Chương 235: Chapter 218. To Zana With Optimism

John Ericsson's Point Of View" Stand straighter..." Raise... Anna whispered to me as we were carried from the mansion to the Western Gate of Paradise in a horse-drawn carriage. Today was the day that we began our journey to Zana, for the birthday of Lord Fracks on the winter solstice. Looking at what Rodrick had found in his reports on the VIPs of the event, apparently, Lord Franz Fracks lost his late wife, Cindra Fracks, 2 years ago.

Since then, he's been quite reclusive as his son, Byron Fracks, had taken over most of the day-to-day operations of the office of the Lord of Zana. His daughter, Cindy Fracks, is currently spending her days as a Student in the Royal Diablos Academy. It seems all 3 will be at the birthday bash. From there, we're under the assumption that the other Counts will also be making an appearance along with their families. It seems that everything is coming together perfectly for our big debut.

I can only hope that everything goes well." Yes, like that." Sarah told me that I was finally standing right. I guess all of the desk work has affected my posture... Or at least, I'd like to believe that's the reason. It's been 2 weeks since the day that Anna and I went for a picnic... Also known as the day when Mary had Evolved. Since then, life has been... Strangely consistent actually. We've prepared all the necessary supplies for the debut.

The Dwarves had packed up their first order of dairy products and began the trek back home to Kuga to bring the idea of handling trade between us and places like Alfheim and Promethia to whoever is in charge of that. I eagerly await a message from the Dwarves about their decision regarding it. From there, my Farming Project is finally done. I originally thought that it would be a bigger affair, but the reality was that Ruby, Lily and I had a slice of cheesecake and called it a day.

Quite anti-climactic if I do say so myself. Though Ruby did mention something about taking a mid-day nap like I did during our date... But that position creates problems for me. Quite simply, Ruby is still a woman after all." Lord Matthew! Enjoy the journey! Flare! Take care of them! Edmon! Don't screw up!" /YEAHHHH!!!! /" Really... Flare gets well wishes and I get a "don't screw up." The world isn't very fair."" Don't worry, Edmon. They don't expect anything from Wendy and I after all."

Edmon was disheartened by a lone voice from the crowd. Meanwhile, Flare was playing up to the crowd by raising her fist up with strength. While the crowd cheered for Flare's showboating, Ellie tried to cheer up Edmon as the crowd cheered while Wendy looking around awkwardly, but still showing support to Edmon. Originally, I was going to use the same group that escorted me to Darkheim, but that's where my last week went crazy.

From accusations of favoritism, to a near riot breaking out for people not getting a "fair shake" in their own words... Basically, from the discontent, a giant tournament was made post-haste. I forbade a few people from participating, for which Ruby's inclusion in that list has left myself being glared at for some time. She relented when I promised to let her go with me on any 1 excursion in the future. Once that was squared away, the winners were chosen yesterday." Good luck, Lord Matthew!"

The crowd cheered loudly for me. Where was this when I went to Darkheim? Regardless, Flare, who was the voice of all of the citizen's discontent, happily played up to the crowd as we made our way forward, as if their goals were all accomplished now... I'd almost assume she'd caused all of this strictly for herself to be able to win the position of guarding us. She was able to win her division in the tournament after all. 1 of 9 brackets in all. Edmon won his as well.

the other 7 winners were well-respected members of our Military Force. 4 more women and 3 men. Granted, I'd never talked to any of them individually, but I've seen their faces as we hunted or walked around town. They were good people... If not a little.... Fanatical." I swear, I'll lay my own life before I'd allow one hair on any of your heads to face any harm!" Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

These were the words that the 3rd winner, Heather spoke to Sarah, Anna and I after gifting her a commemorative plaque for winning her bracket.... Her eyes were sparkling like she met her childhood heroes... She's 27 years old. This... Peculiar attitude sort of permeated the winners' minds from there. Oaths of protection came one after another. Lines that almost seemed to be in competition for who would be more willing to die for us came one after another.

