> Kelly PoV

When are those girls going to get back? They’ve been in that palace since morning and it’s already dark out!

“Hey Nano, you’re sure those girls are okay?” (Kelly)

{For the hundredth time Kelly, they’re fine. They should be back at the house any minute now.}

Honestly, if Nano didn’t reassure me they were safe I might’ve just charged through that front gate and-

…

Who am I kidding, I’m too much of a coward to throw away my oath like that.

*GLUG GLUG GLUG*

Ah, that’s good! It took a while, but I’m glad I tracked down and bought a whole keg of this werewolf-grade ale! Imported from the good old bar in Runetap! The bar I’ll probably never see again…

*GLUG GLUG GLUG*

Honestly, I don’t want to go there. Dwarven Republic of Ecebis. What a joke. But I have no choice in the matter. No, I have a choice, I’m just too much of a coward. If they found out I’m not doing my duty, they’d have to hunt me down. The girls too. Can't put them through that.

*GLUG GLUG GLUG*

*SLAM*

“Yeah! That’s the stuff!” (Kelly)

…

I really should stop drinking by myself. I’m just gonna get more depressed at this rate. But there isn't anyone in this bloody town that I can have a good old fistfight with! Come on people! Aunty Kelly has some stress she needs to work out!

Haaaah.

At least that troublesome titan finally calmed down. He was so thrilled to get a flying body that he wouldn’t stop! I had to tackle him to the ground with Scrappy before he would listen to reason! Well, at least now the 2-month trip up north should only take about 8 or 9 days… according to Nano.

That damn Nano, always a smarty-pants! Even though there are no pants! Or even legs!

They give that guy a flying body to shorten the trip, I spend a few days more with them. That was the 'deal' we made. Not like it matters, the Calling isn’t supposed to happen until we get close to Ecebis anyway. It's just a matter of getting a move on before the rest of my clan catches wind and accuses us of treason. At least cousin Bork is a reasonable sort, so he's not kicking up a fuss about it. I wish he would, then I might have a decent fight on my hands…

Hmm? I thought I heard the front door. It's probably Red's lot.

“Hey Kelly… we’re back… barely... “ (Kira)

“Woah Red! What happened to you? You look like you spent the whole day punching rocks!” (Kelly)

She’s so exhausted she can’t even stand properly! I’ve never seen her this worn out!

“Ah… politics. Ellie, go put the girls to bed, okay?” (Kira)

“Sure, Kira. You worked hard so just sit there and relax.” (Ellie)

Ellie carries the two already sleeping kiddos up the stairs. That air-ride of hers isn’t something I can get used to. Red plops herself down on the dining table next to me and leans back in her chair.

“Well I happen to have the antidote to politics right here! Aren't you lucky?” (Kelly)

I fill her a mug of this truly peerless brew from the keg on the table and pass it over. She takes a big swig, but it catches her off-guard.

“*Cough* Wow! Werewolf ale! Nice find, Kelly!” (Kira)

*GLUG GLUG GLUG*

“Haah, that hit the spot! Just the one though! Promise me!” (Kira)

“Sure, sure, like usual.” (Kelly)

Ever since our night out back in Hell months back she hasn’t even gotten close to drunk anymore. It’s a crying shame, she’s way more fun when she’s smashed! I bet she doesn’t even remember she punched three people in the face for no reason!

“So, what’s the deal? You gonna be all court-y and wizard-y or what?” (Kira)

“Nah. Turns out that Court Wizard thing isn’t a big deal and had loads of people lined up for it. He just wanted to get my attention for a brand new office. ‘Ministry of Progress’ he called it.” (Kira)

*GLUG GLUG GLUG GLUG*

“Huh? What’s that about?” (Kelly)

“He wants me to use magic to make new things! Apparently the ‘new things’ he saw us using were super-impressive to him. Never mind the fact it was you and Nano that made most of em. The [Impact Pellet] specifically. I’m not even sure how you make those, and that guy wants to buy em up!” (Kira)

*GLUG GLUG GLUG*

“But! But I tell him - no weapons! I’ll help with anything, but no weapons! I don’t want that sort of blood on my hands. And that creation of yours - it’s a weapon. Scrappy too! Come to think of it, you only make weapons!” (Kira)

“Military Engineer, remember? Besides, Scrappy’s not necessarily a weapon. With a simplified version it could be used for all sorts of heavy labor you know? Well, only a dwarf could muster the control necessary for that, but it's doable.” (Kelly)

“SEE!? That’s the sort thing he wants! But I can’t give it to him! Only you and Nano can!” (Kira)

*GLUG GLUG GLU-*

“AAH? Empty already?! Come on, what gives!?” (Kira)

Wow, she is pissed off, isn’t she. I hadn’t seen her this agitated since that High Dragon crashed her wedding. I seriously hope she doesn’t sink the royal castle into the ground in a fit of rage…

“But you took the job anyway, didn’t you?” (Kelly)

Otherwise they’d have no reason for all that back-and-forth.

