CH 33

The next morning, they put their scales, money and valuable items in their pouches and attached them tightly around their waists before putting their shirts on. The wigs went on after that, and once they picked up their old, worn-out bags, their disguises were complete.

“Edmond, Kreis, Emma. Thank you so much for your hospitality.”

Maki and Chiharu thanked them once again.

“No, thank you. We had a wonderful time.”

“Maki, Chihaaru. Thank you for visiting the dwarven territories.”

“Don’t push yourselves too hard.”

“Of course!”

“Of course!”

They replied, and then ran off.

“I wonder if we will be able to meet them again?”

“We should visit them next time.”

“Oh, that’s true. We can bring some good alcohol as a gift.”

“Exactly. They did seem to like eating quite a lot.”

Kreis and Edmond said to each other. Emma was holding her hands together tightly and praying for the safety of the two Saintesses.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“Ah, good luck, you two.”

They greeted the gatekeeper before rushing toward Paulo. There was already a line of soldiers waiting in the training grounds in front of the barracks.

“You two barely made it. Is that all of your belongings?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“I’ll introduce you two to everyone gradually. We will wait here for now and listen to the representative’s speech before riding the carriage.”

“Understood!”

“Understood!”

They left their larger bags with the carriage and then participated in the departing ceremony.

“These kinds of things rarely happen, you know?”

“These kinds of things?”

Paulo was surprisingly talkative, and he and the others taught them a variety of things.

“Like there being too many monsters in the dungeon. And having to send for soldiers over a lack of Adventurers. This is only possible because Midland is on good terms with the three territories, but this is still a very impressive lineup.”

“It really is. We do see Prince Edwy here and there, but even the White Philosopher is here.”

Here and there. There wasn’t much reverence in their tone. Well, he had seemed quite familiar when guiding them through the port town.

“The White Philosopher?”

“What, you don’t know someone so famous? Most elves have golden hair, but he has white hair. He is the philosopher, Aeris, who invented the airship.”

One of the young cooks explained to them. And Chiharu had thought he was just a retired elf who had too much time on his hands and was a worry-wort. Well, he didn’t look any old than 30. And his hair had seemed more silver than white. Chiharu was very surprised by this. But there had definitely been something majestic about Aeris as he stood his platform, wearing his white robes with golden lining. And there was also something about him that looked tired.

“And the bird people. They are carefree and appear almost anywhere. But to have four of them participate in such an official way…”

“And Prince Nyran represents the southern territories. All three territories and both human territories are represented, it seems.”

All of this information was quite new to them.

“Um, Prince Nyran…”

“You know, the one next to Kaider and has blonde hair. I think he was the second or third prince of the southern territories. They have so many princes and princesses there that I can’t keep track of them.”

“There are so many of them, and so he must be one of the ones that were sent out to different castles.”

“Yes, yes. He used to be smaller than Prince Kaider, but it turned out that he was much more reliable than him, as he was quite reckless. And so now he watches over Prince Kaider.”

So there were three princes, not two. Kaider was a dwarf but the size of a slightly short human. He now wore a uniform of deep green and had a sword at his belt as he faced the troops. His red hair was blowing in the wind. Nyran was wearing a dark orange uniform. Perhaps it was a sign that he was from the south.

“And it’s that rascal who is the commander on this expedition. Our Prince Edwy is still young and seems a little weak.”

“What are you saying? Appearance aside, he is a heavyweight among the three territories and is a good friend with the royal families of the human territories. In spite of his young age, he has an important part in Midland’s diplomacy. Besides, you know. He is very popular with young women.”

It seemed like Paulo was strongly partial to Edwy.

“So I guess the inland humans didn’t come after all.”

“They don’t have the same sense of danger, as they are the furthest from the shadow world.”

“By the way, have you heard the rumors about them insulting the Saintesses and being banned from entering Midland?”

“I did hear that. Damn it all. Who do they think they owe their peaceful existences to?”

So the inland people were not liked here either. Still, Chiharu wanted to visit it at least once. Maki was probably thinking the same thing. They caught each other’s eyes and smiled mischievously. One day. In secret.

“Now, the representatives are going to make a speech.”

Kaider took a step forward.

“Soldiers of the human lands! I thank you for coming. Monsters now prowl the dungeons in numbers not seen before, as the miasma has grown thick. While two Saintesses have come to our aid, they are young, frail women. We cannot allow them to shoulder the burden completely. We must face this danger together!”

It was a simple speech, and an enthusiastic cry came from the troops. The delicate Saintesses also raised their voices. So did Edwy, who was wearing a blue uniform.

“While the dungeon exists in the three territories, we are all comrades of the Sun World. We will help each other!”

And now, applause.

“Aeris, the white philosopher will act as the staff officer. Sauro, Saikania, Orne, and Puel will be messengers. From the human territories, Edwy, Nyran and I will participate. Let us fight together!”

A great cry erupted.

Maki and Chiharu had only seen Kaider as being a busybody and Edwy as being kind up until now, and so they were both surprised and thoroughly entertained by this display of coolness. I mean, they were princes! In uniforms! Giving a speech! And they were acquaintances. They shouted happily and waved their hands. People who saw how excited they were just smiled gently. But the bird people who were watching from afar just shook their heads in exasperation. Aren’t you trying to stay low? Really.

It would be possible to move quickly by horse if there were fewer people. However, with many people and lots of luggage, it would be more efficient to use carriages. They had sent word out in advance and ordered for food and fodder, but they would need to bring food with them as well to feed over 100 people. Maki and Chiharu were riding one of these carriages. Thankfully, it was a season for good weather. They climbed to the top of their carriage, which was carrying bags of hay, and made a space for themselves to sit in and enjoy the journey.

It wasn’t quite as comfortable as the carriages meant to have passengers, but it did give them a 360-degree view. They would start at Greige and pass through four different towns on their way to Gromble. They would mostly be going up and down mountains on their way to the dungeon. As the two of them watched Greige disappear into the distance, Sauro flew down to see them. As the carriage used a levitation stone, an extra birdman did not cause much of a strain to the horses.

“You found us pretty quick, Sauro.”

“I can spot Maki easily no matter what she is wearing. We bird people have good eyes.”

“You can see us from that far away?”

“No. It’s like how you can tell if the grass is edible no matter how big or small or dark or light it is. It’s the same thing. Maki and Chiharu are Maki and Chiharu.”

“That seems a little too easy.”

“I never thought about it too much. But the humans and dwarves and even the elves didn’t realize anything. So it must be a beastkin thing.”

“I see. Who waved at us yesterday?”

“Orne was watching.”

“I thought so!”

“Hey, do you want to fly with us?”

“But it will draw attention.”

“Then maybe when we reach Lapondo? Don’t you want to see the view from high above, Maki?”

“If it’s done quietly after we finish work?”

“That’s fine.”

Sauro said, and then he flew away with a flutter of wings.

“Chiharu, did he just compare us to food?”

“I’m sure it means that we’re important.”

Their next stop was the farming town of Lapondo. It produced most of the food consumed by the capital of Greige.

“Mister Paulo said he would take us to the market tomorrow.”

“It’s to buy food supplies. But I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yes.”

The birdfolk were flying high above them. Chiharu and Maki looked up into the sky and waved.