I returned to Yuguhanotes after finishing my mission to investigate the Demon's Forest. The next day, I was visiting the mansion to return the sword I borrowed from Lloyd.

　The mansion of Lloyd the frontier earl was built on top of a small hill that overlooks the Juguhanotes.

　Unlike the nobleman's mansion that Alfine had bought in the royal capital, the mansion where Lloyd and the others lived was surrounded by a sturdy wall, like a solidly built fort.


　It's quite high and quite a sturdy wall.

　Even with magic, it won't be easy to break them.


''We've been expecting you, Flick-dono.


　As I was walking around looking at the fence, Mais, the Knight Captain, spoke to me.

　Unlike when we were exploring, Mais, who had changed from his armor to plain clothes, looked like a good-natured uncle.


''I'm sorry to take up your time even though you're busy,''

'No, that's not true. Besides, I've told my men that Master Flick can come by whenever he wants, so please feel free to drop by. Since Master Lloyd gave you the sword, Master Flick has been recognized as a swordsman. Some of the knights I've heard from those who have accompanied me have also requested to meet with you.


　The knights guarding the entrance of the castle-gate-like mansion also put their left hands on their right chests towards me to salute.


　Unlike the knights of the Kingsguard, the knights of the frontier county are more serious people.

　I can hear them training from inside, and many of them were recruited from adventurers, so maybe their prowess is more important than their family background.


　They were Lloyd-like vassals who remain prepared for emergencies.

　However, I'm just a fledgling adventurer who hasn't yet officially risen to the bronze grade.

　I'm not in a position to casually visit the mansions of great nobles.


''I appreciate your consideration, but ...... it's not a place you can come to easily.

''Well, I thought Lord Flick would say so, so I will request a mock battle with the knights through the Adventurer's Guild. I would be grateful if you would accept.

'Huh, I'll take your request by appointment, but I'll be happy to do so at ......

Thank you. Well, let's get back to our chores. I'm sure Master Noelia will be waiting for us.

'I'm just going to say hello and return the sword to you: ......

Don't be shy. I've already finished preparing breakfast, so please go ahead and have it.


　With Myth leading the way, I entered the mansion of Lloyd, the frontier count.


　The inside of the mansion was so simple that I couldn't believe it was a great nobleman, it was packed with utilitarian items without any of the flamboyant things that the nobles of the royal capital were competing to collect.


''I'm telling Lloyd-sama that it's better to give back to the people of the realm through luxury. Master Lloyd spent more money on recruiting knights and stockpiling armor and ammunition than on luxury. There are some nobles in King's Landing who call Lloyd-sama 'war mad'.


　As I was scurrying around and looking at the furnishings in the mansion, Myth explained the circumstances under which it was happening.


　He said that Lloyd is always preparing for the 'great attack', and it seems to be true.

　You can't find any noblemen in the royal capital, 20 years later, that are prepared for the 'big attack' even if they live such a simple life.


''I see ...... seems to be the Count of the Frontier.

Now that we're here, I'd like to get back to work. Inside, Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Noelia are waiting for you.

Ha, ha. ......


　When I come to the big door, Myth says just that and leaves me.

　I was left with no choice but to knock on the door.


'You can come in without permission.


　From behind the door came a gruff Lloyd's voice.

　I opened the large door and walked in to find Noelia and Lloyd seated in front of a large table.


''Excuse me. I have come to return the sword I borrowed from you as part of my investigation.''

'You're a stiff one. I thought I did that to you.


　Lloyd looks at me sullenly as he returns the sword.


'Father, since Frick-sama says he doesn't want it, it can't be helped. You should be gracious enough to allow him to return it.


　Noelia, who was sitting to Lloyd's right, was admonishing her father in her usual inchoate voice.


'No one has ever thrust back the sword I gave you. And this time, it's the love sword that ran through the 'Great Raid'.

I'm afraid that's a burden on Mr. Fricke, sir.


　This time, unusually, Noelia didn't keep Lloyd's mouth shut.

　Maybe the visit to his mother's grave had somewhat resolved their rift--


Not satisfied with my sword? It's not true!　You, boy, you're going to take Noelia, not the sword--


　A bubble of silence (silence) covered Lloyd's face.


　Maybe the silence had nothing to do with the father-daughter rift.


　It looked like they were about to start a father-daughter fight, so I decided to tell Lloyd why I was returning the sword to him.


''I said I would give it back, but I thought I would ask the frontier earl to keep it until I became a man worthy of owning this sword. I'm going to take it back when I'm ready to inherit it.


　Hearing my words, Lloyd crossed his arms and clucked his mouth in thought.


'Your father has been told, 'I see, I understand,'


　Quickly, Noelia translated for me, but from the way Lloyd looked at me, I couldn't help but feel that he didn't say that.


'Noelia, is that really what you're saying?'

Yes, that's no problem. Don't worry, I'm a very good interpreter.


　After a while, the effect of Lloyd's silence (silence) wore off and the air bubbles cracked.


'I didn't say that,'

Was it?　I beg your pardon.


　Noelia responded to Lloyd's prodding with a nonchalant expression.


　For what it's worth, the two of them are experiencing a back-and-forth, but maybe they're really close.


　I watched their exchange with a smile.


'You're going to leave the sword I gave you with me and use that namakaze again?　You won't get better with a sword of that quality.

'I'm going to make a new sword with the reward I received from this escort request. A sword that suits me now.


　Even though it was difficult to manage the money, it was my pride that I went into the forest of the demon world with only a lazy sword to enter the forest.

　So it's imperative that I make a sword that's worthy of the current me, a trustworthy partner.


'Huh, let's make a new sword: ......

''Yes ......, as the Count of the Frontier told me, I thought I'd make a good sword, even if I had to borrow some money.

Then let me introduce you to a blacksmith in whose service I am indebted. The man who struck that sword. He's an eccentric, complicated man, but the swords he makes are all top-notch.


　The blacksmith who struck the Lloyd's sword: .......

　A blacksmith who makes that many swords must be a very skilled person.


''Thank you. I would appreciate it if you could introduce me to him.''

Very well. I'll send you the harbinger of things to come. He's a crank with a workshop in the hunting grounds of Yasuba, near the forest of demons. I'll draw you a map.

'Master Flick, we'll practice our magic today near Yasbah's hunting grounds, so let's get our stomachs ready first.


　Noelia rang the bell on the table and the maids appeared at the door and began to prepare the meal.


'Wait!　Noelia, are you going out with the kid again?　You can't do that--


　Once again, Lloyd's mouth was sealed by Noelia, and after finishing my breakfast in silence, I decided to show up at the Adventurer's Guild to look for a request I would receive on my way to the workshop.