Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 143

“Then, I’ll head back first.”

“Okay. We’ll return at an appropriate time too.”

On the fourth morning, after obtaining the Volkanos egg, I decided to return to Grantel.

I needed to bring the egg back as quickly as possible to keep it as fresh as I could.

I called out to Drogan, who was staying at the same inn, and he replied with a casual wave.

Rosca was lying on the bed next to him, but there was no response from her.

I couldn’t tell if she couldn’t hear me or if she was deliberately ignoring me. Apparently, because I had been talking to Baris about distilled liquor, she hadn’t been able to do any decoration training at all.

Even during yesterday’s celebration, she had bothered me several times.

“Is Rosca mad?”

“No, she’s just sleeping it off from drinking too much distilled liquor.”

When I listened closely, I could hear Rosca groaning, “Uuu.”

She seemed to have a simple hangover.

“I’ll leave a detoxification potion, so please give it to her later.”

“I’ll make sure to tell her it’s from you, Shuu.”

“Thanks, that helps.”

I left the room, hoping that it would be a small atonement for my sins, and placed the detoxification potion on the table.

“I’m heading back to Grantel.”

“Understood. Come visit us again if you’re ever around here.”

I checked out with the dwarf innkeeper.

“Shuu-san, you’re just in time. We were about to head back too.”

Franryule and the others were waiting for me as I stepped outside, carefully holding the Volkanos egg.

“You came to see me off. Thank you very much.”

“Not at all, Shuu-san. You’re our savior.”

“…This much is only natural.”

“Even if it was a short time, we adventured together.”

“If you don’t mind, we’d like to see you off.”

I was very happy because I thought the way back would be lonely without any companions.

Even if it was just for the send-off.

“Then, let’s go.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Holding the egg, I walked towards the south gate of the city.

Along the way, I did some shopping.

However, since I have a Magic Bag, I didn’t need to buy any additional food.

Out of all the items on Lumia’s request list, the only one I hadn’t collected was the Flame Black Sand.

This material is obtained from volcanic rock, and I heard that it’s commonly sold as kindling in Eld, so I decided to buy it.

As a gatherer, I wanted to collect it myself on-site, but since it’s important to complete the request as quickly as possible, I can’t be too particular about it. The request takes priority.

After purchasing the Flame Black Sand, I walked and chatted with Franryule, Neln, Alex, and Gilles.

They were able to complete their tasks earlier than expected, so they planned to sight-see in the city.

Seeing them so excited and full of energy made me feel like I needed to work harder too. Just being around young people gives you a boost of energy.

Still, I was envious. I also wanted to sight-see in the city and gather materials that could only be found there. But for now, the request took priority, so I had to head back.

When I have more free time, I’ll come to Eld and gather materials.

I want to visit the hot springs, and the surrounding mountains must have a lot of attractive materials as well.

As I entertained these ambitions, I arrived at the carriage station located at the south gate.

Of course, I would be taking a luxury carriage back as well.

“Wow, it’s cool how you just go straight for the luxury carriage without hesitation.”

“There’s no comparison in terms of comfort, and time is finite, after all.”

Besides, the lord will bear the burden, so there is nothing to worry about.

“…You’re living more like a noble than some lower-ranking nobles.”

Apparently, not all nobles led a life of luxury.

I don’t know your ranks, but if you don’t overspend, you should be able to afford it, right?

After completing the check-in procedure, we headed towards the assigned carriage.

It seemed that the carriage would be departing soon, so this would be where we parted ways.

“Thank you for seeing me off.”

“Not at all. If you ever visit the Magic Academy, please do come and see us. We’ll be happy to show you around.”

“If there’s ever a material you want, we’ll take the request.”

“Or if we ever pass through Grantel, we’ll be sure to stop by!”

“Thank you so much for everything. It was nice meeting you, and I hope we meet again.”

Hearing these words, I waved back and stepped into the carriage.

The city where the Magic Academy is located. A magical city. A unique city where magic is highly developed. I’d like to visit there someday.

Also, I couldn’t tell if Neln’s words were sincere or just flattery. Knowing her, she might actually do it. Maybe I’ll accept if it’s an interesting material that even I can gather.

This was the first time I had formed a party with so many people, and it turned out to be quite enjoyable.

If they ever come to Grantel, I might consider going on a gathering quest with them.

In any case, they were pleasant young boys and girls.

I hope to meet them again if the opportunity arises.

