CH 10

Duke, Please Repent! chapter 10

3. Train travel with the Duke (2)

After lunch, as I was organizing my paperwork, I heard a knock.

'It's 3 pm right now. This is the most appropriate time for a human to eat a snack.'

It's not just about talking.

Really the best mode of snacking

I remember seeing an expert opinion on TV that an hour is 3 pm.

I looked at the plate the maid had left on my desk and found two types of cookies: sweet chocolate cookies and salty salt cookies.

Just as I asked Popina yesterday.

'How am I supposed to deliver this to Serpens?

As I think about it, a sense of uneasiness comes to me. Why am I a big boy

Should I bring snacks?

into,

'Serpens is a poor child neglected by his parents, a wounded stray sheep. I am his grandparents and my cat mom

' he repeated as if brainwashing himself.

Yes, original human or normal animal. There is nothing like eating to tame.

Wow, this is really delicious! Would you like to try one too, Duke?

No, that's fine. I'm full when I see Lord Ribel Ron eating.

Serpens replied with a smile.

Why do you sound like a mother? My immersion was broken because of you, so take responsibility!

ah, though. Oh! I'll bring it!

" ", he stood up and deliberately dropped the pen on the floor.

And slowly bend over with the pen

Pick it up again, stand up, and place it on the desk.

'Isn't this enough time for Serpens to hide the documents that he shouldn't have seen from me?'

Of course, there's a good chance I'll take care of it after I get home from work, but you never know, right? it's nonsensical

He took a plate of cookies and approached Serpens.

Come on, come on-! Come on and try it.

It's really fine...

"I brought it myself like this, can't it be just because of your sincerity?"

He said, deliberately pouring out a sad tea.

If it's a serpent I've been watching over the past week, I'd accept this.

'Look, I was a little worried, but in the end, I picked up a cookie!'

What he picked up was a salt cookie. Do you like salty things?

How is it? Is it delicious?

Yes, it's delicious.

Serpens smiled a little different than usual. Something is very different from what I expected.

I didn't even expect to shed tears or dance like in a cooking cartoon.

But I'm surprised, my eyes widen a little, or something like that, right?

There are two kinds of cookies, but if you eat only one, chocolate cookies are disappointing!

Saying that, I stared at him with an expression that I would never back down.

Raboni, Serpence picked up another cookie with a troubled expression.

Right, right! Our baby is eating well!

Last one!

As if Serpens had given up, he sighed with a slight smile. He gently stretched out his hand toward the bowl.

His hand, which seemed to wander a bit on the plate, picked up the chocolate chip cookie.

'Is it sweet?'

His expression is still the same as usual.

yes, I admit I found a loophole in this operation.

My kid is always acting, so I can't tell if it's good or bad!'

Erra, life is a one-way street. Let's move on to something sweet. It was delicious, so I ate two, right?

And let's go out on the weekend and buy something spicy and feed it!

So in less than 2 weeks

Over the period, Serpens was constantly fed snacks.

The first week showed signs of discomfort.

From the 2nd week onwards, Serpense came out first. I've never done that before, but there was a first-of-a-kind form sandwiched between the documents.

When I asked how to do it, he came to my seat and explained it kindly, so I suggested another one just in case.

Serpence made a troubled expression

While building it, I eventually grabbed another one and went back to my seat.

Since then, unknown technical terms appeared, or documents from other departments were misplaced.

Even cleverly placed in a position to be found around 3:30... .

'Have you already finished figuring out how fast my business is going?'

Each time, Serpens picks up a piece of various cookies or brownies.

oh gone

By the way, on weekends, I bought yakitori that wasn't too spicy and brought it to me, but there was Banung at this time.

'The image of him holding a piece in his mouth, opening his eyes wide in surprise, and hastily covering his mouth with his hand... !'

The reaction I was expecting wasn't like this.

Serpense's expression, looking at the yakitori with tears in his eyes, resembled the eyes of a monk who was prepared for asceticism.

You bastard can't eat spicy food!'

I was really pissed off about tearing it apart.

Come to think of it, spicy food must have been too stimulating for him, who had only eaten boring food every day for 24 years.

After giving up quickly on the spicy road, I walked a single life on the sweet road.

I increased the sugar content slowly, but this time I increased the sweetness and boldly challenged the chocolate macaron.

'The results were very successful.'

Usually, the first time I brought it, and the one time Serpence came in for playing with papers.

But today, aren't you pretending to be looking for something and wandering around the bookshelf behind my seat?

fed one more.

It is so smooth that it has been tamed to the point that it is unsettling.

Oh, Sir Rivelon. Have you packed your things?.

Serpens called me as I was about to leave work happily.

Yes?! I, I, I get fired... are you?

Why! Why did you eat macaroons well until a while ago?

Looking at Serpens with distraught eyes, he laughed, saying, 'Put-up-'.

He explained that he would descend to the Duchy of Prasidus, as there was no meeting schedule for the last week of each month.

After listening to it, I think I heard that from Hans on the first day.

I should have brought the notebook that day!!'

Most of the documents are delivered to the capital for work, but there are documents that cannot be taken out of the territory, so it seems that they have to go down every month.

There are other places that you must visit in person, and there are many things to do, such as auditing to find out possible corruption by comparing copies of documents delivered as documents with the original!

"When are you leaving?"

After Friday's advisory meeting, after lunch, we will leave immediately.

