The Rovenne family was traveling down the Rune River to reach the capital city of the Dosperior Marquisate, Rabeldin.

    Originally, the spring''s social exchange was supposed to continue for a little while longer. However, after receiving King Patrick’s promise to take care of the Claubia forest region, Bellwood had achieved his main objective. And dreading that there might be an avalanche of meeting requests awaiting him afterward, he then suggested leaving the Royal Capital as soon as possible.

    And since they still had some time left due to their shorter-than-expected stay in the Royal Capital, the Rovenne family decided to visit Rabeldin in the Dosperior region before heading back to their territory so that Cecilia could visit the grave of her late father, Vardi.

    "Well, we’ve cleared our schedule quite early. And I think you shouldn''t delay your meeting with your mother any further, Cecilia. Besides, brother-in-law insisted that you visit your father''s grave as well."

    Bellwood remarked with a rather nonchalant tone.

    "What do you mean by your schedule, father? Is there something you must get back to? Last I knew, even the territory matters were being handled by Grim after you put everything on him... Oh, remind me again, did you like the bread Randy-san gifted you? Don''t tell me this is just an excuse to check out the Dosperior territory’s bread?"

    Allen questioned his father with a skeptical expression, which made Bellwood''s shoulders drop.

    "*Sigh*... Am I really no more than a lazy bum with a penchant for bread to you, Allen? At the latest, we need to be back in the territory in a month, and I need to plant seeds and start growing seedlings for the garden... Especially for those grape-like eggplants, this year is a critical year for them."

    Allen and Roselia''s brows shot up when they heard the grape-like eggplant being mentioned.

    They recalled the eggplant Bellwood raised were round like grapes, and came with tufts. They thought their father was merely obsessed with the kitchen garden as a hobby. However, after recent revelations, the light in Allen''s eyes adopted a somber tint.

    After all, if Bellwood''s research bore substantial fruit, that would save a multitude of children from the mana collapse disease. So—

    "But well, I guess you can say that too. I do have an interest in their bread stores... Their simple bread baked using their long-standing art was delicious. Each bit would cause a crispy chewing sound, and that lingering taste was just the cherry on top! I always end up drooling when I recall those memories!"

    —Allen was just thinking that his father wasn''t the hopeless man that he imagined, but Bellwood''s following remark promptly deleted that hope.

    "...Thank you... Bell......"

    Cecilia murmured in a faint whisper. She knew very well how much her family''s matter weighed on Bellwood''s mind, painfully so.

    ◆◆◆

    On a whim, I decided to join my parents on their journey to visit Rabeldin. Ever since I stopped by that beautiful town during our transport mission, I had thought of visiting it again someday.

    I had already done my due duties, so I could freely enjoy my long spring vacation to the fullest. It was especially true for my knight work. I made sure to sweep every pending task.

    At first, my first stop on my long vacation list was to accompany the Emission Magic Research Club as their coach to attend the Rising Dragon Cup — a tournament equivalent to the Rising Star Cup meant for knight aspirants to test their mantle in summer season, but this one tested the young mages’ prowess — held in the Rosemieur empire.

    But *in a stroke of misfortune*, the sudden disaster of the Hellrowcast ended up pushing its date to the end of spring break.

    Honestly, I couldn''t wrap my head around their reason for wanting to become a knight during their student phase. I mean, I wasn''t dismissive of part-time jobs, but I hoped that they weren’t blindsided by the wage. Chances to become a knight would be in the millions, but youth only happened once and would merely remain in their memories afterward.

    Anyway, back to the topic, aside from my family and Dan, there were five more people onboard. Two of them were knights of the second legion dispatched by Glover-san.

    In the end, there was just one boat to practice with, but too many aspirants. We had to put a cap somewhere. As of now, the only ones qualified to practice were the people capable of causing gusts above 5m/s speed at least 10 m away from their body while also capable of controlling wind''s direction. And — I really, really loath to say this — the best candidates were those numbskulls proficient in the so-called skirt-flipping art.

    This was the minimum threshold to control the dynamic force of a ship, and no amount of training could grant such experience without aptitude.

    At first, when the ship had set out, the members acted in a frenzied state, like bunnies stuck in a cage alongside a lion, for some incomprehensible reason, and took any kind of work to remain busy. However, as the journey continued, and since they were mostly confined in the same space too small to avoid them, their flustered countenance slowly regressed.

    "Are you sure you don''t need me? I mean, the trip to Rabeldin from the Royal Capital is a nice exercise. I wouldn''t mind making another round."

    Dan had decided to spend his spring vacation in the Royal Capital.

    Apparently, the Knight Order had made a formal request to his father, and even to Marquis Grauksh. ''Well, I guess I’ll spend my vacation on the ship there. And unlike the earlier greeting visit, it would be a real business.'' So he had remarked while scratching his head. But in contrast to his wry expression, he couldn''t hide the excitement from his gestures, and his face was beaming like the child who was told the news of a trip.

    "Yup. I’ll take the train for my return trip. But thanks for the offer, Dan."

    As for me, I would take the train back. My initial reason for taking this unconventional means of travel was to throw knights off of my trail, but that wouldn’t be required in my return.

    The ship slowly arrived at the pier of Rabeldin’s harbor.

    We, mainly my family, expressed our gratitude and disembarked from the ship.

    ◆◆◆

    When we got out of the harbor, we hitched a carriage and gave the address straight to the family estate of the Dosperior family.

    Noticing an unannounced carriage approaching, the guard''s expression turned serious as they hoisted the spears in their hands.

    "Halt! State your business. This is the premises of the Dosperior family, and no visitors were expected for today, so—"

    One of the middle-aged guards warned us, but then suddenly his eyes halted on my mother.

    "Huh, could you be—"

    My mother''s lips curved into a gleeful smile.

    "So you still remember me, huh, Dean?...... It''s been a long time, hasn''t it?