Chapter 97: Arrival at Gantz
On the thirtieth day since leaving the royal capital, Satellite Squad One—together with Roberto, the civil officials, and Katolle’s merchant contingent—broke camp at our final roadside encampment.
A few hours later, the familiar outline of Gantz came into view. Beyond it, a line of mountains linked up with the Great Demon Forest.
It’s nostalgic for me, but for those coming to Gantz for the first time, the way the mountain range hemming in the Great Demon Forest looms closer as you approach might feel a little unsettling.
I wasn’t in a carriage this time—Cleria and I rode side by side.
I still felt a bit stiff in her company, but it can’t be helped.
「…I didn’t think Gantz would feel this nostalgic after just three months away.」
Round trip, two months. Add the bandit hunt in the capital and recruiting settlers, and before we knew it, three months had passed since we’d left Gantz.
Since arriving on this planet I’ve rarely stayed in one place, but Gantz was the place I stayed the longest.
「Well, that’s our home now. Of course it feels nostalgic.」
Cleria answered with a bright smile.
「Still, who’d have thought the five of us would come to Gantz and then, half a year later, bring back nearly three thousand people? It feels like a dream.」
If she weren’t on horseback, she looked ready to start dancing.
「Yeah. But it isn’t a dream—and this is only the first wave. We’ll be bringing in a lot more.」
「Right. We have to develop the territory as soon as possible and call over the people of Starveek. But Alan, how do we even get to the territory inside the Great Demon Forest? I believe you when you say the town is already finished, but I don’t see any road that could handle thousands of travelers.」
「There’s a road. You just can’t see it because it’s camouflaged. We’re going to scout the territory tomorrow as planned, so you can see it with your own eyes.」
「Alan, when did you even…」
「Told you—my collaborators are pretty capable.」
「I’d love to meet them and thank them, but that’s not possible, is it?」
We’d had this conversation a few times now. Lying about it leaves a sour taste. Secrets eat away at trust—obviously.
I know I can’t hide it forever. I intend to tell Cleria the truth at some point—well, not everything, but the important parts.
Chatting like that, we reached the main gate of Gantz.
The guards, wide-eyed, started calling out ‘Welcome back!’ and ‘Congratulations!’ Apparently, word of my ennoblement had reached Gantz; they waved us through without even checking the baron’s crest.
While the Satellite members and the merchant group had their guild cards checked, Captain Guido came running out from the guard post.
「Welcome back, Lord Corinth!」
He dropped to one knee. So not only the title but my family name had made the rounds.
「I’m back, Captain Guido. Keep it like always, okay?」
「Not while I’m on duty, my lord. I beg your indulgence.」
「Then at least stand up, would you?」
「Yes, Lord Corinth—no, Alan-sama, you haven’t changed a bit. To think you’d return a noble who merits a kneel… splendid news. You’re the hero of Gantz. I’ve already sent runners to each guild.」
「Got it. Anything happen while I was away?」
「Nothing much out of the ordinary. If anything, it was strange during Shining Star’s active days. You don’t usually get ‘events’ one after another like that.」
「Fair point. We’re headed to our Home; if anything comes up, find us there.」
「Understood.」
As we rode through the familiar streets toward our Home, people noticed the group and started watching from a distance. Even in Gantz, a convoy of carriages stands out; folks who recognized me waved and called out, and I waved back from the saddle.
I should’ve gotten in a carriage. This parade-like stuff is not my style at all.
「You really are bad at this sort of thing, Alan.」
Cleria, being a former princess, had probably done this a lot. She laughed softly and called over to me like it was nothing.
「Yeah. Really not my thing.」
I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
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「Welcome back, Bro.」
「Bro—Alan-sama, welcome back!」
As soon as we reached Home, everyone called out at once. First to rush over were the two kids who’d been sweeping outside.
「We’re back. You two doing well? Teo, Ella—did you both get a little taller?」
「Maybe it’s ‘cause we’ve been getting proper meals?」
「Eat lots and grow big. Here—your promised souvenirs.」
I handed over some neat little outfits I’d picked up in the capital.
Once things settled down, I planned to bring the two to the territory, set them up with guardians, and get them schooling. Depending on the situation, the orphan community that came from the capital might be a better fit.
「Alan-sama, Ria-sama, we’ve been awaiting your return.」
「Thanks, Sally-san. We’re back—and thanks for watching the place. Sorry to spring this on you, but could you prep a bath?」
「Certainly. I can have it ready in about an hour.」
「Thanks. Also, short notice, but please arrange dinner for tonight too.」
「As you wish. Any requests?」
「Nothing special from me. How about you all?」
「I want karaage!」
Cleria chimed in.
「Karaage sounds great to me too.」
Elna added.
