The Unexpected Reunion

Author: Volume 14 starts.

"As expected, they are not chasing us anymore…" (Sirius)

"There is no one who can catch up the carriage pulled by Hokuto-san, right?" (Emilia)

After reuniting with Fia, and achieving the championship of the Fighting Festival, we were ready to depart on a trip from Garaff. However, we met unexpected ‘enemies’.

With Beauty, who got the wind out of nowhere, headed the list, Reus' and my fans barged in.

There were adventurers who either tried to become our companions, or incorporated us into their members, so we rushed out of the town to run away from them.

There were also people who chased after us even outside of the town and said that they  wanted to be my disciples, but since I was in the middle of broadening my views on a trip, I really had no intention to increase the number of disciples or students. Because of that, Hokuto had to work hard, continuing to run on the main road at a speed that was impossible for a normal carriage or a horse.

If it was concerned with Hokuto, who ran without rest with nearly inexhaustible stamina, there was none that could catch up, whether it was an adventurer or a horse.

We continued running for several hours and once we confirmed that no one chased from the rear, we returned to the normal speed and leisurely proceeded down the main road.

As I sit together with Emilia on the coach seat while carefreely looking at Hokuto's back, Fia, who rested inside the carriage, came out and put her chin on my shoulder.

"Although it looks normal, it is a very cozy horse carriage. Even royalties probably won't have such carriage, you know." (Fia)

"Of course! It is a carriage designed by Sirius-sama." (Emilia)

"The one who made it was the Galgan Company. I think that technology is a big deal." (Sirius)

I remembered the time when this carriage was made while smiling at Emilia who boasted as if she was the one who made it herself.

I sold the suspension technology to the Galgan Company, and I had them incorporated the function as a compensation.

Zack of the Galgan Company was happy with the technology that would become a revolution of the horse carriage, but then he asked him what request did I have. Hence, I asked him, but they had to struggle in many ways.

By excluding some parts, as a carriage which primarily function for moving, how much goods and people that could be loaded was important.

However, I wasn't traveling as a merchant. It was only to broaden my view… in other words, it was like a trip. It would probably right to make the carriage similar to the nobles' and royalties' in order to spend time comfortably.

"Aniki, I am hungry." (Reus)

Since we had been running in a hurry to escape those troublesome adventurers, Reus, who stood on top of the carriage to train the sense of balance, had his tummy boldly grumbled.

Soon it would be noon based on the position of the sun. Not only Reus, Reese also seemed to be hungry, so I ordered Hokuto to stop the carriage in a place with a fine view. We split the jobs and started preparing for lunch.

Reus and Hokuto would procure meats. I entrusted Emilia to secure herbs and wild vegetables, while Reese and Fia would help me with the cooking.

Stir-frying the meat and vegetables procured with the raw noodles prepared prior the departure, it was a lunch of salty yakisoba.

By the way, when I cooked this noodle dish in Garaff, Beowulf came by before the end of the day to inform me that he would be looking for the Strongest Sword, Lior, after resigning from being an escort. Hence, he became absorbed with the noodle dish as a mean of farewell.

Besides, he told me that Jekyll and Sieg had already left the town, but since Reus was staring as if to say that the amount of food eaten was decreasing, it was a delicate farewell.

While continued eating the dish and thought that Beowulf probably could see Lior-Jiisan, I noticed that Fia was eating the Yakisoba while looking so distant.

"What is it, Fia? Does it not suit your taste?" (Sirius)

"There is no such thing. I was just thinking for a bit, but the dish is very delicious." (Fia)

"Of course, that's because Sirius-sama's cooking are done with plenty of affection. Anyway, what were you thinking about?" (Emilia)

Fia wryly smiled at Emilia's question. She looked at the dish, and continued eating it while talking to us.

"I was thinking that after traveling with Sirius… I don't think that I can travel alone anymore." (Fia)

"I understand that well, Fia-san. It's just that… I myself can't travel alone, you know." (Reese)

"Oh, is it?" (Fia)

"It is fun to be with dependable friends, comfortable carriage and even delicious meals. Even though people can tolerate pain, once they taste luxury, they can't run away from that." (Reese)

""It sure is!"" (Emilia/Reus)

Emilia and Reus were intensely nodded at Fia's remark. Since she had been traveling alone, she understood well about us being abnormal.

