By the way, Mr. Doni. Is it true that Mr. Leni is a better agent than you, Lani?

　While Lani-san was meeting with Leon about business at the border fort, I decided to ask her father, Doni-san, about something that had been bothering me about the two of them.

'You're right, in a way,'

　Doni-san was a little surprised by my question, but when she found out that she had heard it from Amur, she began to speak with a sense of conviction.

'Even though they are called intelligence agents, they are different types, so I can't say for sure which one is better, but on average, the amount of information we gather in a single job is definitely greater for Leni.

　Doni told me that Lani is good at sabotage and fighting, in addition to visiting and gathering information on the other side, like when she first met me, or stealing information like when she snuck into the Duke of Sangha's army, and Leni doesn't meet the other side in person, but gathers information from the surrounding area (e.g. She's good at it (working at bars and other places in the area where the target lives and listening to the people involved).
　In Lani's case, it's often important information, but there's a lot of danger in that, and Leni's is more likely to gather information from multiple perspectives, although it's all cobbled together, she said.

'Even if it's not what you need, it's still information, you know. The amount of information collected is orders of magnitude greater than that of other people who use the same method to gather information. As a parent, it's a bit more complicated than that...

　Maybe that's where it has something to do with Leni-san being the 'most popular woman in Nanao'.

''Maybe we shouldn't let her and Rion meet alone too much...''

''It would be better. Let me put it this way, but if you're Rion-sama, you might be stripped naked... in terms of information about the frontier aunt family.

　They don't want to destroy the freshly made relationship in a few days. It's also said that although they want to get information about the family, they don't want to overdo it and make enemies.
　That's why I decided to call Albert and Cain and tell them why and ask them to help me. I'm sure you've heard the story of Doni and I. They said it's possible for Leon to do this and immediately promised to cooperate.

''I'll tell Leni that, but.......even if she doesn't intend to do so, she might set it up naturally, you know. Well, it's called an occupational disease.

Leon's is similar in a way.

　If you ask Cain, Rion's carelessness is like an occupational disease.

'Well, since Leni-san will probably stay with Amur, there won't be any problems as long as someone is always with Rion.

　Just as I concluded with that, it looked like Rion and Lani-san had finished talking to each other. From the looks on their faces, the conversation was probably settled on terms favorable to Lani-san.
　After this, we discussed whether we should invite Doni and Lani to go into town, but it seems that they have business preparations and meetings to attend to, so they will return to the inn.

''Well then, what should we do.......Jeanne and Aura are out with Lady Merlin, right?

Oh, Grandpa said, "No need to be so formal! He said that he's going to make the two of them accept a request for something, as well as a walk for Shiroumaru. After all, it's a good experience for both of them to receive a request in a different place than usual, and I heard that receiving a request elsewhere will be a plus when raising your rank.

　In my case, I heard that the requests I received in several territories, like Gunjo City and Seigen, the royal capital and the southern part of the country, were also taken into account when I moved up to S rank. Jeanne and Aura are only about Seigen and the royal capital (both under the direct control of the royal family), so they're going to take this opportunity to make the achievements of the Haust frontier county territory.

''In other words, that means we're going to be acting with only men.......''
Leon. I'm sure you understand but no naughty shops.
We'll have to wait until we return to King's Landing for those places.

I know!　

　In response to their incessant prodding, Rion replied with a bit of a sour mood. Incidentally, it seems that both Albert and Rion have also been to such a nightclub like place before, but not in the last few years. The reason for this is related to the fact that Cain has a fiancée.
　Albert's fiancé, Elsa, thinks that it can't be helped that men go to such places, and she also thinks that she would forgive a few things if it's just for fun, but Cain's fiancé is not the type of person who cares about Cain going to such places. Therefore, Cain doesn't go to such places anymore. The fact that Cain himself wasn't interested in such places in the first place has something to do with it.

I prefer to go out for a drink with friends who are comfortable with each other.

　When I asked him that, Cain answered that way. I was like that too, so I agreed with Cain's idea. Albert seemed to be fine either way, and Rion said he likes to go to a restaurant with like-minded friends and women.

'Come to think of it, I've met Elsa many times, but I've never met Cain's fiancée.

Yeah?　But she's met Temma a few times, I heard she's met Temma a few times. She's never had a conversation with him, though.

　When I asked him for details, I did recall seeing a woman who looked like that. I don't know her name, but I have seen her several times in the storeroom of the royal castle and in the library of the royal capital, so I would have at least bidden her a visit when I saw her eyes.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find out what's going on in the world. She's so shy.

'Yeah, it sure sounds like that. Elsa didn't know that, because she didn't know that she was talking to him and she was worried about it, saying something like, 'I might have scared him off.'

If Temma doesn't mind, I'll introduce her to you next time when I'm free. In any case, if you marry me, I'm sure you'll see Temma more often than not.　

　That's what happened. Incidentally, during this conversation, Rion, who doesn't even have a girlfriend, let alone a fiancé, didn't speak a single word. You can see the color of impatience on his face.

