Chapter 14 – Journey
“Don’t worry about things here, my lady. I may be leaving, but some of my knights will stay behind to help Sir Hector.”
“Thank you, as always.”
The next morning, at dawn.
I woke up feeling refreshed, got ready, and came out to see the Border Count talking with my sister.
So, he’s returning. Makes sense—he can’t be away from his fortress for too long.
We didn’t wake the twins on purpose.
We wouldn’t be able to see them for weeks, but we also couldn’t take them with us.
Aiden and Maria would keep them company.
“Good morning, Young Lord. That looks great on you.”
“Thank you.”
“That robe… Looks like the day you’ll be called ‘Little Duke’ is not far off.”
“Haha, that’s still a long way away.”
I was wearing the robe my sister gave me yesterday, and he said that.
Then the Count walked past me toward Lena.
“Lena, take good care of the young lady.”
“Yes, sir.”
Would Lena follow on horseback?
That might be better—she could fight more easily if something happened.
“My lady, should I have packed warmer clothes? I brought your herbal tea though…”
“Emma, you’ve said that over ten times already.”
While Emma chattered as she checked the luggage, and my sister laughed, I sensed someone approaching from far away.
Here they come.
Soon, a carriage with the Tindalos crest appeared on the forest road.
“Young Lord.”
I was about to go greet them when the Border Count, who had been giving orders to the knights, quietly called me.
“What is it?”
“That power I felt last night—that was yours, wasn’t it?”
He must have sensed the mana I used to make the golem.
“Yes, it was.”
“I won’t pry about it. You must have your own story.”
Then, pretending to adjust my clothes, he spoke quietly.
“But if it’s the kind of power I think it is… something like divine power, I’d advise you to only use it where the Church can’t see.”
“You’re worried they might brand me a heretic?”
“That’s part of it.”
I matched his tone with a polite smile, and he smiled back.
“They say the Salvation Church in the capital has been acting aggressively lately. Ever since some ‘Saint’ appeared, the Church has split into factions…”
Conflict inside the Church…? There was never a Saint in my past life.
“…I see.”
“I haven’t been to the capital in a while, so I can’t confirm it. But it never hurts to be careful.”
“I understand.”
From a distance, it would just look like we were exchanging casual farewells as he patted my shoulder.
“There are Chepelli’s people near the Guild Headquarters in the capital. If something happens, go there and ask for the White Eagle.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Then take care. I’m counting on you.”
He bowed slightly to my sister, mounted his horse with his knights, and left, passing by the arriving carriage.
The remaining knights lined up by the guesthouse.
Hector and Barus came over.
“Young Lord, please have a safe trip.”
“Right. Take care of the twins while I’m gone. Barus, don’t forget the job I gave you.”
“Yes, sir.”
After telling them, I went to stand by my sister.
The carriage stopped at the entrance.
It only had one mounted knight and a coachman with it.
So every year, they make such a show of sending help… but it’s really just one knight.
“Greetings, my lady.”
The knight dismounted and bowed.
“Sir Durek. It’s been a while.”
“Yes. And this is…?”
He looked at me, and I couldn’t help but smirk.
A knight from my own family didn’t even recognize my face.
“Sir Durek, watch your words. This is the Young Duke of Tindalos.”
“Oh! My apologies. I misspoke.”
Not ‘Young Lord,’ but ‘Young Duke,’ huh?
Just like with Baron Upton, these people already think of my sister as part of another family.
“Greetings, Young Duke.”
“Nice to meet you, Sir Durek.”
“Will you be joining us for the festival, Young Duke?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“Well… Yes, it’s a bit of a problem.”
Oh? Look at this guy.
“A problem? What kind?”
“We weren’t informed that you’d be coming.”
“So that’s a problem for you?”
“Yes, so I’ll need permission first—”
I pulled my mana up to the limit and sent the pressure only toward Durek, so my sister and Emma wouldn’t notice.
“Ugh?!”
He staggered under the weight. I grabbed his shoulder and pushed him down by force.
—Thud.
Keeping him pinned, I spoke low into his ear.
“Did you just say I needed permission? The heir of Tindalos going to the Tindalos Festival—whose permission should I get?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”
I tightened my grip on his shoulder, reinforcing it with strength.
—Crack.
“Ghhhk?!”
“Choose your words carefully from now on. If it weren’t for my sister, you’d already be dead.”
I crushed his shoulder and stepped back.
“Say that again, Sir Durek. I thought I heard something about permission.”
“…No, I was only worried the carriage might be too small for you.”
“Haha, I see. Don’t worry, I’m not picky about space.”
I patted his crushed shoulder and opened the carriage door.
The inside was clean and spacious enough.
“Please, Sister.”
“Thank you, Young Lord.”
“Emma, you too.”
“Wow! Are you escorting me too?”
“I’m only doing it so you’ll take good care of my sister.”
“Hehe, leave it to me.”
My sister boarded first, then Emma with the luggage.
“Aren’t you getting in, Young Lord?” Emma asked.
“I’ll enjoy the fresh morning air first. I’ll get in later.”
I closed the door and climbed onto the coachman’s seat.
“Sir Lena, if you get tired from riding too long, you’re welcome to ride in the carriage.”
“…Thank you.”
“That knight will follow too? Is that for—”
“Can’t you see the crest? She’s Lena Chepelli, daughter of the Border Count. Are you saying you’d need Chepelli’s permission too?”
“N-no, of course not!”
“Then let’s go.”
The coachman nodded quickly and flicked the reins.
After making sure Durek had fallen behind, I asked the coachman, “What’s your name?”
“W-Wilson, sir.”
I patted his shoulder. “Relax, Wilson.”
“Yes, sir!”
He had no aura or mana, and his hands didn’t show signs of sword work. Just a regular coachman.
I pulled out a gold coin and slipped it into his hand so Durek wouldn’t see.
“This is—!”
“If you drive carefully so my sister is comfortable, I’ll give you another when we arrive.”
“You can count on me, sir! I’ve been holding reins my whole life!”
“Good.”
The coachman was now on my side.
It’s been over two hundred years…
The last time I visited the capital was before the Screaming War and the Crusade against the cultists.
Even back then, I rarely left the mansion.
I’m looking forward to seeing how the capital has changed… and how those distant relatives will act.
If Rohan did his job well, Baron Upton will be desperate by now—out of money, out of guards, forced to rely on the cult’s power.
Hopefully, he’ll expose himself along with that precious tail of his.
