A few days later, Father and Rumia departed for the Countess of Grossaria (Hakshakuryo).

''I'm relieved that the ceremony is safely over. Now we can finally return to our territory.''

　Father was relieved as he got into the carriage.
　He had been preparing for the ceremonies and meeting the royal family's senior officials ever since he arrived in the royal capital, and he had been very nervous.
　He was really relieved that everything went off without a hitch.

''I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. ''Father.''
I don't know what to say. I'm sure it's all because of what Yuki did.

　Father laughed.

I'm happy to see a baronet become a count. A rising baronial family becomes a rising countess, not much difference. Well........it may be a little more work to manage the estate.
I'm so sorry, Father.
That's not for Yuki to be sorry about. It's just that I've spent a lifetime of luck.
Good luck for life?
It's a miracle that a baron becomes an earl. There will be no more opportunities for my generation to rise through the ranks. That's why my role from now on is to successfully pass on the family name to Xellos and Yuki's generation. If you think about it that way, this is your hard work as well.
Is that the way it works?
That's just the way it is.
So I was right about the gifts I chose for Brother Xellos.
'A souvenir for the Zeros?　What's it like?
Notes on managing the estate.

　That's what Odette said, as I recall.
　As promised, she delivered an excerpt from a book on estate management.
　I've already given it to Lumia and put it among my souvenirs.

'I hope that's useful to Brother Xellos.
You guys are really close....

　Huh?
　Father is in tears.

I regret it...
'Aye aye father. Let's go for a ride in the carriage!

　Ton," Lumia pushed her father back.

'Oh, hey, wait, Lumiere. I still need to talk to Yuki-
We don't have time for this. Father. Now it's Lumiere's turn.
Mm-hmm, all right. Take care of yourself, Yuki. Take care of yourself. And, Martha, you take care of Yuki, he's a reckless man, so take care of him. And, Remy you said.... I'm counting on you to take care of Yuki...
Yes, yes, father. You don't have to cut it.

　As Lumia told him, Father got into the carriage.

''........Father. You were still worried about your tutor Kachel.''
'I say that a lot at home. When we were eating, I saw that brother Yuki wasn't at the table.
You have nothing to worry about.
'Hmm. You seem to think that by bringing in the teacher Kachel, the children have grown up too quickly. Brother Yuki has left home, and Brother Xellos has his hands full with his studies to become the lord's heir.
Does that mean...
Yes. Your father misses being bothered by you, doesn't he?

　Lumia nodded with a serious face.

''That's why I was pleased about this promotion to the Count family. He said it was proof that brother Yuki hadn't forgotten about him.
How could I forget my father?
What about Lumia?
Of course I'm thinking about it.

　I picked out the souvenirs for Lumia.
　I took Odette's advice and made her one of those ribbons that are all the rage in King's Landing. I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who are interested in it.

　It's not just a matter of time before you find yourself in the middle of the night.
　You can't wear the same one as a noblewoman, she says, so it's a bit cheap.

'Every time I see Martha's ribbon I think of her. I think of Lumia.
Yes.
There's no need to cry.
Lumia-sama. If you cry, Yuki-sama won't be able to see you off in peace, will she?

　Martha took Rumia's hand.

''Lumia-sama has a quest to deliver Yuki-sama's souvenirs to your territory, right?　This is a quest requested by Yuki-sama. Hey, Lumia-sama.
Yeah. Martha.
Rumia-sama.
Yeah. See you later, Remy.
Lumiasamaa.
Hey, hey, hey, don't cry, Remy.
Lady Lumiere and little Lemmy are both crybabies, aren't they?

　Martha, who had her own eyes welling up, wiped away Lumia and Remy's tears.
　On the driver's platform, the baronial family - but not the countess - waves at the driver.
　It's almost time to leave.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's interested in this. I also want to ask Brother Xellos what he thought of the souvenir.
...the speed.
Yeah.

