29: The story resumes at a slow pace.

This world is ruled by monsters.

Humanity’s living space is still tiny, and it’s humans themselves fighting over that narrow stretch.

I remembered, vaguely, what I’d been taught in Sunday school long ago, as I rocked in the carriage.

The capital city of the Maugaria Kingdom, Gandar, where the great noble Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier, resides, was still wrapped in noise and clamor.

“Gandar’s been a while.”

“Have you been here before, Craft-sama?”

“Yeah. I was a rootless adventurer. Wherever there was work, I’d go—anywhere in the kingdom.”

The one speaking with a bright smile, the one who carries the name of this town and the noble house, is Kyle Gandar Bairoroad. Born the third son of Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier, he was treated with disdain by his family from birth, due to his frail constitution.

The road from our frontier village, Golden Dune, and Kyle calling me “Lord Brother” spread like wildfire.

Everyone just smirked, though. Didn’t say a word. Should’ve made fun of me already.

Now I’m being dragged by Maina, riding in the carriage with her.

Alphard walks outside. Persia sits beside me.

For some reason, Maina’s on my lap, and Jitarou’s next to Kyle.

Even if Kyle says “go ahead,” I’d kill to have Jitarou’s nerve.

“Huh! This is Lord Bairoroad’s estate, huh? Man, there’s a lot of people and buildings!”

“Said to be second only to the capital in population, so yeah—plenty of people.”

“Wait, is the main gate always open? No tolls or anything?”

"People come and go so much, it's just free access now."

"Wow! That's impressive! I should've come by once if I'd known."

"Haha. At least relax while you're here, Jitarou."

"Of course!"

"Jitarou. You're kinda incredible sometimes."

Even if he’s naturally easygoing and never mind the distance, it’s wild how casual he is with Kyle, a nobleman.

"Craft. You’re not exactly innocent either."

"Stop reading my mind, Persia…"

"Hmph. Then stop making your face so obvious."

"Am I really that obvious?"

Ignoring Persia’s nod, I look at Kyle, who’s smiling awkwardly.

Maina’s nodding too.

I don’t get it.

"There’s a big adventurer’s guild in Gandar. It’s like the regional headquarters here. Famous adventurers usually belong to either this place or the capital."

"Yeah, I don’t hear much about A-rank adventurers hanging around in the provinces."

"This town’s where famous adventurers come to shine. That kind of energy… it’s intense. Hard to stay long."

"Really? That kind of thing happens?"

"Same with any job, I’d guess… huh? Soldiers coming over."

Peering through the window at the crowd, one of the gate guards rushed over and spoke to Alphard.

"Sir! You’re not by any chance related to Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier?"

"That’s right."

"Apologies. Then you’d better take this side street. The main road’s packed."

"Thanks for the heads-up! Everyone—this way!"

Alphard’s command sent the group veering toward the designated alley.

Midway, the gate guard spotted Kyle peering out from a carriage and broke into a wide grin.

"Ah! It’s really you, Master Kyle! Welcome back!"

"Good work, you've earned a rest."

"Ah! You're looking positively chipper. Must be the country air agrees with you."

"Seems like it. I'm feeling quite lively these days."

"Ah! Ah! That's splendid!"

"Um... I'm only here temporarily, so I don't mean to—"

"Ah! My apologies! Of course, we'll keep it quiet!"

"Yes. I appreciate that."

Kyle bowed slightly, and the gate guard returned the gesture with a flawless salute.

Still, I'm sure I stood out.

As we veered off the main road, horse traffic thinned a bit, and we began moving smoothly.

The massive structure dominating the city center—so large it could be mistaken for the castle itself—was the Marquis’s residence.

The city layout was intricate, like a maze, clearly built with war in mind, and carried an air of restless complexity.

"Huh. So that's where the young master's home is?"

I didn’t get to go inside much when I was little—I was moved to a provincial estate early on.

You know, nobles can’t even go back to their family homes these days.

Hey, Jitarou.

Ah! My apologies! Didn’t mean any harm!

It’s fine. Not at all. In fact, I’m grateful—thanks to you, Jitarou, Leifan, and Craft-sama, I’ve brought back good news.

Uuuh… Kyle-kun really is kind-hearted.

I know.

Persia nodded vigorously. Words were there, plain as day.

"Still… huge… no, sturdy, really."

Not something I wanna think about much, but yeah—it’s also a fallback shelter in case something happens and the king can’t stay in the capital.

I see.

Knock knock. The carriage rattled. Peeking out the window, it was Leifan.

"Time to get out, I think."

"Yeah. Jitarou."

"Yessir!"

Maina wouldn’t get off my lap, so I slid a hand under her armpit, lifted her, and dumped her straight into the empty seat across from me. She huffed and turned her head sharply to the side, all pissy-like.

"Brother really is popular with Maina, huh?"

"Got a hole in your eyes or something?"

I scratched my head, trying to figure out where on earth that came from, then stepped down from the carriage. Already, every eye in the vicinity was on us.

"Whose carriage is that?"

"Not Flatten’s flag."

"Zaid’s?"

"Idiot. That’s Kyle’s flag!"

"Oh right! Forgot it’s been a while!"

"Back now, huh..."

"Means the frontier expansion failed, doesn’t it?"

"Can’t be helped. That place was too dangerous for anyone to touch."

"As long as you’re back safe, that’s all that matters."

"Yeah, thanks to you, Master Kyle, life’s been a lot easier for us."

A phrase from the onlookers caught my ear.

Thanks to Kyle, life got easier?

I always thought Kyle stayed out of politics, but maybe he’s done something significant?

Now that I think about it, I did hear from the villagers he’s pretty popular.

By the time I’d thought that through, we’d arrived at the massive gates of the Marquis’s estate.

"Ah! Alphard! Long time no see!"

"Ah! You look well too! I’ve sent word—Master Kyle has returned home. Open the gate, please."

"Of course. …Open the gate!"

The heavy iron gates creaked open on either side, and the carriage slowly rolled through. The guard adventurers looked tense.

We passed through the courtyard, lush with colorful plants, and arrived at the main manor house.

Behind the manor stood a structure tall enough to be called a castle, though it wasn’t where they lived, I guessed.

I looked up suddenly. From a window of the manor, a face I recognized was glaring down at us.

The scowl on his face was unmistakable—Zaid, the second son.

Reunion, huh. (´ω｀)

Chapter title’s just a placeholder.