Just as Sue and Tory-san had predicted, nothing resembling a major problem occurred for the next two or three days after we left that viscount’s territory. Aside from encountering the occasional pack of wolves, the journey was no different from what we had experienced so far.
Normally, we would stay at various towns along the way and do a little sightseeing, but this time we were also on an escort mission. As a result, we only bought the bare minimum supplies we needed and did absolutely no sightseeing.
“““Zzz… zzz…”””
That said, Shiro and the others had no trouble at all keeping themselves occupied. They had become completely addicted to the kotatsu. If anything, they were starting to look downright lazy. It wasn’t as though they had lost all motivation though. They still studied properly and took care of the horses.
As it turned out, the towns around here all apparently had pretty much the same scenery, with little in the way of tourist attractions. There simply wasn’t anything that caught their interest.
“As long as we have a kotatsu and mandarins, we’re perfectly fine!”
“It’s nothing but fields and forests around here.”
“There aren’t even any rivers.”
Come to think of it, there had been a river flowing from the Southern Margrave’s territory toward the Royal Capital, but around here, most places relied on well water, so there weren’t even any rivers to speak of.
Will be anything worth sightseeing once we reach the Royal Capital?
With that thought in mind, we eventually arrived at the largest city along our route to the capital.
“““Whoa…”””
“It’s smaller than the Margrave’s territory of course, but it’s still a big town.”
“It’s a marquisate that also serves as part of the Royal Capital’s defenses. It’s an important transportation hub where several major roads intersect.”
Shiro and the others were amazed by the massive walls surrounding the town. Even from outside, we could hear the voices of countless people coming from beyond the gates. It’s immediately obvious that this is a bustling place.
“I need to pay my respects to the lord of this territory. He’s a very good man, so there shouldn’t be any trouble like what happened with that viscount. Shun, Sue, come with me.”
““Yes.””
“Then allow me to show you the way.”
Unlike the soldiers in the viscount’s territory, the soldiers here not only escorted us but also personally guided us to the lord’s estate. It was amazing how much people’s behavior could change simply because they served under a different lord.
“Shiro, Fran, Horn, I’m counting on you to hold down the fort while we’re gone.”
“““Leave it to us!”””
With Ao there alongside Shiro and the others, we should be fine even if something happened. There were also marquisate soldiers stationed with both Shiro’s group and the army.
We began walking toward the lord’s estate.
Step. Step. Step.
“Tory-san, Sue, there are people watching us from behind cover.”
“Yeah. Those are the eyes of someone with hostile intentions.”
“What do you suppose they’re planning to do?”
As we walked through the town, we could feel eyes watching us from behind the buildings. And it wasn’t just one or two people.
Tory-san and Sue had noticed the watchful gazes as well, and both of them remained ready to act at a moment’s notice.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com
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