Chapter 59: Let’s Try to Break the Massive, Thick Flag Waving in the Fortress City of Ferbein

The dinner was incredibly delicious, as expected from one of the top-class hotels in the town of Solenarini.

Once again, I was in a different room from Irina and Sarina.

...It’s not like I’m lonely or anything!

More importantly, being alone is convenient. Time to organize the information.

I opened the window of my single room.

"Chick Captain, I need a report."

With just those words, Chick Captain and his subordinates instantly gathered in the room.

It was Chick Captain and the ten generals under him—a total of eleven chicks now lined up neatly in my room.

I should get them to introduce the ten generals properly next time... I’m getting a strong chuuni vibe from this, so I’m a bit hesitant to ask.

『Yes sir! I will now have my subordinates deliver their reports!』

At Chick Captain’s single command, his men snapped into even tighter formation.

『Chick 10 Generals, Rank 1: Leopard! Rank 2: Crusader!』

『『Yes sir!』』

『Report!』

"Wait, wait, hold up a second!"

『Boss, what is it?』

"No, no, no—there are way too many things to tsukkomi here! First of all, what the heck are the Chick 10 Generals!?"

『In truth, the Chick Legion has also been subdivided. I have selected ten direct subordinates under my command and further organized them into groups below that.』

"I see..."

『We sincerely apologize for arbitrarily creating an organization. If it displeases you, we will disband it immediately...』

"No, it’s fine. I’ll leave it to you, Chick Captain."

『Haha! What an honor!』

But is this really okay? The captain himself is the top of the ten generals he picked... Well, whatever.

『Then, begin the reports!』

『Yes sir! We have scouted the area surrounding the town of Solenarini.』

『There were no troubles or abnormalities detected around Solenarini.』

『The labyrinth dungeon has also calmed down since the Stampede incident and has returned to normal operations.』

"Hmm, so the town has settled down after that terrorist incident."

『『Haha!』』

『Next! Rank 3: Cromwell! Rank 4: Centurion!』

『『Haha!』』

Those names sound insanely cool though!? How did you even come up with them?

『We were in charge of investigating the fortress city of Ferbein.』

『In Ferbein, Border Count Coluna is eagerly awaiting Boss’s arrival. A parade is scheduled to be held immediately upon your arrival.』

"What the heck is that person doing!?"

『After the parade, a grand award ceremony will be held to praise Boss’s great achievements. In the evening, there will be a banquet that also doubles as a dance party.』

"I need to talk to Nicea about this first thing tomorrow morning..."

『Additionally, preparations are being made to welcome Boss as an honored guest of the Coluna Border Count family. It has also been announced that you have received an invitation from the royal family to visit the royal capital. It seems they wish to add prestige by saying that an honored guest of the Coluna family has been summoned by the King himself.』

"They really want to use me however they can, huh..."

『With Boss’s prestige, such things cannot be helped.』

"I don’t think I’m that big of a deal though."

『Next! Rank 5: Vickers! Rank 6: Carden!』

『『Haha!』』

『We investigated the route between the fortress city of Ferbein and the Tarvari territory.』

『Each village is developing well, public order is good, and we found no particular problems.』

『However, there are reports of barbarian tribes settling in the mountainous areas near the border of Tarvari territory. This has slightly impacted monster hunting and firewood collection in those mountains. As a result, the prices of materials and firewood are trending upward.』

"Hmm... As long as they don’t come out onto the highway, it probably won’t affect our current journey..."

『Next! Rank 7: Kalar! Rank 8: Curassier!』

『『Haha!』』

『We investigated the largest town in Tarvari territory, Talburn.』

『This town is governed by Count Gailnight von Tarvari, who also serves as its lord.』

『Count Gailnight von Tarvari is a very muscular man and appears to be an old acquaintance of Zoria, the Master of the Adventurers Guild in Solenarini.』

"Oh, really? So Zoria knew a count like that."

『Apparently they were originally in the same party as adventurers.』

"What is the count even doing!?"

『To the north of the town of Talburn stands a tower known as the "Demon’s Tower."』

"Demon’s Tower?"

『Yes. Rumors say it is the tower that seals the "Demon King Garuard." Currently it is treated similarly to labyrinth dungeons, and adventurers enter to defeat the monsters inside and collect materials.』

"Yeah, I get that it’s a dangerous tower. Let’s stay away from it."

『In addition, iron and steel refining is thriving in Talburn, Tarvari territory.』

"Iron, huh... I don’t really need new weapons or armor. Irina can’t fight, and I wear robes."

