Morning went smoothly. I pretended to be a little hurt after yesterday's fight. It wouldn't be natural to be completely comfortable after having a spat.

But denying my theatrics, Sophie closed the distance earlier than expected. She lets these things go too easily. I'm not complaining though. It was nice to know that she was still willing to be friends.

"Let's stop by Sir Hagen's and Paige's homes. As courtesy, we should inform them that we're leaving."

I deliberately froze in place. Feigning distress.

Hopefully, Sophie will see it as awkward to return to the place of conflict and she'll give up.

"I'm not going to overstep my boundaries. I know that a hero shouldn't help everyone they see."

Ahah. Great job, Sophie. Thanks for considering my feelings, now let's leave this town quickly.

She approaches. "Don't be mad, okay?" And hugs me tightly.

I grit my teeth, repressing the urge to smack her. She asked me not to be mad. In other words, she's going ahead with house visiting anyways.

"Ehehe... If you're not mad, you can smile, right?" She plays with my lips, trying to get a smile.

After a big fight, friends are more mindful and friendly to each other but Sophie, this level of goofy behavior is overboard.

-Willpower: 37/44-

"I'm not angry."

"Then you're sulking."

-Willpower: 36/44-

"I'm not sulking!" I played along with her teasing despite not actually being irritated. Any reaction is better than a stone-faced one.

"Hihihi~" She pokes my cheek. "Today is my turn to tease you."

What a cheeky grin she has.

How brave of you to fool around, Sophie. Your cheeks will not be spared later.

-Willpower: 35/44-

"Tsk. Mind your manners, we're outside."

"O-kay~"

-Scold unsuccessful-

Unsuccessful... That's been occurring more lately. Due to how I never follow up on my harsh words, she's adapted, disregarding the coarse language I use.

Perhaps we've fooled around too much. The people around us were staring. I doubt it was for any good reasons. Our cheery attitude must have seemed off-putting. 'Why are you so carefree when we're suffering'.

Tch.

Instead of wasting time glaring, how about learning to control mana to protect yourselves. Unlike the Eastern Empire which restricts schooling to nobles, here in the West there is free schooling to teach anyone willing. There aren't any restrictions about acquiring the skill. It's just about effort. Most guards and adventurers have it. Why don't you?

Because you don't need it when living inside a safe fortress. Right? Complacency.

This fortress has been around for over a hundred years, it has never been collapsed or overtaken, by monsters or other humans. There are smart ways to live, and there is the way most people here live. Believing they'll always be safe.

You live in a world of monsters. Learn some useful skills. You have too much faith in some tall, old stones. I remember what Hagen said. 'Even wyverns are afraid of our fortress'. Nope. The climate of this area happens to be too cold for reptiles. The guard captain doesn't even know why this fortress is situated past the border mountains.

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The fortress wasn't built here to make a dangerous place safer. Hagen's got it backwards. It was safe and secure from the start, that's why they built it here. The locale doesn't allow for stronger monsters to make it their habitat.

And now we've arrived at the old man's house.

Sophie knocks on the door. "Mr. Hagen, Ms. Eleanor, are you home?"

It was quiet. Then after a short moment, the door opens.

"Hewwo, Sophie." A short little girl greeted us.

"Hi, Mabel~ Are your mom and dad at home?"

"Mommy's home. Daddy is working."

"M-Mabel, did you open the door? Who are you talking to?" The elven woman had a haggard appearance. A slight nudge in my memory banks reminded me that this lady had the priest class. She must have been busy healing people recently.

"Ah! Sophie, Claud. My husband isn't home at the moment. Did you need him for something?"

"Ah, no. Claud and I came to say our farewells. We're going home to the Empire." Sophie noticed her emaciated looks and didn't impose on the poor woman. We haven't had breakfast yet, usually Sophie would have asked for Ms. Eleanor's cooking.

"Oh, but I made more portions for you kids today. Surely you could stay a little longer for breakfast."

Sophie's eyes lit up.

