Manuke FPS

Chapter 100

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I now sat inside a carriage provided by Duke Barga as we returned to Fort Barga from the capital .
The carriage was escorted by the Knights of West Barga, who’d specifically came to pick us up .
Two men on horseback approached the carriage, one of them was the Knight Brigade Vice Leader Viscount Butler Canyon, while the other was the Barga family escort commander .

 

“Shaft, I heard from the Commander .
You’ve done quite well in the Capital and Veneer .
”

 

“Pardon me, but we still took a lot of casualties on the return trip .
”

 

“It’s impossible to have a job go perfectly all the time .
The most important thing is that Lapitirica-sama is safe, and that’s a fact .
Otherwise, there’d be no point for escorts to exist .
”

“As His Highness Viscount said, we’ve pledged our lives to His Excellency .
Thanks to Shaft-dono, we were able to fulfill our mission .
”

 

“Sorry that I can stay to serve Duke Barga .
After this, I guess you guys can rely on him .
”

 

All three of us turned to the person riding at the front of the carriage, the young knight who’d acted as my body double .

 

“That young man isn’t half bad .
Even among the knights, he’s an exceptional swordsman .
If Lapitirica-sama marriage to the Royal Family goes smoothly, I think I’ll write a recommendation letter for him .
”

 

“Why, doesn’t Shaft-dono apply to become a knight? Given your achievement, His Excellency Duke Barga should’ve given you an ample reward .
”

 

“I’m not interested in becoming a knight .
But if you ask me, if there is something I want for completing the mission, then I do have one thing .
”

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“Hoo, here I thought you were the type that hid your gree well .
If there is indeed something  you’d like, then please convey it to His Excellency Duke Later .
”

 

Viscount Caymon seemed to take special note to my response .
Then, I guess all I needed to do was ask .
If it’s impossible, then so be it .

 

“Then—”

 

◆◆◇◆◆◇◆◆

 

Three days after leaving the capital, the Fort Barga finally came into sight .
Through the days, there’d been no sign of the Dark Guild anywhere, and nothing occurred as well .
I’d been idle the entire time, enjoying the scenery during the journey .
To be honest, it was a bit boring .
 

 

Now that I thought about it, there was something .

 

At one point during the journey, I’d been too idle for my own tastes .
So I decided to look around with the FLIR mode on .
When we’d set up camp in the rest area, I’d gotten off the carriage and went to help Lapticia-sama and Ashley off .
When I looked to the rear of the carriage, I saw something .
Coming from the carriage I was in was the Duke and Duchess .
I’d seen something like a lump of heat .
But why was there a lump there?

 

I opened the door and helped the girls off, but I kept my eye on it the entire time .
Afterward, I approached the Duke and Duchess carriage .
I signaled the driver to stop, walked closer, then– opened the cabin door vigorously .

 

“Buhii!”

 

 

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Whoops, it seemed that something just fell on the ground .
 

 

“Oh? Thank you, Shaft-kun .
”

 

“We arrived at the rest area, Your Excellency .
”

 

I waited for Duke Barga to exit, then helped the Duchess climb down .
After seeing them off, I looked behind me .
 

 

“Hi, Vi .
”

 

“What in the world was that for, ‘Black Mask Shaft’?”

 

“I should be the one asking .
Have you been stalking the Duke wherever he goes like that?”

 

“What are you saying? I’m not doing anything wrong .
As Frank-sama’s escort, I have to be by his side day and night .
Whether he’s going out, eating, or heading to the bathroom, I need to stay by his side until he goes to bed .
”

 

This woman, kuuuuuuueeeeeeeeehhhhhh!

 

 

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“I’m going, ‘Annoying Bug Shaft’, Frank-sama is waiting for me .
”

 

As I watched Vi leave to chase after the Duke, I noticed a man following slowly behind her .
He must’ve been the Duke’s exclusive male escort .
Whether he noticed my gaze, or not, I could see that he had an exhausted look on his face .
I see… He must’ve struggled hard…

 

“… Yeah, of course .
.
”

 

That was pretty much the only notable event during the journey .
 

 

When we arrived at the Duke’s home in Barga, Bardiche Castle, I was guided to the Duke’s office .
 

 

“Shaft-kun, I hereby declare the escort request has come to an end .
It was for a short time, but thank you for your assistance .
”

 

“I’m glad to be of help .
”

 

As for the reward we’ve decided in advance, in order to prepare that something for you, I have written this letter .
You can bring it to the Mercenary Guild in town .
”

 

I received the letter and lightly scanned it .
It seemed that everything I requested was listed .

 

“Thank you for your kindness .
”

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“Rather, I’m wondering whether it’s enough .
Would you accept becoming a knight if I increased the reward?”

 

“No, the current reward is more than enough .
Very well then, I’ll excuse myself now .
”

 

I decided to leave as soon as possible .
If we talked too long, I was afraid he’d ask for another favor .
So, let’s just receive the reward and get out of here .
Being favored by the Duke was one thing, working for him was an entirely different matter .
I’d only do it if it’s in the form of a request .
I excused myself and headed to Lapitirica-sama’s room .
 

 

It wasn’t set in stone yet, whether Lapitirica-sama would marry the prince or not .
However, I was sure she was the best candidate .
If there’s no one else with superior ability and achievement comes the third prince’s next birthday, then she’d become his bride .
Until that day, Lapitirica-sama would still need to continue training hard .
 

 

In her room, Lapitirica-sama thanked me for my service and bade me goodbye for now .
Although we actually worked in the same team to conquer the Green Ogre Labyrinth, the me who escorted her these past days was different from me then .
Our social statuses were different, and so were our roles .
The next time we’d meet, It’ll be under different circumstances as well .
 

While I thought so, I left the castle .

 

Ashley waited for me outside the gate .
For now, we’d head to the General Guild together .
Ashley would resign from her position, while I’d claim my reward .

 

As we walked down the street, we reviewed our future plans .
Ashley would head back to the Zephanel family’s head home in the southern parts of Kurtmerga Kingdom .
She’d received her order to lead a subjugation force against pirates .
Apparently, it’ll take two months to travel to the southern port by carriage .
 

 

Therefore, after reorganizing her stuff in the city, Ashley would head back to the capital .
From there she’d join a transfer magic team that is heading there in order to shorten the time .
In the meantime, I’d conquer the Wolf Labyrinth .
Defeat that guy, and show those who dropped me into this world what I’m made of .
Then I’ll head south by land .
I’d most likely arrive there much later than Ashley, but it couldn’t be helped .
I intended to use VMB’s vehicles to cut down the travel time as much as possible .

 

We confirmed our plans before Ashley entered the General Guild’s main office .
I then headed to the Mercenary Guild .