Aeron spoke in a tone of disbelief.

"...Why are you asking me that?"

"Huh? You don't know?"

"I'm the Head Instructor of Riverie, not a merchant."

He flicked a page of the document he was reading and set it down.

"If you want to find a caravan heading to the Sacred Nation, you should ask around at the caravan guilds."

"I thought you'd know."

Aeron had always taken care of these things before. Even though I knew his current job didn’t involve those kinds of tasks anymore, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

"There are always caravans heading to the Sacred Nation, but given the timing, I can't say for sure if they have any vacancies."

"The timing?"

I tilted my head.

"What about the timing?"

"What do you mean? The Descent Festival is coming up soon."

"Ah, right."

It was already that time of year—the Descent Festival. One of the most significant festivals in the Sacred Nation of Sedes, celebrating the day Edel descended to Earth. The scale was massive, and Edel's status in this world was so immense that it was essentially a global festival. Other countries and cities held their own smaller festivals in honor of the Descent, so that said a lot.

Even in Grasis, this time of year, the royals would flaunt their wealth and act all high and mighty.

"...Flaunt their wealth, huh."

"Well, they do."

"True enough."

When you see how they indulge in all sorts of luxury and revelry in Edel’s name, it’s hard not to feel that way.

"But if the Descent Festival is coming up, wouldn’t that be good?"

Festivals always drew crowds, and the Descent Festival in Sedes would attract more people than most. And where there are crowds, merchants follow, eager for business.

"Caravans heading to the festival this time of year usually travel in larger groups. Sometimes, they don’t, but that’s typically the case."

"Yeah, so?"

"With larger groups, there’s a need for more protection. Would they hire individual mercenaries for that or contract an already established mercenary company?"

"So that’s why you said there might not be any vacancies."

Plenty of spots, but none for me.

"While there are sometimes caravans that hire individual mercenaries, you’re not exactly a mercenary yourself. They’re not likely to take in someone without a verified background, especially when the festival draws so many opportunistic wolves."

"Aeron."

"...What?"

"Help me out."

"With what?"

"The background issue."

Solve it, please.

Flick!

"Ouch."

"Like that’s possible."

Aeron, who had somehow slipped next to me, flicked me on the forehead.

If it wasn’t possible, then fine. But there was no need to hit me. I glared at him, and he responded with an exaggerated hiss.

"Not like it hurt."

"It doesn’t hurt physically, but it hurts my pride."

"Good. At least you feel something."

"..."

I was left speechless as Aeron took his seat again.

"The most I can do is register you as a mercenary in Riverie."

"Not interested."

"Figured as much, which is why I didn’t suggest it. Honestly, do you really need to join a caravan? Given the time of year, it’ll be crowded and noisy, which doesn’t seem like your thing."

"Hmm… Yeah, I guess."

"If you really want to travel with a caravan, why not wait a bit longer? A month at most should do."

"A month..."

"Kana."

Journey tugged at my cape. She’d been listening in silence until now, so what changed?

As I looked at her, I quickly understood what she meant.

"That probably won’t work."

"Seems that way."

Aeron agreed with me. With eyes sparkling like that, how could I say no? Journey seemed highly interested in the Descent Festival after hearing about it.

"A festival…! Doesn’t that sound fun?"

"I guess."

Personally, I didn’t enjoy crowds, so I couldn’t really relate. Crowds almost always meant trouble. After experiencing that enough times, I grew disenchanted with such gatherings.

"What are you going to do?"

"Guess we’ll need a carriage."

"Ugh, a carriage…."

Journey grimaced, likely remembering our rough ride to Riverie. Even seasoned travelers complain about the constant jolting on uneven roads, so it must have been even harder for someone like Journey, who rarely rode.

But if we’re not using a carriage, there aren’t many options left. Running or riding a horse—those are it.

"Think you could run there?"

"…How far?"

Isn't it obvious?

"To the Sacred Nation of Sedes."

"Run to the other side of the continent?! Impossible!"

"Hm."

I tilted my head slightly.

"Once you try it, you might find it easier than you think."

"Absolutely not!"

Fine, running is off the table, then. Which leaves us with horses. I wonder if Journey can ride.

She hesitated before responding to my question.

"I’ve ridden a few times. I’m not great, but I can manage... I think?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"That’s exactly how I felt when you asked me earlier."

"..."

Journey burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. I heard everything, though, and the smirk on her face wasn’t helping.

Just wait. I’ll get you back for this someday.

 

Our brief respite in Riverie came to an end.

After the excitement of the first day, Journey kept pestering me to go sightseeing with her on the second and third days.

"Kana, let’s go out! You’ll get moldy just sitting in here."

"I’ll buy you some chocolate even better than the one we had yesterday, okay?"

She stood outside my door, trying to convince me with all sorts of promises.

"Kanaa~"

Creak.

"Stop making so much noise."

"Oh, Kana! Finally out?"

"If you really want to go out, grab your sword and follow me."

"…Why the sword?"

"If you can beat me, I’ll go with you."

"..."

"I don’t listen to people weaker than me."

"Goodnight, Kana."

And just like that, she quickly turned and went back to her room to sleep.

On the fourth day, after a good rest, we found ourselves in front of the gate leading out of Riverie.

I glanced up at the city wall and then turned back. Aeron, who insisted on seeing us off, was watching me.

"I owe you a lot."

"What? Don’t worry about it."

Aeron turned his head away, and after a moment, he spoke with a voice that sounded almost shy.

"If things get tough, you can always come back. You’ll always be welcome here."

"Yeah. I’ll keep that in mind."

Aeron’s someone I can trust, unlike Eric.

I pulled my hood down tight and nudged Journey, who was grinning at me.

"What? Embarrassed?"

Whatever.

"Let’s get going."

"If you’re feeling sentimental, we could stay a bit longer~?"

"Not sentimental."

"I’ll miss you. You won’t miss me?"

"..."

Even Aeron had joined in teasing me now. I ignored them both and pulled on the reins.

I knew they were teasing, but that didn’t mean I had to give in.

"…"

Still, I could say something.

"...I’ll miss you too. A little."

Only a little, though. After that, I didn’t hesitate and headed toward the exit of Riverie.

"Kana!"

"...!"

"Take care!"

Aeron waved, shouting loudly.

"Yeah, I will."

I waved back and then walked out of Riverie without looking back.

Saying goodbye to a friend is always a bit sad, but knowing you’ll meet again makes it easier.

Aeron’s not the kind to go down easily, and he doesn’t have any health issues. We’ll meet again, for sure.

"Alright! Let’s give it our all again!"

Journey’s cheerful voice lifted the mood a bit. It’s nice to have an upbeat companion for moments like these.

Once we were a good distance from Riverie, we finally mounted the horses.

As Journey put one foot in the stirrup and clambered onto her horse, she grinned at me.

"Kana, think you can get on? Should I help?"

"..."

Ignoring her, I easily leaped into the saddle.

Snort.

My horse snorted lightly as I settled in.

"Hmph."

I gave Journey a mocking grin. I’ve been to higher places; this is nothing.

Journey, still staring at me in surprise, gritted her teeth and struggled to mount her horse. The horse seemed uncomfortable with her fumbling, letting out a weary huff.

"...I did it!"

Journey finally managed to get on her horse, cheering in victory.

You’d think she’d climbed the tallest mountain in Dwarf territory or something.

Just from this, I can tell her riding skills won’t be much better. She’s in for a rough ride.

Let’s see how long she lasts—an hour, maybe two?

Imagining her future complaints, I cheerfully spurred my horse forward.