◇Sumire's POV◇
"What!? You're already leaving the Dungeon City, Eugene-kun!?"
When Eugy-kun and I went to report to Captain Isolde's office, she exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes. I know this is sudden, but I'd like to ask to borrow Sumire…" (Eugene)
Eugy-kun said apologetically.
—I want to stop this war.
After declaring that, Eugy-kun first went to see the First Knight, Claire-san.
Then, he came to report to Captain Isolde.
Claire-san was also surprised like the captain, but she didn't try to stop Eugy-kun.
"What about you, Sumire-kun? How do you feel about this?" (Isolde)
Captain Isolde looked into my eyes as she asked.
"I…want to be with Eugy-kun." (Sumire)
Captain Isolde has looked after me for the past three years.
But I didn't want to be apart from Eugy-kun any longer.
After hearing my response, Captain Isolde gave a small smile.
"I understand how you feel. It's painful to lose a valuable member just as the seal on the Zenith Tower has been lifted and we're about to get busy again. But the feelings of our members come first. Take care of yourself, Sumire-kun." (Isolde)
"…Thank you so much!! Captain!" (Sumire)
"Thank you, Isolde-san." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun and I bowed deeply and expressed our gratitude.
The Flower Crown Knights, the order I've been a part of for three years, had become the place I'd been active in the longest since coming to this isekai before I knew it.
"By the way, when do you plan to depart? Don't tell me you're leaving tonight? I'd at least like to host a send-off party for you two, even if it's a small one." (Isolde)
Captain Isolde smiled sadly.
"We plan to depart in three days, when the airship leaves for one of the countries in the Blue Waters Federation." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun explained.
He already told me about the upcoming plans in advance.
"Three days, huh. Got it. It's sudden, but I'll call together our members in the Flower Crown Knights tomorrow. That's okay?" (Isolde)
"Yes, thank you so much, Captain Isolde!" (Sumire)
I gave another polite bow.
◇The Next Night◇
"Um… Captain Isolde?" (Sumire)
"Ah, yeah, Sumire-kun. I know what you want to say." (Isolde)
I heard the send-off party for Eugy-kun and me would be held in a small bar reserved just for us.
But when we arrived, for some reason, the entire Grand Hall of the Dungeon Guild had become the venue.
There were hundreds of attendees.
Former members of the Twelve Knights, guild staff, and countless people who had returned to being adventurers after the Zenith Tower reopened.
(This…got way out of hand!) (Sumire)
"Was this all arranged by the captain?" (Sumire)
"No way. This place is under the jurisdiction of First Knight Claire-sama. Once she heard that Sumire-kun and Eugene-kun were leaving on a journey, she rushed to set all of this up." (Isolde)
"Claire-san did…" (Sumire)
Looking over, I saw Claire-san and Eugy-kun having an animated discussion at the back of the hall.
Claire-san would often wear a stern expression lately, but ever since the seal on the Zenith Tower was lifted, she seemed a bit more relaxed.
(Hm? Isn't that…a little too close?) (Sumire)
Whenever Eugy-kun said something, Claire-san laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
Eugy-kun didn't seem to mind, in fact, he looked like he was enjoying it.
(C-Could it be…a flag between Claire-san and Eugy-kun!?)
I do know that Eugy-kun is also into older women!
You can't, Eugy-kun!
You're already causing a traffic jam with me, the Demon Lord Eri-san, the Holy Maiden Sara-chan, and the Empress Airi-chan as your girlfriends!
No more additions allowed!
Just as I was hesitating about whether to cut between the two of them…
"It's been a long time since Claire-sama looked that happy. She had been so down ever since King Uther passed away." (Isolde)
Captain Isolde's sorrowful voice brought me back to my senses.
Right…that's true.
"Claire-san… She had feelings for Principal Uther…" (Sumire)
"Yes, more than just serving him, she deeply admired and cared for him. I don't know if they were lovers, though." (Isolde)
"That must have been…hard." (Sumire)
Many people had a rough time over the past three years in the Dungeon City.
I had my share of hardships too.
But Claire-san was without a doubt one of the people who suffered the most.
With Principal Uther gone and the central economic hub, the Zenith Tower, sealed…she still managed to keep the Dungeon City running somehow.
(…Maybe I shouldn't interrupt them…) (Sumire)
Still, I was curious about what they were talking about.
Eugy-kun seemed to be having fun too.
