Chapter 59 To Razia Village
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kazumi and Martina, who had gone for a walk, returned just as it was time to sleep, and a guest appeared in the room. It was Elberhardt and an incredibly beautiful maid.
”I can’t attend the departure ceremony tomorrow, so I came to say hello tonight.”
Elberhardt sat on the living room sofa and took a sip of the tea Kazumi made.
”And who is that behind you?”
Rena asked, pointing to the woman standing behind Elberhardt on the sofa.
”Oh… she’s my maid who takes care of me──no, that’s not right.”
Elberhardt placed the teacup on the table and turned to the woman, giving her a nod.
”This is Barbara.”
The woman gracefully bowed. She was beckoned by Elberhardt and sat next to him on the sofa.
”She’s my… um… girlfriend.”
””””!””””
”She’s so beautiful!”
”Mr. Elberhardt is lucky to have her!”
”What do you see in the minister? I want to know!”
Kazumi, Liz, and Martina were all excited. But Rena just looked confused. Such a love nerd.
”…Van is a wonderful man. He’s my… hero…”
Barbara blushed bright red, looking down. Isn’t she cute?
””””Van, huh!””””
The excitement of the 4 sisters (for now) was intense. I felt embarrassed. It seemed like we were about to dive into a girls’ talk.
”Sir Elberhardt, why didn’t you tell us about the defense team expedition beforehand?”
I tried to steer the conversation back on track. Elberhardt looked relieved and joined in.
”Huh? Didn’t I mention it?”
”I didn’t hear anything. I’m surprised Mr. Toldo finished the equipment so quickly.”
”Well, Toldo works fast. His child and grandchildren are also talented.”
”We… we hurried to get ready to return to the village. But thanks to that, it seems we can go back much more safely than when we came.”
First, Liz came back to us. Everyone, come back quickly (from their love-struck thoughts)!
”It’s quite a large group. The replacement team for the fortress city Mundo has a total of 100 people. Officers are allowed to bring their families, so it’s even more than that. There are also a few people setting up shops in Razia Village. And… about 15 women from the brōtḥel.”
”Women from the brōtḥel are coming to the village?”
Liz looked a bit surprised.
”That’s not surprising. They’re needed for the young soldiers, right? Shinji has already agreed to it since he also runs a tavern.”
”Oh, that’s true. There aren’t any places in the village where this many soldiers can go out for drinks.”
Liz nodded in understanding.
”There are 20 cavalry and 15 wagons in this large expedition team. You all will be accompanying them. Shinji’s request to me is to safely deliver you back to the village.”
Elberhardt said with satisfaction. Barbara looked at him gently, her hand resting on his knee. It felt very sweet, like a couple in love. I couldn’t help but smile.
”…You’re Hiroya, Shinji and Megumi’s child, right?”
As I looked at the two of them, I locked eyes with Barbara. Her beautiful red eyes.
”Just as Van said. I thought you resembled Shinji, but your smile is just like Megumi’s.”
Barbara smiled as she said this.
”Do you know my parents?”
”Yes. I met Van before he defeated the Demon King. We became friends back then.”
”…My father, maybe, but my mother probably caused some trouble…”
I muttered my thoughts out loud.
”That’s not true. She’s a very wonderful person.”
Barbara laughed cheerfully.
”When you get back, please say hello to both of them for me.”
Saying this, Barbara extended her hand. I gently shook it and bowed my head.
”Well, since you all have to get up early, I’ll take my leave now. I really want to go to Razia Village too, but the minister’s work is quite busy. The guild reform is still in progress.”
Elberhardt stood up. He reached out his hand to Barbara, and they headed toward the entrance together.
”Thank you so much for everything. I want to repay this kindness with the result of ‘Dungeon Conquest.’.”
Liz and I saw them off.
”I want to say ‘don’t push yourself too hard,’ but anyway, do your best. I’m counting on you.”
Elberhardt smiled brightly, and Barbara bowed deeply before they left.
* * *
”What a lovely couple…”
”She was really beautiful.”
”The minister is not to be underestimated…”
”That Barbara… she’s a ‘vampire,’ right?”
Everyone froze in surprise at Rena’s dazed comment.
”Huh? Is that true? A monster?”
I asked Rena.
”Vampires are called ‘children of the dark’ or ‘the hidden ones,’ but…”
Rena returned to her usual expression.
”Ah. But they’re not monsters. They are a proper race, just like us, elves, and dwarves. Their numbers have decreased recently, so they are very rare.”
Liz explained. That’s how it is in this world.
”They are weak to sunlight and have to regularly drink blood, which is a troublesome trait, and they also have low reproductive rates.”
Rena sat down on the sofa.
”They are a gentle race and friendly to other races. However, their physical abilities surpass those of other races, especially at night.”
”But… she was really a wonderful person… so beautiful.”
Kazumi sighed dreamily.
Still feeling the afterglow of Elberhardt’s ‘greeting with a partner,’ we decided to go to bed early for our journey starting tomorrow. Of course, we would be sleeping close together in a big pile. I had no resistance to sleeping surrounded by beautiful women anymore. I accepted it. In fact, it was a really nice thing.
I fell asleep wrapped in someone’s soft embrace. It was probably Martina.
With that warmth, I quickly drifted off to dreamland.
* * *
The next morning, after getting ready, we mounted our horses and left the inn.
The central square was already filled with expedition teams and people joining us. We positioned ourselves in the center of the marching troops, alongside the families of the officers, common folks heading to Razia Village, and the carriages of the women from the brōtḥel.
It seemed that Gorge and Otto were at the back.
”””Ms. Lizzz!”””
When I turned around, it was the dwarf triplets?
”I was trying not to surprise you, but we’re going to Razia Village too!”
Aluda laughed from her horse.
”My grandfather told me to train as a blacksmith in Razia Village.”
”‘Make sure to maintain Hiroya and the others’ equipment!’ he said!”
Eluda and Meluda also smiled happily.
”Then we’ll be together the whole time!”
Kazumi behind me looked happy too.
”Finally, a blacksmith will be in Rena’s village!”
”It makes me feel stronger knowing Aluda and the others will be there!”
”Our equipment will be well taken care of!”
I was surprised, but everyone looked happy.
”I feel stronger too. Let’s work well together again.”
* * *
Soon, with the sound of drums announcing our departure, the front began to move out of the capital.
After a while, we followed behind.
”With such a large group, it will probably take about ten days to reach the village.”
Liz moved her horse at a relaxed pace.
”Well, we’ll take it easy. It’s best to return safely.”
Liz said that and looked back at us.
”Alright! Let’s go home to the village!”
Rena, Martina, and I slowly moved our horses forward. The dwarf triplets’ horses followed behind us.
”We can finally go home.”
Kazumi, clinging to my back, said.
”Yeah, and it’s finally starting.”
I replied, keeping my eyes firmly ahead.
”Let’s do our best. No matter what happens, we’re together.”
Kazumi tightened her arm around my waist.
”Yeah. I won’t let go.”
I placed my hand over Kazumi’s arm.
(We will conquer the dungeon. And we will return the village to the ‘beginning adventurers.’)
With that determination in my heart, I aimed for the village.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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