Chapter 163: Goodbye, Firwood.

Chapter 163: Goodbye, Firwood.

"Ive already received a report from Marquess Sirius and Antonio about what happened but, haaaa hearing this from you, kiddo, makes it even more problematic. A B rank High Ogre. That means the King or Lord of this army must be an A rank at the very least. Inside his office, Farron massaged his temples, frowning as worry and anxiousness clouded his face.

Wait, Lady Hestia, is that really what happened?! Ellaine exclaimed in disbelief.

According to the original plan, Ellaine was supposed to join her mother and brother in their travel to the Kingdom of Artoriass capital, Griffonpeak, to help her family form an excuse for her to leave the royal academy and join me. However, Ellaine had decided to stay behind against her mothers wishes. For somebody like Ellaine who had always meekly followed along with her houses decisions, even if they were to use her as a political tool like when they had her become my lady-in-waiting, imagining her being rebellious was something else.

Shed informed her mother that a rumor was circulating amongst the young noble ladies that Ellaine was already considered my retainer, and that she was becoming something like an ambassador for Artorias as she traveled with me. She would speak with foreign dignitaries under my guidance and establish friendly contact with the other races west and north of the Kingdom.

Regardless of whether it was true or not, people were already speaking about it. Ellaines mother was proficient enough in politicking that she understood rumors like these were a double-edged sword. The prestige of House Helvas had risen since the Chezaic tea party, but if Ellaine were to return to the academy without me, people would second guess the rumors. That could be detrimental for their house, regardless of what people thought of me.

Her mother still tried to argue against it, but Ellaine remained steadfast, not accepting anything else but to join me earlier. She even explained the skill system to her mother, informing her that it would be better for Ellaine to train earlier and level up with me. The moment she showed up at the academy with me and her newly acquired strength? That moment would be far more beneficial for both her Houses reputation and her own than if she arrived separate from me.

So, thats how Ellaine got her mothers permission to stay behind and join me earlier than expected. Naturally, I was surprised. Ellaine didnt seem like somebody to defy her parents, but it happened, didnt it? I guess she regained some confidence after everything that happened; either that, or she was just that invested into traveling with us as a friend.

Either way, Aurora was a four woman party from now on, and we immediately integrated her into our party and everything we did.

As we also had to report what happened during the Quest to Farron, we thought it was the perfect time to bring Ellaine with us for her inauguration into party Aurora. Technically, we had to inform the merc guild of this stuff, as our fight against the grimgarians happened during a merc Quest, but our handler there told us to inform the hunters guild about it instead. It worked out in the end.

Melia was currently doing the necessary stuff to make Ellaine into an adventurer downstairs while we were talking with Farron. Interestingly enough, this was also our first chance to help Ellaine adapt to our partys culture. And that was being casual and not sweating the formal stuff.

Uh, yeah, that big guy nearly crushed my neck. I heard it loudly crack after I was helped out by Saori and Tasianna. Oof, B ranks are scary. I say that knowing full well that Saori and I were also B ranks, especially since I would have turned that ogre into a puddle of melted flesh if he hadn't been wearing his now destroyed armor.

This was your second fight with a B rank, right? Glad you three made it out in one piece, Farron praised us to comfort us from what happened. Random encounters like these can happen all the time while youre out there. You met the onnikais this way too, right? Have confidence in your strength, but always remember to curb your recklessness; otherwise, you might end up like me, kiddo.

Urgh, now his lecture sounds like Saoris.

I agree, Saori nodded her head in affirmation. I should have done a better job scouting ahead before we entered the cave. It also taught me I should have put more trust into my teammates instead of demanding from myself to do actions despite it not being the most advantageous.

Similar to when I evolved into a B rank, Saoris wolfkin appearance hasnt changed much except for a few additions. Just as my dragon forms core also appeared in the middle of my chest, Saoris arms had streaks of white fur ending at her hands, used to store her black electricity while she was a wolfkin. If she were to become a full human, I was sure she would lose her ability to use [Stygian Voltage] altogether, since it was a racial skill linked to her white fur.

Well, it is true that the high ogre was a tough opponent. Actually, Im pretty sure we just got lucky with the cave flood we created; if he hadnt been severely injured by that, I dont think we would have won. Well, heres hoping that Saoris evolution will help our partys strength, I sighed at the thought of even more crazy B ranks.

