Chapter 51

Aeron spoke in a baffled tone.

“…Why are you asking me that?”

“Eh, you don’t know?”

“I’m the Head of Training for Liberi, not a merchant.”

Flip.

Thud.

He set down the document he was reading.

“If you want to find a merchant guild going to Sedeth Kingdom, you should ask at the guild itself.”

“I thought you’d know.”

Aeron had always taken care of these kinds of things for me.

I knew his current position had nothing to do with such matters, but I figured I’d ask anyway, just in case.

“There are always merchant guilds heading to Sedeth Kingdom, but given the timing, I’m not sure if there’ll be any vacancies.”

“Timing?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

“What timing?”

“Why, the Descent Festival is coming up.”

“Oh, right.”

It’s already that time of year.

The Descent Festival.

A major festival celebrated in Sedeth Kingdom to commemorate the day Edel descended to the earthly realm.

Given its scale and the immense stature Edel holds in this world, it was practically a global festival.

Even other countries and cities held smaller celebrations to mark the occasion.

And in the Grasis Kingdom, this time of year meant the royals would be making a fuss over it.

“…A fuss, huh.”

“It’s true, though.”

“Well, I can’t deny that.”

They indulge in all manner of luxury and pleasure under the pretense of honoring Edel’s descent—it’s no wonder one would describe it as a fuss.

“But doesn’t the timing of the Descent Festival make it a good thing?”

Festivals always attract people.

And if it’s the Descent Festival held in Sedeth Kingdom, it would draw far more people than most celebrations.

Where there are people, there will be merchants flocking to take advantage of their money.

“Merchant guilds heading there at this time usually travel together. While there are exceptions, that’s generally how it goes.”

“Yeah, so?”

“When they travel together, their collective size naturally increases. The larger the group, the more people they need to protect it. Now, would it be better to hire individual mercenaries, or employ a trusted, established mercenary group?”

“So that’s what you meant by no vacancies.”

There are plenty of spots, but not ones that I could get into.

“There are still some guilds that might hire individual mercenaries, but you’re not a mercenary. Even for those guilds, in a time like this, they wouldn’t want to accept someone with an unclear background. It’s a period when opportunistic wolves are prowling for chances.”

“Aeron.”

“…What?”

“Help me.”

“With what?”

“My background.”

Fix it for me.

Smack!

“…Ouch.”

“You think that’s possible?”

Aeron had somehow gotten close to me and flicked my forehead. If it’s not possible, then fine, but there was no need to hit me.

I glared at him indignantly, but he clicked his tongue and glowered back.

“You’re not even hurt, stop pretending.”

“My body isn’t hurt, but my heart is.”

“Well, at least you’re hurting somewhere.”

“…”

…Unbelievable.

Before I could find the words to express my indignation, Aeron sat back down.

“I could register you as a mercenary in Liberi if that’s the method you want.”

“No thanks.”

“I figured you’d say that. There’s no point in tagging along with a merchant guild anyway. In a time like this, traveling with a guild would just be a hassle. It doesn’t suit your temperament.”

“Hmm… You’re not wrong about that.”

“If you’re set on going with a merchant guild, why not wait a little longer? Give it about a month.”

“A month…”

“Canaria.”

Joanie tugged at the hem of my cape. S~eaʀᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She had been listening quietly until now—why speak up all of a sudden?

I looked down at her, wondering what she meant, but soon realized her intent.

“It seems waiting isn’t an option.”

“It certainly doesn’t seem so.”

Aeron nodded in agreement with my words.

Well, it’s impossible not to notice when her eyes are sparkling like that.

Like a sparrow unable to pass by a mill without stopping.

Joanie, who had been listening to our conversation, showed strong interest in the Descent Festival.

“A festival…! Doesn’t that sound like so much fun?”

“I’m not so sure.”

Personally, I don’t like crowded places. Wherever there are people, there’s bound to be trouble.

After experiencing that several times, I’ve grown averse to such situations.

“What do you plan to do?”

“Well, I guess I need to find a carriage.”

“Ugh, a carriage…”

Joanie seemed to grimace at the idea of riding a carriage again, likely remembering her bumpy ride to Liberi.

Even people who’ve ridden carriages a lot complain about the constant jolting when traversing rough roads, so it must have been even harder for someone like Joanie, who’s rarely used one.

But if we don’t ride a carriage, there aren’t many other options.

As I’ve mentioned before, using the teleport gate isn’t an option…

So, running or horseback riding. That’s about it.

“Think you could run all the way there?”

“…To where?”

Why ask such an obvious question?

“To Sedeth Kingdom.”

