On the central square within the Gaderia Territory.
Nanoda waited for Yuna under her own bronze statue, feeling somewhat ashamed.
Because of Yuna's strong request last night, Nanoda was wearing the black dress from yesterday.
"Hey, hey, look! That's the legendary Lady Nanoda, right? She's so beautiful."
"With the strength to solve the Dragon Calamity and that magnificent beauty, I finally know why everyone wanted to build this bronze statue."
"The person herself is even cuter than the statue."
"Did you hear? The commotion in the back mountain yesterday was caused by a spar between the Hero and Lady Nanoda! It's said Lady Nanoda's strength is even slightly superior to the Hero!"
"Why is that?"
"Look, the Hero left that very day, but Lady Nanoda is still completely unharmed!"
"Eh, now that you mention it, that makes sense."
Passersby discussed spiritedly. Nanoda felt like a rare species put on display, very uncomfortable.
In the distance, a familiar touch of green appeared.
Yuna wore her hair in a single braid woven from two strands this time. The large braid coiled over her shoulder, looking cute yet carrying a hint of maturity.
Her light green dress was printed with a circle of feather-like white patterns, and she had specially hung a green gem around her neck for decoration.
"Lady Nanoda!"
The girl, or perhaps one could say young maiden, ran towards Nanoda with a smile, greeting her.
Compared to a year ago, Yuna had grown taller; ten or so years old was exactly the time for growing bodies.
"Very pretty."
Looking at Yuna, who had dressed up meticulously for her, Nanoda revealed a faint smile.
Zzzzt.
Two touches of tender red hung on Yuna's fair face; the lethality of Lady Nanoda's faint smile was a bit high.
"Heheh, Big Sister Nanoda is even prettier."
Yuna fiddled with her hair somewhat shyly, the blush on her face undiminished.
"Where do you want to go? It's my treat today; I just happened to extort a sum of money from Baron Aaron."
Nanoda asked for Yuna's opinion.
"A new Specialty Street opened recently; let's go take a look together."
"Alright."
Today's Nanoda behaved exceptionally gently.
High in the sky, a crow was quietly following the two.
"How dare Nanoda! She still has the mood to go shopping with this little girl?! Is she not worried about Lady Aura's safety at all?!"
Aura was very angry. She had plucked a field of flowers bare overnight, and the result was that the last petal of every flower represented 'go back'.
————
On the Specialty Street, various storefronts had set up temporary stalls. The sounds of hawking, the fragrance of various street foods, travel items, and even some grimoires made it extraordinarily lively.
"Eh? When did Gaderia have such a lively street?"
"Oh my, I told you it opened recently. Lady Nanoda rarely passes by here usually, right?"
"Indeed."
The two walked on the street, and from time to time, passersby secretly cast their gazes at them.
"Lady Nanoda! Want a fried bird egg? You saved my son last time; this time it's on the house!"
"Mm, thanks... hmm, really delicious, give me two more skewers."
"Lady Nanoda, stone betting—want to try? There's a chance to open a gem! The first one is free for you!"
"Ah, Yuna, you choose."
"Lady Nanoda, a wood carving I carved myself! Same style as that bronze statue. I'll give you one for free."
"Excuse me, that's really not necessary!"
The people on the whole street greeted Nanoda and Yuna warmly.
Looking at Nanoda's embarrassed face regarding her own wood carving, Yuna laughed out loud happily.
The two strolled like this until evening.
"So many shops... barely finished browsing... so tired..."
Nanoda slumped onto a bench; the sun had already begun to set in the west.
"Ehehe, I was very happy today."
"Is that so? That's good then."
There was silence between the two for a while.
"Lady Nanoda! This is for you!"
Yuna untied the green gem from her neck and handed it to Nanoda.
"This is?"
"This is the magic stone from Father's staff! Now I give it to you, as a talisman for the road."
"It must be very precious..."
"Please accept it, Lady Nanoda. Also, you definitely must not forget Yuna."
Yuna revealed a sweet smile, but the corners of her eyes uncontrollably leaked a few glimmers.
"Eh, oops. Father clearly said not to cry when parting..."
"...I will come back to see you, I promise you."
Nanoda took the green gem from Yuna's hand. She patted her head gently again.
"Yo, the stuff you wanted me to bring."
Baron Aaron walked slowly out of the alley, carrying a red staff in his hand, his bald head gleaming in the afterglow of the setting sun.
"Eh?"
Yuna was somewhat confused; she and Baron Aaron hadn't arranged this scene.
"Haha, did you have fun? You two."
"As expected, this so-called commercial street was an idea arranged by you and Yuna. Good job, didn't expect you to have the skill to be a double agent."
Nanoda understood now; the so-called shopping trip was actually everyone sending her off.
"Heheh, don't put it so harshly. I didn't reveal your plans to each other, you know."
"Alright, I won't disturb you anymore."
Aaron handed the staff to Nanoda and left.
"Lady Nanoda... this is?"
"Ah, this counts as a staff your master made for you. A mage naturally needs a good staff. A parting gift—do you like it?"
Yuna accepted the staff Nanoda handed over with trembling hands.
The staff was bright red throughout. The shaft was whittled into a cylinder, taller than a person. A black iron ring was inlaid in the middle. At the top third, there was a bend, and the staff after the bend became conical. The whole thing looked somewhat like a bright red, curved spear.
As soon as she touched the staff, the excellent mana conductivity gave the staff a feeling like a living thing in her hand. That bright red tip seemed to be thirsting for mana and fresh blood.
"So amazing..."
"Ah, be careful when using it. This staff is stained with my fresh blood; it will be a bit difficult to control. You can only use it freely when your mana becomes stronger."
Nanoda reminded her.
"I will cherish it properly! I will definitely become a mage qualified to stand by your side!"
"Then work hard, disciple."
"Lady Nanoda, I will always wait for you."
Yuna threw herself forward and gave Nanoda a hug. The faintly smiling Nanoda was somewhat at a loss.
————
"As long as I am here for one day, the territory of Gaderia welcomes you forever!"
That was the undeniable statement Baron Aaron made before leaving.
Nanoda embarked on her journey once again. In her heart, she already faintly had a new direction for development.
"Hey, did you never worry about me, whose Magic of Obedience was sealed?"
As if knowing Nanoda would pass by, Aura was squatting by the roadside, her face full of resentment.
"Yo, isn't this Aura? How come you're so bedraggled after not seeing you for a few days?"
Nanoda ridiculed Aura a bit. No wonder she felt something monitoring her; it turned out Aura hadn't run far.
"You!"
Aura jumped up in anger. She hesitated for a moment, then decided to forgive Nanoda.
"Hmph, where are we going now?"
____
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