"Achoo!"
At the same time, far away in E-Rantel, Naohara suddenly sneezed.
"Naohara-san, have you caught a cold?"
"I have some medicinal herbs from the Council State. They're very effective."
Lakyus spoke with concern, already pulling out a handful of herbs from her pack.
"It's fine, really."
Naohara rubbed his nose and let out a casual laugh.
A cold?
How could a Dragonoid catch a cold? Most likely some skeleton was thinking about him again.
"By the way, Guildmaster Ainzach, is the carriage ready?"
Naohara turned to the smiling old man beside him and asked softly.
Ainzach nodded.
"Of course it's ready."
As soon as he said that, a carriage was brought over. Considering the number of passengers, it had been specially modified and was noticeably larger than usual.
"Hey, kid. Make sure you seize this opportunity."
Ainzach reached out and patted Naohara on the shoulder, giving him an encouraging look.
His smile appeared warm and kindly.
Naohara simply smiled back without replying.
That old fox was sly as they came.
At the city gate, Naohara was saying his goodbyes.
"Ajie, thanks for taking care of us during this time."
Looking at the innkeeper in front of him, Naohara felt a wave of nostalgia. It reminded him of the days when he had just become an adventurer.
Back then, Momonga had even suggested they stay in a stable. Thinking about it now still made him chuckle.
"You're welcome back anytime. If you're tired, just come straight here and sleep. My inn's big enough to keep you all fed."
Ajie removed his glasses and wiped at the corner of his eyes, smiling as he spoke.
His friend was setting off on a new adventure. He should be happy.
Naohara smiled as well, then turned his gaze to the side, where a shiny bald head came into view.
"Yago, try not to drink so much. I don't want to come back one day and find out you're gone."
Naohara tapped the bald head lightly, teasing him.
"Don't hit my head, Naohara. Don't underestimate me. I'm Guildmaster Ainzach's disciple now."
Yago slapped his hand away and puffed out his chest proudly.
After being roasted by Ainzach and forcibly shaved bald, Yago had somehow turned disaster into fortune and ended up becoming Ainzach's disciple.
He had resigned from his job as a soldier and was now following Ainzach's instructions, training his body with full dedication.
Naohara looked at him in surprise.
Who would have thought this guy had such luck? Being accepted as Ainzach's disciple in E-Rantel was practically the same as becoming a local overlord.
"Well, as your friend, let me sponsor you a little."
After a moment's thought, Naohara took out a bottle of deep red potion and placed it in Yago's hand.
"What's this?"
Yago shook the bottle, looking puzzled.
"Good stuff. Drink it while you're training. You'll get twice the results with half the effort."
Naohara gave a brief explanation and didn't give Yago the chance to press further. He turned and walked off toward the others.
After saying his goodbyes to the rest of his acquaintances, Naohara returned to the carriage.
The Doppelgänger silently moved to his side.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Alright, let's set off."
Naohara looked at Lakyus beside him, his voice carrying a hint of apology.
"It's fine. Having so many people come to see you off is impressive."
Lakyus smiled. To be honest, she was curious. Could someone really be this strong, have so many friends, and still remain so gentle?
He felt like the hero from a bard's tale.
"I'm just an ordinary adventurer. At least for now…"
Naohara narrowed his eyes slightly, then stepped into the carriage. Two Doppelgängers followed close behind.
Behind him, Lakyus stood there, staring blankly at his back. She only snapped out of it when a hand slapped her squarely between the shoulders.
"Hey, Captain, don't tell me you've fallen for him?"
Gagaran laughed loudly, her voice carrying clearly across the gate.
"So, what do you say? Want me to help you…"
Before she could finish, a pitch-black blade rested against her throat. Lakyus's face stiffened as she spoke.
"Gagaran, we're leaving!"
Grabbing Gagaran by the arm, Lakyus lowered her head and hurried into the carriage, her retreat looking suspiciously like an escape.
"The captain's embarrassed."
Tina and Tia exchanged a glance, faint smiles tugging at their lips.
As former assassins, they rarely laughed. Unless they truly couldn't hold it in.
"Hmph. How childish."
Evileye, her face hidden behind a mask, let out a disdainful snort. Paired with her petite frame, the reaction only made her look unexpectedly cute.
Soon, the three of them boarded the carriage as well.
Once everyone was seated, the coachman flicked the reins and guided the carriage toward the royal capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom.
Behind the carriage, an adorable hamster with a backpack strapped to its back scurried along on its four stubby legs, stubbornly keeping pace.
...
Only after the carriage had completely disappeared from view did Yago finally lower his gaze.
He stared blankly at the potion in his hand. Memories surfaced, and he let out a long sigh.
"May your martial path be blessed, my friends."
In the end, all his thoughts condensed into that single blessing.
"Don't worry. Their journey is only just beginning."
Ainzach walked over, smiling as he spoke.
He had done everything he could. From here on, he would simply watch, a spectator to what was yet to unfold.
"Ah, getting old. Haven't had a proper night's sleep in days. Now I can finally rest."
Ainzach thumped his lower back.
Though he spoke of age, he knew his body better than anyone. He was in absurdly good health, as if he had endless energy.
That fact left him sighing inwardly. The debt he owed was too great. It seemed he would never be able to repay it in this lifetime.
...
Elsewhere, another adventurer team had been watching the entire scene.
"Stop staring. They're already gone."
Captain Peter waved a hand in front of Ninya's face, sounding helpless.
They were the adventurer team Swords of Darkness.
"What's the plan now?"
"Keep training and get stronger, or head to the capital?"
Dyne, the Druid, spoke up. They needed to decide their next move.
"I don't mind. It's the same wherever we go."
Lukrut, the team's ranger with golden hair, replied in his usual lighthearted tone.
"Let's go to the capital. I'm going to save my sister."
Ninya tightened her grip on her staff and looked toward the distant horizon, where the royal capital lay.
She had never forgotten why she became an adventurer in the first place.
"Alright. Then it's settled."
No one objected. Before they realized it, leadership of the team had quietly shifted to Ninya.
Ninya
Level: 30