Our days in Osari proceed without further incidents and I need to say, being around humans again is a bit soothing.

But eventually, the moment of our departure arrives in the form of a messenger.

(messenger)

Okay, it seems like it's time to get started.

Now we should tell the envoy who waited patiently for this moment, so he can prepare everything for the event.

I contact him as usual and am soon back at his office.

Also, Honiu accompanies me again.

It might even be that she has taken a liking to this man.

"Princess Erys. I hope you bring good news." (Aaron)

"We'd now be able to depart to the capital." (E)

"You mean this instant? It's quite sudden." (A)

"Ehk, no." (E)

(H)

"What did she say, Princess Erys?" (A)

"Only that she likes her talking better. I only wanted to tell you that our preparations are finished and we can depart when it's acceptable to you." (E)

"Oh, great. I'll directly send out a messenger. The coach would then depart tomorrow morning." (A)

I become aware that he might've been a bit pressured to finally get us going for this audience.

Kings are probably not the folk who wait calmly for others.

Now I should also say goodbye to Jorad.

We troubled him quite much with our presence.

As we are already close to his office, there's no reason to not head directly over.

I knock at his door and open it.

"Hello, Lord... Jorad." (E)

I remember he doesn't like his last name but is it really fine to use his first name like this?

"Ah, princess. Your coming was announced by all your soldiers. What brings you here?" (J)

"Ehk, I wanted to inform you that we'll depart tomorrow. Our preparations are finished." (E)

"This is quite sudden. I wish you would have had more time to study, but seems there's no helping it." (J)

"As if those human ways would be necessary knowledge for a princess." (H)

"Sure, Princess Honiu. But it is still important to smooth out the process. The capital's nobility cares much for appearances and formalities." (J)

"Still unnecessary complicated." (H)

"So, if there's nothing else..." (E)

"One more thing. I've heard you want to take a coach on the surface." (J)

"Yes. It might be better than emerging from the earth in the capital." (E)

"I should warn you. The ambushes of the Koresoans got worse. They're attacking farms and travelers. You should consider taking another route. It's not as safe as I'd like it to be." (J)

Does this mean we could get attacked?

No, no, no, that's unlikely.

I mean we would be protected.

The king's envoy said that the roads are secured and that they'd guarantee our safety.

Not to speak of the giant escort of our own we're presumably taking with us.

Everything considered we should be pretty safe.

"Thank you for your concern. We will take some precautions." (E)

"You can be assured that I have assigned sufficient units to guarantee our survival." (H)

"Sure. I can assume that anyone who is so foolish as to try attacking you will be ripped apart by your escort. Still, as your host it's my duty to warn you." (J)

"You have my gratitude. I'll leave you now to your own devices." (E)

"Well, at least the lessons amounted to the basics." (J)

I try to smile politely and take my leave.

With everything prepared all I can do now is to wait till things get started.

I slept a bit.

Yet it was utterly troubled as I have a case of severe travel anxiety.

And the fact that I'm eventually going to negotiate with my king didn't help all that much.

The first thing I do is to induce a laying session.

I know that it's not great for the eggs, but it will empty me for at least a part of the journey.

Which is recommended in my opinion.

The eggs are taken away and after a healthy meal, which would amount to overeating for any normal human, I'm ready to go.

Mum is nowhere to be seen, but I assume she's currently with Honiu.

Kyska looks already kinda stressed from the preparations and it's likely that mum won't have it much easier.

In particular, we ensured that the entire escort is ready to go.

They're wrapped in their black cloaks and extremely well-equipped with weapons.

There are now several waypoints on our route, to take care of any eggs we will lay, bring provisions, switch out accompanying workers, and provide an escape route in the worst case.

However, my royal guard won't be exchanged during the trip which means they will have to walk for quite a distance.

On the other hand, they're specially made to cope with this kind of strain.

The perfect soldiers, sigh.

At least things proceed smoothly.

I meet up with Honiu and mum and we all move to the castle's courtyard, where already everything for our departure was prepared.

Especially the coach is impressive.

It seems this time they had enough time to work it out.

It's so big that it not only looks like a small house but also has to be dragged by at least eight horses.

From the outside, it looks totally luxurious, with various ornaments and golden emblems.

And it has glass windows.

Which are usually expensive enough you could buy a house for the same cost.

The human escort looks quite proficient.

At least it's obvious they're trained.

Though they're looking quite appealing my interest in men kinda dwindled.

It's not like I'm completely uninterested, but I'm not as easy to arouse anymore.

This might on one side be because I'm simply realistic about my prospects which changed my outlook on things.

But it's also that being an egg-laying abnormity might influence my interest to make out with guys.

And then there are several smaller open carriages for transportation.

Since I didn't see any workers around they're probably not for them, but the nurses will be glad as they're more delicate and might be troubled by walking a greater distance.

The coachman looks a bit uncertain about our approach.

I guess he rarely has such illustrious passengers and the flying messengers and my escort won't make this easier for him.

The king's envoy walks up to us.

I hope he's good now that his goal was reached.

"My... ladies, we're ready to depart. The men and naturally the horses are well-rested and the route is secured. We will move on the direct route to Valera. All that's left is for you to enjoy the journey." (A)

A smooth talker.

But it's not so bad that he's so polite towards me.

Didn't get this too often recently from other humans.

"We're as well ready to go. You see, my escort should be able to walk or, if they have to, fly all the way." (E)

"So this is your escort... I'd like you to allow our men to take the position at the front of the caravan. Like this we can warn people beforehand." (A)

Makes sense.

Poor travelers might freak out if they'd suddenly be confronted with us and because there's a war going on, any clearly foreign force will raise suspicion even if they're not directly exposed as giant murder insects.

"Is this acceptable, Honiu?" (E)

"If they want to. I have enough ways to maintain a sufficient surveillance." (H)

That I'm sure about.

However, I see no further drones in the direct vicinity present.

Yet as much as I know the Formicea she has a ridiculous number of units that will surveil everything to the distant vicinity even without approaching us.

Yep, that's supposedly the case.

"Okay, seems like everything's settled then. I think we're ready to go." (E)

Aaron, the king's envoy, nods and walks away to mount a horse.

"Don't worry Erys, I've brought some games. So it won't get too boring." (F)

Well, it's going to be a long journey.