Hautenbourg Territory
2 days after receiving the ring from Christina-sama, I have now come to the Hautenbourg Territory.
If I have to say where Hautenbourg Territory is, it’s a place that’s about 5 kilometers away from the capital, a territory that Christina-sama’s father, Caro’s grandfather, Cardinal Gurian・Hautenbourg, governs.
It was also this location that became the refuge shelter at the time when the Ancient Dragon attacked.
If I have to say why I came to this territory, it’s because I was told by Christina-sama at dinner time on the day that I received the ring that Cardinal Hautenbourg wants to meet me. It seems he wants to have a look at the face of his granddaughter’s fiance.
In this Cardinal Hautenbourg Territory, it seems there’s this country’s academy, and it appears that Cardinal Hautenbourg is also serving as the academy’s Headmaster.
Hence, it ended up with the fiancees and I going to meet him. It seems Dargris and the others will be having training in the palace. They were saying that they’re going to look for rings as well.
It was annoying when Dargris and Cait saw the rings and came to pester me. In their own way, the group of girls were also hyped up and giving off an atmosphere which the guys can’t enter.
“We’ll arrive soon”
I was thinking about such things when Caro, who sits in front, says that. Indeed, if I glance outside, a wall that’s about 5 metres is visible. Well, it’s visible even from the capital though.
“By the way, what kind of a person is Caro’s Ojii-san1, Cardinal Hautenbourg?”
“Ojii-sama, although he’s a very kind person, he’s a martial arts expert. Although it’s common for the Chivalric Orders to fundamentally carry swords and shields, Ojii-sama’s private army are all trained in a way that they can fight even without weapons. I hear that he says, ‘knights that can protect their master even without a weapon are the best knights!'”
A martial arts expert huh. Indeed, I’ve also learned from Shishou in a way that I can fight even without weapons. It’s because weapons are expendables. It’s so that I’ll be fine if it breaks one day, even if it breaks mid-battle.
As we spend the time listening to the other various stories about her Ojii-san and so forth, we can hear the knights and the coachman talking outside. We already arrived at the gate huh.
I try looking outside through the window and, this place is also pretty lively huh. Stalls that are being set up along the streets are buzzing; children are gleefully playing in the park.
As we carry on shaking in the carriage, a remarkably large mansion comes into sight. There’s a large school beside it. That’s Templar Academy huh. From inside, there are student-like people coming out.
“Is Templar Academy not on summer vacation?”
“Templar Academy is also on summer break. I think they’re just coming to borrow the academy’s facilities. They’re able to check things in the library and such after all”
……Indeed, Cardia Academy can be used during the summer vacation as well huh. I’d totally forgotten about it since we moved here from the first day of summer vacation.
As we’re looking at the academy while shaking in the carriage, the carriage comes to a stop midway. It seems we arrived at the mansion. Perhaps it’s thanks to having had sent a notice beforehand, maids are assembling and waiting before the gate. In the middle is a man with a well-trained body and a woman who’s smiling gracefully.
……I wonder if it’s really Caro’s Ojii-san and Obaa2-san? They’re awfully youthful though. Their appearances look about 30s and they look nothing but parents and child even if they’re standing beside Caro.
Since Caro alighted from the carriage, we too follow after and alight and walk until the side of the 2 people.
“Ojii-sama, Obaa-sama. It has been a long time”
“Ooh, welcome, Caroline. It’s lonely that you didn’t come and visit us at all even though you’re a short distance away”
“Really. The Pope is also making Caro-chan do nothing but fight just because Caro-chan possesses the Goddess’ Blessing”
The 2 people who embrace Caro while saying that. According to what I heard, it seems it has been 1 year since Caro and Cardinal Hautenbourg and the others met.
It’s because Caro, as the Holy Maiden, had been called out to the skirmishes at the Demon Tribe Territory’s and Regalia Empire’s border provinces, that’s the reason. And then, when she had finally returned, the topic of the engagement with me came up and after the hectic events, it became today.
I do also feel slightly apologetic, but I shall keep quiet.
“Oh right, Ojii-sama, Obaa-sama, I’ll introduce everybody. This person is my fiance, Leivelt・Runwalker. He’s the person I love! And then the women who are behind are, from the right, Alexia・Nanor, Ferris・Worvest, Helendine・Ralgus, Aerith・Runwalker.
And this person here is my Ojii-sama, Gurian・Hautenbourg, and this person here is my Obaa-sama, Melies・Hautenbourg”
Gurian-san stares fixedly at me with Caro’s introduction. It appears that I’m being evaluated. Melies-san is happily smiling and going, ‘My, my’. I was introduced by Caro, so I took a step forward and gave my greetings.
“It is my pleasure to meet you. I am Caroline’s fiance, Leivelt・Runwalker”
“Aah, I’m Gurian・Hautenbourg. Nice to meet you”
We shake hands while we say that and, ouch! This old man, he’s bloody gripping with all his strength! Even though he has a large smile on his face. This guy!
“Nuu!”
I also put my strength in and, Gurian-san’s complexion changes. He still has a smile, but sweat starts to flow from his forehead.
“……How long are you going to shake hands for?”
Caro asks us, perhaps because she’s bothered by the fact that Gurian-san and I have been shaking hands the whole time. Gurian-san and I take the opportunity to let go of our hands.
“……It seems you are quite noteworthy”
“……Thank you for that”
As Gurian-san and I are laughing ‘Fufufu’ at each other, those around look at us oddly.
I carry on to shake hands with Melies-san. As expected, Melies-san held my hand normally though.
Starting from Alexia, they give their greetings in order, and we are led to the mansion. As far as I can see, the interior is decorated with gorgeous pots and paintings, all kinds of things. And then when we enter the room we were led to, we take our seats in order, starting from Gurian-san.
“Well then, once again, welcome, Caroline. Also, Leivelt-kun and Alexia-dono and the others as well”
“I am thankful to have been invited, Cardinal Gurian”
I represent everybody and give my greetings. Melies-san who happily nods to that fact. In contrast, Gurian-san who glares at me. His face is smiling but his eyes aren’t smiling.
Well, from the feeling just now, he probably loves Caro. I’m the man who took that endearing Caro after all. ……Even though her parents officially recognized it, to think that I’m experiencing something like this with her grandfather.
“As for why we summoned you guys, although it’s also partially because we wanted to see the fiance’s face, we have one more request that we want to make”
Gurian-san who says and looks at me. Melies-san also makes a troubled face and looks at me. …..I have a bad feeling.
