「Good morning, Grey-sama, Yuna-sama. Cedric-sama had been waiting for you.」

Just as I promised Cedric yesterday, Yuna and I are in front of the mansion to pick up the kids we are going to escort. It was still early, just a little bit past 7:30 I'd say.

After the guard greeted us, he then escorted us to the room where we met Cedric yesterday. There, we saw Cedric and two little kids waiting for us.

「Good morning, Cedric.」Grey

「Morning.」Yuna

「Good morning as well. By the way, these are my children. Elnart and Galvin. Elnart, Galvin, tell them your greetings.」Cedric

「Good morning, I'm Elnart Aldridge. It's a pleasure to meet you.」Elnart

「Hello, I'm Galvin. Nice to meet you.」Galvin

Just as their father told them to, the children bowed their heads and introduced themselves to us.

Although they were still young, they sure knew how to introduce themselves. Just as one would expect from noble children.

「Nice to meet you too, Elnart-kun, Galvin-kun. You can call me Yuna-neechan, okay?」Yuna

While I was praising their etiquette skills at the back of my mind, Yuna already went ahead of me and greeted the two boys. Of course, I followed suit after her.

「Oh, right. Cedric, where are the kid's baggages?」Grey

「They've been packed already, why do you ask?」Cedric

「I'm planning to store them in my 『Storage』. That way, traveling would be a lot easier.」Grey

「Eh? But their baggage is not that heavy. It shouldn't affect the carriage's speed even if they're there or not.」Cedric

「Ah, we won't be taking the carriage.」Grey

「Huh?」Cedric

Not being able to understand what I just said, Cedric can't help himself but make a confused face. He looked like someone who saw letters in math for the first time.

If we were to take a carriage, it would take about 12 days or so before we reach the capital. That's just too slow. That's why yesterday, I decided that we will be using "that".

「Don't worry about it. It's not something dangerous, so you can rest easy. And with this method, we should arrive there within 3 days.」Grey

「3 days?! That's absurd! Even with the shortest route, it would take 11! Just what is this method you're talking about?」Cedric

「That's a secret. But rest assured, the children won't be harmed in any way.」Grey

「Oh, I see... Sorry for asking a private matter. Well, whatever it is, you have my full trust. I know you will keep my children safe.」Cedric

Cedric said as he let go of his children's hands and signaled them to approach me and Yuna.

For someone who just met us, he sure has a lot of faith in us. But then again, he already had us investigated so I think it's only justifiable.

「Well then, we'll be leaving nowー」Grey

「Ah, wait! Please take these with you.」Cedric

Just as we tried to leave, Cedric stopped us and handed to us two letters, both of which were contained in elegant looking containers, marked with the Aldridge family crest. The only difference with the two was the color of the containers.

「The red one is a letter for my wife. It contains an introduction letter for the two of you and a confirmation letter for the completion of the quest. Please have my wife sign it.」Cedric

I see... So he already made a request in the adventurer's guild. As expected of a noble, he works really fast. It hasn't even been a day yet.

But his wife, huh... I wonder if she'll believe us if we give her this letter. If I were to be in her position, I wouldn't believe that two teenagers were the ones that escorted my children to the capital.

「As for the black one, it contains another introduction letter. It's for the supplier of the tea you had yesterday. If you give them that, they should prioritize your orders. They might even give you a discount.」Cedric

Right, he did say that he'll write a letter for us. He really is a man of his words. I think he's worthy to be trusted. Well, other than the fact that he had us investigated.

Haah... I'll just let bygones be bygones. It would be useless even if I dwell about it now.

「Thank you, this would certainly help. Well then, we'll be going now.」Grey

「Alright, please take care of my children.」Cedric

「We will.」Grey

「Elnart-kun, Galvin-kun, Say goodbye to your father for now.」Yuna

「Un... See you later, otou-sama.」Elnart

「Bye～.」Galvin

「Yeah. Take care.」Cedric

After receiving the letters from Cedric and storing them in my『Storage』, we said our goodbyes to him and left the mansion.

