Ruijerd is as soft on children as always.
Even if he's fine with it, it's no good if she grows up into an adult that works her seniors hard.
Later, I'll make sure to have an intense talk with her.
"But, during the time when Ruijerd-san was desperately working, my little sister was sleeping peacefully right?"
"She wasn't sleeping. She was always calculating the most efficient route to arrive here."
Hmmm.
It seems that she wasn't just working Ruijerd alone and playing around herself.
I guess that would mean she was doing nothing but calculations for days straight.
Writing all throughout the night.
...Then it's fine I guess.
"However, she's still a child."
Aisha was joyfully making plans without any spare time for rest, but since things like physical strength didn't enter her calculations, on the way, scenes like Norn or both of them ending up unable to go on any longer required them to rest.
According to Aisha's mental schedule, it seems she planned for them to arrive here before winter.
In other words, it was a plan aimed at getting here faster than the letter.
"I'm sure it must have been difficult for Ginger-san as well, what did she say?"
"She was rather delighted. There's nothing she wants more than to quickly reunite with his highness, like that."
It seems many people in this world have muscle for brain.
Rather, Ginger has been following through with the order Zanoba gave out and protecting her until now.
She sure is a devoted person.
I wonder if she has managed to reunite with Zanoba around this time.
I wonder what kind of reaction she'll have on seeing Julie, I kind of want to see that.
"It seems just like that, she intended to return to being the prince's subordinate."
"I see now. Come to think of it, Ruijerd-san, how long do you intend to stay around here for?"
I nonchalantly asked to hear about it.
About a week maybe.
If I go around introducing him to my friends, it shouldn't take all that much time.
I'm sure Zanoba will be delighted.
I wonder what the likes of Rinia and Pursena will say.
I don't know how Cliff will feel though.
He might be an acquaintance of Badigadi.
"I'll depart tomorrow."
Those thoughts were quickly drowned out by Ruijerd's words.
"That's considerably sudden isn't it."
"Yeah, the other day, I heard information that a demon was seen deep in the forest of the eastern part of the northern lands. I intend to search and see what that's about."
It seems that Ruijerd has already found his next objective location.
It's a bit gloomy, is what I don't want to make him think.
No, trying to restrain him is unrefined isn't it.
"Besides, I don't have any intention to intrude on you."
"Intrude you say, such a thing."
Something like treating Ruijerd as a hindrance, I won't let anyone do that.
"...It's just a bit... painful here after all."
That tone of voice, after all it's a bit lonely.
It seems the fact that Eris and I weren't close together was a bit of a shock to Ruijerd.
"..."
In my own mind, things from three years prior, memories of the journey with Eris and Ruijerd are still strongly remaining.
I don't know about Ruijerd though.
If I was in Ruijerd's position and I saw the figure of Sylphy and I spending time flirting, it might be a bit of a bitter spectacle.
"That is, I guess it can't be helped..."
I felt kind of like a crack in my friendship with Ruijerd had appeared.
The friendship between Ruijerd and I might have been something that Eris held onto.
"Rudeus."
After being called, I raised my face.
It seems before I realized it, I had started looking downward again.
Ruijerd let out a weak laugh.
"Don't make that sort of face. I'll come back again."
I couldn't do anything but return a bitter smile.
I don't regret the fact that I married Sylphy.
I feel kind of like I made some kind of large mistake.
"If I meet with Eris, I'll listen to her side of the story as well."
"...Please do."
I looked into Ruijerd's eyes and said that.
There was a kind light light in Ruijerd's eyes.
Part 2[edit]