As I indulged in these sentimental thoughts, the time for departure seemed to have come, and the carriage door closed.

I thought Franryule and the others would have already left, but they politely waited for me the whole time.

As the carriage slowly started moving, everyone waved goodbye.

“Take care!”

“Thank you! See you again!”

I waved back in response to their kindness.

And then, their figures grew smaller, and the luxury carriage passed through the castle gate of Eld.

♦  ♦  ♦

Five days after departing from Eld, I returned to Grantel, taking the same amount of time as the journey there.

Since it was still early in the afternoon, I decided to transfer to another carriage and head directly to the lord’s mansion.

After all, I was told to bring the egg as soon as I obtained it.

After enduring the continuous rattling of the carriage for a while, we arrived at the mansion.

I informed the guard that I had come to deliver the requested item, and he went to call Beldan for me.

Lately, I had been coming and going from the mansion frequently, so it seemed that the guards had come to recognize my face and name.

“Please come in, Shuu-sama.”

Beldan came out and escorted me into the mansion.

I was led down a path with a red carpet and into a parlor. At Beldan’s prompting, I sat down on a sofa.

While I was nibbling on some tea and cookies, Lord Carlisle, who seemed to have finished his work, entered the room.

“Shuu-dono! Is it true that you’ve brought back the Volkano’s egg?!”

Carlisle immediately asked about the egg, as it seemed to be a key item for establishing a connection with a powerful noble, and he had been anxious about it.

“Yes, I was able to bring it back somehow.”

As Carlisle fidgeted with anticipation, I placed the Volkeno’s egg on the table. Unwrapping the cloth that had been wrapped around it multiple times, a large egg with a reddish polka-dot pattern on a skin-colored background was revealed.

“Wow! This is undoubtedly a Volkano’s egg… right, Beldan?”

Carlisle didn’t seem very confident, as if he hadn’t actually seen one before.

Hearing this, I almost fell off the sofa in surprise.

“Yes, I’m certain of it.”

When Beldan nodded firmly, Carlisle let out a joyful exclamation.

“You’ve done well, Shuu-dono! With this, I’ll be able to get along with Count Reilert!”

So, in the world of nobles, you need such rare items to get along with each other?

I knew that gifts like these could forge connections, but the noble society sure is complicated.

Now that you mention it, Reilert… It sounds familiar.

Was it someone’s name or a place? My memory is hazy, and I can’t quite recall.

Well, for now, let’s just be happy that the delivery request has been completed.

“To bring back the Volkano’s egg so quickly, you truly are remarkable, Shuu-sama.”

“No, this time was quite challenging. I managed to get the egg, but the surrounding monsters interfered. If it weren’t for the noble students I met in Eld, it would have taken much longer.”

“Oh? Noble Students of the Magic Academy?”

Hearing about the nobles, Carlisle seemed intrigued and asked further.

“Yes, that’s what they said.”

“If you don’t mind, may I ask for their names? It could be a topic of conversation if we ever meet at a party or something.”

Hmm, there’s no reason to hide their identities or feel guilty about anything, so it should be fine.

I proceeded to tell Beldan and Carlisle about the students I met in Eld.

However, their expressions turned stunned, and they fell silent.

“Is something wrong? Could it be that one of them is of very high status?”

The girls themselves had said that their status wasn’t that high, but since I wasn’t well-versed in noble families, I couldn’t be sure of the actual situation.

Even though it was a give-and-take relationship, were they not the kind of people I should have casually formed a party with?

“…Um, well, you see… The person I wanted to give the Volkano’s egg to is the head of the Reilert family.”

Carlisle’s words were somewhat hesitant.

Eh? So, I was working hard for Franryule’s father?

What an incredible coincidence.

“What should we do? I had his daughter help with a somewhat dangerous request…”

“I think the head of the Reilert family doesn’t pay much attention to such things. That person isn’t very attached to anything other than food.”

Beldan said this in a calm tone.

I wondered if that was really okay as a parent. The world of nobles was truly mysterious.

“But this can be turned into something good! If it’s known that his daughter and Shuu-dono were involved, it could make for an interesting story. In any case, thank you for your hard work!”

Carlisle said positive things while patting my shoulders vigorously.

As long as it was just a topic of conversation, I didn’t mind, but please don’t drag me into the world of nobles, okay?

Seeing Carlisle’s cheerful smile, I couldn’t help but feel a little worried.