116. The Battle Continues Until We Get Home, Isn’t It?

I chopped the eight-headed Hydra into pieces the size of a carriage, stuffed it all into spatial storage, and left the wetlands behind. We stopped by Zaid Village and left Zaid’s private soldiers there.

“Kyle-sama! Van-sama! We owe our safe return without a single casualty to you two! We thank you once again!”

The head soldier bowed deeply. We had been thanked continuously throughout the journey, but now all the soldiers lined up to express their gratitude. Their disciplined movements demonstrated their excellence as soldiers.

Thinking back, when Kyle set out for the pioneering village, Zaid had brought his private soldiers, and they were well-coordinated. It might be that only the adventurers required by Golden Dawn were too skilled, and as soldiers, these men were competent.

“We are the ones who owe you thanks. As soon as we return to Golden Dawn, we’ll send a new steward, so please bear with any inconvenience for a while.”

Kyle, temporarily entrusted with governing the village, bowed his head, causing the head soldier to panic.

“Please raise your head! Kyle-sama, we will protect this village in Zaid’s absence!”

“Yes, we’re counting on you.”

After parting ways with Zaid’s private soldiers, we began our journey back to Golden Dawn. Through the adventurer’s guild, we bought a sturdy carriage. Why, you ask? Well…

“That’s why I said I’m Kyle’s guard and will walk outside.”

“No, no, no! Please, just don’t lead the way yourself!”

“Fine, I’ll give up the front.”

“I’m telling you to ride in the carriage quietly!”

I yelled at Van, but he just dug at his ear and replied with an indifferent “Hmm.”. Nearby, Jabil-sensei held her head in her hands.

It’s okay! Treat him like an adventurer! It’s a hassle if you treat him like royalty!

As I was shouting internally, Raidoc approached, chuckling, and patted me on the shoulder.

“Ah, wait, Craft.”

“What?”

Raidoc turned to Van.

“Ah, Van. Please ride in the carriage with Kyle-sama, Myrna-sama, and Jabil-sama to guard them.”

“Hmm?”

“It was originally planned for someone from my party or one of the Casper sisters to ride with them.”

“Got it.”

Van looked a bit bored for a moment but then grinned.

“You know how to use people well.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I mean it.”

Van waved lightly and got into the carriage.

Finally, we set off for Golden Dawn. The horses hitched to the carriage were all raised in Golden Dawn, which means…

“Whoa!? What’s with this speed!? Is this our marching pace!?”

“If you stick your head out the window, you’ll bite your tongue!”

“Hahaha! This is like the speed of a fast horse! Usually, army movements are slower than walking! Hahaha!”

I didn’t know what he found so amusing, but Van was in a great mood. However after a few days, he seemed to get bored and stopped sticking his head out.

◆

“Whoa!?”

“What now!?”

Just when I thought it had been quiet for a while, Van started yelling again just as we were nearing Golden Dawn.

“How can I not shout? Look at this vast sea of wheat! This is the Golden Horizon!”

“…I’ve never seen the sea, so I don’t know what a horizon looks like.”

“What? You’ve never been to the south of this country, Craft?”

“I haven’t been to the sea. I’d like to go see it someday, though.”

“Hmm. Then when you get a break, I’ll guide you!”

“Really? I’m looking forward to it!”

As Van and I laughed together, Jabil-sensei held her head in her hands inside the carriage.

…Right. He’s the king. I almost forgot.

“Now I see… The Craft Wheat has spread throughout the Orthros territory. I never imagined such a production scale.”

“Can’t we change the name Craft Wheat?”

“I didn’t name it. Give it up.”

“Ugh…”

By the time I realized it, Craft Wheat was already in circulation.

“If we can finish reclaiming the wetlands and start harvesting rice…”

Van stroked his chin with a wicked expression. He was undoubtedly plotting something.

Kyle, riding in the carriage, nervously addressed Van.

“Uh… Your Majesty.”

“Kyle, call me Van.”

“Uh, Van. We’ll be arriving in town soon, so could you refrain from looking outside until we reach the mansion…?”

“What’s wrong with just looking?”

Van pouted in protest.

“If people see Kyle in the carriage, they’ll crowd around us.”

“It’s the same if there’s a single carriage in the group, isn’t it?”

With one carriage in the group, the residents would know Kyle was inside, he reasoned with a scowl.

“When you move through town in a carriage, does it make a difference whether your face is visible or not?”

“My carriage has thick curtains… Ah, I see. I’ll refrain until we reach the mansion.”

Van seemed to recall an experience where opening the curtains caused a commotion. He lightly waved his wrist.

“I appreciate your understanding. And don’t forget to guard Kyle amidst the sightseeing.”

“Leave it to me.”

Jabil-sensei held her head again.

Sensei, you’re overthinking. She’s enjoying this.

◆

“Whoa!?”

As expected, upon arriving at Kyle’s mansion and finally disembarking, Van yelled the loudest he had all trip.

Van looked to the right, then the left, and up, yelling each time.

Heh, Golden Dawn is impressive, right?

After getting excited, Van slung his arm around Kyle’s shoulders and pulled him close.

“Kyle, this is an incredible city.”

“Is it alright to call it a city?”

“Seeing a town more developed than the royal capital, no fool would deny it.”

“Thank you.”

Kyle took it as a compliment and thanked Van, but then his face turned pale at Van’s next words.

“Kyle, are you planning to usurp the kingdom?”

“What!?”

“Wait!?”

Van’s expression shifted from a friendly adventurer to a noble sizing up an enemy.

“Not at all! I prioritize the safety of the residents above all!”

“That’s right! Kyle doesn’t have such petty ambitions!”

Kyle and I shouted simultaneously, causing Van’s serious expression to tremble with suppressed laughter.

“…Van?”

“Buh… Haha! I can’t hold it in! Hahaha! You two are too funny!”

“Uh… Your Majesty…”

Kyle tried to speak, but Van fell to his knees, pounding the ground in laughter. Just how funny does he find this?

“Buhaha! Haha! Ah! Ah! I’m going to pass out from lack of oxygen.”

“Then could you stop laughing? I was about to pass out from shock.”

“Sorry, sorry. I never thought someone would call the king’s position petty.”

“Ah.”

But it was me who said that, not Kyle!

“I haven’t laughed this much in years. But, seeing a city wall more impressive than the royal capital would make any ruler wary.”

“Van… No, Your Majesty. I swear—”

“No need to say it.”

“…Understood.”

Van waved his hand dismissively, cutting Kyle off.

Well, it’s certainly a waste of time.

“Now, where will I be staying? Oh, Craft, how about your place—”

“Van, while you’re in Golden Dawn, I want you to guard Kyle. Your payment will be staying at Kyle’s mansion and eating and drinking as much as you want.”

I cut Van off before he could finish.

Van grinned at me.

“Deal.”

So, Van would be hosted at Kyle’s mansion for a while.

Yes, the last thing I needed was for him to take up residence in my place.