Somehow, Nia ended up joining the party, leaving just one more person.

“And Rozen…”

“I’m not as amazing as Nia… I don’t think I can join the party.”

Everyone quietly nodded, understanding her point.

“Then, is there somewhere you'd like to go? Perhaps the neighboring city…”

The Hero’s offer seemed understandable. Considering that Nia had faced so much discrimination, Rozen likely shared in that as well. The Hero probably thought that Rozen would prefer to leave this city behind.

But Rozen was different.

“…No, I’ll stay here.”

“Really?”

“It’s where I was born and raised, after all.”

If that’s what she wanted, no one could argue with her decision. I, too, decided to put away the suggestion I had been mulling over.

At that moment, Serlyn spoke up.

“Hm, I have a suggestion.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think about studying under Count Kalken?”

“C-Count…? What?”

It was such an unexpected suggestion that everyone, including myself, was taken aback.

“Recently, he retired from the knight order and has been feeling quite bored… If you tell him your story, I’m sure he’d be willing to take you in.”

“S-Serlyn, are you sure about this? I mean…”

“Yes! What if I don’t show proper respect…”

“There’s no need to worry about that. Oh, and by the way, why don’t we all stay here until tomorrow? I sent him a message earlier, and he seemed eager to come right away.”

“Well… I guess staying one more day won’t hurt.”

With the Hero’s approval, we ended up staying in the city for another day. The next morning…

“Ha-ha! Serlyn! Where are the traitors who insulted His Majesty the Emperor?!”

“Please, Count, calm down…”

Count Kalken… To be honest, he looked like a barbarian from the northern regions. His appearance seemed so rugged that he would blend in naturally if he were placed among the nomadic tribes beyond the northern mountains.

A massive beard, an enormous frame, and… a crescent moon blade.

Even the captured criminals fainted at the sight of him.

“Serlyn, my apologies…”

“Ah, Sir Hylia, you came too.”

“I couldn’t let my father come alone.”

Hylia Kalken. It seemed she was the Count’s daughter. Judging by her title and the way she was dressed, she was likely a knight, much like Serlyn.

“Okay, so the documents will be transported through the knight order, and—ah, hold on a moment.”

“Are you the one who dared to insult His Majesty?!”

“Eek!”

“Father, could you perhaps wait until the handover is complete? The more you act like this, the more trouble you’re causing Serlyn and the Hero's party.”

“…You’re right, of course.”

Hylia had a way of deftly controlling her father. Having spent decades by his side, she likely understood him better than anyone, except perhaps the Countess.

“Well, that should wrap things up.”

“Count Kalken, may I ask one more favor?”

“What is it?”

“Would you consider taking this child as your apprentice?”

“Hmm?”

“Hello…?”

As Count Kalken turned his intimidating gaze toward Rozen, it looked as though he was threatening a fragile girl. Even the Hero flinched at the sight. But the reality was different.

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Rozen…”

“Ah, you’re the one noted as the only virtuous soul in the reports. Very well. I’ll take her in.”

“…That worked?”

The Hero muttered incredulously, to which Serlyn whispered with a smirk.

“Count Kalken has a history of taking in orphans and commoners as his apprentices. I figured he’d be willing to accept Rozen, too.”

So Rozen was to become a knight. Personally, I hoped she wouldn’t end up looking like Count Kalken.

“Any other requests?”

“No, that’s all. Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. We’ll meet again in the capital, won’t we?”

“Of course. I’ll show you how much I’ve improved my swordsmanship by then.”

“Ha-ha! I look forward to it!”

With that, Count Kalken gathered up the criminals and left the city, like a storm passing through.

“Rozen…”

“Nia, you’ll do fine without me, won’t you? I know Louis is here, so I’m not too worried…”

“Yes… Of course…”

“Make sure to listen to the others, especially the Hero.”

“Mm…”

It was almost like a mother leaving her child with final words of advice. In the original story, Rozen always looked after Nia, and seeing them now, I could imagine how that must have been.

“And remember to be respectful to Louis. He’s the one who got you into the party.”

“Of course!”

“And even though I know you like the Hero… don’t forget to help Louis first.”

“Of course! He’s my benefactor!”

I overheard parts of their conversation, but I couldn’t make out everything due to Count Kalken’s distant laughter. Regardless, Rozen packed up her belongings and left the city with Count Kalken.

It was funny how she had said she’d stay in the city but ended up leaving. But it was only temporary. When her training was complete, Rozen would return, stronger than before.

Stronger than anyone would dare mess with.

“Shall we go, then?”

“Let’s head out!”

“I look forward to it!”

“Ahaha, Lady Nia Bella, no need to be so nervous.”

Hearing the four heroines chatting and laughing together warmed my heart. Watching the scene from behind, I couldn’t help but feel an indescribable emotion as I witnessed the story unfolding before my eyes.

