The day after defeating the Evil Dragon, Touya and his party received permission to set sail for the Western Continent from Traage Port. Their departure preparations had apparently been completed days ago, so they headed straight for the port where their ship was docked. We were there to see them off.
“Hero-sama! Preparations for departure are complete!”
A Traage crew member shouted with vigor. Touya replied with a wry smile.
“Haha, please, drop the ‘Hero-sama.’ We’re just adventurers, that’s the setting, right?”
“Ah, sorry! I can’t believe I—”
“Just be careful from now on. We’ll be boarding the ship soon, so please wait.”
After watching the crew member return to the ship, the four of them turned back to us.
“Kelvin-san, and everyone else. It was a short time, but thank you for everything.”
“This was something I dragged you all into of my own accord. There’s no reason for you to thank me. Still, you only just received permission to depart. Are you going already?”
“If it had been up to us, we would have left days ago. Besides, we can’t keep causing you trouble for an indefinite period.”
“We’re not causing you any trouble, though…”
Gerard, standing behind me, placed a hand on my shoulder, cutting off my words.
“That’s just how they are, so let them see you off with unspoken support.”
“Hmph, your straightforward nature hasn’t changed at all, has it? Here, take this as a parting gift.”
Kuro took something from storage and tossed it to each of the four.
“Whoa! Kelvin-san, what is this?”
“A pendant, perhaps?”
“Ah, I made them on the fly. Consider them as good luck charms.”
What I threw them were pendants shaped after their respective attributes. They were equipment that provided a minimal stat boost and another, secret effect. It would be best if they were never used, but I believe they will be useful in emergencies. My Blacksmithing Skill didn’t cover accessories, so I borrowed the Skill from a Traage jeweler using the Gauntlet of Gluttony.
“…Tsundere?”
“Miyabi, you always have to say one too many things, don’t you?”
This is what happens when I try to be a little thoughtful. Well, that’s just her charm, I suppose.
“Wow… Mine is shaped like an ice crystal. Kelvin-san, thank you! I’ll cherish it.”
“Ah, Nana, you and Moon do your best too. That dragon might be evolving from a Young Dragon to an Adult Dragon soon. It might not fit in your backpack anymore.”
“Gyaaa!”
“Oh, Mon-chan! You shouldn’t say things like that.”
I’m not sure what she said, but Moon seems to be fond of Nana’s backpack. It’s like a dog poking its head out of a car window. It’s not good to spoil them too much, but…
“I feel like I’ve had fewer worries in Traage. It might be thanks to you, Kelvin-san. Thank you for knocking some sense into this justice-obsessed idiot.”
“Sena, I think things will continue to be tough for you, but stay strong, okay? Even so, he’s still the leader of you heroes.”
“Sigh… I’ll do my best…”
“That was quite the harsh assessment!”
However, Touya has also grown both mentally and physically. Perhaps Sena’s worries have been alleviated somewhat. Somewhat.
“I don’t know what will happen on the Western Continent, but we’ll give it our best!”
“Touya, make sure you don’t mistake the direction of your efforts.”
“Haha, you really don’t trust me.”
I’ve strictly instructed Touya and his party not to reveal the effects of their Unique Skills, even to us. Even with Appraisal Eye, a Unique Skill whose effects are unknown provides an advantage on its own. Because of that, I couldn’t learn the details of Touya’s “Absolute Gospel” or Sena’s “Iron Cutting Fist,” but that’s a trivial matter compared to their lives.
“Well then, Kelvin-san, we’re going to head off now.”
“Oh, is it that time already? Efil.”
“Yes. Here are some packed lunches, though they’re very simple. Please enjoy them on the ship.”
Hearing that they were departing immediately, Efil hastily prepared four lunches. Inside were yesterday’s onigiri and sandwiches, prepared in a modern style.
“Efil-san! Seriously, thank you! Thank you so much!”
“She’s a god!”
“To be able to eat Efil-san’s home cooking again…!”
“I’ll eat it with Mon-chan, I’ll cherish it!”
The four of them thanked me, shaking my hands. Hey, you guys. You’re much more sincere than you were with me. Especially Miyabi. It’s true that Efil’s cooking is hard to compete with, but still! My stomach has been captured too!
“We will be departing shortly! Those boarding, please hurry!”
A crew member yelled loudly, announcing that the ship was ready to depart.
“Here, you’ll miss the ship.”
“Ah, we have to hurry! Everyone, let’s run!”
“Whoa, wait for me!”
Touya and his party ran onto the ship’s deck and poked their heads out from the railing once more.
“Kelvin-san, I’ll never forget what you taught me!”
“Let’s meet again!”
“This time, I’ll come back strong enough to win! Thank you!”
“Same here! I won’t lose next time!”
In the end, the four of them continued to wave at us until the ship was out of sight. I can’t help but feel a little guilty, even though they only went along with my whim.
“Master is truly kind.”
“Umu, they all seemed to have cheerful expressions.”
“What foolishness are you spouting? I just indulged them out of curiosity. It’s almost lunchtime, let’s go get something to eat.”
“Oh, you’re just pretending to be shy.”
“I’m not pretending to be shy!”
…Still, the Western Continent, huh? The Lizea Empire is also there.
I sent a telepathic message to Gerard.
“Gerard, if we were to declare war on the Lizea Empire right now, could we win?”
“What is it? Out of the blue.”
“It’s about our contract. The promise to get revenge on that Zildra, right?”
“Gahahaha! You remembered? I thought you had forgotten!”
“How could I forget something so important?”
Yes, my contract with Gerard was to defeat Zildra and avenge his homeland, Alcal. I haven’t fulfilled that wish yet.
“Well now… The situation is different from when I was alive. Zildra might still be affiliated with the Empire. Moreover, the Empire was the strongest nation on the Western Continent. Considering they’re still bickering with Delamis, their power hasn’t waned. No matter how strong we’ve become, facing the Empire is dangerous.”
“Is that so… We’ll have to start with information gathering, then.”
“I’m not in a hurry, you know. …To be frank, when we made the contract, I thought it was impossible.”
“Whoa, whoa, you contracted with me for that reason?”
“Listen. I thought there was a sliver of hope compared to just staying holed up in the castle. It was a faint hope at first. But then, as I journeyed with the King, Efil became an ally, and Sera became an ally. Now, we’ve even managed to defeat an S-Rank Monster.”
Gerard looked up at the sky.
“King, I thank you. My impossible wish has now been reduced to a level where it’s achievable. When our contract is fulfilled, I will acknowledge you as my true Master.”
“Ah, until then, a temporary Master is sufficient—”
*Guff*… Sera climbed onto my back.
“Hey, what are you two whispering about?”
Efil also tugged on the sleeve of my robe and looked up.
“I don’t want to be left out…”
“Alright, alright! I’ll tell you both, so get down, Sera! Don’t look so sad, Efil!”
“Gahaha! King, let’s eat for now. We can talk about it later!”
Gerard led the way, and I followed, with Sera on my back and Efil holding my hand, directly feeling the weight of my companions.
