Fun Territory Defense Chapter 228

 Visiting My Parents' House After a Long Time

We passed through the fortified city that served as a checkpoint and continued on into the territory of Marquis Fertio. The journey took about two weeks. Even though we were a crack team of Panamera-trained soldiers, the extra infantry meant that the journey took longer than expected.

Instead, thanks to their sensible marching, careful reconnaissance of the surrounding area, and continuous nighttime vigilance, they were able to reach their destination without accumulating unnecessary fatigue. They never pushed themselves too hard, and always made sure they were in peak condition for battle. That is the strength of the Panamera.

However, when it comes to executing a strategy that emphasizes speed, such as a blitzkrieg, it would be able to move faster than any other Order. The Panamera Order has that level of proficiency.

If Dee had trained the Order thoroughly for ten years, would it become this kind of Order?

As I thought about this, I looked at the formation of the Panamera Order advancing ahead of me. The vanguard was already approaching the castle gates of the First City, where the castle of the Marquis of Fertio is located.

The castle walls and huge gates are so solid and robust that they could easily be mistaken for those of a royal capital. As it happens, the size of the walls and gates surrounding the Seat Village were modeled on those of this city. There is a rebellious spirit that wants to make the details of the carvings and decorations even more luxurious, but there is no doubt that it is still influenced by it.

And the spires and roofs of the barracks that can be seen beyond the castle walls are so simple that they could be described as rugged, but this gives them a beauty that is at once simple and robust.

It really does look like a medieval stone fortress.

It's a view like that, but it's my hometown after all. Even though I was kicked out, I lived there for eight years, so it's only natural that I feel nostalgic.

"…Van-sama, are you happy?"

Arte asks me, looking uncomfortable. When she calls out to me, I finally realize that I've been staring blankly at the cityscape for a long time.

I looked at Arte, smiling wryly at the thought.

"Well, I don't know if I'm happy, but I definitely feel nostalgic. After all, it's the town where I was born and raised."

As I said this, I heard a sniffing sound next to me. I looked over and saw Tyll covering her face with a handkerchief.

"Fugu... Ugh... I'm sorry..."

It seems I've pushed Tyll's sadness switch. Panamera's expression becomes slightly stern as she looks at the scene and our conversation.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door from outside the carriage.

"Excuse me, Van-sama, we've arrived at our destination..."

Camsin, who had come to report after opening the door, froze when he saw Tyll crying. He looked worried for a moment when he saw Panamera's stern expression.

"…I didn't scold her. "

Camsin looked at Panamera, who was muttering to himself in a grumpy voice, and quickly looked over at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I got a little sentimental when I saw the town... Tyll cried for me instead."

As I said this, Camsin also looked sad.

"…I see. Do you want me to keep the carriage windows closed?"

"No, no, don't worry about it. Rosalie-san from the Mary Chamber of Commerce said that some people will be sad to see me gone, and I'd be happy to see someone I know."

Well, I guess they'll have forgotten about me after a year or more. While thinking this, I forced myself to give a positive reply.

Camsin nodded in silence and left.

In the quiet carriage, I looked at everyone's faces and saw that Arte and Panamera were looking at me and Tyll's faces, as if to see how we were doing.

I felt bad that I had made them worry, but at the same time I was happy that there were people who cared about us.

With a little relief, we were able to pass the check at the castle gate and enter the city safely.

I looked out of the window, impressed by the bustle and hustle and bustle of the town, which was indeed the best city in the region. Then I noticed that there were a lot of people gathered around the carriage.

It didn't seem to be because it was a main street.

Just as I was thinking this, my name was suddenly called out.

"Van-sama!?"

I heard a cute voice and instinctively looked for the owner of the voice. Then I saw a girl in a red dress. She was a little taller, but it was definitely her. It was Visa, the only daughter of one of the guards. Looking closer, I also saw a man and a woman nearby who looked to be around thirty years old. One of them was Visa's father, Chanson, a guard who protects the castle walls, so the other must be Visa's mother.

"It's been a while, Visa. Have you grown a little taller?"

I wave and smile at her. Then the woman standing next to Visa puts her hands on Visa's shoulders and bows, looking a little nervous.

"Hey, Visa...! That is, Van-sama. I heard you became a baron. I'm sorry for talking to you."

I can't help but raise an eyebrow at Visa's mother, who says such a thing in a flustered manner.

"Well... please don't say such a sad thing. I think of Viza as a friend."

As I said this, the eyes of the Visa family members blinked and they stopped moving. They may have been disappointed by my words, which were not very noble.

I tried to follow up on my own, but before I could, I heard laughter coming from the residents who had gathered around.

"Hahaha! It's definitely Van-sama!"

"Welcome back, Van-sama!"

"Do you remember me?"

The residents, all of them with happy expressions on their faces, walked over to the carriage and called out to him right in front of him. Hearing their happy expressions and laughter, he couldn't help but tear up.

"Wait a minute! I can't understand anything when you all start talking at once!"

I'd be embarrassed if they found out I was crying because I was so moved that they remembered me. So I waved my hands and said something to hide my embarrassment. And the laughter came back again.

"Van-sama, this is a wonderful carriage!"

"Isn't it amazing? I made it myself."

"Does this whole Order belong to Van-sama?!"

"No, it's mostly Viscount Panamera's Knight Order."

The carriage slows down and moves through the town, chatting with the locals. People gather around it, just like a portable shrine at a festival.

In the midst of this, a young man speaks up.

"Van-sama, you've come back to this town?"

I couldn't help but stutter when I heard that question. Looking at everyone's faces, I couldn't help but think about coming back. Everyone's welcome was so wonderful.

However, I am Baron Van Nai Fertio, the Lord of the Frontier Lands that govern Seat Village. I cannot do something so irresponsible. I switch my slightly carefree mood and answer with a serious expression.

"I'm sorry, but I'm a nobleman who has received Seat Village as a fiefdom from the King. I can't leave that fiefdom for long."

After saying this, I smiled at the many residents who had gathered around.

"If you like, you can all come and visit Seat Village! There's a public bathhouse, and there's lots of delicious food too! Right now, I'll even provide a house for the people of this town!"

He advertised Seat Village at the top of his voice and waved his hands. Everyone cheered. As he waved to everyone from the carriage in a good mood, Panamera laughed behind him as if spouting out.

"You're quite the little rascal, aren't you? Recruiting subjects in the presence of the Marquis Fertio... that could be seen as an act of hostility by the local Lord, you know?"

The Panamera grinned as he said this. I turned around with a smile on my face and tilted my head.

“…Huh?!”