Only Obedient to Me! Sir Knight Chapter 34

And so, the day arrived for the journey to Marzen.

“Move it over here!”

“Check the quantities properly!”

The area in front of the Veloa Trade Guild building, where they were set to meet up with Seilan, was teeming with people loading wagons and verifying cargo. Rowy, who was getting bumped around in the middle of that chaos, pouted and voiced his dissatisfaction.

“It’s loud and complicated.”

“It’ll be over soon. Go get in the carriage instead of getting in the way here.”

Seilan, who was checking paperwork nearby, tossed a remark at the sulky Rowy. Rowy flared up at those words.

“What was that? Getting in the way?”

“I’m telling you not to interfere with people working for no reason. We’re leaving because of you in the first place, anyway.”

“You dragged the trade guild along for your own benefit, so why are you blaming me?”

“Yep. Your fault.”

“Grrr!”

Rowy, who had been holding back his irritation, lunged at Seilan. Van, startled, quickly grabbed hold of Rowy.

“What is your problem! Let go!”

“Now, now, it’s chaotic here, so it would be better to sit in the carriage and wait.”

“I said let go!”

“Please.”

Fearing they might actually start a fight, Van picked Rowy up and hurried toward the carriage. Even while being carried dangling under Van’s arm, Rowy continued to yelp.

“I’m annoyed! You didn’t even say a word to me!”

Rowy, who had been dissatisfied with Seilan ever since the scheduling of the departure, now stamped his feet in a rage. Van tried to soothe him, but it was useless. The reason Rowy was this angry was….

“Why do I have to go with his trade guild?”

It was because Seilan had inserted Rowy into the merchant schedule heading to Marzen without a word. It seemed Seilan thought it was efficient to get some business done while they were going to Marzen anyway, but… unfortunately, the trade guild was the worst possible companion for Rowy, who hated crowds and noise. Van fretted beside the fuming Rowy.

“We’ll part ways once we get to Marzen. Please, just endure it for a little while.”

“I hate loud places, that’s all.”

“I know. Now, please sit here for a moment. There are even snacks that Seilan prepared for you.”

Van quickly popped a chocolate into Rowy’s mouth. Rowy, who had been about to complain, chewed on the chocolate that had appeared in his mouth.

“…”

“Would you like another one?”

“…Yeah.”

Phew. Van let out a sigh of relief internally and continued to unwrap chocolates for the now-quiet Rowy.

“Still, you said it’s thanks to Seilan that you don’t have to go with the knights, right?”

“…”

That… that is true. Rowy nodded reluctantly. The Duke had wanted the family knights to accompany them to Marzen. It seemed he felt additional surveillance and protection were necessary. However, thanks to Seilan convincing the Duke, that order had been canceled. It was because Seilan said he would be moving with his own trade guild, so knights wouldn’t be needed.

To Rowy, who had complained that Seilan brought the trade guild without telling him, Seilan had actually raised his voice, arguing that it was a good thing since they were now out of the family’s sight. …But could that really be considered something Seilan did for Rowy’s sake?

‘He probably has things he’s worried about being discovered, too.’

I’ll find out what that is and spill it. Deeply displeased, Rowy thought of a malicious plan.

Outside the carriage, preparations for departure were still in full swing. Rowy looked outside with his lips pursed. There were well over ten carriages, and even more people than that. Besides, everyone’s voices were so loud. Rowy shuddered and pulled his body back.

“I don’t want to ride in a carriage, either. It makes me carsick.”

“Then what should we do? Should I carry you on my back?”

“Do I look like a child to you!”

But you are acting like one…. Van stuffed another chocolate into Rowy’s mouth as he complained. His pouting face was cute, but… Van had been drained of energy even before they had left, and he continued to coax Rowy.

“Then… what should we do? Would you like to go by horse? Would that be too uncomfortable?”

“…A horse?”

It worked! Van quickly nodded.

“I will carry you. Let me go borrow a horse from Seilan.”

. ꕤ ｡ ˚⋆

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Nope. I’m fine.”

Rowy shook his head at the concerned question. Uncomfortable? Not at all—he just had to sit on a horse led by someone else and enjoy the scenery, which was very comfortable. Rowy dangled his feet while nestled in Van’s arms.

‘It’s actually kind of exciting.’

Rowy had rarely ridden a horse before. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to ride; it was more accurate to say he never had a reason to. The reason he had been tempted by Van’s suggestion was just because he thought he might like to ride a horse for the first time in a while.

