Published: September 10, 2025
I made some additions to the part where we departed from Rumork City in the previous chapter, so if you’re interested, please take a look.
Typos corrected on 2018/2/12.
This is Satou. When I return to my hometown after a long time, I’m often surprised by how much the scenery has changed beyond my expectations.
Especially the places where I used to play as a child—when I see them transformed into apartment complexes and high-rise buildings, I can’t help but feel like my memories have been corrupted.
◇
“Master, look at that!”
Arisa leaned forward from the coachman’s seat of the carriage and pointed, shouting at the cluster of massive stones visible atop the hill ahead.
They were ruins from the Ancient Orc Empire era, resembling a fallen triple stone torii gate.
I first discovered them when I left Seryu City long ago.
“A broken travel gate, huh… Nostalgic.”
We’re currently heading toward Seryu City after receiving a message from Ms. Zena.
Since there didn’t seem to be an urgent situation based on map data and spatial magic checks, we decided to travel by carriage again, just like when we departed from Seryu City.
Only the members who left Seryu City with me are accompanying this time.
Miss Karina wanted to come along, but she had to stay behind for fittings on her new outfit and left with the princess and Sera, so she’s not with us.
“Don’t you think you could fix it now, Master?”
“Well, yeah.”
I could fix it and even build a new one, but I have no intention of doing so for now.
The travel gates consume an enormous amount of magic power, and since Seryu City’s magic source is currently being drained by the Demon's Labyrinth, attempting repairs could lead to all kinds of problems.
“Will Seryu City be in sight soon?”
“Not yet, still about an hour away.”
Carriages are slow, after all.
◇
“Show me your identification—hmm? That face looks familiar.”
At Seryu City's main gate, Knight Thorn stopped us.
I remember that when I first arrived in Seryu City, he handled the entry formalities for me.
“I remember now! You’re an acquaintance of Miss Zena, aren’t you?”
Knight Thorn said with a rugged smile, then his expression shifted as if recalling something, and he looked at me pityingly.
“Well, not everything in this world is bad, so keep your spirits up.”
“H-Huh…”
I tilted my head, not understanding the meaning behind Knight Thorn’s words as he patted my shoulder vigorously.
“Anyway, your ID.”
I handed over my identification as he reached out.
“Silver ID?”
Knight Thorn’s suspicious look quickly turned to surprise.
“Y-Your Excellency, the Count? And... Count Pendragon? The same Pendragon who slew the Demon King?”
His eyes darted nervously between my ID and my face.
“Ah, no. My apologies. Your Excellency, Count Pendragon! I will escort you to the castle immediately!”
Embarrassed by his forward manner, Knight Thorn sent one of the gate guards as a messenger to the count’s castle and ordered another to bring his horse.
“No, just the messenger is fine. I have some business in the city first, and I’ll visit afterward.”
I declined Knight Thorn’s offer to escort us further and directed the carriage toward the inn at the gate.
The inn, which the monsters overflowing from the labyrinth had destroyed during the divine punishment incident, has now been fully rebuilt.
“Yuni~?”
“Yuni is here!”
“Eh? Tama-chan? Pochi-chan too!”
Tama and Pochi spotted Yuni, who was cleaning at the inn’s entrance, and jumped down from the carriage, running over.
“What’s wrong, Yuni? Throwing away your broom like that—Satou-san! Mom’s here, Satou-san!”
Martha, the inn’s poster girl, came out and hugged me as I got out of the carriage.
She’s still the same—no, she seems to have grown quite a bit in the two years since I last saw her.
It probably won’t be long before she surpasses the proprietress of the inn.
“Long time no see, Martha. You rebuilt the inn?”
“Yeah, a lot happened while you were away. You’re staying the night, right? I’ll tell you all about it inside!”