The return trip from the Valley of Death to Wing City wasn’t supposed to take that long.

With the Dragon Horses pulling the carriage and without soldiers escorting them, everything should have been quick. If the Dragon Horses were pulling it, that is.

Not everything was so easy.

After all, Colt was the one acting as the horse, and they were nowhere near reaching Wing City even after a week of pulling the carriage.

“Come on, you lazy disciple, move it! You’re not getting any stronger by having your tongue out like a dog. Go and pull, pull you lazy bum.”

The devil within Neun was rereleased. But the icing on the cake was the Chick on Neun’s lap, staring at its human partner doing the job of a horse.

The Chick turned to Fluff with an opened beak. It couldn’t say much about the situation. It pointed at Colt with its tiny wing, questioning what in blazes was going on.

Fluff looked over at Colt then back to its sibling, “Yes, that’s the one I chose. Don’t look at him like he’s trash…at least not too much. He’s doing that to get stronger, give him a break. Don’t worry, he’s going to become super strong soon, and we’ll regain our Sovereignty, but for now, accept it as a matter of fact, okay? Now scooch over, I have a belly rub appointment.”

Fluff finished justifying Colt’s existence and forced the Chick to move aside. Neun’s belly rubs were only second to the Edgeworth children and Colt himself.

‘Fuck everything.’

Fluff had already gotten over the Chick’s belittling stares. Not only Fluff but even Colt had gotten used to it. The two uncaring partners couldn’t care less.

Fluff was enlightened, and now…it couldn’t care less if it lazed around in front of the Chick.

For the Lord Phat Fluff, eating, sleeping, and playing around was more interesting than arguing on how one should act.

It once said one line to encapsulate its meaning, “Meow!” and such inspiring words were too beautiful to be forgotten.

As Fluff got its promised belly rub, it decided to do what it wants. It lazily tapped Neun’s legs like a cat would and was given a treat.

It watched Colt train hard and, “NYAAA!” it cheered Colt while having a man considered as a Master rub its belly.

The Chick watched with a dumbfounded expression.

‘Dear Goddesses, is this really what you meant when you said a good future?’

And as the Chick thought of that, the three Goddesses were face-palming themselves as they watched the cat and Colt.

They could only say, “Sorry.”, for they have also chosen Colt...it was easy to say that they too were embarrassed for that choice.

====

September 18th, the temperature was cold, the leaves were showing signs of changing color despite it being so early in the year.

Mina wore a snuggly outfit as she watched over Filla, Lyra and Hylda frolic about with the kids of the Light Orphanage on a pleasant Sunday.

Under the shade of a Willow Tree was a tea table brought over by the Edgeworths to enjoy the pleasant day.

Together with Mina were Faerith, Risa, Sister Mary, and Mary Courtgain, who was now called Miss M. To note, it was Mary Courtgain who said to call her as such.

‘The Young Master called me as such one time. Let’s just stick to that nickname.’ it was the first nickname given to her, and it oddly resonated with her.

Mina took a sip of ginger tea and enjoyed the pleasant day. The sun was up, but it was not so hot as it was already the season of Autumn.

As Mina finished her tea, she saw Filla from afar waving her dainty hand.

Mina responded with a motherly smile and waved back.

It was a calm and peaceful day.

“You’ve rather soften up a lot, Miss Mina.” Sister Mary noted, “In the past, I thought you were a warmonger.”

“Well, we have all have those kinds of days. Mood swings are very much a problem for me.”

Sister Mary looked at Mina and could only conclude one thing, ‘Oh, the benefits of becoming a mother is astonishing.’

Having become a Mother and even pregnant, Mina had softened by a lot. Her presence that had always been cold and oppressive like glacier was now mild and soft like pudding.

‘You say that yet pregnancy also brings about a lot of mood swings.’ M kept this thought to herself.

Filla and Hylda had awakened the motherly instinct inside Mina. A lot had happened these past two weeks.

While taking a sip of the tea, Mina noticed Risa’s somber expression and couldn’t help but ask.

“What’s the matter, why the frown? It would help if you trusted in Father-in-Law. We’ll win this war without question.” Mina assured.

Risa sighed, “It’s not that, it’s just that the Beast that I found is um…you know, relatively lazy and do nothing. It sleeps all day inside the pendant and only comes out to eat. I find it troubling that it might become someone who only eats and sleeps.”

‘That’s you, basically.’ Faerith thought to herself from the side.

Mina also thought as such, but she held Risa’s hands and comforted her troubled heart, “Everyone has their special abilities that only it could do. The King of the Magical Beast Forest is sure to have something that made it ascend to such a level.”

“…I supposed so.” Risa felt somewhat assured.

An hour later, Hylda came back with Filla on her back and a sleepy-eyed Lyra beside her.

“Mama, Filla, and Lyra are tired...can we go home now?”

Mina smiled and picked up Filla. Carrying the child, Mina turned to the rest, “It appears that we must take our leave. I have an examination today as well, and Filla’s already tired. Mother, are you going to go home with me, or are you going to do your rounds?”

“I’ll walk home, Risa, you’re going with me.”

“Ehhh? Do I have to?” Risa grumbled.

“How can a noblewoman act like this? Come on and get up. If you want to train your Soul Partner, you should at least try and become more active. Don’t criticize the poor thing when you’re not any better.”

“…” Risa was left speechless and accepted her fate, “I’ll see you later, Mina. Young Lady M, please take care of Mina and the children.”

“Trust on my sword Countess Edgeworth.” M had been doing this for two weeks since her arrival, so she had already gotten used to it.

While Mina and the children rode a carriage to go back, Faerith and Risa would walk home on their own without the presence of a guard. They would interact with people like usual and do what they do when they go out of the manor.

This was the current tea time of the Edgeworth family. They would leave the manor and take a stroll in the streets to show their fortitude and strength.

They were known as one of the strongest for a reason. In terms of mental strength, their family was known to be firm. Like a pillar, they were whole and unbreakable. And in the eyes of the simplistic Edgeworths, the people of their Fief were a part of their family.

And by walking around town without a hint of fear, they strengthen not only themselves but also the people. They received their trust and support. By showing no fear, the people would have little doubt, lifting much of the public distress.

Calmness must come from the top. They must become the light and banish the darkness looming over the people’s hearts. And that’s what they’re doing.

Everyone knows that War was inevitable. But with the people knowing they can depend on their Ruler, they feel safe, and their smiles were retained.

The message was simple, “Worry not for we are here: worry not for you have us: and worry not for we are strong.”

This is the Edgeworths, and this was the start of warfare. Quell the fear and discontent, focus on the War, slaughter the enemy, then return home.

Fear was not a weapon to be used against the Edgeworth.

Fear was their ally.

Fear creeps out when the Tigers awaken.

Because once the Tiger opens its eyes and sees its prey, an insatiable hunger rises, and that hunger shall permeate into an unbearable pain until the prey disappear.

Sadly, the eyes of the Tiger had finally opened, and the enemies from the East were destined to fall.