Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 112

Apparently experts have been called in to examine the interior of the underwater temple that has been opened.

I say “apparently” because I only heard from Klaus what he and Lucas had discussed.

I’m not particularly interested since I’m neither requested nor involved in the collection process, and I don’t want to be involved any further.

I’m only interested if there are any wonderful or unknown materials somewhere, but there didn’t seem to be anything like that inside the temple.

So, it’s fine to leave the rest to the higher-ups.

“It’s about time we returned to Grantel.”

After returning from the underwater temple, spending about a week enjoying leisurely days collecting materials underwater, playing on the beach, and indulging in seafood at beachside stalls, Klaus suddenly spoke up.

“Huh? Are you done already?”

“Originally, Lindblum isn’t our territory. Lucas requested some advice, so I just offered a little. The Asteros family will handle the rest.”

I’m not surprised that Lindblum isn’t Klaus’s territory but more like a vacation home. Well, that’s not what I meant, though.

“No, I meant if it’s already time to leave after seeing the family for the first time in a while.”

“It’s enough.”

“Onii-sama! Are you leaving already?”

The moment Klaus made this declaration, Nelge entered the parlor.

She usually enters gracefully, but she seems to have hurried this time, probably because she heard the topic being discussed.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s enough for Nelge-sama?”

“…It’s not a problem.”

“There is a problem! Onii-sama, you’re going to isolate yourself in the city again!”

Nelge’s words overlapped with Klaus’s.

Nelge seems composed, but she’s still quite young. Plus, she loves Klaus dearly. She probably wants to spend more time with him.

“I’m not isolating myself.”

“Then, have you returned to your territory in the past two years?”

“…”

Nelge presses on, and Klaus’s lips form a wry smile.

I have a speechless expression, just like when nothing can be said.

It seems Klaus really hasn’t returned home for a long time.

Judging by Klaus’s relationship with Nelge and Solange, it’s not like there’s bad blood in the family.

He’s just a homebody, it seems.

Meeting the family like this must have been really after a long time.

In that case, Nelge’s display of affection makes sense.

“Even so, it’s no good. I have my shop to attend to. If I don’t manage the medicine, it’ll go bad quickly.”

“Oh, then I’ll manage it for you?”

“…Hey.”

“Shuu-san!”

Klaus with his deep voice and Nelge with her joyful voice.

Haha, it’s a punishment for inviting me with the intention of introducing me to a noble.

The salvage itself was fun, but it’s true my pure heart was toyed with.

Klaus should visit his sister and mother a bit more.

“Can you really preserve them?”

“If I put them in a bag, there’s no worry about deterioration, right?”

Klaus implicitly says it’s impossible, but I have a magic bag.

No matter how difficult it is to manage, if I throw it in here, it won’t deteriorate.

In fact, it’s easier and more sustainable to use in the long run than if Klaus were to take care of it.

Nelge, who doesn’t know I have a magic bag, looks bewildered, but Klaus, who knows, grumbles.

“Your friend, Shuu-san, is kindly offering, you know? Stay a little longer. It would make me happy too.”

“…Alright.”

And, before I knew it, with Solange’s supportive fire in the parlor, Klaus ended up extending his stay.

No matter what, it seems he can’t beat his sister and mother.

“Well then, I’ll head back to Grantel first.”

I’ve been staying in Lindblum for over a week now. It’s been a longer stay than planned, despite unexpected requests.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the seafood cuisine and stocked up for what I can eat in Grantel.

Being pampered at Klaus’s mansion allowed me to refresh more than I thought.

While collecting materials from the sea was quite enjoyable, I’ve started to long for normal ground and forests.

“I’ll have a carriage take you.”

“No, I can make it back on my own.”

“Still, let me escort you partway. It’s proper etiquette since you were invited as a guest.”

“Oh, alright.”

I thought I shouldn’t impose any further, but I couldn’t help but nod at Solange’s somewhat imposing yet gentle smile.

Yeah, I feel like I understand why Klaus is strangely weak to the two of them.

♦ ♦ ♦

Then, I packed up my belongings at the mansion and departed Lindblum in the Exior family’s carriage.

I really wanted to thank Lucas for his hospitality and apologize for any trouble, but he seemed busy with the investigation of the underwater temple, so I left a message instead.

By the way, it seems Saffy and Lumia, who went for the investigation, are also involved, so they won’t be able to return for a while.

Yeah, even though it was me who opened it, I hope they do their best. I think it would be great if some historical facts were uncovered.

So, I was escorted to the nearby town by the Exior family’s carriage, and from there, I just had to transfer to a public carriage.

For a week, I collected materials at times, detected and repelled monsters at others, and continued on.

I’ve returned to Grantel, my base of operations.

The carriage stopped at the south gate, so I quickly got out with my luggage.

“Oh, my butt hurts.”

Since I didn’t use a luxury carriage like on the way here, my butt hurts a lot.

It was a bit crowded, so I thought it would be convenient to ride, but the comfort was completely different.

Cleanliness, space, comfort—everything was different.

Indeed, once you’ve experienced something good, it’s hard to downgrade.

Luckily, I have money, so from now on, I’ll use carriages for the wealthy.

Stretching and loosening my body, I head straight to the public bathhouse.

While I was able to relax in Lindblum, it’s been a long journey lately.

I want to clean my body in the bath. I’ve been using makeshift baths with earth magic and water magic, but nothing beats a spacious one.

After storing the disguised trunk in my magic bag, I dashed straight to the tub and immersed myself.

Then, after cleaning myself up, I stopped by Klaus’s pharmacy.

Since I had received the key beforehand, I entered and stored various bottles of medicine and ingredients that were packed inside.

With this, there’s no need for maintenance.

Then, I returned to my living base, the “Cat’s Tail Pavillion.”

I’ll hand out souvenirs while reporting my return when the timing is right.

“Shuu, welcome back nya~!”

“I’m back.”

As soon as I entered the dining hall, Mia welcomed me eagerly.

It’s only been almost three weeks since I last saw her, but it feels like it’s been much longer.

As I was feeling sentimental, Mia approached me and sniffed.

“What’s wrong?”

“I thought I smelled the sea breeze, but it’s just your usual scent after a bath, nya.”

“It’s been a long journey, so don’t worry about it.”

Certainly, after a week has passed, there wouldn’t be any lingering scent of the sea breeze. Even the beastkin don’t seem to notice that much.

“By the way, is the room properly reserved?”

“Absolutely. I cleaned it up so that dust wouldn’t accumulate.”

“Thank you, that’s a relief.”

I gave Mia a thumbs-up as thanks and headed inside.

In the kitchen, Bandel was busy preparing, and he greeted me when he saw me.

“Hey, did you enjoy your time in Lindblum?”

“Yes, there was plenty of seafood, and it was delicious. But I’m starting to miss your cooking, Bandel-san.”

“Thanks for saying that. Look forward to dinner.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

After exchanging a few words with Bandel, I headed to my room.

I actually want to talk a bit more about the journey, but I can do that during dinner.

Having a place to return to certainly brings peace of mind.

Feeling somewhat warm and fuzzy, I lay down on the bed.