On the morning of the third day since their arrival in the capital, Nox and Nana returned to the library to bid farewell to Jenny.
“Are you leaving already? Since you’re out, you could stay in the capital and enjoy yourself for a month.”
“I have to take Nana back home, so we can’t stay that long.”
The journey from the capital to Saurotso would take about a month southward. If they stayed in the capital for a month, the season would have changed.
“Besides, if we stay too long, we might get entangled in troubles.”
Apart from the man they met at the Adventurers Association yesterday, this city was directly under the kingdom.
Edwin spent over half the year in the capital leading the knights’ order, and once nearly got assassinated by followers of the second prince. It wasn’t a very welcoming place.
“I understand… Well, we’ll see each other anytime. I’ll continue investigating the curse.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Jenny hugged Nox with nostalgia, but this time Nana didn’t show any jealousy.
Nox bid farewell with a wave, and Nana gracefully bowed before walking away.
“I’m glad everything turned out fine.”
Jenny watched the pair walk together in an intimate atmosphere until they vanished from her sight, then she stretched and returned to her work.
***
Two weeks after Nox and Nana’s disappearance from the mansion, Lano also set off towards Eastfalde.
After a journey of about two weeks, Lano arrived at the Lord of Eastfalde’s domain in his mansion.
“Finally, I’ve arrived…”
As soon as he entered the assigned room, he slumped down exhausted.
“Even though it’s the same domain, why does it feel so distant…?”
Although he had kept a strong front in front of the servants, he no longer had the energy even to shower.
His beautiful blond hair, inherited from his mother, had lost its luster due to the harsh journey; his fair skin had tanned, and he had slimmed down a bit.
“Adventurers and traveling merchants are truly amazing. How do farmers manage to transport food all the way to Galaxia?”
In fact, the food produced in Eastfalde and sold in Galaxia is often transported only distances that won’t harm the food.
Since the climate, cultivation methods, and varieties are practically identical, stating that the food was harvested in the vicinity of Eastfalde and labeling it as “from Eastfalde” sounds better, becoming a partially commercialized use.
“Well, I must at least change my clothes.”
On the verge of falling asleep on the floor, he forced himself to get up with the last bit of strength and staggered towards the wardrobe.
Despite striving and fighting to be the head assistant to the next duke, the maids who had cheerfully followed him didn’t come to help him with his bedtime preparations that day.
Even if Lano declined their help, they usually came to take care of him.
During these past two weeks, Lano had been constantly with his servants, without a moment of solitude even while sleeping, which had been convenient for him, but still, he was exhausted.
After changing into his nightwear with effort, he collapsed onto the bed immediately.
“It’s impossible that in terms of distance, I should be closer to the capital…”
The roads extending from the capital created by the first king didn’t reach beyond Galaxia.
He traveled in a shaky cart along with a large cargo, keeping watch for beasts and bandits day and night, often not reaching the relay towns before nightfall, camping in the countryside on several occasions.
The exhausting journey, which never allowed a moment of rest, affected not only his body but also his mental state. It’s no wonder his father didn’t want to visit the east region.
“I wish Nox were here.”
Nox had experience as an adventurer.
He should have the wisdom to make the journey as comfortable as possible. Even when facing monsters, his ability to sense each other’s presence made coordination easier.
In fact, seeing one of the maids crucified in the hallway the day Nox left, perhaps only Nox could have handled the combat situation alone.
If he had a magically large storage space to store a large bed, they would need fewer protection carriages. Although he didn’t want to see his brother as a convenient tool, he often thought about how comforting it would have been to have him there.
“But Nox’s absence is my fault…”
Lano constantly blamed himself. There was no way to justify Edwin’s excessive indifference towards his son, and Lano had his own grievances as well. However, if Lano hadn’t feared his father so much and had spoken up properly, Nox’s situation wouldn’t have escalated to this point.
“At least I must try harder from now on.”
Since Nox left, Edwin had been passive and distracted.
Although his ambition for the throne was previously evident, even trembling just facing him in sword practice, in their last fight before heading to Galaxia, Lano felt like he could win. Edwin seemed to be deteriorating rapidly.
“Although Nox was a bit terrifying at that moment, I don’t think that was the real reason…”
Listening to Nox’s story, what Lano perceived from his father was a fear towards his son.
Even though Lano had always been uncomfortable with others’ anger and confrontations, seeing Edwin, who had gone through numerous tough situations, not respond even out of fear felt a bit strange. However, that slight sense of discomfort was dissipated by fatigue, leaving only the impression of how incredible Nox was.
“…I also need to learn to clearly express my opinion.”
Although he couldn’t imagine a future where he could assert himself like his brother, in his drowsy consciousness, he thought he should be a bit more decisive.
He wanted to be able to speak confidently the next time he met Nox, so he decided to start with what he could do himself.
“…I wonder how much budget is needed to maintain the roads in good condition…”
If only the roads were smooth, his body wouldn’t be so tired.
It was said that the roads extending from the capital in all directions had been a great project in which the first king had risked his life. Although he had achieved the goal, Lano thought about how challenging it must have been for a king to travel constantly. Reflecting on his ancestors’ great achievement, he drifted into sleep.