Fia was explaining it with a bitter smile, but she suddenly felt depressed and covered her face with hands.

"So I was thinking how I could be helpful in anyway, but… I am totally lost. I am… the most unworthy one." (Fia)

It was bad for Fia to be depressed, but plainly speaking, she wasn't very helpful in cooking.

Although there was no gap to help because of my and Reese's performance, I thought it was justified since she barely had any experience in cooking.

"That can't be helped, isn't it? If it's alright with Fia, I will teach you various things together with everyone, so how about that?" (Sirius)

"Yes, please. Even though I am older, if compared to you guys with the way I am right now, it is embarrassing." (Fia)

"There is no need to think that far. It is already to gradually learn them." (Sirius)

It was impossible to forcibly change her, but if she desired it, I should teach her then.

There were things that need to be remembered even if I forced them to remember, but other than that, it was my policy to let them independently decide.  The current disciples decided by themselves that they wanted to follow me.

"Besides, it's not good if I don't receive the same training as you guys. I don't want to be a burden." (Fia)

The result of practice running together when we stayed in Garaff was that Fia had the stamina as an adventurer, but it was lower compared to us.

In her case, she could use spirit magic and defeat before approaching the enemies, and since she could jump high by using wind, there was no need to have stamina to that extent.

However, this might be a improbable possibility, but there might be times when the spirits would not lend their power, or times when she couldn't borrow it.

When I told Fia that she should be able to respond to such a worst situation, she firmly agreed and told me that she wanted to train. It seemed that she remembered the careless mistake in the past, where she was rescued by me.

"We were stopping because we had been running until a moment ago, but we will run in turn starting from noon. For the time being, Fia will do it until you reach your limit." (Sirius)

"Uuu… I'll try my best." (Fia)

"Ah, ahaha… Sirius-san will never ask for impossible things, so please do your best." (Reese)

"The training is hard only at the beginning. If you think that is for Sirius-sama, it's not painful at all." (Emilia)

"When you get used to it, there will be a sense of completeness!" (Reus)

The disciples supported with the significance of their respective training to Fia who anxiously nodded.

—

"Your pace is declining, you know. Alright… that's it is." (Sirius)

"Haaa… haa… that's intense." (Fia)

Later, we departed after finished eating lunch. As stated earlier, we got off the carriage and ran.

Reus and I ran in parallel with Fia, while Emilia and Reese were resting in the carriage after finishing today's quota.

On the other hand, Fia was the one who ran all the time while changing the pace. Now, I was teaching her how to keep a constant pace. I was thinking about going to the next stage soon.

"I-I don't dislike training, but this is more than I imagined." (Fia)

"Alright, let's rest once we go over that hill. As a compensation, you need to run with full power." (Sirius)

"Aah… gosh! If that's how it is, I will do it. After this is over, I want a reward. I'd like a lap pillow!" (Fia)

"If it's just with my lap, that's easy. Well, shall we go at once?" (Sirius)

"I will go ahead, Aniki!" (Reus)

Currently, Reus was wearing leg bands and bracelets made of Gravilite, which were much heavier ore than iron, and Fia muttered in shock at his running figure towards the hill that not only overtaking us, but also the carriage.

"He is running at the same time as me while wearing the weights. You guys are not really ordinary." (Fia)

"I admit that we are not ordinary from the perspective of the world. However, Fia also will be similar to us with what I have taught, you know?" (Sirius)

"At this point of time… I am an oddball among Elves, but I am not an oddball of the world. If I can reach you guys at that level, I will do as much as I can!" (Fia)

Fia said that with a serious look. She, then, mustered the remaining stamina and overtaking the carriage.

Emilia and Reese, who had heard such proclamation from the carriage, looked at Fia's back with a gentle look.

—

Beyond the hill, I brought Fia, who collapsed after reaching her limit, back to the carriage, and I gave her lap pillow as promised.

