From a distance, a wall which looked like a poor imitation of the Great Wall of China could be seen. That wall was the outermost of the threefold walls circling Nyuneri City. Its length was considerable, but its defense wasn't comparable to the other two inner walls. It mainly served as a shield against dangerous wild animals, block magical beasts from entering the city, and hinder thieves during their escape.
「Finally back in Nyuneri City.」
「Yes. We have reached the city just as scheduled on the letter we've sent ahead.」
I thought we wouldn't return on time considering that we'd dropped by a farm village to buy a present on the way home, but it appeared that we'd arrived on time.
「Then there's no problem. We should be able to arrive at the castle by the afternoon. I'll cut the support magic.」
I cut off the physical strength enhancement magic applied to the group of soldiers including me.
Oohh the soldiers raised baffled noises.
The body would temporarily experience a strange sensation after the physical strength enhancement magic had been cut off. The feeling would be like the discomfort when switching from contact lenses to glasses in my previous world. That was particularly the case for those who had received the enhancement; they'd feel sick after the magic had been cut off.
「Thank you, for your consideration. Young Master has supported us for a considerable period of time, does Young Master feel any problem with his condition?」
「There's no problem.」
Since I wanted to avoid delaying our return which was caused by the steamy reception I'd received in the village, I enhanced the movement speed of the soldiers with magic immediately after we left. Before departing Nambonan, we'd sent a letter of our estimate return time, so my little sister Fanny must be looking forward to my return.
『Big brother, why were you late to come back? I've been eagerly waiting for big brother's return.』
『Actually, there was this girl who resembled Fanny on my way home. I felt like I was violating Fanny while I was having sex with her, so I got very aroused. I became too fired up and woke up late the next day, so I'm sorry Fanny.』
Of course, I couldn't tell her such thing.
I'd desperately banned myself from masturbating because I'd been intending to release my pent-up load inside Minith or Eve after returning to Nyuneri, but I completely fell into that village chief's plan. That village chief most likely didn't know about Fanny, but since his timing was so perfect, I felt like I'd been had.
Seeing Rumon and Kohali's intimate sibling relationship, my love for Fanny had further welled up. Then there was the girl who had the same eyes and hair. It would've been strange if I didn't lay my hands on the girl. Just in case, I'd forbidden that village girl from speaking about the fact that I'd called out Fanny's name during our sex. The people from Quordentz probably wouldn't find out about it, I hope. I gave her twenty gold coins as hush money, so I think it should be safe. I might've given way too much, though, as she was just a simple village girl.
The gatekeeper had probably noticed our group approaching, and by the time we'd gotten close enough to distinguish them, they'd formed a neat line to welcome my return.
My adjutant stepped forward and raise his voice.
「Open the gate!」
「Yes!」
The gate opened, and a peaceful scenery no different from the one outside the gate spread. The farmers were sweating as they worked on the fields here and there. The farmers who had noticed us stopped on their work and lowered their body and head down. I didn't intend to interrupt their work, and I had nothing in particular to say. They would just feel troubled if a person from Quordentz house spoke to them.
We'd advanced straight inside as the horse's trotting sounded.
When we entered the agricultural area inside the city, I noticed that many of the ordinary soldiers had relaxed. Naturally, my bodyguards stayed on their guard.
「Open the gates!」
「Yes!」
After exchanging the same lines, the second wall's gate, which was the castle town's boundary, opened. In there was the usual castle town. I often sneaked out to walk around, so I was familiar with the streets.
「Young Master!」
「I'm relieved that you've returned safely!」
「Young Master!」
「Congratulations on your first campaign!」
The castle town's population was very high. We'd become the citizen's target of attention as I walked while followed by the soldiers. Since I haven't yet inherited the headship, there were some commoners who greeted me. Of course, they maintained a fixed distance, but they weren't just simply lowering their head. There was a sense of respect, closeness, and slight awe towards the son of the lord who protected their lives with his powerful magic power. This felt much better rather than them lowering themselves simply because they were afraid.
