“Is that the carriage?”

  The carriage rolled quietly into the village entrance.

  At Rynel’s words, Aira and Monero widened their eyes.

  “Whoa··· I didn’t think it’d be this big!”

  “Come on, let’s get inside~”

  With a face full of anticipation, Aira hopped into the carriage first.

  Monero circled the side once, muttering.

  “They said they couldn’t pay a reward, and they call in a carriage like this··· what kind of situation is this?”

  Still curious, he peeked inside, then climbed up after her.

  Rynel lowered his head to Pyrug in a polite farewell.

  “Thank you for everything. Thanks to you, we can get to the capital comfortably.”

  Pyrug held out his hand for a handshake.

  “When you arrive in the capital, my cousin Stailer will meet you.

  It was a short time, but thanks for helping in so many ways.”

  “Are you staying here, Mr. Pyrug?”

  “Yeah, for a while. It’s not completely over yet.

  And I still have some herbs I need to find myself.”

  He carefully took out several scrolls from his coat and handed them over.

  “And this is··· what I asked you about before.”

  Rynel received them with both hands and bowed.

  “Thank you. I’ll be sure to send Stailer my regards.”

  They shared a firm handshake, heavy with unspoken feelings.

  Just then, the carriage window slid open and Aira called out with a bright grin.

  “Rynel~ aren’t you getting on? We’re leaving~!”

  Rynel turned and waved.

  “Got it, I’m coming!”

  As he climbed aboard, Pyrug walked to the driver and quietly handed him an envelope.

  “Please··· take them safely to the capital.”

  The driver dipped his head, and Pyrug returned a light bow.

  Hooves struck the dirt road, and the carriage set off.

  Pyrug stared for a long while in the direction it disappeared,

  then slowly turned away.

  And from the receding carriage, a familiar voice carried back.

  “Mr. Pyrug! Thank you~! I’ll come again!”

  Pyrug smiled broadly and raised both arms, waving.

  “Yeah! Stay healthy!

  Become great adventurers··· and let’s meet again for sure!”

  The carriage grew smaller and smaller,

  and a quiet worry seeped into Pyrug’s expression.

  “…Stailer—he’s the real problem··· well, they’ll manage.”

  His gaze lingered a long time on the dusty trail the carriage had left behind.

  ◇

  Inside the carriage, running strong.

  Rynel sat quietly, staring at the scrolls in his hands.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Monero glanced at his fingers and asked,

  “Rynel, what kind of scrolls are those? Can you unroll one?”

  Rynel looked uncomfortable and shook his head.

  “No. They’re important—something I’ll need in the capital.

  I can’t open them here.”

  Just then, Aira tossed out a thought with an eager face.

  “Wait··· is it some secret love letter

  Mr. Pyrug’s sending to his sweetheart in the capital?”

  Her expression was innocent.

  Her imagination was already sprinting.

  But Rynel cut it off flatly.

  “No. It’s not like that.

  This is··· related to my power. I needed it, so I asked for it.”

  “Ehh~ it was a joke. Why’d you get so serious?

  Rynel has zero romance.”

  Aira pouted and looked away.

  Monero continued,

  “But seriously··· where exactly are we going again?”

  “Mr. Pyrug’s cousin’s place, right?

  Name was··· what was it, Stailer?

  I heard we’re staying there.”

  Aira shrugged, half-babbling her way through it.

  Seeing that, Rynel let out a small laugh.

  “What, Rynel. Did you just laugh at us?”

  Monero shot him a playful look.

  “Rynel’s comedy code is a total mystery.”

  “Sorry, sorry. It’s just···

  when I’m with you two, there’s never a dull moment.”

  At his honest answer, Aira’s mouth curled up.

  “Tch. Now you’re saying you’ve fallen for our charm?

  Disappointing, Rynel.”

  Then Rynel rummaged through his bag and pulled out three lunch boxes.

  “Oh—right. Mr. Pyrug packed us lunches.”

  Aira and Monero’s faces darkened instantly.

  “…Wait, he packed those for us to eat?”

  Aira leaned back like she’d spotted poison,

  and Monero went pale.

  “Ah··· do we have to eat that?

  I’d rather starve···”

  Rynel blinked and asked,

  “Then can I eat them all?”

  They nodded hard in perfect sync.

  “Of course! You eat them!”

  They shouted like a chorus.

  Rynel, expressionless, opened a lid.

  Inside—

  glossy roasted meat.

  A fragrant seasoning aroma.

  And a few slices of fresh fruit on the side.

  Rynel brought his hands together and was about to pick up his chopsticks.

  “Wait!!”

  Aira and Monero yelled at the same time.

  “Is this··· really something Mr. Pyrug prepared?”

  “Yeah—where’s the grass.

  It should be overflowing. That green aura.”

  Rynel smirked.

  “Ah. I told him I like meat,

  and he nodded like he hadn’t known.”

  “Whaaat?!”

  “What is that supposed to mean···”

  At Rynel’s calm reply,

  the two of them stared at each other with horror on their faces.

  “We··· got played, didn’t we?”

  “…On purpose. Absolutely.”

  A little later.

  All three were asleep, out cold,

  as the carriage rolled on with a steady sway.

  Then the carriage door opened quietly.

  “Everyone, we’ve arrived. Please wake up.”

  A low voice—

  a courteous tone that sounded like an elderly man’s.

  Aira rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up.

  “…Huh? You said sweet snacks are prepared…?”

  She mumbled nonsense, half-asleep.

  Next to her, Monero let out a sighing laugh.

  Rynel was the first to fully wake, leaning out to look.

  The sun had already set,

  and in the dusk, a mansion came into view.

