To the Empire!

As expected, it’s the master!

They’ve come to rescue us!

“Beep…”

But suddenly, Beep let out a pitiful sound and…

Rumble rumble!

Started shaking violently!

Despite its small size, the tremors were enormous.

“Huh!?”

It was like sitting in a broken massage chair!

I had to grab the pink feathers tightly to prevent falling, but they were stiff with fear.

“Beep! Why are you like this!”

Ah!

Is it scared of the master’s overwhelming presence!?

Beep’s round eyes were trembling, looking at the master like a puppy that heard thunder.

“It’s okay! I’m your master! We’re on the same side!”

I tried to reassure it, but…

Rumble rumble rumble!

Beep’s trembling grew worse.

Its wings, which were flapping hard earlier, were losing strength.

Then, little by little…

It started to fall.

It felt like free-falling in zero gravity.

The wind hit my face, and the rocks below were getting closer.

I could feel Beep’s tiny heartbeat against my back, racing like crazy.

Ugh!

Do I have to feed it honey again!?

But I can’t transform into a flower here!?

While I was thinking…

Beep’s wings completely stopped flapping.

A desperate “Peep…” sound came from its small beak.

“No! No! No!”

The wind whistled past my ears as we plummeted.

If this continues, we’ll really hit the ground!

“Nectar! Hurry!”

As soon as I thought of the honey, my lower half felt wet.

Ew!

It’s so gross!

But this is a matter of life and death!

Quickly, I grabbed Beep with one hand and reached into my panties to smear honey on my fingers with the other.

The sticky texture coated my fingers.

“Beep! Eat this!”

It’s premium honey from a human, way more valuable than flower nectar!

Someone might even call it a holy water!

Forced Beep’s small beak open and shoved the honey in.

Gulp.

The sound of it swallowing slowly and surely came.

“Beep…?”

The trembling stopped.

And its glowing eyes seemed to regain consciousness!

Did it come back to its senses!?

Beep started flapping its wings again.

Much more stable and powerful than before.

Thanks to the honey, it realized the master is on our side, and the fear was completely gone!

“Whew… We made it…”

If we had been just a moment later, we would’ve hit the ground.

I might’ve just been hurt, but Beep would’ve been smashed to death.

Then, from afar, the master’s figure became clearer.

Wow!

Against the black night sky, the master’s appearance was truly magnificent.

The silver scales shimmered like diamonds under the moonlight, and the massive wings spread out elegantly, resembling a dragon from mythology.

Like a black canvas with the Milky Way scattered across it, it was a work of art.

“Beep! Over there! Let’s go to the master!”

“Beep…?”

Beep looked at me with an expression that seemed to ask, “Really? To that scary, huge being?”

Oh, come on!

I just told you we’re on the same team!

“Right, it’s the master! The coolest, strongest, and most beautiful person in the world!”

“Beep!”

Beep looked determined, flapping its wings powerfully again.

This time, courageously!

The master’s figure became even clearer.

Each silver scale could be seen in detail as we drew closer.

Heehee!

I couldn’t wait to brag about how I annihilated the evil cultists!

And how I made an amazing pyramid!

“Zuin-nim! Over here!”

I shouted loudly, but the master didn’t respond yet.

It seemed our voices couldn’t reach from this distance.

However…

Shiver shiver…

Beep’s body started trembling again.

“Why again!?”

But this time it was different.

Not the trembling of fear, but…

A white breath came from Beep’s small beak.

Oh, is it cold because we’re getting closer to the master!?

Or was it because of the cold from earlier when I questioned the symbol?

“Beep, are you okay?”

“Beep!”

Beep was still shivering but continued to fly towards the master determinedly.

The feathers at the tips were covered in white frost.

The pink feathers sparkled in the moonlight, looking even prettier, but the small body was clearly struggling with the cold.

What to do!

Should we just turn back!?

“Oh, Cecile! Please hold Beep!”

“Huh? Beep?”

Cecile tilted her head in confusion, looking at Beep.

Then, she gently wrapped her body around it.

“Peep…”

Beep’s expression brightened instantly.

The trembling stopped, and the frost on its feathers began to melt.

Phew…

It’s really effective…

The master turned their head slightly to look at us.

Their beautiful eyes, reflecting the moonlight, held a warm gaze.

“Rico, did you sleep well?”

Huh?

Did you sleep well?

Oh right! I slept for two months!

