Chapter 348 – Dusk After the Battle

Once the familiar contract was firmly established and I set Corulis down on the ground, it settled into what looked like a human sitting position, behaving meekly as if its earlier rampage had been a lie.

“Nice to meet you, Corulis.”

“My, this is quite… It has a lovely texture.”

When Princess Stephania stroked its nose bridge, Corulis nodded its head up and down. Even when Princess Adriana patted its round back, it remained calm.

Charlotte also timidly approached and began stroking its flank area. She seemed to like the feel of it.

“My, my. Seeing it like this, it’s quite charming, isn’t it?”

Edgar smiled wryly at its demeanor.

“Well, I suppose this counts as case closed.”

“Indeed. Now we can finally properly entertain everyone. We must hold a grand celebration, including our thanks to Beryl Mall.”

“There’s still time, so I’ll make repairs to the collapsed sections of the mine.”

“N-no, we couldn’t possibly trouble you that much.”

“It’s no trouble. This was the result of the strategy we devised.”

After all, it had collapsed during the process of luring it out. Malcolm seemed apologetic, but as the one who planned the strategy, I should handle the cleanup.

“Say, Corulis. Do you happen to know any ore vein locations we’re unaware of, or places with minerals you don’t eat?”

In response to Princess Stephania’s words, Corulis nodded and began moving sluggishly toward the interior of the mine. Probably there were holes that Corulis had used before wandering into the mine. In the process, there should be areas it used as feeding grounds and minerals it had left untouched because they didn’t suit its taste.

“Then… let’s have Caduceus accompany Corulis and have Corulis show us the locations of the ore veins it knows.”

If we add the places Corulis guides us to the mine map we just created… we could probably reuse the holes Corulis uses as mine shafts too.

By the time we’d mostly finished repairing the mine shafts, Corulis returned from underground. When we all emerged together, dusk was already approaching.

“I’m going to cast Levitation.”

When I checked just to be sure, Corulis nodded. I floated it into the air and landed it on the deck of the Sirius, which had been waiting for us.

Alfred and Old Sigmund welcomed us back with smiles as we returned after completing our work.

“Welcome back, Seraphina.”

“I’m home!”

Seraphina flew over to where Tephra and Floria were, looking delighted.

“Oh, you’re back, Theodore.”

“Yes, I’ve just returned.”

“How did things go?”

“I repaired the damaged sections. Corulis also guided us to several ore veins.”

When I said this, Alfred also nodded.

“Marquis Broderick has received the investigation team’s report and plans to resume mining operations at that mine.”

“…Though it seems Corulis ate the evidence items we mined.”

At those words, Princess Stephania smiled wryly.

“Either way, things should be stable for the foreseeable future. I think the ore veins should last until we can get agriculture running alongside mining.”

With increased production expected for some time, the financial situation of the Marquisate of Broderick should ease.

“Well then, let’s get the ship moving soon. We’ll go slowly, so it should be fine to stay on deck.”

Old Sigmund said this and headed toward the bridge.

After a short while, the Sirius began moving toward the town at a leisurely pace. The scenery visible from the deck slowly flowed backward. Malcolm had apparently returned to the castle ahead of us to handle follow-up matters like notifications and banquet preparations.

“I suppose I’ll need to create Magic Tools for Corulis. Given its movements, I was thinking it might be good to create Equipment for aerial combat for it.”

Alfred looked up at Corulis and laughed.

“It seems like we could ride on its back and fly through the sky.”

“That’s true. I was thinking it would be difficult to bring it along anywhere since it’s so large…”

When Sheila murmured this, Princess Stephania let out an impressed sound.

“Visually speaking… I wonder about that? Hmm… If we’re talking about traveling by riding a familiar… is that normal?”

Princess Stephania looked happy, while Rosemary tilted her head while opening and closing her feather fan. Traveling by riding a mole? What would that actually be like…?

Corulis immediately threw itself onto the deck… apparently saying it’s okay to ride on its back.

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana accepted this and immediately sat on Corulis’s back, enjoying the riding experience. Well, if they’re having fun, I suppose that’s fine.

