The fierce battle continued for some time.

Eventually, as Ivy and I lay down for a nap out of sheer boredom, the sounds of fighting abruptly ceased.

When I looked up, it was clear the fight was over.

Icicle was collapsed on the ground, while Rey stood above her, pressing the tip of her sword against Icicle’s throat.

Even from a glance, it was apparent that Rey was utterly exhausted.

Her usual armor was in tatters, with large gashes and signs of wear, while her sword bore chipped edges—silent witnesses to the ferocity of the battle.

"Fufu, you're quite formidable..."

"And you weren't half-bad yourself."

Despite lying on the ground, Icicle couldn't rise on her own. Rey grabbed her firmly and helped her up.

Both of them wore expressions unique to those who had recognized one another as equals in combat—a mutual respect forged in the heat of battle.

It seemed they had come to an understanding through their struggle, acknowledging each other's strength.

"By the way, Katya, what brings you all the way out here? Is something troubling you?"

"Mm... and why would you think that?"

"Because you rarely visit us here, don’t you? While you're always calling for us to come to your place, you never actually come to ours, right?"

It had always seemed to me like a matter of noble decorum or simple inconvenience.

Katya likely couldn't slip away from her household unnoticed—noble visits to commoners risk damaging the family's authority. And then there was the issue of her visiting an unmarried man's home, which was bound to raise more eyebrows.

Being the Marquis of Endlord's daughter, she was destined for a political marriage someday. Without the Marquis's explicit approval, even leaving her estate would be challenging.

Despite her bold and straightforward personality, there were times when she displayed a surprising level of restraint.

At only ten years old, she should have been allowed more freedom, in my opinion. But whether or not she understood my sentiments, she spoke quietly.

"Actually... I’ve been asked to visit the religious state of Célie, and I thought perhaps you and the others might accompany me."

"The religious state of Célie? That country..."

The name conjured ominous thoughts.

The religious state of Célie was a religious nation beyond the forest.

They had once attempted to send assassins after Katya. According to Ivy, they had also been involved in the attack of the Black Legion—a massive horde of monsters.

It wasn't a name that brought good associations.

"Ha, you’re honest as ever, Bruno. But there’s no need to worry. It’s not as though they intend to sacrifice us. Besides, the Theocracy and our lands have no choice but to cooperate moving forward."

The Marquis of Endlord and the religious state of Célie had entered a relationship where they couldn't avoid interaction.

And, to some extent, Ivy and I were involved in the circumstances leading to this.

After all, when the vanguard of the Demon King’s army—a group that included one of his Ten Fingers, as Icicle later revealed—emerged from the Dark Forest, Ivy had eradicated them entirely.

Previously, the looming threat of monsters had kept their relationship ambiguous, neither close nor hostile.

But with the monsters greatly diminished, the two regions now found travel between them far easier.

The Theocracy, dealing with internal strife, had no resources to provoke conflict. Similarly, the Marquis, locked in a standoff with the king, stood to gain from collaboration.

"So, Katya, what exactly are you going to do there?"

"In short, I’m representing the Marquis’s household at a gathering of powerful figures."

"...You’re asking us to join you at one of these gatherings?"

"Yes, with you and Ivy by my side, there’s nothing to fear, no matter what happens!"

That phrasing all but confirmed something would happen.

I imagined a high-society ball with polished shoes, stiff formal attire, and dancing under crystal chandeliers.

I almost declined the invitation immediately.

But then I remembered what I’d just told myself: Katya deserved to be freer, more carefree. And Ivy and I had influenced the events leading to this situation.

"Well, it’s not like I’m forcing you..."

"No, we’ll go. Right, Ivy?"

"Mii!"

"Grururu!"

Not only Ivy but even Sanshita seemed eager to participate.

When Katya saw us nod in agreement, her expression briefly turned to surprise before she broke into a broad smile.

"Thank you! You’ve really saved me!"

And so, barely having had time to rest after rescuing the insect queen, we decided to accompany Katya as her escorts to the religious state of Célie.