The housekeeper lady has two messages for us.
First, the approval documents we have been waiting for are finally here.
We take those documents, look at each other, and decide to leave right away. We’ve had everything ready for a while.
But then something crosses my mind, and I take something out of my backpack and give it to Taula.
“…Portable rations again…”
Whispers Taula, and I respond with an awkward smile. Then I take out a 『Manifest』 scroll and bring out Hipopo.
The ‘Third Seat of Immorality’ is underground, and sadly, Seilook is going to have to stay here.
We get on top of Hipopo, and when I look back, I see Taula is already munching on her portable ration.
There’s no emotion on her face, but I see small wrinkles between her eyebrows.
I need to remember to treat her to something nice when this is over.
But the housekeeper has one more message.
She says that Princess Lily has duties that she can’t postpone, and won’t be able to accompany us.
A surprised expression forms on my face when I hear this, and I also hear a surprised exclamation coming from behind me.
I feel like Princess Lily would shove anything aside to be able to come along, but it’s fine.
I’m surprised, but I honestly have no problem with going without her. I don’t know what’s going on, but I decide to take advantage while I still can and leave.
I tap Hipopo’s back, and its eight legs start smoothly sliding forward.
Hipopo is running at seventy percent of its full speed, but it’s enough to surprise the housekeeper as we leave.
“Rust! Do you have any idea where the ‘Third Seat of Immorality’ might be?”
It’s a bit late to be asking that. It looks like she finished eating her portable ration.
Now that I think about it, Taula does have a history of leaving without having a clear destination in mind.
I take out another portable ration, and use gestures to ask if she wants it while I answer her question.
“Yes. See that big mountain ahead? It’s underground from the foot of that volcano.”
I tell her the information I got from the shaman’s memories.
Taula shakes her head in response to the portable ration.
I eat that portable ration myself, as Hipopo gradually speeds up and we hurry towards our destination.