I heaved a long sigh once the priestess left the room. Can’t be too cruel, can’t be too kind. There’s nothing we can do. Better keep those adventurers watched. But do we even have resources remaining to do just that?

We don’t have agents to spare. Would have been better for me if they all just died when they fought the damn elf. Less headache. I can’t believe that the church would allow her to become an adventurer, the high bishop certainly has a soft side for that girl. Maybe I should speak with him… or not, depending on the mood. I could just send a representative or something.

Seriously, I’m already having just a tiny amount of headache.

“Give me some hot chocolate.”

They already have the sweet drink ready in the room, and Mera poured it into a small cup. Meanwhile, I asked Vernon for the other papers. More reports. Fucking paperworks, I’m not getting paid enough for this shit! Okay, technically, this was my operation, but that’s not the point.

Ugh.

I received the cup and gently blew on it to cool it down. Will take a while before it’s drinkable, so I put it down on the table in front of me. I read the reports from the operation Rat’s Tail.

As expected, complaints from the nobles. Thinking about it, it would be pretty awkward to meet with one of the young ladies I met when just after they returned home, they were greeted by a stranger sent by the Crown to stay in their houses. Oh well…

I was the innocent princess anyway, they won’t think it’s me behind it.

Hm, nothing much going on yet. Can’t wait to discover anyone being an ass here.

“Princess, the schedule of your activities has to be decided.” Vernon reminded me.

There was that matter. I have a lot of things going on, so I have to make up a schedule, especially considering that my academic lessons would come back. Damn, I have to see Eleanore again. Dammit. Don’t know how she would treat me after that agent. I just know that she would be enraged about it.

Let’s set aside that concern for now. Looking forward to seeing Lanivia though. Anyways, I’ll only be seeing them once a week, one day for each. There’s plenty of days for me to use at my leisure. I’ll use those for my training and whatever matter I am needed.

But I have to pick the days and which sequence. Let’s have academics first, don’t want to face Eleanore on the first day. Next is Lanivia, of course. Then finally… Eleanore. Talk about delaying the inevitable.

As for the rest of the days, the day after Eleanore will be my training with Elson. The next will depend on me. Then the last day of the week is rest day — I say that but of course I’ll be kept busy. Anyhow, this will do. Just have to keep things flexible.

I extended the paper to Vernon. “Here, give it to my father. That will be alright for now.”

“Certainly.”

“Ah, any news from Uncle Meril?”

“Aside from the reports? None.”

“He’s quite busy. Hope he won’t start neglecting Mizia. Tell my father to convey it to Uncle.”

“Yes, princess.”

With that, Vernon left.

“Now then,” I sipped a little from the hot chocolate. “Are you still not feeling well, Mera?”

“H-Huh?”

She still seemed a little out of it. A bit better, but really just a bit. “Still not sleeping right?”

“I am doing fine, milady. It’s merely personal troubles of mine.”

“... Did I do you wrong?”

“Huh?! No! Milady, i-it’s not like that. It’s not you, it’s me!”

Huh?

“Sharing is good.”

“I… I have shared it with my… friends… somewhat.”

“You have two close friends, right? Macey and Ellie.”

“You remember their name?”

“Of course, they’re your friends. How could I forget them?”

“I see…” she lowered her head.

“... What about the other maids? Aren’t you friends?”

“We’re friends. Macey and Ellie just are the closest to me. They are very kind.”

“That’s good. Share with them your troubles you can’t share with anyone else. Having someone you trust is a nice and comforting thing.”

Mera glanced at me, then to Rogan for a very brief moment before nodding. “Yes, milady.”

Geez, what’s wrong with this girl? Jealous much?

She’s troubling me.

She needs time to cool off or something. Go on a vacation like I did or something. Meet some more people, mingle. Okay, maybe she don’t want those kinds of things. Ugh, whatever.

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Already have too much shit to think about. Let’s not add another.

***

It was noon, there was a building that the royal palace rented out for the dead. Those that died during the bandit operation. There were only a few, as one would expect when fighting bandits. Their coffin has also been prepared, and burial services were taken care of by the crown. The crown took care of everything.

It was one of the promises in the quest if there were casualties. And it was in front of this building where Tina stood. She looked back. There was no one following her or watching. The meeting with the princess was tense, she looked furious at Tina’s actions. But in the end, she showed kindness. Didn’t even send her men to accompany her.

That said, today, she had to return to the Church. Never to go back to becoming an adventurer again. Her adventures had come to an end, it was fun while it lasted. It was one of the best things she had experienced. A joyful memory.

She hesitated going inside the building, her friends were there. Things have not been going well with Anita. It never got any worse with Dune and Iruyu, they still treated her like part of the team. Although there was a bit of a different attitude from Dune, unlike before. Tina was relieved that Iruyu didn’t change much upon learning her truth. But then again, they didn’t know the full truth, but only what they have seen. Nor should they.

Any more than she had revealed, the palace will be compelled to use extreme measures. In fact, what she did was riskier than she had imagined at first. With her revealing her abilities, risks the exposure of the other secretive side of the Church. And the crown never wanted for the public to even get a whiff of it.

She took a deep breath, she had to say her goodbyes. And thus, she took a step forward, approaching the front door, and going over the threshold. This room was the lobby, only a few people sitting down on chairs and standing by the wall. Some of them spacing out, while others visibly grieving. There were fewer people here than before.

