Chapter 94

On weekdays, I always go to the academy as usual, and after classes, I discuss future plans with Alec and Rula in the town of Drindor.

"Thanks to Dalmesia's preparation of materials, the work is going smoothly. The blueprints Rula drew are fantastic, though she sometimes talks about things I can't understand."

"Alec-sama has arranged the manpower well, so I am merely here to assist."

Dalmesia, who was standing behind them, bowed.

"Thanks to the wood Dalmesia provided, the budget is better than expected. We have already finished building the new residential area, and now we are constructing the adventurer school and dormitories. With the adventurers' help, the work is progressing faster than expected."

Rula spread out the blueprints on the table and began explaining.

It seems the adventurer guild is fully cooperating with Alec, and the taxes are being paid properly, with no major issues arising in the town, as Alec explained.

There have been some problems when people drink, but they are mainly fights between adventurers and do not affect the general public.

"At this rate, there shouldn't be any issues. I have some complicated matters to attend to this weekend, so I won't be able to come to the town."

"If the infrastructure is concerned, it's fine for now. But what kind of complicated matters? Did something happen in the capital again?"

Alec, who knew about Cain's unconventional actions, casually asked if he had caused another problem.

"I'll tell you because it concerns you, Alec. Actually... it's about Mother. We thought she was a commoner adventurer, but it turns out she is the eldest daughter of the Geretta Viscount family... I plan to go to Danrof with Mother this weekend."

Alec was surprised to learn that Sara was indeed a noble.

"...Sara... I thought she was a commoner from her usual behavior and conversations, but she is a real noble."

"Yeah, so I'll be away for a while. Please take care of things here. Oh, here, these are from Duke Eric as an investment."

Cain placed a small bag containing five platinum coins on the table.

While he received them as compensation from Eric, the town of Drindor still needs more for its development, even with the savings on materials.

To improve the living standards and employment of the slum residents, donations from the lord are still necessary.

"From Duke Eric... I will gratefully accept them. I'll send a letter of thanks in Cain's name."

Alec carefully put the small bag in the safe.

"Please continue to develop the town."

Cain's words concluded the meeting.

---

The weekend arrived, and they set off for Danrof.

Cain intended to speak with Viscount Santos first, but Sara stopped him.

"It's fine if he's not there. I want to apologize to Lala."

"Then, please touch me. We can't teleport together if you don't."

"Alright, I understand."

"Got it."

Garm and Sara held Cain's hands.

"Sebastian, I'll be back tomorrow. I leave it to you until then."

"Garm-sama, I will take care of it."

Sebastian, who was standing behind them, bowed.

"Cain-kun, can I hug you?"

Reine asked with shining eyes.

"...Just touching my hand is fine, but..."

Ignoring Cain's words, Reine hugged him from behind.

"Sniff, sniff, Cain-kun's smell..."

Feeling the slightly swollen chest, Cain sighed and cast the spell.

"Teleport"

The scenery changed instantly.

Thinking it would be inappropriate to teleport directly to Viscount Santos's mansion, they appeared near the town gate.

All three were surprised by their first teleportation experience.

"I never thought I'd experience teleportation..."

"Familiar gate..."

"Already? I wanted to hug Cain-kun more..."

Shaking off Reine, Cain said:

"We teleported near the town gate, so I apologize, but we'll have to walk from here."

It was about a ten-minute walk to the town gate, and they soon arrived.

Seeing four people dressed like nobles walking from the road to the gate, the guards tensed up, thinking something might have happened.

"Excuse me. May I ask your family name? And walking... did something happen?"

A middle-aged guard, likely the captain, bowed politely and asked.

"Ah, sorry, Kai—"

"I am Garm von Silford, Margrave of Gracia. I have come to see Viscount Santos. No need to pry into the details."

Before Cain could show his viscount's seal, Garm stepped in and presented his margrave's seal, which was more ornate than Cain's.

The guard captain, who had already suspected they were nobles, was even more tense upon learning they were a higher-ranking noble, a margrave, and not just a lord.

"Y-Yes! Please proceed. I'll have a carriage prepared immediately. Someone, get the carriage ready! And run to the lord's residence!"

At the captain's command, young guards hurried off.

"I'll have a carriage prepared for you. Please wait here for a moment."

The captain led them to a reception room in a building next to the gate.

"I apologize for the cramped space. I'll send you off as soon as the carriage is ready."

Garm handed a small bag from his pocket to the captain.

"I'm sorry for the trouble. Please treat the guards with this tonight."

"This is a gratuity. I appreciate it."

The captain carefully put the bag in his pocket.

The carriage was ready in about ten minutes, and the four of them boarded, with a guard driving.

"Thank you for your help."

After Garm thanked the captain, the carriage set off.

Inside, Garm sat silently with his arms crossed.

Sara enjoyed the familiar town she hadn't seen in over ten years.

Reine clung to Cain's arm.

"Reine-nee-sama..."

"I haven't ridden in a carriage with you like this in a while, so I need to make up for it, Cain-kun."

Cain had thought Reine's clinginess had improved due to her busy schedule at the academy, but that wasn't the case.

While Reine clung to his arm, Cain enjoyed the view of the town through the carriage window, which he had seen the previous week.

The carriage passed through the town and arrived at the lord's residence in about twenty minutes.

"We have arrived at the residence. Please allow me to open the door."

A guard opened the door.

As they stepped out, the lord's family was already lined up at the door to greet them, having been informed by the guard who had run ahead.

As the four of them got out of the carriage, Santos approached Garm.

"Margrave Garm, it's been a while."

"Viscount Santos, I apologize for coming without prior notice. I read your letter. There are things we need to discuss, so I came as soon as possible."

Garm bowed slightly and looked at Sara.

Sara, along with the long-serving servants, had tears in her eyes.

Lara was already crying large tears, while Leila, who didn't understand the situation, looked puzzled.

"---Sara, are you well?"

"Father, it's been a while. I'm sorry for causing you worry."

Sara, with tears in her eyes, bowed deeply.

Santos, also with tears in his eyes, nodded and then looked at Cain.

"Lord Cain, I'm sorry. I didn't expect you to come so quickly... I was quite surprised when the guard rushed in and explained the situation."

"No, it's better to meet as soon as possible..."

Santos nodded at Cain's words and then turned to Garm.

"You must be tired from the journey. Please rest at the residence. I apologize, but Duke Eric is also here."

Cain thought, "Oh," upon hearing this.

He had told Eric about the visit last week but hadn't mentioned Sara.

He would have to let Garm explain and followed the guide into the residence.

"Ah, Lord Garm, Cain-kun, what a surprise to see you here."

In the hall, Duke Eric was already waiting with a smile.

Thank you as always.

I had some free time, so I decided to advance the story.