After that incident, Edward and his companion never set foot in our carriage again.
"Wow! So this is the Brave Territory?"
"It’s quite peaceful, isn't it?"
"I’ve never been outside the Royal Capital before, so everything looks so new to me!"
Just as she had on the train, Mariana leaned eagerly out the window of the horse carriage. Alicia watched her with a fond, gentle smile.
I suppose if you've spent your whole life in the densely packed Royal Capital, a landscape of absolutely nothing would feel like a breath of fresh air. Even a simple road I’d once taken for granted looked different now that I was viewing it with eyes accustomed to the capital. Was it the "hometown air"? Whatever it was, the familiarity settled deep in my chest, bringing a sense of calm over me.
"We're finally back, Ragna."
"Yeah."
Ever since the commotion on the train, the bond between Mariana and Alicia had grown remarkably close. While I thought it was a bit strange, I was just happy that Alicia still made sure to include me in the conversation. Her social consideration was as meticulous as a veteran otome game player.
She was raising my flags left and right. I’d have to lock the Beast of Brave in a reinforced cell, wrap it in heavy chains, and dump it into the deepest part of the ocean. I renewed my resolve to keep my darker nature suppressed.
"There are lots of monsters here, right?! The kind they don't have near the capital! Sniff, sniff! I guess we can't see them from here, though?"
"This is a residential area, after all," I told Mariana as she peered around restlessly. "But the town is close to the mountain range, so there's a slight chance something weird might show up at night. You shouldn't wander outside casually."
"Fuehh..."
"That really is dangerous, isn't it...?"
Yeah, treat it like a trip to the convenience store and you're asking for trouble. Adventurers were outwardly obedient to House Brave, but they weren't exactly virtuous gentlemen who would look out for a girl they didn't know. If the girls were going to move around, they needed me, Sebas, or one of the house servants with them.
"Don’t let it bother you if you stumble across the mangled corpse of an adventurer or two. It happens all the time!"
A classic Brave Joke—my first in a while. Had I nailed the delivery?
"I-Is that so...? Hieee..."
"Ragna, stop scaring her with those horrible jokes!"
"Yes, sorry."
I got scolded.
"Are you used to seeing them too, Lady Alicia? The... mangled corpses...?"
"Of course not. It's a normal town. It's a peaceful place where children can play with smiles on their faces, so rest easy."
For now, anyway. Since I felt bad for scaring her, I decided to provide a correction.
"The mangled corpses usually aren't from monsters; they're the result of adventurers getting into excessive brawls. As long as you're with me or people from House Brave, you'll be fine. You can relax."
When I told her that, Mariana became even more terrified. She curled up on Alicia's lap, and I ended up getting scolded by Alicia a second time.
Utterly incomprehensible.
After that, we pulled ourselves together and spent a pleasant, peaceful remainder of the trip until we finally arrived at the House Brave Mansion.
"Welcome home, Lady Alicia!"
"We have been eagerly awaiting your return!"
"I'm home, everyone!"
As Alicia stepped down from the carriage, our servants swarmed around her. Seeing Alicia smile back at them so warmly, I felt a sense of relief. She had truly become the heart of House Brave.
I was being completely ignored, which was also incomprehensible, but I decided to let it slide.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
"I'm back, Sebas."
You're the only one who says that to me, Sebas.
"U-Um... p-p-p-please look after me!"
"I have heard the details in advance. Now then, Lady Mariana, please, this way."
Mariana stepped off the carriage looking as nervous as a kitten in a new home, but Sebas gave her a reassuring smile and led her toward Alicia.
"Lady Alicia, Lady Mariana, you must be exhausted from the long journey. Please, come inside and relax."
The two of them headed toward the mansion, flanked by the servants. Mariana's room was already prepared; I was glad I’d followed Alicia’s advice and sent a letter to Sebas in advance. I’d planned to just show up unannounced, but Alicia had insisted I let them know.
Seriously, she was a lifesaver.
"How was life at the Academy, Young Master?" Sebas asked as he helped unload the luggage after the girls had gone inside.
"Exactly as you'd imagine."
"Then I am pleased to see you are enjoying such a fulfilling school life."
"Oh, you’ve got a mouth on you today, Sebas."
There had been a fair share of trouble, but more than anything, I was glad to have gained people who could laugh alongside me like this. Mariana’s presence was especially significant. At first, I only thought of her as a pawn—the Saint from the game who could help me avoid the coming calamity. But thanks to her, Alicia had gained a female friend, her social world had expanded, and she smiled more than ever before.
Originally, it would have been nearly impossible for someone in Alicia's position to make friends. I’d thought I’d have to be the one to stay by her side constantly, but Mariana had stepped into that role at the Academy, making it much easier for me to operate.
"Yeah, I think it was a good school life."
I meant it, especially when I thought of Alicia's smile.
"And did the Young Master manage to make any friends?"
"Hmph. Don't ask."
I still didn't have a single friend. To be honest, I’d held a small hope that I might find someone. But if it didn't happen, it didn't happen. I should have expected it.
"Perhaps you should try making some school friends once you have more leeway?"
"I didn't have the leeway, so stop asking."
"We retainers truly hope from the bottom of our hearts that the Young Master will make some friends of his own gender."
Well, it would be nice, wouldn't it? If I were to ever stray down the wrong path, would there actually be anyone in the Royal Capital who could stop me? The gap between me and others felt so vast that I couldn't help but wonder. Even in the Brave Territory, the only ones I could call equals were Sebas and Onyx; my relationship with the adventurers was strictly hierarchical.
"I suppose a friend I can trade blows with is asking for too much..."
"That is not generally how one defines a friend, Young Master."
"But I want that kind of guy friend! Someone I can communicate with through my fists!"
"Let us abandon that dream."
"You're a heartless, honest man, you know that?"
At our usual banter, Sebas stroked his beard and chuckled. I found myself laughing along with him.
Yeah, a relationship like this was just fine. Laughing over silly things, and laughing because the other person was laughing. There was no point in asking for too much.
Proximity and distance—maintaining the right balance was what mattered most.
"On that note, the rest of the staff and I are quite curious—how far have things progressed with Lady Alicia? You are living under the same roof with just the two of you, after all."
"Hmph. Don't ask."
"I see. I am glad to hear that nothing has changed."
That sounded suspiciously biting. What was he trying to imply?