“…Louis, let’s go.”

“Oh, Hero. Why didn’t you leave first…?”

“…Because I made a promise yesterday.”

“Oh.”

The promise to look out for me first.

“Let’s get going.”

I quickly turned my head and climbed onto Nightlux. I could feel the Hero watching me from behind, but I didn’t look back.

For some reason… meeting his gaze right now would’ve felt awkward.

With Nia Bella now mounted on a fiery red steed, we set off toward the next city.

The phrase “a beautiful space” didn’t do justice to the palace.

Beauty alone couldn’t describe its overwhelming grandeur and vastness.

A massive palace, built to serve a single person.

The golden throne, gleaming brilliantly, was placed on a high platform so that none of the vassals could dare to gaze upon it.

It felt more like a temple built for a god than a palace for an emperor.

Only two people existed in this grand space.

“…So, Count Kalken made contact with the Hero’s party.”

One sat on the throne, muttering about the recent developments with the Hero’s party.

“A witch has joined their ranks. The Witch of Embers… the daughter of the Witch of Threads.”

The Emperor.

There was no information within the empire that the Emperor didn’t possess.

He had long been aware that the city had rejected the Witch of Embers. The criminals of the empire believed they could operate freely outside the Emperor’s gaze.

But they were mistaken.

The Emperor simply found it amusing or too bothersome to deal with them.

“The Hero’s party will continue to spread positive rumors, and their ties with the royal family will grow stronger.”

With Serlyn and the Hero mentioning the Emperor, it was clear that the Hero’s party was loyal to the throne.

“The northern regions… about a month away. That means she will meet her master soon.”

The "she" in question was a magician who had recently joined the party.

“I hadn’t expected this. For the [White Smith] to accept the proposal I sent to the [Great Mage]... Though it wasn’t a wholehearted acceptance.”

The genius mage who had suddenly appeared one day, [White Smith].

Even the [Great Mage], the protector of the royal family, admitted that White Smith's creativity and magical prowess in crafting magical tools far surpassed their own.

“I guess they weren’t the lone artist type after all… Or maybe my assumptions were wrong from the start, considering they agreed to take on the role of someone’s stand-in.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“Don’t you think so, [Great Mage]?”

“…Sigh.”

The other person in the room finally let out a sigh. For an ordinary vassal, responding to the Emperor with a sigh would have meant instant execution.

But she was the [Great Mage].

She had been the royal family's protector since her teenage years, appointed by the previous Emperor. Even the masters of countless magic towers couldn’t compare to her.

“Louis is so unfair! How could she leave without saying a word…?!”

The Great Mage’s voice was unexpectedly young, likely belonging to someone in their mid-twenties.

The Emperor had grown accustomed to her complaints over the years.

“You’re upset about losing your sister, I see.”

“Of course! Imagine waking up to find your beloved Louis gone!”

“I’m afraid I don’t share those feelings. But wasn’t she just your errand runner?”

“How could you say that? That’s still a form of love.”

“You could have stopped her. You knew she would join the Hero’s party.”

“How could I? It was Louis’ decision…”

The Great Mage donned her gloves, each intricately adorned with magical symbols, as she spoke.

“After all… it was time for Louis to leave the nest and soar.”

“You were the one keeping her tied to the nest.”

“…...”

The Great Mage ignored the Emperor’s remark and muttered to herself as she turned her back on him.

“Still, leaving without even a single message… Next time, I’ll have to play a little prank with magic!”

“…Please do that outside the capital. I don’t want the place nurtured by the previous Emperor to be destroyed.”

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

The Great Mage laughed lightly before turning to face the Emperor again.

“But in all seriousness… if things go wrong, I’ll personally bring Louis back by force.”

“How…? Actually, I don’t need to ask that. I should ask why.”

“The connection between the Demon King and the Hero’s party.”

“You’re talking about the prophecy.”

“That’s right. Louis’ strength is already beyond the level where anyone in the Hero’s party could defeat her. It’s just a matter of how she chooses to use it.”

“That certainly complicates things. If that weren’t a concern, you’d probably have joined the party yourself.”

“I wouldn’t be the only one. The Sword Saint of Zertolt Mountain, the Pope of the main church, the Elven Grand Elder… they’d all be lining up.”

“Which makes the Demon King feel more at ease with the prophecy.”

“Louis’ teacher is concerned about it, too. They’ll probably discuss it once they reach the northern regions.”

The Emperor stood from his throne, adjusting his robes as he spoke.

“I’ll leave that to you. As long as you carry out what I’ve asked.”

“The Imperial Protection Barrier? I can end that at any time.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

With that, the conversation between the two ended. Moments later, each disappeared in their own way, leaving only silence in the vast palace.