Translated in a bit of a rush, so it might be a bit clunky. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
CSWH Chapter 42: My Journey"Parx-sama."
When I was in the middle of returning to my room in the mansion, I saw elder brother and called out to him.
"How goes your enrollment preparations?"
At the beginning of the New Year, elder brother will be enrolling in the Academy.
The sons and daughters are gathered at that Academy, and as they are taught high-level knowledge, it is a place where they can deepen their bonds as fellow nobles.
Though if it is someone like elder brother, I don't think that there will be any problems in terms of his studies.
"Yeah, I'm mostly done those. Rather, it's because there's not much I need to prepare."
"I see…….it will be lonely without Parx-sama around."
As the Academy was fundamentally dorm-based, elder brother wouldn't be in this house for a while.
"Well, don't say that. I'll be returning on my breaks."
"Then at that time, please tell me stories about the Academy."
"Indeed……"
Silently, elder brother came close to my ear.
"Although, you will also be going there in three years."
And then, he whispered that in a quiet voice.
"That is true. Though honestly, I do not intend on going."
"Is that so?"
"Yes……unlike Parx-sama, I haven't put as much effort into my studies, and most importantly, if I have time then I would like to train instead."
It is not like I think it is a completely useless endeavour, once I enter the Academy and start living in the dormitory, I won't be able to participate in training.
To begin with, it's a mystery whether or not I'd be able to train independently either.
When I thought about that, I honestly thought that if possible, I wanted to stay at home without going to the Academy and continue putting effort into my training.
"I see. Well, there's still three years to go. It's fine if you think carefully about the future."
"……yes."
Elder brother pet my head as I nodded.
"Now that I think of it, I'll need to return to the territory once."
Suddenly, he recalled something and muttered.
"……eh?"
"Because there are various matters I want to finish dealing with before entering the Academy. Since I won't be able to return for a long while, I decided to go back now. Is there anything you'd like as a souvenir?"
"No……not particularly. More importantly, Parx-sama. Will you be okay?"
"I have at the very least done quite a bit of training myself. Plus I will be bringing bodyguards with me. I am thankful for your concern, but it'll be fine."
Elder brother made a wry smile, but my sense of unease only grew stronger.
There was Mother's incident, and the time when I was attacked.
It was impossible for me not to worry.
After that I spent my time worrying endlessly, but time continued to pass, day after day.
And then, the day elder brother would begin his trip came.
Feeling that I should secretly follow after elder brother, I was currently on horseback.
Though it was inevitable that I would be scolded by father later, I was still worried about elder brother.
Keeping a distance so that they wouldn't realize, I followed after elder brother's group.
As expected, they were on guard, so this time there was a greater number of guards together with elder brother.
Not only were there a number of them, but starting with Shurei-san, they had quite an elite line-up.
However, when I was confirming the bodyguard members, I realized that there were some soldiers from the Army mixed amongst them.
……why are people from the Army there as well?
I thought it might be my imagination, but I saw some faces that I recognized from my daily training……so there was no way I could be mistaken.
Not only that, but amongst the members of the Army, Kuroitsu-san who should be a sub-commander was also there.
……impossible.
Because no matter how worried he was about elder brother, there was no way father would utilize the Army for his own personal matters.
Just what in the world……
A difficult-to-express sense of discomfort passed through me.
There was no problem with the members, but that sense of unease stimulated me and in the end, I decided to continue following after them.
Exiting the Capital, I advanced through a peaceful scenery.
Thanks to elder brother's party going onto a road with a lot of traffic, they had yet to notice me trailing them.
Though I was wearing a hooded cape just in case.
……now that I think of it, it's been a while since I last left the Capital.
Suddenly, such a thought came to mind.
At the same time, I could easily imagine father's blazing anger around this time after finding the letter I left behind, and became curious about how he would deal with me when I returned.
To start with, going to town would probably become difficult for a while.
How long would he be angry with me……though since it is true that it's because he's just worried, I will bravely accept his anger.
Father's rage was frightening, but I was more afraid of regret.
If something were to happen to elder brother, even if I were to regret it, it wouldn't be enough.
That was precisely why, even if I was afraid of father's anger, I had no intentions of returning.
……no matter what happens, I will continue travelling and protect elder brother……!
I continued my journey while fortifying my resolve, but as I continued my journey a single problem arose.
After continuing my journey, the number one problem was……that was, travel expenses.
A journey took a fair amount of money.
However, since it was a secret journey, there was no way I could depend on funds from home.
For the time being, I brought funds from my reserves, but……the purse hanging from my neck was lighter than expected, making me uneasy.
Even when I included the amount sewn into my clothes, it might not be enough……
……as the day passed, the already light purse became even lighter, and when I confirmed the amount by eye, as expected, even I started to sweat.
Nonetheless, I didn't have the option of going back.
Meaning that I would have to reduce my lodging expenses.
……though if possible, I would have liked to stay in the same inn in order to prepare for an attack.
However, what's impossible is impossible, so I compromised by taking an inn that was as close as possible.
After confirming which inn elder brother was staying at, I chose the closest and cheapest inn for travellers.
In addition to that, I tried to save on food and water fees by procuring them as much as possible myself as I travelled……while making such a moving effort living life as though I were in the field, I single-mindedly followed after elder brother.
And then, I came to the point where we would almost be arriving at the territory.
Gradually, the traffic lessened, and trailing them became more difficult.
As such, I didn't take the maintained road, but continued on a path without a road in its surroundings.
While feeling a little melancholy at myself as I gradually transformed into a wild being, I simply advanced further and further.
……if nothing happens here, then I'll head back.
Just as I was in the middle of thinking that, I felt the presences nearby change.