Episode 81 Reporting the Results of the Investigation
When we made our triumphant return to the Duke of Hormelās mansion, we all deliberately formed a conspicuous formation with our magicrafts and returned with spears pierced through the heads of the banditsā machines.
āDuke Holomel, as promised, we eliminated the bandits.ā
I reported this as I arranged the heads in the garden of the mansion.
āItās certainly the head of the banditās leader magicraftā¦ā¦.But why only the head, what happened to the body of the machine and the banditās rider?ā
āIām sorry, it was a fierce battle and we killed all the bandits, we the Iron Knights have no mercy for our enemiesā¦ā¦.We couldnāt carry all of the enemies bodies in our ride carrier, so we only brought back the heads.ā
āWellā¦ā¦wellā¦ā¦well, you have done a great service, and now this territory will be at peace.ā
āPlease do not forget your promise.ā
āI know, and I promise to vote for Yudin when the time comes.ā
Now that the mission was complete, Duke Hormel invited me to a victory party, but I politely declined, feeling guilty that I hadnāt really eradicated the bandits, and also because I had Lord Theseus waiting on my ride carrier.
āThat went well, now letās head back to the capital.ā
āIām sorry, but before you go back to the capital, can you please go to my parentsā residence so that I can get you the money, itās a bit of a detour, but it wonāt be too much trouble.ā
At the request of Lord Theseus, Jean, who was piloting the ride carrier, smiled and saidā¦
āHeh heh heh, Iāll take all the detours I need for the money.ā
The Duchy of Caron, where the family home of Lord Theseus is located, is only a few hoursā detour away.
When Theseus arrived at the Duke of Caronās mansion, he asked us to wait for a whileā¦but Jean was worried that he would run awayā¦
āYuta and I will follow you.ā
Theseus agreed without showing any signs of displeasure at his words.
āTheseus, I havenāt seen you for a while, where have you been?ā
A middle-aged gentleman with gray hair and a dignified, aristocratic appearance approached us in the house.
āFather, Iāve been touring the country for a bit of social study.ā
āWell, Iām sure thatās what you didā¦ā¦.Who are those men there?ā
āThese are some of my recent friends, and they are very skilled riders.ā
āSo youāre a skilled riderā¦ā¦.If youāre that good, Iād like to have you in the service of the Caron family.ā
āFather, please donāt take my friends.ā
āHahahaha, Iām just kidding, go ahead and take your time.ā
After saying that, the middle-aged gentleman walked to the back of the mansion. Thatās the Duke Caronā¦..who seems to be a very pleasant person.
āItās a small token of my promise, take it.ā
Theseus went into his room and brought out a large bag, which he handed to Jean.
āHeh heh heh, I like a generous man.ā
āIn the meantime, please take care of my meeting with Prince Yudin.ā
āI was just wondering, isnāt it possible for a man of Theseusā rank to visit Yudin on his own?ā
When I expressed my honest question, Theseus replied with a subtle expression.
āIāve been having a lot of problems getting close to Yudinā¦ā¦.ā
āPrince Mushym is my brother-in-law. You know the rest.ā
I see. Itās a complicated relationship.
āCan we stop by the backyard before we head back to the ride carrier?ā
āWhat are you doing?ā
āItās been a while since Iāve been home, so I thought Iād stop by and say helloā¦ā¦.ā
In a corner of the backyard, there was a magnificent stone monument. Theseus stood in front of it and closed his eyes quietlyā¦
āMotherā¦ā¦please wait a little longerā¦ā¦I will surely save the people of Stogar.ā
It appears to be the grave of Theseusā mother. His face was full of sadness and determinationā¦ā¦.