The fact that I had an aptitude for magic outside of the four elements was kept under wraps, and any who did know about it were hushed.
But some could not stop themselves from talking about it.
Soon, rumors were spreading among the maids of the Marquis family that I possessed a useless attribute.
Meanwhile, I was busy preparing for my departure. Murcia gave me a loan so that I could acquire the money and manpower that I needed for the journey.
Readying themselves for departure, three carriages are tethered to a loading platform and are being loaded with clothes, daily necessities, and armor. I couldnāt borrow people from the houseās knightly order to escort me, but I did have about ten adventurers hired by Murcia, though they are roughnecks.
At first, the situation was tough, with us being given only one carriage with Kamsin as my only escort.
I was worried whether my two companions and I could fit inside a single carriage, at least until Dee arrived. It seems that he forced his way into joining my group as a ābodyguardā.
āIām going to train you to death with my swords Van-sama, you can count on it! Hahahaā
Please donāt do this.
I wanted to say that, but Dee called out to his men, who followed him on their own volition, and he quickly prepared some carriages.
Before I knew it, there were another two large carriages, with Dee and two knights stationed at the rearmost carriage.
The final unexpected arrival was Espada.
āI have told Jalpa-sama that I will retire a little early. My successor has matured well, so the master gladly agreed to my retirement. I am fifty-five years old, and I want to relax in your stretch of the countryside. Is that all right with you?ā
When he said this in a noncommittal tone, Espada somehow produced a fully prepared carriage out of nowhere. How long had he been preparing the carriage?
No, in the first place, after working by my fatherās side for so many years, would he let go of Espada so easily? It should be difficult to secure a person who could be trusted to replace Espada.
As I looked at him with suspicion, Espada opened his mouth with a wry smile as he climbed into the carriage.
āIāll see if I can learn something from Master Van, something to spice up my old age.ā
After saying that much, Espada went into the carriage.
Really donāt do it. Youāve already taught me enough, you guys.
Whether itās Dee or Espada, why are you following me to a remote village where thereās nothing to do but harass me? Iād like to say enough is enough.
But Iām thankful that Dee, who is very strong in battle, and Espada, who knows many things, are at my side.
As I got into the carriage with mixed feelings, Till opened her mouth happily.
āMaster Van, has something good happened?ā
āWhat?ā
I raised a question and Till nodded with a laugh.
āArenāt you laughing?ā
It was then That I realized that I was laughing. Apparently, even though I didnāt think I cared, I was worried about sending them to the frontier.
I guess I was also glad that everyone was here.
āIām glad you all followed me to the frontier. Thank you.ā
When I smiled at her, Till pointed at herself with a slightly evil smile.
āActually, there were a number of maids who wanted to follow Van-sama. But Iām your exclusive maid, you know. I told Murcia-sama and kept this seat to death.ā
Till patted her seat as she said that.
āYou could have brought everyone who wanted to come separatelyā¦ā
Why did they make it look like a winner-take-all tournament system? I was disappointed. My rosy life surrounded by lovely maids was gone. Holy crap.
But Till reminisced, oblivious to my feelings.
āI donāt know much, but Murcia-sama seems to be very busy and doesnāt talk much with the maids. Master Yardo and Master Sesto donāt take care of their maids. However, Master Van is different. He greets me every day in a friendly manner, occasionally gives me a snack, and even helps me out when Iām cleaning. The maids who served with you also love Van-sama.ā
Till speaks in a rambling manner which makes me feel embarrassed. I look at Kamsin and open my mouth as I listen to her.
āItās okay for Kamsin too. If you donāt want to come, you can stay with the Marquis family. It seems that the slave contract can be changed or cancelled, so if you ask brother Murcia to take care of it, heāll take care of it for you.ā
When he heard that, Kamsin looked at me as if he was angry.
āMaster Van. I have decided to dedicate my entire life to Master Van. At all times, I will serve Master Van with my life.ā
āWhat are you saying? Kamsin, do you like me that much?ā
I was embarrassed, so I faked it, and Kamsin nodded vigorously.
āYes, I adore and respect you.ā(T.N. Note: Thatās cuteā¦ so Iām going to take this as evidence for Kamsin being a girl.
Edit: This is from future me, I was wrong. Kamsin is a guy.)
The result was more than embarrassing. Kamsin has grown up, too. I nodded emotionally.
However, I thought I would be left alone in some frontier, but now I had four people to travel with on the road. Iām thankful for that.
āAll right, letās get going.ā
As I said this, the carriages began to move.
I keep the windows closed as much as possible, and I donāt make much noise. I need to erase my presence as much as possible.
Thatās why this carriage doesnāt even have the coat of arms of the Marquis family. Father wishes for me to leave town without anyone being the wiser.
āI used to come to town a lot for the last two years or so to visit, so it is saddening to leave.ā
He muttered, thinly opening the window to look out. Then he noticed that there was a child near the advancing carriage.
āAh, Master Van!ā
āOh, Viza. Hello.ā
The child was Viza, the daughter of a guard I had met many times in the city. Viza opens her mouth with a sad face.
When he asked that, Viza pointed to the back of the carriage. When I looked out of the carriage and checked the rear, Deeās carriage, one of the two carriages lined up behind her, was holding up a banner of sorts.
The banner read, āVan-sama arrivesā in large letters.
āWhat the-? Itās super embarrassing.ā
As I said this, Deeās men, who were guarding the carriage, came up to me and replied.
āThat was at Master Deeās direction! Master Dee was saddened by Master Vanās situation as he left the city as if he were running away in the night, and he tried to make his departure as dignified as possibleā¦ā
āMy father told me to keep it to myself, though?ā
When I questioned him, the knightly youth laughed with a pranksterās face.
āIs that so! Iāve never heard of it before! Perhaps Master Dee didnāt even know there was such an order. Iād take the banner down, but now Master Dee has fallen asleep in the carriageā¦ sorry! As soon as Master Dee wakes up, Iāll tell him about the banner!ā
Behind the young man who was snickering, Dee, who peeked out of the window, was shouting loudly.
āFourth son of the Marquess family! The Noble Van Ney Fertio is here! He wishes to bid you farewell. And if anyone offers to serveā¦.ā
I look at Dee, who is giving a speech in a well-passed voice, with a squinted eye, and then I look at the young man.
āIsnāt he up?ā
āOh, Iām sorry! Must go make my rounds! Donāt worry, weāll handle the patrol around the carriage!ā
And with a nervous laugh, the young man rode his horse off.
A crowd of people gradually formed around me, and some of them who knew me well and called out to me.
āMaster Van! Where are you going?!ā
āPlease come back soon!ā
āAre you going to Kingās Landing Academy?ā
I was conflicted at first as I was being called out by the crowd, but then I started to open up.
āEveryone! Iām going to set off now!ā
When you show up and say hello, even those youāve only met once will reply back.
āGoodbye!ā
I shouted my own goodbyes, but the next thing I knew I was tearing up.
Some of my acquaintances in town cried when I said goodbye, and their tears made my eyes water again. I thought I didnāt care about them at all, but I was wrong.
I wiped the tears from my hands and sat back in my chair. Till brought me a handkerchief, but I was sobbing so hard that I had to replace it with a new one.