As I was about to walk over to their table…
"Sumire-saaaan! Why are you leaving the Dungeon City? I'll miss you so much!"
Amarilis-san, flushed red in the face, hugged me.
Thinking about it, I've known Amarilis-san for a long time too. She was originally Eugy-kun's exclusive staff member.
"Amarilis-san, you've had too much to drink." (Sumire)
I said with a wry smile.
"Because! Both Eugene-san and Sumire-san are leaving!" (Amarilis)
She raised her voice even louder.
And then…
"Sumire-san! Why are you leaving the Dungeon City!"
"Yeah! The Zenith Tower just reopened, you know!"
"Come adventure with us!"
Even younger adventurers started gathering.
Umm, I think those were the people I helped during the Divine Beast incident a while back?
We also fought together a few times in other battles.
"I'm sorry. I really do have to go." (Sumire)
When I said that, one of the young adventurers slumped with disappointment.
I-Is it really that depressing?
{Sumire-san, Sumire-san} (Amarilis)
Amarilis-san whispered next to me.
{What is it?} (Sumire)
{That boy who's sulking…he actually likes you and was planning to confess after getting stronger!} (Amarilis)
{Ehh!? But I have Eugy-kun…} (Sumire)
I don't even remember having many conversations with him…
{Sumire-san is the top idol of the Flower Crown Knights, after all.} (Amarilis)
{Nonononono! That's not true! Who even said that?} (Sumire)
{The ex-adventurers who drink in the Dungeon Guild lobby always rank the female knights.} (Amarilis)
{…That's horrible.} (Sumire)
Now that I think about it, I felt some weird stares before. Well, I guess they were just bored when the tower was sealed.
Not something I really wanted to know…
"Sumire-chan! Leaving in just two days is too soon!"
"You'll come back to the Flower Crown Knights, right?"
"We'll be waiting! Always!"
Even my fellow squadmates came over.
These were the comrades who joined over the last two or three years, same time or after me.
Back when they were still new and unfamiliar with the Trial of the Gods.
I helped support them as best I could.
I wasn't that experienced either, but my magic teacher was a Demon Lord scarier than any Divine Beast, so I managed to stay calm and guide them.
And as a result, they came to really trust me.
"Sumire-chaaaan, I'll miss you~"
"Ugh… Please don't go…"
"Everyone…" (Sumire)
Seeing their teary faces, I couldn't hold back my tears either.
Memories from the past three years came rushing back.
I was the one supporting them in battle. But when I was down from Eugy-kun being gone, they listened to my complaints countless times.
They were the ones who supported me emotionally.
I probably couldn't have endured it on my own.
"I'll…come back again." (Sumire)
"You promise!"
"Sumire-chan!"
"Everyone!" (Sumire)
We all hugged each other and cried.
After the big send-off party, there was a second gathering with just the Flower Crown Knights, and we all cried again there too.
Later, Eugy-kun came to pick me up when I cried too much and drank too much.
◇◇
"…You okay, Sumire?" (Eugene)
"Uuugh… Eugy-kun, get me some water…" (Sumire)
"Here. Your cup." (Eugene)
"Feed me~" (Sumire)
"Don't spill it." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun took care of me gently.
In Eri-san's room.
"Geez, Eugene. Don't bring drunk girls into my room." (Eri)
Eri-san said with a look of exasperation as she poured a glass of water.
"I'm going to be away from the Dungeon City for a while. Sumire wanted to come say goodbye. Of course, I did too." (Eugene)
"Then just you would've been enough. I've seen more than enough of Sumire's face these past three years." (Eri)
I heard her say that.
"How dare you! After playing around with my lips all that time, how can you say something like that, Eri-san!" (Sumire)
"Ugh, you reek of alcohol! Don't cling to me, you drunkard!" (Eri)
While I was drunkenly clinging to Eri-san…
"That's odd… I used High Heal earlier, so she should have sobered up…" (Eugene)
I heard Eugy-kun mutter.
That's right, he did cast a healing spell on me earlier.
So why am I still drunk?
"Sumire is an Ifrit. She's a higher being than the angels. That means she can reject Eugene's magic." (Eri)
"Why would I reject it…?" (Sumire)
"Because you want to be drunk." (Eri)
"…I see." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun looked a little conflicted.
Huh, I rejected it?
Hmm, maybe unconsciously?
