NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 54
Chapter 54: The Samurai Surprises
The return trip from Navar went much faster than the journey there, thanks to the addition of a new combat strength, Tyumen. We reached the gate of Angila much sooner than expected.
“Nice to meet you! I am Renald Angila, the third son of the Angila Margrave family!”
“I’m the son of the Borrello Baron and E-Rank adventurer, Tyumen Borrello! Pleased to meet ya!”
“I am Raoul Velastelos, a knight serving Lord Renald!”
“I am Axel, a knight apprentice!”
“Likewise, I am Aureik!”
“““““…………………………””””
Franz and the others stood frozen, their mouths agape in stunned expressions.
…Perhaps bringing them along was a mistake.
Originally, they were supposed to part ways at the South Gate. However, since Renald insisted on meeting the group, Kurosu reluctantly guided them to the main base.
The comrades had emerged from the doorway upon hearing the sound of hooves, leading to the current situation.
I had anticipated something like this might happen, but frankly, returning by carriage from the South Gate sounded bothersome, and I desperately wanted to take a bath. The inn in Navar only had a steam bath, which Kurosu disliked, and the maids intruded like bathhouse attendants, leading to yelling and no relaxation at all.
When handling nobility, even bathing arrangements can be a sign of consideration. However, it’s disgracefully impertinent for anyone, even a high-class inn, to barge into a samurai’s bathing time without permission. It’s understandable to wish to reach our usual tub as soon as possible.
Kurosu was then forcefully dragged away from Renald’s group to a quieter place by the silent Mauri and Pamela, who had grabbed his arms.
“Hey! Why’d you bring them here!? They’re nobles for heaven’s sake!? Send them back to the castle!”
“Why are there more people than before?! And where did that lizardman come from?!”
“They insisted on meeting all of you. Tyumen was picked up in Navar. I thought he’d make a good addition to the household.”
“Stop picking up nobility like stray dogs! What situation made you do that?! …What do we do now, Franz? It’s full of nobles!”
“At l-least… At least we should greet them! –”
Franz, his body shaking with tension, approached Renald and his group, barely managing to greet them.
“Um, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Franz, the leader of the E-Rank party, ‘Guardians of the Wasteland.’ So… what brings you here today?”
“Sorry for the sudden visit. We simply had to meet the companions of Cross-sama, so we intruded without hesitation. Are you Cross-sama’s leader?”
“Cross, sama?”
Franz turned toward Kurosu with an almost grinding sound, his face contorted with suspicion. The other group members also looked at Kurosu with furrowed brows and suspicious gazes.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I honestly didn’t do anything this time.”
“At any rate, continuing this conversation outside wouldn’t be proper, so please come in. It’s a bit messy, but we’ll serve some tea.”
Franz guided the guests inside the base, offered them the living room’s sofas, and, realizing there weren’t enough seats for everyone, turned pale and rushed up the stairs.
He probably went to the storage room on the second floor for extra chairs, moving with a speed uncommon even in combat.
“Uh, um… We don’t have fancy tea for nobles. What should we do? Will the usual do?”
“We don’t have much of a choice… even if it’s water, it’s better than nothing.”
“Excuse me, I’m Pina, the maid. Please feel free to use these tea leaves. I’ll help prepare it.”
Mauri and Barth, who had been about to escape to the kitchen, were joined by Pina.
“Everyone, this is Miss Pamela.”
“Ah, so you’re the famous one! Cross-sama mentioned how you manage to be both a mage and an excellent close-combat fighter!”
“Moreover, I heard you can even hold your own against hog demons! I’d love to hear more!”
“Eh?! Uh, no, I’m um…–”
Pamela found herself surrounded by the knights, floundering in discomfort.
“Cross, you’re living in a pretty sweet place. Bigger than my house, maybe?”
“Surely such a successful party must be doing well. I’ve heard renowned adventurers earn more than nobles.”
“No…about this house–”
He explained they were renting a repaired ruin at a low price. Although impressive at first glance, this manor had undergone numerous repairs since Kurosu had moved in. Barth might mend smaller wall cracks with magic, but the real issue was the roof.
Rain leakage was consistently severe, and whenever droplets startled Pamela with their surprise appearances, it was always “again?” The tables and floors still bore circular stains where water had dripped from the ceiling.
As the group began to settle in and the preparations were completed, cups of tea were set out for everyone. Amidst these moments, the initial tension seemed to ease a bit as Franz started the conversation.
“Lord Renald. Did Cross cause you any trouble on the way?”
“Oh no, none at all! I truly believe we were fortunate to receive support from Cross-sama. If there’s another opportunity, I’ll definitely hire your party again!”
“Is that so… That’s good. Yes, it really is.”
Franz sighed in relief, visibly relaxed. Despite earlier assurances of confidence, it seemed his worrisome nature would persist indefinitely.
“So, this ‘master’ you’re speaking of, who exactly is he?”
While Renald happily recounted his tales with excitement, the group’s faces darkened as the story unfolded.
“Reprimanding the lord… Is this… barely acceptable?”
“It’s barely safe, yes. But if Lord Renald isn’t offended, then we’ll let it slide.”
“Did he, by any chance, anger him and make him throw a tantrum?”
“Hmm… he did draw his sword…”
“We, as knights, deeply regret this, but the sight of Cross-sama, bloodied and crawling towards us, sent shivers down our spines. We truly believed we would be killed.”
Just as these two blurted out the details, the group erupted in frustration.
“CROOOOSS!!! You said you hadn’t done anything this time!? What the hell were you doing, you idiot?!”
“We warned you to be patient! He’s the son of a lord for crying out loud!”
“Man, you’re seriously messed up… If the higher nobles found out you attacked one of their own, execution wouldn’t be debatable!”
“No, that’s wrong. I had just finished cutting down bandits and happened to have my sword drawn. Yes, I was irritated, but not aiming at them. I didn’t break my promise.”
“Lord Renald, Lord Raoul! Please forgive him!! He’s new to this country and doesn’t yet know its customs!!”
Franz shot from his seat, bowing deeply with a deathly pale face.
“Please, Franz-sama. There’s no need for concern. We have no intention of prosecuting him. This was largely due to our own misunderstandings.”
“That’s right. Besides, we’ve come to understand Cross-sama’s way of thinking… His adherence to the samurai code of honor. Our actions could have easily been perceived as insults by him.”
With the misunderstandings cleared, the atmosphere began to shift into a more amicable chat.
Renald shared his experiences in Navar and their travel stories, and in response, Franz spoke of their dungeon explorations and daily adventures as explorers. Though Barth and Mauri avoided eye contact with the nobles, they seemed pleased with the interest shown by the apprentices and gave animated reenactments of the fierce battles with Ghost Bears.
Kurosu, having nothing else to do, had planned to slip away and head to the bath, but was physically held back by someone sitting beside him—apparently shy and clinging to his clothes, preventing his escape. Thus, he stayed reluctantly, joining the tea chat.
After enjoying pleasant conversation for a while, as everyone moved toward the doorway to conclude the meeting, Laoul suddenly blocked Kurosu’s path.
“Cross-sama, may I request one final bout of martial practice?”
“Of course… but, Raoul-sama, could it be that…”
A broad smile broke across the older man’s face, reminiscent of a mischievous child.
“During our return, I fought some monsters and realized something. It seems my senses have returned!”
With that, the scene came to a heartwarming close.