『There are also many other iron and steel products circulating. It might be interesting to browse the shops.』

"Understood."

『Next! Rank 9: Tiger! Rank 10: Sentinel!』

『『Haha!』』

『We confirmed the situation in the village of Caso and around the spring.』

"Oh, I see."

『Yes. The village of Caso is peaceful as always. Thanks to Logan and the others’ monster hunting, the number of monsters around the village has decreased dramatically, and the villagers can live safely.』

『The area around the spring is also calm. Two shrine guardians and two women in charge of cleaning have arrived at the shrine.』

"I see..."

Even the chicks are calling it a shrine now...

Well, as long as it’s peaceful, it’s fine.

For now, I need to come up with a plan to smash those insanely annoying death flags waiting for me in the fortress city of Ferbein...

—

Why did it come to this?

Right now, I’m riding in a carriage, swaying along.

It’s not the same carriage Nicea and I used for our journey. This is a pure white, roofless carriage—like something an Elizabeth from somewhere would ride in for a wedding parade.

I’m sitting beside Irina in this extravagant white carriage.

In the seats in front of us are Border Count Fenberg von Coluna and his wife, with Lady Lucina seated elegantly between them.

The main streets of the town are lined with crowds on both sides. A huge number of people have gathered and are waving at us.

They seem to have heard that Irina and I went around the church healing critically ill patients who had been quarantined. Many are calling out "Thank you! Thank you!"

It’s nice to be thanked, but still...

"Hahaha! The honored guest of the Coluna Border Count family, Lord Yabe, has returned!"

Lord Fenberg, I didn’t "return." I’m just stopping by Ferbein on my way to the royal capital after being summoned there.

His wife, on the other hand, is gracefully smiling and waving. It makes for a beautiful picture.

"Everyone, thank you for your concern! But I’m fully recovered now. Lord Yabe healed my body for me!"

"""Waaaaah~~~~!!"""

Lucina seems to be quite popular with the townspeople.

Since they knew she had been critically ill, they’re overjoyed to see her like this.

"Also, I have decided to marry Lord Yabe~~~~~!"

"Whaaat!?"

Lord Fenberg stands up in the moving carriage and stares intensely at Lucina beside him.

"""Waaaaah~~~~!!"""

"My, how wonderful!"

The townspeople’s blessings and the wife’s radiant smile are dazzling.

And yeah, Lucina definitely inherited Lord Fenberg’s blood. She’s the type who steadily fills in the outer moat first.

Their education is truly thorough!

"Fueee~ Lucina-chan is so bold~"

Irina’s eyes are teary. Are you losing already?

"Yabe-dono, thank you~"

Huh!? That voice... It’s Bonteak.

I think he’s the real hero who saved many lives.

"Bonteak! The medicinal herbs and antidote you made were magnificent! Thanks to you, many people were saved!"

After I called out to him, the area around Bonteak erupted into excited chatter as people bombarded him with questions.

Hahaha, you become a hero too.

As we continued forward, a row of priests stood in front of a large church holding a huge banner, with many sisters waving flags.

The banner read... "Welcome back, Divine Envoy." Who the hell is that supposed to be!?

"Please visit the church after the ceremony!"

"Please guide us once more!"

"We’ll be waiting~"

The sisters’ enthusiastic cheers almost make me waver for a second, but Irina grabs my hand from the side.

"Ho-wawawawa!?"

Ouch! Why!? I may not have cheats, but I should have an invincible slime body!?

Has Irina’s level been rising in weird ways lately?

After this, the parade will continue to the lord’s mansion. Then we’ll rest there, and afterward there’ll be a ceremony in the central square where Lord Fenberg himself will award and honor me as the key figure behind the "Miracle of the Fortress City of Ferbein." Nicea had told me about it before we arrived.

I consulted with her and made various proposals and strategies to break this ridiculously thick flag.

But the massive flag ignored all my suggestions and strategies, fluttering elegantly in the wind.

...Damn it.

In the end, I had planned to escape before entering the town through the gate, but I never expected the lord himself—Border Count Fenberg von Coluna—to be personally waiting for me.

The lord coming out of the town to wait... You’re really going that far!?

Nicea had more or less given up from the start, saying the parade and ceremony were probably unavoidable. Besides, if I skipped it, it would damage the lord’s reputation. Asking her to help me escape was already asking for too much.

Eventually, the parade reached the lord’s mansion.

"Everyone! The ceremony will be held in the central square this afternoon! Come in large numbers!"