After the last one, I sort of lost my temper and took the 9 winners into my mansion with Sarah and Anna following my lead. I then tried my best to calmly explain to them that while their loyalty was appreciated, any deaths would not be tolerated on this journey. And while my Wives and I's lives were of upmost importance to them, their lives were as important to us as our Citizens as well. I then outlawed heroic sacrifices at the end of a very long-winded speech. They looked at me like I was the crazy one.

That was the final straw for me and their idiotic approach to defending their Lord. Looking for an answer, I grabbed at the first thing I found in my sights." Wendy and Ellie are also coming with us, do you really want to show the deaths of their fellow townspeople to them!?"" What!?" Wendy and Ellie were shocked, as they thought they were staying at the mansion with everyone else... To be frank, I was of the same opinion as well. Then I saw the faces of my 7 idio.... My 7 Guards besides Flare and Edmon.

It was effective. And after buttering up Janet with a raise for everyone in their family and giving Wendy's Grandmother 3 cheesecakes and a bag of milk chocolate, Ellie and Wendy had joined the journey to Zana. For Ellie and Wendy's disappointment, a simple promise of ice cream every night brightened their faces into wide smiles almost immediately. I should also mention I had to pull some strings in my own circle of Friends as well. Ruby and Emily had scathing reviews of my spontaneous additions to my journey."

If them, why not us!?" Their arguments were fair, but I needed Emily and Ruby here in case anything happened. With a promise of another reward when I came back... Well... They were smiling as they saw us off this morning, so I guess it worked out." Big Sis, how much longer before the crowd breaks? It hurts my ears with all the screaming."" Just another 10 minutes at this speed, Alle." Sarah began to stroke Princess Alice's head as she tried to soothe her... Yes, a Princess was added last minute to the journey.

"How last minute", a bystander may ask? Before hopping onto the carriage this morning! That's how last minute! The reason!?" I'm bored and want to hang out with Big Sis Sarah and become better Friends with Anna! But they're too busy with working all day! Let me have some time with them! You.... Brute!"" Brute!?"" Hm... Well, she did walk in on us during the fun part that night, didn't she, My Love?

It's only natural a Maiden wouldn't understand how good it fe--- How much Our Love grows for each other during our nighttime activities." I sighed as Princess Alice glared at me. However, I suppose it could be a bit warranted... Around 10 days ago, during a stormy night, I found out that Princess Alice has a strong fear of thunder. Apparently, it comes from a mishap while Aqua was practicing a new Magic.

Princess Alice was hit by it going out of control, while it didn't do much damage to her, the lightening was loud and scarred her for life. The thunderclap of the storm from 10 days ago rumbled as Sarah, Anna and I were... Bonding at the time. I was doing something that Sarah and Anna were quite big fans of, even though it tires them out for a bit, we've taken to calling it "brute mode" recently. During one of these episodes... A loud bang from thunder had struck our home.

A few moments later, Princess Alice walked in when we had just finished. Thankfully, I had my pants on, but Sarah and Anna... Were still recovering and hadn't moved. Since then, Princess Alice's attitude has been... Different towards me. Instead of treating me the way a cat would a stranger in their owner's home, I've become an intruder almost. As well as my name being changed from my Noble Title and my name, to just "Brute". So, she's decided to come with us, almost as a protector of my Wives from me.

If only she knew who the real insatiable beasts were in this relation-- Pain!" Ow!" A sharp elbow jabbed me in the side. After looking, it belonged to Anna. How can she and Sarah tell what I'm thinking? I sighed again. Regardless, here our party was. 9 Guards, which had different thoughts about why they were here and how they should act. 2 little girls who were dragged in as innocent bystanders. A Princess who doesn't understand how being Married works or who asked for what.

And then there was me and my Beloved Wives. While I have no clue how this journey would go, I knew for certain that at least I was with the 2 women I Loved the most in this world. With that, the journey would pass by rather quickly. Who knows? Maybe with Princess Alice protecting me during the nig--- Socializing with Sarah and Anna during the journey, I mean. Maybe I can start reading this book from Kuga about an ancient Paladin? I'm sure his story has some interesting things in it. Maybe I'll even learn something?