Chapter 144 : To the Kingdom of Balkus

TL:SummerPeanut

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December 1, 2030.

I, Clarice, and Ellie are the only three members of Daybreak still left in Regan.

Karen, Baron, and Minerva were picked up from home early and sent home. Dominic also hired a party of adventurers who are trusted by Duke Regan to go home.

Misha went with Sasha, Ryner, and Bram to the Zarkham Kingdom. Apparently, Sasha, Ryner, and Bram went to Zarkham for a quest Duke Regan tasked them to do.

Ike had told us that we couldn't go back home but that wasn't true. Duke Regan said that he never had to obliged to entertain the nobles no matter what. However, last year, she had to ask the impossible to Ike and the senior glasses to entertain the second daughter of the Fresvald family who was about to enter the school.

Next year, the eldest son of Duke Caesar, one of the 12 dukes, will be enrolled as a first-year student, but Duke Regan said that Duke Caesar does not need to be entertained. Somehow, it seems that he and Duke Regan do not get along very well.

We had already served as a model for the school's brochure. After posing Clarice and myself, someone who looks like a designer ran his pen. Then the designer casted a spell on the drawing, and the picture changed to look like a photograph, and another person used a different spell to copy the photograph-like picture.

And after both us, Ellie who was waiting for us also had a few of her pictures taken into the pamphlet. Of course, Ellie's good looks were one of the reasons why she was included in the brochure but perhaps it was also to show off the fact that the Golden Lion is a student at the Lister Imperial School.

We had already finished our work at the Lister Imperial School in late November. The reason why we haven't returned to the Balkus Kingdom is because Ike and the senior glasses have not yet finished handing over the duties of the student council.

Duke Regan told me that if I, Clarice, Ellie, Ike, and the senior glasses were going back home together, there was no need to hire an escort. I was grateful that I didn't need to be accompanied by escorts because I wouldn't have to hide my abilities in a strange way.

“I didn't expect Lillian to graduate.”

Clarice said during the swordsmanship practice with Ellie and Clarice on the school's large grounds, which were too big to be called a schoolyard.

"This is a five-year school, but you can graduate if you have decided on a career path...but you have to have a solid career path to actually graduate. I heard that an A-rank parties are the best place to get a job so she graduated early."

Clarice said to Ellie.

"I'm...glad she's gone...”

“The best place to work, huh ... If I become an A-rank adventurer, will I graduate too? Naturally, Clarice and Ellie will also belong to the A-rank party, which means that you will have the best place for employment, right? Will you both also become a graduate then?”

When I said that, Clarice shook her head and said, “Our best employment is not in the...A-rank party but becoming...the wife of...Mars, right?”

She said while blushing and being embarrassed. Being a normie is the best! At lunchtime, the three of us ate the lunch Clarice had made for us.

The other students still have classes so it's time for us to start going to the cafeteria. I ate Clarice's packed lunch and was lying down for a bit when someone stood over my head. ...white. This white is...senior glasses’s.

“Hey, how long are you going to keep staring! Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, please refrain from doing anything that could be poisonous to Mars. Gosh, seriously..."

Clarice put her hand over my eyes and said so to senior glasses. Yeah. These hands smell good too.

“Sorry, sorry. I just thought Mars was so cute. I'm finally done with the handover. We can depart tomorrow.”

At these words, Clarice stood up happily. Oh...the beautiful gradation of white and pink...

“Mars. Didn’t you hear Ede’s words? We're going to Duke Regan's place now. Duke Regan is still at school, so let's hurry!"

Ike said to me as he came running and I got up too. I've had enough of service time. The five of us went to the headmaster's office where Duke Regan was.

When we knocked on the headmaster's door and entered, we found Duke Regan in a different mood than usual. The clothes she was wearing seemed more luxurious than usual. The Duke of Regan, who is not a very fancy person, is dressed like a high-ranking aristocrat.

“I am sorry to disturb you at this busy time. I've finished the handover of the student council today so we'll be leaving tomorrow.”

After Ike said so, Duke Regan replied.

“I understand. Your destination is the Kingdom of Balkus, and I want you to promise me one thing. Never go to the Zarkham Kingdom. The situation in Rimurgarde is very dangerous. It seems that all the A-rank parties in the Balkus and Zarkham Kingdoms are holding them back, but it seems to be a very difficult situation.

And as for the Zarkham Kingdom, it seems that the Icelia Continent to the east is giving them a bit of trouble. It is not an invasion or a state of war but B-rank parties have been called in from here. The security situation in the Zarkham Kingdom is deteriorating quite a bit right now so I'm asking for your cooperation."

Hearing Duke Regan’s words, Clarice asked anxiously.