There were a few more rooms here. With some where the coffins were placed. In Wisteria, it was tradition to wait for up to ten days before the burial. It was to give time for the family to grieve and for anyone that knew the dead to visit him or her the last time. However, in the end, it was up to the family. As for Derin’s case, they chose to wait ten days. Part of the reason was Anita.

Tina entered the room where Derin’s coffin was. Her party was there as well. Derin was hidden in the wooden coffin, completely covered. Anita sat close to him. Iruyu was preparing some sort of tea. And Dune cleaning his sword.

All of them momentarily stopped their activities to look at Tina.

Dune sheathed his blade. “Tina, how’d it go?”

“B-Better than expected. The crown seemed to have granted me small mercy.”

Tina kept that it was the princess she met. Again, she hid the truth from her friends. She truly was the worst.

“That’s good then. As long as you’re alright.”

There was genuine concern in Dune’s voice. Still, Tina felt sad and disappointed. Before, Dune would have rushed in front of her to say that. Iruyu she didn’t mind much, he only watched to listen, he does that. Anita had no other reaction whatsoever but her usual depressed expression, eye bags under her eyes.

“But, I have something to tell you.” Everyone listened. “Today will be my last day with you.”

“What?”

Surprised as well, Iruyu put down the cups. “What do you mean, Tina?”

“I am here now to say goodbye.”

“Right now? You’re going now?” Dune rose from his seat and approached Tina with rushed steps.

“Y-Yes, Dune.”

“But Tina…” he hesitated.

“You can’t be serious?!” Anita marched up to her face, anger in her eyes. “We haven’t even buried Derin yet! And now you’re going?! Isn’t he your friend too?!”

How much Tina wanted to be there for her precious friend’s burial. And it felt like a beast’s fangs digging into her chest to realize that she wouldn’t be there in the end. And thus, two words were all she could mutter.

“... I’m sorry.”

Anita’s face contorted, not of rage, but of sadness. On the brink of tears. But she was holding them back.

Dune placed a hand on his mouth. “There must be another way, Tina.”

“... There is no other way.”

Once the palace heard of this — no, once she had realized what Tina has been doing, this outcome was absolute.

“A-At least stay h-here until tomorrow.” Anita continued.

“I can’t…” Ignoring the chance the princess gave her, she must go while she still had the strength of heart to go.

“Then I’ll go and talk to everyone in the palace! I’ll have the king reconsider his decision!” Anita blurted out. She began marching for the door, stomping her feet.

Tina panicked for a moment. Anita shouldn’t, she should never even try doing such a thing. It would only make things worse. Even worse if she meets with her. And thus, she frantically reached out for Anita’s arm and tightly held her back.

“Stop it, Anita. Please.”

“But—”

“It ends here for us. At least, my end to be with you. Say goodbye back to me, please.”

“T-Tina — I… I don’t want you to go.”

“Anita, please.”

Anita, unable to endure it anymore, began crying. “W-Will I see you again?”

“... Of course.”

But she wouldn’t be able to be with them anymore. They could only look at each other from a distance. Perhaps during a mass, or a ceremony. A little talk here and there, but not long.

Anita lowered her gaze for a moment before raising them again. “... Goodbye, Tina. See you next time…”

“Same to you, Anita...” Tina let go of her hand. She turned towards Dune. “Goodbye, leader.”

I love you.

Dune smiled slightly, but his eyes were moist. “Goodbye, Tina.”

Tina smiled back and nodded. She reached out for his hand, and they touched. She’ll remember this sensation. “Thank you.”

Once she let go, she approached Iruyu. Before she could speak, he spoke first.

With a grin, he said. “I’ll miss you, Tina.” he patted her head.

“I’ll miss you too, big guy.”

And lastly, she walked towards the coffin. Gently placing her hand on it. “Derin. Thank you for everything. For the fun things you caused. The kindness. The annoying things. Everything.”

Tina sniffled and she rubbed her eyes, but the tears never ceased.

“I’ll miss you, Derin. May the Lord and Lady have guided you to paradise filled with flowers… and love.”

She gradually retracted her hand and stepped back. With one last look at his coffin, she turned her back and headed for the door. By the threshold, she glanced back at her friends and smiled. An old scene of her friends overlapped in her eyes.

It only made her heart ache more, but still… It was a pleasant memory. And she found joy in the sea of sadness.

She stepped forward and made her way outside. While on the street, she recalled the early days. The moment she met Anita. The moment she shook Dune’s hands. Their first quest together. Their first overnight camp. The fun. The fear. The relief.

All kinds of things she experienced in their adventurer together. Because of this very adventure she had experienced and seen more than she could imagine. And she was grateful.

The beautiful moments they had together. Every hour spent with them, she carried them deep into her heart, holding it close.

She rubbed her eyes and face. Before she knew it, she had arrived in front of the church. She stepped inside. On one of the seats for the masses, a familiar face seemed to wait for her. This woman rose with almost a monotone expression.

However, the moment she laid eyes on Tina, she formed a small smile.

Tina approached her. “Astine… I’m home.”

“Yes. Welcome back. Let’s go see the bishop.”

“Okay.”

“But perhaps let’s change your clothes before that.”

“Indeed.” She was wearing her adventurer’s outfit.

They walked together.

Astine glanced at Tina’s face. “You look terrible. Parting has been difficult, I see. Do you wish to rest first?”

Tina shook her head. “No, there are a lot of things I have to do.”

“... If you say so.” Astine placed a gentle hand on Tina’s head.