Chapter 32 Preparing for Adventure, and ★
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
[Part 1/2]
”First of all… it’s your gear, right?”
After leaving the guild, we followed Liz to the central square.
”…But, while Martina is fine, it seems like your armor needs to be custom-made. We can’t do that in this village.”
Liz looked us over from head to toe.
”I’ll talk to my dad about it. He’s probably already involved in our S-rank dungeon quest anyway.”
”Yeah, the lord has a duty to provide you guys with equipment.”
With a bright smile, Liz said, “Let’s go!” and started walking towards my house, holding my hand. Liz→me→Kazumi→Rena→Martina, we were all linked together, and it felt like I was being dragged by Liz.
* * *
”So, Lord, what should we do about their equipment?”
”…”
Liz quickly got to the point in the reception room.
My dad looked confused.
”Dad, you’re involved in this, right?”
”You weren’t really thinking about their armor, were you, Lord?”
”You’ve thought about it, right? Right, Lord?”
Under our gazes, my dad looked away. Oh, he hadn’t thought about it.
──Then, after a look that seemed like he had an idea, he turned to us with a serious expression.
”Tomorrow, take the morning carriage to the royal capital. You can take a break from school. It’s a good chance to get used to traveling by carriage. …Just wait a moment.”
He said that and left the room.
”──How about I lend you my armor for the girls?”
Mom, with a big smile, sat in front of us.
”No, Mom, it won’t fit, right? Kazumi and Rena obviously, and it won’t fit Liz or Martina either, right?”
”That’s not true! Mine has ‘magical power’ added to it, so the size adjusts to the wearer. Kazumi, what do you think?”
”No way, it’s that ‘bikini armor,’ right? No way!”
”Why not? It’s sexy, cute, and has great performance!”
Kazumi turned bright red at the thought of “Mom’s armor (bikini armor).”
”…If Hiroya wants me to wear it… I guess I could?”
”No way!”
”Then I’ll wear it, Hiroya!”
”Martina? Absolutely not!”
”How about Rena wears it?”
”…Let’s all calm down for a moment.”
I almost said, “Then I’ll wear it,” like a classic joke from a certain trio of comedians in my past life.
I need to calm down. While I was thinking that, Mom was trying to hand the ‘bikini armor (erotic armor)’ to Liz.
”No way! Liz, don’t accept it with a smile!”
”Sorry to keep you waiting… but what are you doing, Meg… I mean Mom?”
Dad walked into the room and froze when he saw Mom trying to push the armor onto Liz.
”Ah, dear! These kids won’t use my armor!”
”…So that’s that bikini armor, huh…”
”Yeah. You bought it for me back when I was an adventurer in the royal capital…”
”Ahem! …Hurry up and put it away. It’s ‘too early’ for these kids!”
Dad… it’s ‘too early’…
* * *
”Here’s a letter I wrote to the Minister of War in the royal capital. Go there first and meet him. Well, he’s focused on guild reforms right now, but he should have some time to respond to my request.”
As Dad said this while sitting back down on the sofa, he handed a letter sealed with our family crest to Liz.
”Go home for now and get ready for the trip. You can stay here tonight and leave in the morning. Considering you’ll need to gather equipment over there, it’ll probably be a 3-week journey, so keep that in mind.”
The royal capital ‘Beluga’, I wonder what it’s like.
* * *
The 4 of us went home (Liz went to the inn) and a few hours later, everyone gathered back at the mansion.
”It’s a carriage trip, right? I think it takes about a week to get to the royal capital?”
”This is Rena’s first long trip! I’m so excited!”
”I’m sure I’ve done it a few times, but I don’t remember, so I’m looking forward to it!”
”…I feel like a teacher leading a field trip.”
Liz scratched her head as she watched Kazumi, Rena, and Martina excitedly holding their packed bags in order.
”Even though there are 2 stops along the way, we’ll be on the carriage for 2-3 days straight…”
I’m not particularly weak to motion sickness, but I wonder how bumpy the carriage will be.
* * *
We all went to the hot springs, and when we got back, dinner was lively. Dad, Mom, and even Koichi seemed to be having fun.
”The royal capital, huh… I’ve never been there either…”
Koichi muttered quietly.
”Are you going too, Koichi?”
”No, this is my chance to catch up with Hiroya. I’ll focus on my sword training.”
Koichi shows his determination without being spoiled by Dad’s words. I respect this seriousness.
”…If there’s something you want, should I buy it for you?”
I felt a bit guilty about going to the capital alone, so I asked Koichi.
”Really? …Then I want a light and easy-to-handle sword! Right now, I have a one-handed sword, but I want something I can use with both hands!”
Koichi’s eyes sparkled. …He has a cute side too.
”A 2-handed sword, huh? Swordsmanship that combines offense and defense is tough, you know?”
Dad said to Koichi while stroking his chin.
”Yes, I understand. …But I want to aim for a sword that has ‘speed and striking power’ in a different way from Hiroya’s swordsmanship.”
Koichi answered with serious eyes. …He’s really thinking about a lot of things.
”Got it. I’ll look for one.”
At my reply, Koichi nodded with a smile.
* * *
”Now, ladies, this way to your room.”
Led by the head maid, Ms. Stella, we were taken to the largest guest room. Inside, there were 4 beds prepared, and it looked like Kazumi and the others could sleep comfortably.
”Eh! I want Big Brother Hiroya to stay with us!”
Martina pleaded with Ms. Stella.
”No, I have my own room, Martina, and it’s not good to be with girls…”
”…Should I prepare one for you?”
”No, Ms. Stella, that’s not necessary.”
Ms. Stella often says things that make it hard to tell if she’s joking or serious.
”Anyway, if you get too caught up in girl talk and stay up late, the trip starting tomorrow will be tough, you know? Everyone, good night.”
”Got it! Good night, Hiroya.”
”Good night, Hiroya!”
”Big Brother Hiroya, good night…”
”Hiroya, good night. ──This is the first time I’ve slept in such a fancy bed…”
Martina still looked a bit unhappy, but after saying goodbye to everyone in front of the guest room, I went back to my room and immediately crawled into bed.
(I’m really tired after everything that happened…)
As sleepiness hit me, I drifted off.
* * *
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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