My hometown was far from the city.
Most of the empire’s large cities were directly governed by the emperor. Exceptionally, the territories of the five major noble families were large, but aside from that, most territories had limitations to their prosperity.
The cities that could enjoy the benefits of the warp gate were limited. This was because it required an enormous cost to install and maintain the warp gates.
Therefore, nobles still often traveled by carriage.
After moving to the nearby large city, they would head back to their hometown.
The same was true for the journey back to Perkus Manor.
We first took the warp gate and arrived at a nearby large city. Then we set off on our homebound journey in a carriage that had been previously purchased by the family.
It was expected that it would take about two days by carriage to reach home.
Every time we had to follow such winding roads, I felt a slight regret.
The situation in Perkus Manor was not affluent. Consequently, there was also a lack of capital to invest in infrastructure, including roads.
Thus, we had to travel two more days from a city that wasn’t very far. If the condition of the roads were a little better, the journey could have been shorter.
Given these circumstances, my younger sister aimed to earn money someday and repair the roads.
She was the one who felt the most inconvenience due to the poor condition of the roads. It was only natural. My sister’s obsession with road maintenance was beyond imagination.
Just recently, she was so excited to send a letter saying she was close to achieving her target amount.
But that dream shattered soon after.
It was because of her foolish older brother.
Even as I thought back on it, I felt sorry, but at that time, it was an unavoidable choice.
Of course, it was also a result of my hidden belief in my sister’s abilities. I was the one who had observed my sister for a long time.
She was definitely not someone easy to deal with.
In fact, my sister had lived up to my expectations wonderfully.
Though she couldn’t prevent the company’s bankruptcy, the letter stated that a considerable portion of their assets could be preserved.
However, alongside that, there was a request not to leak this information, as there was much to extract from the imperial princess.
From here on out, it would be a matter for my sister to handle.
The sentiment that arose as I received the letter was simply pity for the imperial princess, who would be taken advantage of.
In a way, it resembled scamming the imperial princess by making her guilt a means of exploitation.
However, this matter had already left my hands.
The only thing I could do for the imperial princess was to go home and try to counsel my sister well.
Regardless of the situation, my sister followed my advice better than anyone else in the family.
Lost in such thoughts along the way, I became aware of my surroundings when I heard the sounds of the party quarreling.
“……To think that the saint would come to serve even in such a remote place, that’s truly impressive.”
At the sudden voice that reached my ears, I glanced inside the carriage.
There was Celin, displaying a somewhat displeased expression. Across from her sat the saint, adorned with a gentle smile as if pretending nothing was wrong.
Aside from them, I noticed Senior Elsi, who was snugly beside me, and Ceria, as expressionless as ever, sharpening her sword.
In the corner, Reto was enjoying a nap with a book covering his face.
Since Yulen was driving the carriage, all six of us were present.
The saint responded to Celin’s subtle attack while drawing a protective cross.
“The grace of the Heavenly Deity is like sunlight, not confined to prosperous or remote places. Even if there are limitations due to various circumstances, a clergy must not forget their duties. Emmanuel.”
Her words flowed like a stream.
However, Celin’s golden-brown eyes only sank deeper with a more reluctant light.
“Still, isn’t it strange? Until last time, I’d chalk it up to coincidence, but to go to the same destination twice? And lately, the saint’s attitude toward I-an has been particularly….”
“Ah, oh Lord! Thank you for creating such a peculiar coincidence. Your little lamb is surely waiting there.”
A sigh finally escaped from Celin.
It was a sign of surrender. She seemed to have sensed that no amount of prodding would draw blood from the saint.
Frustrated without a place to vent her dissatisfaction, she pouted. Since I had accepted four more companions, Celin had been like this all day.
It was clear she was fed up.
Celin’s next target was Ceria, who was simply focused on sharpening her sword.
“Hey, loser.”
“What is it, Haster?”
Ceria retorted coolly in a condescending voice. She didn’t seem to care anymore about being called a loser.
Perhaps Celin had even started to think of “loser” as a kind of endearment.
Regardless, she approached Ceria, feeling that they were the only close friends.
“Are you going to lead the Yuridina Clan’s soldiers?”
“Um, for now, yes.”
“Then you will stay there?”
My eyes shifted towards Ceria.
As a principle, it would be correct for Ceria to stay at the Yuridina Clan’s stronghold. But it was also likely that this would be her first visit to a friend’s house, and she probably wanted to be together.
Ceria’s decision was important to me.
Ceria was a member of the Yuridina Clan. She was one of the distinguished guests who needed to be treated with as much consideration as the saint or Senior Elsi.
If Ceria chose to stay at Percus Manor, preparations would need to be made accordingly.
Ceria’s voice replying to Celin’s question was incredibly calm.
“Well, that would be fine, but… it seems better to be indebted to Percus Manor, doesn’t it?”
“Huh? Why?”
As Celin questioned in surprise, Ceria offered a charming smile for the first time in a while.
“We’re friends, after all.”
Celin immediately made a face as if she couldn’t believe it. However, Ceria simply repeated the word with a resolute tone.
