Chapter 242: Reunion
It has been a long time since we had a family dinner together.
That is probably why Fanny was the first one to arrive at the dining room, and she was very excited from the beginning.
The main topic of the dinner was chatting rather than eating.
……Well, in such a small boat?”
I would have thought that in a battlefield, but in peacetime, you should refrain from needless adventures.”
My mother and father both complained to my grandfather, who was talking about his journey back home.
Basically, nobles cannot swim, so they travel in large boats that do not sink easily, but this time, my grandfather did not choose this method.
The other boats were in the way, and it was more convenient to use a small, maneuverable boat,” He said. I haven't seen …… This many people in a long time, but Nambonan has grown quite a bit, hasn't it?”
When they tried to cross the Amelia River from the city of Nambonan, they were told that the river was overflowing with merchant vessels. .
Grandfather, hoping for a speedy return home, borrowed a rowboat used by the Nambonan soldiers and forced his way through the big river.
He said, “Excuse me, grandfather. It's a small boat, but won't it sink? I hear that Amelia eats her cargo her.
Oh, Fanny knows her stuff her.
My brother taught me.
The Amelia is said to be a big river that flows faster and is wilder than the Ovieto.It is not uncommon for ships to sink, and the Amelia is sometimes said to be a cargo eater. The water volume increases after heavy rains, or if the ship is very old or overloaded.
I see,” He said. The Amelia flows fast, but ships don't sink. I can swim if I have to.
That was new to me.
I had never heard that before.
When I said this, he nodded his head. I guess I made it sound like I knew someone else who could swim. He asked me if there were any nobles in King's Landing who enjoyed swimming.
'Not that kind, but……
It is hard to answer that I can swim. There is no proof. In a previous life, I was able to swim back and forth in a 25-meter pool, and I think I can probably swim now. The rivers and lakes of the continent of Eluo.
I had always wanted to confirm that I could swim, and to find out how well I could swim with my ancestor's physical strength.
'Did any of the military officers know how to swim? Wilk is longing for something strange again.
It was my father who said that. I don't think it was my imagination that I felt a nuance of, “Don't be selfish around me and don't go into the river.
'…… But father, shouldn't you learn to swim? I think you will be moving between the inner and outer regions more often in the future, and I think being able to swim will give you a wider range of activities when the time comes.
For example, there may be a case where the city of Nambonan is attacked by surprise, as was the case at the beginning of the year. Even if they rush to the city for reinforcements, ordinary nobles cannot move if their ships have been crushed. If they could swim, they would be able to reach the other side of the river by themselves. I feel that if the Lords had the physical strength, they would be able to manage if they floated on a barrel and did some flapping.
When I continued to insist, my mother voiced her opposition to her.
'If Wilk has that kind of mindset, I don't want him to learn to swim. There is a saying in …… Hartinos that goes something like this. 'He who drowns is he who can swim.'
“… What does that mean?”
Since this is not a social gathering in King's Landing, I ask Frankly what it means.
I ask frankly what it means. “He who cannot swim will not go near the water, and he will be on his guard when he does. But those who are confident in their swimming ability are overconfident and jump into the water with ease. , It is only those who can swim who drown,” He said.
It was my grandfather who gave the answer from the side.
Isn't he just like your grandfather this time?
What do you mean? I got on the boat with a float ready. I didn't really think I could swim across.
My grandfather laughed. It seems that the story was a kind of joke.
The “Floatation ring” My grandfather referred to was more like a “Barrel ring,” A more appropriate term. It consists of several small barrels tied together like a giant necklace. When a person falls overboard, he or she clings to it or wraps it around his or her body and waits to be rescued.Basically, it is a tool for being passive and is not used like a beat board.
'If you're talking about the Merry's, I remember my mother telling me about them a long time ago.
My father muttered nostalgically.
My father's first battle was defeating the immature demonic beasts that appeared in the city of Gatoren. Are all different. The first demonic beasts that were targeted for the first battle were said to be of a level that commoners could not even touch, but my father was able to complete his first battle without any particular problems. Castle, he was determined to defeat the mature demonic beasts next, when he was summoned by his grandmother to the innermost room of the castle. She gave him a sermon, using a variety of lessons from all ages and cultures, telling him not to go into the fight against mature demonic beasts like he was on his first battle.
