Published: January 17, 2026
"...Th-thank you."
Sesto said just that and walked towards the newly made carriage. Seeing that, I instinctively pinched my own cheek.
"It hurts! I pinched too hard..."
Did I do it too forcefully, trying to wake myself up from a dream? Sesto’s words of thanks were so unexpected.
"Are you alright? Your cheek is turning red..."
"Why are you pinching your own cheek...?"
Til, Kamushin, and Arte all came over worriedly to look at my cheek. Haha, here’s Van-kun with his rare red cheek! Photos are charged, you know!
Thinking such silly things, I turned to everyone. Because the carriage took time to build, everyone was already prepared, and we seemed ready to depart anytime. Seeing that, I called out to Dee, who was smiling with his teeth showing.
"Well then, let’s move all the luggage to the new carriage first. Also, since the old carriage belongs to the marquis family, let’s temporarily remove the upper part and have the new carriage pull it. That way we can put the luggage on there as well."
"So the load space is increased!"
"Exactly. Alright then, please take care of it."
"Understood! Everyone, move out immediately!"
Even though I only gave simple instructions, Dee immediately sprang into action. Wonderful.
As a result, although it took time to build the carriage, our travel speed drastically increased afterward. The highway was a bit bumpy in parts, but overall it was smooth. Since it was custom-made by Van-kun, the horses pulling the carriage must have been less exhausted.
Before long, we caught up by dusk. Then preparations for the night camp began, and not only Dee’s group but also the knights of the Marquis Fertio family could prepare simultaneously.
"Perfect."
Satisfied with the results, I watched them prepare when Sesto got off the newly made carriage. His footing seemed a little unsteady—perhaps the ride was rough.
Thinking that, I kept an eye on Sesto’s movements. Then, Sesto noticed me and tried to turn his toes toward me. But with an irritated click of his tongue, he averted his gaze. Without saying anything, he walked off somewhere. Til muttered a question.
"What’s wrong?"
I answered with a smile, suppressing a wry smile.
"...We didn’t have time, so the floor and seats inside the carriage remained hard materials. Without making it comfortable using things like demonic beast leather like we do, long journeys might be tough."
"I see. That sounds painful."
"Did his backside get hurt?"
"Should I give some pain-relieving herbs?"
Hearing my words, Til, Arte, and Kamushin all expressed sympathy. Well, even if I asked if his backside hurt, Sesto might stubbornly refuse. Actually, I might get scolded if I spoke to him.
"Anyway, we’re about to set up the night camp now. I’ll try to prepare something to improve the indoor environment by tomorrow morning."
Saying that, I racked my brain for something good to use.
The next morning, I headed straight to Sesto. Apparently, he had eaten inside the carriage. When I approached, he showed a sleepy face.
"...What is it?"
Sesto said that grumpily, frowning. As expected, he wasn’t in a good mood. But I thought that this grumpy-faced Sesto, who looked like a stone rolled into the river, would soon change into a child’s smile getting cotton candy.
With that hope, I looked at Arte and Til, who had followed behind me.
Their hands held stacks of folded cloths. Since I couldn’t find any cushions, I thought to have them use these folded cloths as makeshift seat pads.
"Please lay these down underneath. That way, you should be able to spend time in the carriage a little more comfortably."
I said that, and Sesto narrowed his eyes, looked down at me, then glanced at Arte and Til.
"...This isn’t some kind of trap, right?"
Sesto said quietly. Even Van-kun, known as a saint, was angered by that.
"It’s not a trap! We just didn’t have time to do the interior, but if we had the right materials, it would have been a very comfortable carriage!"
I complained, feeling a bit hurt. Perhaps not expecting to be scolded, Sesto blinked and replied, "Ah, ah."