However, Van had hoisted him up and sat him in front of him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Rowy had intended to say he wanted to ride alone, but he soon succumbed to the comfortable ride produced by Van’s skillful horsemanship. With the breeze blowing just right and the weather being good… Rowy, whose mood had recovered, kept peering around at the unremarkable forest path.

“Are there no monsters?”

The highlight of travel is monsters. Rowy asked, excited. Unfortunately, there were almost no monsters on the path connecting Serafilla and Marzen.

“This path is usually traveled by trade guilds, so they conduct regular subjugations, meaning monsters don’t come down here.”

Unlike Serafilla, an island nation, Marzen was a mountainous country. It was famous for metals and gems as every mountain range held mines. Because of the nature of the two countries where expensive jewelry transactions were frequent, the safety of the trade route was the top priority, making it hard to see monsters on this path.

Ugh. Whatever. Rowy grumbled, disappointed. Demons, monsters—always the same. Van laughed quietly from behind at Rowy’s consistent tastes.

“It’s boring.”

Losing interest quickly at the news that there were no monsters, Rowy went limp. Van, securing Rowy’s waist firmly with one hand, guided the horse slowly.

Clop, clop…. Rowy let out a small yawn on top of the slowly moving horse. Even without monsters… it wasn’t bad. It was literally a peaceful journey. If this path continued, he might even fall asleep.

“Yawn. When do we arrive? Let’s go eat dessert.”

“We have to cross the mountain range. At this speed, I think we’ll reach the border by evening.”

“I’ll ask Seilan for a dessert shop later.”

“Yes.”

Sharing conversation of little substance, the two proceeded smoothly toward Marzen.

. ꕤ ｡ ˚⋆

As expected, the party entered Marzen around evening. By the time they reached the capital, Enns, it was already late at night. The people who had irritated Rowy during the trip had all left for the trade guild building, and finally, only Rowy, Van, and Seilan were left behind.

‘I want to send Seilan away, too, if I could.’

But he couldn’t ignore the Duke’s order…. Rowy’s face remained pouting, still feeling slighted. Van followed Seilan while taking care of Rowy. The place where the three of them settled was an inn that Seilan visited every time he came to Marzen because the meals were excellent.

“It’s really delicious.”

“Right?”

It was just as Seilan had said. Rowy’s eyes went round as he tasted this and that. Seeing him eating diligently as if he hadn’t been complaining just a moment ago, Van let out a sigh of relief internally.

“Now, eat slowly. Have some of this, too.”

“Yeah. You eat, too.”

The sight of them sitting glued together and being lovey-dovey was an eyesore. Whether the two did that or not, Seilan, sitting across from them, just gulped down the freshly served beer.

“Ah, this is the life. Rowy, are you not drinking? Should I order some wine for you?”

“Master doesn’t drink.”

“Why are you answering?”

“Master, you aren’t going to drink, are you?”

“…Yeah.”

Rowy nodded blankly and buried his face in his food again. Van, who looked at Rowy with satisfaction, turned his head and glared at Seilan.

“Don’t push things that aren’t good for the body on him.”

“…It’s my fault for thinking of eating with you two.”

In a situation that killed his appetite, Seilan shook his head. He wanted to leave the two of them alone and run away right then and there, but… even so, it was the Duke’s order, so he had to at least pretend to accompany them. Seilan sighed and asked.

“So, what are you going to do now? Are you planning on going to the temple tomorrow?”

“Yes. That is the plan.”

“That release spell—is that done by the High Priest?”

To that question, Van nodded. Since the demon had been destroyed, Rowy had fewer headaches and stopped crying suddenly in the middle of the night. However, his memories still hadn’t returned properly. The curse hadn’t been perfectly lifted. Rowy needed a more powerful release. And when it came to that, the High Priest was the biggest expert.

“Hmm, then you’ll have to make a reservation in advance.”

“Excuse me?”

“The High Priest is very popular, so it’s not easy to book an appointment.”

At the nonsensical words, Van wore a bewildered expression. Popular? What is he talking about? Seeing Van’s reaction, Seilan added an explanation.

“Ah, you wouldn’t know since it’s been a long time since you left the temple. The Elysion Temple has become quite a famous tourist spot now. The talismans drawn by the High Priest are very popular because they are so effective.”

…? They draw talismans? The High Priest does?

“Then, since we’re going anyway, why don’t you join the guided tour tomorrow?”

…There’s a guided tour, too?

What on earth is going on at the Elysion Temple? Van stared at Seilan with trembling eyes.