The prepared carriage was parked beside the fountain.
The familiar young coachman opened the carriage door, standing by the side and waiting for them to approach.
Darlian stepped into the carriage with ease, then turned around and extended her right hand toward this side.
As Finihiya was about to raise her hand to place it in Darlian’s palm, Danila’s slightly somber voice sounded from behind.
“Darlian-sama.”
At the sound, she tilted her head to look back.
At this moment, Danila’s expression was noticeably more serious. Though she still appeared gentle, her slightly furrowed brows revealed her earnestness.
Darlian restrained the faint smile on her face and lifted her gaze, staring straight at Danila standing not far away.
“What is it?”
“Ailus just sent a message. She needs you to return as soon as possible.”
Upon hearing Danila’s words, Darlian’s face lost all traces of a smile and returned to its usual cold, businesslike expression.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ailus didn’t specify. She only asked that you return as quickly as possible.”
“I see.” Darlian responded coolly, then leaped lightly out of the carriage, her graceful figure as nimble as a swift deer. “I understand.”
With that, Darlian turned her head back this way, and her cold expression suddenly melted into a smile.
“It seems there’s something important I need to handle. I regret that I can’t accompany you any further.”
“Official duties are important.” Finihiya shook her head lightly, indicating Darlian need not mind. “If it’s just going to the city, there’ll be other chances, won’t there?”
“Ah…” With a hint of helplessness, as if carrying a certain wistfulness, Darlian let out a light sigh. “Then I’ll return for now. If time permits, I’ll come find you again.”
“Mm.” Watching as Darlian slowly rose into the air with magic, Finihiya lifted her small hand to her chest and waved gently. “Bye-bye~”
“Hehe, bye-bye!”
Seeing Finihiya’s tiny hand waving in farewell, Darlian couldn’t help but find the gesture quite adorable. So she too raised her own small hand, mimicking Finihiya’s movement and waving lightly at her chest.
Whoosh—
The sound of wind slicing through the air came from above, and the tailgrass growing in the lawn bowed their heads under the pressure of the powerful gust.
Perhaps it was truly something important, for Darlian flew much faster than usual.
Finihiya’s gaze remained on Darlian’s slender silhouette until it faded away, merging into the far-off sky. Then she calmly withdrew her eyes.
Just as she was about to step up into the carriage, Danila’s gentle voice called from behind.
“Lady Finihiya.”
“Hmm?” She made a questioning sound and tilted her head again to look at Danila.
“Lady Finihiya, you’re going to the Belgrade Association, aren’t you?”
She had mentioned her plans to visit the association to Danila early in the morning, so Danila’s words were not surprising—more like a confirmation.
“Yes!”
“Then, please allow me to accompany you.”
“…Thank you, sorry for the trouble.”
Though Danila’s proposal was a bit abrupt, she hesitated only briefly before accepting Danila’s goodwill with a smile.
She understood Danila’s reasoning for making such a request.
It was because she was worried that Finihiya might encounter trouble on the way to the association, and be unable to handle it alone.
***
Late August.
The sunlight remained intense.
The summer wind blew through the open window, softly stirring the pale white curtains.
The carriage rolled along the narrow, endlessly winding roads of the Yabadawi Suburbs, heading into the bustling, lively city center of the Demon King City of Yabadawi.
The scorching sun beat mercilessly down on the pedestrians coming and going on the streets.
Those commuting in their thin linen clothes hurried along, covered in sweat, muttering something under their breath as they walked.
By the time the carriage arrived at the gates of the Belgrade Association, it was nearly ten o’clock.
As soon as the carriage stopped at the association entrance, the two attendants at the door seemed to recognize the Noble Emblem carved on the carriage’s side and promptly sent one of them inside.
By the time she stepped down from the carriage, Mr. Royce’s figure had already hurried out from within the association.
“Good morning! Lady Finihiya.”
Royce placed his hand on his chest in greeting.
Seeing this, Finihiya politely returned the gesture while responding, “Good morning, Mr. Royce.”
After these simple greetings, Royce stepped aside, half-turned, and gestured invitingly.
“Lady Finihiya, please follow me.”
“Alright.”
With a gentle nod, she followed Royce into the association.
The hall was bustling with many merchants there for business. She seemed to catch sight of two merchants at the counter dressed in a style reminiscent of the Theocracy of Saint Margaret.
The clothing of human nations was, for the most part, quite similar—even identical—but the details in their attire subtly reflected their origins.
Many citizens of the Theocracy wore garments marked with a distinct ecclesiastical flair.
Walking along the corridor deeper into the building, she finally reached the room she had visited before.
As she entered, a young maid stood by the table, tray in hand, preparing tea and refreshments.
Sitting properly at the table, Finihiya accepted the teacup offered by the maid with a polite, practiced smile, then cradled the warm cup and took a small sip of the dark tea.
“…Hm?”
The aroma rising from the tea felt strikingly familiar, and a trace of surprise appeared on Finihiya’s delicate face as she lifted her gaze to Royce, who sat across from her.
“I wonder if this batch of Silver Moon Tea is genuine.”
Hearing Royce’s words, Finihiya recalled how he had recently been tricked by a human merchant.
Pushing aside her fleeting sense of guilt, she replied in a gentle, even tone, “This is indeed Silver Moon Tea from the Theocracy.”
“That’s good.” Royce chuckled with self-deprecating humor. “If I’d been tricked again this time, my reputation as Royce would be ruined for good.”
“…Mr. Royce, where did you get this tea?”
“A few human merchants arrived in recent days, claiming to have come from the Theocracy of Saint Margaret.”
“I see.”
Hearing that there were merchants from the Theocracy here, Finihiya couldn’t help but feel a faint sense of familiarity and reassurance.
The Demon King City of Yabadawi was a considerable distance from the Theocracy.
A one-way journey by carriage took more than three months.
As she drifted in these thoughts, Mr. Royce placed a delicate wooden box gently on the table and pushed it toward her.
Seeing the box pushed in front of her, a hint of confusion flashed in Finihiya’s eyes.
“There’s some Silver Moon Tea in here. It may not be anything especially valuable, but I hope Lady Finihiya will accept it.”