Chapter 87

Now, Cain is flying through the sky.

It’s a holiday, and he decided to head to the Marbeek territory to register a new transfer point as planned. The Marbeek territory is located to the northeast of the capital, near the mountainous region.

Since it is on the opposite side of the capital from the city of Drintle, he first teleported to the capital and then flew along the road.

With the arrival of early summer, the weather is favorable, and Cain enjoys the warmth of the gentle breeze as he flies.

Along the way, he passed through the intersection where the road from the Gracia territory meets the one leading to the capital.

“This is where I first met Teles and Silk.”

Cain recalled the time he met the two. While on his way to the debut party in the capital, he rescued a group being attacked by a band of orcs. This led to his ennoblement as a baron and the acquisition of a manor, and he also gained two fiancées.

From above, he could see a group of merchants and their guards making their way along the road. In this world, the idea of flying through the sky is not common. Although wyverns, a type of flying dragon, do exist, they live in different regions, so it’s almost unheard of for people on the road to look up into the sky. No one noticed Cain flying overhead.

The distance to the Marbeek territory is about ten days by carriage, or roughly 300 kilometers. If Cain were to fly seriously, he could reach it in about an hour, but he is enjoying the pleasant weather, so he is taking his time and following the road.

Along the way, he passes over towns and small villages. Cain hesitates to fly over towns and makes a wide detour.

He stops in the air to check the map and then continues on.

As he approaches a few more towns, he sees a battle taking place.

On a single road through the forest, a group is being attacked from both sides.

A noble’s carriage and a few guards are being assaulted by a group of about twenty bandits.

“That’s a tough situation. Should I go help?”

Cain immediately lands near the forest and heads to the battle site.

The knight guards are holding their own, repelling the bandits without any of them falling. Several bandits are already lying around the knights.

“I’m here to help!”

Cain shouts loudly to the knights and begins casting spells from behind the bandits.

“Air Bullet”

The magic released from Cain’s right hand attacks the bandits. Since he doesn’t know the situation, he is being cautious and not using lethal force.

Surprised by the sudden appearance of a child and the magical attack, the bandits fall one after another.

“I appreciate the help! Just a little more! Keep it up!”

“““““Yeah!”””””

The knight who seems to be the captain encourages the others, and the knights, energized, cut down the bandits. A few minutes after Cain joined the fight, no bandits were left standing.

The knights tie up the surviving bandits with ropes.

The knight who seems to be the captain approaches Cain.

Stopping a few steps away, he speaks to Cain.

“I appreciate the help. I thought you were just a kid, but you’re strong. I’m Rodeck, the captain of the knights in the city of Danroff. What’s your name?”

He looks to be in his late thirties, over 180 cm tall, and exudes an aura different from the other knights.

“I’m Cain, an adventurer. I was traveling to Marbeek and saw the bandits attacking, so I decided to help.”

Cain responds and pulls out his guild card.

Cain’s guild card, being A-class, shines gold.

Captain Rodeck is impressed to learn that the boy he thought was just a kid is actually A-rank.

“To be A-rank at your age… That’s impressive. We’re grateful. Wait here, I’ll go talk to the lord.”

After saying this to Cain, Rodeck runs toward the carriage.

Cain looks at the carriage and confirms that it is a noble’s carriage, adorned with a coat of arms he has never seen before.

“Of course, it’s a noble… I hope this doesn’t get complicated…”

It seems that Rodeck’s conversation with the noble in the carriage has ended, as the carriage door opens and an elderly man steps out.

He looks to be over fifty, with white hair neatly tied back.

The elderly man approaches Cain, stands in front of him, and starts speaking, looking him in the eye.

“Cain, I appreciate your help. Even with Rodeck’s strength, the large number of bandits would have been a tough fight. Here, I want to thank you properly. Would you accompany us to the next town? It’s the town I govern.”

“No, I just helped out because I saw the bandits attacking. I’m in a hurry, so I’ll take my leave—”

“Come now, it’s lonely in an old man’s carriage. Please join us.”

The elderly man grabs Cain’s shoulders and guides him to the carriage. Given Cain’s adventurer attire, it would be rude to refuse the noble’s kindness.

Reluctantly, Cain follows the man into the carriage.

“Rodeck, send some knights later. The advance group should go and inform the town. Two of you stay here and keep watch.”

The man gives instructions to Rodeck, who assigns the tasks. Two knights on horseback then gallop ahead to the town.

The eight knights are now down to four, and the carriage begins to move.

“By the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Santos. Santos von Gerehta Danroff, the Baron of Danroff.”

“I’m Cain. I’m an adventurer. I have a family name, but I go by Cain when adventuring.”

Given that they are in the same territory, Cain considers passing himself off as just an adventurer, but he decides to hint at his noble status, considering the possibility of meeting Silk again in the future.

“—So, you’re of noble birth. I thought as much, given that you’re the same even in front of me. You’re not just an adventurer. There’s another reason I invited you into the carriage…”

Santos looks somewhat troubled as he finishes his last sentence.

In the carriage, Santos continues to converse with Cain. To Cain, the middle-aged man in his fifties feels like a grandfather, and the conversation proceeds amicably.

As the sun begins to set, they arrive at the city of Danroff. With a population of about 8,000, Danroff is a mid-sized city in the Esfort Kingdom.

The carriage passes through the outer walls and proceeds into the city. The lord’s residence is at the very back of the central area.

“This is my residence. I’ll have a guest room prepared. Please stay for the night.”

“Surely, that’s… It would be a bother, so I’ll stay at an inn.”

Hearing that he would be staying at the lord’s residence, Cain initially intended to refuse, but he gives in to Santos’s insistence and enters the gate.

“I’m back. We have a guest. Please prepare everything.”

At Santos’s words, the maids spring into action. Cain is led to the parlor by one of the maids.

“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll prepare some tea for you.”

While drinking the tea served by the maid, the door opens, and Santos enters.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I had to give some instructions regarding what just happened.”

Santos continues the conversation while sipping the tea served by the maid.

“Cain, how about coming to this town? Our family is a matrilineal one. You could even become my grandson’s husband.”

“Wha—!”

Cain almost spits out his tea at Santos’s sudden proposal.

“What are you saying all of a sudden…? That’s a bit much…”

Santos, undeterred, continues.

“Looking at you, I feel a sense of familiarity. Since you’re from a noble family, it might be fine for you to become my son-in-law. I’ve already seen your strength, and you have a good face. You can look me in the eye and talk to me. Such young men are rare these days. By the way, are you the eldest or youngest in your family?”

Santos laughs and strokes his chin.

“I’m the third son.”

“That’s no problem! If you become my son-in-law, you could even inherit the baronial family. I’ve already called my daughter and granddaughter. My son-in-law is still at work, so he probably won’t be here, but it would be good to meet them.”

Confused by Santos’s somewhat forceful words, Cain still cannot accept the offer.

“—I’m sorry, but I already have a fiancée…”

Cain looks apologetic as he answers Santos.

Santos looks disappointed at Cain’s response.

“You would become a noble and inherit a baronial family. Is that less important?”

“That’s—”

The door is knocked on and opens.

A silver-haired woman, who appears to be a mother, and a silver-haired girl, who looks a few years younger than Cain, enter.

Cain’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Huh? Mother? Why are you in this residence…?”

“Cough, cough!”

At Cain’s words, Santos, who is sitting across from him, spits out his tea in a big spray.

Thank you for reading.