And in the blink of an eye, a week had passed.
It's the day we're to set off, we're at the Adventurer's District's gate. I had gotten on a carriage, and just as I was thinking 'Alright, let's go' Paul had come to see us off.
"Rudi. It'd be fine to stay just a bit longer, you know?"
For some reason Paul had said something easy-going, but it's a bit late now.
"If we keep saying "Just a bit", "Just a bit", it seems like we'll end up staying for a whole year."
"You and Norn haven't managed to make up, after all."
"It won't be too late to worry about that after I find the other three."
Moreover... I glance at Eris.
Eris had been caught by the scruff of her neck, and was glowering at Paul with a demonic expression.
I had thought that she was quick to change her mind about things, but it doesn't seem like that's the case.
"It isn't just me that wants to meet their family, right?"
"I see. But the Boreas family is most likely..."
"Please stop."
As he spoke with a complicated expression, I interrupted Paul with my hand.
"There's the possibility that the information just hasn't come, and when we return to the Fedoa region, both Philip-sama and Sauros-sama have already returned as well."
"...I see. That's true. But Rudi."
Paul spoke with a serious expression.
"Don't be too optimistic. Regarding Philip and the others returning home safely; with the scale of that disaster, who knows what's happened."
"What do you mean?"
Paul lowered his voice a little and said.
"I mean that for the sake of protecting himself, Philip's brother may have pushed all the blame onto one of the two."
When I hear this, certainly, it does seem like it's possible.
The feudal lord Sauros, and the mayor Philip.
The two of them were in charge of the region.
Even if they return safely, the burden of having lost their territory and their citizens will follow them around.
I don't know how nobles take responsibility according to Asura law.
However, at the very least, after the two of them return safely to their hometown, they probably wouldn't flaunt it as their ability as a lord.
There's also the possibility that the place where Philip's brother has escaped to might be closed up, and they might be murdered for the sake of crushing them politically.★
"If anything happens, protect that Ojou-sama. There might also be those who act on noblesse oblige, but it's nothing for you to worry about."
"I understand. I'll take your warning to heart."
My expression stiffened, and I nodded.
Paul makes a proud look, and nods as well.
"Also, regarding the writer of that letter, it seems Shera doesn't know either."
"I see..."
"She did say that she didn't think it'd be a dangerous person though."
"I understand. Please convey my thanks to her."
Paul nodded firmly.
And then, looking behind him, he calls out to the girl there.
"Come on, Norn. Say goodbye to your Onii-chan."
"...Don't wanna."
Norn was hiding behind Paul.
Half of her face is peeking out though. She's truly adorable.
In the future, she'll probably grow into a beautiful woman like Zenith.
"Norn. I don't know how many years later it'll be, but let's meet again."
"...Don't wanna."
Even until the end, Norn wouldn't turn her face to look at me.
While smiling bitterly, I returned to the carriage.
Like that, I left Milishion and began my journey.