After the Worm hunt was concluded, Rest and his group set out for their return to the Royal Capital.
They had received formal permission from the Second Prince, Andrew Aiwood. He had apologized for overworking them and promised that a reward befitting their efforts would follow.
"Finally, we can return to our townhouse in the capital. It’s only been a short while, but I’ve actually missed home," Viola remarked.
"Living in the cottage at the Pioneer Village was quite enjoyable too, though," Primula added. "The house was small, so we were always close to one another."
Naturally, his fiancées were making the journey back with him. The three of them shared a single carriage, yielding their bodies to the rhythmic swaying as they headed toward the Royal Capital.
The carriage itself was a gesture of appreciation from Andrew. Equipped with high-quality springs and plush seats, the ride was remarkably smooth and comfortable.
"Even so... it feels like it’s been a long time since it was just the three of us," Viola said wistfully.
Indeed, they were the only ones in the carriage. They had parted ways with Urula on the eastern side of the plains and with Yuri on the western side. When it came time to board, Rest had asked if Yuri wanted to join them, but she had declined—a rarity for her.
"I have some business to attend to, a place I need to go. Let’s say our goodbyes for today. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon..."
He hadn’t pressed her on what that business was, but he couldn't help but feel that her aura had been different from her usual self. She had seemed melancholy, perhaps a bit fragile, or even mature—an atmosphere entirely unlike the innocent, energetic girl she normally was.
(Well, I call her childish, but we’re the same age... and physically, she’s actually incredibly adult...)
"Rest?"
"Master Rest?"
"Eek—!"
Just as he was recalling the sensation of her clinging to him while they shared a bed in the tent, Viola and Primula spoke to him in unison. Startled, Rest reflexively jumped in his seat.
"What’s wrong? Why are you so jumpy?" Viola asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Did something happen?" Primula added.
"N-No... it’s nothing. Speaking of which, back on the eastern side of the plains..."
It is said that a man with a guilty conscience becomes talkative; Rest began recounting the events of the eastern plains even though no one had asked. After he explained everything—while carefully glossing over the specifics of his nights—the two girls looked at him in shock.
"An Elder Worm... that’s incredible! You defeated a monster that massive!?"
"And Leonardo Gascoigne of the Council of Sages... you don't mean you actually met him!?"
A worm the size of a mountain and the man who served as the Chairman of the Council of Sages—both were staggering revelations. To encounter two things rarer than protected natural monuments in a single night made Rest wonder if his luck was incredibly good or tragically bad.
"An ancient worm that must have lived for centuries... even a damaged carcass would likely be worth over a hundred platinum coins, wouldn't it?" Viola mused.
"A hundred platinum coins..."
One platinum coin was worth ten million yen. A hundred coins meant, in other words, one billion yen. It was a sum of money a commoner would never see in their entire lifetime, yet for some reason, it felt a little underwhelming to Rest.
(Compared to the reward for Subnock, it feels like a lot less... My senses really have become numbed...)
Between the reward for slaying Subnock and the inheritance from Rodel Aiwood, massive sums of money had rolled in so frequently that his financial common sense had completely shattered.
"With ten platinum coins, you could build a mansion in the most prestigious district of the Royal Capital," Viola noted.
"You could keep as many concubines as you like," Primula chimed in. "There would be more than enough to cover child support, too."
"Concubines and children? You’re joking, right?"
"............"
"Wait... what’s with the silence? You’re scaring me."
Rest was unaware, but the Rosemary sisters had already been coached by their mother regarding potential concubine candidates for him. That was why they had subtly tested the waters to see if he harbored any interest in taking mistresses.
"...Well, let’s leave that for now," Viola said, breaking the tension.
"...We can deal with that eventually," Primula agreed.
"Hey, 'eventually' what? What’s going to happen...?"
"Setting that aside... I wonder why the 'Heavenly Emperor' Leonardo Gascoigne appeared before you, Rest?" Viola pondered, looking puzzled. "Assuming he was the real deal, what was his purpose?"
"I wonder..."
Rest hadn't mentioned the conversation about him being a Reincarnated Person.
(He probably sensed the mana from that explosion, but was his goal just to give me a warning?)
The man had told him never to fire that magic—[Kagutsuchi]—at other humans.
(He seemed desperate to ensure [Kagutsuchi] wasn't used on people... I suppose he wants to prevent mass destruction magic from being used in war. Since it's a spell with power comparable to a nuclear weapon, keeping it away from human conflict means he's at least not an enemy of humanity. Still... he vanished after saying all that cryptic stuff about which 'side' I was on and telling me not to 'fall.' It definitely weighs on my mind...)
"Um... how about we try asking the Academy Director?" Primula suggested.
"The Director... Master Verloid Hahn is a member of the Council of Sages. If we speak with him, maybe we can figure something out."
"That’s a good point," Viola agreed.
"You’re right. Once we get back to the capital, let’s head to the Academy."
Continuing their discussion, the three of them traveled onward toward the Royal Capital.