I don't really get it…
"Come on, Sumire. If you've had some water, go to sleep already." (Eri)
"Eh? That's just because you're planning to do something naughty with Eugy-kun after I'm asleep, right?" (Sumire)
"Just go to bed already. Reverse Magic: Forced Sleep." (Eri)
"Eri… tha…'s… chea…ting…" (Sumire)
And my consciousness faded to black.
◇ Two Days Later ◇
"Well then, we're off, Eri-san." (Sumire)
"Sorry, Eri. Looks like we won't see each other for a while again." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun and I were in Eri-san's room in the 7th Sealed Prison.
"Well, I think you two will be fine, but still, just be careful, okay?" (Eri)
Eri-san said, sounding a little displeased.
(I feel kind of bad…) (Sumire)
Eri-san also waited three years for Eugy-kun after all.
But she's unable to leave the 7th Sealed Prison, so she and Eugy-kun are being separated again.
Maybe sensing my feelings…
"Hey, Eugene♡" (Eri)
"Eri?" (Eugene)
Eri-san approached Eugy-kun like a cat and smoothly slipped her arms around his neck.
"Nn."
"!?"
And just like that, Eugy-kun's lips were stolen.
"Eh… ah… wait a…" (Sumire)
Eri-san and Eugy-kun were locked in a long kiss right in front of me.
(S-Should I stop them? But Eri-san won't get to see Eugy-kun for a while…) (Sumire)
As I hesitated, flustered, Eri-san finally pulled away from Eugy-kun.
Just when I felt relieved…
"See? You looked so lonely." (Eri)
"Hey!" (Sumire)
Eri-san kissed me too.
Why in front of Eugy-kun!?
Now Eugy-kun is looking at me with such a complicated expression!
"See you, Sumire☆" (Eri)
"Don't just initiate a Mana Link kiss on your own!" (Sumire)
"Today's mana score from Sumire… Let's say 75 points." (Eri)
"That's low! Do over!" (Sumire)
And like that, our farewell with Eri-san wasn't too emotional.
◇◇
Right now, we're aboard a cargo airship bound for the Blue Waters Federation.
Since the sealing of the Zenith Tower, traffic to and from the Dungeon City has plummeted, and the regular passenger flights we used to take no longer operate.
The only way to get to the Blue Waters Federation now is to hitch a ride on a merchant airship operated by a trade guild.
Eugy-kun arranged everything, negotiating through Amarilis-san and the Dungeon Guild.
It sounds like the fare was very expensive, but Eugy-kun covered all of it.
He and I are sharing a very cramped room.
They apparently converted a cargo storage room into a makeshift passenger cabin.
It's far from comfortable. After dropping off our luggage, we immediately went out to the airship deck.
Fortunately, the weather was good and the wind felt nice.
This is going to be a long airship journey. About a week.
"Hey, Eugy-kun." (Sumire)
"What is it, Sumire? Feeling airsick? Want me to use healing magic?" (Eugene)
"No, I'm okay. But…which country in the Blue Waters Federation are we going to first? Claude-kun's Dragon Kingdom? Or maybe the Golden Country we visited before?" (Sumire)
I asked.
Eugy-kun said we'd be traveling in the order of Blue Waters Federation → Holy Nation → Empire.
But I haven't heard any specific itinerary yet.
The past three days have been a whirlwind of travel prep and farewells to people who helped us.
"First, I want to gather intel about the ongoing war. The Dungeon City didn't have any recent updates. The Dragon Kingdom is the biggest military power in the Blue Waters Federation. They probably have intel, but a guy like me from the Empire wandering around would raise suspicion fast. The Golden Country would be the same. If I want to gather information, I should start in a country a bit further from the center." (Eugene)
"I see… So meeting Claude-kun won't be easy either." (Sumire)
Right now, the Empire and the Holy Union are at war.
The Blue Waters Federation's participation stems from a military alliance formed during the era of the Empire's invasion wars.
During the reign of Emperor Johan -the Bloody Emperor- Airi-chan's great-grandfather.
The Holy Union and Blue Waters Federation formed a military alliance to resist the Empire's aggression.
Now that alliance is dragging the Federation into war again…or so the rumors say.
But living in the Dungeon City, we don't know if that's true or not.
There may be hidden reasons beyond the alliance.
Eugy-kun apparently wants to find out.
"We'll visit Claude eventually. But first, there's a stop we need to make." (Eugene)
"Where to?" (Sumire)
When I asked, Eugy-kun replied briefly.
"The Blue Waters Federation, Second-Class Nation: Greta Island. I have a meeting arranged there with Miguel." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun said it casually.