Logan informed me that I had a "guest."

Since Logan was the one calling them a guest, this was an official visitor for me.

It was different from the villagers of Caso coming for worship.

Come to think of it, I also heard the sound of a carriage and a horse neighing.

Looks like it really is a proper guest.

I have no idea who it could be though.

"Yabe!"

"Slime-san!"

"Ohh!? It’s Kanta and Chiko-chan."

The two of them ran over and hugged me.

"Have you two been doing well?"

"Yeah! Thanks to the water Yabe gave us, both mom and us are super energetic now!"

"Thank you, Slime-san!"

"I’m glad to hear that. So? Are you two the guests Logan guided here?"

I thought it couldn’t be them since they came by carriage, but I asked anyway.

"We just guided the guest here. They said they’d give us a reward if we showed them to Yabe’s place!"

Yeah, Kanta... I think selling my personal information for a reward is a bit questionable.

But if the guest is someone of high status, guiding them could actually be an honorable job.

So, who is it?

"It has been a while, Lord Yabe."

The one who appeared was Naise, the deputy governor of Solenarini town.

"Lord Naise. I stopped by to greet you on my way back, so it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long."

"I’m honored you say so. By the way, Lord Yabe, is this your true form?"

Ah, crap. When I met Naise and Zoria, I was wearing my robe. Right now I’m completely exposed.

"I can take human form too, but this form is honestly the most comfortable."

I didn’t know how to explain it anymore. Might as well just push the spirit angle?

"I see. Though considering you suppressed the Labyrinth Stampede, nothing would surprise me about you anymore."

Naise gave a bitter smile.

"I appreciate you saying that."

"Now that I think about it, your way of speaking is a bit different too."

"I was playing the carefree character while wearing the robe. I thought that speaking style would be easier for Zoria to deal with."

I was a working adult on Earth for four years, so I know basic etiquette.

But I was too conscious of not being looked down on at the adventurers’ guild, so I mostly spoke casually with Zoria. Part of it was because Zoria was acting all high and mighty.

"I see. That puts me somewhat at ease."

Naise looked slightly relieved.

"About what?"

"Your audience with His Majesty at the royal castle."

"...Huh!?"

"I believe I understand that you are deliberately acting in a way that avoids being drawn into power structures and that you don’t wish to belong to any organization. However, we had no choice but to report the details of the terrorist incident in Felbane to the royal capital. In that report, my lord, Lord Fenberg von Coluna, the Frontier Count, greatly exaggerated your achievements..."

"What the hell did you do, Lord Fenberg!?"

"By now, the ’Miracle of Fortress City Felbane’ has already been reported — that you are the hero who saved over a thousand critically ill patients, and that your contracted beasts captured the entire terrorist group."

"Oh..."

I looked up at the sky.

"What has that guy done..."

"In my report about the Labyrinth Stampede suppression, the document trying to hide your existence arrived after the ’Miracle of Felbane’ had already happened. When the Stampede report finally reached them, they immediately realized ’Ah, this was Yabe’s doing.’ I was summoned back to the lord’s mansion immediately."

Naise spoke with an expression that went beyond bitter smile into pure exasperation.

"Moreover, he boldly declared to the King that you are his honored guest."

"When did I become a guest of the Coluna Frontier Count house!?"

"Exactly."

Naise agreed wholeheartedly as I fumed.

"He’s the type who, when he can’t break through from the front, fills in the outer moat instead."

"So annoying!"

"After you saved Lady Luciana’s life and appeared together with the daughter of Count Lubengel, Lord Fenberg has completely recognized you as an exceptionally special person."

"Saving people and then getting stuck with trouble is really depressing."

I let out a long sigh and slumped my "shoulders."

"I sympathize with how you feel, but at this point, it might not be all bad news for you."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"The fact that you are a guest of the Coluna Frontier Count house has already been communicated to the royal capital. On top of that, His Majesty himself has sent a messenger to the Coluna house saying he wishes to meet you — the suppressor of the Labyrinth Stampede and the key figure in the ’Miracle of Felbane.’ This is framed as ’inviting the Coluna Frontier Count’s guest to the royal castle.’ Until this is completed, no faction can lay a hand on you without it being equivalent to opposing the Coluna Frontier Count house."

"So I’ve unintentionally gained the backing of the Coluna Frontier Count house."

"Correct. After all, you are the savior of Lady Luciana and the one who caused the ’Miracle of Felbane.’ You are an irreplaceable benefactor to the Coluna house."

"Well, that part is fine, I guess."

"What’s not fine is how noble society works. If they receive such enormous favor and give nothing in return, it would tarnish the name of the Coluna Frontier Count house."

"That’s quite the big deal."

"Furthermore, if you have an audience with the King, His Majesty will likely offer you some reward. I don’t think he’ll directly make you a vassal, so if you accept some kind of reward and then tell him you wish to continue as a free adventurer based in Solenarini, it should settle things for now."

