"Nina! I got another letter from my parents!"

Oh hello Mable.

I feel like I'm hearing it a lot lately.

Last time, you said they got caught up in something and would arrive a bit later.

It's almost mid-june now.

Relaxing on the beach, anyone?

"They boarded a ship and should arrive in Heiliya next week!"

Oh?

Ooooh?!

So it's finally happening?

We are finally going to the port city?!

Wow, that took forever!

But it's a good timing.

It's getting pretty hot, so going to a seaside city is perfect!

"So how about it? Are you guys busy with quests or can we set out today?"

"We finished a big quest yesterday... we can go."

"Yay! Perfect! I'll get the others and meet up with you guys at the guild after lunch!"

She storms off and leaves me in the middle of the road.

...

Hmm?

Did she say 'the others'?

Who does she mean?

Aren't I supposed to get Ignis and Cana?

Or is she hinting at the horrific possibility that she managed to clone herself?!

Oh no...

...

Yeah that's enough for a daily dose of overthinking things.

She probably means other merchant's kids or something.

Well, better let those two know then.

Later, in the afternoon.

Me, Ignis and Cana sat inside the guild, waiting for our gorilla-shaped cargo to appear.

But unfortunately, other passing adventurers wouldn't stop pestering us about this and that...

I guess it's the downside of being famous.

At first, it was just Ignis, but since we're in the same party, it spread over to me and Cana as well.

Incidentally, me and Ignis are still at rank B, while Cana recently made it to C rank.

I'm told A class is reserved only for the most trustworthy and veteran adventurers and S ranks are handed out only if the country's royalty as well as at least three guildmasters from different cities unanimously agree to it.

...

Well, I don't really care about ranks.

With rank B, we can take quests up to A rank.

And there are no S rank quests.

In other words, this is already the top.

We can do any quest we want.

Those two other ranks are something like bonus content after beating the final boss.

...

Why am I making video game analogies again?

"B-by the way miss... where did you get that sword?"

Ah, the age-old question.

Which came first?

The sword?

Or my fist in your face as a reward for asking it?!

"C-calm down Nina!"

Shut up!

I hate being reminded of this thing.

It used to be a small short sword just fit for me.

But with the addition of two sheaths, it got a bulkier.

And also, I can't lift it without my gloves.

Like, at all.

Adamantium might be impenetrable but it's also super heavy!

This sword is useless!

I can't even unsheathe it unless I want to unleash hell upon the world!

It might as well be a crappy club!

"Hey! I'm here!"

Oh hey.

Our cargo has arrived.

And she's dragging some people behind her.

Who are these two guys that resemble one another?

"Oh, finally! I thought you forgot about us!"

"Haha, I wouldn't dare!"

Well, the two redheads sure get along.

So, how about introducing those two now?

"Hey, young ladies! I'm Michael and this is Ryan!"

Good.

So...

Who are you?

I'm bad at remembering names.

If you don't tell me your identities, I'll end up remembering you as these two twin guys with black hair and beard whose muscles are pitifully inferior to the guildmaster.

"They are my dad's friends! Fellow merchants and all that, you know?"

Oh, I see.

So my earlier guess was right.

Well, maybe not.

They are pretty far away from 'kids'.

"Hahaha that's right! I've heard about you girls a lot! We're really lucky to have you as our escorts!"

Well, okay.

But it won't be free for you two!

Mable only gets a pass because she helped us so much and because she's our friend!

... and because she's a girl.

I mean, of course a girl would get preferential treatment over two big sweaty guys, right?

I'm definitely not being sexist here!

"Well, this won't do! We'll have to properly fill in a request and then you'll accept it. We can't be cheating!"

Huh.

Well, that works too I guess.

Actually, is that why Mable had us meet in the guild?

"Hey, Mrs. receptionist!"

"Welcome to the guild! What can I do for you?"

"Yeah, we would like to make a special request!"

As Michael... or was that Ryan...?

...

As one of those two went to officially register a request for us, we chatted with Mable and the other Michryan.