“... yeah. Although, I'm not convinced I’m the right person for the job. Even if everyone else seems to think so.” (Kira)

I see. She didn’t really want to get involved, but did anyway. There’s only one reason for that.

“It was for Ellie’s sake, wasn’t it?” (Kelly)

She nodded weakly with a faint smile. Knew it. These two are always like that. They blindly support each other and sod the consequences!

“... she wanted a new type of academy. One that teaches about everything - painting, music, cooking, advanced math, gardening, alchemy - all sorts of things the Magic Academy and Military Academy don’t really bother with.” (Kira)

“Is there a point to that sort of place? Them nobles won’t give a single damn about most of that stuff.” (Kelly)

“That’s the thing. She wants it to be for commoners. Open for everyone. Funded by the ‘Ministry of Progress’ yet run by others. That last bit is probably Nano's idea though.” (Kira)

She looks at me with moist eyes.

“She wants to give our daughters and other kids like them a chance. A choice. A way to find their own path in this world. How could I say no to such a noble goal?” (Kira)

I see, I thought just Red was the idealist here, but Ellie’s got quite a bit of that in her too, doesn’t she? No, I guess Nano’s like that too, somewhere deep down in that cold calculating facade is a being that selfishly clings to its ideas and morals.

“Those two are lucky to have such great parents, you know that?” (Kelly)

“Yeah. We try, you know?” (Kira)

Red' smile gets even wider as she stares at nothing in particular.

“You know, they went to play with the princess at about noon. For the entire day. They had so much fun that they fell asleep on the way back. Seeing those satisfied faces of theirs really reminds me why I'm doing all this.” (Kira)

“Playing with the princess? What, just like that?” (Kelly)

“Yep. Just like that. Apparently the princess doesn’t have any playmates her age, so they hit it off instantly. Did you know she was already part of Ellie’s fan club?” (Kira)

“Wait what? Since when? She was awfully cold towards us when we met at that banquet.” (Kelly)

“Since that little show we put on last night… Apparently she got curious about those people dressed in blue and ended up speaking with Clara...” (Kira)

“Well… you reap what you sow!” (Kelly)

Seriously, that receptionist girl is terrifying in her own right. I just hope her intentions stay pure. Well, she won't be getting the drop on Ellie regardless.

Red looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh? And whose fault do you think it was we had go through with that thing, exactly?” (Kira)

“That... Right. Sorry.” (Kelly)

“... it’s fine. I’m glad we did it. I got to make demands of the king you know. Huhuhuhu, I got a good deal…” (Kira)

Urk! She negotiated openly with the king? And that wicked laugh... Please tell me she didn’t bleed the country dry!

“What’s with that look? I just asked for a few extra things, you know? Couple of additional Flight Badges and a few of those city-scale magic stones.” (Kira)

Flight Badges are for those two gryphons they’re gonna raise. The one currently worn by Umph is necessary for us to safely travel to the north. As or the magic stones, that’s a really great idea! That way they can have a barrier like the capital’s around their tower. Those stones aren’t something that’s easy to get.

“I see. Good deal indeed. So you’ll be living in the capital then?” (Kelly)

She was pretty apprehensive about that. Living away from her father in Runetap, not to mention all those little friends Lara and Sophie made over there. Also living too far from that tower is bad, they really need to keep a close eye on that stuff in the basement.

“No, not exactly. They still need a few months before they work out all the details and preparations for launching this new ‘Ministry of Progress’ so at least until then I can do what I want.” (Kira)

“Ah, that’ll give you time to raise those gryphons. You know those beasts can make it from Runetap to the Capital in about 10 hours one-way, right? That’ll make things easier for everyone.” (Kelly)

“Yeah.” (Kira)

…

Well, this awkward silence is now a thing. Time to retreat tactfully out of it!

“Well, I’m pretty tired after chasing that titan around all day, so I’ll be going to bed. Night, Red.” (Kelly)

I stand up from the dining table and make my way towards the stairs behind her.

“Kelly.” (Kira)

She speaks up from her seat without looking at me. I stop mid-stride.

