I awoke from a hazy sleep in the canopy bed (bed) in the bedroom, and the surroundings began to whiten.
It seems to be a clear day today.
I, Hal Raymond, awoke in the bedroom of my private quarters within the base mansion of “Princess Harem.”
About 50 days have passed since I, along with selected members of “Princess Harem,” departed on a journey at the request of Elise to the Old Portland Castle Ruins in the Southern Nations, and a week had already passed since we returned to the base mansion.
Since the initial travel plan was for two months, we returned about 20 days earlier.
This significant acceleration of the travel schedule was because the return trip was expedited by the Valkyries.
Originally, I had planned to immediately visit my family and the Raymond Trading Company to report my return.
However, the remaining members were involved in assisting Count Ginette Christina Von Montaigne, who claimed to be a “Villainess” possessing a “Demon Taint,” with the request from the Adventurer Guild to help seal her “Demon Mark” using the “Seal Pierce” received from Swan Hilda.
As a result, Ginette transformed into what appeared to be a proud, ordinary noblewoman, but I was too busy with the aftermath to report our return.
Initially, when Ginette was brought here to be educated in etiquette, she apparently looked down on the “Princess Harem” party members as mere adventurers and mocked them with a vulgar, high-pitched laugh of “Ohhh-hooh-hooh!”, but now, as a high-class noblewoman, she only laughs elegantly, like a “korokoro,” and her high-pitched laughter is no longer heard.
Ginette, who diligently applied herself to learning normal etiquette with the “Princess Harem” party members such as Ly and Elise as her teachers, seems to have had a certain aptitude, and it is scheduled for her to be handed over at the imperial capital Granza’s castle gate, as designated by the Montaigne Count Family, after breakfast today.
Viscountess Salibana, who mediated the request to “Princess Harem,” is also scheduled to be present at that location.
I have also contacted Alicia to be present to inquire about etiquette for ascending to the White Castle of the Espana Imperial Kingdom.
Alicia, knowing that I returned much earlier than planned, and that I had instructed the “Princess Harem” party members to keep silent about Ginette’s situation due to the pressing matters at the base mansion, will try to act naturally.
Furthermore, regarding our night life, on the day of our return, we conducted Ginette’s “First Night Ritual,” and subsequently sealed the manifested “Demon Mark.”
After that, I received devoted service from Ly, and I am truly glad to have acquired the special “Healing Magic.”
If it were my previous self, I would have embarrassed Ly by running out of semen, but the special “Healing Magic” taught by the Valkyries was useful.
By the way, I say “taught by” because although it is certain that the Valkyries invited me to the “Garden of the Gods,” my memory of what happened afterward is hazy.
Later, after Dietlinde and Edele, we attempted to move on to the expedition group consisting of Elise and others, but Ly and Dietlinde objected, leading to a commotion where we had to go through another round before moving on to the expedition group.
With so many girls now, just deciding the order of night duty is troublesome.
“Good morning, Hal. Have you awoken?”
“Good morning, Edele.”
Edele knocked on the bedroom door—*ton, ton, ton*—and entered.
“Breakfast is ready, so please come down to the dining room on the first floor. Alicia has also arrived.”
“I seem to have overslept.”
“It appears last night’s enjoyment with Elise was quite passionate, so it can’t be helped.”
It seems my night affairs are an open book to them.
“Good morning, Hal.”
“Ah, good morning. Everyone.”
When I entered the dining room, the full 11 members of “Princess Harem” and Alicia greeted me in the morning, but I felt a bit intimidated by such a large group.
Alicia, who was outside the circle, seemed a bit sulky.
Even with such a pouting face, Alicia was cute, seeing her for the first time in a while.
“Good morning, Hal Raymond. I heard that the Alicia who greeted you earlier has been appointed Viscountess. You are also a First-Class Quasi-Noble, aren’t you?”
“You don’t need to worry too much about it, Ginette. This is just the base of an Adventurer Party, and I’m just an adventurer here, so this is a free-for-all.”
“Understood, Hal.”
Ginette, whose past life memories were sealed by the “Seal Pierce,” had settled down into being a perfectly ordinary Count’s daughter?
Her characteristic condescending high-pitched laughter that made fun of others, “Ohhh-hooh-hooh!”, has become nostalgic now that it can no longer be heard.
Speaking of which, yesterday, Elise had plotted to make Ginette laugh loudly, but it seems she only became embarrassed and couldn’t achieve the high-pitched laugh.
“Hal, this morning’s breakfast is grilled pheasant with herb, onion soup, and a fresh salad.”
“Tirna, this is a feast even for breakfast.”
“This is also a celebration because Ginette can be returned to her parents somehow.”
“Oh, I see. I understand, Ly.”
When I confirmed about the feast laid out on the dining table with Tirna, Ly, smiling cheerfully, explained the reason for the feast.
“Great gods who dwell in the heavens, thank you for providing us with sustenance today.”
As usual, I offered words of gratitude to the gods, and the enjoyable meal began.
Occasionally, Ly and Liliana would scold Ginette about meal etiquette, but her table manners had improved considerably.
