The day after the forest investigation. The rescue team decided to leave half of their members to hunt the monsters and return to the royal capital.
Given the current situation, eliminating the miasma accumulation seems difficult. Therefore, rather than staying recklessly on site, it’s necessary to report the facts immediately and strategize for future actions.
Martina, Roland, and Sylvan, of course, are part of the return group, and Lambert is also returning to report the incident to the royal palace. The one staying behind is Escoffier, the leader of the Second Knight’s Order.
Additionally, the light magic users, who have nothing further to do here, leave two knights behind to heal the injured, while the remaining six return to the royal capital.
“We don’t need to hurry on the way back, so I’ve planned a four-day journey. It should be easier than going there, so please do your best,” Lambert said as he looked over the returning group.
Martina, Roland, Sylvan, and a few of the light magic users wore gloomy expressions upon hearing his words.
Martina almost suggested traveling by carriage but swallowed the idea just in time. If they had chosen to return by carriage, it would have taken more than double the time, and considering the arrangements and extra costs, it was something she couldn’t bring herself to say out loud.
“Then, ride the horses. We’re departing!”
“Yes!”
While the knights quickly mounted their horses, Martina took Lambert’s hand to get on hers, gripped the saddle, and steeled herself.
“Martina, can you manage?”
“…Yes.”
Hearing Martina’s response, Lambert nodded, took the reins, and signaled the horse to move forward.
The four days that followed were indeed easier than the three days of the journey there. However, for those like Martina, who weren’t used to riding, it was still a painful experience. On the fourth day, everyone made it to the royal capital only through sheer willpower.
The procession moved down the main street of the capital, passing through the gates that led to the palace and stopping in the courtyard. It was evening, and the sky was stained with a reddish hue. The knights who had remained behind in the palace, along with a few officials, were there to welcome the returning group.
“Martina, we’ve arrived.”
“Finally…”
Martina, greeted by Lambert, looked exhausted, and her face showed clear signs of fatigue, to the point where anyone would be concerned.
However, even as the horse came to a complete stop and she dismounted, she managed to stay on her feet, not collapsing like last time.
Given that she had collapsed when dismounting during the trip there, it was clear that the four-day journey had indeed helped.
“Martina, are you okay?”
“I don’t ever want to ride a horse again…”
Roland and Sylvan, equally exhausted, approached Martina.
“Yes, I think I’m okay… but I can’t seem to muster any strength,” Martina replied.
“That’s fine. I’m the same,” said Roland.
“I’m also strangely trembling, and can’t seem to get any strength,” Sylvan added.
“Let’s just rest for today. Lambert, shall we call it a day?” Martina asked, looking at Lambert, who was busy taking care of the horses.
Lambert nodded with a wry smile.
“Yes, we’re done for today. Everyone should rest as soon as possible; you all look ready to collapse.”
“Is that how we look? Once we return to the dorm, I’ll go straight to bed. Oh, do you think I need to accompany you for the report? I don’t think there were any new facts that were revealed by my knowledge,” Martina said.
“That’s right. This time, I’ll report to the Minister of Military Affairs. Based on that, our future actions will be decided, and the government office will be informed too.”
“Understood. Then, I’ll make sure to recover fully in time for that.”
Martina, remembering the failure to eliminate the miasma accumulation, stiffened her face again, which had relaxed a little upon arriving at the capital.
After parting with Lambert, the three of them made their way to the bachelor’s dormitory, each dragging their weary feet. For once, the vastness of the royal palace seemed like a burden, and they all stared ahead at the long hallway.
“By the way, Roland, do you have work tomorrow?” Martina asked casually.
Roland immediately shook his head, grimacing.
“Don’t make me imagine such things… I should have a few days off as a substitute for the expedition.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“…But don’t we need to report on the situation in the territory?” Sylvan added.
Roland nodded slightly in agreement.
“Yeah, it’s a pain, but we’ll report it right away. I can’t do it today, though, so we’ll do it tomorrow. Let’s gather the reports in the afternoon and submit them together.”
“Understood. Then I’ll wake up by noon tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I’ll be sleeping until then too.”
“As for me… I’ll wake up at seven in the morning, drink tea, and do my usual stretching and reading. As a noble, I believe it’s expected to keep up with these routines, even if we’re exhausted.”
Martina and Roland blinked at Sylvan’s words, surprised.
Roland then grinned and placed his arm around Sylvan’s shoulders.
“Hey, sleeping until noon on a day off is the best.”
“I don’t do such base things!” Sylvan retorted.
“You have to sleep properly to recover from fatigue, you know?”
“If you force yourself to get up early and end up sick, that’s going to be a problem.”
Sylvan frowned at their teasing, and after a moment, he muttered quietly.
“…I suppose tomorrow, I’ll skip my routine.”
Hearing that, Roland grinned, and Martina smiled in satisfaction, while Sylvan, embarrassed, quickly shoved Roland’s arm off.
“You two are too familiar with me!”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right,” Roland said.
“Sylvan isn’t used to this kind of closeness, is he?” Martina added with a teasing smile.
Despite Sylvan’s strong words, Roland and Martina remained unphased, smiling as they walked beside him.
When they finally reached the dormitory, Nadia was waiting for them. Seeing the three of them, Nadia widened her eyes and held Martina’s hand with a slightly resentful expression.
“Why are you so close with Sylvan? I thought you didn’t like having commoners around, Sylvan?”
“Nadia… are you angry?”
“I’m not angry, but I am Martina’s best friend!”
Hearing Nadia’s words, Roland slouched a bit, exasperated.
“Ah, I see. It’s that kind of situation.”
“…What else would it be?” Nadia replied.
“Well, if I were to think about it normally, I’d say you’re secretly after Sylvan… But no, that can’t be it.”
Roland quickly withdrew the statement after reasoning it out in his head. Nadia immediately nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, that’s impossible. I don’t like people who judge others by their status.”
“…Sorry about that.”
Sylvan, in a small voice, apologized, and Nadia, rather than being surprised, looked at him suspiciously.
“…Is that the real Sylvan?”
“I’ve been with him long enough to know it’s the real one,” Roland replied.
“Right…?”
“Well, a lot happened during the expedition. Ask Martina about it later. But for now, we’re tired and need to sleep.”
Upon hearing Roland’s words, Nadia seemed to accept the explanation. She then seemed to remember something, her face lighting up as she spoke.
“By the way, I heard you all had arrived, so I came to prepare the meal. It should be ready soon, so you should eat before resting. It will help you recover.”
“Really? Thanks, Nadia. I’m actually starving.”
“That’s a relief.”
“…Thank you.”
The three of them ate the freshly made meal and, after washing up, quickly went to bed.
