Chapter 67: Yuri

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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After sending Ashera with Garl, giving medicine to Lewis and Nero, and discussing with Roland about sharpening the daggers, I asked Yuri to wait in a separate room during these conversations. I explained the reasons to Faristea and promised not to harm her under any circumstances.

I reminded Roland to treat Yuri as a guest and headed to my father’s study. Knocking on the door, I requested permission to enter.

“Father, it’s Aldo. I would like to have a discussion with you.”

“…Enter.”

Entering the study, I noticed that my father’s expression seemed somewhat grim.

“Father, is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Is that so? I can use some simple recovery magic, so please tell me.”

“Ah, if that’s the case, I hope you won’t bring up any problems.”

“Um, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. So, what brings you here?”

“In fact, an elf was trailing Faristea, and I brought them to the mansion.”

“Did you catch her?”

“No, she is currently having tea in one of the guest rooms.”

My father, with an awkward posture, seemed puzzled.

“A-Al… an assassin is having tea in our guest room?”

“It’s not exactly an assassin. It seems she was worried about Faristea and followed her.”

“Is that so? Well, to some extent… but having an elf infiltrate during these times is concerning.”

“Oh, it seems like she entered the country secretly.”

My father once again prostrated himself on the desk.

“A-Al… What are you planning to do?”

“Since it’s not good for her to be found, let’s discuss it in advance. I’ll send a letter to Grandfather and ask for his help. If possible, he can press the line that it was a covert escort.”

“Is that reckless?”

“Originally, there wouldn’t be a covert escort crossing the border. Reporting that there was one escort would be sufficient.”

“But in these circumstances…”

“Besides, having one escort makes it look like we took good care of her. Let’s handle this skillfully.”

“… What if they refuse?”

“If it becomes troublesome, we can send a message saying we captured the elf, but I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“…”

“If you want, I can write the letter.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll write in the letter that an escort came from the capital.”

“Thank you, Father.”

With this, I managed to maintain a decent appearance. The next step was to coordinate the story with Faristea and Yuri.

I moved to the guest room to have a conversation with Yuri.

“Do you believe that I am not an enemy?”

“Faristea-sama mentioned that she is being treated well, but… what are you planning?”

“Haa…”

“What…”

“Lately, it’s been nothing but this kind of thing… I’m just acting out of goodwill, you know? Sure, I’ve used a bit of deception and bluffs to push through, but it’s quite another thing to be accused of plotting something bad when all I’ve done is act with goodwill.”

“…”

I gave Yuri a stern look.

“W-well, thanks for protecting Faristea-sama.” (Yuri)

“…”

“I was wrong to doubt you. I appreciate you helping Faristea-sama.”

“Hmm. Alright, I understand. I accept your apology.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, what’s next? What do you want?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you want to do with Faristea? Do you want to let her escape to the Elven country, protect her here, or evacuate her somewhere else?”

“…”

“Well?”

“Faristea-sama confessed that she entered the kingdom alone. If I stay here, I’ll cause trouble for her…”

“I know.”

“What?”

“I know. You were speaking Elven with Faristea. I’ve already reported that a clandestine guard from the capital has been assigned here.”

“What…?”

“You can stay close to Faristea. I’m asking you what you want, considering that.”

“…”

“Um, time is quite limited. I’d appreciate it if we could expedite the decision-making process.”

“Well, I… I just want to stay close to Faristea-sama. If I return to the Elven country, it’ll cause trouble for her.”

“Understood. Then, we’ll continue to protect you here in Blue Ring. Is it okay if you act as Faristea’s guard?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Okay, about the equipment, it might take a few days to return it. Please try to take actions that will earn trust. Is that alright?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Also, we’ve prepared a room for you next to Faristea’s. If you need anything, the maid will guide you once I leave the room. Is that alright?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Then, once you settle into your room, we’ll have dinner immediately. I’ll introduce you to everyone, so please prepare a greeting. Is that okay?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Great. Well then, that’s it for me. See you at dinner.”

“Y-yeah.”

