Chapter 122 - Episode 121: Return
"Kenooze, Boreas, how is everyone doing? Are they tired?"
"We are fine. The children and the injured seem to be showing some fatigue, but even so, their expectations for their future lives outweigh it."
"When you think about arriving at a new land soon, a little tiredness is nothing."
When Noein asked, Kenooze and Boreas answered with bright expressions.
"I'm glad to hear that. If there's anyone who looks unable to walk, there's still a bit of room in the wagons, so let me know."
"Understood."
"Thank you very much."
After finishing the check on the beastmen's condition, Noein left them and returned to his own tent.
This was the edge of the Valerian Highway, the main road in the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Lordberg. It was a flat area surrounded by gentle hills and small wetlands. The Arqvist territorial army and the former conscripted soldiers, moving in a large group of approximately 300 people, were camping in the open like this during the nights of their journey.
Even when passing through cities or villages, only Noein and Matilda, and at most Yuri or Pence, could stay at inns. Everyone else stayed in tents outside the urban areas.
In the southwestern part of the kingdom, there were few inns that would take beastmen to begin with, and in the northwest, many places were currently in chaos because the lords or deputies were absent due to the war, or had only just returned. There were almost no towns or villages with the capacity to accept 300 people, so it was inevitable that Noein and the others continued to camp in the open.
"Haa, we've finally made it this far."
"Thank you for your hard work, Noein-sama."
The moment he entered the tent and was out of public view, Noein flopped sloppily onto the furs spread across the floor. Matilda sat beside him, leaning in as she offered words of appreciation.
It was about three days until they reached the Arqvist territory. Compared to the outbound journey, where they marched with only the trained territorial army soldiers, it was taking slightly longer because the injured and children had joined them.
"Thank you... Matilda, you're tired too, aren't you?"
"I am fine. Just thinking that I can return home alive with Noein-sama makes me feel no fatigue... Besides, I am happy because you touch me like this."
Matilda smiled as she stroked the back of the hand of the reclining Noein. Noein smiled back at her.
The war was already over. Therefore, Noein would touch her when his subordinates weren't looking, and he would hold her at night. On nights when they could stay at an inn, he would embrace her as a lover. That was what made Matilda happier than anything else.
"Noein-sama, is it alright?"
Yuri's voice echoed from outside the tent. Noein sat up and gave a listless reply, "It's fine—."
Having confirmed Noein's answer, Yuri opened the tent entrance and conveyed his business from the outside.
"The food supplies are a bit precarious. We have just barely enough to reach the Arqvist territory... that's the level. There was a village we just passed, right? I think we should buy more wheat and dried meat there."
"Ah, in that case... here, please use this. Make sure to record the exact amount spent on the additional purchases. If the expedition expenses are vague, Anna will scold me later."
As he spoke, Noein handed over several large silver coins.
"I know. I'll take a few territorial army soldiers with me."
"Take care. Be safe."
Noein spoke in a casual tone, as if seeing someone off for a shopping trip to the neighborhood (which was actually the case). Compared to the outbound journey, where they had braced themselves for the possibility of not returning, the return journey—proceeding leisurely with everyone safe and even bringing many new territorial residents—was a relaxed affair.
Incidentally, Pence was not here. This was because he had departed two days prior as a herald to announce Noein's return and the matter of the beastmen.
"...I'm thirsty."
"I shall brew some tea."
They finished the camp preparations early in anticipation of sunset. All that remained was to rest their bodies in preparation for tomorrow's movement.
.....
Three days later. Noein's party passed through the neighboring Viscount Koenitz territory and entered the Arqvist territory.
Before evening, they passed through the highway surrounded by forests, and the territorial capital, Noeina, came into view.
"...We've come back, Matilda."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
They had been away from the territory for about two months. It wasn't short, but it wasn't an incredibly long period either. However, to Noein, seeing his own territorial capital felt as if it had been several years. That was how long and painful the war had seemed to him.
The soldiers leading the way were hoisting a flag printed with the Arqvist Baronet family crest—a picture resembling a golem inside a steel-colored frame—so it should be immediately apparent from the capital's gates that Noein and the others had returned.
From a distance, he could see the soldier standing on the watchtower next to the gate shouting instructions to those around him, hurriedly entering preparations for the welcome.
Passing through the farmlands while being bowed to by the peasants, they reached the gate. By that time, the news of their arrival had already been conveyed, and the territorial residents within the capital who were free from work came out to the roadside to welcome the return of the lord's party.
Since the fact that everyone was safe should have been conveyed by the herald Pence, the expressions of the welcoming residents were bright.
Incidentally, since a large number of beastmen suddenly entering the territorial capital might cause surprise or caution, Kenooze, Boreas, and the others were made to wait outside for the time being.