  “…This is Mr. Pyrug’s cousin’s house?”

  Monero spoke first.

  A massive gate. High walls.

  Pillars and windows decorated with intricate carvings.

  Standing above them as they stepped down, the mansion felt like a castle.

  “Seems like it··· but this scale is insane.”

  Even Rynel blinked, stunned.

  The driver walked to the entrance, spoke briefly with a steward,

  then took out a letter from his coat and handed it over.

  After that, he bowed simply and drove off slowly, horse and carriage leaving the estate behind.

  A moment later—

  “Welcome. You are acquaintances of Lord Pyrug.”

  A voice that carried low and steady.

  An elderly butler standing at the front gate bowed.

  His hair was white, but his shoulders and back were straight,

  and his gait held a quiet dignity.

  “This way, please. If you would follow me.”

  “Wah··· it looks like a palace inside too···”

  Aira walked with wide eyes, scanning everything.

  A long red carpet ran down the corridor,

  and large portraits and old-fashioned candle stands lined the walls.

  The ceiling was made of glass,

  so the red tint of the evening sky filtered softly through.

  Monero muttered under his breath,

  “He said cousin, right···?

  If this isn’t nobility, it doesn’t make sense.”

  The butler stopped quietly

  and spoke with a gentle smile.

  “Normally, Lord Stailer would greet guests personally,

  but an urgent matter called him outside today. He is expected to return by tomorrow morning.”

  Rynel nodded.

  “Ah··· I see.”

  “In the meantime, please make yourselves comfortable and rest.

  Dinner will be prepared shortly.”

  The moment he heard that, Monero’s eyes sparkled.

  “Dinner··· too? We get food here?”

  The butler’s lips lifted slightly as he nodded.

  “Of course.

  And as you are acquaintances of Lord Pyrug,

  instructions have been given to receive you with the utmost courtesy.”

  Aira chuckled softly.

  “Oho~ Mr. Pyrug’s connections are kind of impressive, huh?”

  Monero shrugged as if he’d been handed treasure.

  “Then we can eat and sleep without worry. Perfect.”

  Without another word, the butler turned and gestured smoothly.

  “Then I will show you to your rooms.

  Please rest first, and we will make sure dinner is ready for you.”

  The three followed him down the corridor and into their rooms.

  A luxurious interior.

  A soft bed, a bathtub filled with warm water.

  And beyond the window, the capital’s evening sky unfolded faintly.

  The instant she stepped in, Aira flopped onto the bed like she’d collapsed.

  “Ughhh~ is this what noble life is like···

  I might actually want to stay here.”

  Rynel smirked, unpacking as he murmured,

  “You’re already thinking of settling down?”

  “How could I not?

  Look how soft this bed is··· this is unfair···”

  Then Monero walked slowly to the window.

  When he opened it, the capital’s evening air slipped in.

  Nostalgia and tension mixed in his eyes.

  “…It’s been years. This view.”

  Aira looked at him, surprised.

  “Right—Monero, you said you’ve been to the capital before.”

  “Yeah. Back then, I left like I was running away.”

  “…Running away?”

  The mood in the room dipped for a moment.

  Then Aira thrust her arms wide and shouted,

  “Whatever! Now’s not the time to think about that!

  It’s the capital, the capital! Good food, fun stuff, things to see—everything!”

  “Where is all that energy coming from all of a sudden···”

  Rynel laughed, shaking his head.

  Aira pushed herself up and asked,

  “But Rynel, be honest—aren’t you excited?

  It’s your first time here, right?”

  “…Yeah. Honestly··· I’m really looking forward to it.”

  Rynel nodded slowly.

  Looking at the evening sky outside the window, he spoke softly.

  “Feels like something’s going to start from here.

  So I’m a little scared··· and really excited.”

  Monero chewed on the words in silence, then smiled faintly.

  “That feeling··· I know it too.”

  The three of them stared out the window without speaking.

  One by one, the capital’s lights flickered on,

  swaying warmly as if they had been waiting for them.

  A little later, beyond the window,

  more carriages, people, and stall lights appeared.

  As befit the capital, the streets overflowed with life,

  and even at night, bell chimes and laughter echoed from all over.

  “Oh~ is there like a night market going on?”

  Aira said in a thrilled voice, peering out.

  “If I’d known, I would’ve brought clothes for going out.”

  “It’s not even that late. Let’s go after dinner.”

  Monero spoke calmly, but his eyes were bright with anticipation.

  “Will it be okay···?”

  Rynel spoke carefully.

  “It’s my first time in the capital…

  I’m worried we’ll go out and draw weird looks.”

  “Then that’s exactly why we should go.”

  Aira planted a hand on her hip, bold as ever.

  “This is when we should stand out at least once. We’re adventurers, aren’t we?”

  Rynel smiled lightly.

  With these two, whatever came,

  it didn’t feel like it would be only heavy.

  Just then, there was a knock at the door.

  “Excuse me. Dinner has been prepared.”

  The butler’s familiar voice.

  “The dining room is on the first floor to the right, overlooking the garden.

  Please take your time.”

  “Dinner~!”

  Aira sprang up with a bright grin.

  “Our first meal in the capital, I’m excited!”

  Monero tried to look indifferent while subtly fixing his hair.

  Rynel let out a small breath and finished getting ready.

  A new city. A new beginning.

  And all the meetings and incidents that could happen here—

  Thinking about it,

  something in his chest gave a small, quick thump.

  Rynel made a quiet vow to himself.

  ‘This is where it really starts.’

  The three of them headed for the dining room down the mansion’s corridor.

  Their first night in the capital

  was slowly deepening, just like that.