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The carriage life continued for a long time.

The carriage raced without rest, arriving at the capital.

Returning to the capital, which was not only distanced from the war-torn Kalia Marquis Family but also from the eastern border.

Outside of the royal castle incident, I had only encountered the current chaotic state of the kingdom through rumors and newspaper articles.

Experiencing it firsthand versus the dry transmission of information was starkly different.

While reading those articles might have succeeded in triggering concerns about the kingdom’s future and the continent’s turmoil, it seemed those worries had long been forgotten in their minds.

The vast majority of humans and beastmen in the capital were simply leading extraordinarily peaceful lives, passing the time.

I scanned the scenery of the inn where our count family was staying in the capital.

“Just as I thought.”

The inn was the same too.

With expressions dulled, the members of the count family were drawing nearer to the Kalia Marquis Family and the Great Forest.

What kind of burden were they now bearing, and what would happen next in the Great Forest?

Having come to a certain realization recently, they were trying to hide it, yet sometimes their concerns would bubble up to the surface.

It couldn’t be denied that only those entangled with Shione and me were carrying the weight of worry in this calm and peaceful inn.

As I observed them, I checked the staircase leading up.

“…It’s taking a bit long.”

It was nearly time to ride the carriage again.

Had she dashed off to the bathroom under the pretense of going to her room?

Shione had said she’d be back soon, but there was still no sign of her.

Should I go check upstairs? I pondered for a moment.

Suddenly, Shione came down the stairs.

Clad in neat attire, with a hairpin fixing her bangs to the side, Shione must have been checking her appearance.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I just needed to do something in my room for a bit.”

“I see you tidied up your clothes. Since we’ll be departing again soon, it would be best to head to the carriage.”

“Right.”

As Shione and I stepped outside the inn, everyone else promptly followed behind us.

Thus, we were on our way to the carriage.

Glancing here and there.

Suddenly, my lord gave me hints with her eyes, as if she wished to hear something, occasionally sending me wordless pressure laced with expectation.

‘What’s up with her now?’

It’s not like I’ve mastered mind-reading or anything. If there’s something she wants to say or ask, she could just say it.

Though it was bothersome, all I could do was ignore the mixed stares from the women on the streets focused on my face.

For now, I decided to play along with her cues.

‘What’s she thinking this time?’

The breakfast at the inn was quite delicious, so maybe she hopes lunch would be just as good?

Or perhaps she wants me to compliment her on her neatly arranged outfit?

As I was lost in these thoughts, my gaze landed on the hairpin sticking out atop her head.

‘That is…’

The last time the count family turned upside down, on the day of the festival where even fireworks were set off.

That was the blue hairpin I bought with her at the accessory shop back then.

There were hardly any women to be found in that shop filled with men, and I still clearly remember Shione being cautious of the gazes around her.

Indeed, that kind of shop, where brutish men who adore flowers and butterflies frequent, is hardly a place one would stroll through.

Let’s bring up that hairpin.

“That hairpin… it’s been a while.”

Surprisingly, it seemed she was already anticipating this topic.

In her eyes, as blue as the sky, a multitude of constellations arose.

Twinkling!

I couldn’t help but smile weakly at the overwhelming satisfaction reflected in her gaze, even feeling a bit of pressure from it.

“It looks great on you.”

“Really?”

“If it didn’t suit you, I wouldn’t have recommended it to you back then.”

“Wow, never knew you had such a way with words. You only say nice things.”

Pat, pat.

Shione hit my back, perhaps feeling embarrassed.

“Ugh…”

Certainly, Shione’s slap was much harder than I expected, and as I silently writhed in pain, I turned to the now satisfied-looking Shione, humming a tune.

“I hadn’t seen you wear that hairpin on the carriage ride… were you late looking for it?”

It was a bit late for just organizing clothes and pinning it up, after all.

As I asked, Shione shook her head.

“No, I was just deciding which of the two I should wear.”

Shione reached into her pocket and pulled out a small hairpin.

A cheap hairpin she bought while heading to the Feiosha Marquis Family. I didn’t expect she would even bring that along.

I nodded slightly at the small hairpin.

“In that case, I recommend you keep that hairpin safe and use the one you’re wearing now.”

“Keep it safe?”

“Yes, since you’re treating it like a treasured possession, if it were to break while you’re using it, you would probably feel quite disappointed, wouldn’t you?”

“Hmm… come to think of it, that isn’t a bad idea.”

Shione nodded as she contemplated my suggestion.

She gazed down at the hairpin she had touched and then glanced up at me shyly.

“Well, we have plenty of time, so let’s…”

Shione broke into a crystal-clear smile.

“Let’s think it over together.”

We hopped back into the carriage.

*

“Ah…”

Shione’s expression twisted in annoyance.

Swish, swish!

“Seriously…!”

—Cough, cough!

Our Cotton Puff was merrily flitting around in every direction, causing quite a stir.

My spirit had provoked Shione’s nerves with its antics.

Then again, it had been darting around Shione and me without a care, making it impossible for her not to be bothered.

I watched Shione’s legitimate anger unfold.

“Can’t you stay still for just a bit?”

—Huh?

“You understand everything, don’t you! You seem to figure it all out before you’ve even listened to what Ray says!”

—…

The Cotton Puff glanced back and forth between Shione and me with innocent eyes. Once it confirmed that I was looking at it, it seized the opportunity and swiveled to face Shione.

—Heh.

It openly laughed at her.

“What the…!”

Shione let out a small, irritated exclamation just then.

—Eeeek…

As if waiting for this moment, the Cotton Puff donned a frightened expression, accompanied by a sound that evoked sympathy.