"We'd love to have breakfast! Come on, Claud." My body resembled a balloon as she yanked me into the house.

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"Do you two really have to leave? You could stay with our family until it is safe. I'm sure Hagen wouldn't mind, and Mabel would love more company."

Yes. I'd love to stay safe within a fortified town as well. But Sophie needs to grow stronger, and I'm concerned whether she could survive by herself.

"Mhm. I wike Sophie." Mabel contributed, a mass of food dripping from her chin.

"But we really have to get home. Claud and I have to attend the academy and finish our military training-"

"School!? How would you even make it to the other side of the continent?"

"Claud and I were planning to-"

"None of the churches have received any oracles to know what is causing these dark skies to rain miasma. The cardinals from the East and West are planning to convene as soon as possible. And recently, hubby received a telegram from the East that there's a mythical Blostmfell spreading its influence and territory. All this could be the work of demons! Dark skies, increasingly dangerous monsters and harsh environments, this all fit the holy texts describing the ends of days!"

Sophie and I had stopped eating to stare at the hysterical lady. The mush on Mabel's chin dropped onto the table with a quiet plop.

"Ahem... I apologize for that outburst, children. But it really is dangerous to be outside at the moment." Said with an elegance completely unlike the hysteria from before. This woman switches gears quickly, it's a little terrifying.

"Don't worry, Ms. Eleanor. We're trained soldiers. We can fight off most monsters and block the rain with mana."

"I understand you're both capable, but it is worrisome, nevertheless. Even a moment's lapse in Willpower could result in the barriers dropping. You won't be able to keep that same focus when engaged in battle."

"Claud can handle it. Maintaining a barrier doesn't consume Willpower for him! If it gets dangerous, he could cover me too."

Sophie... We're going to have a talk about keeping secrets later. I'm sure she wouldn't boast about it in battle but still. I'd rather her not openly talk about these things even with friendly company. There could be chameleons in our midst.

"Hmm... Claud, take good care of her."

-Willpower: 34/44-

"Yes, Ma'am." I curtly respond.

----------------------------------------

After finishing our food, we prepare to leave. Sophie and I put on our boots.

"... I'll tell Hagen that you two dropped by... Be safe out there."

Sophie and I turn to look at her. "Yes, we will. Goodbye, Ms. Eleanor."

"Bye-bye, Sophie~" Mabel waved.

"Bye, Mabel~" Sophie waved back.

Ms. Eleanor stood at the entrance of the doorway with Mabel.

"Take care of each other." Ms. Eleanor calls out in a worried tone.

"Take care of each other." Mabel parrots her mother.

Sophie and I turn to look at them again. "We always do~"

"... Did you remember to bring warm clothes? It might be an early Winter."

"Yes, we remembered. Don't worry." Sophie answered.

"And Claud, do speak up sometimes. Don't let Sophie do all the chatting. I'm sure it's hard but I'm sure spending enough Willpower will help you remove that trait one day."

Her constantly calling out to us made it more awkward to leave. I shut the door behind us.

That woman's very presence is exhausting. Constantly chattering, overly concerned for the wellbeing of children that weren't hers. Mother hen.

"It's too bad Mr. Hagen wasn't at home. I wanted to thank him again for lending equipment and guiding us through our first quests."

It was nice of him. I never expected the stuck-up old man to be so easily befriended considering his initial impression of me. Actions do speak louder than words.

"..." Sophie stares blankly at me without trying to hide it.

She does this from time to time. By now, I've just accepted it as her quirky habit and pretend I don't notice. Though that doesn't mean I'm comfortable with it. At first, I thought she was checking my status and got worried. But she continued doing it day after day. Nobody would look at the same status screen with no changes on a daily basis.

Usually, I can speculate as to what her thoughts are. But when she starts staring like this, I can't even guess what's running through that head of hers. On occasion when we sleep, I've felt her gaze observing my every movement. Frankly it gave me the shivers.

I'm positive that she doesn't have any ill intent, but it is still unnerving.

"..."

Distracted by her, I almost didn't put up our glorified umbrella in time.