CH 103

On the other hand, Maki and Chiharu were taken to a village near the Lowland mountains within that day. And after staying there for one night, they were carried to a castle town called Bakka. They had only meant to gather information, but as the whole affair had become quite larger than that, they could not just go through without saying anything. And so they all had to appear somberly before the king.

However, it wasn’t all bad.

“Chiharu, Maki!”

Aeris had been waiting at the castle. Apparently, he had returned after seeing Grudo and Van off and making a report of the dispatch of soldiers.

“Aeris!”

He embraced both of them tightly. While they had decided on their own to go out, they had still been flung around by the situation, and they were tired. It had been a while since Maki and Chiharu felt such relief.

“I can’t believe it. So this is the White Philosopher.”

Aaron muttered in surprise. The White Philosopher was known to be of a calm disposition, who was only interested in research and going to Midland for fun. He was supposed to be a solitary figure. And when Aaron had seen him at the elf castle, the person seemed to match this description.

The straight back, long strides, and flowing robes. The downcast eyes and the intricately braided platinum hair that hung ever so gently over his face. His appearance was enough to cause younger elf servants to sigh. But it was said that no one ever caught the interest of the White Philosopher. However, that was clearly a lie.

The proof was in front of him.

“Chiharu. Maki. Did anything happen to you? You look so tired. You should have ignored those pesky merfolk.”

After embracing them tightly, he leaned forward and cupped Chiharu’s face as he gazed into her eyes. Maki chuckled to herself and took a step back in order to see better.

Chiharu didn’t feel any guilt as the Philosopher’s hand rested under her chin, however, from afar, this looked like lovers speaking to each other softly, and some of those around them blushed.

“I’m fine. But it was pretty hard…”

Chiharu began to say. However, Aeris embraced her once again.

“Oh, I know. I know. It’s fine now…”

“Uh, huh… I think it’s you who isn’t fine, Aeris…”

Even with her face buried in Aeris’s chest, Chiharu’s voice reached Maki’s ears, causing her to chuckle even louder.

“White Philosopher. We are trying to talk here. Surely you are finished now.”

Finally, King Kilian complained with a loud cough. He had lost patience and come out himself in order to hear their report. Even Arthur would have likely done the same.

Royals in this world were not too strict when it came to formalities, and they cared more about efficiency.

“I’m sorry. I was just so worried.”

Aeris said as he took a step behind Chiharu and Maki.

“Uh, there is no need for you to be here, Philosopher.”

“I will accompany them from here to the elf lands. My presence should not be a problem.”

Aeris insisted. Aaron looked troubled, but Maki gave him a look that said it was alright, and so Aaron nodded.

“Father. I don’t see why he can’t remain. He already knows everything. More importantly, I think we should move to the office.”

He was able to settle the matter, and so they decided to move to the office.

Once they all sat down in the office, Edwy represented them and explained what had happened. Of course, he left out the parts where Maki and Chiharu snuck out at night, and the part where they were drinking in secret.

“There are dungeons inland? Outrageous. But it’s the farthest away from the Shadow Land… And weren’t you just going to get information about the chief…? But you helped him and returned…”

Kilian couldn’t help but groan as he listened. Well, that had been the plan, Maki and Chiharu thought with a far away look.

“I suppose the one thing we should be concerned about, is that Chiharu’s wig flew off and they might have recognized her as a Saintess. But we could just say that we didn’t know. After all, the merfolk and the birdfolk left such a strong impression, that even Aaron and I would have easily been forgotten.”

Edwy ended his report. What? Wasn’t it Edwy who captivated all those young women from the town by the mirror lake? Maki recalled how both of them had gained so much attention as the handsome brothers. However, she kept such thoughts to herself.

“The birdfolk, eh…”

Kilian said with a far away look. In fact, birdfolk had been visiting the castle in great numbers since a few days ago. The children were happy to play with them and be carried into the sky. It caused quite an uproar.

Kilian muttered about this for a moment, and then Aaron looked at Chiharu with realization. Chiharu tried to avoid his glance.

“Chiharu. You knew this would happen, didn’t you…”

“N-no, I didn’t…”

Chiharu insisted.

“By the way, king…”

She talked to Kilian in order to try and change the subject.

“Call me Kilian. I heard that you call Arthur by his name.”

“Uh, Kilian.”

Chiharu said.

“We were also carried by the birdfolk when going and leaving. Of course, so was Aaron. You said that the birdfolk were carrying children?”

“Aye, yes.”

“The birdfolk will carry adults as well. After all, they carried Aaron and Edwy.”

“Adults…”

“With a little practice. I think they will be delighted if you asked them.”

To Maki, Chiharu sounded like the devil whispering into his ear.

“I see. I will ask  them then.”

“Father.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Kilian had almost played into Chiharu’s hands, but a word from Aaron brought him back.

“We will have to pay attention to any movement inland as well then. I have to contact Arthur. But more importantly, Aaron, Edwy, and the Saintesses.”

The four nodded.

“We will head to the elf lands immediately.”

Edwy declared for the others.

“That’s why I am here.”

Said Aeris. While he had lost his composure earlier, his words still had weight, since he was the White Philosopher. Kilian looked relieved as he turned to Aeris.

“You may stay here for a few days first.”

“No, I have plans. Killian, unfortunately we must leave by airship at once.”

He said. And then he turned to Edwy.

“Leave your belongings. We leave now. As for Aaron.”

“I am fine. But the Saintesses…”

Aaron nodded and looked at Maki and Chiharu. But Aeris was the one who answered.

“It’s fine. Sera brought extra belongings just in case. She said that elves were not very perceptive when it came to such things.”

Miss Sera…she had been grumbling about elves.

“Well, we shall leave now.”

Aeris said. Maki and Chiharu turned to look at Kilian.

“Thank you. You and the people of Lowland have been very good to us.”

They said with a bow. It wasn’t just Aaron. The people who had taken the carriage on ahead or the other drivers. They had been helped by quite a lot of people.

“Good. It was no trouble.”

And then Kilian smiled in a unkingly way.

“Now, I better go and speak to the birdfolk.”

There would likely be many more of the birdfolk in Lowland soon. It was with this premonition that he left the office.

“Well, Maki. Chiharu. Let’s go.”

“We’re here too.”

Aaron said.

“But to be honest, I’m quite tired.”

Maki admitted.

“I am sure that you are. And so I think we will stop somewhere on the way.”

Aeris whispered.

“Stop somewhere?”

“Stop somewhere?”

“Didn’t I say that I had plans?”

Aeris said as he looked around and made sure that no one was watching. Then he turned to Maki and Chiharu.

“We have an airship. It won’t matter if we are late by one day.”

Maki and Chiharu nodded eagerly. Edwy and Aaron looked exasperated.

“There is a beautiful island on the way to the elf lands. We will stay there tonight.”

Maki and Chiharu’s eyes shone as they looked at Aeris. Their wandering travels were finally going to begin!