Nyuneri City was Quordentz house's base city. Quordentz house had been constantly in a war here and there, but Nyuneri City had never fallen even once. Due to that, there were many old buildings, and it was my pleasure to gather things such as anecdotes and histories related to them when I was exploring the city in secret. Noble's from other territories also visited Nyuneri City once in a while, and they'd be surprised upon seeing the castle town. There were old church buildings around, which was a rare sight in the Levios Kingdom.
As we advanced through the main street, there was a response from the detection magic placed lightly around.
「Young Master, please be careful.」
「It's them?」
Six people consisting of men and women who were walking in the city had caught my attention. Based on their clothes, they must be commoners. They were all magic users. Six commoners possessing a magic power gathered together was a very unusual sight. Probably considering the possibility that they might be assassins aiming to attack me, my guards took out their swords and entered battle mode.
「You lot, who are you! If you try anything strange, we'll cut you down immediately!」
When the one with the clearest voice among my bodyguards raised a shout towards the six, a commotion rose among the citizens around. Judging whether a person had magic power with just their sight was impossible for ordinary people.
「Eeek! A noble!?」
The group of six didn't show any resistance and quickly kneeled down on the spot. They were kneeling with their hands on the stone road. On alert, the guards began to question them with their swords pointing towards them.
「Who are you people?! Why are there so many magic users in your group?! Answer honestly, or else we'll cut you down!」
The surrounding citizens looked like they'd become aware that the group of six all had magic power upon hearing his words, and people crowded around. From listening to the citizens speak, the six realized that I was Quordentz house's eldest son Wilk, and they paled while shaking.
「We, we're adventurers! We haven't done anything wrong! Please believe us!」
In a submissive posture, the leader-looking man spoke. I sensed that he had a considerable amount of magic power, enough to put up a fight against the weakest among my guards. The six obeyed and took out a paper while trembling. When I glanced at it, the parchment had Nyuneri's seal.
「... It's real.」
The official who received the parchment from the guard had confirmed its validity. Then, the guard glared at the six.
「You should've been told that commoner magic users can't walk around the city in group. Why are you six gathered together?」
Commoner's who possessed magic power were not advised to move in groups. Since they could cause harm to the nobles, there were times that they'd be charged with treason simply because they were moving in a group.
The same applied not only to Nyuneri City but also to other cities no matter the territory. As for how many were permitted to walk together, it depended on the situation, so there was no fixed number. If they were citizens of Nyuneri, they would receive lenient treatment. However, they weren't from Nyuneri, but people who came outside. They would be tolerated to some extent in places where people gather such as a bar and inn, but they were in the main street.
A group of six magic users walking in the main street was pretty much a no. They wouldn't be able to complain even if they were to get executed on the spot.
「We have come from the royal capital! We were allowed to walk in the royal capital together!」
「This is Nyuneri City.」
The leader became depressed upon hearing the guard's rebuttal. It couldn't be helped since he couldn't refute him. This world wasn't so simple that everything would be all good just because they didn't know something. They were a very lax group of adventurers.
「Arrest them! I'll interrogate them later. If they resist, kill them.」
「Yes!」
A look of despair on their faces, the group of six were restrained by three soldiers. They possessed magic power so they could easily sever the ropes binding them, but their heads would be the next one to get severed if they did such a thing. They would probably be obedient and get taken away.
「Young Master, I'm sorry for the trouble. Please immediately return the castle. Their might be others of them coming from somewhere else.」
「Very well.」
Ignoring the noise within the city, I gave my horse the signal and advanced.
The buildings around were becoming splendid as we got closer to the castle. As my horse continued, I occasionally glanced at the commoners who were respectfully lowering their heads. After a short while, we'd arrived in front of a dark wall with an oppressive aura. This was the third wall, and Nyuneri Castle was beyond it.
「It's great to be home again.」
Regardless of whether it was in my previous world or here in another world, there really was no place like home.