Galentol, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Garai.

At the center of this city, which is also the largest city in the southern part of the continent, rises the huge royal castle of Galentre, the heart of the kingdom, surrounded by the luxurious mansions of the nobles who have their own territories all over the kingdom.

In one corner of the castle is a certain nobles' mansion.

The man who seems to be the owner of the mansion was receiving reports from his subordinates from a short while ago while slumped languidly against the back of his chair.

While his subordinates reported on the various matters, the man's eyes stared blankly into the sky, and not a single word was spoken by the man.

　It was hard to tell whether he was listening to the reports or not, but it seemed that his subordinates were used to this by now, and they continued their reports without hesitation.

"Next, I would like to report about Lord Elmond."

　The man reacted for the first time.

"Speak."

There was no change in his expression, but there was a slight light in his eyes.

“It seems that our efforts have been paying off. Lord Elmond's daughter has been moved to Miletus.”

'I see. As planned".

The man pasted a thin smile on his hollow face.

"Where are those mercenaries?"

“They are already on their way to Miletus.”

“They're probably a little cautious after just getting to Miletus. Give them a few days, and when they're less cautious, move them.”

"Yes, sir."

The smile that had been stuck on the man's face disappeared as soon as his men left the room.

Once again, the man stared blankly into the sky.

Early in the morning, Armark and Morgen got on a boat from the port of Nork, and after a half-day trip, they arrived at the town of Lerbuda on the other side of the river.

　On Almark's back was his beloved long sword.

In Mogen's hand was his practice wand, which he had brought with him secretly from the magic practice room.

Even though they were traveling within the relatively safe Kingdom of Garai, one never knows what might await .

There is no guarantee that there will be no bandit.

The two of them decided to take along a weapon that would allow them to exercise their respective abilities, just in case.

"I missed it."

　Almark looked around the port of Lerbuda.

It was the first time he had left Nork Island since entering the academy.

"Before coming to the academy, I worked for a month in this port to pay the boat rent."

"A month?"

　Morgen rolled his eyes.

"Why would it take a month just to earn a little money?"

“I was a broke, beggarly kid at the time,"

"I didn't get paid even a third of an adult's wages, and everything was deducted from my wages, including food and shelter. I could work a whole day and still have very little money in my pocket."

"My family was poor, too."

　Morgen shook his head in admiration.

“Almark, you must be going through a lot, too,"

"Not really. I was not on the verge of death ".

“No, that's a strange way to measure it.”

The two went to the waiting area of the coach and got on the carriage heading to the royal city of Galentol.

The coachman looked at the strange pair of children w with a questioning look, but said nothing more after receiving the money.

The carriage drove on, carriage after carriage, along the road to Galuentre.

At midday, the carriage would stop for a while, and the driver would let the horses rest.

Then, out of nowhere, merchants with food baskets appeared and began to sell food for lunch to the travelers.

Morgen's stomach rumbled, and they bought a loaf of bread with freshly baked meat in it, which was still steaming, to eat.

The carriage then set off again along the road.

After passing through several villages, they arrived at a comparatively large town, where the carriage stopped.

　The coachman called out to them, and they got out of the coach.

"That's it for today. Come back tomorrow morning."

"Let's find a place to stay for the night "

They went to an open space near the waiting area for the coach and settled down under a large tree in the corner.

"It's a big place for camping, isn't it?"

　Almark nodded at Morgen's words.

　They ate dried bread and dried fruits they had bought in Nork, and slept with the help of Mogen's effective insect repellent magic.

The next morning, when Almark went to the waiting area with a sleepy-eyed Mogen in tow, the horses were already hitched to the carriage and awaiting for departure.

"I almost abandoned you two sleepyheads,"

　The coachman grinned.

"Get on, and we'll be at Galentele by noon. "

The two nodded at his words and got into the carriage.