain Breaker to oversee Wortman’s training while you’re away.”

“You asked even the Knight Commander?”

“Of course. I’m working hard to assist you, so I can’t let Wortman neglect his training.”

“Wow, you care that much about Wortman?”

Jawil Wilson scratched his head and smiled broadly.

“Of course. Who else would look after a friend if not another friend?”

I nodded toward the luggage placed beside me, gesturing for the clueless, smiling Jawil Wilson to open it.

“Open this up.”

“…Pardon?”

Jawil Wilson tilted his head as he unpacked the luggage.

A moment later, his eyes widened.

“T-this is a wooden sword…”

As he fingered the wooden sword inside the unpacked luggage, I curled up the corners of my mouth.

“Yes, a specially crafted wooden sword. After all, I’m the only one who really looks after you.”