In A Parallel World With Random Skills, I Reluctantly Become A Mafia Boss?

Chapter 25: Departure

A slight sting of anxiousness pangs at my mind once again, but I only need to keep it in for now. Until I find a concrete way to solve this problem, I am going to keep myself in check.

But as if seeing through my inner turmoil, Lode-san handed me a medium-sized container, made out of brown leather and pieces of bronze metal, different from the other bags, as he talked to me about something with a hushed voice...

As soon as our talk was finished, I said my goodbyes to Lode-san as I swung the straps of the leather bags over my shoulders, to which the trouble-making birds responded by landing on my head instead. Hey, my head's not a bird's nest.

As much as I wanted to shake them off, I couldn't.

The reason was obvious. It was because Marielle-san was sprawled on my back, and I had to watch Elle-chan as well. So, my hands were tied.

Soon enough, a loud but shrill voice reached our ears.

"Last call to all the passengers on the list!"

Oops, I guess it's time to go.

"Kyouya-dono"

I felt a slight chill down my spine as I turned towards Lode-san, who was having a serious expression. The previous conversation we had before weighed on my mind.

"...I wish you luck on your travels. Take care of little Elle for me."

"...Ye-yeah..."

Is that all? Then let's go-

"And also..."

Eh?

"....Don't hesitate when the time comes."

"....Ah, I understand."

Of course, I was still reluctant on doing 'that', but if it was really necessary, I guess I won't be given a choice huh. Nevertheless, I...

"Hmm? Are ya a passenger as well? What are ya doing, walking so rigidly?"

Ah.

I guess I was nervous after all.

But it can't be helped.

"No, it's nothing. I'm Kyouya, and this here is Elle-chan. The one I'm carrying on my back is named Marielle-san. We are registered passengers."

When I said that, the man who asked about my strange behavior, went through a parchment of some kind. Probably, it was the list of passengers on each carriage.

Now that I look closer, this guy was also part of the escort group from earlier.

But something was strange.

It seemed that this guy, was the only one among them who could use magic, and was skilled with using weapons as well. His body frame was well-toned as well, with no unnecessary muscles nor malnourished skin.

Although, those were only the results gathered from <<Dragon Eyes>>.

Soon enough, it seemed he found our names on the list.

"Ah, I found it. Yes, Kyouya, Marielle, and Elle. Yep, all there. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Borzche, leader of this escort group."

"Nice to meet-"

I was about to say my greetings in response, but it seemed he wasn't done speaking yet.

"I am one of the members of 'Lotzard' the 'Famiglia of Protection', so ya can rest assured that we will do our utmost to protect ya guys during this trip of ours."

Although, 'Lotzard' wasn't one of the 'Seven Major Famiglias', it had to be considerably famous if this guy had this proud confident face as he talked about it.

At least, I wish it to be so.

After talking a bit with Borzche-san, the leader of the escort group, we went inside the farthermost carriage in the back, and sat down.

The trouble-making birds settled back onto my shoulders right after I had put down the bags, and placed Marielle-san gently leaning on the side of the carriage wall.

The seats were made out of a soft but slightly uncomfortable material, so it took a while for me to get used to it. Looking out the window placed at the side of the carriage, I looked towards the front, as the horses started to move in unison.

"Let us meet again, Kyouya-dono! Little Elle! and Marielle as well!"

As me and Elle-chan waved goodbye to the large fleeting figure of Lode-san, who was slowly disappearing as it grew more blurry from a distance, I release a tired sigh.

And as if acting in response to my sigh, my body's tenseness was fully released at once.

It seems that the fatigue from last night, came crashing down at me all at once, as soon as I released my tension. In fact, I can't seem to move much now that I think about it.

It wouldn't hurt to rest for a while after this whole ordeal.

Following the series of comfortable feelings, I sunk into my seat while thinking of what the future holds for me and these new companions I made during this time.

Marielle-san, whom I had to find a cure to her curse once we arrive.

Elle-chan, her daughter who is cute and mature at the same time.

Lode-san, the largely-built shop owner who was a little scary, who was going to catch up with us sooner or later, a few weeks after we reach at our destination at least.

And finally, these little unpredictable creatures of absurd strength resting on my shoulders, who seemed to be the offspring of Phoenix-san, my benefactor.

Although, I'm not quite sure if they're related at all, judging by their personalities.

Hoping that all will work out somehow, the rocking of the carriage, the sounds of the wheels tripping over small rocks along the path, and the gentle feeling of something soft covering my tired body, made me slowly shut my eyelids as I drifted off...