"What about the church? They won’t come chasing after us, will they?"

Memories of being chased around Felbane came flooding back.

When I glanced beside me, Irina — for some reason wrapped in a thin blanket — had tears welling up in her eyes.

Ah, the memories of Felbane are traumatic for her!? Sorry!

"Irina, it’ll be fine this time, okay!"

"U-U-Uu... Yabe..."

Irina was barely holding back her tears.

"Since we’ve been summoned by the King, why don’t we do some sightseeing in the royal capital? Plus, we should stop by your house and greet your parents, Irina! I’m sure they’re worried."

"Fueh!? G-G-Greet my parents...!? Y-Yeah, let’s go home."

Irina suddenly turned bright red and her speech became slurred. Better than her crying, I suppose.

She clung tightly to my body.

"I’m glad to see you two are so close. With the backing of the Coluna Frontier Count house, His Majesty’s approval, and the Lubengel Count house, there should be far fewer people in the kingdom who would carelessly try to lay a hand on you."

"I hope so, but there are always people who can’t read the room."

"I can’t deny that."

Naise and I shared a bitter smile.

"You going to the royal capital, kid?"

"Looks like it."

I answered Grandma Zaida.

"Then take this Sarina with you too."

""Eh!?""

Sarina and I were both surprised at the same time.

"Sarina looks surprised too."

"This girl has only ever seen these frontier villages. If possible, I want her to see the royal capital while she’s still young. A solo journey for a girl is too dangerous, but if she goes with you, I can feel at ease."

Grandma Zaida grinned.

Yeah, sending a girl alone on a long journey would be dangerous.

...Though I’m impressed Irina managed to travel alone all the way near Caso village.

"I’m not going there to play around though."

"You don’t have to stay together all the way to the royal castle. She can wait at an inn. You are coming back here, right?"

She grinned again. What a crafty old woman.

"Please. Won’t you do this old woman a favor?"

Grandma Zaida bowed her head.

The village chief and young men around her were stunned, muttering things like "I-It can’t be... That old hag is lowering her head...", so it must be extremely rare. Besides, this is probably for Sarina’s sake too. Returning Sarina to Grandma Zaida means I have to come back to this spring. She’s asking because she knows I won’t abandon Sarina even if tempted by the royal capital. Even if I choose to stay there, I probably wouldn’t just leave her with someone else. She wants me to at least return here once to say goodbye to everyone.

"Well, alright. It’s my first time in the royal capital too, so I can’t give a tour, but I’ll look after her if we travel together."

"Thanks! I owe you one."

Grandma Zaida broke into a wide, wrinkly smile.

"Sarina, study hard and see the royal capital with your own eyes."

"Grandma... thank you."

"Being with him will give you more opportunities. Do your best."

"G-Grandma..."

Sarina blushed.

Irina started giving off a dangerous aura. Hey, you’re still in your pajamas while wrapped in someone else’s blanket!?

"We have prepared a carriage, so Lord Yabe, Lady Irina, and one more person can ride comfortably."

"We’re going by the carriage Naise prepared?"

I was thinking of just riding on Logan and heading there quickly.

"Yes. This time the Coluna Frontier Count house has officially accepted the royal family’s request. Escorting you to the royal capital is also part of our duty."

"I see."

"Also, if you travel at ultra-high speed, the time between the request and your arrival would be too short, which might cause more trouble regarding your abilities..."

"Yeah, that makes sense. By the way, is it okay to bring Logan and everyone else?"

I checked if it was fine to move as a whole army.

"Of course. We will cover all meals during the journey, including for your contracted beasts."

"Very generous."

"It is only natural since we are escorting you at the royal family’s request. We have also secured excellent inns along the way."

Whoa, they’re really pulling out all the stops. There’s probably no option to refuse. This is perfect timing anyway — I was thinking we should greet Irina’s parents and return her to her family so they can be at ease.

"When do we depart?"

"As soon as possible."

That’s fast!

"Then I’ll get ready right away. Chief, sorry, but even though you just built my home, it looks like I’ll be away again for a while."

"Hahaha, you are already a hero of the country, Spirit-sama. It can’t be helped. We will keep the temple clean and well-maintained."

"Hahaha, please do... It’s my my hooome...!"

I grabbed the chief’s shoulders, brought my face close, and emphasized every word.

"Ohh!? Leave it to us! We’ll keep it sparkling clean!"

Did it get through...? Anyway.

"Lord Naise, about the situation in Felbane... you’ll handle it well, right?"

I really don’t want priests swarming us again like last time, and if the panties incident gets brought up again, Irina’s dam-like eyes will burst immediately.

"U-Um... probably... it should be fine... I think?"

"Why was that a question!?"

I’m full of anxiety!!