> Ellie PoV

“You all set Ellie?”

Kira calls out from outside.

“Just a minute!”

I reply through the open window.

I have to pack a few more things.

We’re going on a trip so preparations are important.

We’ll be traveling by riding Nano’s special cart.

It’s a salvaged Planet Rover we had lying around.

Re-entry was harsh on a lot of the equipment.

The engine was ruined, but the suspension and wheels were okay.

So Nano turned it into a cart.

Kelly’s golem will be pulling it.

Still, it’s important to travel light.

Let me double check my checklist.

Since preparations are important.

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

✓ Grappling Hooks

✓ Sleeping Bag

✓ Adventurer’s Guild Card

✓ Body Armor

✓ Face Mask

✓ Tritanium Sword

✓ 20 Impact Pellets

✓ 100 Primary Throwing Knives

✓ 50 Secondary Throwing Knives

✓ 40 Backup Throwing Knives

✓ 20 Emergency Throwing Knives

✓ 10 Last Resort Throwing Knives

✓ 4 Extra Large Knives that look like they’d be fun to throw

✓ 3 Pocket Grenades - High-Explosive

✓ 3 Pocket Grenades - Incendiary

✓ 2 Pocket Grenades - Gas (Non-Lethal)

✓ 2 Pocket Grenades - Gas (Lethal)

✓ 2 Pocket Grenades - EMP

✓ 2 Spare Radio Earpieces

✓ 3 Water Canteens

✓ 4 Emergency Medical Kits

✓ 14 Emergency Field Rations

✓ 5 Cans of bug repellant

✓ 5 Sets of Picorio’s deluxe line of hygiene and beauty products

✓ 3 Sets of casual day clothes

✓ 2 Sets of serious day clothes

✓ 2 Sets of pajamas

✓ 2 Sets of travel clothes

✓ 4 Pairs of boots

✓ 4 Pairs of socks

✓ 6 Sets of clean underwear

✓ 1 Set of Kira’s underwear

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Looks good, should be enough.

“Kira, I’m on my way!”

We’re each responsible for our own luggage.

I pack everything up in two duffel bags and head down.

We’re heading out to get the missing [Starshards].

That’s way too fancy a name for that old fart’s boxes.

But it’s fun to say, so I’ll let it slide.

There’s seven of them.

Four are scattered around in all directions.

The other three are in one place.

That's clearly suspicious.

We know where they are since those containers have beacons.

Leave it to that greedy old fart to have beacons.

'This is mine, don't touch' is the message they send out.

'Please take it from me' is what I hear.

Since the beacons transmit over a long range, Nano’s probes are tracking them.

The drones already picked up the ones around the city and in the forest.

But these last seven are really far away.

Probably some adventurers or merchants got to them first.

And now they're goods in circulation.

Nano says we’ll need over a month to get all of them.

I’ve never left home for so long before, so I’m a bit nervous.

Hmm?

“Nano said we’d need a month to get the boxes back, right?”

{It’s a rough guess, and most of that is just traveling, but yes.}

“But what about power?”

If Kira’s not here, power will only last about a week at most.

Mostly because the battery is a bit broken.

It loses power on its own.

If power runs out, the drones won’t be able to re-charge.

And our home will be left defenseless.

{What about it?}

Nano isn’t worried at all.

As expected of Nano!

“How will Nano charge the battery when Kira’s not here?”

Nano is pretty smart you know.

I’m sure there’s some brilliant idea to get around this!

{... Whoops.}

...

{Ah, ahem, that is... There uh, should be some, uh, solar panels. Somewhere…}

“Nano.”

I reprimand him slightly with a stern voice.

Since I'm the wife.

{I’m sorry. I got careless. I’ll take care of it so please don’t be mad.}

“Then it’s okay.”

Why is it only Nano apologizes properly around here?

* * *

We enter the guild building like usual.

We were busy with the wedding preparations before, so we haven’t been here recently.

Hasn’t changed a bit, though.

Even the receptionist girl is the same.

“Good day miss Ellie, miss Quasse.”

She greets Kira when we walk up to the counter.

“My, it’s Mrs Quasse these days, you know?”

“My apologies Mrs Quasse. Also congratulations.”

“Fufufu, thank you.”

“But then how do I call the… other Mrs Quasse?”

Ah, she’s troubled.

Having the same name can be inconvenient for other people.

I did not consider this.

“Just Ellie is fine.”

Let’s help her out a bit.

She’s always kind and cheerful when she sees us.

So this much is nothing.

“Thank you, Ellie! May I trouble you to call me Carla?”

“If Carla wants, then I don’t mind.”

Hmm? She seems awfully happy about that.

Ah, people must not call her by name much.

I still didn’t know her name until just now.

It's lonely when nobody calls out to you, after all.

“So how can the adventurer’s guild help you today?”

“I’d like to update the name on Ellie’s card.”

I hand over the card and let her collect some blood.

We’re here to put Kira’s family name next to mine.

This much is natural.

But… somehow I feel nervous and jumpy.

A few minutes later the receptionist comes back.

“Here you go Ellie.”

“Thank you Carla.”

I take back my card with anticipation.

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

Name: Ellie mil Quasse

Titles: Silent Shadow, Bonesetter

Team: Black Flame

Position: Scout

Rank: B

Status: Active

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

...

Why is it that these letters make me so incredibly happy?

Ah I see.

Somehow, the confusion around that dragon got to me.

I just hadn’t fully accepted it.

But it’s finally hit me like a ton of bricks.

I’m married.

I’m a wife.

I have a wife.

Someone warm who’ll be there for me always.

Now the whole world will know I’m married to Kira!

Uuuuuuu, what’s with this immense giddiness in my chest.

My heart's pounding so wildly it feels like it might explode!

No good, I need to let these feelings out!

“... K-K-Kiraa…”

“What is it Ellie? Your face is awfully flu- Eeek!”

I jump at Kira but she ducks out of the way with a cute scream.

She’s gotten pretty good at dodging me lately.

I land with a roll and assume a running start position.

“C-c-calm down Ellie! We’re in the guild, remember! Think of the t-t-t-time and place!”

Kira waves her hands around with a flustered face.

Huhuhuhu, this kind of Kira is cute too.

Alright, I’ve decided.

“Here and now works!”

“NOOOOOO!”

Ah, Kira ran out of the guild.

She must want to play tag.

But my prey will not escape me so easily!