Chapter 75
The Phrygia Dukedom in the northern part of the empire.
The land ruled by Ballak Phrygi-ah, known as the Grand Duke of the North.
The most developed city within that Phrygia Dukedom was, naturally, Ice City Serpa, which had developed around the Phrygia ducal Castle.
That was the place Franz had just arrived at.
The surroundings were entirely filled with snow and ice, due to the characteristic of temperatures dropping the further north one went.
It was a sight that suited the moniker of ice City perfectly.
“So Arian grew up in a place like this.”
Now that they had actually arrived in the North, the snow-filled scenery and her cold personality seemed to suit each other quite well.
She had warmed up a bit recently, but until just a while ago, she had been incredibly stiff.
“It’s really been a long time…”
Arian said, looking at the city visible in the distance as if she missed it.
“Why has it been a long time?”
“Because I haven’t been back once since coming to the Magic Tower.”
Not even once?
It had been over ten years since Arian entered the Magic Tower.
With that much time, it would have made sense for her to return to her family home at least once, even if not frequently, so it was simply baffling that she hadn’t.
Well, she probably had her own personal reasons.
Like not having a particularly good relationship with her family, for instance.
'Let’s not ask.'
It might be a topic she didn’t really want to talk about.
It was better to just move on while staying curious rather than making things awkward for no reason.
Eventually, the carriage Franz was driving entered the streets of Serpa.
There were countless people on the streets, and their gazes were naturally concentrated on the Magic Tower Special Carriage.
It was an object that shattered common sense, so that was only to be expected.
Franz ignored their stares as much as possible and drove the carriage slowly.
“It’s changed a lot here and there. Ah, that shop over there is still the same.”
Arian muttered to herself while looking out the window.
Much can change in a decade.
The city must have naturally undergone various changes as well.
Looking at Arian with that thought, she didn’t seem to be in a bad mood.
He had wondered what to do if she hated the idea of meeting her family, but fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Screech-.
Soon, Franz’s carriage, which had been running along the road, came to a stop.
In front of the carriage stood a towering castle wall, and a massive gate.
Beyond it was a grand castle befitting the title of duke, meaning they had finally arrived at the Phrygia ducal Castle.
The guards defending the castle gate tilted their heads while wearing fur-lined armor.
It seemed they were experiencing confusion at the sight of the carriage.
“Arian, let’s get out for a moment.”
“Yes, I think that would be best.”
Franz stepped out of the car with Arian.
'Wow, it’s quite cold.'
He hadn’t realized it because he had only been inside the car, but the outside air was quite chilly.
It was cold enough that the snow didn’t melt, so it was obvious when he thought about it.
“Arian, did you bring an outer coat?”
Franz asked as he reached his hand into the small bag at his waist.
He had packed a few thick cloaks inside the bag just in case, and he intended to take one out.
“I naturally… didn’t bring one.”
Arian’s answer sounded strangely awkward, but he decided not to mind it.
“Here, put this on.”
“Ah, thank you.”
When Franz handed over the thick cloak, Arian bowed her head and accepted it.
Soon, after wrapping the cloak around herself, she sniffed, appearing to smell the cloak.
At her action, Franz flinched-, taken by surprise.
“Does it smell…?”
It had been quite a while since he put it in the bag, after all.
Due to the nature of magic tools, he didn’t think there would be any particular issues, but one never knew.
“Arian, does the cloak smell by any chance?”
“A-No…!”
Arian hurriedly raised her head and answered.
But since she might have just answered that way out of politeness, Franz smelled the cloak himself.
'Thank goodness. It doesn’t smell like anything.'
Only then did Franz let out a sigh of relief and approach the guards.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Yes! Thank you!”
“I am Magic Tower lord Franz Gilbert, could you perhaps open the gate for us?”
“M-Magic Tower lord Franz, you say…?!”
The guards' eyes widened.
“Haha…”
It was a reaction he had experienced so much since subjugating the Demon Lord that it felt like an everyday occurrence, but Franz still found it awkward.
Others said it must be nice to be so esteemed, but when actually experiencing it, that wasn’t entirely the case.
“It is an honor to meet the mage of the Hero’s Party!”
“I am just grateful you think so.”
“If you are attending the party, your invitation…”
Before the guard could even finish speaking, a delicate hand suddenly popped out between the guard and Franz.
