The man who got out of the carriage didn't make any particular gesture. Really, I just spoke to Ray.
　Despite their mere gestures, they attract the attention of the villagers who gathered around them.
　Elena's beauty or dignified atmosphere. That alone might have attracted the attention of those around her, but now there is something that can be said to be the s*xiness of a woman who is changing from a girl to an adult, and the moment she saw Ray, she had a beautiful smile on her lips.
　If anyone had seen the smile, they would not have recognized Elena as a princess general. Or, if anyone who knew Elena was a princess, they might have thought she was a different person.
　Of course, it's not that Elena doesn't usually smile. In particular, a smile as a princess on the battlefield brings fear, confusion, and awe to enemy soldiers, and the opposite effect to allies.
　But the smile on Elena's face today was so different that it seemed that the same smile was so different.

"... oh, oh, oh! Long time no see. I contacted Annesis yesterday, but it arrived quite early."

　Even Ray, who has been in close contact with Elena many times, fell in love with her smile for a moment, but soon returned to himself and spoke to her.

"Well, it's been a long time since we decided to go to the labyrinthine city with Ray. I myself had made arrangements to leave as soon as I got in touch. How are you getting ready? I'd like to leave as soon as possible."
"I have no particular problem. That's exactly what we can start right now."

　Ray, who essentially houses almost everything he has in his mistrings, needs little preparation to go out.
　If there is one, it's about buying something that's not in the mistling. However, there is nothing particular to replenish in such rural areas. The best part of it is food.

"Grull?"
"Squeak!"

　Next to Ray and Elena, who are talking like that, Seto and Yero greet each other in their own voice.
　Seto was turning his head back to hear the sound of a yellow on his back.
　For some reason, communication is possible even though the races themselves are different.

(Or are they considered to be of the same race if they are considered to have been created by magic?)

　Watching the heart-warming conversation unfolding beside him, Ray suddenly asks a question.

"Is it only Elena this time?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"No, it's usually around Arla, isn't it? But Elena is the only one who got out of the carriage."
"Well, since Arla is in the position of Knight Commander, she can't open the city of Annesis." I'm afraid I left it there this time."
"...what is the captain of the Guards Knights?"

　Since he is the Knight Commander of the Guards Knights, does he not have to work with Elena, the bodyguard? Despite Ray's doubts, Elena nods without hesitation.

"It also means to escort me where I am going back. And... well, there's a lot of things going on."

　Elena muddles her words, unable to say that she wanted to enjoy her trip with Ray in front of the villagers.

"But the coachman has brought in a good hand, if not a substitute." Tufal, this is Ray heading with me to the labyrinthine city. Say hello."

　Encouraged by Elena, an elderly man in his 40s and 50s gets off the cab and bows.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ray," My name is Tufal, and I serve as a coachman in the Duke of Kelevel. This time I'm going to be accompanied by my daughter and Ray. I will do my best to make a pleasant trip for both of you, so please take care of me."

　Tell him that and bow gracefully.
　The gesture seemed more like a butler than a coachman.

(I suppose he is indeed the coachman of the Duke of Kelevel.)

　An admiring nod, Ray also opens his mouth.

"Thank you very much for your help. It's my first time going to a labyrinthine city, so it's reassuring for me to have a professional coachman. And... Set."
"Glu?"

　At Rey's call, Seto, who was talking to each other, turns his gaze.

"It's a two-fal who's been sent to the labyrinthine city."
"Grull".

　A set of voices to say hello.
　Tufal is amazed at how Seto looks.
　I never expected the Gryphon to greet me so gently.
　Still, he is not in a strange state of mind, and he is indeed a coachman serving the Duke of Quevel.

"This is... Thank you, Mr. Seto,"

　Perhaps he recognized Ray's partner in a short conversation, calling him Seto-sama instead of Seto-sama and bowing gracefully, then turning his eyes to Elena.

"And what are your plans, Miss, for I think you may stay here to-night?"
"... no, let's move on." An ordinary carriage takes about ten days each way to the labyrinthine city. As long as the magic items such as carriage and horse are warhorses, it can be shortened considerably, but I still want to get there as soon as possible, considering diving into the dungeon. I have about three months to spare, but..."
"All right. Your daughter says this, but how about you, Mr. Ray?"
"I don't care, as I said before," There's a magic tent even at night."
"Oh, did you get a magic tent?"

　Elena nods admiringly at Ray's words.

"You're not so surprised, are you? You used Elena during the war."
"I certainly used it during the war, but it's not my personal possession. It goes down to the Duke of Kelebel."

　More specifically, it was borrowed from my father.
　They had to pay back what they had borrowed once the war was over, and they were no longer in Elena's possession.

"If you have a magic tent, you can camp out. . . . . for my part . . . . . . . . . . . . .

　an elena muddling the last word
　Elena wanted to spend the night with Ray in the carriage, but she was embarrassed and couldn't put it first.
　The coachman, Tufal, smiled at such an Elena before opening his mouth.

