> Kira PoV <

“Look girls, it’s Kotero, the Royal Capital.” (Kira)

I bring the two’s attention to the grand walls visible from the window. 

“Wow! It’s so huge! And pretty!” (Sophie)

“Yeah, it can't even compare to Runetap!” (Lara)

Well yeah, these walls are easily twice the size of Runetap’s and a flawless white color. The Royal Castle is visible in the distance, and the Mirelian Ocean stretches out behind it. The morning sun shining down on everything completes a truly dazzling view.

It's a first impression that can't be beat. Well, a whole city crashing into a hole with a loud sound and a cloud of dust is memorable in it's own way, I suppose...

“Is that the ocean?! Can we go see it!?” (Sophie)

“Of course sweetie, that’s the main reason we brought you girls. I know a very special spot there.” (Kira)

“Umm, so this isn’t Mrs Quasse’s first visit to Kotero?” (Lilly)

“That’s right, I used to live here while attending the Magic Academy several years ago. I went back to Runetap after I graduated.” (Kira)

I respond to Inspector Lilly’s question. I did agree to honestly answer everything she asked about, but why does she insist on riding with us? I can’t really say anything about it though. Since she was sent by the Ministry of Information in response to my Flight Badge request, it’s in our best interest to cooperate.

Oddly enough Lilly didn’t ask about Ellie at all. Maybe she’s satisfied with Ellie calmly accepting her snooping around instead of lashing out? I know I am. That’s why Ellie’s head is currently on my lap, receiving her reward.

*Scritch scritch*

*Prrrrrrr* 

Huhuhu, Ellie’s ears are the best ~♡! I’m glad we’re finally in range of the capital’s patrols, now we can relax and I can fully enjoy the fuzzy cuteness!

“*Cough* I must say, that’s making me rather uncomfortable. Especially with children here.” (Lilly)

Well it’s not unexpected, that’s pretty much Kelly’s reaction. That’s why she decided to sit next to the coachman since a while ago. Although about the way Lilly said it seemed… worrying.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s uncomfortable about it?” (Kira)

She glances at the girls who are pressing themselves against the window and leans in with a whisper.

“Well… foreplay in public is a bit...” (Lilly)

“Huh? I’m just being affectionate, we’re not trying to do anything like that here...” (Kira)

“Ah… you didn’t know? That is, um, catfolk ears are, uh, really sensitive.” (Lilly)

She blushes fiercely enough to be visible through her snow-white fur.

“Like, really sensitive.” (Lilly)

I had no idea! And I scratched so many of them in Runetap! Aren’t I just a molester like this? No wonder the guards kept arresting me! Somehow my victims never complained enough to keep me detained but I’ve been doing a terrible thing! 

Come to think of it, Ellie equated ear-scratching to cheating didn’t she? Is that what she meant? And didn’t our daughters take part in it too??

*Scritch scritch*

No good I can’t stop! If I lose the calming effect of these ears I will completely flip my shi-

“Nyaaa… I’m not like that though. Nyaaa… It just feels comfortable... Nyaaa...” (Ellie)

ALRIGHT!

Ahhhh, that was dangerous! I almost forgot but Ellie is actually completely different! Wow! We dodged an arrow on that one! Fuuu. Haaah. Okay, I’m calm.

“That’s right, Ellie isn’t from the same race as Lilly. She came from… beyond this continent so she’s the only one of her kind here.” (Kira)

Lying is no good, especially against these guys. Rumor has it they can immediately discern whether what was said was true or not. Well, my statement was technically true, and people rarely ever visit the other continent so let’s hope this works!

I’d hate for the government to brand Ellie as a threat based on something silly like where she came from...

“That’s well and all, but I still want you to stop. For my sake.” (Lilly)

“Okay, I understand.” (Kira)

I stop my hands and take them off Ellie’s head. She looks up at me from my lap with a dissatisfied expression.

“I’ll make it up to you later tonight okay ~♡?” (Kira)

“Okay.” (Ellie)

She sits back up and calmly leans back in her seat. Lilly on the other hand is blushing again. She’s surprisingly pure. I want to tease her a bit, but that’s dangerous on many levels.

* * *

We arrive at the Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters building and get off the carriage. Surprisingly, it looks exactly the same as the one in Runetap. I thought it would be bigger, but then again the guild loves its regulations.

At least it’s in a good place. It’s on the edge of a sizable plaza with a fancy-looking fountain with numerous statues of people spouting water in the middle.

“Then I will take my leave here. I will visit tomorrow before noon to guide you to the ‘official’ interview.” (Lilly)

“Okay, I’ll be looking forward to it.” (Kira)

Lilly and I shake hands and she disappears into the crowd. Literally. I just lost sight of her for a moment and she’s already gone! I guess being an intelligence officer of the royal army means she has some skill!

Oh, Branch Manager Inlaeth and Picorio are coming this way.

“Good work. Here. On your own for return trip. Goodbye.” (Inlaeth)

He hands me a signed piece of paper as proof of completion for the request. We just need to turn it in to get our compensation.

“Thank you, Branch Manager, and goodbye. You too, Picorio.”