In that hand was an invitation engraved with the crest of the Ducal House of Phrygia.
“Here, that’s enough, right?”
“Yes, the invitation has been confirmed, but…”
The guard tilted his head and trailed off,
“Are you perhaps young lady Arian?!”
He continued speaking with his eyes wide open.
It was a completely understandable reaction, considering the ducal daughter who had left home over ten years ago had returned.
Even though Arian herself didn’t seem too pleased about it.
“Please lower your voice…!”
“I-I apologize. I was just so happy…”
“…Just hurry up and open the gate.”
“Yes…! I will open it immediately!”
The guards opened the tightly shut castle gate.
Franz, who got back into the car with Arian, immediately started the car and passed through the castle gate.
“Arian, was there a need to react so sharply?”
Franz asked.
The guard seemed happy that the ducal daughter had returned after such a long time, but Arian had treated him too coldly.
“I-It’s embarrassing…!”
So that was it.
Having received similarly intense welcomes himself, Franz could understand her feelings all too well.
Passing through the outer wall like that, Franz’s carriage soon arrived in front of a large mansion.
Many people were gathered in front of the mansion, and judging by their attire, it seemed everyone from the servants to the people of the Ducal House of Phrygia had come out.
And naturally, such a situation was not good for Arian.
“Ah, really…! Why are there so many of them out there…?!”
“It’s your own fault for not returning to your family home for over ten years.”
“That may be true, but…”
Yes, in the end, all of this was Arian’s fault.
No matter how far the distance, she could have returned at least once in between.
“You didn’t happen to write a single letter, did you?”
“I wrote some…! About two letters…”
Oh boy, she just drove a nail right into her parents' hearts.
No matter how much they say no news is good news, from a parent’s perspective, it’s always better to keep in touch frequently.
“S-Should we just go back…?”
Arian asked with a trembling voice.
But that was an absolutely unacceptable suggestion.
The fact that they had gathered at the entrance to welcome her meant that they all already knew Arian had arrived.
To come all this way and go back without even showing her face?
Then, honestly, she would have nothing to say even if she were disowned.
“I’m getting out first, okay?”
Franz said as he shifted the gear into park.
To that, Arian gave no reply and just remained completely tongue-tied.
“At times like this, you have to give them a push.”
Even things that are nothing once you actually experience them tend to make you overly nervous beforehand.
When there’s someone to push you forward at such times, things often get resolved quickly.
Click-.
In the end, Franz opened the car door first.
“W-Wait a minute…!”
Arian spoke in an urgent tone, but Franz merely gave a soft smile.
Soon, Franz stepped out of the car and faced the people of the Ducal House of Phrygia.
“Did he fight a bear or something…?”
With large animal claw marks remaining on his fierce face, a person wearing luxurious fur clothing.
There was someone standing there who, even at a glance, screamed, “I am the Head of the house-.”
It was an appearance that perfectly suited the moniker of Grand Duke of the North.
Confirming that Franz had stepped out of the car, he approached.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Magic Tower lord Franz Gilbert.”
“I am the head of the Ducal House of Phrygia, Ballak Phrygi-ah. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
When Ballak held out his hand, Franz lightly grasped it.
It was a rough and thick hand, one that seemed to hold many stories.
“By the way, I heard my daughter has arrived.”
“She is feeling shy because it has been so long. She will be out shortly, so please wait just a moment.”
As soon as Franz finished speaking, the passenger door of the carriage opened.
However, Arian, who stepped out of the car, kept her head bowed low and didn’t say a word.
“May I go to my daughter for a moment?”
“Yes, please do.”
Franz readily agreed.
He was meeting the daughter he hadn’t seen in over ten years, so it was completely understandable that he would be eager.
Soon, Ballak stood in front of Arian.
“Arian.”
“…U-Ugh…”
“It’s been a long time.”
“…I’m sorry for not visiting until now.”
“It’s alright. So raise your head. A master of the household shouldn’t be bowing her head in front of the servants, should she?”
At Ballak’s words, Arian slowly raised her head.
Her face was quite flushed.
Whether it was due to embarrassment or the cold weather of the North, he didn’t know.
At the heartwarming scene, a smile spread across Franz’s lips as well.
Since he had absolutely no idea what would happen next, he could still smile for now.