"Well, before we leave, let us finish our business at least." I understand that you have the letter in your custody, Miss?"
"Huh? Oh, I see. ... Ray, I'm sorry, but I have something to do in this village, so please wait a little while."
"No, I'll go back, too," I'd like to say hello to the owner of the bar who let me stay yesterday."Elena reacts sharply to the word bar owner.
　He probably remembered the face of a knight who used to be in his bodyguard. And above all, it was the owner of the store who sent the letter to him.

"Well, that's the man I've got to do. Then shall we go with you to the bar? Two-fal, I'll be back soon, and you wait here."
"Very well, sir. Have a good day, then."

　a two-fal that bowed gracefully and sent Ray and Elena off.
　The gesture was so elegant that even the villagers, who had gathered around and watched the situation, could not help but admire it.





"Huh? Oh, you're back... and it's Mr. Elena, isn't it? It's quite early."

　When Ray and Elena enter the bar, the owner of the shop opens his eyes slightly without being surprised.
　It was during the day yesterday that they released a bird that informed them that Ray had come, so it's certainly no wonder that Elena was in this village the next evening.
　But if she had to do so, she would have to leave Anesis early this morning, and as a princess, she thought it difficult for Elena to do so.
　If the shopkeeper had misjudged something, it would be the power of a girl in love. Moreover, I had promised to go out with Ray at this time of year, so it's not difficult to get all the work done by then.
　It's only because of the presence of Arra and Mechen in place of Elena.

"First of all, I've got someone to meet, so I'll say hello."
"Greetings... Hey, are you going to leave the village now?"
"Oh, it happened at Elena's request."

　Ray glints at Elena standing next to him.
　But Elena hands over the letter to the bar owner without showing any concern for such a glance.

"It's a new instruction from over there,"
"Oh!? ...OK."

　a brief and concise interaction
　I guess it's because both Elena and the man know how much they're involved in.
　Ray was somewhat concerned, but nevertheless, when he thought he might be dragged into the duke's camp, he did not want to force himself to listen.

(In view of his relationship with Elena, I suppose he'll have to do something about it in due course...)

　I am aware that I am regarded as the force of Dusker, the Earl of Larkus, who, though I may say, is an adventurer, is in effect a neutral figure, while Elena is the daughter of Duke Kelebel, who is also a central figure in the aristocracy. Furthermore, she is known in neighboring countries as a princess shogun, a symbol of the aristocratic faction.
　And neutrals and aristocrats are facturally hostile. In the spring war against the Vestian Empire, they were supposed to fight together to counter the royalists, but it was obvious that it was only temporary.

(In addition, there are many aristocrats of the aristocratic school whose pride is strangely high.)

　The faces of the aristocrats I have met so far pass through my mind. Not many people spoke directly to each other, but few, like Elena, said it was OK to deal with adventurers in a normal tone.

(The first time I saw him, he suddenly cut me off.)

　I remember when I was suddenly slashed with a long sword, and I smiled a little smile.
　That's how Ray thinks -- in a way he escapes reality -- but he's probably done with it. Elena broke up with the shopkeeper and headed for Ray.

"Mr. Elena, and Ray, too." Wait a minute. Just about five minutes. If you're not going to stay in this village, I'd like you to at least bring me a lunch box. I'll get you something to eat."

　At the owner's words, the almost meat‐only meal that came out for breakfast passed my mind for a moment. However, it was decided that preserved foods like sausages, bacon and ham should be eaten little by little by the time they arrived in the labyrinth city, or even raw meat was mistrusted.

"Phew, he's the same,"

　Elena muttered as she watched him back.

"Did you know that he was originally a bodyguard knight?"
"Well... he was more famous as a freak than a close friend. But that is why I lived in this village after I left the Knights."
「……」

　Ray thought of asking back at the meaningful words, but immediately stopped.
　for now he had no intention of going further into the secrets of the Duke of Kelebel, and before that Elena himself could not seem to have told them so easily.

`... well, take this with you for now. These sausages are my own, and they are quite self-made."

　The owner of the shop emerges from the back of the shop, as if he had seen it. What I had in my hand was a pile of sausages weighing 10kg. It seemed to have been smoked, with a string of sausages and sausages tied together and uncut.

"Was it homemade?" No, it was delicious, though."

　mutter involuntarily to remember the taste of the sausage I had for breakfast

"Oh, there's no butcher in this village," Including preserved foods, they are basically self-sufficient."
"It certainly looks delicious as far as I can see." Ray, please."
"All right,"

　nod to Elena's words and touch the tied sausage to store it in a mistling.
　a man who nods silently, albeit with some amazement at the sight of his disappearance in an instant.

"Well, I'm done with my business, and I'll be leaving soon." Thank you for all your help."
"No, no, it's my business, too." Take care, Mr. Elena. ...and so does Ray."
"Oh, thank you,"

　Shortly thanked, Ray and Elena left the bar and joined Seto and Yero, who had been talking to Tufal near the carriage.