ALL NOVEL Chapter 149
A few days later, inside the carriage heading to the Count’s Domain.
“Hum~♬ Hrum~♩ Hrum~♪”
It was autumn, but the road to the Count’s Domain was already covered in snow.
Watching the familiar scenery outside the window, Leje hummed a tune.
“What’s up? You look happy!”
“Of course! It’s been ages since I’ve been to the Count’s Domain.”
“Well, it’s been a while.”
With Leje’s reply, Rudell smiled faintly.
For Leje, the Count’s Domain was practically a second home.
Rudell too felt his heart racing at the thought of returning home after a long time.
“We’re going to Weinstein County… I’m excited!”
“I’ve heard it’s a really splendid city…!!”
Silphier and Eleor chimed in, equally excited.
In the last few years, Weinstein County had developed to a dazzling degree.
Of course, compared to the Lagrind Duchy, it might seem a bit shabby, but even Rudell could confidently say that Weinstein County ranked among the top ten cities in the kingdom.
As the carriage carrying the group moved along the road for a moment…
“Ah! I see it! Rudell! Look over there!”
The central city of the Count’s Domain, Bails, began to come into view outside the window.
“It grew a lot since the last time I saw it!”
Rudell turned to look at the familiar scenery of his hometown at Leje’s exclamation.
The massive castle walls surrounded the wide city, and the Count’s mansion stood proudly in the center.
“Wooow… it’s amazing!!”
“It’s impressive. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this grand…”
“Well, it’s not that big of a deal.”
Short gasps of admiration escaped Silphier and Eleor as Rudell struggled to suppress a smile.
How many people could resist puffing their chest in such a situation?
And so, as the carriage headed toward Bails…
“Huh? Why is there such a long line in front of the Castle Gate?”
“Right? Are they checking something?”
Leje voiced her confusion after seeing the long queue at the Castle Gate.
Rudell nodded as he looked at the line.
Mercenaries, adventurers, ordinary territory villagers, and so on…
They were all undergoing checks at the inspection point set up in front of the Castle Gate.
“Stop! Halt!!”
Just then, the carriage arrived at the Castle Gate…
As the carriage stopped, the soldiers at the inspection point approached it.
Since the carriage bore the seal of the Weinstein Count family, it was supposed to pass through the gate without inspection.
But why were the soldiers stopping the carriage?
With that thought, Rudell opened the window.
“Young Master, is that you!? You’ve returned!!”
“Good to see you! But what’s going on?”
The soldiers, upon seeing Rudell, bowed their heads with delighted voices.
Rudell looked at them, puzzled.
“It’s the Count’s orders. All personnel passing through the gate must undergo inspection. No exceptions whatsoever.”
“I see…”
Considering the recent events, it was understandable for Carlos to take such measures.
After all, hadn’t similar incidents occurred even in the Holy Kingdom, the headquarters of all churches?
Any lord with a shred of common sense would naturally strengthen inspections on people entering their territory.
After the magical inspection was completed…
“Identity verification is done, you may pass.”
“Well then, you all take care.”
After saying that to the saluting soldiers, the carriage carrying Rudell and his group entered Bails.
The scenery of Bails had developed to the point that it could be considered a completely different city compared to the past…
As Rudell looked at the scenery after a long time, he felt an inexplicable awkwardness.
“It’s been so long. Back when I was a kid, I never imagined Bails would grow this big.”
“You know it’s all thanks to my father, right?”
“Of course. I should pay a visit to the Duke too…”
Had it not been for the investments from the Lagrind Duke, Bails might not exist as it did now.
He was always filled with gratitude about that.
“How about stopping by on your way back after finishing your work?”
“Well, if possible, that would be nice…”
If only there were that much time, but events always tend to come rushing in.
Rudell trailed off, thinking that it probably wouldn’t be easy.
And so, after Rudell and his group arrived at the Count’s mansion…
“Rudell!”
“Welcome back!!”
“Mother! Father!”
Upon seeing Maria and Carlos waiting by the carriage, Rudell got out.
“Goodness, it’s been hard to see your face.”
“How have you been?”
“Well. Mother, Father.”
Rudell bowed his head toward the warmly welcoming Maria and Carlos.
“Hello, Count and Countess. It’s been a while.”
“It’s good to see you again, Duchess.”
“You’ve become even prettier since I last saw you.”
“Greetings to you both.”
“Oh, Kurt! Kyle has talked a lot about you.”
“Have you been well?”
Maria and Carlos greeted Leje and Kurt warmly too.
To them, Maria and Carlos offered their greetings as well.
“By the way, who’s this?”
“Oh, hello!! I’m, um, Silphier Peleniess!”
“How do you do? I’m Priest Eleor of the Church.”
“So you’re Lady Peleniess and Saint Eleor from the Gaia Church. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Make yourself at home, just like in your own house.”
Maria and Carlos were kind to Silphier and Eleor just as they were to Leje and Kurt, whom they had known for a long time.
“You must have had a tiring journey, so go ahead and rest.”
“I’ll do that.”
Nodding at Carlos’s words, Rudell and his group went upstairs together.
After organizing their luggage, they gathered in the reception room for a brief rest.
“It seems a lot has happened while we were away.”
“Yeah… seems that way.”
While sipping tea, Rudell trailed off, looking at Maria.
By now, word about Rudell becoming a hero had likely reached their ears.
They must certainly be feeling bewildered.
However, the reason they weren’t bringing it up was their own quiet consideration for Rudell.
“No matter what kind of person you are, your mom and dad are always on your side.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Feeling the warmth of family after a long time, Rudell smiled gently.
“By the way, you returning as a hero means there’s something you need to do here. I’ll prepare anything you need, so don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Father, you can’t fool me.”
“This guy! Is that really the first thing you say to your son after he returns?”
Though Carlos asked with a serious expression, there was a good reason for it.
The Church of the Eaters of Death had returned.
Their reappearance clearly indicated that their plans were reaching the final stages.
With the manifestation of the evil god Thanatos and the world’s destruction.
Given the circumstances, Rudell knew he didn’t have much time.
“I came back to the Count’s Domain to speak with Kahlan.”
“Of course… it’s probably about the Empire’s invasion.”
Rudell’s response made Carlos emit a low groan, as if he expected it.
Although his political acumen wasn’t the greatest, he wasn’t foolish enough to be completely unaware of the current situation.
“Can I meet him right away?”
“I’ll contact Kahlan separately; you should rest for now.”
“Considering the time it takes for the message to reach him, two days should suffice, especially with the road construction on the Bladehook Mountain Range completed.”
“Thank you, Father, Mother.”
At the pleasant news he heard, Rudell smiled softly and bowed his head.
Normally, crossing the Bladehook Mountain Range took about two days one way.
Considering the time it would take for the message to be delivered, the distance that would have taken four days was now reduced to two, and for Rudell, that was definitely good news.
“Thanks? What are you talking about, you’re my son; it’s only natural.”
“We’ll handle all the trivial matters, so you just rest well. You never know what might happen.”
“Yes, I will.”
It had been a while since he felt such a sense of stability and ease.
Indeed, home was the best, and with that thought, Rudell rose from his seat.