Note that this is Thursday evening.

I'm going to wear my Friday clothes, so can I just pack three or four pieces and leave it there for laundry?

'Wait, what about snacks for serpents?'

* * *

After a quick lunch, I hurriedly went up to my room, packed my belongings, and left.

Fortunately, Serpens seemed to be still there.

'Hey, I guess I'm not late.'

When I looked inside the carriage, there was already a large briefcase and a small suitcase lying there. It seemed that the servants put it first.

Is it because Serpence has all the necessary things out there anyway? The luggage itself was simpler than expected.

I think the briefcase is too big for that. I hope you don't have to work on the way... ?'

Load the wagon and wait inside

As soon as I stood there, Serpens, dressed in a lighter outfit than usual, got on board.

He used to wear brightly colored clothes in the form of colorful uniforms that supported him, but today he is wearing a simple and brief suit.

There was only one carriage, so are we the only two going?

Serpens nodded to my question and answered yes.

'I'm a duke, but is it okay for an attendant to be so modest?'

When you raise your feet on the way

Bell It's not necessary because Serpens, who is an adult on their own, will find it cumbersome.

escort force... Silver has a stronger serpent, so it doesn't matter any more.

'The escort is a bitch to a person who calmed the advisory council alone.'

Come to think of it, about halfway through [Master of the Holy Sword], I remember what the author mentioned.

Those who can face the devil face-to-face 1:1 with a human body are the Serpents and Humanu who was chosen by the Holy Sword.

Was it only

'There was a limited condition of up to intermediate level, but where is that?'

According to the words, the most practical liver at the moment is Serpens.

Wouldn't it be in the top 1% even if we included long-lived heterogeneous races?

'Isn't this a completely unbalanced Munchkin?'

It was mentioned in the middle of the novel to the last, and after that, Humanus grew up and killed even the higher level demons alone.

appeared

Still, great is great.

If the Holy Sword chose Serpens. So, what if it was equipped with various equipment, including holy swords?

'Isn't even the Demon Lord able to deal with it alone?'

Since the Demon King took the continent and turned it in 10 seconds, he did not know the level, so it was not certain, but there was a possibility.

Let's stare blankly out the window, thinking about this and that, let's get down for 3 hours

The closed wagon stopped.

Of course, we didn't arrive in the Duchy, we had to change trains.

'I heard you use mana as fuel... .'

It's even rechargeable.

Half of the mana required is absorbed by mana in the air, and half of the mana is charged by hiring wizards.

It is said that in the old days, a magic gate that could teleport was used like a fantasy world.

It wasn't that the magic suddenly deteriorated and turned into a train.

'In which country, the capital gate was seized by traitors, and the enemy suddenly appeared in the capital and destroyed it without preparation?'

It is said that the transfer gate disappeared after such an incident occurred.

'And if the flow of the original work is followed, will this train stop operating in the future?'

Volta Mountains. using the divine barrier

It is a place where demons are kept.

After that, the sacred barrier there is broken and the demons are released, because they spread all over the continent, making it difficult to manage the operation of the railway.

Come to think of it, I have to stop that barrier from breaking.'

Lots of work to do. At least before the day of choice comes, what should I do with Serpence?

uh huh.

Without realizing it, I let out a big sigh

Hey, as soon as I got on the train, Serpens who was opening my briefcase looked at me curiously.

"Are you worried about anything?"

It would be great if I could just answer, 'Yes, you are my biggest concern.'

No, I'm already frustrated at the thought of having to live on the train for two days.

"Still, isn't this comfortable enough?"

It's definitely what he said.

The other compartment in the back is just like a regular train, but the one we were in was composed of a single large room.

Four single beds with partitions, a sofa and a table. Of course, there was even a shower room on one side for easy washing.

Lord Rivelon seems to travel around the duke's a lot after work, but staying in one place is the answer.

You seem to have answered.

I'm such an extrovert, haha.

Actually, it has a purpose. I just laughed out loud.

"More than that, the Duke is on a train trip, but are you already working?"

If you ride every month, that romance disappears.

Serpens said with a bitter smile.

That's acknowledged. and in the future I

it will be like that

"How about taking a little break because it's been a long time coming?"

It's a fact I learned while living in the duke's residence, but Serpens never rests.

I heard that I woke up early in the morning and practiced swordsmanship alone in the gymnasium, and even took care of the rest of my work even after I got home from work or looked after the knights in swordsmanship.

Then Sir Rivelon, can you help me?

Serpens smiled playfully and waved the papers he was holding.

No, that's a bit .'

is not it? should i help

Somehow, it was the nuance of saying, 'I know for sure that you will refuse.'

You], if I can help, I'll help.

" it was just a joke."

He looked at me as if in surprise.

As if analyzing me. I've definitely had this feeling before.

"I thought that if it was Lord Rivelon, he would definitely refuse."

Yeah? But I'm an assistant, and of course I'm helping the Duke's business!

But Lord Rivelon.

Serpens looked at me with a piercing gaze, took a break and spoke again.

What the hell are you trying to say

Guernsey. It made me nervous too.

You don't like to work, do you?

Yeah? Isn't that like everyone?

Suddenly, the steam leaked out. I thought he was saying something great again.

But you're always slowing down your work on purpose, aren't you?

Wow, that's a great thing to say.

I was discovered by my supervisor at the work place.