—Kelvin’s Mansion—
Finally, I’ve returned to my beloved home. We walked the familiar path between the Guild and the mansion, and we, along with Princess Shutra, arrived at the main gate guarded by Tou and Three. Why the early return? The answer is simple: Azgrad granted us permission to use the transfer gate to Trisen. My S-Rank Guild Card, shining with seven colors, bears the national crest of Trisen as proof. With this, all transfer gates on the Eastern Continent, except for Delamis, are now accessible. Now that the Demon King incident is finally over, it might be a good time to pay a visit to Traage and Gaun.
Incidentally, Princess Shutra was already equipped with the disguised hair ornament that Melfina had requested before we departed. Not only that, but the one created turned out to be more high-performance than Sera’s. While Sera’s hair ornament only had the function of disguising one’s appearance with an illusion, Princess Shutra’s could disguise her body and clothes as well (though only to the appearance of the same race). Its rank was also S-Rank, one level higher.
By imagining one’s own appearance and channeling magic into the hair ornament, the disguise would be complete. Princess Shutra’s appearance changed to that of a girl around seven or eight years old. However, I couldn’t quite judge if this appearance suited me. For Gerard, she would certainly be perceived as granddaughter material, but that’s irrelevant right now. After seeing her in this state, people who knew Princess Shutra’s former appearance reacted like this—
“Sh-Shutra-chan?! Shutra-chan, your body is like it used to be…!”
“N-No way, to see Princess Shutra’s childhood appearance again at this age…! Damn it, Jin, to miss this miracle! Where in the world is he loitering?!”
“Ah… It’s really nostalgic. Shutra, you used to follow me around so much…”
Everyone reacted like this, so it was probably fitting. However, it was an unforeseen miscalculation that some were moved to tears. At the Princess’s request, Kuro took many of the stuffed animals from her private room, and I checked if any necessary items were forgotten. Until the moment we took Princess Shutra to the transfer gate of Trisen, ready to depart for Pars, General Dan kept sniffling. He might as well be called Grandpa Dan now.
Colette will remain in Trisen for the time being. She likely has a mountain of things to do. I want to tell her to do her best, but given her tendency to push herself until she collapses, I sent her my encouragement to take it easy. Oh, and she said something else at our parting.
“Touya, Setsuna, Nana, and Miyabi are scheduled to return to Delamis soon. Although Lord Kelvin defeated the Demon King, their role as Heroes is now complete. You may already know this, Lord Kelvin, but they will be given the choice to remain in this world or return to their original one. Lord Mel and Lord Kelvin will also be contacted then, so please do come.”
“I’ll second that request. Touya and the others would be happy to see you.”
Colette and Commander Cliff bowed to me together. Speaking of which, didn’t the Heroes who defeated the Demon King receive a reward? While it was us who defeated him, Touya and the others were high school students who were summoned here against their will. It would be permissible to offer them some compensation for that. It was our Goddess’s fault in the first place.
“…Calmly speaking, it’s not just me, but you who *must* go, isn’t it? As one of the parties involved.”
“Yes. I have to fulfill my duty for this. Ahh, I don’t want to work…”
“Mel-san, didn’t you say you were serious when we first met? You said so, didn’t you?”
I wonder if this girl will truly become a “useless Goddess” if left unchecked. Well, I can understand her feelings after a long break. It seems necessary to ensure she has a regular lifestyle, just like me. It would also be bad for Princess Shutra’s education. Oh, and Colette will also handle the suspicion of me being a Hero due to defeating the Demon King. Apparently, spreading a fabricated story, like secretly summoning another Hero who had already returned to their original world, would be sufficient.
“Uncle, Sera-chan, Kelvin-chan. We’ll part ways here for now… Oh, don’t be so sad! Our hearts will always be together!”
“Eh, ah, indeed. Farewell.”
“Pritia-chan, we’ll meet again, right!?”
Should I just skip this group since it’s the usual? Ah, I can’t? I see…
Pritia and Sabato’s party also bid us farewell here. They have something to do in Gaun, and are heading there, combining training with monster subjugation. It was mainly Sera and the other ladies, along with the lovestruck Dahak, who were reluctant to part, while Gerard looked relieved. I learned at this time that Dahak hadn’t appeared in the dining hall because he was looking for Pritia. Will the day come when Dahak’s efforts are rewarded? Even if it does, I don’t particularly want to witness it.