「Grey, what was that method you were talking about?」Yuna

「You'll see later.」Grey

From the mansion, the four of us started walking our way to the northern gate. During the process, the children didn't complain about it, rather, they just kept chatting and laughing with Yuna.

Cedric was right, these children are really obedient. Looks like this trip will be much easier that I thought.

But... even though the children were obedient, they still have a low stamina. Galvin has already started sweating.

I guess it would be for the best to take a carriage from here on...

Haah... I should have considered this earlier.

「Alright, let's take a carriage to the gate. Galvin is already sweating.」Grey

「Grey, I also think that's a good idea. It's just that we have a little problem... there are no carriage stations nearby.」Yuna

When I suggested that, Galvin's face quickly brightened up, but his newfound hope was quickly shot down by Yuna.

Ah... I also forgot to consider that...

Even if we were to try and find one, the nearest should still be more than a kilometer away. We can't let the children walk that far when they're already exhausted.

Well, if that won't work then...

「Woah～ I can see so high～!!」Galvin

「Galvin, calm down.」Elnart

After a sudden idea popped into my mind, I lifted Galvin and Elnart up and had them sit on my shoulders. Although my shoulders aren't that wide, they should still be able to sit comfortably with my arms supporting them.

「How is it?」Grey

「It's amazing! I feel very tall!」Galvin

「Hey, Galvin. Stop moving so much.」Elnart

「Galvin-kun, listen to your big brother, okay?」Yuna

「Y-Yes.」Galvin

Galvin was very excited with what he was experiencing. As for Elnart, he was trying to calm his little brother down, with Yuna looking out for the both of them.

Elnart also looked a bit embarrassed by it. Seems like he was already mature enough to know when to get embarrassed. He was really mature for his age.

「Well then, let's head to the gate!」Grey

「Yeah!」Galvin

Although it was eye catching for a teenager to carry two children by his shoulder, the citizens just took a single look from us then looked away. But some, particularly women, looked at us as if we were some cute exhibition.

After a few minutes of walking, we finally arrived in the northern gate. Surprisingly, Dale-san wasn't stationed there. Somehow, he had always been stationed in the gate we are passing, so it just seemed weird that we didn't see him there.

「There's so many people...」Elnart

「And horses too!」Galvin

Since it was still early in the morning, there was a long line in the gate. If we were to wait, it would take us approximately half an hour before we can pass the gates. The line was really long.

Ugh... I really don't want to use that, but I also don't want to bore the children in this long line. Looks like we have no other choice...

「Excuse me, can we pass through first?」Grey

「Ah, Grey-sama, Yuna-sama. Good morning.」

「Morning.」Yuna

「Good morning as well. So about my question...」Grey

「Oh, of course. If it's Grey-sama and Yuna-sama, they can pass through anytime they want. It's also the same for their companions」

「Ah, thank you.」Grey

「It's my pleasure.」

With our noble privileges, we can pass through the gates without waiting in line. We have learnt of it when we arrived at Moterno, but ever since then, we haven't used that privilege. It just feels unfair for the people who were patiently waiting in line.

But today is an exception, we just need to have these kids be with their mother as soon as possible. It's going to be my gift for them for being obedient.

「Alright, here should be fine.」Grey

After exiting the gates, we traveled some distance away from the highway and headed into the nearby woods, making sure that no one saw us.

Although, we're not going to do something illegal, it would still be bothersome if someone sees me use "that".

Alright, here should be good.

「《Beast Summoning: Pegasus》.」Grey

As a magic circle appeared on the ground, gentle light shone brightly from it and blanketed the surroundings.

And just as suddenly as it appeared, the light dispersed just as quickly, revealing two magnificent figures before us. They were the mystical pegasuses.

「Woah～ Winged horses!」Galvin

「Amazing... Grey-niisan is amazing.」Elnart

「Thank you.」Grey

Although summoning magic cannot create a beast using mana, it can summon one from its original location to the caster's location. When summoned, the beast will be fully tamed, and will only return to their previous location when the summon is cancelled.

The only downside is that the caster can only summon a beast at least 3 ranks lower from them and it also takes a long time to master the spell. It's certainly rare to see someone capable of summoning beasts.

