Chapter 48: Departure

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Translator: Soafp

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The second week of March.

Tomorrow is the day I finally leave for King’s Landing.

I wanted to go greet the people who had taken care of me, but I was stuck in my room, told to pack my bags.

I tried to think of a way to get out of the room, but Ice Witch-san’s guard was up.

I tried to make small talk with El.

“El, what are you planning to wear for the journey starting tomorrow?”

The journey to the capital takes about 4-5 days on horseback or 6-8 days by carriage. I wanted to know what he planned to wear during the trip.

“Isn’t casual wear fine?”

I sighed openly as I looked at El.

“Ah, you don’t get it, El. Try dressing as a noble. You’ll be avoided in the towns along the way and won’t enjoy the journey.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, and what if monsters appear suddenly and you’re not prepared to fight?”

I got hit on the back of my head suddenly.

“Al! Don’t fill El’s head with nonsense. What do you plan to do if you encounter trouble?”

It was Ice Witch…… I raised the white flag as fast as I could.

“I leave that to the escorts. That’s what they’re there for.”

“What if the escorts can’t handle the monsters?”

“In that case, run away. I will fight!”

I tried to counter her with some lame reasoning.

“I don’t want to abandon the people of the region, even though they are my escorts!”

“Why are you acting all noble? You’re just a battle junkie!”

“Gugu…..”

“Say something.”

I exuded the aura of a defeated dog and left the room, head bowed…

Exiting the room, still with my head down, I stepped outside the estate…

Outside, I looked around, but there was no one…

“Yay! I’m free!”

As expected, I wanted to make the rounds to bid farewell to the people who have taken care of me rather than packing my things.

“First, the knight’s training ground.”

At the training ground, knights engaged in mock battles and formations for training.

I searched for Garl, Berett, and Tamei among them.

It seemed the three of them were on a break. I approached the group taking a break.

“Garl, Berett, Tamei, mind if I join you for a moment?”

“Oh, it’s Al, what’s up?”

“Aldo-sama, is something wrong?”

“Long time no see.”

“I’m leaving for the royal capital tomorrow, so I came to say goodbye.”

“Oh, is it that time already? When we first met, you were about as big as a bean.”

“I’m not that small!”

“Hahaha. Well, you’ve grown, that’s for sure.”

“Well, I’m off.”

“Yeah, take care.”

Garl remains the same as always.

“Berett, apart from my parents, you’ve been the one I’ve relied on the most. Thank you very much.”

“Please stop. I only did what was required for my mission.”

“Still, thank you.”

“…”

I’ve always been grateful to Berett.

“Tamei, you helped me during Ashera’s time. I’m still grateful.”

“Are you getting along well with the lady?”

“Yeah, thanks to you.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.”

Tamei contributed even if it was midway through.

“With this, I can head to the capital tomorrow without any worries. Thank you, everyone.”

The three of them smiled and saw me off. I intend to visit them again when I return.

“Next is the church.”

To reach the church in the shortest time, I climbed up the walls and raced through the sky using space kicks. Thanks to that, I arrived at the church in half the usual time.

“Hello!”

I called out loudly at the entrance.

“Who’s there?”

Yamato came out of the door, looking puzzled.

“Ou, I’m leaving for the capital tomorrow, so I came to say goodbye.”

“I see…”

“What’s wrong? Feeling lonely?”

“I-Idiot. As if I’d feel lonely! How gross.”

(He’s truly a tsundere. Tsundere Yamato.)

“Say hi to the kids too. That’s fine, right?”

“Ou, that is fine.”

Entering the church, I informed the sisters and children about my departure for the capital tomorrow. The sisters blessed me, and the children burst into tears. I comforted the crying kids, promised to return in three years, and managed to calm them down.

“Well then, see you in three years.”

“Ah, did you say goodbye to Ashera…?”

“I’ll do that now.”

“Right… make sure you say it properly… she’s your fiancée…”

“Oh, that’s true… You’ve always been a good guy since we first met.”

“W-why are you saying this all of a sudden?!”

“Well, see ya! Join the Knights, okay? I’m rooting for you.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

I felt it was fortunate to have visited the church today. I won’t be able to come here for a while.

It’s getting late now. For the final stop, I headed to Ashera’s house.

I used space kicks again to swiftly travel over the roofs to reach Ashera’s house.

Although I thought I hurried, the sun was already setting when I looked up.

“Excuse me!”

“Yes?”

A voice came from inside, and the door opened.

“Good evening, is Ashera here?”

“Ara ara, Aldo. Just a moment, please.”

Lush-san went inside to call for Ashera.

It’s been about two months since returning from the Grand Mansion, and Ashera seems to be in good health now. However, one of her kidneys is still missing.

A skilled healing mage can apparently heal missing organs. I don’t know how long it will take, but I want to help her someday…

As I was called in by Lush-san, Ashera appeared soon after.

“Aldo, you’re late.”

“Did you know I was coming?”

“I thought you might. If you hadn’t come, you might have had a stomachache in the carriage tomorrow.”

“Wait, were you planning to poison me or something?”

“It’s your imagination.”

“You’re a scary one… You.”

A stomach ache in a carriage… I’d die of embarrassment. I apparently barely saved face.

“Well, whatever… I’m off.”

“Yeah…”

“Wait for me for three years.”

“Yeah…”

“…”

“…”

“I-I want memories to help you think of me for three years…”

“Y-yeah…”

Ashera replied, her head down… This is… quite nice, isn’t it…

“…”

“…”

That day, Ashera and I shared our first kiss.

It was just a child’s kiss where our lips touched, but for now, it was enough.

Ashera looked at me with blushing cheeks and moist eyes.

Taking a step back, I gazed at her too.

“I’ll come to get you in three years.”

“I’ll wait…”

Embarrassed, I hurried home.

On the way back, I found myself in a mix of joy for my first kiss in this world and a sudden realization of being 14 and kissing… There’s only one thing I can say—I’m terribly happy.

Arriving back at the mansion, there were Mom and Roland, half-laughing but with veins popping on their foreheads as they gazed at me.

“Al… Where did you go without preparing for tomorrow?”

“Young Master Aldo… The departure is tomorrow… What are you going to do…”

I was scolded by the two of them until the packing was done, and I ended up skipping dinner… Unbelievable.

Finally done packing, the next day—

In front of the mansion, there were two box carriages and four mounted guards.

One carriage held me, El, and Marl, while the other carried two maids and our luggage.

Looking at the guards, I thought they were Garl and the others, but they were all unfamiliar faces. They seemed to be knights serving at the Blue Ring Estate in the capital.

For the farewell, Dad, Mom, Ashera, Clara, Tab, and Marl’s mother were present.

“Al, El, make sure to learn not just academics but various things.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Al, El, don’t just play around, study properly.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Al Nii-sama, El Nii-sama…”

“Clara, I’ll be back even during long breaks, so look forward to stories.”

“Clara, I’m off.”

Marl was encouraged by Tab and his mother. Ah, Tab seemed like he was about to cry…

Marl came over looking a bit embarrassed.

With the three of us going to the academy in the capital and only Ashera staying behind at Blue Ring…

“Aldo, Elphus, Marl, take care.”

“Ashera Onee-san, I’m off.”

“Ashera, I’m off.”

“Ashera…”

“Aldo, I won’t forgive cheating. Keep an eye on him, El and Marl.”

“Haha, got it, Ashera.”

“Fufu, understood, Ashera.”

“I won’t do anything like cheating… Well then, I’m off…”

Ashera nodded with a smile.

The carriage started moving slowly… Today, we leave the town where we were born and raised.