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Honestly, I am really unsure why I am acting so open towards Auru and Grinla...

Does it have anything to do with the loss of my power and body?

Or does it have any other reason? For now, I have no answer.

But I feel a sense of dread from keeping a human, like Auru, close to me. Sometime along the way, I need to get rid of her, but that is for later...

Anyways let's go see Auru's sister Irene!

Auru knocked on a door in the upper dorm rooms.

[Irene: "Who's there?"]

[Auru: "It's me, Auru!"]

Irene opened the door.

She looks really similar to auru, except for their expression.

Auru's is calm and friendly, while Irene's is wilder and more energetic. She wears her long blonde hair in a ponytail and wears a magician robe as a kind of cape.

Auru and Irene chatted for a while. Afterward, Auru explained her circumstances for ending up so far north with a demon-kin and a dark-elf.

After leaving Irene's room, I proposed my idea of leaving Auru behind:

["Soo... Uh, Wouldn't it be better if you stayed here with your sister Auru?"]

[Auru: "No way! We spent almost two months together now! how could you suddenly say this?"]

["Well, our next stop is going to be in *Nirva Forest*, which is a dangerous area with many strong monsters... Also, u haven't even learned any magic spells, so you can't protect yourself!"]

[Auru: "That may be true, but then you can just teach me spells on the road ahead! I promise I won't be a burden!"]

["Ughh, alright..."]

NEXT STOP *NIRVA FOREST*

Wandering through the white and cold of the north, it became the norm for Grinla to teach Auru wind magic.

Grinla and I explained to Auru the principles of the magic formula.

The words of power are used to decide the effect of the magic. The more powerful the formula used, the greater the strain on one's mind. High-level words can even be used by themselves.

The strength of the spell is only partially decided by the level of the words. For example, a 100-word long formula of the weakest words can be as powerful as three or four words of the highest level.

Obviously, 100 words are a bit too long to use in actual battle, so no one uses such incantations. The reason some people still use unending formulas is their lack of mental resistance.

The high-level words of power simply shatter their minds.

Another reason why people can't use strong spells is their lack of magical power. Lacking the mana, they are unable to use them.

Auru showed massive potential for magic and learned words of power with utmost speed.

By the time we reached the lush fields of southern Thelfheim, Auru was already able to use advanced words in her magic formula.

We traveled through peaceful villages in the agricultural area of south Thelfheim, where no big cities are. Towards the east was the next big city. The glamorous capital of Thelfheim: Kingsport.

Kingsport, the capital, is a port city on the southeastern border of Thelfheim with access to the great Krakensea to its east and Nirva Forest on the other side of Thelfheims border to its south.

To its east, as mentioned, are vast agricultural fields littered with villages taking advantage of the rich soil. To its north lies Heimsdall and eventually Raventhroat.

We decided to shop for provisions in the harbor market of Kingsport. Furthermore, we planned to cross the border from Kingsport.

While entering, we had some problems with the guards, but nothing Grinla's illusion magic couldn't handle. Man, I really am grateful for having her around.

Kingsport had a large castle on the northern side, which crowned the hill, the city had been build around. It was not the palace, but more so a bastion. This bastion was connected to the large city walls serving as additional protection from monsters and opposing kingdoms. The royal palace was located right in the center of the sickle-shaped city walls. Between the royal palace and the bastion was the noble district. Towards the south was the commoner's quarter, where refugees and the poor lived. The east was the quarter for wealthy farmers and scholars, while the east was dedicated to merchants and sailors.

When we walked along the main road, a large mass of people appeared before our eyes. Their eyes fixed on a man with colorful clothing standing on an elevated platform with a scroll in his hand.

A bard?

No. A messenger.

As we got closer, we began to hear his voice echo through the masses.

[The Messenger: "I repeat, his Majesty King Alfonce Aldrace has passed away this night! The cause is still unknown, but it is suspected to be old age."]

[Someone in the masses: "What is going to become of Thelfheim? The princess hasn't married, so is Lord Hiro going to make his move?"]

[Someone else: "I don't know, maybe he is going to take her as his bride?"]

[The former person: "That would surely be the most believable course of action! Also, Lord Hiro holds a lot of power, so he would make a reliable king."]

Many people in the crowd agreed with what had been said.

[The Messenger: "Thus her Majesty princess Parola of Thelfheim will hold a speech in honor of his Majesty! Today evening at the royal palace! Lord Hiro will also participate!"]

Who is this Lord Hiro?

Alfonce died?

This is getting interesting!

["Oi, Auru, Grinla, let's check this out. It sounds important!"]

[Grinla: "Yes, It will be good to gather as much information as possible!"]

And so it was decided that we were going to listen to the princess' speech.