Volume 6 The Pillars of The World
[Duke Alan's Mansion]
A month has passed since the graduation ceremony has held. During this time the once proud students of Gritonnia Academy had parted ways and went with their own lives. This time after a months rest, it was time for Shun to fulfill the purpose that was laid out for him. Of course the Duke himself already knew of this and had also relayed the message to his wife Duchess Cecile.
At first the Duke thought that his wife would immediately agree since she always spoils their daughter's wishes, but this time the opposite happened. She shows worry as adventuring alone was no different from being independent.
Of course Sephiria stood his ground and pleaded with her mother. In the end after a whole day of going back and forth between mother and daughter, Duchess Cecile finally gave in.
Naturally as they bicker both Shun and Duke Alan has no choice but to watch the drama for the whole day. The bicker between the mother and daughter was so long that even the servants and guards got curious and watched with them.
Once they come to conclusion, everyone then dispersed as if nothing ever happened.
At last the day has come for their departure. From here both Duke Alan and Duchess Cecile walked both Shun and Sephiria to the bustling Market in the town as they watched them join the caravan heading for Ruric town.
Of course this entourage caused many ordinary folks to be shocked and watched the drama from afar. But since the guards were skeptical for their safety, none of them could get close to even hear their conversation.
"You brat! You better take care of my daughter alright? If even a little bug manage to bite the skin of my daughter, you are dead, even if you two are engaged"
"Do you really have to go that far? Aren't you overprotective?" Asked by Shun
"I'm protective because I'm a father who cares, if I didn't care I wouldn't mind her leaving the household... but guess what I do care and you would only understand it when you have children of your own" said by Duke Alan
After awhile he then paused for a bit and looked at his daughter, before pointing his finger at Shun.
"But not today nor soon, don't you dare do anything to my daughter, you are too young to even have a child"
As Duke Alan was staring daggers at Shun, Duchess Cecile on the other hand was full of worry for Sephiria, to the point that one can even mistaken it that she is agaisnt her from leaving.
"Do you have everything in check? Skin care? Powder? Make up? What about your pajamas?" Asked by Duchess Cecile
"Mother! We are not going on a picnic, we are going on a adventure and what does make up ever do to help me in fighting monsters?" Asked by Sephiria clearly embarrassed
"Make up is everything my dear child, your a woman, you should atleast care for how you look, don't turn into a brute... even if your an adventurer, please act like a proper woman atleast" said by Duchess Cecile
"I got it! No need to worry about me"
"Also make sure to write me letters about your situation alright? In case your tight on money, your mother is always here to help you. Don't worry your mother has connections" said by Duchess Cecile
"Mother please..." said by Sephiria
"Also I know your young to know anything yet, but Shun is still a boy and as I understand, they often have urges they can't suppress so in case that time ever comes please use protections, after all you are not married yet"
"Mother!!!" Responded by Sephiria, completely reddened
Soon after the person in charge of the caravan finally made the last call to anyone joining the travel.
Hearing his last call, Shun then gestured for Sephiria that it was time for departure. Seeing his gesture, Sephiria bid farewell to the Duke and Duchess, as she went and rode the carriage herself.
Their cart was at the very back of the group. As combat adventurers they were tasked to guard the rear while on the way. Due to that Sephiria could still wave at her parents goodbye even as they move.
Of course Duchess Cecile wave at her goodbye too, but as for Duke Alan, he simply gestured as Shun to watch his back.
A dozen of minutes later the town itself disappeared from view as they finally got away and on their way to Ruric town which was under the rule of Viscount Zack, the father of Millia who was now heading for the 2nd year back in Gritonnia Academy.
Of course since it was currently summer Millia is back at his father's estate. So they can expect to meet her when they visit Vsucount Zack first as courtesy in the nobles circle.
As Shun leaned pm his seat and relaxes, Sephiria kept looking around and taking in all the scenery her eyes could see.
While the outside view was amazing, the inside of the carriage were also interesting as there are a total of 10 adventurers in the last carriage. Some of them are traveling in pairs like them, some are in groups, while a few are traveling alone.
Each of them has a story of their own so in order to ease the tension inside the carriage, one of the guy who was a party leader in a group of 4 then spoke up and started the conversation.
He started it by introducing himself then introduced his party. He was a swordsman and his party members are 1 male scout, 1 female archer, and 1 mage. A pretty standard party set up.
In comparison to the rest, they were traveling adventurers who never stayed from one place for a very long time. They were in fact of dreaming becoming an s-rank adventurers, so they always try to improve themselves whenever they can. This time they had just recently been promoted to an A-rank adventurers group. So a few more to go and they will soon reach s-rank.
However another one soured the mood a little as he declare that what the group had done was reaching s-rank status through achievements and not skills. If they achieve such rank like the way they do now, they would only be s-rank adventurers in name only.
After careful observation that particular guy estimated their skills to be around c-rank adventurers despite being A-rank adventurers.
Of course the party leader knew of these and that is the reason why they are traveling, to gain more experience in combat to improve themselves.
Of course even though the conversation almost turned hostile if not for the party leaders de-escalation technique, their talk had caught Sephiria's attention as she want to listen more.
Seeing her like that, Shun even wondered if everyone in the Duke estate likes to watch drama