The sun was shining brilliantly in the morning sky, and the civilians of the Watanabe Kingdoms were all in high spirits. Sun rays were shining through the open window, illuminating the room with a bright glow. I slowly got up from my bed and took out a change of clothes. The clothes I'm going to wear are the Spirit Gear that was brought by Alya last night.
Wind gathers and takes the form of Alya, who was yawning cutely while rubbing her eyes. Seeing that I smiled faintly before greeting her.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?"
"Nn, I'm still a bit tired though."
She said while rubbing the corner of her eyes.
"Oh, I didn't know spirits need the same amount of sleep as humans do."
I said, widening my eyes. Alya shook her head faintly before speaking.
"Spirits don't usually need sleep; the only reason I'm tired is that I used up a lot of power on your spirit gear."
She said, showing a faint smile.
"I see... I'm really sorry you had to do that."
I said, bowing my head while apologising.
"Nn, no, I can't have my partner go out without protective gear, you know. And besides, you can rely on me as much as you want."
She said while suddenly embracing me from the front. I could feel her warmth through her clothes. Why is it that just feeling it made my heart feel so much at ease? In the end will be spending every day together, so I'll at least learn everything I can to become a good partner. I clench my fist, determined.
"Will be traversing through the Watanabe Kingdom's border, you'll have plenty of time to rest."
I said while taking a light step back, Alya nodded her head before showing a serious expression.
"Incidentally, Haruto, what are you going to do about that Princess?"
Alya asks while tilting her head curiously. I made a troubled face while pondering.
"I'll say my farewell to her before I go; it'll be wrong for me to leave without saying anything, right?"
I said while showing a wry smile, I never got the opportunity to talk to her last night, did I. I brought my hand to my chin, pondering about the best way to say my farewell.
"Well, I'll leave that to you then."
She said as her body faded and turned into wind. I sighed quietly before leaving. Passing many maids and knights on the way, I thanked them for their help while I was living here. Until I made it to the living room and spotted the figure of Hinata, who was having tea.
"Oh, if it isn't Haruto, today is the day you'll be leaving, right?"
She asks while showing a friendly smile. I nodded my head, confirming her question. Racheal continued to drink her tea without saying anything.
"I'm really sorry, I'm sure you must think I'm being ungrateful, right?"
I said with a troubled face.
"No, not at all. It was thanks to you that my little sister is safe and sound. If anything, I'm really grateful."
"No, no. Please raise your head, it'd be wrong if anyone saw your highness lowering her head towards a nobody like me, right? I just did what anyone would do in that situation."
I said, flustered by her actions. It was a good thing there weren't any nobles nearby; things would have probably gotten really bad if anyone had seen us.
"You're too kind, I'm sure you must be looking for Scarlett, right?"
She asked, tilting her head cutely. Right, she's the one I came searching for.
"Yes, do you perhaps know where she might be?"
I asked eagerly.
"Hmm... the last time I saw her, she was taking some fresh air by walking through the castle garden. I'm sure you'll find her there."
She said after bringing her hands to her chin.
"Thank you, I'll see you later, Princess Hinata, and you too, Princess Racheal."
I said, bowing my head before leaving. I headed towards the garden while feeling the heat of the sun radiating through the garden. The flowers were all lined up perfectly, water sprayed on the flowers through the silver fountain, which held the statue of a girl who was holding something in her arms. It was hard to make out what she was holding; it looked like some kind of orb. On the back part of the garden, there were two trees blocking the rays of the sun; the figure of Scarlett could be seen sitting there with a dazed expression on her face. Though there was a gloomy atmosphere surrounding her.
"Hey, aren't you a bit lonely sitting here alone?"
I asked, tilting my head.
"Not really, I like the quiet atmosphere sometimes."
She said, a bit troubled. I seated myself beside her, and the air was cool as the wind caressed my cheeks. I couldn't help but stare at Scarlett's extremely beautiful appearance; her long red hair was tied into a twin tail and extended towards her back with a silver pin holding both sides of her hair. There was a faint trace of pink visible on her white cheek.
"I'm sorry I decided to leave without telling you."
I said calmly. Scarlett shook her head faintly before speaking.