　Me and Rumia shook hands.
　Then I pushed back, and Lumia got into the carriage.

　Soon, the Countess of Grossaria's carriage left the gates of the royal capital and went to the street.
　Lumia's waving from the window was disappearing from view.

''Well, I've got to get ready to leave, too.

　Iris and I are leaving tomorrow to patrol the territory.
　I've got my stuff ready to go, but let's just make sure it's ready.

"Sorry to ask you to wait on me again, Martha. "Sorry to have to ask you to come back, Martha.
Please don't worry about it. It's Martha's job to protect Yuki-sama's place.
Remy, I'm sorry!
Thank you. Martha.

　I thought about it for a minute.

What would Martha like to take home for her territorial patrol?
I just want Yuki to come back safely.
Other than that.
I wish I had a tool to clean the ceiling.
A tool to clean the ceiling.
Sometimes I like to rinse the ceiling soot off, but both Martha and little Remy are too small to reach it.

　Martha stood tall and laughed.

'It's hard to clean up the nooks and crannies with Mr. Dick and his crew of bats, you know.
It's going to be a dusty mess.
Yes.
"Do you want me to use my 'flight' skills to clean it up?
'Sounds good. After that, Martha will give Yuki-sama a bath to clean her up.
....
....

　Me and Martha look at each other.

''Well the souvenir is a tool to clean the ceiling, right?''
...Yes. It's a tool for cleaning the ceiling.
You can't be disappointed, can you?
'Yes. We still have a chance today before we leave.
I know what Martha means.
Guess what?
''Yuki-sama will be doing her job as Her Highness' escort, so let's make sure her hair is washed and trimmed today.
I see that Yuki-sama knows what's going on in Martha's mind.
Well, it's okay.
Yes. Then let Martha take care of it.
"Remy, do you think this is going to work?
Okay. Roger that.

　And so me, Martha and Remy went back to our quarters side by side.





　The next day.
　The next day, it was my turn to leave the capital.

We'll be leaving now. Your Highness Iris.

　With the driver's words, the carriages begin to move.
　It's a large group (o-o-totai) with several carriages, including wagons, and less than ten soldiers.

　The purpose of this time is to calm the residents living in the territory close to the empire.
　That's why we're taking the soldiers with us. It seems that the purpose is to show a simple military force and show the royal family that they have the ability to protect their people.

''As for me, Milo... no, I would have preferred to be alone with Yuki-sama, but...''
That's not really how it works with the royal family.

　I'm in the carriage with Iris.
　After a while, I'm going to go out and ride my horse forward.
It's because the 'guard knight' can't be in the carriage the whole time.

''It's a pity that Odette can't come with us...''
I can't help it if it's the work of the 'magic guild'.

　Odette should be hiding in Elysian by now.
I'll open the path to the fifth underground layer before Yuki and the others return..." - she was all fired up.
　I hope it's not too much to ask.


Excuse me!　Princess Iris, Your Highness. 'Guardian Knight' Yuki-Grossaria-dono.


　Suddenly, the soldier's captain tapped on the carriage window.

'The troops advancing along the same route have asked to greet you both. How may I help you?
Greeting, huh?
I'll go. Your Highness.

　I jumped off the carriage.
　I looked behind me and saw a corps of soldiers walking down the street.

　It was another unit going on a territory patrol.
　The man at the front waved at me.

"Is that........Mr. Rosso-Burns?
'Oh!　Good to catch up with you. Yuki-Grossaria-dono!

　Mr. Rosso-Barnes, on his horse, called out.

'We, too, will take the same route to the middle of the road. May I join you for safety's sake!
A moment, please. I'll ask Your Highness to look into it but I understand. He doesn't mind.
"...you're early. How did you check that?

　I just threw Dick in the carriage window.

His Highness has considered all possibilities. He knew that Mr. Rosso-Burns was going on a patrol of the territory and he thought about the possibility of accompanying him to the middle of the tour.
"You talk too much," says Mr. Iris.

