EP.168 Welcome to Jonathan, Little Chicks
"From here on is the Jonathan Barony."
Old man Neil turns around and smiles as he leads the way.
Ian, Nell, and Tisha all let out gasps of amazement as they look around.
Their expressions show they're expecting something extraordinary to appear.
But no matter how much they look, all they can see is peaceful land and endless forest.
It was quite different from the homeland of overwhelming beings they had imagined.
There's nothing special. It's just as quiet and peaceful as any other barony.
"Your expressions seem to say 'This is different from what we imagined.'"
"That's how it looks to me too, young master."
It's an understandable misunderstanding. After all, very little is known about Jonathan.
I hear most people in the Empire imagine it as a land made of steel.
They say it's a place more intense than hell itself, where the weak dare not set foot.
They also believe it's inhabited by people whose skin can dull blade tips when stabbed.
Sadly, Jonathan people also bleed and get wounded when stabbed or cut.
If they were invincible, there would have been no need for training in the first place.
Though it would still take someone quite skilled to actually wound them.
Thud thud thud thud!!-
Just then, a dust cloud appears in the distance as something rapidly approaches.
Seeing this, Nell and Tisha thought it must be patrol guards making their rounds through the territory.
Guards on horseback in light armor, preventing potential monster attacks.
"...Eh?"
"Huh?"
But when the patrol guards emerged through the dust cloud.
The two women couldn't hide their shock and let out gasps of surprise.
"Young master! Have you returned?!"
"Yes. It's vacation time after all. I should come home."
They were definitely patrol guards, judging by their soldier uniforms.
Yes, they were certainly patrol guards, but there were no horses to be seen anywhere that they should have been riding.
"We heard from the Baron, Old Man Neil. How was your Empire journey?"
"It was fun. I even met an old opponent from when this body was still in its prime."
"Ooh! Please tell us all about it when you get back!"
"I'm curious too! Did you win?!"
"Hohoho. My friends, is winning and losing what matters?"
Ian thought, isn't winning and losing obviously important?
Surely when you duel someone, you need to win to maintain your pride.
But the Jonathan patrol guards laughed along with Old Neil and answered:
"Hahaha! Of course not, sir!"
"Who cares about winning or losing! As long as it was a magnificent duel, that's enough!"
Perhaps because it was such an unexpected answer, Ian lets out an "Hmm?" in confusion.
This is Jonathan, who fought the Empire without giving an inch.
To hear such people say winning and losing doesn't matter?
If that wasn't important, what did they fight so hard for?!
"Well then, we should get back to our duties."
"Right. Keep up the good work."
"Yes! Ah! Young master! We're glad to have you back!"
"Me too. See you later. Keep up the good work."
After finishing their brief conversation, the two men disappear again in a cloud of dust.
Still no horses in sight. They're just running on their own two legs. But their speed is incredible.
To anyone who didn't know better, it would look like they were galloping on horseback.
"Every time I see it, it's just amazing."
"Indeed. Even I find cardio difficult."
They call that cardio? That?? How is that cardio?!
Running like that would make your lungs and heart burst!
Ian, Nell, and Tisha all turn around in shock.
Thud thud thud thud!!-
The patrol guards have already vanished into two distant dots.
Compared to them, their own cardio is like baby steps.
They don't even seem like they'll get tired. It's unimaginable that they can move around like this.
After traveling a bit further, they encountered another group of soldiers.
"Welcome back, young master."
"Long time no see. Have you been well?"
"Same as always. It's been quite boring since the hunting festival ended."
A soldier who appears to be guarding the path mutters this.
In his hands was not a spear but a staff.
And at both ends were discs of frightening thickness.
"Biceps! Biceps!!"
Behind him, another soldier was loudly shouting while doing barbell curls.
His voice was so thunderous that it seemed like monsters would run away in fear just from hearing it.
"Do you still draw lots for guard duty?"
"Yes. Nobody wants to lose their gains, so we keep doing it."
"I keep telling you to just set up a rotation. That would be better."
"But that's no fun. Drawing lots has that heart-pounding excitement to it."
Anyway, why do these people love heart-pounding activities so much?
If they were transported to modern times and discovered extreme sports, they'd probably go absolutely wild.
...Ah, no. If we sent them to modern times, they might get arrested for assault right away.
"I see some unfamiliar faces here."
"They're guests. More specifically, my friends."
"Ah, is that so? Young master's friends, you say."
The soldiers thoroughly scan Ian, Nell, and Tisha who were standing behind.
This isn't the sleazy gaze of thugs. It's the eyes of predators eyeing their prey.
That gleaming look in their eyes would make even a decent knight tremble.
