It had been about a week since I finished my trip to Zelkis.

The soldiers who had participated in the long war away from the city had finally returned to the territory’s capital.

Originally, my territory uses the southern water route to gather information from outside, so news travels much faster than when using land routes like other territories.

The timing of the returning soldiers’ arrival seemed to have spread starting the day after I got back.

It was probably via the messenger who brought the news the previous day.

Unlike in Zelkis, there was no major commotion in the Riana territory—it was quiet.

Of course, messengers had been sent from the territory’s capital to the towns along the way to prepare for receiving the soldiers, but apparently, no merchants tried to take advantage of the situation to make a profit.

Well, maybe it’s because wandering outside the town is more difficult here than in other territories.

However, the shops in the capital seemed to be very motivated.

All the soldiers sent from my territory were residents of the capital, and they all come back here…

They probably figured it’s better to focus business in the capital rather than trying to earn money in the towns or villages on the way.

Thanks to that effort, the city was bustling.

It was lively, but… Seriana and I were together in Seriana’s room in the mansion, looking out the window.

The window was closed, but the cheers reached us clearly.

Earlier, the procession was by the west gate, but it was gradually approaching the central plaza.

“Hey, don’t you think we should be doing something?”

When the soldiers were dispatched, they held a small ceremony gathering the soldiers’ families, but this time there was nothing.

Not just today, but not even tomorrow.

Is it really okay even though everyone returned safely?

“Now that they’ve finally come back, if we’re here, they wouldn’t be able to relax.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

“I’ll give financial support later to the taverns and eateries in town. For today, they can just reward themselves however they want.”

“I see…”

I nodded, listening to Seriana’s words.

Except for the squad leaders and other important officials, most of the soldiers dispatched are rough adventurers.

They’ve had long ties with the town’s adventurers, and I’m sure they’re happy to have returned.

The adventurers in this town are rough, but they fight monsters, not each other, so they actually get along pretty well.

That remains true even when they retire from adventuring and join the knight order.

Everyone’s probably more comfortable without us around.

“Elena and the others have the week off starting today, and we’re planning to keep work at the mansion light as well. Of course, after the break, the patrols of the territory will start, and movement will become more active, so things will get busy again.”

“Yeah.”

Elena and Fiora, who usually help Seriana out, weren’t here today.

That’s because Alec and Zighart had returned.

Teresa was here, but she was already busy handling her duties as my adjutant.

She had to compile various reports on the returning soldiers together with the members of the 1st squad.

Rick had patrol duties in the territory, and August wasn’t here either.

Most of the soldiers who participated were from the 2nd squad, so Teresa was the right person for the job.

Well, my apologies for all this.

“Anyway, Alec and the others will come here this evening, so we’ll hear what they have to say then.”

Apparently, all the soldiers had entered the city by now. Seriana said that and moved away from the window.

◇

Now it was evening.

The city was still lively enough that you could tell even from inside the mansion.

That said, there was no uproar that would require the knight order to mobilize.

The city would probably remain like this for a while, but the necessary order was maintained, so it should be fine.

Though messengers occasionally came here, Teresa herself stayed stationed at the knight order headquarters below, so maybe the backstage work was quite busy.

I was no less busy, lazing around in this room with a book in one hand, diligently guarding Seriana.

She was reading as well.

Today, she was already in relaxation mode.

Unlike the lively city, the mansion was quiet today, and of course, this room with Seriana was the same.

Except for the servants who brought lunch, no one visited.

Not only me, but Seriana was also spending a leisurely time.

“Sera.”

“…Yes?”

I had finished reading and was completely relaxed when Seriana called my name.

I looked up, wondering what it was about, and she was pointing toward the door.

“Ah. Okay, okay.”

If it were Elena and the others, they would come in after I called out to them from inside, but this visitor was different.

That meant it was a servant.

I headed over and opened the door.

As expected, it was a servant standing in the hallway.

“Excuse me. Elena-sama and her party have arrived. They are currently being taken to the lounge downstairs.”

“Alright, got it.”

She bowed once when she heard my reply, then stepped back.

“Seriana-sama.”

When I looked back toward Seriana, she was already ready to leave the room.

Well, Seriana would have noticed as soon as Elena and the others entered the mansion.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

Well then, time to head downstairs.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera・Blessing・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Water’s Garment】

Blessed Items・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】+1【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・8 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・0 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards