Chapter 95: A Break

I stored the carriages and cart borrowed in Northernford, along with the extra preserved food for the increased number of people, and teleported to the undeveloped lands. “Lord Savior, thank you. The people who were captured were all tired, so I wanted to avoid making them walk.” Aulasneal thanked me while directing a gentle gaze toward the captured human women and children. I’m happy that he worries not only about his fellow Elves but also about humans.

We fought monsters several times after that, but there were no particularly major incidents, and we were able to return to the Fairchild territory safely. When we greeted the soldiers at the border station, everyone looked relieved. “James, what will you do after this?” “Let’s see. The people captured by the slave traders are likely tired, so we will rest in the town of Tintern for a few days before returning to Northernford.” “Then I’ll come again tomorrow morning.” “No, Lord William. There shouldn’t be any more danger, so please leave the rest to us and rest.”

“That’s right, we’ll be fine on our own from here.” Gilbert agreed with James‘s words. “We are truly grateful to the Lord Savior. Please leave the rest to us.” “The tent with the expanded interior was very comfortable.” “Thank you for providing warm meals every day. We are fine from here on out.” Both the Elves and the knights expressed their gratitude in unison.

“Well then, everyone take care.” I bid farewell to the exploration team and teleported to Northernford with Ophelia. “Good work. Please have a good rest.” Ophelia also tells me to rest. I guess Appraising the plants and such I gathered in the undeveloped lands can wait until later.

When I returned to my room, a message from Father had arrived. It wrote: ” Will, thank you for your hard work exploring the undeveloped lands. I intend to talk to you later about the contents of my consultation with His Majesty regarding the future (His Majesty says he will support us, so there is no need to worry). First, I want you to rest well.” I am curious about what His Majesty said, but I guess I don’t need to rush.

The next day, I overslept quite a bit. Even though I went to bed early yesterday. Being able to sleep this much probably means fatigue had accumulated. My family had already finished eating, so I had a late breakfast alone. Then I went back to my room and read a book while swaying in my rocking chair.

I decided to have lunch at the workshop cafe. Unlike the undeveloped lands, I don’t have to be tense here, so I feel like I might get sleepy again. “Lord William, it’s been a while.” Carpenter, Eyle, and Mabel came over. “Ah, it has been a while.” “You seemed busy lately.” “Yeah, there were various things.”

“Good work. But since you have a calm look on your face, did it turn out well?” “Yeah, it’s just as Mabel says. One pending issue has been resolved.” “That’s good. Since you usually have a laid-back air, Lord William, everyone was worried because you had a stern look on your face.” Eyle nodded as well. “Is that so? I’m sorry for making everyone worry.” I intended to act normally at the workshop, though. While making small talk with the three of them, I savored the delicious lunch Baker-san made.

“What should I do in the afternoon?” “Do you have time today?” “Yeah, I plan to take it easy.” “In that case, would you like to play a card game?” Mabel suggested playing with cards. There are no standard playing cards in this world, but there are similar cards.

“Then let’s play a card game.” Eyle seemed to have business to attend to, but Carpenter seemed willing to join us. “Great. Then I will go call Sophia as well. She was grumbling that she hasn’t seen her brother.” Come to think of it, usually I see my family at breakfast, but lately I’ve been getting up early to go to the undeveloped lands, so I haven’t seen Sophie.

Sophie, who came to the cafe after being called by Mabel, was in a bad mood. “It has been a while, Brother.” “A-Ah, it has.” “I heard the circumstances from Father, so I understand it couldn’t be helped. But I was lonely, and I wanted you to explain the circumstances to me directly, Brother.” “I’m sorry. But it wasn’t something I could explain easily.” “I understand that too. But it seems Liam and the others knew.” “No, well, that is…” “Thanks to the Elder, I am becoming able to use magic a little bit too. I can be of at least some use to you, Brother, so please tell me properly from now on.”

Sophie‘s magic isn’t something that can be described as just “a little.” The fact that Father told Sophie the circumstances this time probably means he won’t treat her as a child anymore. It seems it would be better to explain things properly to her from now on. “Understood. From next time, I will tell you the circumstances too, Sophie.” “As long as you understand, it is fine. Please don’t shoulder everything alone when something happens.” Good grief, I guess I was making my sister worry too.

Then Theo arrived too, and the five of us played card games. I spent a fun time for the first time in a while. What was unexpected was that when Carpenter lost a match, he joked to Theo, “You could defer to your elders once in a while,” and Theo responded, “Please show some composure befitting your age even when you lose.” Playing games really reveals sides of people you don’t usually see.