「So this is what you meant by "that".」Yuna

「Yeah... So what do you think?」Grey

「I think they're beautiful.」Yuna

「I see...」Grey

That's not really what I meant. What I meant to ask was about the method I thought of...

Ah, but it's too troublesome to correct Yuna so I'll just let her be. Also, the fact that she misunderstood what I meant was really cute.

Neighhhhhh Heighhhhh

When the pegasuses saw me, they slowly walked towards me and neighed lowly. It seemed that they recognized their summoner.

Driven by excitement and curiosity, I lightly grabbed one of the pegasus' mane and hopped on it's back.

Surprisingly, the pegasus' back was very comfortable unlike the horses we once rode when we first arrived in Galderia. Following me, Yuna also hopped on the other pegasus.

「What are you waiting for? Hop in.」Grey

「Eh? We're going to ride on them?」Elnart

「I did say we weren't going to take the carriage, and this way, you can see your mother faster.」Grey

「Alright...」Elnart

When I invited Elnart to hop on the pegasus with me, he was a little hesitant about riding it. But after I mentioned his mother, he quickly cleared all his fears and hopped on the pegasus' back with my help.

On the other hand, Galvin...

「Yay! I get to ride a winged horse!」Galvin

「Careful, Galvin-kun. Here grab my hand.」Yuna

... was very excited about riding one. He was very different from his older brother. It seemed like there was still no such thing as worry in his mind.

「Elnart, hold on tightly to the pegasus's mane. You too, Galvin. And don't move too much. You're going to upset the pegasus.」Grey

「Y-Yesh!」Galvin

「Alright. Then let's take off!」Grey

With my signal, the pegasuses flapped their wings with all their might and took off to the skies. It was like a scene in a fantasy movie, except that it was real.

And even though neither Yuna nor I are skilled at horse riding, the pegasus' flight was still smooth because I only needed to order them.

「Amazing! We're flying!」Galvin

「Galvin-kun, stay still. You're going to fall if you move too much.」Yuna

「But we're flying! I can reach the clouds!」Galvin

「I know, I know. So please calm down. Yuna-neechan is going to get angry if you don't settle down.」Yuna

「S... Sorry...」Galvin

Galvin was really excited when we took off, his head was turning both left and right, and up and down. Yuna had a hard time calming him down. Thankfully, Yuna knows how to handle children well. With just a single warning from her, Galvin settled down. Well, most parts of his body, since his head was still turning in every direction.

「Now that's more like it. Good boy.」Yuna

As Galvin calmed down, our focus was then shifted to the scenery below us. Rivers, trees, hills, and plains, we passed a lot of them. It was as if we were flying in the sky like a free bird.

「Amazing...」Elnart

Even the quiet and obedient Elnart was moved by the scenery that is taking place before his eyes. It was simply breathtaking.

「Grey-niisan, thank you.」Elnart

「Hm? What for?」Grey

「You know, for going to such lengths just so that we can meet our mother sooner. Even though this is the first time we met.」Elnart

For a kid, he sure has a wide vocabulary. Those are words that someone his age shouldn't normally know of. Is it because he's a noble that he knows these words?

Well, whatever. I'm just glad that he's happy.

「If it's about that, then you don't have to worry about it. This is a quest made by your father, and as adventurers, it's only normal that we do this. We are heading to the capital anyways.」Grey

「I know, but I'm still thankful.」Elnart

「Well, if you're that hang up on it, then you're welcoー」Grey

「Woah!! There's a lot of animals!」Galvin

Before I could finish my words, Galvin interrupted me and pointed at a large herd of animals that were grazing at the plains together. They were bulldeers.

「Grey, are those...」Yuna

「Yeah... they're the same herd of bulldeers that we hunted from when we were still at Moterno.」Grey

It's been a month since we last saw them. I can't believe they're still at Alfrione. They sure took their time.

I wonder when they will reach their next destination...

Oh, speaking of destinations.

「Elnart, Galvin. Do you want to go faster?」Grey

「Yes!」Galvin

「Yes...」Elnart

「Then hold on tightly, and... hiyaah!」Grey

Capital, we're coming!

CHAPTER 53 END