'Albert, Cain. Seriously, Rion shouldn't get close to Leni-san. On the contrary, you might want to keep him away from the other women, too. In his current state, Rion is one of the first to be treated kindly by a woman of his choice, even if it's just a little bit. Even if it's a woman of bad character.

　They both nodded seriously, as if they had the same idea, and swore to each other that they wouldn't let Leon get near the woman for a while. Cain had a great smile on his face at this time, and it was a great smile.


　And a few days later.

"Souvenir good!　Food good!　Passage good!

　We had to leave "Shellhide" a little earlier than planned because we were going to Kukri village. Therefore, we hurriedly bought some souvenirs and were just finishing our preparations so that we could leave tomorrow.

I was just finishing my preparations. Are you just finishing your preparations?

　As I was finishing sorting the souvenirs and other items and putting them in my magic bag, Mr. Doni came over to visit me. The two people in 'Shellhide' right now are Doni-san and Leni-san, and Lani-san went towards the borderline fort the day the permit was issued.

'Yes, we're planning to leave tomorrow. If we don't head there early, we won't know when we'll be back to the royal capital.'

''That would be good. We don't have to worry too much about it south of King's Landing, but even so, if it's too late, the snow might come down.

　Right now, it's around October in my previous life. Even if we continue to make it around our destination smoothly, it will take us a little over a month more. Even if things go smoothly, it's mid-November weather, and if something goes wrong or unplanned, we could be in December.

'If it's just Leyden, the snow won't be a problem, but that's not going to be the case with the carriage.

　I'm aware that I'm using a much more powerful carriage than the usual one, but the wheels are still just as sturdy as the usual ones, so it's not like I can go over the snow with ease.

'Depending on the snow conditions, it may be faster to travel on foot and use the carriage for a break. Well, that's still an enviable enough thing to do.

　The method Doni mentioned is only possible if you have a large magic bag or dimension bag, so usually you either risk your life and shiver in the cold, or you don't travel in the winter. With that in mind, having a place to rest in the snow that's no different than home might be more than enough.

''And I'd like to discuss... or rather, I'd like to ask you a favor...''

　Doni's request was, in a way, an obvious one.


'Each one of you is ready to go.

　Chris-san was making a final check on everyone....or rather, the three idiots while looking at them.
　Although they had left earlier than planned, they had each made their preparations in advance and didn't seem to have forgotten anything.

''Miss. Don't worry so much, they'll be fine!

　Rion is laughing and saying that............................but behind him is a group of maids carrying a large basket.

''Rion I told you to come to the dining room to get a few days' worth of food, didn't I?

　Edilia-san, who was at the front of the group of maids, was blaming Rion with a smiling smile.

''I'm ... sorry, mother.''

　The fact that no one but Rion knew that he was preparing the meal for us means that he forgot to even tell us.

'Albert, Cain!　You two, check out Leon's belongings!

Ha!

　The two men saluted in unison as they were ordered to do so, and began to check Leon's luggage. As a result.

''Senior, we don't have any of Leon's weapons and armor!
I couldn't even find my wallet!

If it was a wallet, it would be on the table.

　After checking them both, something important was missing from the trip. Cain took the wallet from Ms. Edilia and checked the contents on the spot.

It's empty!

　And he turned his wallet upside down to show that it was empty.
　Mr. Edilia saw this and sighed and went back into the mansion. Perhaps she would go get the money. In the meantime, Rion had rushed to his room to get his weapons and armor.

'No one else forgot anything, right?

Well, I don't leave my magic bag in the car. I never forget anything.
Me too.
Neither do I.
I'm going to be fine, too.

　When we saw Leon, we all checked again and decided that it was okay. Aura was slightly suspicious, but Jeanne said she checked the room for the last time, so she was probably okay.

'Is Amour okay?'

'That's not a problem, I've checked it out. At least you didn't leave anything in your room.
I checked with the innkeeper, so it's not a problem.

　Following Chris-san, Leni-san was also said to be fine.
　As for Amour, who had been quiet since earlier, he checked his luggage again after the two of them said it was okay, and nodded after lightly adjusting his appearance.

'Jeanne, it's bad. Amour is trying to evolve.
''No, I don't mean to say that I think it's good that Amur is growing up, but I'm more concerned about Leni's eagerness to follow me...''

'Ahhhh ... sorry, I forgot to tell you two.

　Yesterday Doni asked me to accompany Leni on her journey to the capital.
　The reason for this is because Amur, the Viscountess of the South, needs an attendant to travel with her, but in reality, Leni said Amur's education was not yet finished and she was willing to follow us, even if it was forcibly, so she asked us to officially accompany her.
　Chris agreed with Grandpa about this story, so I told the three idiots about it in the form of a post-mortem (although Albert and Cain were slightly disgusted that I had just sworn to keep women away from Leon), but I forgot to tell Jeanne and Aura.

'If it's Temma's decision, we won't say anything, but ... what are we going to do when we get to King's Landing?'

