Chapter 480 – The Thoughts of the Count and Countess

And the next day—I woke up feeling the sunlight from outside streaming through the window.

Perhaps as a measure against the summer heat, the angle and height seemed to have been calculated so that direct sunlight wouldn’t reach the back of the room. There were also few windows. Because of that, the room felt a bit dim, but it was comfortable enough while lying in bed.

As for the room temperature, perhaps due to the originally warm climate, it felt only slightly chilly.

“Good morning, Theo.”

“Good morning, Theodore.”

As I rummaged through my luggage to get ready after getting out of bed, Grace and Claudia, who were relaxing at a nearby table, noticed me and greeted me in lowered tones.

“Yeah, good morning. You’re up early.”

“No, it’s just that I woke up a bit earlier than usual because things are different here.”

“Well, it was warm, so I slept well.”

The two smiled. In Grace’s case, it felt more like a habit than simply waking up early.

Breakfast was prepared on the rooftop again, just like yesterday, and they said they’d come get us when it was ready, so until we departed, there wasn’t much for us to do.

Well, since it felt a bit awkward to stay in my sleepwear, I decided to get ready. I went to the washstand, drew water from the water jug with a hand bucket, tidied myself up, changed clothes, and when I returned, everyone was just starting to get out of bed.

Ashley, accompanying a still somewhat sleepy Marlene to the washstand, was also carrying Seraphina in her arms.

“Good morning, Theodore-sama.”

“Yeah. Good morning.”

When I greeted her like that, Marlene also smiled and nodded.

“Good morning, Theodore.”

“Good morning, Marie.”

I exchanged morning greetings with Rosemary as well. Hmm. Though she just woke up, she seemed to have her feather fan with her today. The three of them then headed off to the washstand.

Sheila was still on the bed. She had sat up but seemed a bit dazed. Irmhild was also slowly getting up, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

Well, well. Today, we’ll take it easy for a bit before heading west, I suppose.

“Were you able to rest well last night?”

“Yes. Compared to the north, it’s quite warm, so I feel like I slept soundly until morning.”

When I answered the Count’s question like that, he nodded with satisfaction, his expression softening.

“That’s wonderful to hear.”

The bath was also spacious and comfortable.

Just like yesterday, we shared the dining table with the Count’s family.

A smooth, slightly tangy soup, along with bread, yogurt, salad, bacon, and other relatively light menu items were laid out on the table under the blue sky. It suited the cool, refreshing morning air. Eating breakfast outdoors somehow reminded me of mornings during camping or something similar.

Once the meal settled, Olympia happily approached the observation deck where Marl, Corulis, and Pietro were.

She tried riding on Corulis’s back, touched Pietro, and had her hair stroked by Marl, laughing as if tickled. A familiar, a High Spirit, a cat Fairy… Though there were many unique individuals, Olympia seemed to have grown completely accustomed to them since yesterday.

As I sat leisurely in my chair, gazing at the scenery, the Count and his wife came over together.

“I heard you’ll be departing around noon.”

“That’s right. Not only to escort the Duke, but I also have a few things to do.”

“Ah. Like going to see the uninhabited island?”

“Yes. I plan to stop by briefly and do a preliminary inspection before development. Well… His Majesty did tell me to relax and enjoy myself, though.”

When I said that with a hint of a joke, the two smiled gently.

Besides the large island that serves as the Duke’s base, there are several outlying islands belonging to the Duchy, with sea routes connecting the port towns on those islands to the neighboring country.

This neighboring country across the sea is where the Third Prince Helfried is studying abroad and is also the homeland of Rosemary’s mother. If you go further north from the western sea toward Silvatoria, the country where Elliot studied abroad is nearby as well.

Well, regarding the island I’ll be managing this time, such foreign countries aren’t involved, so that’s entirely beside the point.

Returning to the topic… The island in question is located slightly off the sea route connecting the Driscoll Duchy’s main base and the outlying islands. It’s in a position where, if a port were built there, it might increase convenience for supplies when traveling between the outlying islands, that sort of relationship.

Put another way, if it weren’t there, it wouldn’t be particularly problematic. In short, its priority for development isn’t that high, so the development plan the Duke had drawn up was likely a relaxed one.

Then, at some point, the King of Deathly Slumber’s attack occurred, and while the three families devoted themselves to domestic recovery, it got postponed.

“The western sea has many sea routes, so there are fewer vicious Monsters, and the waves are calm. The Ambassador, despite his youth, has been fighting like a lion. I hope it becomes a good vacation for you.”

“Thank you.”

When I expressed my thanks, the Count nodded, then smiled as he watched Olympia playing with Flamia’s tail, but suddenly his gaze grew distant as he spoke.

“—To aspire to martial prowess, to desire governance as a lord, yet to be powerless against High-ranking Demons… How hollow it is. That is precisely why those who have accomplished Demon Slaying… Saint Lisa-sama and the hero of Termwills are the hope for knights and soldiers.”

“That is…”

“They say, ‘We have Demon Slayers among us.’ That detestable Demon who ravaged our country was also struck down by the Saint. They tell themselves it’s not an opponent we can never defeat. That’s how they rally themselves.”

“That goes not only for the officers and soldiers but for the people as well. We have been greatly encouraged by what Lisa-sama and the Ambassador have achieved.”

…That might be true. Recovery from the devastation of the King of Deathly Slumber’s attack also depends on whether the Demon was defeated for motivation.

The connection between Mother and the current Demon Slayer—me—probably hasn’t been made clear, but if several attacks by High-ranking Demons occur, it shows that Verdgar is being targeted by Demons. Repelling those attacks, just like what Mother did, might be encouraging someone.

“But I… am ashamed of this powerless self who cannot step into battle against Demons.”

“However, precisely because of that, we wished to convey our gratitude to the Ambassador and Lisa-sama.”

Saying that, the Count and his wife bowed deeply to me.

I see… That might be a similar anguish to King Melvin’s.

They are also in positions of leading others, and through their work, they’ve come to know about me. Because they know the reality, they likely hesitate to simply call the Demon Slayer a hero and cling to them as hope.

Especially if they took up martial arts to protect the people. I can understand the frustration of only being able to watch the battles. So, I answered with something close to my true feelings.

“I… am happy that I have the power to fight Demons in these hands. Not because anyone told me to, but I fight Demons of my own will. Therefore, there is no need for either of you to feel any sense of debt.”

Saying that… I offered my hand again for a handshake, and the two widened their eyes slightly, then gave small laughs.

“Then, it would be best if I do my utmost in what I can and should do, to be of even a little help in the Ambassador’s work.”

“We must keep in close contact with the Moon Temple.”

“Indeed.”

Yes, that’s right. It’s precisely because of stability in the rear and cooperation involving the Moon Temple that I can focus on my own work.

“As for how the two of you and everyone else feel about Mother… I’m glad I could hear it.”

“We are also glad to have spoken with the Ambassador. May you have good Luck in your endeavors.”

Saying that, I exchanged handshakes with the two. What we talked about earlier must have been a concern for the Count and his wife. Whether it was words of gratitude to Mother, until now, there was no one to convey them to. But… I have certainly received their words now.

Well. After relaxing a bit more on the rooftop like this, it’ll be time to depart for the western sea.

Under the clear blue sky, the sea, translucent in the sunlight, stretched as far as the eye could see. The weather was good, and my mood wasn’t bad either. It seemed like it would be quite a good journey.