"No, it's fine, I always knew you were going to leave eventually. I was just a bit sad I wasn't able to give you anything."
She muttered quietly.
"Oh, so that's why you were so down. I've already said once before, but I was just passing by when you were attacked, so there is no need to worry so much about it."
I said, showing a faint smile. Seeing that, Scarlett sighed.
"You really have no ambition, do you?"
She said while sighing tiredly.
"No, that's not true because."
(I'm a really greedy person; my only ambition right now is power, it's the very reason why I decided to leave this kingdom to pursue my goal. I'll grasp it all)
"Because?"
She asked, tilting her head cutely.
"No, forget it."
I said, showing a wry smile.
"There is something I'd like to ask of you, if you're okay with it."
"Of course, what is it?"
She asked, inclining her head curiously.
"It's about Sir Ayumu. I wanted you to inform him I'd be gone for some time. But we should meet again whenever I get back."
I said fluently.
"Got it, please allow me to deliver your message."
She said, showing a faint smile on her face.
"Thank you."
***
2 hours had passed since our talk, and we are now standing at the castle gate. The ones who had come to see me off were all the members of the Royal family. I was now dressed in the spirit gear I was given from Alya the other night, with my spirit sword sheathed at my waist.
"The Kingdom's gate is quite a long walk from here. Are you sure you don't want to take one of our carriages?"
"No, I'd like to walk on my own, it'd be great to view the city while wandering around a bit. I also have someone I need to thank for their help, too."
I said with a wry smile on my face.
"Oh, I see, well then, safe travels."
King Almous said before turning his head towards his wife standing beside him.
"We'd like you to have this. I'm sure it will help you along the way."
She said while grinning faintly. She offered me a bag filled with silver and golden coins.
(Eh? Isn't this a bit much)
I wondered internally.
"Sir Haruto, on behalf of the royal family, I'd like to thank you once more for all you've done to help us in our time of need."
She said with a graceful bow while holding the hem of her dress. I nodded faintly to her while returning the bow.
***
I visited the person who had helped me when I first came to this world. I looked at the restaurant I haven't seen in quite a while, though it hasn't really been that long. Once I went inside the restaurant, I saw a woman who seemed to be in her late twenties. She had a voluptuous figure, bright blond hair and blue eyes.
"Good morning."
I said with a faint smile.
"Oh, umm... your Sir Sato, right?"
The woman asked while placing her finger on her cheek.
"Yes, I'm glad you still remember me, Lady Slype."
I said, smiling faintly.
"Fufufu... well, it hasn't been that long since you wandered here. Did you find your way back home?"
She asks while turning a fixed stare at me. Seeing her gaze, I looked troubled.
"I guess you could say that, but I'm actually going to leave this Kingdom right now. And thought I'd say my farewell to you first."
I said calmly.
"I see, well then, safe travels, may the goddess of fire bless you with their divine protection."
She said while showing a faint smile. I returned her words while lowering my head. The next person I have to meet now is...
***
I went towards the shop of Lady Hana. When I opened the door, she immediately greeted me with a bow. It seems she noticed me while I was coming, as expected from someone who was once the top mage of a kingdom.
"Good morning, Lady Hana."
I said with a friendly smile.
"Good morning, Sir Sato. You seem to be doing well."
She said, smiling faintly. I then told her my plans for moving forward.
"I see, so you're leaving this Kingdom. Good luck on your journey."
She said while saying her own farewell. Nodded my head in return, but then showed a worried face.
"U-Umm... is there no change with Lady Subrina?"
I asked a bit worriedly; it's already been weeks since we last came here. If there haven't been any changes yet, then things are more serious than I thought.
"Don't worry, she has started eating on her own now. Usually, I'd be the one feeding her. But she seems to be regaining her senses. Though she won't speak."
She explained, troubled.
"I see, I hope things get better soon."
I said, showing a wry smile.
"Thank you for your kind words. You should take this with you."
She handed me another ring, though the colour was black with a purple gemstone planted inside it.
"I'll pay."
I said, talking out of the bag with the money I was given.
"No, think of it as a farewell gift, I'm sure it'll come in handy."
"Thank you."
I said while lowering my head.
***
With all my farewells now taken care of, I promptly went towards the Watanabe Kingdom main gate.