Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?

To the Rockford Earldom once more

Tsubaki cheerily pulled the sturdy looking carriage. Recently she’s had very few chances to give people rides or pull the carriage, so she was in a very good mood.
When Tsubaki leisurely ran along the highway, the travelling adventurers and merchants were startled at the sight of her exposed physique.
That couldn’t be helped. Reaching the evolution that was capable of telepathic communication, her size made war horses and Demon Horses look like ponies despite not changing in size. That large physique was covered in tough dragon scales which made it difficult for swords and magic to even leave superficial scratches on it, and the horn protruding from her forehead grew sharper and stronger, so much so that it could cut through steel like it was candy. A figure that intimidated its spectators.

The carriage drawn by Tsubaki who had evolved into a Great Dragon Horse, a monster that had no written record in the literature of the Elven nation Yggurle Kingdom, and the Demon Horse drawn carriage of Margrave Volton which ran behind ours headed eastward along the highway, directly to the Rockford Earldom.

「Tsubaki looks really happy, right Master?」
「Yeah. We weren’t able to bring Tsubaki with us to the Forest of Death after all. She must be happy to be out with everyone after a long time.」
『That was because the Forest of Death was impossible with my body.』

Kaede sat on Tsubaki’s back, which could be said to be her special seat. I was sitting in the driver’s seat, but I left the maneuvering to Tsubaki.

As we had to match Margrave Volton’s carriage speed, it would still take three days at the earliest to reach the Rockford Earldom. Normally as a noble, Margrave Volton would stop by and spend money at each village and town, but because we were travelling the maximum distance possible each day, it was necessary to camp out.

「Iruma-dono, that Dragon Horse…… it looks completely different but……」

While the escorting knight, maids, and servants hurriedly put up tents and prepared meals, Margrave Volton observed Tsubaki from a distance and asked if she was different from his memory.

「Hmm, well, yes. Tsubaki is no longer a Dragon Horse, she evolved into a Great Dragon Horse.」
「Wha!? Great Dragon Horse? Xervus, do you know it?」

「……no, this is the first time I’m hearing of it as well.」

Perhaps also curious about Tsubaki, Xervus-san watched as Maria and Kaede took care of her.

「Tsubaki still isn’t adept at controlling her magic power and energy, and monsters would not come close because of what does leak out.」
「……th-that is reassuring.」
「I’ll tell the escorting knights to be wary of bandits.」

If the thieves have even the slightest bit of wariness, they wouldn’t attack us, but if anyone were capable of understanding the strength of their opponent, they wouldn’t be in that line of work. Still, the route from Margrave Volton’s territory to the Rockford Earldom was one of the safest within the country. Knights from either territory proactively subjugate thieves and bandits in order to maintain security, and they also dispatch adventurers.
Recently, with regards to the events with Triaria Kingdom and Divine Empire Sydnia, the refugees came flowing in. Apparently, the knight and soldier has-beens became thieves and bandits, straying into Valkyra Kingdom and Lomaria Kingdom, causing a temporary disturbance of public order. But as a result of the countries exerting maximum effort to deal with them, things have returned to how they were before.

「Well, rather, I would like the thieves to attack while I’m together with you and your group, Iruma-dono.」
「Ha-, haha, I’ll be on the lookout just in case.」

Although I had already experienced war, I don’t want to go hunting for thieves. Perhaps because it is a world with statuses, even without a “Mind” entry in status, mental fortitude might grow stronger when one’s level rises. If that’s the case, then it’s a bit scary……

Maria and Marnie worked together with the chef of Margrave Volton’s household, and they laid out food that were unthinkable in a camp.

Margrave Volton spent the night in the tent guarded by the knights, and us in our space-expanded carriage.
We were exempt from taking a turn at guard duty, but in reality, Kaede’s thread boundary was strung up all over in case monsters or thieves do approach.

Departing early in the morning the next day, we arrived at the Rockford Earldom’s capital before the sun sank on the third day.

We headed straight for the Feudal Lord’s mansion.

Because of preliminary announcements from the knights, standing in front of the feudal lord’s mansion was Earl Rockford himself. Beside him was Madam Rose, and even the now grown up Rod-kun.
Perhaps because he had been informed beforehand by Margrave Volton about obtaining the Soma, the expressions on the faces of the Rockfords were of expectations and unease.

Following Margrave Volton’s carriage, we parked at the waiting area near the main entrance of the mansion.
After brief greetings with Earl Rockford and his family, we immediately rushed to Miss Emilia.