The night had deepened while we drank, ate, and talked at the tavern. Eventually, Mint got sleepy, so Mother took her and left ahead of us.
「It’s been a while since we’ve been here. You two take your time and enjoy yourselves.」
Taking her up on that offer, we lingered for another two hours, chatting with Berde-san and the others. But when the night grew late, we finally decided to leave and went our separate ways.
The three couples headed home together, and we waved them off before looking up at the night sky.
「Since we’re out, why don’t we take a little walk before heading back?」
「Hmm. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever really seen Sidera at night.」
「You up for it too, Chocola?」
「Bark!」
The inn was only a ten-minute walk away—too short for a proper stroll. We took a slight detour, letting our steps wander.
Spring nights still carried a slight chill. The cobblestone streets glowed faintly under the moonlight. Magic lamps lined the road at intervals, illuminating our path, though they weren’t as bright as Japanese streetlights. If anything, they made the darkness feel even deeper.
「…It’s a different kind of quiet from the forest.」
「The forest is full of natural sounds. But here, you can hear people.」
「That’s a really good way to put it.」
The sounds of nature—the rustling of leaves, the wind, distant howls of beasts, the subtle murmurs of the silent world.
The sounds of people—the presence of sleeping residents, muffled voices of families gathered inside their homes, and the stark contrast of quiet that made the absence of sound even more pronounced.
「Is the royal capital like this too?」
「Depends on the district. The entertainment areas stay noisy with bars open till late. Even the residential areas aren’t this quiet. …What about Japan?」
「Hmm… The town I lived in wasn’t so different from Sidera, I think. Tokyo’s probably a whole other story, but I’ve never been there.」
「Kuun… Fshh…」
「What is it? Smell something? Or are you just curious about the cobblestones?」
「Bark!」
「No stopping now. We’re just taking a walk, not going on an investigation.」
We continued down the dimly lit alley, lost in idle conversation.
In my right hand, I held the leash extending from Chocola’s collar. On my left, I intertwined my fingers with Karen’s.
The streets were nearly empty, and whenever we passed the occasional pedestrian, we exchanged quiet greetings—「Good evening.」
As we continued down the main road, a large, bright light came into view in the distance.
「The Adventurers’ Guild doesn’t close even at this hour?」
The familiar, imposing building stood with its front doors wide open, spilling the glow of its magic lamps into the night.
It reminded me of a convenience store.
「Hmm. I heard this guild operates year-round. Probably because it’s right next to the forest.」
「Makes sense. There are always adventurers spending the night out there.」
Even the outermost parts of the Void Forest were among the most dangerous places in the world. No one could afford to let their guard down, not even for a moment.
At this very second, an injured adventurer might be fleeing back to town, barely escaping from a monster’s attack. Worse yet, a dangerous creature could be making its way toward the city.
That was why the Adventurers’ Guild never closed its doors—day or night, always prepared for the worst.
And now, with the First Princess staying in town, they probably had even more on their plate than usual.
「I wonder if Cliche-san is there.」
「…Want to drop by?」
「Nah, let’s not. Whether he’s there or not, we’d just be getting in the way.」
If I remembered right, Princess Yunia had already met with the Guild Master today. There was a good chance Cliche-san was holed up in his office right now, sighing as he complained about all the extra work he’d been saddled with.
Probably best not to poke the bear.
「But I don’t have time to be worrying about the Guild Master. I’ll be busy tomorrow too. …Tomoe’s just given up, though.」
「Yeah, she was yelling, ‘Let it all unfold as it may!’ …We’ve got cake tasting and tacos, right? Do you think Karsch-san would be satisfied with just the cake?」
「No chance. The ‘Continuous Rain Witch’ is famous in the capital for her appetite. She actually won the eating contest at the Founding Festival once.」
「No way.」
「She made her debut, absolutely dominated the competition, and got inducted into the hall of fame.」
「Are you sure ‘hall of fame’ isn’t just a fancy way of saying she got banned…?」
「…Now that you mention it, maybe.」
Powerful magic users already tend to have large appetites as it is.
This could get pretty bad.
「And she had her knightly retinue with her too. We’ll have to do our best.」
「Bark?」
「You, on the other hand… You get to enjoy Skylark Pavilion’s milk. Lucky you.」
「Bark!」
With the Adventurers’ Guild’s lights glowing in the distance, we continued down the nighttime streets.
Toward the inn, slowly.
Through the quiet, hand in hand with Karen, Chocola’s leash in my other hand.
As we walked, I thought.
About Her Highness and her entourage.
About the title of nobility.
About Berde-san and the others, who hadn’t treated me any differently.
And about what lay ahead.
If I accepted the title, I’d have to interact with the kingdom in some way.
Even if I wasn’t obligated to pay taxes or serve in any official capacity, my position would still exist. If I were ever asked for a favor, I’d want to help however I could. And if that happened—I’d have to be careful where to draw the line.
Getting too involved out of sympathy or obligation, to the point of sacrificing my family’s happiness, would be putting the cart before the horse.
Karen, walking beside me, said nothing. She didn’t ask, didn’t pry.
When I’d told her, 「I think I’ll accept the title」 she’d simply nodded and replied, 「Okay.」
She must trust me.
And she must be prepared to bear it with me.
My decision.
My future—our family’s future.
※※※
Gazing up at the night sky, we spoke.
「The moon’s the one thing I still haven’t gotten used to.」
「The world you came from didn’t have a ring around it, right?」
「Yeah. …But aside from that, it’s pretty much the same. Just as beautiful as Earth’s moon. Do you like the moon, Karen?」
「I’ve never really thought about whether I like it or not. But—I do like the night. It’s the color of Uncle’s eyes, and yours.」
「If you put it that way, then the moon is the color of your hair.」
「Bark!」
「Your fur is easy to spot even at night, Chocola. That’s pretty convenient.」
「Bark!」
Karen laughed, Chocola barked, and I smiled.
Under the night sky—we laughed together.
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