Chapter 3-3 : Departure
A few days later, after I’ve finished my preparation, I’m finally ready to go on my next adventure.
「Have a safe trip, Kako ojou-sama.」(Marqise)
「「Have a safe trip, Kako ojou-sama!」」(servants)
As I passed through the gate, Marqise, the head butler, and all the other servants lined up and bowed in unison.
They didn’t have to gather here just to see me off. It’s a bit too much, but I appreciate it.
「Thank you!」(Kako)
Of course, not just the servants, Father, Mother, and Maitena onee-sama are here to see me off as well.
「Kako, you’re a smart girl, but please be careful out there.」(Elvent)
「I’ll be careful. Don’t worry, Father.」(Kako)
「Ahh~ Kako-chan!」(Folia)
Right after I replied to Father, Mother hugged me tightly.
「Please take care of yourself, and have fun on your trip!」(Folia)
「I will, Mother, but… umm… I feel like you’re dragging me back to the house.」(Kako)
Mother told me to have fun, but while hugging me, she was slowly stepping backward, dragging me toward the gate.
「Mother, cut it out already. You make it harder for her to leave.」(Maitena)
「Ara~ I’m sorry. Thinking I’ll be lonely, my body moved on its own…」(Folia)
Thanks to Maitena onee-sama, I was able to escape from Mother’s arms.
「Maitena’s right. Folia, we should send her off with a smile.」(Elvent)
「Uuu…」(Folia)
Father wrapped his hand on Mother’s shoulders and hugged her.
Uhh, they’re exaggerating. It’s not like we’re going to part for the rest of our lives.
「Oh, right. I almost forgot. Father, before I go, I have something for you.」(Kako)
「Oh? What is it?」(Elvent)
I opened my magic bag, took out a halberd with a red-glowing head, and handed it to Father.
「Woohh! Kako, this isー」(Elvent)
「Yes, it’s a magic halberd. A fire one. Its ability is simple but powerful. It shoots burning flames at your targets. I, umm, got it from a traveling merchant I met in the city market the other day. It wasn’t that expensive, so I bought it for you.」(Kako)
Of course, I was lying. I made it with my Synthesis Skill.
Father looked really sad when I sold the Blizzard Magic Sword to Raykard-sama a while ago, so I made this magic halberd as a replacement for that sword.
「Khh…! Kakoooo!! You’re truly a kind daughter! I’m such a lucky father!!」(Elvent)
Suddenly, Father raised the halberd with both hands and shouted while looking at the sky.
I was hoping he would be happy, but I didn’t expect him to be this happy. I could see tears dropping from her eyes.
Father really likes to react exaggeratedly, but that’s one of his charms, I guess.
「I’m glad you like it.」(Kako)
「Thank you! Thank you, Kako! I’ll keep it safe as a family heirloom!」(Elvent)
「Umm, I’ll be glad if you use it though.」(Kako)
It’s not something valuable enough for a family heirloom, so I want him to just use it normally.
「You want me to use this…? Ugh, I’m not really good at this type of weapon, but… Alright! If that’s what my beloved daughter wants! I will practice using this weapon every day, and I promise you I will master it by the time you return home!」(Elvent)
「U, un…」(Kako)
「Maitena, you use a spear, right? Can you teach me how to use this?」(Elvent)
「A halberd and a spear are kinda different, but I guess I can teach you some moves.」(Maitena)
「Great! We’ll start the practice after Kako leaves!」(Elvent)
「Sure.」(Maitena)
I never thought Father would start his training arc like this…
Honestly, I want him to take it easy, but finding a new goal is not a bad thing.
While watching Father, who was overwhelmed with emotion, Nyat whispered to me.