When they reached the grounds of the mansion, Clara was standing there in her formal attire as a noblewoman. Her face was not in the light makeup used for daily life, but was fully made up. It was likely her own expression of joy and sincerity in welcoming her husband's return.
"Noein-sama... I am truly happy from the bottom of my heart that you have returned safely. Welcome home."
"Thank you for welcoming me, Clara. I'm home."
Lining up for the welcome were the remaining attendants, the slaves including Christy, and furthermore, the maids. To the remaining subordinates and servants, Noein replied with a smile to Clara, who welcomed him with polite words and gestures.
The attendants, slaves, and maids also spoke words of joy at Noein's return one after another. Noein responded to each person as much as possible. Some people, such as Radley, Bart, and Edgar, were not there, but they were likely working outside the territorial capital.
"Noein-sama, thank you for your hard work."
Pence, who had returned a step ahead as a herald, also called out.
"Thank you. You worked hard too, Pence... Um, what about Rosetta, who is clinging to your arm?"
"This is... as you can see, it's Rosetta."
When Noein asked upon seeing Rosetta entwined around Pence's arm as if to say "I am the wife," a literal answer was returned. There was likely no other way to answer.
"Ever since I returned as a herald, she's been like this for the past few days..."
"Eh~, but I'm properly doing the bare minimum of work, you know~?"
As she spoke, Rosetta did not leave Pence's arm. They were truly harmonious.
"As long as you're getting the work done, it's fine; you look happy. I'm glad for you, Rosetta."
"Yes. Noein-sama, thank you for bringing Pence-san back safely~"
The two had been in a flurry before the expedition, but if they had successfully stuck together like this, there was nothing more to say. Noein, as the lord, had been concerned about Pence's future, so this was a joyful thing.
Just then, Edgar arrived. It seemed he had rushed over after interrupting his work in the farmlands.
"I apologize for not making it in time for the welcome; I was working in the northern farmlands..."
"It's alright, thank you for your effort. Rather, thank you for coming even to the point of interrupting your work."
"No... by the way, when I was returning to the territorial capital, I saw a large number of beastmen near the east gate; they are the immigrants in question, correct?"
To accept as many as 250 beastmen, preparations were needed on the Arqvist territory side as well. It seemed the herald Pence had properly conveyed the matter of Kenooze and the others.
"That's right. I've brought along conscripted soldiers who have no place to return to, but are the preparations for accepting them ready?"
"Since we have continued the deforestation of the forest to expand the urban area to the west, it may be a bit cramped at first, but it should be fine. They will have to start by living in tents, but..."
"It's going to get warmer from now on, so there's no problem. We can just have them help with the land reclamation and house construction themselves... It would be pitiful to make them wait too long, so shall we go welcome them?"
"Yes, let us go."
During Noein's absence, Edgar had also been managing urban development and reclamation work. For the time being, it should be fine to leave the immigrants to him.
.....
Leaving the disassembly work of the expeditionary force to Yuri, the subsequent care of the beastmen to Edgar and Pence, and the administrative after-processing to Anna, Noein entered the mansion for the time being with Matilda and Clara.
To avoid the eyes of the subordinates and servants, the three of them moved to the bedroom for now.
"...Noein-sama!"
The moment they entered the room and closed the door, Clara jumped at Noein as if she could no longer endure it. Noein caught her, and the two embraced firmly.
"Dear... I am truly glad you are safe... welcome home."
"I'm home, Clara. I missed you."
Not as lord and lady of the territory, but as simply a man and a woman, they rejoiced in their reunion. Beside them, Matilda watched the two with a smile.
"...Matilda-san, welcome home. Thank you for returning alive. And thank you for protecting Noein-sama to the end."
After embracing Noein for a while, Clara separated from him for a moment and then drew Matilda close. To Clara, she was also a precious family member.
"Clara-sama... yes, I have returned safely. I have also fulfilled my promise."
Clara protects the Arqvist territory, and Matilda protects Noein. The promise of the two as comrades had been fulfilled.
"...To be honest, I was very lonely. Even though I know it's a luxurious and selfish worry, it was unbearably painful to sleep alone every day. So, please sleep with me for a while starting today, alright?"
Seeing Clara speak spoiledly to the two of them, both Noein and Matilda laughed softly.
"Of course that's the plan; from tonight, the three of us will be together again."
"...And, I believe there were painful and sad things on the battlefield. Various things happened in the Arqvist territory as well. Let us talk to each other about them."
"You're right, there are many things I want to talk about and ask... Let's leave the detailed post-war processing until tomorrow, and for now, let's spend today relaxing."
"Then, I shall brew some tea. As usual."
Noein and Matilda, who survived the war, and Clara, who overcame the crisis of the Arqvist territory as the acting lord, thus returned to their daily lives.
The above concludes Chapter Five. Thank you for reading this far.
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