Chapter 64: The Expedition is Until Returned

―――― The 11th day of training.

Because of the long journey and the consecutive battles, followed with another battle, I mean, cooking preparations, everyone went to bed early when the party is over. Especially Haru and Chinatsu, they slept like a log. Even though we were close to the fort, we couldn’t neglect the night watch duty. I and Elder Daganov, who were relatively not feeling tired, did the watch-keeping while warming ourselves at the fire. And when the sun began to rise, Haru woke up early in the morning.

「S-Shishō woke up earlier than me…!?」

「Oi, is that the first thing you should say to your master who did the night watch?」

Well, I’ll sleep soundly in the carriage on the way home instead. As Haru began to prepare breakfast, the others got up, perhaps lured by the smell. After breakfast, we come to the fort to say goodbye and the expedition is almost over. The only thing left to do is to return to my beloved home.

「Deris-dono. Err, please live strong together Nell-danchō…! It’s also for the sake of this country…!」

At the time of departure, Commander Janet told me so. What? Is he implying that I should live strong and don’t get dominated when we get married? Is he saying that the country will be destroyed if I don’t hold the reins well? He sure conveyed it bluntly even though the other knights are playing ignorant. Well, the country might be in danger if Nell is seriously angry… so, yeah. I will be careful.

After that, Rize-san asked for the last handshake and he even asked for my and Nell’s autographs. Leave aside the good-looking Nell, to think that there’s someone who wants an autograph of such an old man. He sure is a hardcore one. When asked, it seems that he’s an adventurer freak. He used to be an adventurer himself, so he keenly aware of the power of adventurers in the unreachable area and he began to admire them. Next time, I wonder if he will be pleased if I bring her autograph? But, I guess it’s not good for the public eye. After all, she’s being awed for some reason.

We are now inside the carriage and on the way home. Just like when we came, Canon and Muno-kun are the coachmen and the rest of us are in the carriage. I’m extremely sleepy right now. The moderate shaking is pleasant.

「The reward will be paid after we got back, so I’ll bring it later.」

「Nell, you don’t have to go out your way to do so, you know? You can just let Canon do it.」

「Idiot. It’s a reward for defeating the Demon King, even though it’s self-proclaimed. If I let someone like Cannon carry it, I will be worried about various things. That’s why I will bring it.」

She relatively emphasized it. Oh, this a pattern where she’s coming to my house using whatever the reason. Maybe we should seriously consider getting engaged as soon as possible. Well, no matter how early it is, it will be after Haru’s graduation festival is over and the troubles are resolved.

「Well, we’re going to be a little busy after we get home.」

「Huh? Shishō, do we have any plans after we got back?」

「Yeah, I’m thinking about securing a slot for your graduation festival. I have to make arrangements to go to Adelheit Magic Academy.」

「……? Um, graduation festival? What was it again?」

Hm? Come to think of it, I haven’t talked about it to her, have I? I had told Gan-san and Nell about it, so I thought I had told Haru as well. Or maybe she forgot about it? Hmm, which one was it?

「Come to think of it, Nell-shishō also said something about it when she took me out of the castle.」

「Ara, did I not tell you about it? I thought I had told you already. Let’s see, Deris, please explain.」

Et tu, Nell. Also, she left the explanation to another person again. I reluctantly explain what Adelheit’s graduation festival is and what the benefits of winning are.

「―― I see. In short, if I get a good result at that graduation festival, I can be officially recognized by the country and join the subjugation of the new Demon King that appeared on the continent.」

「As for me, I think it’s too much trouble and I’d rather just go alone.」

「That’s true if it’s just the Demon King alone, but the process is more important. The Demon King Subjugation Army is a large army of representatives from all over the continent. Among them, I’m sure Haru’s classmates that were summoned forcibly by old geezer Joseph will be included. However, they are treated as guests who were arbitrarily brought in using Joseph’s authority. So, there will be a grading to choose who will be included as representatives. If Haru can join as a candidate, she might be able to fight all of them there, right?」

「That sounds bothersome… Even if you don’t do that, I can give a recommendation, you know? ‘I recommended these girls, so be sure to let them join. Otherwise, I’m not going,’ something like that.」

That’s almost a threat, right? If Nell says so, our King who can’t oppose her will accept it. However, old geezer Joseph will play it safe for sure. He will likely use various reasons to avoid contact such as grading is not needed for remarkable people that Nell recommends. If that happens, Haru won’t be able to fight her classmates. For him, Nell is such a powerful drug. I don’t know what will happen if she finds out, so I give her a vague reply.

If you have a good result at the graduation festival, you will receive the right to receive a recommendation for getting a job in this country. This time, we will twist it into the Demon King Subjugation Army. It’s a job where you can get rich quickly if you seize the opportunity. Well, we’ll be the first in history to ask for a recommendation for this. Then, no matter how good the result at the graduation is, Joseph wouldn’t want his heroes that he took pride in to be below the inexperienced student. That’s even more if the opponent is Haru, who was driven off to me on the first day. At the grading, I’m sure he will be aiming for a higher position.

「No, I understand, Shishō! The wrong path for the wrong path, and the right path for the right path!」

「Yep, something like that.」

「Deris-san, something like what…?」

If Haru can relieve her resentment and make a smug face there, her goal will be achieved. The next thing will be training for the battle against the Demon King who threatens the continent.

As for Chinatsu… she was originally recognized as a hero and was brought by Nell, and after the graduation festival, that old geezer will know that Nell is involved. No, well, it’s Haru who wants to fight the heroes, so it’s not a problem for Chinatsu. The reason she’s going to participate in the graduation festival is more like Nell’s opposition to me and Haru.

「Yep, something like that.」

「Deris, you are tired. You did the night watch, didn’t you? Go sleep now.」

「Actually, I was sleepy. Good night.」

「Good night~」

Since it’s unusual for Nell to be worried, so I will sleep. It will be another three days of traveling from today, and I have to do the preparations after getting home, huh…. Let’s sleep while I can. That’s right, I have to check Haru’s status――munya.