"So here's the plan. We'll use Ryan's carriage as our means of travel, and we'll have a short stop at the Rennie village. Sounds good?"

Ugh, carriage?

Those things are so slow though...

"Nina, don't give me those 'I can run faster' eyes!"

But I AM faster!

You know it very well, Ignis!

"Even if you can go faster, there's no way to carry all of us!"

...

Wanna bet?

"... and there's no reason to rush, is there?"

"Haha... young lady is right, it will take about two days by carriage to get to the port. We'll still have plenty of time!"

Ugh...

Fine...

This is gonna be a real boring trip, isn't it?

"Alright, we're back!"

Oh the first Michryan is coming back.

Now-

Huh?

Cana's coming back with you?

Holding the accepted quest form already?

I didn't even notice she left!

"Well, shall we go?"

I guess so.

Oh, but I think I should tell Kuro we're going.

Last time I didn't tell him when we left for a quest, he threw a tantrum.

We finally left the guild and headed toward the western gate.

Though, I excused myself and said I would meet them there as soon as I can and headed to the cat base.

The cat base...

Doesn't have guards anymore.

It has been 'closed off' and barricaded after the lord finished 'investigating' it.

In other words, it has returned to its previous state.

Funny how that works.

I come near the boxes and tap on them rhythmically with my claws.

"M-meow meow..."

But I gotta say...

This password system is a little embarrassing to use.

I'm not an actual cat okay?!

A hole opens up in the box and I crawl inside.

After reaching the end of the narrow tunnel, someone already waiting there greets me.

An orange furred cat with a scar on its face.

I think someone told me its name as some point, but...

I forgot.

"Meow?"

"Uh, I just came here to tell Kuro... I'll be leaving for the escort quest for Mable now."

"... meow."

The cat nods... or bows?

And scurries away.

Huh.

I guess I got the message across.

Time to go to the gate.

With a bit of luck, I'll be there first!

Not losing any time, I crawled back through the passage and closed it behind me before dashing off.

I chose a shortcut through the smaller streets where passersby wouldn't get in the way.

And just as planned, I arrived at the western gates way before anyone else.

Ha!

I won!

"Umm, miss... please don't suddenly land here like that."

Sorry Mr. gate guard.

But winning this race was absolutely necessary.

As someone specialized in speed, losing a race is simply unacceptable!

...

That said.

They are too slow.

Maybe I really didn't need to rush so much.

Oh well...

I guess I'm just gonna sit here and wait for them.

"Miss..."

What?

I made sure to sit in a place where I won't get in the way!

"Never mind..."

What an odd guy...

Aren't guard supposed to be confident and stuff?

Why is he so timid around me?

...

Is it the sword?

It's the sword, isn't it?

It's already covered, but most people still remember.

They remember the terror of-

...

Hmm?

A familiar smell.

Why is he...

Oh, don't tell me...

"Meeeow!"

Yes, hello Kuro.

I left you a message that I'm leaving.

Please don't tell me you want to come along.

"Meow, meow!"

No, it's just a boring escort mission.

Nothing is gonna happen!

"Mreeeow!"

What about your base?

Are you sure you can leave it alone for several days?

"... meow."

Ugh, fine!

I'll take you with me!

"Meow?"

"... yeah sure."

"Meow!"

Aaaand, my signature hat has been reobtained.

Well, I don't really mind him coming along.

His storage skill is very useful for traveling.

"Heeey, Nina!"

Oh hey.

They are finally here.

"Didn't you say you had some business to take care of?"

Well, yeah.

"It's done."

What are you so surprised for, Ignis?

"So, is the cat going with us?"

"Meow!"

"Yes."

"Oookay then! Let's hop onto the carriage and get going then!"

Oh?

Ooooh...

You mean that carriage over there?

Yeah I knew I smelled someone familiar form inside.

It's the two Michryans.

I guess fetching the carriage is what took you so long, huh?

Well, enough stalling.

Let us go!

To the port city!