Published: September 10, 2025
※2017/4/8 Typo correction made.
"Can you see it yet?"
"Yes, Mr. Satou."
I received a report that we were about to arrive at Muno Castle and moved from the Isolated Island Palace to the airship.
This airship wasn’t from the Tourism Ministry but my private airship, disguised with a shabby appearance.
Its maximum speed was also slow, only as fast as a moped.
The brownie pilots praised it, saying, "It has a charm that the Lightship and the latest models don’t have."
"It's been a while since we came back here."
"Yeah."
Following me out from the Isolated Island Palace, Arisa’s words made Mia nod quietly.
"Do you think the Count and the others will be pleased with the souvenirs...?"
"It should be fine~?"
"Yes! There are hardly any people who dislike meat!"
Lulu looked worried, but Tama and Pochi assured her it’d be okay.
Pochi rephrased his words at the end, probably because Mia came into view.
"When we get there, let's start butchering right away..."
"Yes, Ms. Liza."
Liza’s suggestion was met with a bright smile from Lulu.
Though Liza wore a serious expression, her tail wagged rhythmically, so she was surely looking forward to the meat dishes after butchering.
"This is Lady Karina’s hometown, isn’t it?"
"Is that an orchard over there?"
Ms. Zena looked around, and Sera gazed at the distant orchard as she asked.
"Yes, it’s Lulu Fruit Orchard, established with the cooperation of Viscount Emrin."
"Viscount Emrin—"
Hearing my reply, Sera looked thoughtful.
For some reason, I caught a whispered phrase with my eavesdropping skill: "Such a move to send in a daughter..."
Viscount Emrin’s second daughter, Miss Lina, came to Muno Territory as the maid to Lady Solna, the eldest daughter of Count Muno. She now serves as the deputy prefect in Brighton City where I am prefect.
Having her serve as deputy prefect in my place happened somewhat naturally, so I didn’t think her father had such a scheme.
It was probably just Sera’s overthinking.
"When you say Lulu Fruit, you mean that high-class fruit, right?"
"Yes, that’s right."
"I didn’t know there were Lulu fruit orchards outside Duke Ouyugok’s territory."
"It will still take about two years before we can harvest."
The princess tilted her head, resting her hand on her cheek.
Since she liked Lulu cake, she probably knew various things about its production area.
"Master, I have a message from the brownies."
"They say they will descend soon and want you to return to the guest cabin."
Nana, who relayed the report to Miss Karina, looked disappointed but expressionless.
Though I could restrain the situation with my magic hand even here, I decided to return to the cabin since it was a good opportunity.
"Mr. Satou, the observation team brownies reported spotting a convoy of carriages during transit."
I thanked Ms. Zena for her cheerful report and opened the map.
Apparently, the convoy belonged to Orion-kun, Karina’s younger brother and the eldest son of the Count.
He should be graduating from the academy in the Duke’s Capital soon, so this trip was likely not a brief homecoming but the start of his training as the next lord.
The map showed over ten carriages, all apparently carrying noble children from Duke Ouyugok’s territory and others.
— Or even Orion-kun has friends who accompany him home.
Such a rude thought passed through my mind, but I shook it off lightly to dismiss my prejudice.
â—‡
"Count~?"
"They are waving over here!"
Tama and Pochi spotted Count Muno waving from the castle window and pointed while looking up at me.
When I nodded to praise them with, "Good job finding him," they misunderstood and jumped out onto the deck, then leapt toward the castle window with a “boing” sound effect.
Tama landed softly, and Pochi landed with a thud, but without injury, they reached the window where Count Muno stood.
"I-I want to join too!"
"Lady Karina, no."
I grabbed Karina’s collar as she tried to run to the deck.
She really has too little awareness of being a mature noble young lady.
"Oh, Pochi-kun, Tama-kun, it’s good to see you both well."