Chapter 350 – Return Journey and Reunion

We gathered on the bridge, relaxing together as the Sirius advanced through the autumn scenery toward the Barony of Silun. The ship maintained a fairly brisk speed. Valentina was currently at the helm. The rotation of ship navigation duties was based on the idea that it would be good to train several people capable of piloting.

Occasionally, we passed over travelers, adventurers, and merchants on the road below. Some looked up in wide-eyed surprise, while others waved happily or saluted toward us. The divided reactions were quite interesting.

Around here, the difference in reactions is probably… whether they know about the airship or not. Judging from their responses, it seems many know Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana are aboard. They’re likely people who have either seen the airship or heard rumors while staying somewhere between Termwills and the Marquisate of Broderick.

The growing recognition and establishment of airships is probably a good thing, I suppose.

“I think I’ll go check on Corulis for a bit,” said Princess Stephania, standing up after her card game with Princess Adriana reached a stopping point. She used Levitation to lift the wooden box Princess Adriana had placed on the bridge.

They had bought ore in the Marquisate. It seemed she planned to give it to Corulis as a snack.

Seeing Charlotte looking somewhat restless, Valentina chuckled softly.

“Everything’s fine here, so you can go along too, Charlotte.”

“Th-then I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Charlotte stood up and followed the two. To check on Corulis, huh. Then I’ll send Caduceus along to observe the situation too.

“It might be good if we could see inside the ship from the bridge as well. The guest rooms aside, at least the corridors and wyvern standby areas,” I said.

Watching their backs as they left the bridge, Alfred smiled.

“That’s true. There are already quite a few crystal panels around the pilot’s seat… We could install them on empty sections of the bridge walls. That would make it easier to coordinate with other personnel, give instructions through voice pipes, communicate, and command.”

“Then it would probably be best to install them according to the locations of each voice pipe,” I replied.

While drinking the tea Grace had prepared, I discussed potential improvements for the Sirius with Alfred and Old Sigmund. Since this journey also served as a test flight for the Sirius, we needed to compile our observations.

“More detailed command would make it easier for personnel in various locations to move about. Though this was only normal navigation, the ship hardly rocked at all, and the comfortable ride certainly makes moving around inside easier.”

“We don’t know how it will be during combat, but I’m thinking we’ll eventually take the Demon-Slaying Knight Order aboard for training too.”

We’ve installed handrails in the corridors as well. Considering everyone is equipped with aerial combat gear, I think they should be able to move around the ship without issues even if it rocks somewhat.

Now then. As for Princess Stephania’s group… When they headed to where Corulis was, they found Corulis waiting on the other side of the door, twitching its nose.

“Now, now, wait a moment,” said Princess Stephania.

Told this, Corulis obediently returned to the corner of the room. Apparently, its designated spot really is the room’s corner. Princess Stephania brought the wooden box filled with ore right in front of Corulis, who was sitting with its back against the wall.

“Please, eat up.”

As if waiting for Princess Stephania’s words, Corulis began deftly using the tips of its claws to pick up pieces of ore and toss them into its mouth. It was quite a relaxing sight, and the three of them looked very at ease.

Back on the bridge, it was also mealtime for the Familiars – Ashley was giving chicken to Lavigne, and Marlene had Eclair perched on her arm while supplying it with magical power.

Eventually—the Sirius arrived at the Barony of Silun.

Perhaps because the afterglow of the wedding still remained, all the citizens waved and welcomed us.

“When we came last time, we moored over that mixed forest, right?”

“Yes. Um… There don’t seem to be any people around either, so I thought it would be fine to use the same spot this time too.”

Nodding at Ashley’s words, Valentina brought the Sirius to a stop above the mixed forest behind the Baron’s mansion, just like when we visited the Barony of Silun before.

While preparing to disembark, Alpha had appeared on the bridge without anyone noticing and was now sitting there.

It was exchanging some kind of eye contact with Lavigne, who was accompanying Ashley. …Hmm. So it’s been entrusted with guard duty. With Ignis plus Corulis also aboard, the security layers feel rather substantial.

