After alternating between naps and wakefulness, and enjoying some nights under the stars, we finally arrived at the city of Ishtert.

The atmosphere of the city felt less imposing than that of Aristocrats. Its outer walls were smaller, giving the place an overall cozy and compact impression.

We’d encountered monsters several times on the way here, but none were particularly strong. Maintaining large, elaborate defenses probably wasn’t necessary in this region.

"Alright, I’m heading out. I’ll leave things to you while I’m gone!"

"Got it."

"Mii!"

With that, Katya headed toward the estate of some high-ranking cardinal, located in the northern part of the city. Shannon went along with her as an escort.

My role, along with Ivy, was to keep an eye on Maria, who might still be targeted by various factions within the country. For the time being, we were lying low, quietly passing the time at the inn.

"I can handle protection on my own, you know…"

The person glaring at me as she said this was the same woman who attacked me when I first met Maria.

Her name was Hamil, and she was clad in silver armor.

Apparently, Hamil had belonged to the Holy Knight Order that directly served the Saintess. But when Maria fell from grace, Hamil resigned from the order and had been serving as her bodyguard ever since.

Her loyalty was nothing short of extraordinary.

It was likely that same deep devotion to Maria that led her to attack me back then. Though, honestly, it felt a bit like her loyalty was running amok.

Incidentally, it was also Hamil who served as our coachman during the carriage ride with Katya and the others.

If you looked closely at her armor, you could see that the insignia, once engraved on it, had been gouged out. Perhaps this symbolized her complete break with the Holy Knight Order.

"Now, now, Hamil, no need to be so tense."

"…If you insist."

Though she shot sharp looks our way, Hamil seemed unable to disobey Maria’s words and reluctantly backed down. Even now, she continued to glare at us from behind Maria.

"Mii."

Ivy, clearly uncomfortable under Hamil’s gaze, made an unhappy face. To cheer her up, I decided to leave the room with her for a bit.

The inn where we were staying was two stories tall, with a dining hall on the first floor.

"Ivy, what do you want to eat?"

"Mii! Mii-mii!"

Meat, vegetables, fish, fruit. Ivy carefully selected items from various categories, ensuring a balanced meal. Nodding in satisfaction at her creation, she seemed to cheer up, even humming a little tune.

After arranging to have the food brought up to the second floor and leaving a tip, I headed back upstairs.

As I climbed the stairs, I found Hamil standing in front of our room.

"The rest and peace of Lady Volakia must not be disturbed. The watch should be conducted outside the room, by both myself and Sir Bruno."

Unable to argue, I resigned myself to standing beside her.

…Though I was beginning to wonder what I should do when the food arrived.

"…"

"…"

Naturally, there was no lively conversation to be had between me and Hamil, who clearly viewed me as her nemesis.

Ivy and I exchanged glances, then silently braced ourselves to endure the awkward atmosphere.

Time passed uncomfortably. From downstairs, I could hear the popping sounds of oil and the voices of the inn’s other guests chatting in the dining hall.

"Sir Bruno…"

"You don’t have to force yourself. Just call me Bruno."

"Very well. Then, Bruno. Bruno… and Ivy… I entrust Lady Volakia to you."

"Hamil…"

I looked at her and saw that she was clenching her fists, trembling slightly.

I couldn’t begin to guess what was going through her mind.

But it was clear that she was wrestling with something deeply troubling. And after much deliberation, she had chosen to say those words to me.

That’s why Ivy and I…

"Understood! Leave it to us!"

"Mii!"

I thumped my chest and gave her a confident smile.

After successfully concluding her meeting, Katya rejoined us, and we returned to the town of Akoup.

Our long yet somehow short journey had come to an end.

With the addition of Maria and Hamil, our circle of companions grew, and our daily lives became even more vibrant and lively than before.