“Friends.”
Celin’s lips opened and then closed again. She sighed heavily, shaking her head.
“……Do as you please.”
Now, there was only one remaining target.
With an exceptionally uncomfortable gaze, Celin frowned and spoke up.
“Um, Senior Elsi?”
“Uh?”
Senior Elsi tilted her head, as if to ask what was wrong.
Her gestures were so charming that even Celin’s fierce spirit cooled for a moment. However, Celin soon steadied herself and posed a deep question to Senior Elsi.
“Why are you always clinging to I-an?”
It was indeed true.
Senior Elsi had consistently stayed right by my side. She wouldn’t come off no matter how hard I tried.
Even now, she had her body pressed closely against my arm, rubbing her head against me.
Seemingly surprised by the question, Senior Elsi coughed and blushed.
“Wh-what! What’s wrong with that?! What kind of junior would be rude to a senior….”
“It could be uncomfortable for I-an.”
The woman who supported Celin like this was none other than the saint.
Senior Elsi was left speechless by this unexpected strike. Soon, her fierce gaze shifted toward the saint, but the saint merely clasped her hands quietly.
A soft chill emanated from her lightly opened pink eyes.
“Even if you’re close, there’s a notable difference between men and women….”
“B-but, my master and I have a special relationship?!”
“……Nevertheless, that doesn’t make it a relationship between a man and a woman.”
Senior Elsi was soon rendered speechless by the saint’s solemn tone.
She could only look at me with a pitiful gaze.
It was an appeal for help. Although I didn’t know what exactly I was supposed to do.
In the end, a mix of sighs slipped from my lips.
“……Just leave it be.”
“Yes, of course… huh?”
The division in their emotions was suddenly starkly evident.
The saint, who had been nodding her head in anticipation of my reply, opened her eyes wide.
In contrast, Senior Elsi’s face grew bright with color. The glimmer in her eyes, as if she was touched, was almost overwhelming.
Regardless, my answer remained the same.
“Let Senior Elsi do as she pleases. After all, spreading rumors won’t change anything.”
That was right. Senior Elsi and I were already inseparable.
Now that she had declared herself as my servant, there was no family that would take her away from me.
Even if rumors of an affair between us spread now, there was no reputation left to fall.
If it came to that, it would be better for Senior Elsi to be a little happier.
Looking back, it was a situation that made me sigh deeply.
If worse came to worst, I had no choice but to take responsibility for Senior Elsi.
However, the saint’s reaction to my words was quite strange.
“……Are you siding with that woman right now?”
The words spilled out in a choked voice, as if a vague moisture had clung to them. I looked at the saint with a slightly bewildered gaze.
This wasn’t the image of the saint I had seen until now.
The term “that woman” was something that would only come out when the facade was dropped. Even Celin and Ceria widened their eyes at it in surprise.
“Master…….”
Only Senior Elsi, however, continued to nuzzle her head against my arm without a hint of awareness.
I had started to feel that something was strange about the saint for a little while now.
Specifically, from the moment we met at the warp gate, there had been a peculiar ambiance between the saint and me.
It felt as though the saint had been expecting something from me.
Could it be that her current response was related to that?
Just as I was feeling confused, a long yawn echoed.
“……Can we keep it down, everyone?”
It was Reto.
Having just woken up from his sleep, he rubbed his eyes and adjusted his sitting position. The book that had been covering his face had long since fallen off.
“Well, we are about to reach Perkus Manor. We won’t be able to fight properly there anyway.”
All eyes, filled with surprise, turned toward Reto, excluding Celin.
Especially the saint and Senior Elsi seemed to be sensing some tension.
It was because Reto’s expression as he looked at the two was too cheeky.
He chuckled and added, “Liya is no easy opponent.”
Only Celin seemed to grasp the weight of Reto’s words.
She let out a heavy sigh as if stunned and then rested her chin on her hand, turning her head away.
The atmosphere inside the carriage fell into a bewildered stillness.
The wheels were now upon the boundary of Perkus Manor.
The carriage passed through a peaceful rural village and entered the town.
And just beyond the center, there stood the only building that could be called a “great mansion” within the territory.
It was Percus Manor.
Waiting for us in front of it was a girl with a slender appearance.
With long hair hanging down like ebony, her fair skin and lanky limbs gave off an impression of fragility. And those golden eyes, which could be said to symbolize the Percus family.
That intense gaze fragmented the impression of the frail-looking girl in an instant.
Beautiful, delicate, and strong.
The chain of contradictory elements was what made this lovely girl possess a true charm.
She lifted her skirt slightly and bowed her head.
“……It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is ‘Liya Percus,’ and I am the youngest daughter of the Percus family. It is an honor to welcome such precious guests today.”
As she did so, my sister bore an inscrutable smile.
“Thank you for taking care of my foolish brother until now… Please, leave him to me from here on out.”
I had finally returned to my hometown.
Accompanied by three unfamiliar women.
And honestly, the first meeting between my sister and the women was not particularly pleasant.
Before long, a cold silence descended like mist.