“Run all the way across the continent?! That’s impossible, absolutely impossible!”

“Hm.”

I tilted my head slightly.

“Once you start, you might find it’s easier than you think. Why not give it a try?”

“There’s no way that would happen!”

…Well, if she’s so adamant, running is off the table. Which leaves us with riding a horse.

But could Joanie even manage that?

When I asked, expressing my doubts, she hesitated before responding.

“I’ve ridden a few times before. I’m not great at it, but I could probably manage… a little?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“The way you feel right now is exactly how I felt when you asked me earlier.”

“…”

“Pfft…! …Ah, sorry.”

Joanie quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth when I shot her a sharp glare.

But it was pointless; I’d already heard everything, and the way her eyes curved into a mischievous smile made it clear.

Just you wait.

I’ll make sure to pay you back for this humiliation someday.

***

Our short break in Liberi came to an end.

After the little commotion on the first day, Joanie kept pestering me to go sightseeing together on the second and third days.

‘Canaria, let’s go out. If you stay cooped up in your room, you’ll get moldy.’

‘I’ll buy you even better chocolate than what we had yesterday. Please?’

She stood outside my firmly shut door, trying to persuade me with all sorts of lines…

‘Canariaaaa~’

Slam.

‘…You’re being too noisy.’

‘Oh, it’s Canaria! You finally came out?’

‘If you want to go out that badly, grab a sword and follow me.’

‘…Why the sword?’

‘If you beat me in a fight, I’ll go with you.’

‘….’

‘I don’t take orders from anyone weaker than me.’

‘Good night, Canaria.’

With that, she kindly pushed me back inside, telling me to go get some rest.

After getting plenty of rest, we greeted the fourth day.

We finished breakfast earlier than usual and stood at the gate leading out of Liberi.

I glanced up at the city wall for a moment before turning around.

Aeron, who insisted on seeing us off despite my protests, stood there watching me.

“I owe you a lot.”

“Owe me? I’ve never thought that.”

Aeron turned his head abruptly. After a brief pause, he spoke in a shy voice.

“If things get tough, come find me anytime. You’ll always be welcome.”

“…Yeah. I’ll be sure to do that.”

If it were Eric, I might be wary, but Aeron? I trust him.

Pulling my hood down low, I poked Joanie’s side as she chuckled warmly.

“What? Embarrassed?”

What’s she saying?

“Let’s get moving.”

“If you’re going to miss it, we can stay a little longer~?”

“I’m not going to miss it.”

“Aw, I’m going to miss it though. It’s a bit sad that you’re not.”

“…”

Now even Aeron had joined in on the teasing, like they just couldn’t help themselves.

Ignoring their comments, I tugged at the reins of my horse.

Knowing full well they were only trying to get a rise out of me, I didn’t see any reason to indulge them.

“…”

Still, maybe I could say just one thing.

“…I’ll miss it a little.”

Not much—just a little.

After leaving those words, I wasted no time and began walking toward the exit of Liberi.

“Canaria!”

“…!”

“Come back safely!”

Aeron shouted loudly, waving his hand.

“Yeah, I will.”

I waved back at him and continued walking, not looking back again as I left Liberi.

Parting ways with a close friend is always sad, but knowing you’ll meet again makes it a little easier.

Aeron’s not the type to fall easily, nor is he suffering from any kind of illness, so I’m sure we’ll meet again.

“Alright, let’s push forward with new energy!”

Joanie’s spirited shout lifted the somewhat somber mood.

Having such an enthusiastic companion definitely has its perks in moments like these.

Once we were a fair distance from Liberi, we decided it was time to ride our horses.

As Joanie put one foot in the stirrup and tried to mount, she glanced at me with a smirk.

“Canaria, think you can get on? Want me to give you a boost?”

“…”

Ignoring her, I hopped up with a single fluid motion.

After a brief sensation of floating, I landed perfectly in the saddle.

Snort.

The horse under me gave a soft snort, adjusting to my weight.

“Hmph.”

I smirked at Joanie, whose mouth was wide open in surprise. I’ve climbed places much higher than this—this is nothing.

Watching me in a daze, Joanie gritted her teeth and struggled to mount her horse. Clearly sensing her discomfort, the horse let out a frustrated snort as she fumbled.

“…I did it!”

Joanie finally managed to get into the saddle and let out a triumphant cheer. Anyone would think she had just climbed a treacherous mountain peak inhabited by Dwarves.

Judging by how much she struggled just to get on, I don’t even need to see her riding skills to know how bad they are.

Good luck with that.

I wonder how long she’ll last—an hour? Two?

With the image of Joanie screaming in my head, I rode forward cheerfully.