Ive fought four B ranks before, though three of them were the wyverns. The two snow-type wyverns, thankfully, had only evolved recently and were extremely weak to my fire magic, which gave me enough of a chance to defeat both of them with Saori and Tasianna despite only being an upper C rank back then.

However, this high ogre and Astalos back then were at a completely different level from me and the snow wyverns. The ogre had powerful weapon abilities, giving his already high stats a boost with gear, while Astalos was just a very old B rank, on the edge of evolving into an A rank. They were dangerous and it proved we had a long way to go.

I think it was about time we had a proper grinding phase again. We needed to grind up Job and skill levels. Evolving was impossible until I matured and increasing my level when I had a soft cap imposed on me was too hard, which meant going through our Job list should be our next goal.

Lady Hestia has already mentioned the grimgarian army, yes? If a battalion was hiding like this in your land, then please be aware more could be scattered around in the other duchies. It is a possibility, Tasianna pushed the subject even further, reminding everybody of an impending grimgarian army.

Farron sighed and nodded, aware of the preparations he had to do. Ellaine was unexpectedly really quiet despite it involving her own kingdom, which made me think she didnt know what to say.

The first thing Ellaine had to do as our teammate was to adapt to our partys culture and also the crazy stuff happening around us, which included something like this. The other part was speaking habits and staying casual with others, something Ellaine was slowly getting used to but still found it weird that commoners like Farron werent addressing nobles like Lord Sirius with their full titles in private.

In any case, we informed Farron of what happened, so our business here with him was over. He also said we shouldnt worry too much about it since we werent from Artorias.

Oh, before we go, ahem, kriiiaugh kriiiiekk kreukkka? I growled, causing Farrons left eyebrow to be raised suddenly. Did he understand me? Uhm, well you see, I learned a few things during the Quest and also an important fact about my lineage. Uhh, hope you understood that cause I really need your help with that. You should have contacts right?

Farron nodded. Yeah, understood. Your growls are still pretty hard to understand, though. Still, Ill try to do something about your fire problem.

I breathed a sigh of relief, hopeful that Farron could do something about my dragon mothers potential rampage. Once that was done, curiosity appeared and I couldnt help but ask him, Well, I suddenly have a question. It confused me back then, but I think I understand it now. Is Priscillas perfume authentic?

I did not mention that Cernust was a dragon, as hed asked me to keep quiet about his identity. Dragons and drakes didnt want to attract too much attention during their adulthood pilgrimage, since dragon slayers could be hiding in plain sight as adventurers. Cernust told me dragon hunters and slayers did not care if you were an intelligent dragonkin or not, as most hunted dragons for either the power, fortune or a personal agenda. And here I thought I was being too paranoid about it.

Hmm, I see, well Im glad you had an epiphany, Farron replied, understanding the message in between the lines. Priscillas perfume is partly authentic, like her mothers. I didnt mean to keep it a secret from you, but I just wanted to keep her safe. Do me a favor, though, keep it a secret alright?

I nodded. Ellaine looked a bit confused, as I hadnt had the time to explain the dragon stuff to her yet.

Of course, I will. Then I know this is a sensitive subject for you, but just let me help you alright? Dont decline as youve done so much for us. Your ailment, how do we cure it? For everything Farron had done for us, from giving us tips and to sparring with me, I really wanted to help him in order to return the favor. Also, as I knew he would probably have to defend his home from the grimgarian army in the future, so I wanted him to be in peak condition; he probably wouldnt survive the upcoming war with his bad lungs.

Farron sighed, telling me I didnt owe him anything, but he still handed me a piece of parchment with a list of ingredients for the medicine he needed. The crystal lungs were caused by a basilisk. Nasty creatures that can slowly turn your flesh into stone with their venom, and the one I met was especially nasty. Dont risk your life for this old man, alright?

After saying our farewells to Farron, we went back down to pick up Ellaines ID where we informed Melia about our departure.

Oh, really? Ahh, that is a shame but do know that I will be rooting for you three and, of course, your new member. Lady Ellaine, please, here is your ID back, Melia said in her usual smile.

Oh my, Ellaine gulped as she stared at the G on her ID, marked with the emblem of the hunters guild. Cause of her low level, exceptions couldnt be made for Ellaine to be promoted to our party rank, meaning we had to start grinding Quests to raise her rank, too.

Party members of a lower rank than the average of your party are allowed to participate in any Quest you may take, Lady Hestia. However, please be aware that they will not be able to take any rank point credits, as the guild assumes that your stronger members are completing the quests instead of the new members. To acquire rank points, Lady Ellaine must take Quests appropriate for her rank, Melia gave us her last piece of advice. We were about to move to another city, which meant she would no longer be our personal handler anymore.