He said, “Well. Your father also had such a time, didn't he?
“Yes, he did. I remember those days.
While my father and Fanny were happily chatting with each other, my mother's eyes were fixed on me the whole time.
'You know …… Wilk, my home town of Hartinos enjoys the bounty of Lake Meo. Hence, some of the lowly people who make their living from the lake are surprisingly good swimmers. But even they sometimes misjudge themselves and drown .
My mother, who grew up in the port city of Hartinos, heard such stories often growing up.
Even the most well-trained people can make the slightest mistake,” She said.
The drowning man is a good swimmer, and perhaps this saying is wisdom for the citizens of Hartinos to remind each other.
So don't say that you can swim easily.”
His expression was calm, but I felt a strong pressure in his words. Drowning is one of the possible causes of death of our ancestor, who had a strong body. The strength of my mother's caution is conveyed by her knowledge of the realities of water -related accidents.
'But mother, I don't think your brother would do anything rash.
Do you think so, …… Fanny?”
'Yes. Yes, he is my brother.
That's a lot of trust.
I'm sure Wilk wouldn't act rashly, but……
I would not say rash, but rather prudent.
Why do my mother, father, and grandfather all look so delicate there? I wish they would look at me with a smile on their face like Fanny does. No, that might make me uneasy. Much as Fanny does.
…… In any case, as far as the river crossing is concerned, a large boat and a float will be enough as before. And Wilk, don't even think about trying to get into the river. Beneath your dignity.
I see, what my father really meant was dignity.
It was indeed a disgraceful thing for a nobleman to practice swimming naked in a riverside.
I understand.
My father and mother nodded in satisfaction when I replied.
But I had not given up swimming. On the contrary, my father's words inspired me to take up swimming. If swimming in a public river or pond was not an option, then why not build a private swimming pool where I wouldn't have to worry about anyone seeing me?
The most desirable location for the pool would be in New Nellie City. This is within Fannie's reach. If we could lure her out, she might be able to play in the water with her cute little sister in a friendly and playful manner. Just getting the maids to wear swimsuits should be fun enough.
I don't know if there are swimsuits on the continent of Eluo, but I'm sure that a pair of shorts could be made in no time. The problem is women's swimsuits, but …… We'll leave that for the task at hand.
My goal has changed from swimming to playing in the pool, but this has given me a lot of motivation.
If there is another overflow of commoners' boats, you can sink them. Father, please take the big boat and move on.
Finally, my father summed up the situation. It is a ridiculous way to sum up the situation, but if the number of ships is increasing to the point that it is interfering with the nobles' movement, then it is a bit of a problem. I am the mayor, after all, and I have to instruct him to take countermeasures in this area.
While I was thinking about this, my eyes met my grandfather's. Somehow, I thought he was telling me to do something about it before I sink the ship. Even my grandfather did not want to unilaterally sink a civilian ship just because it was in his way.
A little after finishing his meal, my grandfather went to bed early. Perhaps he was mentally exhausted from the trip.
Fanny, who was planning to enjoy an after-dinner chat, looked a little unhappy, but she did not complain, probably because she had heard a lot about how hurriedly he had returned during the meal.
There was nothing brand new to talk about in terms of future strategy. For the time being, the plan remained to focus on hunting guerrillas in the newly occupied lands while keeping an eye on the Levios area. The main purpose of his return was to inform his grandfather about the events in the royal capital.
The Boy.”
I finished writing my diary earlier than usual and was thinking about taking a bath when Tesh called out to me.
What's wrong?
The priest is here.
Then I remembered that I had summoned Cynthia to the castle. Since I had returned from King's Landing, I had not been able to do much, so Cynthia had been put on the back burner.
I had finally gotten ready to call her today, but in the flurry of activity following my grandfather's sudden return to her, I had completely forgotten about it.
How may I help you?”
Tesh seemed to know that I had forgotten, and it sounded less like a question and more like a confirmation that it was okay to let him leave.
I said, “…… I can't be bothered to call you again. Call them.”
Since you've come all this way, we should meet.
I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask him, and some things had changed before and after his visit to King's Landing.