Flap flap…

The wings, which had been moving energetically, drooped in weariness.

The wind spirit settled onto my shoulder, relying on a small updraft it had created, landing there rather precariously.

—Eek…

Then it nudged its face against mine.

Shione watched the spirit with wide, shocked eyes, and the spirit casually turned.

—Heh.

“Ah…”

It merely sent a relaxed, victorious smile directly towards Shione.

I could only give the spirit a slight jab, taking on my role as its master.

“Tsk. You shouldn’t do that. This time, you’re in the wrong.”

—Meow?

Once again, it pretended not to understand.

Typically, wind spirits are notorious for being mischievous, often making it challenging to communicate with them, even for lower-ranked ones.

While Shione had taken her time explaining things, letting me understand to some degree, in this case, her frustration might just spill over.

I should probably remind the spirit to entertain Diolia, who can’t take her eyes off it, rather than annoying Shione any further.

Diolia would likely enjoy playing with the Cotton Puff.

‘For now…’

I really should calm down the upset Shione.

I expertly rummaged through my cookie pouch, pulling out one cookie I had stashed away.

—Meow!

Ever since I fed a cookie to the spirit once, it too seemed to have developed a fascination for them, just like Shione.

The Cotton Puff eyed the cookie greedily.

“No. That’s not for you.”

Unfortunately, this cookie is a precious treat meant to relieve Shione’s stress.

“Here, have a cookie.”

I immediately handed the cookie to Shione.

Just as she was about to pop the cookie into her mouth…

—Cough!

The spirit leaped up.

The Cotton Puff rubbed against Shione’s neck, desperately trying to get her attention and, in the end, nuzzled its face against hers.

Eventually, Shione gave in.

“What if hair gets into my mouth… Just sharing a little would be fine.”

—Meow!

Haughtily, the spirit tore off the tip of the cookie, swiftly sitting down next to me with it in its mouth.

—Heh.

It seemed to smile knowingly at Shione, as if this was all part of the plan.

I couldn’t catch it anyway.

With a hollow expression, Shione looked down at the spirit, having just placed the cookie in her mouth, and turned to me.

“Ray, you haven’t named it yet, right?”

“Yeah, since the name a spirit gets from its contractor can affect its growth direction and speed… so I have to be careful—”

“What about ‘Moth’? She flutters around, annoying everyone….”

“….”

“Moth seems to fit perfectly…”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Ugh…”

Sighing, Shione slumped her shoulders as the Cotton Puff loftily soared above her head, and then—

Thud.

It landed gently right on her crown.

—Cough!

And with a triumphant shout:

“Ray, I really don’t think I get along with this one—”

Just as Shione spoke in a weary voice,

“…?”

The carriage, which wouldn’t stop at this time, came to a halt.

The carriage driver hurriedly approached us to deliver the news.

“It looks like there’s been a minor skirmish up ahead…!”

“A skirmish?”

I couldn’t help but frown at the driver’s unbelievable words.

Considering how many carriages were forming a line,

It was hard to believe any bandits would muster the courage to approach us, given the number of soldiers and knights accompanying noble families.

Besides, until Kalia Marquis Family got to close range, we had hardly faced anything more than a few goblin attacks this entire long journey.

‘And to think it’s right up ahead.’

The first carriage leading our procession was Elven.

Those bandits must be pretty foolish if they dared challenge us, knowing they’d face only disdain and death.

What unfortunate luck for them at such an instant.

“…”

I noticed Shione’s expression subtly stiffening.

“Do you know what the skirmish is about?”

“They say… for some reason, we’re engaged in a fight with rampaging monsters.”

“…Rampaging monsters?”

“Yes. At this point, considering the number of carriages and people, monsters shouldn’t be able to easily attack us like bandits… but these creatures are apparently rushing at us like rabid dogs.”

Rampaging monsters. Not too far from Kalia Marquis Family, close to the Great Forest. And Shione’s troubled expression.

There was clearly something concerning about this.

“Shione, should we go take a look?”

“…Let’s check it out.”

Shione and I quickly gathered our bows and weapons, stepping out of the carriage.

—Cough!

The Cotton Puff flew above my head and followed us, and we ran ahead, arriving first at the adjacent carriage where we could see an elf.

“It seems that these beasts plagued with sinister energy have made their way here….”

Friel Arielte was resting her sword at her waist.

Tap, tap.

She lightly tapped the hilt as she observed the situation.

Monsters, drooling and ready to charge.

And standing all alone before them, one elf.

I could hear her muttering something.

“I clearly advised the second son of the marquis family to prioritize guarding the borders and suppressing the monsters around the fief.”

With my mana sharpening my senses, her dry voice echoed around.

Even though it was a mere mutter, I could distinctly feel the inherent contempt embedded within.

She viewed the second son of the marquis family as one whose value was a mere insect’s worth.

“…As expected, just another male lost in lust. I suppose he forgot about me the moment we parted.”

Whoosh!

The wind focused around her.

“An incompetent human male who knows nothing of integrity or loyalty. Even having been kind enough to provide counsel, he can’t prove useful.”

The imminent aura made the monsters shift their focus toward Friel.

“Stupid as always, huh?”

Boom!

“Ray!”

Just as Shione stood beside me, Friel unleashed her magic into the throng of monsters.

The biting blades of wind tore through their tough hides, slicing into flesh and bone.

“Wha?”

Shione’s pupils captured the carnage wrought by the elf.

As blood erupted, painting the air, Shione finally realized.

The elves, who lived off dew drops in the early morning air, were no more than fairytales.

For the elves, the curtain of blood and wind was no longer foreign. They stared expressionlessly at the carnage they’d caused.

 

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