“Next is what to do with Corulis once we reach Termwills.”

Ashley tilted her head.

“To also inform the adventurers, what about having it officially pass through the Labyrinth entrance to the old mine shafts after notifying the Guild?”

“That might be good. If it becomes part of daily life, people will get used to it and it will blend in.”

Claudia closed her eyes and smiled.

If it becomes known through the Adventurer Guild that it’s Princess Stephania’s familiar, no fool would bother it.

Beryl Mall doesn’t appear in the Labyrinth, so there’s no chance of confusion, and since it’s a familiar, it shares information with Princess Stephania, so if it misbehaves, there would be no way to make excuses.

Fortunately, the old mine shafts are sections where neither strong Monsters nor Guardians appear. Corulis shouldn’t have any enemies there, and there are also rock-type Monsters containing minerals.

I’m somewhat hopeful that Corulis might be able to make those Monsters part of its main diet too… Well, we’ll see what happens.

The townscape of the Marquisate of Broderick came into view. As we passed over the outer wall, we could see townspeople cheering and waving at us.

“The story about the investigation team being rescued has spread, though the details have been kept secret.”

Alfred said.

I see. So that explains this reaction. The Dwarves also seemed to be raising their glasses toward us in a toast.

The news about the collapse accident had probably already spread. From our perspective, as long as the Teleportation Magic is kept secret, that’s fine.

We docked the Sirius at the training ground. As for Corulis, it would probably stay behind on the Sirius. When I opened the hatch on the Sirius’s deck and guided it to the space normally used for Wyverns, Corulis settled itself in a corner.

“How’s the comfort?”

When Princess Stephania asked, Corulis nodded its head up and down repeatedly. Probably meaning it’s not bad. For Corulis, it might prefer dark or enclosed places. Before closing the hatch, Marlene smiled and waved at Corulis, and Corulis skillfully waved back with its front paw.

“Well then, shall we go?”

I said and closed the hatch, then disembarked from the Sirius with everyone.

Since carriages for our reception had already arrived, we boarded them and moved toward the castle while being welcomed by the cheers of the citizens.

“The bath was wonderful.”

When we returned to the guest rooms, Grace, who appeared to have just finished bathing, returned slightly later with a smile and said that.

Not just Grace, but everyone else had also finished bathing and changed into dresses. Cheeks flushed red from improved blood circulation. Hairstyles done up to match the dresses… Quite a feast for the eyes.

“Excuse me. The banquet preparations are complete.”

A servant called out to us.

Since we had been working down in the mine shafts, we were somewhat dusty. Malcolm must have anticipated this, as he apparently had baths prepared for us. After washing off the dust and dirt and cleaning up, the timing worked out perfectly for the banquet… He seemed to have arranged the schedule accordingly.

Guided by the servant to a spacious dining hall, we found Marquis Broderick and his wife already waiting, with various dishes arranged on the table. Being close to mountainous areas, there were many mountain delicacies.

There were roasted meats too – probably from Hunting in the mountains. He did say he was preparing to welcome us.

“First of all.”

After everyone had taken their seats, Malcolm began with that preface.

“As the lord of the Marquisate of Broderick, I would like to express my gratitude to Sir Theodore. For protecting our citizens’ lives and our mine, words cannot express our thanks.”

Saying this, both Malcolm and Bertille bowed deeply.

“Not at all. I’m just glad nothing serious happened.”

“I hear the Adventurer Guild will be issuing a reward. I’m also considering what kind of thanks to give everyone before you depart. I’m an amateur and don’t know much about these things… but we have several Magic items in our storage, so perhaps there might be something useful among them.”

…Magic items. Given Malcolm’s personality, I think his policy regarding art objects is that keeping the minimum necessary is sufficient.

In that sense, Magic items are certainly valuable, but if you don’t know what they are, there’s also the aspect of not being able to carelessly dispose of them. So they were probably postponed and left undecided.

For my part, having connections with nobles who are allies within the country and personally trustworthy… that alone is quite sufficient.