After leaving Kagura, I shortened my itinerary by using wind magic to shorten my itinerary as I went, and arrived at the port city of Esport in five days.

　I took a break there to replenish my energy after I bought some fish and souvenirs that can only be bought here.

By this time, it feels hotter than warm, because the season has already changed from spring to early summer. If I moved in a reasonable way, I would sweat, and I had a hard night's sleep, so I used the cold air of ice magic to cool the air and go to bed.

　The next day I found Irvine, Malt, and Rumba sleeping in my own room, and it was extremely disgusting. It would have been nice if Ilya or Aleusha had gotten in anyway.

　The next morning we set off in the carriage.

　We traveled from the port city of Esport in the Kingdom of Ardonia to the city of Kikka in the Kingdom of Misfirito.

　I spend that spare time on the road with Tory, explaining about table tennis doubles and studying slime pillows.

　A chilled slime pillow is still the best thing in this hot season.

　Not only the members of the Silver Wind, but also the members of the Chamber of Commerce realized the usefulness of these pillows and chased the slime all over the road.

　Then they threw the slime and appropriate food into the demon's leather and cooled it down with ice mages.

　Then a lot of cool slime pillows were born.

　The next morning, I could see some people who forgot to put food in the leather and were holding the liquid slime...

　While we were merrily spending our time like that, we arrived at the Kicker.

　It was already evening at that time, so I finished replenishing and other things just like Esports and stayed the night.

　Then I spent some time training magic with Aleusha and Ilya, and talking happily with everyone.

　I finally came back to the village of Coriat.

　When I looked out the window of the carriage, I could see the clear blue sky and the endless meadows.

　The beauty of these sights reminds me that I am back in the village of Koliat.

　I take a deep breath, and the fresh air with the same smell of green and earth that I had before I left enters my body.

"....after all, the air here is the most soothing...

　Whether you go to King's Landing or Kagura, it doesn't change that.

　Oh, I still like Coriat Village the best. I feel most at home here.

　Looking around the area with a sense of relief, I can see the villagers plowing their fields again today.

　It's already summer, and the villagers are wearing short sleeves.

　It's not surprising that they would take off their clothes in this hot weather.

　I'm sure Roland, who is working on the farm, seems to be taking off his jacket because of the heat. At his side is Wester, who is wearing a Buddha's face.

Roland," he says, "get dressed now. It's hotter than you think. It's not just the heat of the day, but the sight of your chubby body makes me feel even hotter.

It's hot as hell out here. If you don't want to see it, you don't have to.

Don't you understand that even if you don't want to see it, it's in your line of sight, you idiot?

'What?　You come over here for a second!　I'll take you out!

Stop, you're sweating. You can't come in here and sweat all over me.

　When Wester told him that, Roland stared at his body intently.

　His figure was sweating so much that he could see it from a distance, and his healthy, burnt skin was shimmering with sweat and oil.

　After grasping his own condition, Roland looked at his appearance and then looked at Wester and grinned at him.

''.........Oh, hey, no way, you!　You're not thinking of hugging me like that, are you?

"You're disgusting. .... only because I'm a little pissed off and I'm going to lay on you.

You're kidding... right?

You've known me a long time. In this situation, I have to lie...

　Westa retreats back with a pale face, but Roland laughs wryly and closes the distance.

　Coupled with his large, huge body, it's like a bear hunting down its prey.

'I can't bear to be hugged by Roland in a sweaty state!

'Hwahahahaha!　Wait!　Westa!

　Seeing Westa running away, Roland chases after him with all his might.

　Even this ridiculous scene feels nostalgic.

'Oh!　Is that the Trierra Trading Company's carriage?

Hey, look!　There's Master Alfried over there!

'Oh, those dead eyes, I'm sure of it. It's Master Alfried!

　As I was laughing at Wester and Roland, who was running away and chasing me, the villagers who were working in the fields noticed me and waved their hands, shouting from mouth to mouth.

'Have you fattened up a bit?'

I thought you were just growing up and getting bigger because you're a kid.

　Is it bad, so much so that even the villagers can see it? Have I gained that much weight?

　I think I ate rather less on the way home.

　Was it a mistake to pour special sweet fruit juice over my shaved ice because it was getting hot?　No, but when you're in a carriage this long, you get bored with the conversation and you want to eat to pass the time. I think I took it out of the spatial magic and ate something every so often.

　But it's summer from now on. I'm sure I'll be sweating a lot, and I'm a kid after all. Even if I gain a little weight, it will be easy for me to lose it. That's what being young is all about.

