Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“Have we packed everything? Milly, is there anything missing?”

“No. I’ve checked multiple times. Don’t worry, lady Neria.”

“Still, let’s check one more time. Just in case.”

Even with Neria double-checking the luggage, Milly helped without any complaints. Watching them, Christian tentatively resisted.

“I can pack on my own…”

“Is packing just a single bag considered packing on your own?”

Neria frowned as she pointed at a small bag tossed in the corner in response to Christian’s words.

“Well, that’s because…”

They could stop by other villages or cities on the way to replenish supplies if necessary. Or, if not, they could just manage with what they had.

In his past life, Christian was accustomed to long journeys, but in this life, he wasn’t.

For Neria, it was a historic moment as her child was stepping out into the world for the first time.

“I wrote name tags on every pocket and bag. It makes it easier to recognize, and it’s reassuring even if they’re lost, right?”

“You’re amazing, lady Neria!”

“Hmph. My mother used to write my name on my things when I was young so I wouldn’t lose them. Is this a mother’s heart?”

‘That’s not really something to boast about.’

But why did she have to brand ‘Christian’ on every pocket like a stamp…?

If he asked her to erase it in embarrassment, Neria might mistakenly think Christian was going through a rebellious phase and fret for days on end.

Christian couldn’t refuse Neria’s kindness.

‘It’s just like looking at Master before going on a picnic.’

But those picnics weren’t to pretty places with packed lunches like others might imagine.

When Master said, “Today, we’re going to deal with that group of Dragonkin over there,” that was the picnic. Nothing got her heart pounding more than vanquishing Dragonkin.

“By the way, those little pouches, they’re all enchanted tools, but weren’t they expensive?”

Each pouch could hold as much as a small backpack.

Furthermore, there were enchanted items that cleaned laundry in 30 minutes, kept food fresh for long periods, and much more.

There were water bottles with purifying functions, shoes that reduced foot fatigue, clothes that adjusted to the right temperature, and undergarments that absorbed sweat and kept the wearer comfortable…

All were made by the Magic Tower of Logia.

‘They cost an entire year’s worth of my mom’s snack money.’

Were they expensive? Well, yes, they must be.

Thinking about it, Neria’s family was also quite powerful and wealthy.

Just that Liana was exceptionally good at mobilizing cash, so it didn’t seem like much from the outside.

When she married in, she brought quite a lot with her personally and seemed to be receiving significant support from her family.

Of course, that support was intended to help Christian become the family head.

“If it means my son can travel comfortably, I’d give him things even more expensive than this.”

This was the heart of a parent wanting to give everything to their child. It seemed that both Master and Neria had that same feeling.

Christian, possibly embarrassed, averted his gaze from Neria, who was smiling at him.

“Um, isn’t there too much luggage? It’s not that far…”

Rondel and Count Worden’s territory were not too far apart, but it wasn’t exactly an easy distance to cover regularly.

While Christian understood his parents’ concerns, such excessive preparations made him uncomfortable.

“It’s because I’m worried, dear. Look, I’ve prepared plenty of undergarments here. All you have to do is place them in this laundry pouch to freshen them up. Make sure you change every day. Got it?”

“….”

Having lived through times of war, changing undergarments daily while traveling wasn’t something he ever thought about.

‘Well, it’s not like those times now.’

While he understood, Christian nonetheless thought it awkward to flaunt his undergarments like that.

Realizing that these concerns wouldn’t deter his mother, Christian simply sighed and went along with it.

“So, lastly…”

“There’s more?”

When Neria raised her hand, Milly swiftly took something out of her pocket and handed it to her.

“Huh? What’s that?”

It looked similar to the enchanted pouches but somehow different. The pouch emitted no mana and was much more lavish than the enchanted pouches.

Neria responded to Christian’s curiosity with a bright smile.

“What else could it be? It’s your mother’s pocket money for you to travel comfortably and enjoy some good food in the capital.”

“P-pocket money! Mom!”

Christian’s eyes sparkled with interest at those words.

“I put in plenty. But if it’s not enough, I’ll contact your grandfather, so greet him and get some pocket money from him too.”

“Grandfather?”

Ah, right. The capital also meant grandfather’s house.

And that was the family head of the Marquis Ferda’s House, a significant power player.

However, the current Christian had no memory of his grandfather. Fearing he might disappoint Neria, Christian could only nod awkwardly and smile.

“Yes, he’s probably waiting for you.”

Allowing their children to visit might be a major reason both mothers sanctioned their trip.

Christian realized he overthought meeting his grandfather. Of course, family would want to see each other. It was like being caught by surprise when caught doing something wrong.

‘I could just make a brief appearance and then leave.’

There was no need to take it too seriously, so he thought he’d just stop by and greet them briefly.

“Yes, I’ll make sure to visit if I have time.”

“Phew, I really want to go with you, but if I mention that I’m going, that man would want to join too.”

“We’ll have chances to travel as a family in the future. Please be patient until then.”

“Okay. I’ll hold you to it.”

“Yeah…”

He even gave her the promise, the kind made with pinky fingers, which shouldn’t be broken.

“Now, make sure to rest well today. Don’t sneak out to train.”

