The true identity of the coachman who had been wearing a hood the whole time. It was the teacher of Oblivion Academy, Basleigh-sensei. Makina and I couldn’t hide our surprise, and as we looked at Basleigh-sensei with wide eyes, she began to speak. 

“Ugh …… Ugu …… It’s supposed to be a surprise from Luciela and Me, so I was hiding my true identity and excitedly waiting for the right moment, but then you guys started flirting and I couldn’t get out.”

“No, we’re pretty far away now, you should have come out earlier ……”

“Yeah, yeah.”

When I say that, Makina nods her head in affirmation. Then, Basleigh-sensei says with a blank look on her face.

“If I come out too early, I might be left there, you know. But I decided that if I said it here, you won’t be able to take the guilt if you leave me here!”

“You’re optimistic in the wrong way, huh …… But are you sure you won’t want to go to the academy? At this speed, it’ll take seven days to get to the royal capital and half a month to get there and back, you know?”

Makina’s question is very true. Today is the Dark Day, so the Academy is closed, but the day after tomorrow the academy will start again. Last year, she was supposed to be the homeroom teacher for the third grade. Then, surprising words came out.

“That’s it, I’m not a teacher at the school anymore.”

“I’m sorry …… I knew it, no, you’re finally fired ……”

I shake my head and Basleigh-sensei shouts out.

“I’m not, though!? What do you mean “I knew it”!? …… Fuh, I’ve actually received a call from my old workplace. That’s why I’m going back to the royal capital. It just so happens that it coincides with you guys heading to the royal capital, so I thought I’d surprise you by going along.”

Then she took the letter out of her pocket, smiled, and started the carriage moving again. Makina and I went to the side and continued our conversation.

“Did something important happen?”

“No, I can’t tell you because it’s confidential, but it seems that crops in many villages are having trouble growing these days. In addition, the number of monsters has increased and they are having a hard time dealing with them.”

“Hmm ……”

Even though Basleigh-sensei can’t it because it’s a secret, but she still says it out loud, and Makina says to me.

“It’s scary to have monsters in the village, isn’t it? I wonder if there’s something we can do about it?”

“We may get such a request, but it depends on the country. I think we should accept the request when it comes. If anything, I’m more concerned about the increase in the number of monsters.”

I lean my back against the chair in the back of the room and say this, and Makina sits next to me and opens her mouth.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing in the territory or the town of Gust.”

“Ohhh, the Lord …… Lars-kun’s father and the guild master, Hauzen-san, were strict about that. In particular, because of the Lord’s skill of [Fertility], he put a lot of effort into farming, so exterminating monsters was not a priority?”

“By the way, is that why there were so few people in the guild? “

“That’s right. Hauzen-san was also flying around, so it must have been difficult for him …… But I’ve heard that he’s been traveling less since he got married …… well, I heard that he’s got more staff. I hope Ryuuze-kun and the others will do their best in the future …… Together with Naru-chan ……”

We laughed sarcastically as Basleigh-sensei smiles while spreading a negative aura. She’s almost at the right age to get married, so she must be feeling impatient. However, there is also the example of Nina, and I hope that as the teacher who took care of us, she will do her best.

That aside, I’ve been helping my dad and brother with their work for about a year now, and I think I still don’t know a lot about them. I was also surprised to find out the secret of Hauzen-san’s business trip.

I thought my territory was peaceful and not so strong with slimes and rampaging boars, but it seems that my dad was doing his best. I’ve heard that Brao was also focusing on killing monsters.

“Now, let’s see if we can make it to town today. After that, we’ll enter Oriola territory in about two days.”

With that, Basleigh-sensei increased the speed of the carriage a little and we arrived at a town on the edge of Gust territory. A little further on and the territory would change, but it seemed that the towns and villages after that were quite far away, so we decided to rest in this town since it was afternoon and we would definitely be camping out.

I had originally planned to go on foot, so I had the tools to make a camp, but I wanted to rest at an inn.

“I’ve never been to another town before, so it’s refreshing. In Luitzar Country, we just went to the castle, so I’d like to take a look around.”

After passing through the gates of the town, Makina smiles and looks around as we waited for Basleigh-sensei to leave the carriage at the inn.

I’m interested in other towns, too, since my life so far has been basically just home, the academy, and the guild club out and about.

“The sun is still high in the sky, so why don’t we go for a walk when Basleigh-sensei comes back.”

“Oh, I agree!”

Makina raised her hand in delight, I laughed, and Basleigh-sensei came back.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I got us a room at the inn, but do you want to check in?”

“No, I’m thinking of going for a walk. Do you want to go too, Basleigh-sensei?”

“I’m going …… to interrupt your date, so I’m going!”

“I thought you’d pass on that part ……”

“Now, now, it’s reassuring to have someone older. We can go on dates when we get there.”

We strolled around the town and visited the stores as if we were sightseeing.

“Heh~, so you’re going to the royal capital? If so, it’s a long way to the town after entering Oriola territory, so I’ll give you an extra discount.”

“Yay, thank you! Heh heh heh ……”

“Basleigh-sensei is a good shopper, isn’t she ……”

“I guess it’s a good thing I’m not shy.”

Everyone was nice, and many of them were willing to listen to Basleigh-sensei requests. The selection is as good as any in our town, but the quality is–

“…… Hm, I guess the quality of the vegetables has gone down, after all. This is enough because it is the Gust territory where Roen-san is, but I wonder what about the other territories ……”

“Basleigh-sensei?”

“Oh, the sun is almost gone, so why don’t we have dinner? …… Over there!”

Basleigh-sensei pointed to an amazing tavern where adventurers and uncles came and went.

“…… A tavern.”

“I’m tired of being the coachman, so I need water for life, you know.”

She wiggled and flicked her tongue in front of us and winked. And Makina agreed too.

“I’ve never had a drink in my life and I think I’d like to try it. What do you think, Lars?”

“Well, if Makina says so–“

“Yes, it’s here! Yes, yes! I’m here!”

“Oh, wait a minute!”

Makina chases after Basleigh-sensei, who’s on her way to the tavern. I scratched my head and shrug my shoulders as I followed them.

Now, the number of characters has been reduced to three, and they’ll act together!

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“Liveliness is necessary, huh. Tsk ……”

That’s a horrible way to treat someone …… Well, we’ve got a new development, but is this a template?

“But it’s a peaceful town, so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it?”

You, who wants trouble are saying that ……!?

“What do you think I am!?”