86 – Midland-1

I closed my eyes and leaned back in the coach seat, waiting for the time to pass.

“Nerwen, did you pack the fruit? Where is it?”

“I didn’t bring much. Originally, the spillage of elves’ food is limited. Unless it’s a simple biscuit-like preserved food, I can’t take it out of the World Tree.”

Despite Celia’s earnest request, Nerwen cut her off and pushed her away.

“Then how did you get it?”

“It was with the permission of the Elven Elders’ Council. They acknowledged that we needed it, so we were able to bring it to this extent.”

“Ah, why don’t you just give me one? I’m starting to get hungry…”

Not too long ago, the atmosphere in the carriage was like an ice field, but after that incident, it seemed that my heart felt a little more relaxed.

“Isn’t your voice too loud? I don’t think you need to wake Enerel.”

As Eleanor quietly scolded her, Celia hushed her voice.

No matter how relaxed it was, it wasn’t in a good mood to joke with me while I was awake.

“This item was brought just for the sake of the master. The elven elders gave permission because the relationship with him was acknowledged as a public matter.”

“Well, then there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“Yes. It’s something I can’t even drink a drop of fruit juice in my mouth, so accept it.”

I was able to put my mind at ease to some extent.

At least I could tell that they were serious about my return.

I didn’t really think that he was helping me purely, but he took my side even in the forced situation of fighting the elves in the middle of the world.

Whatever schemes may be lurking, it will take some pretty big events to reveal their true colors.

That was enough.

“If we go at this rate, we might be able to collect them unexpectedly quickly…”

Celia seemed a little downcast, and said in a hushed voice.

“It won’t be that easy.”

Aside from the size of the incident, considering the amount of time it took, the process of obtaining the remains of the phoenix could only be called heavenly luck.

Because there was no such thing as wandering around the land without a promise or digging up the vast land. If time passed like that, I didn’t even want to think about how many years I would have wasted.

“Come to think of it, Nerwen got permission somehow. I’m a little envious…”

“I don’t know if you can call this a permission. After all, I had to point my kinsman in for him.”

“I see… well, that’s great.”

“Nothing special. I had no choice, and I had no choice but to fight to apologize to him.”

I couldn’t see it with my eyes, but I could feel Celia fidgeting and repositioning herself.

“Wasn’t it hard?”

“I didn’t have time to think about it.”

Nerwen’s fate was also quite strange. In the end, there was no way to solve her emotional problems, and she had no choice but to love me, whom she hated more than anyone else.

“Are you thinking about something?”

“Everyone else has been organized to follow the hero, but I haven’t… yet.”

“Is it so?”

Come to think of it, I didn’t pay any attention to them. I didn’t know anything. Why did you follow me, what did you say and why did you come here?

“You weren’t the princess, Eleanor? Did you get your father’s consent?”

“I was a bit forced… but yes, His Majesty the Emperor gave me permission to accompany my knights.”

“Is that a title?”

It was an absurd reason.

It’s not that there aren’t any aspiring knights who go on a journey of knight training, but most of them were just a bit of a drastic job search activity, the second son of a Korean-American family leaving because he didn’t want to stay at home.

Going on a journey without an escort was extremely dangerous for knights with mediocre swordsmanship skills, and knights with real promise did not dare to do such a thing.

There was no need for Eleanor to leave her knightly training, as she was only a little young, already an official knight, and had her own knights order.

“I’m sorry for burdening His Majesty, but… this is what’s urgent right now.”

“It’s okay, right? How does the succession work?”

“I’m giving up halfway. In fact, just hiding the fact that Enerel was a warrior greatly reduced the chances of me taking over the position.”

There was no way to know what the capital would be like. However, even after hearing the rough rumors, it was possible to know that the gaze toward her was not the same as before.

I didn’t think that she would give up the throne calmly. At least, I thought I would tremble with anger more, or not admit it.

Regardless of Eleanor’s thoughts, the Emperor seems to want to make her emperor.

“I see. I’m actually… that, the Pope is very angry.”

Since Parsiah himself was the owner of the Mage Tower, he was not in a position where anyone could interfere.

However, the saintess was clearly a member of the Goddess Church.

“The time will come when you will have to choose.”

“I hope you don’t. I can’t help it, but if other people hate you because of me…”

/////

“How reliable do you think this map is?”

Thanks to the map provided by the adventurer-turned-lady, I was able to vaguely guess where to start the search.

After accepting the map, Eleanor carefully examined the terrain and letters, then nodded slowly.

“It’s not without credibility. Certainly in this area, it might not attract attention from others.”

I don’t think the maid would have lied to me. It wasn’t information promised in exchange for something, and it was a map that didn’t matter if you didn’t give it to me.

But if your expectations are too high, you may be disappointed. I cooled my heart.

“Is it a monster problem?”

“That’s not true. Of course, there are many dangerous monsters, but with this much power, there’s no reason to be swayed by monsters.”

I knew that the monsters that existed in hidden places or at the end of the world were strong enough to escape human common sense, but the place we had to go to wasn’t that remote.

If it was the power of the hero’s party, there was no way to lose to halfway monsters or divine beasts.

“This is a disputed area. To be precise, the entrance to this place is a disputed area.”

“Isn’t it in the empire?”

“Because not all conflicts between nobles can be prevented. Some families with a long history of resentment and hatred… often get out of control.”

“I can only enter this entrance, and the entrance is a conflict area. Shouldn’t I sneak in? I don’t think the surveillance will be thorough.”

We were the ones who managed to escape well even against the demon king’s army. There was no way he could be caught by an ordinary human soldier.

“If the goal is clear, that method might be better. However, if more time is wasted than expected…”

It’s only a matter of a day or two to go unnoticed by the soldiers, after all, after months or years of investigation, you have no choice but to meet people for reasons such as resupply.

Even if it didn’t catch up, it couldn’t erase all traces. It was clear that the nearby nobles would not be happy to see an unknown traveler roaming here.

“You’re not going to use your strength?”

Still, the princess is attached to this one. It would not be difficult for her to enter and exit as long as she revealed her identity and asked for permission to pass.

“I’ll use it if necessary. But, I’d like you to reconsider.”

“why?”

“Just deciding who to get that permission from can create a lot of chaos.”

“Isn’t it clear whose land it belongs to?”

“It’s a complex land. It’s an unconventional land with a wasteland right next to a huge river and a forest right next to the blazing fire.”

Eleanor took her map out of her arms and showed it. On the map, all the lands of the Empire were drawn, the nobles’ territories were divided according to color, but the lands were not colored.

I sighed deeply and glared at Eleanor’s face.

If I ordered it forcefully, she would eventually use the princess’s authority. It seemed that there was such a resolution.

“…Let’s think about that slowly.”

“i get it.”

Seeing Eleanor quietly nodding, I felt awkward.

At the hero’s party, it was she who always gave orders. Even if Farseer made the plan, it was always Eleanor who made the final decision.

She was prepared to take responsibility for failure and was able to make the most rational decisions.

I had no say. No one listened to personal questions or complaints, and only showed interest in me, who ran like a dog in things that cost people’s lives.

Seeing her casually looking at me, I felt myself taking it for granted that I was ordering her.

“…It’s okay. I’m sure you can do it.”

I had to ponder for a moment to realize the meaning of the words. However, no matter how you think about it, it was hard to believe that the words contained any meaning other than consolation or encouragement.

“It’s not like that.”

“You look frustrated.”

I hurriedly got up from my seat. My stumbling figure must have looked clumsy to anyone.

Unexpected words came from Eleanor’s mouth as she watched me.

“Dalian, will you do it?”