“Don’t worry. From tomorrow until we arrive, it’ll be hell. For me and for Aira too.”

“Hell?”

Neria didn’t quite understand what Christian meant.

Though the distance was considerable, the journey should be pleasant, no? But Christian just offered a curious smile to a bewildered Neria.

***

The next day, amidst the busy morning atmosphere, Christian finished his preparations and came out leisurely. Spotting Aira, who had come out before him, he waved heartily and approached her.

“Aira!”

“… Why are you greeting me so cheerfully all of a sudden? You’re making me anxious.”

Seeing Christian approach with a wide smile, Aira flinched and took a step back.

‘Whenever this bothersome guy approached with a smile, nothing good ever came from it…’

Whether he knew Aira’s apprehension or not, Christian’s smile only widened.

“Hey, I’m just excited, that’s all. Aren’t you?”

“Well, I am excited, but…”

Though the task was significant, they were traveling beyond the territory, to the capital of the kingdom of Rondel. Despite trying to hide it, Aira was just as thrilled.

“Then shall we go? Oh, and have you said goodbye to your mom?”

“Yeah, I did during breakfast. Sigh, why do they worry so much….”

Aira sighed in response to Christian’s inquiry.

They had bid their father farewell early in the morning and then visited their respective mothers for goodbyes.

Aira, who shared a cheerful breakfast conversation with her mother, noticed Christian staring at her with an oddly envious look.

“Why?”

“Just, you eat with the Second Madam a lot and chat with her comfortably.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Not at all.”

He seemed very envious, though?

Seeing Aira looking sulky, Christian held back a chuckle and spoke.

“But is that all your luggage? Just a backpack?”

“Well, what about you? You have only a backpack too?”

“Ha, even if it’s just one backpack, what’s inside will surprise you.”

“I’m not really curious.”

Aira frowned at Christian, unimpressed by his proud grin, and started to leave.

Christian quickly rushed after her, taking off his backpack to show its contents.

“Look at this. This.”

“What’s that? Wait, why are you carrying so many pouches?”

“Do you think these are just ordinary pouches? They’re all enchanted! This is a subspace pouch that holds the capacity of a backpack. This one is for laundry. This is for preserving food, and this water bottle here is…”

“Why do you carry them separately? Can’t you put them all in one?”

“Uh? In one? How?”

Christian tilted his head in confusion, while Aira, also puzzled, pointed at her small backpack.

“They’re all in here, as you mentioned.”

“…”

“Why bother carrying them separately?”

“Well…”

Yes, that was true.

It would be very convenient to consolidate everything into one.

Who wouldn’t know that?

Christian looked back and forth between Aira and her backpack before cautiously asking.

“That must be expensive.”

“Uh? I don’t know. Mother just gave it to me.”

“…”

Christian glanced repeatedly between Neria’s prepared backpack and Aira’s, eventually hugging his backpack tightly and turning to Aira with a determined expression.

“I plan to train on the way.”

“I don’t intend to skip training either?”

“… Really? Then that’s a relief.”

Christian grinned smugly, slightly sulking.

“What are you plotting? Besides running, what else are you planning?”

“Ah, let’s hurry out of Flamme! We need to hurry!”

“What are you planning to do!”

Although uneasy, knowing she had no choice but to follow, Aira could only purse her lips and trail behind Christian.

“What mischief is he up to now….”

***

“They’re off.”

“They’ve left.”

Neria and Liana murmured to themselves as they watched the two siblings run off together from behind the mansion’s window.

They dearly wished to go outside and see them off, but held themselves back, opting only to watch over the children this way.

Neria’s expression openly reflected the regret she felt from that.

“We see them off simply and welcome them back lavishly. That is the custom of our family.”

“That custom really is hard to get used to, you know?”

Neria pursed her lips at Roberto’s words.

They didn’t make a ruckus when sending off those who left. They believed in their return and thus continued their daily lives.

However, they offered a grand reception upon their return, paying tribute and showing gratitude for their safe return.

This custom arose naturally as they lived in the Rangar region, where monster subjugation was routine.

“Sigh, everything will be okay, right?”

“Don’t worry, dear. We’re not just sending the children alone, are we?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Though the siblings were carrying a letter to the capital from the Count Worden, it wasn’t as though they were going alone.

Arrangements had been made to meet with someone knowledgeable about royal matters and trustworthy in the neighboring family of their layover.

While watching the children’s direction quietly for a while, Liana suddenly spoke up with a serious expression.

“But I do have a query.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Roberto asked, tensing up at Liana’s expression. Liana calmly continued, not loosening her expression.

“If I didn’t see wrong, the children left with merely a backpack each, correct?”

“Indeed. However, there’s no need to overly concern yourself as the ladies prepared the backpacks.”

“That’s not what I mean… the children left with only a backpack each.”

“Yes, and?”

“What’s strange about that?”

Both Roberto and Neria stared at Liana, puzzled as to what the problem was. Liana returned their gaze with a somewhat incredulous look.

“… Why did they walk off? What happened to the prepared horses and carriage?”

“Hmm?”

“What?”

Both Roberto and Neria were taken aback and quickly turned back to look out the window.

But by then, the children were already gone.