Chapter 131
We returned with Franklurt. I had assumed we'd simply hand him over to Zackhart-sama and be done with it, but Zackhart-sama's answer was somewhat unexpected.
"Franklurt should go with Roa and the others, accompanying them as far as Rudectrad."
"However, even if he is seeking asylum, isn't it questionable to take him around before our country has accepted him...?" Wickhart raised the objection. I felt the same.
In response to Wickhart's question, Zackhart-sama listed three reasons.
1. We can't casually take Franklurt, whom Rudek has not yet declared its willingness to accept, to the royal capital. And if this turns out to be an enemy stratagem, I cannot permit him to remain in Gadeland—one of Rudek's most important cities—even if he is kept offshore. As the person responsible for protecting this city, I cannot allow it. On the other hand, if we were to leave him at some out-of-the-way fortress, he'd be better off under the watch of the Tenth Knight Order.
2. Even if we took him to the royal capital, nothing could proceed until the members of the Tenth Knight Order who brought him back—specifically, the principal figures such as Lapiria-sama and me—had been questioned. So it would be more efficient to take him along when we return to the capital.
3. I have no intention of leaving a suspicious man in Gadeland when my beloved daughter, Lufa, is there.
With the third reason, he suddenly seemed rather pathetic.
"Father Zackhart, I'm planning to go all the way to the Empire to see Lururia off, you know?"
"What?! All right, I understand! I'll take custody of Franklurt!"
No hope for this man.
"...I understand. We'll take Franklurt with us for now."
Although Zackhart-sama insisted, "Then I'll come along too!" his right-hand man, Beilius-san, cut in, "Didn't you just get scolded for that the other day?" Zackhart-sama groaned, "Nnngh..." and Northvel-sama looked on in exasperation.
In any case.
"Well then. This time, when we meet again, it'll be to sink the ship you're on."
"Rest assured. I'll make sure to bring plenty of life rings, so everyone aboard your ship won't drown."
After watching Northvel-sama and Lururia exchange farewell greetings that had somehow come full circle into friendship, we departed Gadeland.
Zackhart-sama suggested, "Wouldn't it be all right to take it easy in Gadeland for a few more days?" But we were escorting a criminal named Filemas, so we wanted to hand him over to the Empire as soon as possible.
For now, we left the matter of sending word about Franklurt to Zackhart-sama and headed east.
"Even so, I would have liked to stay in Gadeland for a few more days myself."
Lururia was the one saying that.
"Why? Did you want to sample the porge at various restaurants?" I teased.
"That was part of it, but I told you before, didn't I? I'm going to build a port in the Greedle Empire that can rival Gadeland's. To do that, seeing the finest port in person would be an invaluable learning experience."
...Wait, she wasn't joking?
"My wife is wonderful, isn't she?" Tsetsii said, puffing out his chest proudly. Well, she was impressive, but if the Emperor chose his successor based on ability, couldn't Lururia conceivably be chosen over his own children? Wouldn't that put Tsetsii's position in danger?
I had heard that the Filemas incident had made Lururia a major presence within the Empire. Apparently, she was also in the Emperor's good graces. Or perhaps she had been allowed to accompany us this time so the Emperor could gauge her abilities as well? Considering that General Gafol had not objected, it was not impossible.
"Still, it's sad that we're parting again."
Lufa said that, prompting Lururia to pretend to embrace her from horseback while saying, "Oh, Lufa, you're so adorable!" Tsetsii anxiously called out, "Careful!" worried that she might fall off her horse.
Peaceful.
Though Lururia had picked a fight with King Zeurasia and we had ended up taking an unusual guest named Franklurt with us, there were no major problems on either the outbound or return journey, and we reached the fortress nearest the Yoros Corridor.
That night, we held a modest farewell feast.
Surely, we wouldn't be seeing Tsetsii or Lururia all that often from then on. Depending on circumstances, this might even be the last time some of us ever saw one another.
"Thank you... for everything, starting with the matter of the letter."
Tsetsii thanked me again.
"No, as far as the letter is concerned, I just happened to learn the information. You were the remarkable ones for trusting the word of someone from an enemy nation. I didn't do anything."
In truth, I had simply thought that avoiding involvement in the Filemas incident would be good enough. I had never expected to leap into the center of the commotion—let alone alongside my wife.
So those words were completely sincere. By comparison, what I had done amounted to only the tiniest bit of help.
"I will repay this debt someday, without fail."
I didn't know what to do with him taking it so seriously. I really hadn't done anything significant. Lururia laughed at Tsetsii.
"Oh, Tsetsii, it's all right. I've already thought of how I'll thank Roa properly."
"Oh? What will you do?"
At Tsetsii's question, Lururia puffed out her chest. I was a little curious what she would say, too.
"Next time, I'll treat you to some exquisite porge that I make myself! That'll more than repay the debt!"
We all burst out laughing when we heard that.
It truly was the finest repayment imaginable.
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Word had already been sent to the Empire, and just as when we'd gone to pick them up, an Imperial army led by General Gafol was waiting for us.
"General Gafol, as promised, I hereby return Prince Tsetsedra and Princess Lururia safely, and hand over the criminal, Filemas, into your custody."
"Indeed. You have my thanks."
General Gafol's eyes were ringed with dark circles. He might have been unable to sleep much from worry.
"Roa-dono, thank you for everything. Until we meet again."
"As promised, I'll treat you to the finest porge, so look forward to it! Lufa, see you again! Lapiria-san, you too!"
"Roa Unit, Lapiria Unit, salute!!"
As the Imperial army saluted in unison at General Gafol's command, we were sent off and safely completed our mission.