We didn’t eat deep-fried stuff on the road—you need a lot of oil—so I have no reason to veto it.
「Karaage it is, then.」
「Right away.」
「Alan-sama, we’ll head out and start the arrangements we discussed.」
Katolle, leading the procurement unit, called over.
「I’m counting on you. Also, check with the Commerce Guild if Silas-san can meet later today.」
「Understood.」
It seems the guilds have already sent their runners, but I still needed to pay my respects for returning. It’d be easier if I could go to them—but a ‘proper noble’ can’t just drop by like before.
Not that we have the facilities to host tea parties or banquets yet, either.
「The bath will be ready in an hour, so swing back by then.」
「Yes, sir.」
Katolle and his procurement group dashed out. They had to be tired, but they were raring to go. We need more hands on the procurement group, too; I’ll have to ask Silas about that as well.
For the time being we’d have to rely on Gantz for food supplies for the territory, so we’d been arranging steady shipments from the capital to here as we traveled. Katolle’s team would secure a depot to receive that first wave and organize transport into the territory.
They’d also buy and ship a broad range of daily necessities and sundries. Those would be sold to our settlers through a shop—Katolle would mainly run that.
「Adjutant Dalshim, what’s the protocol for greeting the lord here?」
「The Count of Gantz is away, so greeting the house steward will suffice. I’ll send members of Satellite Squad Ten to do it for you.」
「Thanks. I’m counting on you.」
I’ve already paid my respects on my way out last time, so we’ve covered the bare minimum of etiquette. The Count didn’t show at my ennoblement either, and if Erwin’s reports are right, our bandit hunt didn’t win me any points with him; the greeting didn’t leave a good impression either. But thinking ahead, we need to keep the forms and at least win the steward to our side.
I don’t want them slapping extra taxes just on goods we bring into Gantz.
Might as well notify the Adventurers’ Guild too.
「Adjutant Dalshim—tell the Adventurers’ Guild: ‘We’re back, but the core members will suspend adventuring activities for a while longer.’」
「Understood.」
We’ll have to resume before our rank decays. But maybe it’s no really necessary to keep the clan façade anymore..
Either way we’ll need to negotiate for a branch office out in the territory, so we’ll pay them a visit at least once—but that’s low priority.
When we stepped into the dining hall, Satellite Squad Ten and Heinz, Squad Leader Bruno, and the others hurried in.
「「「Welcome back, Alan-sama, Cleria-sama!」」」
Squad One exchanged greetings with Squad Ten. I caught snatches of Ten’s members lamenting that they’d missed out on the capital bandit hunt. I should find them some special assignment somewhere.
Elna, for her part, was happily reunited with Leader Bruno and his crew. Compared to three months ago he looked a lot steadier—his recovery seemed on track.
「Lady Norian, well done on your journey.」
「Leader, everyone—it’s been a while. How’s your health?」
「Much better. I’ve started retraining this out-of-practice body. Not perfect yet, but I can operate normally.」
「That’s great to hear.」
「Good news—but don’t overdo it,」 Cleria cut in. 「You’re not back to full strength yet.」
「Y-yes, Your Highness. I am grateful for your words.」
「In a few days, we begin the settlement of the territory Alan prepared in the Great Demon Forest. We’ll need you and your subordinates to help us, Lord Enders.」
Ah—looks like Cleria has slipped back into princess mode.
Just then, Lord Leister and his son arrived.
「…Your Highness, we rejoice at your safe arrival.」
「Lord Leister, no need for stiff formalities. I’m an adventurer right now, not a princess. For now, I’d like you to lend your knowledge and experience to governing the territory.」
「As much as this body allows.」
As Cleria and the rest were celebrating their reunion, Sally-san came back.
「Lord Alan, the bath is ready.」
「Alright, let’s wash up and reconvene.」
An hour had flown by in a blink.
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When I came out of the bath, Karina-san was waiting.
「Welcome home, Alan-sama—and congratulations on your elevation to baron.」
Even Karina-san greeted me on one knee.
「Thanks, Karina-san. I’d actually prefer if you treated me like before.」
「I’m afraid that would be difficult. I ask your forgiveness.」
「Shame. At least, please stand.」
「Yes. I also have a message from Silas-sama. He will come pay his respects tonight.」
「That’s fine—after dinner works.」
「I did tell him several times that such a message was a bit too casual for a baron, but he insisted you wouldn’t mind…」
「Ever since we got back, everyone’s been treating me differently because I’m a noble. Honestly, I prefer that kind of casualness. No problem at all.」
「Thank you very much.」
「So—Karina-san, if you can, I’d appreciate you treating me as close to before as possible too.」
「I’m afraid that’s difficult. But… it truly is good to see you again. Now then, please excuse me.」
…Huh? Why do I suddenly feel a few cold stares on my back?
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