“Kelvin, thanks for everything. You have your father’s permission for the transfer gate, right? We’ll welcome you in Gaun when you arrive.”
“It’s about time for that, and I think Kelvin-san will enjoy it too.”
“That ‘that’?”
“Hehe, it’s a secret for now. You’ll find out eventually.”
That’s how my farewell with Sabato and Goma went. They left me with cryptic words, but what could it be? Perhaps they are preparing a celebration for me. And then, a sudden battle with the Beast King. The circumstances are irrelevant. The result is a battle. Sabato, can I count on you?!
—The story has become too long. Well, after crossing the transfer gate and returning, Ange greeted me. Guild Master Rio was absent, and likely busy with various matters shortly after the Demon King’s defeat. There is also prize money for defeating the Demon King, but it’s such a large sum that they asked me to wait a little longer. Ange mentioned it would be presented during the ceremony to commemorate the victory, but another ceremony… Given the circumstances, I’ll likely receive medals from various countries. Princess Tsubaki might directly try to recruit me again.
“Lord Kelvin, welcome home.”
“There were no disturbances during your absence.”
As we approached the main gate, Tou and Three opened it for us. Incidentally, I informed them of the permission for Princess Shutra to enter the mansion grounds.
“Shutra-chan, this is our home. Please make yourself at home and relax.”
“What a large mansion… Rion-chan, were you a noble?”
“I’m not a noble. Well then, I’ll give you a tour inside.”
Rion took Princess Shutra’s hand and ran into the mansion. For now, I think I can leave it to Rion. As we saw them off, Ellie and two maids came out of the mansion. Rozalia and Hoover, they had returned here a little earlier.
“Master, welcome back.”
“Welcome back.”
“I’m home. I apologize for being away for such a long time. The major request has been settled, so it seems I can take it easy for a while.”
“That’s wonderful news. Lyuka was also lonely… Ah, right. As per Lord Dahak’s instructions, I had the Golems tending to the farm, and the sprouts just came up the other day—”
“He said so. Gerard, Dahak.”
“Wait for me, Lyuka! Grandpa Gerard is back!”
“Hold on, my farm! I’m going to dote on you again after so long!”
With clanging sounds, Gerard rushed into the mansion, and Dahak ran towards the farm in the backyard. Truly, my party members are honest about their desires. Gerard is always like this when he returns to the mansion, but today especially, he had a refreshing expression as if he was freed from something. Though I can’t see his face. However, Gerard, your armor’s appearance has changed again after evolving. Is it okay to charge at Lyuka, who knows nothing, with demon-king-like armor? Ellie is also spacing out.
“They must be trying to distract themselves from the sadness of parting with Lady Gordiana…”
“Is this what they call long-distance love?”
“Yes, it’s the way adults fall in love!”
The girls are having a heart-to-heart about romance. I doubt Gerard is thinking that way.
“Rozalia, is it alright for you to still be in Pars? I removed the maid outfit’s mechanism when you came as reinforcement through the transfer gate. You can return to Trisen.”
“I’m Princess Shutra’s guard. Azgrad is quite fond of his sister— and speaking of which, I’d like to consult with you. I wish to continue serving as a maid here until Princess Shutra returns to her original form.”
“I’ll do my best as both a maid and a guard! Please!”
The two of them bowed.
“No, I don’t mind at all. In fact, it will be helpful. Princess Shutra probably won’t have trouble finding someone to talk to.”
Plus, they’re a feast for the eyes.
“We’re grateful for your kind words.”
In that case, I’ll need to prepare their wages again. We have a policy of paying for work done. You will receive what you are due. We add a bonus for the profit made!
“Haa, that’s a relief… So, where is Princess Shutra? I don’t see her…”
“Hmm? Hoover, what are you talking about? You just passed her a moment ago with Rion.”
“Eh?”
It seems Hoover doesn’t know what Princess Shutra looked like when she was a child. On the other hand, Rozalia had an expression of understanding, as if to say, “Ah, as expected.” This difference is likely due to the length of time they served in Trisen. Well then, it’s about time we entered the mansion as well. I’m also just recovering from an illness.
“King, a moment.”
“Master, a moment!”
Gerard, carrying Lyuka on his shoulders, called out to me in the mansion’s entrance hall. It seems the reunion with Lyuka went smoothly.
“I have something to consult with you about later, is that alright?”
The overall rating has finally reached 80,000 points.
Thank you for your continued support.