　I waved to the villagers as I told myself that.

　This time I didn't see Thor or Asmo, but I wonder how they are doing.　When I get back to the villa and get settled, I'll give you a souvenir.

Here we are!

　I'm trying to figure out what kind of souvenir I want for the two of us, and before I know it, the carriage seems to have reached the front of the mansion.

　When I heard Tory's interrupted voice, I got out of the carriage and onto the ground.

　Then I saw my mansion, which I had missed.

　The gates, which are kept clean, are as magnificent as ever, and the road leading to the mansion is largely free of dirt and fallen leaves.

　And just down the single street were Nord Dad, Mother Erna, Brother Silvio, Bartolo, Meena and Saara.

　How is it that Sister Elinora and Mel are not there?　

　Oh, well, that's okay. You can ask me about the details later. For now, we're all just glad to be back.

　As I walk up to them, Nord's father and the others give me a subtle look, for some reason.

Why do you have such a delicate look on your face when your son has not been home in a month?

　As expected, I can't be happy about this situation either. I can't just run up to you and then bring you into the flow of a hug.

　When I tell him to protest, Dad Nord laughs vaguely and Mom Erna has no expression.

'Well Al, you've gained weight, haven't you?'

What?

'When I saw her get out of the carriage, I told her that in a month's time the child would grow up, but when I saw her up close, I was sure of it. This wasn't a growth, it was a fat one.

　As she says this, Erna's mother pinches my cheeks and stomach.

　........what is it? It's been a month since my kids came home, so I think it's okay to say, "Welcome home," or words to them.

You've put on weight in a little while, Al.

...Hahaha, you're a little plumped up.

　When I look at Father Nord and Brother Silvio for help, they chuckle and say something like that.

''This is a child, and isn't this the least you can do?　It's summer and you'll lose weight, I'm sure!

'Master Alfried rarely leaves his room, and he makes it easy for you with his magic, so you won't lose weight by being normal.

Well, I guess I'm even fatter in the future.

　Meena was unusually supportive, but Saara and Bartolo's stern points came flying in.

　Uggh, that's for sure. When it's this hot season, I definitely use ice magic, and when that happens, it's a certainty that I'll hardly ever leave the room, which means I'll be living a life of food and sleep.

　In fact, I can only see a future where I'll be fatter than I am now.

''By the way, where are Sister Elinora and Mel?''

　I asked her what was bothering her while escaping from the reality in front of me.

　Then, Mother Erna let out a sigh as if she was dumbfounded.

''Elinora is in the royal capital right now because of the knights' exercises. Mel is following her as well as taking care of her, so the two of you aren't here.

　I could hear the words that Mother Erna was saying but I couldn't understand them well.



　How is that even possible?　No. Is it possible?

That's what I'm talking about.

Yes!

　I instantly revealed my joy, and for some reason, Mother Erna slapped me on the head.

'You'll feel sorry for Elinora if you're happy like that,'

　Oh, it was. I was just too happy to burst with emotion.

　Keep your emotions in check, Alfried. Mother Erna will be mad at you again.

　A peaceful life without sister Elinora. These seven years I was born as Alfreet-Slowlett. Was there ever a day like that?

　No, no!　Even if there was, it was back when I was too small to do anything about it. If that's a no-can, that would mean it's the first time I've been able to move freely.

　Oh man, what would everyday life be like without sister Elinora? I can't imagine what it would be like to have Elinora's sister in my life.

　But it must be so peaceful........

''........even if it doesn't come out in words, it's all on your face, okay?''

　That's how happy I look.

'Well, I can't help but think that this will mean less training, right?

''Well Al, do you think you're going to get less training because Elinora isn't here when you're in such a body?''

　I can't help but say how happy and honest I am, and my dad smiles kindly at me.

　I don't know why, but Nord-Dad's smile is so soft, and yet it's terrifying.

'....Well, won't it go down?

I'm not going to decrease it. In fact, we're going to increase it. By the way, are you going to train while you're in Kagura?

Well, I've had plenty of practice with magic.

All right, so we'll practice now.

　I reply, and Dad Nord chuckles, pulling my arm as he walks to the courtyard.

　I give my family a look of help as I'm dragged along.

Have a good day.

　He waved at me with a smile in his voice.

　Wrong!　I don't want a word to see you off, I want a word to welcome you home...!



　As a result, it seemed that even without Sister Elinora, as long as Father Nord was around, the training was still as painful as ever.