kscans

Chapter 177 - The Lord and I, 1. Preparations

The day after leaving the post town of Han, Yuri and his party arrived in Darrens, the capital of the Darren Baron's Territory. It was a detour from their path to Laurenzen, but this time, the local lord, Baron Darren, had requested a meeting with Yuri. They had no choice but to stop.

"What an impressive castle."

Yuri was thoroughly impressed, and indeed, it was a fortress far more robust than one would expect in a rural barony. This was because the Darren Baron's Territory not only bordered a great mountain range teeming with magical beasts but was also a strategic stronghold controlling the pass through those mountains to the neighboring country of Gaula. It was required to have enough defensive strength to withstand and hold back both monster outbreaks and invasions from the neighboring country. Therefore, it was completely devoid of adjectives like ‘graceful’ or ‘luxurious,’ and was built to be simple, sturdy, and thoroughly rugged. To be honest, it was not in line with current trends, but in the mind of Yuri, a Japanese man from his previous life, that was what a castle was supposed to be. So, seeing the unrefined Darren Castle, he was genuinely and deeply impressed.

Not knowing how to comment on Yuri's complete admiration, Adon and the others simply had the carriage move forward. They advanced to the gatekeepers, announced their names, and stated that they had been summoned by the lord. After a short while, a retainer came from the castle and welcomed the party inside.


"Huh...? You’re all not coming with me?"

When told that only he and Old Man Audel would meet the lord, and that the others would wait in a separate room, Yuri protested in a voice uncharacteristically timid for him. Unfortunately for him...

"That's how it is, Yuri-kun. The lord wishes to see you. I am merely your guardian, as you are a minor."

"Um... what about Adon-san...?"

"I am not a resident of this domain. I live in Laurenzen."

"Oh... is that right...?"

There was no way Yuri, who had been a shut-in since his reincarnation, would understand the geography of this country. He had, after all, only descended from Salt-Sour Mountain for the first time last year. The number of place names Yuri knew could likely be counted on two hands. Realizing this anew, Audel began to feel anxious about the meeting with the lord. He had informed him of Yuri's circumstances by letter, so he would probably be lenient, but...

A vague sense of unease began to torment Audel, but Yuri, oblivious, continued to seek help.

"Then Kudol-san and the others..."

"Hey now, Yuri, it’s impossible for a humble adventurer to request an audience with a lord."

"Besides that, we’re Adon-san’s guards. We can’t leave our employer’s side."

Next, his gaze turned to Dona, but she was more than ready to escape.

"Do your best, Yuri-kun."

She sent him those words of encouragement along with a smile.

As he was looking at Dona resentfully, the door to the room opened without a sound.

"Yuri-sama, Audel-sama, my master, Baron Darren, wishes to see you."

An elderly man who appeared to be a butler announced their fate.