100-100 Return to the Royal Capital (1/2)

Finally, you're back.

I felt a strange sensation as I saw the royal city through the morning mist.

I felt myself somewhat relieved by the familiar scenery.

Yes. You've been through a lot, and you're a little tired.

”Yes. It was a short trip, but a lot happened.

We stopped at an inn with hot springs in a town in the mountains, spent the night there, and left the town early the next morning.

It wasn't far from the city to the capital, and soon after we left, we reached the capital and passed through the gates of the city.

At that moment, I had a nostalgic feeling as if I had come back to my home after a long time.

It seemed that I was beginning to think of this city as my own.

”So, can I get off here?

”...... Yes.

Once inside the city, I stopped my horse and got out of the carriage immediately.

Finally, my work is done.

The request I received from Leanne was to leave King's Landing and work with the girls until they returned.

So now my request from her was complete.

When I got off the carriage and stepped on the soil of King's Landing, I felt a sense of relief that I had completed a task, but also a fresh sense of accomplishment that was indescribable.

I wonder if this is what it feels like to go on a journey and come back.

I've rushed halfway down the road to Mithra and returned, and I've ridden a dragon to the Imperial Kingdom, but ...... I feel as if I've never experienced this feeling before.

You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

...... Yes. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you so much for your help.

”No, it's been a valuable experience for me too.

I looked at Lean, who was looking down at me from the carriage, and smiled.

I've had a lot of experiences on this trip to Mithra.

I have seen and heard many things and learned many things that I did not know.

The battle with the skeleton made me realize how much I had grown, but it also made me realize once again how inadequate I was.

It will give me more energy for my life and self-discipline from tomorrow.

I think it was a really good trip.

The carriage ride home was fun, and I wonder if I should be paid for such a thing.

──── So long, Dr. Noor. Would you be willing to come with me to my home again?

Leaning on me, who was deeply moved, he said.

”......?　You've already returned to King's Landing, and I thought your request was completed here.

Yes. So, thank you once again for this time.

──── Again, thank you?

...... I'm pretty sure you've already been paid in advance.

I have a bad feeling about ──── something.

I thought you'd already been paid for .......

Yes. The adventurer's guild will soon pay you the remainder of the fee for accompanying me to Mithra, in addition to the amount I gave you in advance.

That should be enough.

But, ......, I've had to ask for more help from you this time than I originally expected. Perhaps my father would like to give you something in person as well.

...... Leanne's father, after all. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

No, no, no. ──── It's okay. I appreciate the concern, but I don't want anything. Tell him I'm sorry.

I feel a little bad for Leanne to say no before she's even said anything like this.

But I have a feeling that if I go along with her, Lean's father will try to force land, buildings, and other unwanted treasures on me again.

I can't be sure, but I have a feeling.

So, but this time, it's not a good idea.

”No, I don't need ....... It's really okay.

But, but ────!

”But !” ”After all, Lean won't budge either.

Well, that's as far as I got.

I've gotten used to this culture.

Now I just need to figure out how to say no to .......

”────?　That's Noll.

Just as I was thinking about this, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

When I turned around and looked at the voice, I saw that it was a familiar colleague who used to work at the same construction site as me.

Oh, it's been a while.

”Oh, it's been a while. The master was depressed for a while, saying, ”He went off to ...... pursue his dream, but he's back already?

”Yeah. Yeah. I'm done with my business. Here's a souvenir.

Oh, thank you for coming. ...... What's this?　A carved wooden doll ......?　Is it a demon or something?

No, it's a bear.

On my way back home, I kept my eyes peeled for something to bring back to my colleagues, but I was intrigued by a street stall selling many small wooden bears.

The bears were small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand, with their arms outstretched in a threatening pose.

I heard that the statue was meant to ward off evil, and since it coincided with a memorable scene in my trip, I thought it would make a good souvenir, so I gave the owner all the money I had and got all the bears I could find.

Now that I've bought a lot of bears, I have to distribute them to all the people I know.

”Oh, oh. Yeah, ...... well, thanks. The kid might like that. I'll keep it.

Take care of it. It's an amulet.

...... Oh. Oh, by the way... Speaking of children, Noor. What happened to the promise?

...... promise?

Oh, come on, you forgot. I told you before ...... that my kids loved the story of the big goblin.　They want to hear the story again. Then you said you'd think of another story.

I do remember that we made such a promise. It had completely slipped my mind.

”...... Speaking of which. I'm sorry, I completely forgot.

I'm sure that's what you meant. ...... My kids have been looking forward to it ever since, you know?　They're still looking forward to it. So now I'm going to go home and let them play ”Goblins” with me for hours on end. ......?　It's the same one every single time. ...... I'm off duty today, and it's my day off. It's okay because I'm having a lot of fun too. But this is the seventh ...... day ...... that I've completely lost my ...... day off?　No, maybe the eighth day. ...... Hahahahaha.

As I spoke, I could see the man's eyes grow darker and darker.

I feel a little bad thinking that it's partly because of my story and promise.

”I'm sorry, ......, but I'm going to go talk to him now, okay?

”......?　Is that okay?

Yeah, I promise. I'll be right there ──── now.

I was about to say, ”Let's go right now,” when I saw Leanne's face.

As soon as I remembered the other side, I forgot about this side.

”Leanne. I'm sorry, I forgot that I had a ...... appointment.

”A ...... engagement?