“Mii!”

Ivy deflected the attack with her barrier, her expression indignant.

Though I’d already set up an automatic barrier to respond to any surprise attacks, Ivy had added her own magic to strengthen it. It seemed our attacker—Rey’s mentor—was powerful enough to warrant that extra effort.

“Well done! To withstand the attack of me, Logan Mainz, the Dragon Knight! Remarkable!”

“Master Logan… What are you doing attacking people like that? Do you not find it rude to strike without even a greeting?”

“To travel alongside this Logan, one must demonstrate adequate strength! Consider it a test! Gahahaha!”

Logan, grinning with the kind of smug expression you’d rarely see even on a man in his forties, crossed his arms and laughed heartily while gazing at the sky.

It seemed this was his version of a trial. I wondered what would have happened if his attack had actually landed, but according to Rey, he sometimes stops just short… and sometimes doesn’t.

Wait—what do you mean doesn’t stop just short? Isn’t that just outright cutting someone down?!

Apparently, pointing that out was pointless.

And so, with the powerful Logan joining us, we set off toward the Viscounty of Batten.

As I mentioned before, the Viscounty of Batten is a domain governed by Viscount Batten, a vassal of the Marquis of Endlord.

The connection between the two territories grew stronger after a food crisis in the region some time ago.

To avert mass starvation, they undertook the domestication of magical beasts—a bold move spearheaded by Jennifer. Thanks to this, the Viscounty of Batten was saved.

However, by ignoring royal edicts and raising magical beasts freely, the Marquis of Endlord incurred the ire of the kingdom. The strained relations led to withheld resources, petty harassment, and a slew of other issues.

One problem after another.

Caught in the conflict, the surrounding lords became increasingly reliant on the Marquis for the survival of their territories. As a result, the Marquis's influence grew, turning him into a force the kingdom could no longer ignore.

Viscount Batten, who had sided with the Marquis early on, maintained a strong relationship with him and collaborated on several ventures.

We were about to witness one of those ventures firsthand in a town within the Viscounty of Batten.

Since we all had proper credentials, entering the town posed no issues. The moment we stepped inside, a sweet aroma wafted through the streets, tempting us at every turn.

We had already decided to stay the night here, so until then, we had free time.

“Mii! Mee-Mii!”

“Yes, yes, don’t worry. The desserts won’t run away. Rey, Master Logan, see you later!”

With an eager Ivy practically pulling me along, we stepped into the first shop we noticed. Its sign, written in whimsical lettering, read: Honey Toast Specialty Shop – Hanist.

The Viscounty of Batten was renowned for its thriving beekeeping industry. Using techniques developed by Jennifer, they had trained magical honeybees—ma-bees—to produce honey.

The shop itself, however, was… let’s say eccentric. Its garish, vividly colorful decor gave it an almost overwhelming vibe.

Feeling a bit like an old man out of touch with current trends, I stepped inside.

A waitress in an unusually short skirt welcomed us and showed us to a seat. Ivy was allowed to join me on the terrace.

All the waitstaff had vibrantly dyed hair, and most of the patrons—predominantly women—had equally colorful hairstyles.

It was clear I had chosen the wrong shop.

“Mii!”

…But Ivy seemed to be having fun, so I let it slide.

We ordered the plain honey toast despite the many options available.

“Oh… This is indulgent.”

What arrived was a loaf of bread absolutely drenched in honey.

Taking a bite, I found it delicious—sweet but not overwhelmingly so, with a surprisingly light finish that made it easy to eat.

Though I’m not a big fan of sweets, I could manage one slice of this.

“Mii!”

Ivy daintily nibbled on her toast, looking utterly satisfied.

Yet her eyes betrayed an intensity—they were sharp, like a seasoned hunter’s, as she used gravity magic to ensure not a single drop of honey went to waste.

At least she’s happy. That’s all that matters.

Afterward, however, I was floored by the staggering bill.

Though I could afford it, I resolved to be more careful about checking prices before entering a shop next time.