A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

The Demonic Bird Carriage was pulled by four demonic birds, each tethered by ropes extending from the four corners of the carriage’s roof.

Thanks to the cavalry regiment’s expert riding skills, the flight of the demonic birds was perfectly synchronized. The carriage itself, crafted using the combined technology of Astarnia, minimized any shaking far beyond what one might imagine. For instance, even if a demonic bird sneezed, it wouldn’t affect the ride.

One man aboard was elegantly enjoying this comfortable journey through the sky—he was a member of the royal family.

“Boring.”

The man crossed his arms and legs, sulking as he spoke. The two military police riding with him sighed.

“You said that just a moment ago.”

“I’m getting tired of just sitting still.”

“The lunch break just ended, didn’t it? Please behave.”

The seasoned military police dismissed his complaints with practiced ease, but the man furrowed his handsome brows in dissatisfaction.

He didn’t want to run around inside the carriage, but still, sitting idly with nothing to do was quietly painful. After hours, even the scenery lost its charm, and his companions were rough men with not a trace of softness.

“If only you two were women... this trip would’ve been worth its weight in gold.”

“If you mess around with women too much, the king will get mad again.”

When the military police admonished him, the man waved his hand lightly and smiled confidently.

“Isn’t womanizing a royal family duty?”

“Would you at least call it a ‘hobby,’ please?”

One of the military police muttered that it’s the king’s responsibility to leave descendants, and the man laughed, telling him, “It’s fine.” He then rested his elbow on the open window, looking down at the trees below. They appeared small, confirming they were flying at a considerable altitude.

Certainly, it was much faster than traveling by horse. But the man preferred his usual journey with his two beloved giant horses—known as elephant horses.

“If only it weren’t so urgent…”

Of course, he didn’t dislike the demonic birds.

The man, cheeks squished from resting his chin on his hand, murmured and followed the demonic bird moving backwards outside the window with his eyes. Now that he thought about it, there was another demonic bird carriage following behind on this trip.

Accompanying him was an adventurer whom his brother, who usually secluded himself in the archives and rarely met him, had allowed to join.

“If I remember correctly, his name is One-Sword?”

The man smiled, sticking his head out of the window to look back.

Naturally, all he could see was the demonic bird carriage, and he couldn't make out who was inside. He hoped someone would peek out, but there was no sign, so he reluctantly withdrew his head.

“You were told not to stick your head out too much, weren’t you?”

“Just a little bit. But the strongest adventurer? I want to see him once.”

When did the royal man learn about the strongest adventurer?

As someone responsible for foreign affairs, he traveled often, visiting various nearby countries. Probably during one of those visits, someone he was dealing with in diplomacy said:

“If you could hire the strongest adventurer for your escort, you might cut your guards in half and move more freely.”

He thought it was a joke and laughed, but was genuinely surprised to learn such an adventurer existed.

When he inquired more, he realized those were nothing but rumors. Despite the embellishments, they were incredible tales, hard to believe.

“Please don’t rush One-Sword into battle.”

The military police warned him, seeming to see through his thoughts of sneaking a peek tonight.

The man rested his elbow on the window again, propping his chin, a crooked smile on his crushed cheek. It was a ridiculously smug smile, but it suited him well.

“So it’s really a no-go?”

“Definitely not. If something happens, we won’t stand a chance.”

“What’s the point of being guards if we shirk our duty?”