Chapter 292: A Favor from His Majesty

The barbecue party ended, and I told Panamera that we would be returning to Seatoh Village.

However, I received a subtle reaction.

“Are you going back already?”

“Yes, we’re going back!”

“It’s lonely, isn’t it? You could stay for another week or so.”

“No, we’re going back!”

As I resolutely refused to bend my will, Panamera sighed regretfully.

“I had a few more things I wanted you to make, but I guess it can’t be helped.”

While I was smiling wryly at Panamera’s words, Arte came right next to me and spoke.

“Lord Panamera… No matter how you look at it, you are working Lord Van too hard…”

Although her voice wasn’t loud, Arte voiced words of protest to Panamera. This seemed unexpected not only to me but also to Panamera, who widened her eyes in surprise.

Dee and Esparda, having served the Marquis Fertio family for a long time, would rarely intervene in a conversation between heads of noble families. Till and Khamsin would also likely hold back until the last moment.

In such a situation, it was unexpected for Arte to say something accusing Panamera.

“…What is this? You are completely on the Boy’s side, aren’t you?”

When Panamera muttered that, unable to hide her confusion, Arte lowered her eyebrows and shook her head.

“N-No… U-Umm, it’s not that I’ve become your enemy, Lord Panamera… Ah, I spoke out of turn…”

She seemed about to say the reason for her protest or something, but when Panamera stared at her face, her momentum quickly withered.

She became teary-eyed, and her words trailed off into silence. After watching Arte’s state, Panamera burst out laughing and ruffled Arte’s head vigorously with one hand.

“Hahahaha! Getting along well is a good thing! However, I also feel a little lonely that you seem to have left my hands.”

When Panamera said that with exaggerated sadness, Arte panicked and desperately denied Panamera’s words.

“Th-That’s not… ! You are my benefactor, Lord Panamera, so such a thing is…”

Arte desperately tried to convey that it wasn’t true. This time, unable to watch Arte’s state, I intervened from the side.

“Arte, I think that was Panamera-san’s joke.”

“Eh?”

At my words, Arte blinked and turned to Panamera. Then, Panamera looked at Arte and smiled happily.

“J-Jeez…! Lord Panamera…!”

Realizing she had been teased, Arte puffed out her cheeks in anger, which was rare for her. At that, Panamera narrowed her eyes and laughed aloud. After that exchange, Panamera turned her face to me as if remembering something.

“I forgot to mention it, but His Majesty was intending to ask Viscount Van to inspect the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Yelenetta.”

“Eh? An inspection?”

When I asked back at the sudden words, Panamera laughed as if exhaling.

“Just the other day, a letter arrived for me. It should have arrived at Seatoh Village as well. Do you want to hear the content first?”

Wary that another troublesome matter had come, I nodded just in case.

“What is with that face?”

Panamera said that while laughing a little, perhaps finding my face amusing. When I pursed my lips at that, Panamera lowered her eyebrows and waved one hand.

“Don’t be so wary. Think of it as a reward in a sense.”

“A reward?”

When I asked back, Panamera nodded and answered.

“That’s right. Remember how the Boy passed important information about Yelenetta to His Majesty at Seatoh Village? It means he is entrusting the representative of that investigation team to Viscount Van, who obtained the information.”

“Eh? Could it be about the royal family’s hidden treasure that Prince Freightliner confessed to on his own?”

“That’s right. Obviously, all those related to the royal family have already been arranged so they cannot move. The Boy just has to go to the Royal Capital, uncover the hidden private assets, and transport them all to His Majesty. Just that will be a considerable achievement, and you will likely receive a reward as well.”

Panamera explained enviously. It seems the content is like a bonus stage for someone who wants to rise in rank. However, for me, it is nothing but troublesome work.

“Ehh, I have to go to the Royal Capital? If I recall, it takes about a month from this city…”

“Well, if you hurry, it would be about three weeks. It is His Majesty’s favor. Accept it gratefully and send a letter of thanks or something.”

“Such corporate worker-like consideration…”

I dropped my shoulders in disappointment and sighed. Zetros and the others furrowed their brows at that, but Panamera was shaking her shoulders laughing.

“I don’t really understand, but just do as I say, alright?”

I was admonished. Nodding reluctantly, I checked my surroundings. Since I had told them today might be the last day, both Bell and Rosalie were stuck to their newly built stores and hadn’t come to this place.

“For now, let’s just confirm with Mr. Bell and Ms. Rosalie if they want to open a store in the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Yelenetta before we go. Haa, I wonder if Mr. Ortho and the others will come along…”

When I said that, Panamera nodded with a smile.

“Rest assured. I will tell the adventurers that I will prepare additional rewards. If I also tell them they can make a Count family owe them one, surely they won’t refuse.”

“…No, I think they will be happy with the reward, but let’s stop with the owing a noble thing. Mr. Ortho and I have been associating without such debts involved, so…”

I objected to Panamera’s proposal. At that, Panamera widened her eyes and immediately burst out laughing.

“Fu, hahaha! You are quite considerate towards adventurers who are ridiculed as outlaws and ruffians. However, precisely because of that, that many adventurers listen to what you say, I suppose.”

Muttering that, Panamera nodded a few times and raised the corner of her mouth.

“Understood. Regarding the adventurers, let us do as the Boy says. Also, I will be accompanying you to the Royal Capital, you know? You don’t mind, right?”

“Of course! If you want, we can make it so that Panamera-san found the royal treasure…!”

“That is rejected.”

My proposal was withdrawn with a mischievous smile. What a disaster. At this rate, if things go poorly, my peerage might rise again next year or the year after. If that happens, won’t I become even busier than I am now?

Van was incredibly anxious about the future.