“Shall we go then?”

We lowered the gangplank and everyone disembarked. Heading toward the Baron’s mansion, Elliot and Camilla, Kennel, and other servants came out to greet us.

“We’re back now.”

“Welcome home. We’re so relieved to see everyone safe and sound.”

In response to Ashley’s words, Kennel smiled happily and bowed his head.

“Welcome back, Ashley. …It seems you’ve gained some new faces.”

“Hello. I’m Floria.”

Floria greeted the members of the Silun Baron’s household. Elliot and the others returned the greeting with self-introductions.

“Floria is a dryad. She’s a Spirit who manifested from my mother’s house.”

“I see…”

“And then, at the Marquisate of Broderick, a mole named Corulis joined us,” said Sheila.

“A mole…?”

Elliot and the others looked puzzled.

“It’s called Beryl Mall, a giant mole monster. It surrendered after fighting Theodore… so I’ve taken it as my Familiar. Can you see it on the deck?”

When Princess Stephania said this and waved toward the Sirius, everyone’s gaze focused on the deck. There on the deck was Corulis, holding onto the railing and waving back at Princess Stephania. Seeing this, Elliot smiled indescribably while Kennel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It seems to eat ore as its main food… so we couldn’t very well leave it in the Marquisate of Broderick,” Princess Adriana added by way of explanation.

“Ah. The Marquisate has mines, after all. Sounds like quite an adventure.”

Elliot gave a wry smile.

“We’ll give you a proper introduction after we’re back on the ship.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Brother Elliot and Sister-in-law Camilla, were you able to relax?”

“Yes. It felt good to return home. Though I was somewhat anxious before coming.”

Saying this, Elliot narrowed his eyes.

“We took walks around the territory and the mixed forest behind… it was very enjoyable.”

Camilla also smiled, leaning close to Elliot. They remained the picture of a devoted couple.

“Now then… The meal preparations are ready. Please come this way.”

Kennel guided us into the mansion.

“…I see. So there was a collapse accident.”

After finishing a slightly late lunch, we relaxed with conversation over tea. We planned to rest for a while before returning to Termwills. Naturally, the topic turned to what happened in the Marquisate of Broderick.

“So the investigation team that went to the mine got trapped, which is why we went to rescue them. After repairing the collapsed section, Sheila found traces of the investigation team and Beryl Mall.”

“Fighting inside the mine tunnels was too dangerous, so Theodore came up with a plan to lure it outside.”

We told them about proceeding through the tunnels while searching for footprints, rescuing the investigation team, the chase with Corulis involving the Caduceus and Balor combination, and the battle with Corulis after trapping it with a Barrier. With Irmhild and the others adding realism through musical performances, the atmosphere became quite lively.

From tense music during exploration to intense chase and battle music. They have quite a wide repertoire.

“Anyway, once we return to Termwills, we’ll need to prepare a suitable living environment for Corulis.”

“It seems like quite an endearing creature, but its appearance is rather large, so it might have difficulties until it becomes accepted by others.”

Camilla placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her head.

“That’s certainly true. So we’re planning to get help from the Adventurer Guild too, but…”

“We were talking about adding decorations to Noble Leaf as well – what about having Corulis wear some kind of ornament? It would create visual distinction and probably reduce its intimidating appearance.”

“That’s a good idea,” said Ashley.

With that, the proposal was essentially adopted. The conversation then became lively discussing what exactly to have Corulis wear.

The leading suggestion was to have it wear a scarf around its neck. A red scarf with the Verdgar royal family’s Emblem embroidered on it would probably work well.

“If Corulis doesn’t mind, let’s go with that. It would probably look quite good on it.”

“Then I’d like to contribute something too. If we incorporate Magic Tools into the ornament, it could be useful in various ways,” said Alfred.

Hmm… Well, we’ll take things one step at a time after returning to Termwills. The matter of the Blazing Fortress and Corulis’s old tunnel visits. We have plenty of things to do.