The news struck like a bolt from the blue, coming just as we were lazing around in the town of Akoup, trying to recover from our exhaustion.

Summoned by the Marquis, we were given a shocking revelation.

“What? We’re going to the royal palace!?”

“Mii!?”

Unbelievably, Ivy, Sanshita, and I had been summoned to the royal capital.

The one calling us was none other than the current king of the kingdom, King Vento II.

Apparently, he intended to welcome us as the heroes of the recent war and grant us rewards.

“The achievement of repelling the Black Army without losing a single town is enormous. As king, he has to reward you somehow, or his authority will suffer.”

“Even so, this is rather sudden…”

“It just means that all eyes are on you. How does it feel? Pretty great, right?”

“Not at all! Not even a little bit!”

We only helped because there were people in need, people who would have been in danger otherwise.

We never wanted wealth or fame.

Going on the occasional trip is fun, but only because it’s occasional.

Being sent all over the place like this just turns into a hassle.

“Don’t worry! I shall accompany thee!”

Katya winked and pointed at herself.

It seemed she intended to come with us to the capital.

The Marquis also seemed quite eager. Most likely, he wanted to make it clear that we were already under his patronage.

“Your temporary party of saviors—they said you can bring them along or leave them behind.”

“I’ll ask them, just in case.”

Icicle would draw too much attention, so she’d have to sit this one out.

Maria staying behind was a must, considering the potential diplomatic issues.

That left Rey and Shannon—I’d have to check if they wanted to come.

“The royal capital is full of hassle. Oh, and by the way, just being associated with me is guaranteed to make things even more of a headache.”

“Please don’t guarantee that…”

Since the king and the Marquis were engaged in a political feud, from the royal faction’s perspective, we, as part of the Marquis’s forces, were nothing but a thorn in their side.

They would likely use this opportunity to try and lure us away.

“Watch out for honey traps. If you get caught and end up with a kid, that’s game over right there.”

“A-a kid!?”

“Miii!?”

Ivy puffed up angrily, clearly feeling that such things were far too soon for me.

As I sighed internally, I glanced at the Marquis, who was apologizing, and at Katya, who tilted her head in confusion, mumbling, “Hone… tra…?”

The road to our slow life of eating and sleeping seemed long.

It looked like our busy days were far from over.

…And yet, for some reason, I didn’t entirely hate it.

“Mii!”

Ivy made a small fist pump, as if to say, “Let’s do our best together.”

I nodded in return.

What mattered wasn’t what we did, but who we did it with—a thought that crossed my mind.

I was still inexperienced.

But with Ivy by my side, I’d be fine.

Now, I had dependable companions, and the number of people I could trust was growing.

We were no longer just the two of us, like we had been back then.

Feeling the warmth of those who walked beside us, I hurried to prepare for our journey to the royal capital…