I can't thank you guys enough for everything you've done for me. I can't thank you enough. Not only my daughter, but my wife... thank you so much.

　In the parlor, the duke bows deeply. Apparently, I'm not good at this kind of thing. I don't know how many times I've made this man bow to me.
　Sue is in his wife's bedroom. We were ushered into this room, sitting in a high chair, facing the duke.

'Really don't worry about it. Sue is safe and your wife is cured. That's all well and good, isn't it?
'No, it can't be that way. I want to thank you all properly. Raym, bring me the example.
I'm sorry, sir.

　Mr. Raym came over with a silver tray with a variety of things on it.

'First of all, here. It's a thank you for saving my daughter from the attackers and for escorting me along the way. I want you to take it.

　With a jerk, he presents me with a bag of money, probably filled with money.

'There are forty pieces of white gold coins inside.
"!

　Everyone else seems to have figured it out, but I'm not so sure. I can understand a gold coin, but a white gold coin?
　I call out to Else, who is stunned beside me.

'Hey Else, what's a white gold coin?'
"....money on top of gold... Ten gold coins for one...
Ten?

　I've lived in another world until now, and I know that a single gold coin usually costs about 100,000 yen. Let's see, then a single white gold coin is one million yen....40 million yen....eek!

No, you can't take this!　I can't take it!

　When I finally realize the gravity of the matter, I hurriedly refuse to accept it. No matter how much money it is, it's too much for us to handle!

Please don't say that and take it. If you are going to be an adventurer, you will need this money. Just think of it as that money.
"Huh...

　It's true that it does help in some ways. I hate to admit it, but some problems can only be solved with money. Besides, with the Duke's character, he would never take it even if he said he would return it.

'And I'll send this to you guys.

　Four medals laid out on the table by the Duke. The size was about five centimeters in diameter. The medals were engraved with a relief of a lion facing each other with a shield in the center. Huh, this emblem is....

It's the medal of my duke's family. With this, I can bypass the checkpoint and use the facilities that are only available to noblemen. It proves that the Duke has your back if something goes wrong. It's a nice way to identify yourselves.

　It was originally given to merchants on the duke's purview. Our names and words are engraved on each medal, and no two medals are alike. It is said that this is to prevent the medals from being misused if they are lost.
　The medal I received had the word "peace" engraved on it, Else's was "passion", Linse's was "benevolence" and Yae's was "sincerity". 'Peaceful'.... Well, peace is best, though.
　This could certainly come in handy. It would come in handy when I come to see Sue again, for example. I don't want to get stopped at a checkpoint for being suspicious. I mean, if I have to, I can just use the magic of the gate to come directly here.
　The money was divided into four equal pieces of ten pieces each. But this one piece of money is ten gold coins, a million yen.... I will not make a joke if I drop it.
　Since it's indeed scary to carry it around with us, we all decided to keep one of the coins on hand and leave the rest with the guild via the Duke. In this way, it is said that this money can be withdrawn from any guild in any town. Just like a bank.
　When I went to the door, Su and Master Ellen came out to see me off.　

We're coming to visit you again!　I promise!

　Receiving an enthusiastic farewell from the duke and his family, we headed by carriage to Viscount Swordleck's residence.



''Well, the person to whom I'm going to give the letter of request is Viscount Swordleck, that it is?

　Didn't I explain that part to Yae yet?　As we rocked in the carriage, I watched Yae's surprised face in wonder.

'You know?'
The man I told you about before, the one my father took care of was the Viscount, that I did.

　So that was it. The world is so small.
　While being shaken with a rumble, the carriage driven by Else drove through the opulent city streets and eventually stopped in front of the Viscount Swordleck's house that the duke had told me about.
　I may say this, but since I saw that duke's house first, the Viscount's house seems cozy and cozy. Well, it's still a luxurious house. It has an old or historical feel to it.
　It is said that the nobles who live in the capital have other mansions in their own fiefdoms other than this one, perhaps this one is more of a villa.
　I mentioned Zanak-san's name to the gatekeeper and told him to ask the viscount to visit me. After a while, I was ushered into the mansion and someone who looked like a butler showed me to the parlor.
　As I say, this room is also...muffled compared to the duke's house.
　As I waited in the room, thinking about rude things, a great man with red hair and mature age eventually appeared in the room.
　This guy....he's strong. Even from the top of his clothes, you can tell that he has a well-trained body. His eyes are sharp, like a hawk stalking its prey.

"I am Carlossa Garn Swordleck. Are you the Zanuck messengers?
'Yes, sir. I have been asked to give you this letter. I've asked the viscount to give me an answer.

　He held out the letter given to him by Mr. Zanuck. The viscount took it, cut the seal with a knife, took out the contents and gave it a quick look.

'Wait a minute. I'll write a reply.''

　With that, the viscount left the room. The maids came to take over and serve us tea, but this tea is also somewhat...bad compared to the duke's family. This is rude to them. Comparing it to the dukes is wrong.

''I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

　The viscount returned with a sealed letter in his hand.

'Then give this to Zanuck. I'm counting on you. And then.....

　The Viscount's gaze was eightfold as he held out the letter to me.

''I've been wondering about you since a while ago, you there. Somewhere....no, we've never met. But ... what's your name?

　Yae says his own name as he twists his head and looks straight at the Viscount, who is trying to remember something, while Yae looks straight at him.

''My name is Kuju Yae. I am the daughter of Kuju Shigebei, that I am.
"....Kokonoe.......nine layers!　Are you a daughter of Lord Shigebei?!

　The viscount broke his face and slapped his knees and began to look at Yae's face with a happy stare.

''There's no doubt about it. You look just like a youngster," he said. You're lucky to be just like your mother!

　The Viscount smiles pleasantly and Yae returns an indescribable smile.

''Um... what do you mean by Yae...?''
Hmm?　Ah, this boy's father, Lord Shigebei, was the Swordlek family's swordsmanship instructor. He used to give me a hard time when I was a young, lop-sided boy. No, that was a tough one. It's been 20 years already.
My father has always said that of all the swordsmen he has ever raised, he has never met a man with more talent or skill than the Viscount.
Really?　There's something flattering about being praised by your mentor.

　Not seemingly mazed, Viscount Nimanito smiled. Yae continued to speak to the Viscount while looking at him seriously.

The first thing that comes to mind is that your father said that if we ever meet, he would be happy to point out to me the best way to do it.
Huh...?

　Hearing Yae's words, the Viscount narrowed his eyes in amusement.
　Eh, what is this atmosphere........