“We’ll probably be spending all day tomorrow finishing up on what we spoke about today. We’ll be leaving for the tower the day after. You can pack up what you need from your workshop before you set off.” (Kira)

“Sure. Thanks, Red.” (Kelly)

I make my way up the stairs and towards my bed.

Two days, huh?

* * *

“I must say, dis is a bit humiliating!” (Umph)

“And whose fault do you think it is that we have to resort to doing this?!” (Ellie)

“... Fair enuff.” (Umph)

“Hnnng! Come on Ellie, just pull a little more on your side!” (Kelly)

“I’m! Trying!” (Ellie)

*Click*

“There! Done, good job!” (Kelly)

We finally got the leather saddle strapped to Umph’s back. It was tough, but it's on there tight! I don't think we could do it without Scrappy and Ellie's combined strength.

I’m glad that shop managed to finish this on time. It just looks like they sewed a few wyvern saddles together in a rush, but the seam looks to be sturdy enough. Well, even if it falls off in mid air, the worst that's gonna happen is we lose some luggage and get delayed. Those two wives can easily catch the lot of us if we fall off.

“Huff, huff, this guy should go on a diet!” (Ellie)

“What’s a diet?” (Kelly)

“The enemy of all women!” (Ellie)

I see. I don’t get it. As per usual she says some strange things.

“Mmm, on second thought dis isn’t dat bad!” (Umph)

Umph moves around a bit now that it’s properly strapped to his back with belts around his neck, chest and belly. He flaps his wings a few times before settling down again.

“Yes, I can get used to dis! Is nice and warm!” (Umph)

Even though he’s made of ice. This guy makes even less sense than Ellie! Well, it’s not really ice anymore, I guess.

“Nano, are Kira and the girls here yet?” (Kelly)

{Almost. You better get ready.}

“Yeah, I hear ya. Heads up, Umph, I’m coming aboard!” (Kelly)

I channel mana into the magic tools chant the keyword.

“------ [Fire Step]” (Kelly)

With a small roar and a pillar of smoke, I launch myself and Scrappy, landing squarely on the titan’s back.

*THUD*

“Oof! De Sistah of Steel’s creation is heavy as expected!” (Umph)

“Quit complaining, you’ll be fine.” (Kelly)

We already did a test flight yesterday. He can carry about two times Scrappy’s weight before he starts having trouble with it. Well, I had to do something while Kira and the rest were back at the castle! It’s not like I was bored or lonely or anything.

I mean, even the kids wanted to go back there and play some more with that princess. Something bout high-quality dolls and being waited on hand and foot no doubt!

“I still can’t believe he’s actually warm and fluffy! It feels like he's covered in real feathers! Titans are amazing!” (Ellie)

“Too bad the lot of them are lazy bums that are too afraid to throw a punch.” (Kelly)

“I can’t really deny dat...” (Umph)

I go towards the rear of the saddle. There’s two large seats in the front for passengers and a bunch of room towards the rear for cargo. This guy’s back is huge! I think there’s more room than that weird carriage we were pulling around while looking for those boxes!

I lie down on my face and exit Scrappy.

*Clack clack clack* *Tak tak tak tak tak tak*

It’s a bit awkward crawling out of it, but it’s definitely easier than it was with the Sixth. I strap it in nice and tight with the numerous belts.

“Kelly! We’re here!” (Kira)

Red calls out to us from some distance away. Since a giant bird made of ice would scare the crap out of the people in the capital, we decided to group up on this meadow outside town.

“Hey Red. Huh? This is all of the luggage?” (Kelly)

“Yeah, this should be everything we brought with us. Why?” (Kira)

“What about Nano’s golem? Or those magic stones?” (Kelly)

“Nano’s [Armory] is already strapping itself next to Scrappy you know?” (Kira)

“Ah, so he is… didn’t even notice him with that silent floating.” (Kelly)

“Don’t mind me. Ellie, help me out a bit, I need an extra arm.” (Nano/Armory)

“Sure!” (Ellie)

“Wow! This is that ice statue? It’s so fluffy!” (Lara)

“R-Really? Ah it is! Even though it looks like glass!” (Sophie)

Well, looks like the girls are already enjoying this. At least I can give them a good memory.

“As for the magic stones, they’re a bit too large so we sent them ahead towards Runetap yesterday. We’ll pick them up with Nano’s golems at some point since they won’t fit in the [Gateway].” (Kira)

“That right? Well that makes things easier. Now then let’s get you all loaded and strapped in and we’ll be off!” (Kelly)