Finally, after crossing the Great Cross Bridge from the Western Continent, we returned to Pars after several days. It felt like quite a long time since I last saw the clock tower, a famous tourist spot. Bringing Efil and Ange along to tour the city like this reminds me of when we first met. However, there are more pressing matters to attend to now.
“Ugh, my back is killing me…”
“Ahaha, Kelvin-kun, you overdid it!”
“Master, I’ll give you a massage when we get back to the mansion.”
“Ah, that would be a lifesaver.”
While crossing the Great Cross Bridge on our way back, I had been constantly testing out the flying technique using the Wind Dragon King From’s blessing. The backlash is finally catching up to me now. My back is especially bad. I regret not getting used to unfamiliar things gradually, but well, if Efil is going to give me a massage, it’s a price I’m happy to pay. Hehe, in the end, it all works out for the best.
“Still, eating while walking is quite the charm, isn’t it? I wonder if it’ll become popular in Pars from now on?”
“As a matter of etiquette, it’s a bit questionable…”
“Yet, here you are, Efil-chan, diligently enjoying the food.”
“A-Ange-san, please don’t tease me!”
Efil and Ange are chatting while holding sweets from a new shop that apparently opened while we were away. They’re made of thin dough filled with fruit, resembling crepes in appearance. They’re being marketed as an easy-to-eat snack, and recently, like skewers from street vendors, more women have been seen walking around town while eating them.
Perhaps it’s the sweets, but the two of them are full of energy, having forgotten the fatigue of our long journey. It’s the complete opposite of how I feel now. Mud often says superstitious things like sweets make women beautiful, but he might not be entirely wrong. I can’t help but feel their skin has a bit more glow to it.
…I want Melfina to try these too when she returns. I’m sure she’d eat them with a smile. It’ll probably cost a bit… No, it won’t be just a bit. Sorry, scratch that last part.
“Oh, isn’t that Kelvin and the others? It’s been a while!”
“Ah, isn’t that Uldo-san? And the rest of your party too.”
On our way back to the mansion, we happened to bump into Uldo’s party in front of the Spirit Song Inn, run by Claire-san. They look like they’ve just finished a request, with some dirt and minor injuries here and there. However, their impressive muscles are still shining under the sunlight, so there’s probably no need to worry too much about their injuries.
“It’s been a while, Uldo-san.”
“Good work. Are you working hard towards your promotion to A-Rank Adventurer?”
Ange is subtly back in receptionist mode, I see.
“O-Oh! It’s Efil-chan and Ange-chan! Should I pay my respects now…!?”
“You idiot! Of course, as a member of the fan club! This is a blessing!”
“Ah, it’s you guys again! Didn’t I just tell you to quit that ridiculous fan club already!”
“You with a wife and kids wouldn’t understand the feelings of us single guys!”
“Yeah, yeah!”
“How many times are you guys going to bring that up…”
Team Ibushigin really hasn’t changed… Hmm? For a while now, only the swordsman and the mage have been talking, the archer hasn’t chimed in at all. He usually joins in with them, what’s wrong?
“Hey, Archer! You should say something too!”
“Yeah, yeah, say something!”
“N-No, I mean, I’m fine with it… Uh, it’s almost time for our meeting. See ya, I’m heading to the Guild first. Adieu!”
“Huh? What are you saying— Hah!”
“Could it be… betrayal!?”
“He’s running away! Catch him and kill him!”
…It seems even Team Ibushigin has undergone some changes. The three of them ran off towards the Guild, leaving only us and Uldo-san behind.
“Jeez, those guys… Hmm? Kelvin, you look quite exhausted. What’s wrong?”
With a deep sigh, Uldo-san seemed to discern my condition. He truly is the representative of considerate and sensible people, the one who saved my life from Sera. However, matters concerning the Dragon Kings are top-secret information shared across multiple nations. Uldo-san and the others are merely B-Rank Adventurers, so I can’t tell them the truth. I’ll just have to make an excuse.
“I can’t hide it from you, Uldo-san. Actually, I really strained my back last night.”
“Whoa, you okay? You’re not that old yet, are you?”
“Haha, my apologies.”
“That’s right~, Kelvin-kun gets carried away and moves too much.”
“Master, you were completely absorbed at the time. We who were with you should have stopped you sooner.”
“Nah, don’t say that. It’s embarrassing.”
Well, I’ll just say I pulled a muscle.
“Ah, so that’s what you meant by hurting your back… No wonder Efil-chan and Ange look so radiant. But Kelvin, you probably shouldn’t talk about that kind of thing too much, okay? If they hear it, who knows what they’ll say.”
“Eh?”
…Eh? For the first time, I didn’t quite understand what Uldo-san was talking about. Yeah, I don’t get it.
On that note, I invite them to have lunch at the mansion as a token of my gratitude. Uldo-san was delighted to hear he could try Efil’s cooking and immediately accepted. If the rest of his party were here, I would have invited them too. But I didn’t have time to call out to them, so it can’t be helped.
“Come to think of it, this is my first time visiting Kelvin’s house.”
“I’ve been meaning to invite you for a while. But with requests, promotions, and the Demon King, I’ve been short on time…”
“Hah, the Demon King is unavoidable, I guess. When you’re an S-Rank Adventurer, naturally, people will come asking for help from all directions. Even so, I’m more glad that you still look up to me like this, Kelvin.”
“Uldo-san…”
Being treated so sincerely, I can’t help but be moved. Uldo-san, were you perhaps an angel?
“Ah, so this is Kelvin’s house— It’s huge, as expected…”
“No, compared to Colette’s or Azgrad’s mansions, it’s quite small.”
“You, that’s comparing it to a castle…”
“Kelvin-sama, welcome home.”
As we approached the mansion gate, the guards, the dogs, reacted.
“I’m back. Has anyone returned yet?”
“Yes, Sera-sama and Dahak-sama returned yesterday.”
Oh, Sera and the others, who I thought would take the longest to return, got back first.
“Ah, Master!”
Just as I was about to open the gate and walk into the garden in front of the mansion, Ryuka rushed out of the house right before me. …From the second floor. She must have been really happy to see us back. Ange praised her for her perfect landing, while Efil scolded her for lacking dignity. However, Ryuka seemed happy about it all, maintaining a smile throughout. Uldo-san and I found ourselves smiling unconsciously as well.
“Ryuka, where are Sera and Dahak? Are they in the living room?”
“Yep, I think Sera-sama is relaxing on the sofa. Hak-chan is probably in the farm out back?”
“I see. Well then, I’ll head to Sera first. Uldo-san, I’ll guide you to the dining hall ahead.”
“Can I also greet Sera-嬢? I haven’t seen her in a while, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Haha, not at all. Sera would be happy too.”
“Master, I’ll head to the kitchen to prepare things.”
“Yeah, please do.”
And so, we headed towards the living room. Upon opening the living room door, there was—
“Ah, Kelvin!”
“Hmm? Isn’t that my unworthy son? It’s been a while.”
“I’m visiting. You still have that same sullen face.”
…There was more red hair than I expected.