"In King's Landing, it's up to Amur. But he has no intention of staying in the capital for long under any circumstances. After all, it's because Nanao has a 'lover'.

　By the way, if Leni judges that Amur will not grow up before arriving at the King's Landing, she will take him back to the south. And it seems that he's going to sit down in the south and give him an education.

''Sweetheart........''

　They seemed to be convinced by my explanation, but at the same time, they seemed to be interested in Leni-san. Well, there have not been many women who have had lovers in their vicinity, and besides, they are not easy to talk to (or talk to), so Leni-san is in a good position to satisfy their curiosity.

'As such, it would be great if you and Leni could get to know each other as well.

I'll be fine!
I'll take care of it!

　He responded with a taut, dependable response.

'Sorry, sorry!　Now we won't forget anything!

　Rion, who had gone to get his own weapons and armor, took the money from Ediria-san and tapped his magic bag to show that he was ready to go.

''Looks like you've got it all together.

　When all the preparations had been made and all that was left to do was to leave, the Earl of the Houst Frontier came from the mansion.

"Hey, I didn't see my dad here. And what are you doing here?

No, I don't know what I'm doing here. I'm just here to see you off.

　At Cain's tsk, Rion had a convincing look on his face, "So that's what it is, too?" but everyone in the room except Rion said, "You know that much! He had a look on his face.

'You've been very good to me this time. I hope you'll take this.

　The Frontier Count handed me a letter and a family crest inscribed with the 'Howling Wolf'.

''As for the family crest, it will be useful in many ways within the Howst Frontier Count territory. At the very least, it should be more useful than Rion. And this letter should be given to the knight commander when you meet him, who is working to maintain the security of the territory. It says that you should do something for him.

Thank you.

　''When stopping by a town or village in the Frontier Count territory, if you have the Frontier Count family crest, a pass, and Leon, you will be able to pass through most of them.

I've been told that some of the adventurers who went to Kukri village and the 'Grand Old Man's Forest' with a request have been reported missing. I've heard there are many others injured as well.

　Most of the missing adventurers are either young adventurers who are new to the Grand Old Man's Forest or newcomers. The guild believes that they may have been killed by a powerful monster that went into the depths of the forest because they got greedy or went into the wrong place at the wrong time. Some veteran adventurers and adventurers who have been in the Grand Old Man's Forest are injured, but they have returned safely.

I've heard from adventurers and knights who know the old Kukri village and the Grand Old Man's Forest that the forest is not as large as it used to be, but it has become eerie. It's not just the size, but also the fact that fewer people have come into the forest, so that's just my personal opinion.

　Also, if you pass an adventurer who is aiming for the 'Grand Old Man's Forest' or something like that, he wants you to be careful with that.

''I'll do it if it's that much, but...''

　Some adventurers may not listen to their peers, but if you show them the family crest of a frontier earl and tell them you're a former resident of Kukri village, they'll at least give you a heads up. After that, it's up to you. I have no further responsibility or obligation to you.　

You don't have to do anything more than that. I'm going to remind you through the guild, but those issues are ultimately your responsibility.

　It's a good idea. The reason why the knight commander is acting away from the frontier county is also for the purpose of alerting them to such things.　

''Thank you for all your help.

Mm. Goodbye.

　The frontier count also seemed to have gotten used to us a bit and spoke more than usual, but still didn't have the same ease as the Duke of Sanga and the Marquis of Samoens. Well, those two are some of the most communicative people I've ever had, so I feel like it's impossible to compare them.

Grandpa. About that frontier count earlier, do you think it's possible to go missing that much?

The medicinal herbs that can be found in the Grand Old Man's Forest are said to be of the highest quality compared to those from other areas. Some young people and newcomers, who are not earning much money, may have to repeat the process. In the past, the villagers used to guide them to places with less danger, but we can't do that anymore.

''We'd better be careful too. It's been years since we left Kukri Village, and it's probably best to consider that it's not the 'Grand Old Man's Forest' as we know it anymore.

That's right. The area around the village may not have changed that much, but the forest ecosystem is still intact. Perhaps the demons that were chased away by the dragon zombies have settled in the shallow parts of the forest. You should never enter the forest alone.

　They all replied together to Grandpa's advice. The words of my grandfather, who has different knowledge and experience as an adventurer, must have a different weight. If these were my lines, the people around Rion would have responded more lightly.
　With that in mind, I said my final greetings to the frontier counts, tied Raiden to the carriage and sat down on the guru's seat. Next to me is sitting next to Leon, my guide and ID card substitute. The reason for this is that in the vicinity of "Shellhide", the home of the frontier county, it seems that the pass we got is more effective than the one we got.

''Let's go!

　I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. Because I hold the reins, and basically Raiden only listens to me or Slarin's orders. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, because it's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Let's go, Raiden,''

　As I lightly pulled on the reins, Raiden slowly walked away.
　The frontier count, Edilia-san, and the people from the frontier county family who had come to see him off, laughed as hard as they could at Rion's embarrassment.