「What an interesting family-nya, especially your father-nya.」(Nyat)
「Fufu. You’re right. Well then, everyone, it’s time to go.」(Kako)
「Oh, right. Kako, I’ve already booked two seats in a stagecoach to the southern region for you and Nyat.」(Maitena)
「Thank you, Maitena onee-sama.」(Kako)
Father planned to prepare a personal stagecoach for me, but I told him not to because I wanted to go as a merchant, not as a noble lady. Maitena onee-sama then suggested that I go by public transportation and booked seats for me and Nyat.
「Anything for my cute little sister. Be careful and have fun, Kako!」(Maitena)
「Un! I’ll be going now!」(Kako)
I turned around and waved my hand at my family as I walked away with Nyat.
They saw me off with smiles on their faces.
ーThird-person narrativeー
At that moment, Kako had no idea that her father, Marquis Elvent Kushaq, would become a fearful fighter in the future under the alias of “Marquis of the Flaming Halberd.”
◆◆◆
After leaving the mansion, Nyat and I headed to the stage station outside the city by the gate.
「Hahh…」(Kako)
While walking, I couldn’t help but sigh. The reason was that I didn’t see Thea. I haven’t seen her since this morning.
She’s my personal maid, but she wasn’t there to see me off. I wonder if she’s doing some kind of job for Father right now.
I missed the chance to say goodbye to her, but it’s not that I will never see her again. I shouldn’t forget to bring her some souvenirs when I go home.
While thinking about Thea, I arrived at the stage station.
There were so many carriages and stagecoaches, and some of them were not drawn by horses. Many kinds of animals ーno, monsters, to be exactー were used to draw carriages, such as giant dogs, giant lizards, ostrich-like creatures, and many other creatures.
I approached the man who seemed to be a station attendant and talked to him.
「Excuse me. I’m here for the stagecoach seats booked by the name of Maitena.」(Kako)
「A girl and a catto. I’ve heard about you from Lady Maitena. This way, please.」(attendant)
The attendant doesn’t seem to know my identity. It seemed that Maitena onee-sama kept my identity a secret as promised.
I followed the man and stopped in front of a stagecoach. I was surprised when I saw the creature that would be drawing it.
「Whoaa… That’s a huge bird!」(Kako)
In front of the stagecoach was a giant bird that resembled an eagle about three and a half meters in height.
「Haha. You have never ridden a bird stagecoach before?」(attendant)
「I haven’t.」(Kako)
「I see. I promise you it will be an amazing experience. You two are the last passengers, so it will depart as soon as you get on.」(attendant)
「Alright. Thank you.」(Kako)
As the attendant said, Nyat and I seemed to be the last passengers. Most seats had already been taken when we got inside.
While I was looking for available seats for me and Nyat, there was a woman sitting by the window beckoning at me.
「There are two free here.」(woman)
「Oh, thank you.」(Kako)
I couldn’t see the kind woman’s face because she was wearing a hood, but her voice sounded familiar.
I thanked her and sat next to her. Nyat then took a seat next to me.
「Nya nya!?」(Nyat)
As he took a seat, Nyat glanced at the woman and suddenly made a weird noise.
「Hm? What’s wrong?」(Kako)
「W, well…」(Nyat)
Without answering my question, he looked away awkwardly for some reason.
「Hmm…?」(Kako)
Is there something wrong with this woman?
「Ladies and gentlemen, we’re departing now. Please hold on tight.」(driver)
Not long after we sat down, I heard the voice of the stage driver from the driver’s seat. Right after, the stagecoach shook violently.
「Waa!」(Kako)
I lost balance and accidentally leaned against the woman.
「Ah, I’m sorry.」(Kako)
「No, it’s fine. Are you hurt, Kako ojou-sama?」(woman)
「No, I’m alright. It’s my first time riding this kind of carriage, so… ーHm…? “Kako… ojou-sama”…?」(Kako)
I opened my eyes wide in surprise and quickly shifted my gaze to the woman.
She then revealed her face and smiled at me.
「Thー Thea!?」(Kako)
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Lol father become best fighter for his daughter sake huh