Saying goodbyes is so painful

Wha-?! You are about to leave? Priscilla overheard us speak while she was carrying a tray of food for her father.

I already told Priscilla we would be leaving soon, but it seems the young girl still didnt like the idea. I smiled and took out a shirt and dress from my storage. I heard you couldnt buy my concert merchandise from your father. So, here.

The white-haired girl was flustered, having not expected me to suddenly bring up this subject. Wha-?! But I-

Hey, you cant reject it, alright? Farron did a lot for us, especially with all the sparring we did. Please, accept this as a way for me to thank him for his help and also the fact you are one of my big fans! I winked. Also, your perfume is nice but, if we get to meet again, I hope to see the real you~

Oh, uhh Mhmm! That sounds really good, elder scale! I am pretty sure mother would love meeting you too! And with that, I got Priscillas confirmation of her identity. Farron confirmed she was only half-authentic, which meant she was a dragonewt, not a dragon. It was a shame that I couldnt speak more with Priscilla, but I guess we would have to save that for when I visited Firwood, again.

Farron, Priscilla, Gael, Zeather, Lorena, Ruld, a few of our restaurants regulars, and also some of the kids I saw watching me sing.

.

Se no

Demo sonnan ja dame

Mou sonnan ja hora

Kokoro wa shinka suru yo

Motto motto

.

I honestly didnt know how the kids learned that I was leaving. We told our regulars we would be leaving, but I never told them when we were leaving. It also surprised me that the kids even managed to learn the song despite not understanding a single word. I gave them the lyrics, but it was still baffling that they managed to do it in time.

[Sneaky Gael. Look at his smug face, Hestia. Hes the reason,] Saori told me with an I cant believe he would do that expression, pointing at Gael who was leaning on a wall with a big grin. When I looked over to him, he winked, confirming Saoris assumption for me.

Wow...but I should answer the kids hard work.

.

Kotoba ni sureba kiechau kankei nara

Kotoba wo keseba ii ya tte

Omotteta? Osoreteta?

Dakedo are? Nanka chigau kamo

Senri no michi mo ippo kara!

Ishi no you ni katai sonna ishi de

Chiri mo tsumoreba Yamato Nadeshiko?

"Shi" nuki de iya shinu ki de!

Fuwa fuwari fuwa fuwaru

Anata ga namae wo yobu

Sore dake de chuu e ukabu

Fuwa fuwaru fuwa fuwari

Anata ga waratte iru

Sore dake de egao ni naru

Kami-sama, arigatou

Unmei no itazura demo

Meguriaeta koto ga

Shiawase na no

.

Their blindingly bright smiles. That was exactly what I wanted to do the moment my dream was set. Bringing happiness and smiles to the faces of kids, teens, and adults. That is my first priority as an Idol. Sure, fame and money were nice, but nothing made my soul quiver with happiness nor made me weep tears of joy as much as seeing people singing my songs with elation.

Papa. Mama. This is the life I wanted so dearly.

It was rude to say, but I couldnt stop myself from saying it.

As we said goodbye to all of them, I also noticed a boy with red hair standing close by with his party. Roosterhead. Lucia, Wulf, and Verdiena waved us goodbye energetically, while Raian nodded stoically. Roosterhead was frowning the whole time, but eventually slapped himself and bowed, shouting May the fair goddess protect you and reveal your path forward, Lady Hestia! Thank you for saving me! before running away with a reddened face.

What an awkward kid. Ehe, cute.

And then we were off. Firwood stood behind us as we walked east, towards Griffonpeak.

Sadly, we werent able to encounter any strong monsters on the road, but all the walking has made it clear that Ellaines legs werent used to traveling far distances, since she would use her gargoyle or a carriage for this purpose. She would tire easily despite how much she has increased her Stamina since I helped her out.

On the other hand, she was mildly competent when it came to camping and hunting. After all, I spent a whole week with her inside a forest where her knights and I were able to teach her how to survive.

Still, this did mean our travel time took longer than we expected. It allowed us to get closer, especially Tasianna and Ellaine, but it did mean we had to get Ellaine more fit if we wanted to travel.

It took us a whole week to make it to our first stop on our trip to Griffonpeak. The capital of the Greenveil Duchy, Cedaraille, a large city with access to a dungeon.

And what does a dungeon mean? Grinding time.