We entered the Axel territory by boat, bidding a brief farewell to our grandparents, and headed toward the Ashwood territory.
It had been almost a year since our last visit to Ashwood, and it had undergone remarkable development.
The Ashwood port is located where the River Libar and its tributaries converge, so the width of the river is quite considerable. Most of the ports along the Libar River are situated near these confluences, and many boats also come from the territories beyond these tributaries.
Numerous boats were docked at the port, unloading various goods, such as horse feed, Affelpopp, medicinal liquor, and light-reflecting lamps.
Along with the loading, there was also unloading. Staples like wheat and salt essential for human life, as well as clothes, sundries, and many other items were unloaded onto the land. There were also considerable amounts of apple crates for the upcoming Affelpopp production.
“Father!”
Ziegwald quickly spotted his father.
“Everyone, are you all doing well?”
“Yes, we’re all doing well. I apologize for being away for so long.”
“Don’t worry about that! Ziegwald, you’ve grown so much! Elze, has she already mastered sitting up? Thomas, you’ve grown taller since I last saw you! , you’ve become even more beautiful after being polished in the royal capital!”
Father embraced everyone and then said some overly sweet words.
We traveled by carriage from the port, and about an hour later, we arrived at the lord’s mansion.
Everyone was there to greet us, and I recognized many familiar faces.
The butler, Johnson, the maid, Sarah, and the gardener, Otto, were all present, along with three new servants.
Lala had become my personal maid, so it seemed they had hired another maid.
Additionally, the lord’s military force had increased to over a hundred soldiers, including retired explorers like Kozumi-san.
Gin-san and Ram-san from the brewery, and Father Otolso Daigo from the temple, along with villagers, were all there to greet us. It was a touching moment.
“Thomas, say something to everyone.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Everyone is happy to see you back. You should say something.”
Even if I wasn’t prepared for a speech, I should say something to express my gratitude if they gathered to see me.
“Thank you all for coming to greet me! I look forward to your continued support of the Roxfall family!”
“““Oooooh!”””
Though I didn’t say much, I felt a connection with everyone. Even in winter, Ashwood territory is warm.
Ben and Shamy also visited their families. Ben, in particular, had become a noble and was now the fiancé of a count’s daughter. I worried whether Bowman-san might faint from the news.
That day, we all spent a happy time together as a family.
Dinner was quite luxurious, and Father was in a good mood, enjoying the beer we brought as a souvenir.
“Ahh, this beer is really good!”
Once I’ve grown a bit more, we’ll be able to share a drink together. I look forward to that moment and will continue with the brewing.
The next morning, I visited the temple and prayed at the statue of Deuro-sama.
The temple in Ashwood territory, which had once been a humble rural shrine, was now quite magnificent. There were many people coming and going, and it had become so popular that there were sometimes long lines. It seems it had become a tourist spot.
Seeing people pray before the statue of Deuro-sama made me happy.
“Thanks to you, Thomas-sama, many believers have been coming every day.”
Father Otolso Daigo stood behind me, smiling. When did he…?
I thought I was fairly sensitive to my surroundings, but to have someone sneak up behind me like that, he could be an assassin.
“Recently, the Ashwood territory, where you grew up, has become a tourist attraction.”
Had it really become a tourist destination!?
Bardo territory is constructing the Deuro temple at the birthplace, and the name of the apostles carries incredible fame.
“On busy days, over a thousand people visit.”
Isn’t that a lot considering the population?
But even if only half of them offer prayers to Deuro-sama and half of them become followers, I would be very happy.
Having spent a few days in the Ashwood territory, I boarded a ship and headed toward the Bardo territory.
On board the ship was Ben’s younger brother, Bakken. Bakken had become Ben’s attendant. Apparently, Bowman-san had told him to come along.
Bakken, who had been entering dungeons and defeating monsters since childhood, had grown into a strong man, much like Ben. At thirteen, he was tall and well-muscled. Above all, he was so polite that I almost thought he was Ben’s brother. When he said, “My brother is always in your debt. My father is also deeply grateful for your help,” I couldn’t help but think, who are you?
As I disembarked, members of the Roxfall Marquis family’s knight order lined up to welcome me. Outside of them, many of the local people were present.
What’s going on? What happened?
“Everyone has been waiting for you, Thomas.”
Grandfather joined us at the Rittenheim Baron’s Jadus territory.
“Is that so?”
“We’ve reduced taxes, provided large amounts of fertilizer to resolve the soil depletion caused by wheat cultivation, and are developing beer. Many of the locals are experiencing a good governance unlike that of Lightstar.”
Grandfather gestured for me to wave, so I waved back to the people. This isn’t really my style, though…
We entered the former Lightstar family mansion. I had only entered this main residence once, when I was a baby.
The garish furniture had all been removed.
“If it were gold bars, that’d be fine, but it was all just worthless junk,” Grandfather remarked.
It seemed that the Lightstar people’s judgment had been clouded. They could have at least bought something valuable, but they had probably been easily deceived by merchants.
“I’ve already removed those unscrupulous merchants from the Bardo territory, so you can rest easy. Though, the worst kind of merchants always seem to pop up everywhere,” Grandfather added.
There are all kinds of people, both merchants and nobles. I don’t aim to govern purely for the public good, but I don’t want to enact policies that make the people miserable.
Two days after I entered Bardo territory, the Pope arrived.
He was here for the event to place the Divine Lightstone in the Deuro Temple. With the Temple Knights and the Roxfall Marquis family’s knights guarding the area, the Pope and I entered the new temple together.
The Deuro Temple was still under construction, but the main hall was completed. At the back of the hall, there was an altar where Deuro-sama’s statue had already been placed.
Beside the statue of Deuro-sama, a place was prepared to house the Divine Lightstone.
The Pope and I turned around. There were temple officials, representatives of the local nobility, and Reinhardt, standing as the King’s proxy.
“We will now place the Divine Lightstone, a gift from Deuro-sama. Everyone, bow your heads.”
The Pope’s voice echoed through the solemn temple.
This Pope is quite the noble person. Though an Apostle, he shows genuine respect even to someone like me, a child.
Hearing his words, everyone knelt and bowed their heads.
“Apostle Thomas-sama, please.”
I nodded to the Pope and took the Divine Lightstone from my spatial storage.
“Ahhh! How divine it is…and I can feel the divine aura of Deuro-sama as though He is right here with us,” the Pope said, his voice filled with awe.
The Pope was the only one who directly gazed at the Divine Lightstone. Overcome with emotion, he knelt and began to pray.
This wasn’t part of the plan. What should I do now?
I guess I’ll have to continue the ceremony myself.
“Everyone, lift your heads. Now, offer your prayers to Deuro-sama,” I said.
Hearing my words, everyone lifted their heads.
“Ahhhhh…”
Everyone started to cry and began praying.
My father, mother, grandfather, Reinhardt, and even Lord Dardale were all crying.
From this day, the Deuro Temple would become renowned not only in this country but also among people from other nations.
