Poor Noble Nord’s Adventure

43. Late Autumn In Alba Village

A deep autumn had come to the kingdom.

From the distant highway, the forested mountains ahead were dyed in vivid autumn colors like a sunset.

Most of the golden wheat fields had been harvested, leaving behind dark, exposed soil with clusters of drying straw here and there.

Dragonflies and migratory birds freely flitted under the high autumn sky, and during their journey, Newt eagerly chased them around, seeing them for the first time.

Located in the northern part of the kingdom, Alba Territory experienced autumn and winter earlier than other regions.

Thus, the late-season wheat seen sporadically along the way had already been fully harvested.

Only winter crops and pasture remained in the farmlands stretching beyond the village outskirts.

“Hey, wagon there! Stop… Oh, it’s you.”

“Nord Ferris here. I’ve come to see Lord Obrier.”

“M-My apologies! Please, proceed.”

At the village entrance, the youth of the local watch recognized Nord from his previous visit.

They promptly let him through into the village. One of them ran ahead to notify the lord, Johann, of Nord’s arrival.

Seeing this, Nord chose to move slowly through the village, knowing preparations for his welcome might be underway.

Though Johann’s letter mentioned a poor harvest, Alba Village didn’t appear to reflect that.

The expressions of the villagers walking the streets were bright, even brimming with excitement.

From the village square came the sound of hammers striking, likely from carpenters working on something.

With villagers bowing their heads in recognition of him as the lord’s brother, Nord directed his wagon toward the lord’s manor.

After taking his time, Nord arrived at Obrier’s manor and was warmly greeted by those who had been informed of his visit.

“Welcome, Nord.”

“I’m glad to see you well, Brother.”

“You must be tired. Please, take your time and relax.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Sister-in-law.”

Starting with pleasantries exchanged with Johann and his wife, Nord greeted other family members and the prior lords one after another.

Even the younger sisters of Lady Obrier, who had been nervous during his previous visit, warmly greeted him this time with cheerful energy.

“Brother Nord! We’re so happy you came again!”

“Really? I’m delighted to see you too.”

“And Newt, it’s been a while!”

“Kyuu!”

The sisters had grown fond of Newt and gently stroked his scales while chatting with him.

Newt, enjoying the attention, narrowed his eyes contentedly.

After the greetings, Nord handed over gifts from the royal capital and a bundle of letters from the Ferris family. Johann, unusually cheerful, spoke to him.

“You’ve come at a good time, Nord.”

“A good time? How so?”

“We’re about to hold the Spirit Festival. It’s not as grand as in the royal capital, but it’s the biggest event of the year here.”

On the continent of Ilva, there’s a custom called the Spirit Festival.

It’s a celebration to honor and give thanks to the spirits governing the seasons:

The Wind Spirit of Spring, the Flame Spirit of Summer, the Earth Spirit of Autumn, and the Ice Spirit of Winter.

Even in the royal capital, festivals for each season are held, with the Wind Spirit Festival marking spring’s arrival being especially lively in the lower city and merchant districts.

In Alba Village, as a farming community, the Earth Spirit Festival also served as a harvest festival and was the most festive occasion of the year.

“When will it take place?”

“In two weeks. You’ll stay until then, won’t you?”

“Yes, I’ve been granted a leave of absence.”

Nord realized why the villagers seemed so jubilant.

In a rural farming village with few forms of entertainment, a festival was a rare opportunity for revelry.

Despite the poor harvest—or perhaps because of it—the festival was to be grand, with prayers for a bountiful next year.

Everyone in Alba Territory must have been eagerly looking forward to it.

“My younger sisters are thrilled you’re here, so please take your time and enjoy yourself.”

“Then I’ll gladly take you up on your kind offer.”

“It’ll be time for dinner soon; we’ll talk more then.”

Thus, Nord spent his first day in Alba Village, warmly welcomed and in high spirits.

§

The following days saw Nord begin adventuring activities based in Alba Village.

A nearby town had a small branch of the Adventurer’s Guild, where he accepted assignments.

The quests in a frontier guild were simple, of low difficulty, and unremarkable.

For Nord, whose skill level far exceeded the rank of Copper and approached the Crystal rank, these tasks were, honestly, beneath his capabilities.

However, they were suitable for reconnaissance training, his primary goal, and ideal for giving Newt, who had spent much time idle in the capital, plenty of exercise.