To tell the truth, it wasn't about the promise. I planned to give Fia a lap pillow in order to apply the regenerative activity, but since she was putting her head on my lap and seemed happy, it wasn't necessary to tell her that.

However, in order to apply it, it was ineffective to recover stamina unless she slept. Because of that, I was waiting for Fia to sleep, but she kept smiling while looking at my face.

"What is it, Fia? You won't recover if you do not sleep." (Sirius)

"I know, but it's a waste. When it is about lap pillow, you can't do it if I am not like this, right?" (Fia)

"It is also depend on the situation, but if you want it, don't hesitate to say it." (Sirius)

"Although I said it in this situation, I am the one who wants to give you a lap pillow. Don't you guys think so too?" (Fia)

Emilia and Reese, who sat nearby, were nodding in agreement.

Especially Emilia who was smiling and tapping her lap as if to say 'Here, you can have it anytime'. That affectionate smile… looked similar to Erina-Okaasan. I seemed to think about her without noticing it.

"Oh yeah… I think that I will have it someday, but Fia's recovery is the priority right now. Do not push yourself because you are tired." (Sirius)

"Hehe… yeah. I'm tired, so let me sleep a little…" (Fia)

As Fia fell asleep before finishing what she wanted to say, I put my hand on her head, and pour my mana.

When I poured mana so as not to disturb her sleep, Emilia and Reese, who were looking at the sight, quietly sighed…

"…Fia-san is sneaky." (Emilia)

"Yeah. To be defenseless in time like this…" (Reese)

"What do you mean by sneaky?" (Sirius)

""Her sleeping face is really sexy!"" (Emilia/Reese)

"Aah-…" (Sirius)

They said it with their mouths seemed envious.

A man would be involuntarily fascinated, so it couldn't be helped for them to be envious when she seemed able to naturally display a sexy sleeping face.

It was because Emilia had an innocent sleeping face like a child, and Reese had a defenseless sleeping face with drool that could spill anytime.

I told them about it when they woke up, and they were in panic with reddened faces.

"Even if you can't be like Fia in particular, you both have your own merits. You don't have to imitate her, and I just like Emilia and Reese the way you guys are." (Sirius)

After beckoning and calling them, I stroked their heads with a hand while giving treatment to Fia with the other hand.

—

Later… we kept moving through the main road while kept training, and then, we got off the road to get ready for the camp at sunset.

While we were preparing for the dinner with proficient manner, Fia, who couldn't move due to the training fatigue, seemed to be sorry. However, as I said earlier during midday, it was fine because she would gradually used to it.

I had Emilia and Reese replaced me in the middle of cooking, and then, I gave a massage that also to confirm Fia's physical condition.

"Is there any pain other than muscle pain?" (Sirius)

"No… there's none. Hmm… here… is good." (Fia)

"Don't make that seductive voice, you know." (Sirius)

"It's just that this is my first time feeling good having my legs massaged. I wonder if everyone else also get this?" (Fia)

Emilia and Reese, who were stirring soup, nodded at Fia's question while blushing a bit.

"That's right, we also receive Sirius-sama's massaging. It had decreased recently, but… I can't forget the excitement when I received it for the first time." (Emilia)

"Yeah, it was pretty pleasant, isn't it? But, it make me really sleepy." (Reese)

"I immediately fell asleep, you know!" (Reus)

Unlike those two girls who received the massage with feeling sorry and wanting to stay awake a bit longer, Reus fell asleep when I started massaging him.

"Aah… I understand… that feeling…" (Fia)

"Oi oi, it’s too soon to fall asleep. You still haven't had your dinner, right?" (Sirius)

"Yeah… but I wonder if I can eat? I am tired and I don't think my stomach can accept anything…" (Fia)

"You're right, so I guess you have become like that, huh?" (Reus)

Fia, who had half asleep eyes, bitterly smile while touching her stomach, but I thought that it was natural for not able to eat meals with that much of running.

Even though…

"Is there such a thing? Weren't we able to eat everything at that time?" (Reus)

"Since the meals Sirius-sama cooked were very delicious, I was able to eat it." (Emilia)

"You will hungry when you train a lot, and you are not able to eat the meals!?" (Reese)

"…Am I weird?" (Fia)

The disciples were surprised altogether, but you guys were the weird ones when you could composedly eat after training.