"...Hmm. The gentleman here is quite interesting."
He's trying hard to politely phrase his desire for a fight.
Kyle, knowing this well, laughs "Haha!" while waving his hand.
"Later. First, I need to pay my respects to father."
"Understood. We'll hold back for now. The one next to him is... hmm. A bit strange. And the lady..."
The soldier stares at Tisha for a while, then tilts his head with a "hmm."
He seems deeply conflicted about whether to let her in or not.
Those who do not exercise cannot set foot in Jonathan.
This is their law, strictly upheld since ancient times.
If anyone dares break it, all of Jonathan will judge them severely.
"Young master, this person here is a bit borderline."
"What? Ah... well, it hasn't been long. I've been personally training her for the past few months."
"Hmm."
"But you can see she's not completely lacking in effort, right?"
The soldier slowly nods at Kyle's words.
While not overwhelmingly strong, she's definitely not out of shape either.
There are clear traces of very systematic and dedicated management.
Moreover, Kyle and Old Man Neil wouldn't have brought someone who made absolutely no effort.
"Ah, so that's why you brought them as guests."
The soldier suddenly breaks into a bright smile, as if having understood completely.
Not an overwhelming powerhouse. But someone who has come seeking to become strong, someone who puts in the effort.
Such people are also welcome in Jonathan. They can visit anytime.
It seemed they viewed Tisha as that kind of guest.
'Actually, that's not it.'
Things seem to be getting more complicated. Vacation really is troublesome.
Should I have just stayed at the academy? No, then my brother and sister would have come.
And they would have dragged me back immediately. Asking why I'm not coming home during vacation.
'...Wait a minute. Why can't either of them be proper nobles?'
Speak of the devil, as they say. The moment he thinks about it, he feels two presences approaching.
This is definitely the aura unique to Lear and Lea, his brother and sister.
They should be quietly working out in the large gym inside the castle.
Yet why are they suddenly rushing over here? He's a little worried.
Did he not exercise diligently after his brother and sister left?
Or did he keep eating late-night snacks and binge on stimulating foods like before?
After careful consideration, Kyle could reach a fortunate conclusion. Neither was true.
Of course, he hadn't completely stopped eating late-night snacks, and couldn't quit sugar either.
Stimulating food was still an irresistible drug, and late-night snacks tasted heavenly.
But he hadn't neglected his exercise. He'd worked even harder than before.
So there's no need to cower. He can be proud! He hasn't brought shame to the Jonathan name!
Ta-da!- Thud thud thud!!-
BOOM!!-
"..."
Seeing his brother and sister make their superhero landing, Kyle quietly abandoned that thought.
Thinking about it again, he must have done something wrong. He's not sure exactly what, but it feels that way.
"Little brother."
"Kyle!!"
"Brother Lear, Sister Lea. Long time no... urk!"
He thought his neck and spine would break simultaneously.
If he had been even slightly weaker, he surely would have died like that.
"Finally, you're here. Our little one."
"We missed you, Kyle!!"
"Ughhhh!! I, I missed you too! So, so first! Gak!"
This is Kyle, whom no one at the academy would dare touch.
Yet now he's being treated like a five-year-old nose-picker.
His brother and sister welcome him so enthusiastically that he feels like he might get flattened and burst.
"Ho ho ho."
Old Man Neil just watches with a gentle smile.
Even when Kyle begs to be saved, he just keeps going "Ho ho ho!"
'...They're strong.'
Gulp-.
Ian swallows dry saliva while carefully observing Lear and Lea.
Through several sparring matches with Kyle, he had been able to heighten his senses to the extreme.
The academy professors and visiting knights called such Ian a genius.
They added that with time, he might reach the Empire's top 10 ranks.
'My past self might have gotten cocky about that. But not anymore.'
It's already overwhelming just to surpass that young man struggling between his brother and sister.
Let alone the fact that defeating that brother and sister is obviously impossible.
How could he talk about being strong or the best swordsman in this situation?
He needs to work harder. Shed more blood and sweat. And become stronger.
Ian clenched his fist tightly while watching the Jonathan siblings.
Those he desperately wanted to reach, to be acknowledged by, and someday surpass.
The beings who had inspired such intense admiration were right before his eyes.
'Amazing!!'
Meanwhile, Nell was also in awe, similar to Ian.
The difference is that she can't read their presence as well as Ian, so she just vaguely senses that they're strong!
Still, it was enough to remind her of her goal in coming here.
And finally, Tisha...
'So these are Kyle's brother and sister. I absolutely must make a good impression!'
She was repeatedly telling herself that she must work hard to impress her future brother and sister-in-law.