Nord took on quests, completed them, and returned to Alba Village.

It was during one such day that the following occurred:

“Hey, where are you?”

“What’s wrong, Nord? Are you looking for something?”

“Oh, Brother.”

Nord wandered around Obrier’s manor, calling out. Hearing him, Johann approached with a question.

“Well, Newt was gone when I woke up this morning. I’ve no idea where he’s gone.”

“Newt… you mean that dark green wyvern?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“I saw him in the garden earlier.”

Taking Johann’s words, Nord moved to the garden behind the manor to search for Newt.

“Hm? He’s not here… He was playing with Emilia earlier.”

“Is that so? Where could he have gone, that rascal?”

Even with Johann accompanying him, Nord found no sign of Newt in the garden.

Beyond the lawn lay a few trees tinged with autumn hues, standing silently.

Nord decided to call out again, thinking Newt might respond.

“Hey, Newt! Where are you?!”

“Over here!”

“Kyu!”

“Huh?”

A reply came—not from Newt but from Emilia, Lady Obrier’s younger sister. Yet, looking around, no one was in sight.

Surely not…? Half-convinced, Nord and Johann looked upward. And there they saw—

“Emilia?!”

Emilia sat astride Newt’s back, flying high above the manor, higher even than the roof.

“Emilia! That’s dangerous! Come down immediately!”

“Aww, I’m fine! Right, Newt?”

“Kyu!”

Panic-stricken, Johann shouted at her, but Emilia paid no heed.

Newt, responding to her cheer, flapped his wings energetically as if to assure her of his capability.

“Hey, Nord. We need to get them down quickly.”

“Yes, you’re right. Newt! Come down now!”

“Just a bit longer!”

“Kyu.”

“No, Newt, come down now!”

“…Kyu.”

Although Emilia resisted, saying she wasn’t ready to descend, Newt reluctantly began lowering altitude at Nord’s firm command.

The sound of flapping wings grew louder as they approached the ground.

Once close enough to be safe, Johann rushed to Emilia.

“Are you alright, Emilia?”

“Really, Brother-in-law, you’re such a worrywart.”

“Of course I worry. You’re my dear little sister-in-law.”

“Humph.”

Emilia was Lady Obrier’s younger sister, the second youngest of four daughters. She was about the same age as Nord’s sister, Iris.

With her light brown hair reaching her shoulders, she not only shared her elder sister’s features but also Iris’s demeanor.

It seemed girls of her age were naturally drawn to wyverns. Watching Emilia sulk after being forced to land, Nord wondered about this peculiar affinity.

“It’s surprising, though. He can already carry someone and fly.”

Johann remarked, looking at Newt, then turning to Nord.

Covered in deep green scales, Newt had grown significantly since his birth. Still in a growth spurt, he was already as heavy as Nord.

Standing on his hind legs, Newt’s head reached Nord’s, with his tail extending even further.

At only ten months old, this wyvern had already outgrown the term “hatchling” by human standards.

Yet, compared to fully grown wyverns capable of carrying armored dragon knights, Newt was still a child, needing to double his current size.

“It must be because Emilia is small enough for him to manage.”

“I’m not small!”

“My apologies.”

Noticing his careless remark had upset the young lady, Nord quickly apologized. Then, addressing her seriously:

“But Emilia, it’s dangerous to ride Newt, so no more flying, alright?”

“Aww, fine.”

“That’s right, Emilia. If you got hurt, Katia would be heartbroken.”

“Sister… Alright, I understand.”

“Good. Let’s head back inside now.”

With Emilia finally agreeing not to fly Newt again, the three of them returned to the manor.

Walking inside with Emilia in his arms, Johann disappeared into the house, leaving Nord outside with the young wyvern.

“Kyu?”

“…Hmm.”

Nord stroked his chin, thinking.

Newt, once small enough to fit in his arms, now couldn’t even hide in a wagon’s bed.

As Newt continued to grow, he’d eventually need to live in the dragon stables of the Iron Dragon Knights.

But that time was still far off.

Tilting his head as if curious about Nord’s thoughts, Newt chirped.

Nord looked at him and decided to test Johann’s earlier observation.

As it turned out, when Nord tried to mount Newt, even with his wings flapping as if his life depended on it, the young wyvern couldn’t manage to lift off the ground.