There was nothing to disagree with Emilia and Reus because they were different race, but… Reese was really a mystery.

"Don't worry. Fia is normal. I already prepared a soup with little ingredients for now, so please eat it even a little. Not having nutrition is the worst thing." (Sirius)

"Did you expressly making it? Since it is so, I'll try to eat it." (Fia)

Fia, who received a soup Emilia poured with a bitter smile, was surprised when had the soup in her mouth while extending her hands with pet expression. (Recheck)

"Yeah… since it is lightly seasoned, I can eat it somehow. It's easy on the stomach." (Fia)

Since I made something similar to bonito with the fish that I got from the Silver Wolfkin's settlement, it was a soup made based on its soup stock. Considering Fia's stomach, I made it rather bland, but the nutrition should be enough because it was cook with other ingredients.

"Eat as much as you want since we will eat the leftover." (Sirius)

"Sirius-sama, our parts have been completed. Shall we have it soon?" (Emilia)

"That's right, Aniki. I'm hungry." (Reus)

"I'm hungry." (Reese)

These children… no, these disciples started to make fuss because of hunger, so we decided to have  dinner.

More than the somewhat strong soup, Fia muttered in agreement as she was eating a colorful sandwich with an original sauce on meat and vegetables.

"Hehe… it's tough, but since you already made it, I'll try eat it. I ought to be strong…" (Fia)

—

When the meal was finished, next was a bath.

There was no such thing like a hot spring. Usually, it was at the level of wiping body with a cloth soaked in hot water. However, it was also possible to take a bath if there was a plan made in advance.

Taking out a special lump of iron with low thermal conduction which was carried on the carriage, I put it on the ground and pour my mana. The lump of iron changed shape while widely spreading.

Since this lump of iron was drawn with [Create] magic formation, it was designed to deform into a predetermined shape when it was filled with mana. In other words, it was like a for this.)

Hokuto-kun didn't have knife for skinning, but he had the nails that he proud of.

He carefully moved the sharp nails, and slowly skinned the fur.

Hokuto was in a good mood because he could skin better than expected…

<Ooh! By no means, you also can do the skinning, you are amazing, Hokuto! As expected of my partner.> (Sirius)

He had a delusion that his Master would pat her head and he was wagging his tail without noticing.

However, Hokuto-kun, carelessness was a powerful enemy.

"Gyii!?" (Goblin)

He was too absorbed with the skinning, and he was late for noticing the approaching goblin.

Actually, if it was Hokuto-kun, he would be fine no matter what the goblin did, but since he want to avoid getting dirty under surprise attack, he regularly sharpened his sense.

The reason was that he couldn't bring himself letting his Master brushed his dirty body. Hokuto-kun liked to keep things clean.

He was late at noticing the goblin, but since there was a distance, he wasn't surprised.

But, maybe because the goblin approached more than he expected, he unintentionally became clumsy.

And when he noticed it… the fur, that he was skinning, was tore into two. Let me repeat, Hokuto-kun's nails were sharp.

"…" (Hokuto)

"Gyi…gyigiii–!?" (Goblin)

At that time… the goblin saw a scene of carnage.

"Grrrr–!" (Hokuto)

Hokuto-kun, who precisely swept the goblin, was visibly depressed.

The reason why Hokuto-kun depressed was the failure of the skinning, and that made him burst his anger towards groups of goblins.

The only one alive was Hokuto-kun.

There were times when he was depressed, irritated, and venting the anger.

Although Hokuto-kun wasn't quite satisfied, since he managed to secure a wild boar-like monster that appeared along the way, he fulfilled his Master's order.

"Woof…" (Hokuto)

Hokuto-kun couldn't keep depressed forever, so after recovering the motivation, he stood up while holding the prey in his mouth.

Hokuto-kun decided to beautifully skin it next time. He turned his back on the grave of the rabbit-like monster where the goblin was also buried there.

To tell the truth, Hokuto-kun was a secretly hard worker.