“Goodbye Kiressara, Ellie. Pleasure working with you again.” (Picorio)

They walk briskly inside the HQ building. For some reason elves always seem to be in a hurry, but I don’t particularly mind working with them. They don’t mess around and cut straight to the point. The stiff and curt attitude actually grew on me after a while.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Mommy, mommy! Let’s go see the ocean!” (Sophie)

“Yeah! I wanna go right now!” (Lara)

“Calm down you two, we’ll be visiting for a while so there’s plenty of time. We should get settled. Kelly, could you carry the luggage and golems?” (Kira)

“Bag duty again? What a waste of Scrappy’s potential…” (Kelly)

Oh my, she seems to have forgotten a very important fact.

“We could always hire some porters to carry it. By using your wages.” (Kira)

“Right then, give me a moment to get inside Scrappy and we’re off!” (Kelly)

She runs off toward the wagon where we left the golems. I wish she’d remember she’s still technically an employee.

{You sure are strict when it comes to this sort of thing.}

“Of course! We have to control our expenditures or we’ll never be able to retire!” (Kira)

{Money doesn’t grow on trees, right?}

“Huh? What are you talking about? There is a money tree you know?” (Kira)

{What? For real?}

“Oh yeah, there’s a magical tree that produces coins instead of fruit. The problem is you need to fertilize it with so much gold or silver that the coins it produces are not enough to cover the cost.” (Kira)

{I want one!}

“Were you listening? You can’t make a profit on it. Also the coins it produces are technically counterfeit so owning one is illegal.” (Kira)

{Not for coins, but rather the ability to accurately duplicate small metal objects. I might have a lot of uses for that.}

“That so? Hmm, not sure if that’s legal. Or even possi-” (Kira)

“Hahahaha!” (Sophie)

“Wheeee!” (Lara)

Oh come on! Not again! These three always end up doing this as soon as my back is turned!

“Ellie put them down this instant!” (Kira)

“I keep saying it’s safe...” (Ellie)

“I don’t care if it’s safe, it scares me so stop it!” (Kira)

“Selfish...” (Ellie)

Ellie stops floating them around with [Star Magic] and gently sets them down on the ground. It’s a bit boorish of me, but there’s no way I can relax if I know that’s going on. It’s the same power that can create craters in the ground with small stones you know?

“Aww but mooom!” (Lara)

“Not a word, young lady! And stop pressuring your mother like that! Don’t think I don’t know about your M-word assault strategy!” (Kira)

Ellie is a bit too soft on them. She gives in the instant they start going ‘mommy mommy’.

“Geh! She found us out!” (Lara)

“I told you we’d get in trouble…” (Sophie)

“Kira is strict as usual.” (Ellie)

“Someone has to be.” (Kira)

Honestly, these girls never learn. Even now Ellie is still up to no good.

“We’ll do it later when Kira isn’t looking.” (Ellie)

“I can hear you whispering, Ellie.” (Kira)

The three culprits stiffen up and look at me like I’m some sort of monster. As if I’d ever miss a word Ellie says!

“Wow what happened here? You guys tried to pull another fast one on Red, huh?” (Kelly)

Good, Kelly’s back with our luggage. Maybe now we can finally find an inn.

Ah, I almost forgot to report our request completion and collect our compensation!

“Kelly, go with the girls and find us a place to stay for about a week, we have some things to take care of inside.” (Kira)

“One of my cousins has a place nearby, actually. I’ll go see if we can stay with him for a while.” (Kelly)

“Really? We won’t be a bother?” (Kira)

“Don’t worry about it, he’s a bit lonely so he’ll enjoy the company!” (Kelly)

Saying that, she takes off into the crowd while shouldering a mountain of luggage. Lara and Sophie follow after her with sparkling eyes.

… they won’t get lost or anything right? Should be fine since Nano’s there.

Ellie and I walk into the guild HQ building. Not just the outside, the inside is completely identical too. Even the receptionist is the same.

“Good morning Ellie! And Mrs Quasse.” (Clara)

Huh? 

“Good morning Clara.” (Ellie)

Ellie greets receptionist who can’t possibly be there and walks over to her. I mean, Clara definitely didn't come with us.

“We’re here to get our commission, here’s the proof of completion.” (Ellie)

I look outside through the open door. It’s most assuredly the capital street.

“Wow! The Manager even said to give you a bonus! That guy is super stingy you know!” (Clara)

I scan the insides of the guild building. It looks exactly the same as the one in Runetap. I even recognize some of the faces in the restaurant area. Even that cake store owner is here, he's hard to miss.

“Here’s the full amount!” (Clara)

It’s that, right? Some new type of [Gateway] that connects all guild buildings together, right? 

“Thanks Clara.” (Ellie)

Magic sure is convenient, right?

“Kira, lets go find Kelly.” (Ellie)

Oh good, Ellie’s done collecting our money while I was spacing out. Such a reliable wife ~♡!

“Sure thing!” (Kira)

Fufufu, that’s right, I just need to focus on Ellie and the rest doesn’t matter.

I’m sure Clara has a perfectly reasonable explanation that I will not understand, therefore there’s no reason to worry about it!

It’s because my intuition is screaming at me not to touch this particular can of worms, okay? This and that are completely unrelated.