Published: January 17, 2026
I feel like I was completely overwhelmed by His Majesty and Aperta in the capital city. Without a doubt, Van-kun is the most hardworking head of a noble family in the Kingdom of Scuderia. By the way, perhaps as an apology for burdening him with troublesome tasks again, I returned with an unbelievable amount of souvenirs. Even Panamera was astonished, her eyes wide as she saw the three large carriages bearing the crest of the royal family.
Incidentally, having already received more lands and rewards than anyone else for his performance in the previous battle against the Yelinetta Kingdom, this time Van-kun came back with gold, silver, treasures, and other seasonings and materials that would surely please him.
To be frank, it can be confidently said that Van-kun’s territory is now the most economically prosperous within the Kingdom of Scuderia.
However, including Seato Village, the civil officials and knights who support the territory are also the busiest in the entire Kingdom of Scuderia. As a bit of trivia, in my personal opinion, the hardest workers are Espada and murcia, followed by Van-kun.
Well, I suppose we should just endure it, thinking that he’s getting paid for the work he does.
Despite various complaints, it’s undeniably enjoyable to be living such a fulfilling daily life.
While thinking such things, Van-kun returned to Seato Village.
“Ah, I can see Seato Village!”
“To be precise, that’s the adventurer’s town just ahead...”
“Come to think of it, we still need to improve the adventurer’s town a bit more...”
Hearing Til and Kamushin’s voices, I remembered another task and chuckled wryly. Still, I was happy to feel the sensation of coming home after a long time.
“Lord Van!”
Perhaps having received word as we passed through the adventurer’s town, Talga and the Espada were waiting at the castle gate of Seato Village. Talga called my name loudly, while Espada stood quietly beside him.
“I’m home!”
I stuck my head out of the carriage window, waving as I spoke. Cheers rose from the castle gate and the walls. Oh, I haven’t been welcomed this warmly since returning from war. Haha, being popular is tough.
As I waved to everyone, a different voice rang out.
“Lord Van! Since you’re finally back, it’s time for the barbecue party, right!?”
“We’re preparing now, so please wait a little!”
“We have been eagerly awaiting Lord Van’s return!”
Voices full of excitement and maybe even drooling shouted such things. Is that the real goal, you lot? I’ll make you eat vegetables instead of meat, just you wait.
“Geez! I thought you were happy just because I came back!”
I raised both hands to complain, but all I got back were laughs. Something was strange. Van-kun is currently the head of a viscount family. Huh? Isn’t a viscount supposed to be someone important?
Questioning the noble status, I sat back down in the carriage. Then, Arte and Til were smiling at me.
“...Lord Van is truly loved by everyone,” Arte said softly with an unexpected sentiment.
“Everyone’s about ten percent aware of how amazing Lord Van is! Ah, I’m probably the only one who knows everything, you know? After all, I’ve been watching Lord Van since he was a baby!” Til added with a fiery breath.
Til’s nose flared as she spoke.
“No, no, it definitely feels like they’re treating him like a neighborhood kid, you know? Rather, it seems they just love the barbecue... Ah, since the barbecue parties serve free alcohol, maybe that’s their real motive.”
She crossed her arms and exhaled through her nose, speaking pragmatically. Kamushin nodded deeply in dissatisfaction.
“I think it’s a bit disrespectful to Lord Van... The ideal would be everyone standing quietly in a line at the side of the street, watching Lord Van’s return.”
“What? Everyone lined up in a straight line staring at me? That sounds super scary. Rejected!”
I immediately dismissed Kamushin’s outrageous idea. He looked shocked with wide eyes, but I paid no mind.