Originally, Ginette was a practicing Count’s daughter and possessed the knowledge, but it seems her past life memories were in the way.
After breakfast, I prepared to depart with Ginette.
Accompanying me were Edele, who had taken charge of Ginette, and Alicia, who had business with Viscountess Salibana for another matter.
I sat on the coachman’s seat and had the carriage brought to the entrance of “Princess Harem’s” base mansion.
The carriage was the two-horse carriage we used for our expedition to the Southern Nations, borrowed from the Raymond Trading Company, but recently it had become my private carriage.
The horses were also accustomed to me and were very obedient.
“That’s quite a splendid carriage. By the way, the crest depicted on the carriage door… I’ve seen it somewhere before, but I can’t recall.”
“That is the trade crest of the Raymond Trading Company, which operates as a slave trader.”
“A… slave trader!?”
“Hal is not only a First-Class Quasi-Noble of the Espana Imperial Kingdom but also the Young Master of the Raymond Trading Company.”
Ginette seemed confused upon learning that the two-horse carriage I brought to the entrance was owned by the Raymond Trading Company, which operated as a slave trader, but after being explained by Alicia and Edele, who were accompanying her, she seemed convinced and boarded.
“Then, let’s depart.”
“Have a safe journey, Hal.”
“Have a safe journey, Hal. Now that Ginette is gone, it will be quieter. Is the “Quality Check” for Liliana and Shera next?”
With the smiling farewells of Ly and Elise’s dark smiles, I started the carriage.
The carriage passed through the grounds on the hill where the base mansion was located and reached the Main Road.
Looking through the small window into the passenger cabin, Ginette sat quietly like a borrowed cat.
Perhaps Ginette’s true personality is timid.
If so, was that high-pitched laughter just a way to hide her lack of confidence?
The carriage headed towards the Imperial Capital Granza of the Espana Imperial Kingdom without any problems, and the imposing outer walls and castle gate appeared before us.
At the castle gate’s checkpoint, travelers and merchant carriages were lined up waiting for their turn.
Looking around the castle gate, I saw a luxurious black carriage, often owned by high-ranking nobles, parked nearby. Next to it stood a dignified old gentleman with a pure white beard and an old lady dressed in a neat dress.
I believe that old lady is Viscountess Salibana.
I didn’t recognize the old gentleman, so he must be someone from the Montaigne Count Family.
Alicia did not participate in the table manners challenge against Munam [Munam] or anyone else.
Also, Edele had not yet joined “Princess Harem” at the time of the table manners challenge, but she must have met him when she took in Ginette.
“Edele, is that old gentleman someone from the Montaigne Count Family?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
I knocked on the small window connecting the passenger cabin and the coachman’s seat to call Edele and confirm the old gentleman’s identity.
Then, I brought the carriage closer to them, stopped it quietly, and got down from the coachman’s seat.
“Viscountess Salibana, it has been a while. And the other person, I presume, is a relation of the Montaigne Count Family. I am Hal Raymond, leader of the Adventurer Party ‘Princess Harem.’ I look forward to your continued acquaintance.”
“Hal Raymond, it has been a while. Nevertheless, you have certainly grown into a fine man.”
Viscountess Salibana responded to my greeting with a polite reply. As expected of a teacher of etiquette.
“Thank you very much for your efforts on behalf of Lady Ginette. I am Hamilton, the Steward of the Montaigne Count Family. I look forward to your continued acquaintance as well.”
Hamilton, who introduced himself as the Steward of the Montaigne Count Family, also returned a polite reply.
“Hamilton, I have caused you worry. I… I am fine now, aren’t I?”
“L-Lady Ginette… You seem to have completely regained your sanity… Ugh… Uuu…”
While we were exchanging greetings, Alicia, Edele, and Ginette, who were inside the carriage, had disembarked.
And when Ginette spoke to Hamilton, whom she knew, he was overcome with emotion and began to cry.
It seems Ginette’s “Villainess” persona was well-known even within the Montaigne Count Family, and among the majority who favored her punishment, Hamilton might have been one of her few understanding supporters.
I hope that sealing her past life memories this time will improve Ginette’s situation…
“It’s been a while, Ginette! How are you feeling!?”
“Viscountess Salibana, I apologize for my behavior the other day. I was out of my mind then.”
Viscountess Salibana immediately tried to probe Ginette to confirm her condition.
“Hamilton, it seems the report that the ‘possession’ has left Lady Ginette is not mistaken. I will take over her future upbringing.”
“Yes, Viscountess Salibana introduced me to a suitable partner. Now that I have reformed Lady Ginette, here is the promised 50 gold coins (equivalent to 5 million yen) as compensation. Please accept it. We will take care of the taxes on our end.”
“… I have received it. By the way, we have something we would like to consult with you about, Viscountess Salibana. Is that alright?”
“My, what do you need me for? I’m perfectly fine with it.”
“Hal, thank you very much for this time.”
When I brought up the matter of having something else to discuss with Viscountess Salibana, she readily agreed.
Then, Hamilton boarded the Montaigne Count Family’s black carriage with Ginette and departed.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 22-2: Preparation for Castle Entry is scheduled for release at 0:00 on September 11.
