“Mr. Kent, that group of carriages stopped over there, isn’t that the stagecoach we were planning to take?”
“It is. It looks like we caught up.”
Glancing at the stagecoach stopped for a break, Kent’s light truck continued towards Tiol’s town without taking a rest. The people in the carriages they passed or overtook, who were traveling in the same direction but at a different speed, were surprised by the unfamiliar vehicle, but Kent decided to press on.
“This might be the limit…”
They had been aiming for Tiol’s town at a constant speed, but after driving for nearly an hour, a beeping alarm sounded, and the remaining time countdown changed from 1 to 59. From then on, it decreased by one every second. Confirming this, Kent stopped the light truck.
“Caro, Al. It looks like our time is up. We don’t know what will happen next, so let’s get out and unload the luggage just in case.”
“Understood.”
“Roger that! Aye aye, sir!”
Everyone got out of the vehicle and unloaded their luggage from the truck bed. Looking at the meter, it counted down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and when it reached 0, the light truck vanished. A handkerchief that had been placed on the dashboard, as an experiment to see what would happen if they were inside when the time ran out, lost its support and fell to the ground.
“This means if the time runs out while we’re driving, we’ll just be thrown out… We need to be careful.”
Kent realized that he needed to pay close attention to the remaining time for future use.
“Mr. Kent, look. That’s Tiol’s town.”
“We’re back.”
Kent and his companions had already returned to a point where they could see the town’s entrance. From this location, they could reach the gate by walking for about 30 minutes. The three of them arrived at Tiol’s town on foot.
“Oh, you walked all the way from Sumput? You’re quite energetic!”
When they informed the gatekeeper that they had come from Sumput, he said it with admiration. It wasn’t an impossible distance to walk in a day, so some people without money for the stagecoach traveled on foot. However, although Kent and his companions were wearing commoner’s clothes, they weren’t the attire of the impoverished; rather, they were the clothes of commoners who belonged to the wealthier class. Thus, the gatekeeper seemed to have judged them as odd individuals who, despite having enough money to use the stagecoach, chose to walk.
“Well, we’re back earlier than planned, but should we go to the shop or to Caro’s house first…?”
“I’d like to make an appearance at the shop, so let’s head there.”
After passing through the town gate, Kent asked Caro their destination.
“It’s been a little over a month since I’ve been away from the shop. I wonder if everyone’s doing well?”
“Mr. Kent, you’ve been receiving regular updates on the shop’s situation, haven’t you?”
“Well, yes, but more than phone calls or emails, I need to see it with my own eyes.”
Even while staying in Sumput, Emily had been providing regular updates on the shop’s status. When situations that couldn’t be handled remotely arose, he would speak with Marie and Rachel over the phone to exchange information about shop procurements and other matters. Rachel frequently made personal purchases unrelated to shop procurements, and when she was cautioned, she retorted, “I’m the one paying, so it’s fine.” As a brother who believed he knew his sister’s personality well, he figured it was no use arguing and approved her purchases.
After walking a considerable distance, they left the town center and saw a familiar sight.
“We’re back.”
“We are.”
“Master…”
As they arrived in front of Marie’s Bakery, Al started to say something.
“Al, what’s wrong?”
“Um, I’ll go in through the back entrance from here. Master and Lady Caro, please go through the main entrance.”
With that, Al headed towards the back of the shop where the back entrance was.
“What’s up with Al?”
“Who knows?”
The two tilted their heads at Al’s peculiar behavior.
*Cling-clang*
The door bell attached to the shop’s door rang.
“Welcome! Ah!”
“We’re back.”
When the door bell rang, the available employees reflexively called out, but upon realizing it was Kent and Caro entering, surprised voices erupted.
“Oh, you’re back early. Wasn’t it supposed to be this evening?”
Josette, who happened to be closest, spoke up. Although she said that, she seemed genuinely happy to see Kent’s face, smiling broadly in a way anyone could tell.
“My, my, you’re all lovey-dovey.”
“Oh, Sister.”
Elnet, who saw that, teased Josette.
*Thump, thump, thump, thump…*
Heavy footsteps could be heard from the workshop’s direction at tremendous speed.
“It’s Mr. Kent! Welcome back!”
A person suddenly appeared and hugged him tightly. The feeling of Marie’s ample bosom pressed against Kent.
“Marie, I’m home.”
He found himself saying that as he inadvertently stroked Marie’s head.
“Ahem, Marie, Kent. We’re still open, you know. Look, other customers are watching.”
Josette cleared her throat and said. She actually wanted to do the same, but she restrained herself, mindful of the people around them.
“Oh, I’m sorry. How could I?”
Upon Josette’s words, Marie pulled away from Kent. Caro watched the scene unfold from a step back. Then, to avoid inconveniencing other customers by lingering at the shop entrance, Kent and Caro moved towards the kitchen, still holding their luggage.
At that moment, none of the shop employees noticed that one of the customers was sending a gaze that resembled a killing intent towards Kent. Or rather, two of them *did* notice.
“That’s quite intense killing intent. I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t pointed it out.”
“However, it seems okay this time. But it would be wise to be cautious from now on.”
“It appears so.”
Al and Emily, who were observing the situation from a hidden vantage point, ready to spring out at any moment, said this.
“I want to talk to Mr. Kent toooo.”
Catherine, who was working the register alone, voiced her dissatisfaction. Unusually for this time of day, there was a line of customers at the register, and she couldn’t break away like the other employees.
“I’ll take over the register, so you can go.”
“Thank you, Patty! I’m off then!”
With Patty covering the register, Catherine hurried into the kitchen.
“There’s no room for me in this atmosphere, is there…”
After a slightly lonely murmur, Patty focused on her work at the register.