“Is Grantham safe? It is the closest to the continent of Icelia and...my father and mother are in Grantham. I'm worried..."

If Grantham is in danger... no, if Grey and Erna are in danger, then my destination is there.

“I don't know about Grantham but the Viscount of Lampard seem fine. Apparently, they are staying in the royal capital of the Zarkham Kingdom for a long time together with Count Beetle. This is information from a reliable source so you can rest assured. It only means that the three of them are safe, of course. Once again, I don't know about the situation of Grantham."

Clarice seemed a little relieved but she is still concerned about Grantham.

“I understand. I'll have them look for information on the area of Grantham. Is there anything else? If not, then I must be on my way.”

To Duke Regan, both I and Clarice said.

““Thank you.””

After bowing, we left the room.

“I wonder what's wrong with Duke Regan? I felt like her atmosphere and clothing were different from usual but...she always seems to be 50-50 between her role as a duke and the headmaster but today it felt like she had a 100 percent atmosphere of a duke...”

When I said that, senior glasses responded.

“There's a round table meeting in December. I think she’s going to the Duke of Fresvald's territory later."

Oh, I think I heard something along that line... and then Clarice said.

“How did Duke Regan know where my father and mother were?”

“Maybe she's thinking about the safety of her students' parents?”

I replied to Clarice's words, and Brother Ike whispered.

“I don't think you should be too optimistic. Her beautiful appearance fooled everyone, but remember she's a competent duke. I'm sure she's got a lot on her mind. ...you guys also have a few things in mind, don't you?"

…certainly. There seems to be a lot of scheming going on.

“But Duke Regan said it was safe so we can be sure of that at least. We'll start packing and deciding our route home tomorrow. We'll go back to our rooms, pack, and have dinner in the city at night."

As Ike said, we decided to go back to the dormitory to pack and have dinner. We had done some packing beforehand, so we were all outside by 15:00. It was a little early, but we decided to have dinner and go home early to get ready for tomorrow.

“Brother Ike. Which route do you want to take to return home?"

I asked Ike over dinner.

“Well... I don't want to go through the area around the capital if possible... since Mars, Clarice and Ellie are also there, how about we take a route that goes south through Rimurgarde and then heads west?”

Ike's words were met by a senior glasses’s.

“Isn't it a bit dangerous? Well, I do think we should not go pass the capital area either.”

Ike's partner of marriage might be someone in the vicinity of the royal capital?

“Shall we head south so we don't get too close to Rimurgarde? Ellie and I are good at detection. If we see any dangerous-looking magic beasts, we'll run away immediately.”

“Yes. I'd also like to raise my level while Mars is with me. Ede should also watch Mars, Clarice, and Ellie in battle. I'm sure you'll see some incredible sights."

Senior glasses responded to Ike’s words.

“Indeed... I have yet to see these three fight properly... I've never seen Mars pull out the sword he's equipped with, and even his magic, I've only seen him take it easy because that was my brother..."

The senior glasses face clouded over when he remembered Gysahl. Gysahl ended up doing menial work as a slave for the Duke of Fresvald instead of staying near Karen. He seemed to have been well-educated but he is not very useful.

And it is said that a deputy has been dispatched from the Duke of Fresvald to the Count Mesalius household of the senior glasses.

Apparently, I heard up to the point that an associate baron related by blood to the Duke of Fresvald was dispatched but I haven't heard anything after that.

Karen secretly told me that Duke Regan and Duke Fresvald apparently want to place Ike as the head of the Count of Mesalius.

They seem to think that if Gysahl becomes head of the Count of Mesalius, the territory will probably continue to be attacked by the Kingdom of Balkus. Well, if it's Gyshal or Ike, everyone would choose Ike...

“I, too, want to fight magic beasts with brother Ike for the first time after such a long time. I want to show you how I've grown too… I'm looking forward to it."

“Yes. For the first time in a long time, I can concentrate only on the enemy in front of me and fight. I'm kind of looking forward to tomorrow. There's nothing better than not encountering magic beasts but I'd like to...fight."

Hearing both Ike and myself saying the above…

“You two really are brothers... Not like you two are all brawns but...this is childish. Ike never said anything like this in the Red Lotus though... He seems to trust you three a lot. Makes me a little jealous."

When the senior glasses said this while looking at the us, Clarice also said following.

“Mars is also behaving very carefully in Reimei. Surely he must be happy that the two brothers can fight together?”

Incidentally, as soon as Ellie finished eating her meal, she was sleeping cutely in my lap. Her skirt is firmly taken care of with a blanket. Regardless of that, she’s wearing shorts as usual.

I woke Ellie up and decided to go home early and leave early tomorrow.

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