“Captain Nina, no, Lady Nina, we have been waiting for you!”
“We have been waiting for you!!!!!”
“……Mm, good work.”
Outside the Adventurer Guild in the evening (with a slight time lag),
Dozens of people lined up… are they knights? About ten or so,
These are Nina’s unit, her subordinates.
(They’ve lined up so perfectly…)
It’s been a while.
When I was carried away in a bridal carry,
These are the people who saluted me tearfully on the way to the Dragon Arena.
(Now I understand, she must have been a formidable captain with their deep trust…)
And she was only in her early twenties.
But then again, she joined the Knights so early.
I don’t remember exactly, but it was around fifteen years old.
“We will escort you, please come this way.”
“You’ve even prepared a carriage.”
“P-p-please, Captain.” “I’m not Captain anymore.” “You’re still Captain!!”
A title, or rather, a nickname?
It’s not like my captain’s registration is still active,
Come to think of it, I refused the Prime Minister’s offer to become the Knight Commander.
(Huh? Nina isn’t getting into the carriage.)
This doesn’t look like the Avakane family’s carriage.
Is it the Knights’ or the country’s carriage? Is she refusing to ride it?
As I was thinking that, a person from the Knights who opened the door approached me…
“Lord Derus, please get in.”
“Ah, yes, Nina.” “Mm, let’s go.”
“I’ll be last.” “Nastasia, you don’t have to make such a stern face.” “I’m on guard duty today.”
It seems I can get in. Ah, so they wanted me to get in first.
I just remembered, knowing Nina, if the Knights only paid attention to her and ignored me, she would get very angry. In that case, we would walk.
(As expected of Nina’s former subordinates, they noticed that.)
It’s comfortable inside.
And I see a familiar face!
“Milika, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, congratulations on your marriage, Lord Derus!”
“Ah, thank you. It has been some time.”
Milika, the Dragon Tamer.
She was Nina’s contemporary during her time in the Knights.
She was responsible for long-distance travel during the early stages of my and Nina’s journey.
(There’s even an air-conditioning magic stone in this carriage.)
It’s like transportation for high-ranking nobles.
Of course, Nina is a Duke’s daughter, but
This carriage is owned by the country, could it be…? No, it can’t be.
“Then we will depart!”
The carriage begins to move with the Knight’s announcement.
It’s not bumpy. Milika offers us water…
“Nastasia, have some too.”
“Yes, if Lord Derus says so.”
She’s calling me Lord Derus instead of Master.
Is it because she’s in guard mode, not as the Fifth Wife?
After drinking and calming down, Nina speaks to Milika.
“Since when have you been waiting?”
“Since morning.” “That long?”
“Everyone ate lunch standing up.” “Is that so?” “W-what, you didn’t have to go that far.”
I blurted out a light retort, but
Well, they must have really wanted to see Nina.
The sub-organization of Nina Starlights… Nina is in charge of it, but Mogunami is doing that now, isn’t she?
(I heard that person’s subordinates, no, their adventurer training is also perfect.)
However, Knight-style and Adventurer Guild-style training are probably very different.
I’d like to ask the Knights about that if they have time.
Nina’s old heroic tales… I might hear them at the reception?
“By the way, Lord Derus.”
“Ah, yes, Milika?”
“Thank you for giving me such a wonderful Dragon.” “Eh?”
When did this happen?!
“Did I not tell Derus? Out of old acquaintance, you see.
Don’t you remember the large number of Dragons that arrived from that floating island?”
“Ah-ah, yes. In a sense, we tamed the entire island.”
They were relocated to the top of Great Heavenly Tree Building 1.
A village has been formed there… With that many, it’s fine to give one away.
“So, which one did you give?”
“The ‘Sparkling Dragon,’ which is easy for women to handle.”
“Yes, it seats eight people, but it excels in maneuverability and stability, making it a high-class moving Dragon!”
This one also seems unlikely to be bumpy.
“I’ve also given you the fruit.”
“Ah, from the Great Tree, so it’s safe.”
“They’ll send it regularly if it starts to run out. Thank you.”
There are three Great Trees now.
As we were talking, Nina’s Michillon Duke’s residence came into view.
It’s surprisingly fast by carriage. There’s no reason to go slowly, so it’s fine.
(And the carriage stopped in front of the gate, and the door opened.)
“Here you go.”
“Mm, let’s talk more leisurely next time.”
“Yes, please let me sing at the reception!”
As I was being seen off by Milika like this,
When I went to the front of the gate, I was greeted by…!!
“My Lady, we have been waiting for you.”
It’s the butler.
What was his name again?
I don’t think I ever asked.
“Mm, you know what to do?”
“Yes, Lord Derus, please come this way as well.”
“Ah, yes. Well then,” “Everyone, thank you for your hard work.”
These are the words Nina said as she turned back to the Knights.
Including those who were providing security with horses around us.
They are all lined up and saluting. Some of them are even teary-eyed.
(I should bow my head too.)
Now, it’s Nina’s family home.
This is my first time entering, but
What kind of family is inside…?!
“Derus, wait up.” “Ah, yes.”
“Before we go in, a confirmation.” “What is it?”
“This is also for Nastasia… If I show any disrespect to my father, brothers, or sisters, may I have permission to strike them down immediately?”
You’re saying that again!
