Published: September 10, 2025
December 11, 2015 – Typo corrections made.
December 8, 2015 – Partial revisions made.
This is Satou. I’ve heard that saving the heroine from danger is a hero’s defining trait. Though lately, it feels like there are more heroines saving the protagonist instead.
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The next day, our airship departed for the silver mine in Count Cuhanow's Domain, carrying Orion-kun and his two attendants.
The companions accompanying us were the five members of the vanguard and Mia.
Miss Karina wanted to come along, but we left her behind to deepen her relationship with her brother’s wife, Miss Muse.
I asked Sera to support the two of them.
Princess Sistina, Arisa, and Ms. Zena were assigned to investigate the library of the Old Muno Marquis Castle.
I heard many of the books had been scattered, but since the castle dates back to before the founding era, there might still be some valuable materials left.
Lulu was teaching Chef Gelt and the other cooks recipes she learned in the Royal Capital and during our travels.
Hopefully, this will increase Muno City's tourist resources even a little.
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On the way, we stopped by a pioneer village named Pendragon Village.
This is where former boy robbers and elderly people from the Ubasure River live.
I temporarily set up the village, but over the past year, proper homes and fields seem to have been established.
“Wow, a flying ship!”
“Flying!”
“Amazing!”
As the airship lowered its altitude, children gathered one after another.
With no place to land, we used a rope ladder to descend to the ground.
Since it was just a quick visit, only Tama, Pochi, and I got off.
“Sir Noble!”
“Everyone! Sir Noble has come!”
“Look, Tama-chan and Pochi-chan!”
Following the nimble children, the elderly people came, some tottering along.
Both the children and elders looked healthier than when we last met.
“I will announce the distribution of candy to the larval forms.”
“Nana!”
“Gotcha!”
“Candy’s delicious!”
Nana, who had quietly come down, was handing out candies to the children.
The smallest child was being held by Nana, happily giggling.
After watching that scene, I spoke to the elders.
“Long time no see. The village has become quite impressive.”
“That’s thanks entirely to Sir Noble’s requests to the lord.”
The village chief was the only elder speaking politely.
He was originally a civil servant, so he seemed well suited.
Liza came down carrying two barrels as gifts.
“This barrel contains a distilled liquor called ‘Tears of the Giant,’ and this barrel holds smoked meat.”
“Oh! Tonight’s a feast!”
“We’re throwing a feast for Satou-sama!”
“It’s finally time to show off my mountain vegetable dumplings!”
“Nonsense! My grilled dumplings are way better!”
I felt bad for the excited old men and women, but since we only stopped by to say hello, we couldn’t join the feast.
“That’s a shame. I’ll wrap some up quickly, so please wait a moment.”
A disappointed old woman returned to her hut and began preparing something.
She was packaging mountain vegetable dumplings as a lunchbox.
Just then, some elder boys carrying crude bows ran over from the forest.
“Satou-sama! How are Totona and the others doing at the castle? I caught this mountain bird. Please take it.”
“Also, this lop-eared rabbit!”
“Oh, these are fine catches.”
I accepted the birds and rabbit from the proud boys and gifted them short bows and iron arrows from my magic bag.
Though handmade, the bows and arrows were just ordinary.
“Wow, amazing!”
“Real bows and arrows!”
The young hunters’ eyes sparkled seeing the weapons.
“Can we really keep these?”
“Of course! Use these bows to hunt delicious prey for everyone in the village.”
“We won’t let you down, Satou-sama!”
“Yeah, I’ll do my best!”
Encouraging the happy young hunters, I took the lunchbox of mountain vegetable dumplings from the old woman and soon left the pioneer village.
The dumplings I ate on the ship’s observation deck were simple but had a nostalgic flavor.