Once the conversation settled down, Freinir, who had been quietly sipping her tea, turned to me.
“What will you do after the Dragon’s Cradle, Sir Soushi? You’re still pursuing the Candlestick of the Netherworld, correct?”
“That depends on when we get information about the merchant who brought the Summoning Stone to Marquis Falcrum’s domain. His Imperial Majesty said yesterday that they’re tracking his movements, and they have a pretty good idea of where he went, so I think we’ll be informed through the guild soon.”
“I see. I’m very concerned that they might start moving again. Where do you think we’ll end up going?”
“The merchant apparently had a southern accent, so it’s almost certain he came from the Vermilian Kingdom. So, I guess we’ll be heading back there again.”
“So, we’re going back to the kingdom. If it weren’t for the Candlestick of the Netherworld, I would have liked to explore the Empire a bit more…”
“We’ll probably come back here again. I still want to see more of the Empire too.”
Since it’s called an ‘Empire,’ this country really does have a vast territory. Naturally, that territory includes conquered nations, so I’d like to visit those countries at least once.
“Well, it’s going to get cold here soon, so going south is probably a good idea. I’m not a big fan of the cold.”
Karma, the beautiful tiger beastkin, shivered as she said that. It’s not just because she’s a feline beastkin, but it’s just as I imagined that she wouldn’t like the cold.
“Well, since we’re going back to the kingdom, Soushi-san, like I said before, could you stop by the Beastkin Village? Larni and I were both in positions of some authority, so I’d like to show my face there.”
“Yeah, of course. I wanted to go there too, and when I was in the kingdom, there were so many incidents that I ended up coming straight to the Empire.”
“I don’t really want to go back, though~”
“Well, that’s your own fault, Larni. You’d better bow your head deeply to the chieftain.”
“Does bowing your head mean you did something when you left?”
The Oni Race priestess, Shizuna, seemed interested, probably hoping that she might have something in common with her.
“Well, they told me to form a party with other beastkin and work locally, which was boring, so I had a fight and left. I mean, I just had my Awakening, and they wanted me to be a village hunter, can you believe it?”
“As someone who left home in a similar way, I understand those feelings well. However, in my case, if Lord Soushi hadn’t picked me up, I would have been in a terrible situation, so I can’t exactly agree with you.”
“I guess I’m in a similar situation. I was a mess until I met Soushi and Frei.”
Larni stuck out her tongue, and the beautiful High Elf girl, Sfenia, nodded in agreement.
“I feel the same way. But that’s why I think you should tell your parents about your current situation. I was able to work with the Soul’s Guidance with peace of mind because I was able to tell my father and mother. Shizuna and Sakurahime, you feel the same, right?”
“Indeed, that is so.”
“As Lady Sfenia says. If you don’t do what’s right, you won’t be a great adventurer, no matter how successful you become.”
“Okay, okay, I get it. Soushi, you have to stop by the village. I’m going to brag to the chieftain about the Soul’s Guidance.”
“Okay, I understand, we’ll definitely stop by. And also, Maria’s house.”
When I said that, everyone except Geshura looked at Maria.
Even Maria, who was usually composed, looked a little embarrassed and quietly replied, “Yes, please.”
“Haa~, as expected of Maria, you managed to get that arranged without us knowing. Well, good for you.”
“As Sfenia said, doing what’s right is necessary.”
Karma and Shizuna nodded in agreement, while Freinir looked at them with a puzzled expression. She probably didn’t quite understand the underlying meaning of the conversation.
“Freinir, is there anywhere you’d like to go in the south?”
“I’ll go anywhere Sir Soushi goes. Oh, but I’d like to visit the Country of Mecalinan. I’ve only heard stories about it.”
“Mecalinan should be settling down under the new king, and I think I’ll probably be called there soon. When that happens, let’s all go together.”
“Sir Soushi is an unparalleled hero in four countries, after all. I’m looking forward to it.”
Freinir smiled brightly.
Now that she mentioned it, I’ve become someone who is seen as a hero in four countries: the Empire, the Kingdom, Oz Country, and the Country of Mecalinan. And on top of that, there’s the Kin of Twilight… I’ll try not to think about that for now.
After confirming our future destinations, Maria, who had been lost in thought, spoke up.
“By the way, if we go from the Empire to the Kingdom, then stop by the Beastkin Village, and then go to Mecalinan, the route will take us through the Armand Duchy. We could detour if necessary, though.”
“The Armand Duchy, huh…”
As I said that, I glanced at Freinir’s profile.
The Armand Duchy is, needless to say, the land ruled by Freinir’s family, the House of Duke Armand.
Freinir had effectively been exiled from her family when she became an adventurer, and she had never once mentioned wanting to go to the duchy. In fact, she had hardly ever mentioned her family at all, and I, along with the other members, and even Larni, had deliberately avoided the topic.
Furthermore, now that Freinir was being called the next Saint of the Arshuram Church, it was unlikely that the House of Duke Armand, who had exiled her, would simply leave her alone. Of course, the Soul’s Guidance already had the backing of multiple kings, so even a duke wouldn’t be able to easily lay a hand on them.
“It’s not worth the trouble, so if we’re going to Mecalinan, we should detour.”
“Understood. Then, after the Beastkin Village, we’ll head towards Count Lautrec’s Domain and then to Viscount Barius’s domain.”
“Oh, that’s a nostalgic name. It reminds me of the old days~”
“The old days? It hasn’t even been a year yet.”
While the two beastkin were talking, Freinir turned to me with a determined look in her eyes.
“Sir Soushi, if it’s alright with you, could we stop by the Armand Duchy?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I don’t think I can keep running away from this forever. In order for me to continue to be with you, Sir Soushi, I want to put a proper end to it.”
“I understand. Then, let’s go to the duchy. No matter what happens, Frei is our comrade, so have confidence in yourself.”
“Thank you. I will definitely say goodbye to my old self.”
When Freinir said that, clenching her fists, the other members, who had somehow understood the situation, began to look at Freinir with warm eyes.
As expected, the fearless Larni said, “I don’t really understand, but Frei, you need to explain everything properly!” and pressed Freinir.