“It was a bit of a mess, but everyone’s back safe and sound, so I guess all’s well that ends well...”
It had been quite the tumultuous event. After we’d triumphed over Id Invicius and had returned to Vesparta, everyone had needed to complete different duties, so we’d all parted ways.
Lucy and Allucia had quite unreasonably forced their way to Vesparta, so they’d had to return to Baltrain as quickly as possible. Lucy had been quite fixated on the monster’s materials, though. I could only pray that Joshua had kept his promise.
Surena had been busy reporting to everyone. Technically, I wasn’t involved with the adventurer’s guild, so I hadn’t been able to accompany her. I’d ended up returning to Baltrain all by my lonesome. I’d considered hiring adventurers as escorts, but with a vague idea of the route, I’d decided to take a relaxing trip back on my own. It wasn’t like I’d spent the whole time in solitude on horseback or anything. There’d been plenty of merchants and couriers moving between cities and villages, and any time I’d just happened to be sharing the road with them, we’d chatted to pass the time.
“Hmmm... Going on a long trip would definitely be better with someone to keep me company.”
I wasn’t really suited to traveling by myself, though I did believe that taking in the scenery was a pleasure best savored alone. Due to spending my whole life at home and lacking experience going on long journeys, it was more relaxing to have someone by my side.
That didn’t mean I was okay with going with just anyone, of course. For example, things would be quite different if Mewi were tagging along. I just wanted someone I could casually enjoy spending my time with. I spent plenty of time with Allucia, though our closeness often had to do with work. Being around her wasn’t suffocating—we had pretty good chemistry. Still, she could be overly considerate of me, so I had a hard time feeling at ease around her sometimes.
“Anyway, sure has gotten hot...”
I made my way home at a steady pace. It was hot enough that just moving a little made sweat cling to my body. We would soon be at the height of summer. I wasn’t sure whether I should go back to Beaden this year, though I was curious about the saberboars. And now that Adel and Edel had joined the order, I was sure the dojo had even younger pupils.
There would be more children there who didn’t know who I was. Makes it kind of hard to just show up. Randrid was a good teacher too, so I didn’t really need to butt in. As long as there wasn’t an emergency, I didn’t have a reason to go back home.
Not too long ago, I would’ve loved to return right away and teach swordsmanship in the countryside in peace. But I’d since discovered that the human heart could change relatively fast, even at my age.
It wasn’t like I wanted to stay away from Beaden or anything. My mom and dad were pretty old, so I was worried about them, and it’d been my home for so many years. However, I had more important things to do in Baltrain right now. This was a duty imposed on me when I was in my forties, and I was going to do it to the best of my abilities.
It felt like ever since Allucia’s visit in Beaden, I’d spent all my time being manipulated by others. Maybe I should give some thought to my future.
I considered such things as I continued walking, and before I knew it, I reached my destination.
“I’m home... Oh yeah.”
Mewi was attending classes at the institute, so she wasn’t at the house. I was alone. After all those busy days, I’d zoned out a little. Life was best spent when you had periods of business and then time to relax. Being on edge all the time really wore a person out.
“Hmmm... Guess I’ll make something to eat.”
I had time until Mewi got home, and I was feeling a little peckish, so I decided to get cooking. Lately—or rather, ever since becoming the special instructor for the Liberion Order—I’d been fortunate enough to be free of any money problems. I was receiving a regular income that often felt like it was way too much.
I was a country bumpkin at heart, so I wasn’t inclined to go on a spending spree. I’d taken in Mewi shortly after becoming a special instructor too, so I’d quickly developed the habit of using the money when I should but saving it up otherwise.
That also meant I had plenty to spend on casually going out for food whenever I wanted, and anytime I spotted some interesting ingredients, I could just pick them up on a whim. None of that put any pressure on my balance book.
But I wasn’t really in the mood to eat out today, so I got the fire started. Suddenly, a visitor called out from beyond the front door.
“Excuse me, is anyone home?”
“Hm?”
I couldn’t mistake who it was. Despite the distance and the intervening wall, it was easy to identify her.
“Surena. Good to see you’re doing well.”
“I am, thanks to you.”
This was an expected visit, in a sense. Surena Lysandra—now my most frequent guest—was here with an absolutely bright expression on her face.
“Anyway, come on in,” I offered. “I don’t have much to serve, though...”
“Please, don’t mind me. Pardon the intrusion.”
Surena gave me a light bow and followed me inside.
“Taking the day off?” I asked.
“Well, yes...”
The reason I’d asked was because she was wearing a different outfit from usual. Instead of her usual jacket and shorts, she wore a shirt, a thin shawl, and a long, tight skirt. It was pretty rare to see her dressed like that. Actually, I’d never seen Surena in casual wear since our reunion in Baltrain. She’d always prioritized clothing that afforded her mobility, so it was refreshing to see her in more feminine attire.
I didn’t really have much of an opinion beyond that, though. She was pretty, and the outfit suited her, but that was all. However, Surena seemed to be giving off a gentler impression than usual. This extended beyond just her clothes and came from her expression and tone as well.
“Take a seat,” I offered once we reached the living room.
“Thank you.”