I’ll enter the room in place of the maid. It’s probably to guide them to the room next to Faristea’s.

I return to my room and lie down on the bed.

Tired… I feel exhausted for some reason…

There’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I feel like I’m wasting time. Am I being pulled by Japanese time…? This might not be good. Seeking efficiency may lead to some distortion. A bit of self-reflection is in order.

(For now, Lewis and Nero’s equipment are fine, right? Did I forget anything… speaking of which, can I get water now? I need to check later.)

Lewis and Nero’s matters should be mostly fine. Tomorrow, I should be able to accept requests somehow. The issue is Faristea and Yurisys, but there shouldn’t be much left for me to do.

Dinner time…

Faristea and Yurisys appear together at the dinner table. Everyone else is already seated. Father must have deliberately arranged for them to come last.

“Starting today, Yurisys will be living with us as Faristea’s escort. Although she is an escort, we intend to treat her as a guest, so please welcome her.”

Father introduces Yurisys to everyone.

“Now, please introduce yourself.”

“Yes. I’m Yurisys, Faristea-sama’s escort. I understand that I will be treated as a guest, thanks to Joshua-sama’s generous offer. However, I am primarily an escort, so I would appreciate it if you could keep that in mind.”

And so, Faristea gains a peculiar escort. According to what I heard from Faristea, she has been like a nursemaid since she was five. A nursemaid with that appearance… Elves are truly amazing.

After dinner—-

“Lewis, Nero, can you produce water now?”

“Yeah, with no problems.”

“Aldo’s mom is really good at teaching.”

“Well, there are four apprentices, including me.”

“Maybe that’s why. Our home tutor didn’t teach me anything except memorizing incantations.”

“It might be troublesome, but from now on, try to use magic without incantations.”

“Got it.”

“After getting used to it, casting without incantations becomes more convenient.”

It seems that water can be produced now. The next step is to check the equipment tomorrow.

“After that, is the equipment for tomorrow okay?”

“I’ve got a greatsword, a spare one-handed sword, brigandine armor, and I’ve packed potions and emergency rations in my backpack. I’m ready.”

“I’ve also prepared with Lewis, so it should be fine. I won’t check it, I trust you.”

“”Yeah, it’s fine.””

“Alright then, let’s get some rest. We’ll have an adventure tomorrow.”

“”Yay! An adventure!””

“Let’s go to bed early today.”

“”Got it.””

Today has been quite eventful, and I feel tired. Tomorrow is an early start, so it’s best to get some rest.

Back in my room, I lie down on my bed. I contemplate the plans for tomorrow’s quest before realizing I have drifted off into sleep.

The next morning—-

“Father, after breakfast, I plan to head to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Understood. Be careful and don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Yes.”

Mother and Ashera swiftly finish breakfast and leave the room. I wonder what they are plotting.

After breakfast, I check the equipment one last time. Each of them changes into their adventuring attire, and they gather in the living room.

“Is everyone ready?”

“No problems here.”

“Who will be the escort?”

Two knights come forward at my words. Noel and two other people who are knights from Sandra’s territory who were with me until the Blue Ring.

“I trust the three of you to take care of them.”

“Yes.”

“Very well, let’s go.”

“Is the equipment too heavy?”

“It’s fine.”

“Good. I also have a suggestion.”

“What is it?”

“I think having me in battle might alleviate some tension. I plan to go as an escort too. What do you think?”

“Well, it’s true… it won’t be a battle if Aldo’s with us.”

“You will leave us. You’re considering us, right?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Alright then, let’s go.”

“Agreed. Choose a quest that the two of you can accomplish.”

“”Understood.””

They discuss which quest to take on the way to the Adventurer’s Guild. Soon, the guild sign comes into view.

“I didn’t know the Blue Ring Guild was located here.”

“I had no idea.”

“Yeah, it’s my first time here. Registration was in the capital.”

“Come to think of it, I’ve never been to the guild in Sandra’s city either.”

“I guess this is the way.”

“Yeah.”

As they continue discussing, we arrive at the entrance of the Blue Ring Adventurer’s Guild.