　Back on my shoulder, Dick said.

"'Leave it at that. Tell him, 'I'll do what you say later.'
"This is the place.

　Dick returns to the carriage and a faint finger-made 'circle' mark peeks out of the carriage window.
　'Looks like it's OK,' he said.

'I'd be relieved if I could accompany General Barnes' son. I'd appreciate it.
'That's good to hear. And while you're at it, will you let her join us?

　Mr. Rosso-Burns comes to me on his horse.

　........Huh?
　If you look closely, you'll see a robed person sitting in front of Mr. Rosso-Burns.
　He's not used to horses, but he's leaning over, like he's holding on.

　His hood is draped over his hood and I can't see his face.
　But it looks vaguely familiar.
　A little shaky little body, trembling a little. There's twin-tailed red hair sticking out of the hood.

'Could it be...Flora-Zamel in there?
Okay, yes.

　Mr. Lozzo stops his horse and a small girl raises her body.
　The face with the hood off........is Flora-Zamel, the granddaughter of old Zamel.
　How could she be here........?

I'm sorry. Old Zamel and his acquaintance insisted on bringing him to me. I decided to bring them with me. She has a favor to ask for you, Yukidono.
Yes I've come to do you a favor...

　Wobbling, Flora-Zamel jumped off her horse.
　Then she knelt down in front of me.

''Could you please use me as Yuki-sama's squire?
Squire?
I want to be strong.

　Flora-Zamel looked up.
　She had a serious look on her face.

'I'm tired of being so weak, just following my grandfather and others. Could you please let me learn about true strength under Yuki-sama? Just for the duration of this journey please... please... please... please.
"Flora-Zamel is a D-level sorcerer, right?

Fourth from the top of the Magic Guild.
　If it were true, I'd be in charge of subordinates.

That's a little too much to ask for my followers...
I've relinquished my status as a Grade D sorcerer.
Return?
It was originally obtained by my grandfather. It's not mine. That's why I threw away every position I've ever had.
It's true what she says.

　Ms. Rosso-Burns nodded.

'My father told me. Flora-dono asked the 'Magic Guild' to give up her status as a D-level magician. Now she's just a guild trainee.
...why are you doing that?
I want to cut through my weakness.

　Flora-Zamel murmurs in a trembling voice.

''Please, as a mere squire, could you employ me for the duration of this journey? Yuki-sama, Your Highness Iris........please.

　Once again, Flora-Zamel bowed her head to me.




　At the same time, Lumia and the others, who were on their way home...



That's Lumiere, as I recall.
Yes, sir. Father.
You did call home with a return date and time, right?
'Leave it to me. Lumia asked for it herself. I won't neglect it.

　Lumia tapped her flat chest with a plop.

''I sent a letter to Brother Xellos while I was in King's Landing. I've also added an inventory about the souvenirs.
''Well you've come to be firm, haven't you? Lumia.
''Of course. Lumia will eventually join the 'Magic Guild' and stand next to Brother Yuki.

　Lumia opens the window of the carriage.
　When he looks out the window, he can no longer see the royal city.

''Please wait for me. Brother Yuki. Lumia will definitely come back.''
Well it's nice to see the kids grow up but I'll miss them.
''Lumia talked to many people while in the royal capital. When he returns home, Brother Xellos will be surprised to see Lumia grown up.
Yeah. Surprise yourself.

　In the midst of this calm time, the carriage is advancing towards the Countess of Glossaria.




　At the same time, Xellos, who is in the county of Grossaria...



What....what is this inventory...?　　That book would never be available unless you're a high-ranking nobleman, but a note with only the important parts of it written out, how much would it cost if you bought it... what?　The duchess of the duke's daughter arranged it for you?　How did that happen?
　What are you doing in King's Landing, Yuki?



　I was just amazed.