"""Waaaaah~~~"""

Why is everyone so hyped up?

No offense, but... do the people here have that much free time?

"Now then, Lord Yabe, please stay at my home and take a breather."

"Stay...?"

"The ceremony is this afternoon, but I plan to host you at my residence for the next three days. Please relax and make yourself at home."

"I can’t relax when there’s a ceremony this afternoon!"

"Hahaha, no need to hold back!"

"Listen to me!"

"Lord Yabe, this way please."

Lucina takes my hand to guide me into the mansion.

"Yabe, wait for me."

Irina grabs the hem of my robe and follows along.

"My my, you three get along so well."

Lady, please don’t sum it up in one sentence like that.

"Let’s all have a meal first. Come inside."

Urged on by Lord Fenberg as well, I entered the mansion.

...

"Then, a toast to our reunion!"

"""Cheers~~~~~!"""

I take a sip of the poured red wine.

"...Delicious."

I’m not particularly picky about alcohol, but this wine is genuinely good.

"I’m glad you like it. It was worth the effort to obtain it from the royal capital."

Geh! It’s that valuable? I’d better not ask the price. Yeah, that’s the smart move.

Delicious dishes continued to be brought out one after another. Starting with appetizers, the main meat dish was also excellent. This really is the Coluna Border Count family.

When I glanced sideways, Irina’s face had melted in bliss.

At the spring, our meals were mostly hunted game that we butchered, grilled, or stewed, plus some stall food. So it’s been a long time since she’s had such elaborate cuisine.

Of course the inn meals during our stay were good too, but the Coluna family’s cooking is on another level.

Especially the desserts—I hadn’t eaten many sweets lately. Watching Irina happily eating the sweet cake-like dessert, it seems she really likes sweet things. Come to think of it, there weren’t many sweets in this world. They’re probably rare or considered high-class. I feel a bit bad for Irina. There are probably delicious sweets in the royal capital. Maybe I should buy her some dessert later.

"...Hm? What’s wrong, Yabe?"

"No, I was just thinking you look really happy eating that dessert."

"Ah, yeah... it’s embarrassing. It’s been so long since I’ve had sweets. The inn food was delicious too, of course."

"Then you can have mine too."

"Fueh!? B-but..."

"It’s fine. You look really happy eating it, Irina."

"Th-thank you..."

I moved my dessert plate in front of her, and she happily started eating it.

Seeing Irina’s smiling face makes me feel happy too.

"Lord Yabe, I’m getting a little jealous."

Lucina looks at me with a sweet smile.

"Ah, no, it’s just that we don’t usually get to eat such nice things. Sweets really are the ultimate reward for women, huh?"

"Fufu, that’s true. When I get rare sweets from the royal capital, I end up acting like a child myself."

Seeing Lucina speak so cheerfully with a constant smile makes me feel energized too.

She really is a good girl.

"So, Lord Yabe, why did you suddenly disappear last time?"

After the meal, while drinking the final drink, Lord Fenberg asks me.

I wish I could just say "Because I hated your family’s containment strategy!"

"Hahaha, I remembered some urgent business."

Mentally I want to wipe the sweat from my forehead, but unfortunately I don’t sweat.

"Lord Yabe, please don’t worry. I properly explained it to Father. I told him that trying to arbitrarily tie you down would incur your displeasure."

"Ah, I’m sorry for making you go through that trouble, Lady Lucina."

I bow my head slightly. I need to keep a bit of distance, or these people will keep closing in.

"My, such formal language is unnecessary, Lord Yabe."

Lucina clasps her hands in front of her chest and leans closer with a pleading expression. See? Told you.

"Lord Yabe, it seems I did something inexcusable to you. I had hoped you would stay in this land and lend your strength... no, as part of my family. I may have gotten ahead of myself. If I offended you, I apologize."

Lord Fenberg bows his head to me. That’s really not good.

"No, no, Lord Fenberg. You don’t need to bow to me.

It’s just that there are various circumstances, so I can’t always meet your wishes. I am sorry about that."

"No, no, just hearing you say that is enough. I’m grateful just to have formed a connection with you."

Is being connected to me really that valuable? I’m still just a suspicious guy wearing a robe.

"Then, let us move to another room and explain the details of the royal family’s request. After that, you will attend the ceremony."

"Ah, so that part is already decided..."

I slump my shoulders, but then notice something.

"Hm? Explain the request details?"

I tilt my head.

"Yes, it is the request bestowed by His Majesty."

Wait... it wasn’t just going to the royal castle to greet the king!?