Chapter 227: Off to the Sea
A chilled sea breeze blew in from the west, leaving behind the scent of saltwater. The sound of the waves echoed from afar, tickling the eardrums, while seabirds soared overhead.
“It’s the sea…!”
From atop the hill, Rest gazed down at the vast expanse of the ocean, a simple exclamation escaping his lips. It was blue, and it was immense. This was the first time Rest had ever laid eyes on the sea in his life.
“It’s so big… I’m amazed.”
“Isn’t it? I was equally astonished when I saw it for the first time,” replied Celestine Crocus, the Duchess.
Celestine wore a light purple dress topped with a fur coat, and a fluffy scarf wrapped around her neck.
“I’ve heard that during the summer, some people enjoy playing in the water or swimming at the beach. Though, many nobles tend to shy away from swimming,” she added.
“What a shame… I regret that it’s already winter. If I could, I would have loved to try playing in the water…” Rest lamented.
He spoke with a hint of regret. In his previous life, he was born in a land without a sea, and his parents lacked the means to take him to the beach. His middle school trip to Okinawa had been a painful memory, as he couldn’t afford the travel expenses and had to forgo the experience.
Now, having been reincarnated, he finally had the chance to see the ocean. The joy was overwhelming.
Rest and Celestine were currently visiting a coastal region in the western part of the Aiwood Kingdom. Their purpose was not for a secret getaway to cheat on his fiancée, of course.
They had come to visit the villa where Queen Dowager Frederica Aiwood spent her later years. With the inheritance from Rodel, that villa now belonged to Rest as well. However, he had something on his mind and had come to see it for himself.
(It’s not certain… In fact, the chances of being wrong are quite high. But… if my guess is correct, the Queen Dowager is also a Reincarnator. And there might be evidence in that villa to support this…)
He had received reports from Celestine, who was in charge of sorting through the inheritance. It seemed that the Queen Dowager had used a pseudonym while residing in this villa. That pseudonym was a complete Japanese name, which served as circumstantial evidence of her being a Reincarnator.
Through his encounter with Leonardo Gascoigne from the Council of Sages, Rest had learned that there were other Reincarnators as well. If the Queen Dowager turned out to be one of them, he wanted to gather as much information as possible.
“By the way… are you sure it’s alright for you to guide me?” Rest asked, turning his back to the sea to face Celestine.
“Of course, it’s no trouble at all,” Celestine replied, nodding with a serene smile that embodied the essence of a lady.
A short distance away, Celestine’s guards and Butler stood by, ensuring they wouldn’t interrupt the conversation.
“I’ve been curious about the Queen Dowager’s inheritance as well, and I’ve been so busy with work lately that I wanted a break. Even if it’s not the tourist season… I’d like to enjoy this brief trip,” she said.
“I see… It’s a relief to hear you say that,” Rest replied.
By the way, the only ones accompanying Rest were Celestine and soldiers and attendants from the Crocus Duke House. His fiancée, Viola, and Primula were not present. They were busy handling various tasks in his stead.
The development of the Demon Realm known as the Subnock Plain was underway. The initial stages, which included the extermination of Monsters and the construction of a Barrier, had been completed. However, the real work of development was just beginning. They needed to improve the roads and construct towns.
Rest would govern the Clover Count Territory, and the site for the first town had already been decided. His father-in-law, Marquis Rosemary, had chosen a prime location. It seemed that arrangements for transporting supplies had already been made, and the Rosemary Sisters were handling those tasks in his absence.
“Well, it’s a wife’s duty to assist her husband in his work,” one of them had said.
“I’m so happy to be of help…” the other had replied.
Rest was truly grateful to Viola and Primula. He had resolved in his heart to repay them for their kindness.
“Now then, Rest, I will guide you to the Queen Dowager’s villa. Please follow me,” Celestine said.
“Ah, thank you,” Rest replied, casting one last wistful glance at the sea.
(This area will eventually become my land… In the summer, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring the two of them here for a summer retreat…)
With such thoughts in mind, he followed Celestine as they walked down the hill.