“Hehe! Yes! It felt like I slept for a year!”

It really was refreshing!

I won’t feel sleepy for a while now!

“The paths crossed, and I heard you waited in the lair but didn’t come, so I came to find you. Did you get lost?”

The master’s concerned voice touched my heart.

But…

It’s embarrassing to admit I got lost…

“No! I didn’t get lost! I was just late because I was annihilating the evil cultists!”

It’s not a lie!

I really did take my time to completely annihilate them!

And even made a human pyramid!

“Did you find the cultists?”

There was a hint of interest in the master’s voice.

“Yes! Those bastards were corrupting monsters in the gorge! So I killed them all!”

“Impressive. I couldn’t find where they were hiding.”

“Hehe!”

The master’s praise and Cecile’s admiration made my shoulders shrug in embarrassment.

“And here! I saved Beep!”

I pointed to Beep, now warm in Cecile’s arms.

“Beep… the wyvern?”

The master looked down at Beep.

“Yes! It’s a cute pink wyvern! It was sadly trapped here all alone!”

“Peep!”

Beep responded strongly, as if to say, “That’s me!”

Its small head peeking out of Cecile’s arms, looking up at the master with an adorable expression.

“Yes, it’s cute.”

Huh.

“Cute” was all the reaction I got…

I expected something more intense…

It’s super cute, not just a wyvern!

But maybe the master has seen many, so…

The master is usually reserved with expressions…

So just “yes, it’s cute” is already a lot…

“Heehee… the master likes Beep!”

“Peep!”

Beep flapped its small wings happily in Cecile’s arms.

The master turned their head forward again.

“Shall we return?”

Home!

I missed it so much!

Finally escaping this miserable gorge!

As I was about to nod at the master’s suggestion…

“Oh, Rico.”

“Yes?”

“Did you see the letter from the academy? How about visiting the empire?”

Huh?

A sudden suggestion made my eyes widen.

“Now?”

“Yes, as a night stroll and sightseeing.”

The master spoke as naturally as if we were going to a convenience store.

Of course, the master can go anywhere, anytime they want!

“Cool!”

My heart pounded at the sudden invitation.

The academy, a must-see in an isekai story!

I was going to go anyway, but I wanted to see it sooner!

“Me too!”

Cecile also caught my excitement, raising her arms and cheering.

“Peep?”

Beep looked curious, tilting its head at our excitement, but seemed happy along with us.

“Then let’s depart.”

Heehee!

It’s going to be so much fun!

And Mey isn’t even here!

Jackpot!

***

When everyone was deep in sleep late at night.

The imperial capital of the Heshet Empire, Arkedia, was quiet.

The moonlight illuminated the grand Gothic buildings.

Most buildings had their lights off, but the headmaster’s office on the top floor of the central spire still had soft magic lighting on.

Like a lighthouse alone awake in the darkness.

Knock, knock, knock.

“L-Lady Lunestra…”

Plang, the headmaster’s personal secretary, knocked on the door cautiously.

Usually neat, her brown hair was disheveled, and her face showed fatigue, worry, and deep regret.

“Come in, Plang.”

Elaria de Lunestra replied in a tired voice.

She was sitting in a large window seat, staring at the night sky.

Her usual elegance was gone, replaced by exhaustion.

A crumpled letter lay on her lap.

“How was it?”

Lunestra asked, still gazing out the window.

But her tone suggested she already expected the answer.

Plang hesitated.

Opened her mouth, closed it, then finally spoke.

“I visited the trade office in Venroche, the trade gateway with the Genes Kingdom.”

“The postal office and trade office checked all records, but…”

Lunestra’s shoulders stiffened slightly.

“Lady Lycoris’s letter… never arrived.”

Plang’s voice trembled towards the end.

Saying this was painful for her too.

The heavy silence filled the headmaster’s office.

Only the sound of the magic clock broke the stillness.

“I see…”

Lunestra’s hand tightened around the crumpled letter.

It was a copy of the professor’s offer letter to Lycoris.

She had stared at it so much over the past month that the edges were worn.

“Then…”

Lunestra spoke slowly.

Her voice was quieter than the rustling of paper.

“Lady Lycoris… hasn’t sent a reply.”

The heavy silence returned to the office.

Plang couldn’t look up.

She knew her news had crushed the headmaster’s last hope.

“Already… over a month…”

Lunestra muttered, staring out the window.

The night sky had countless stars, but to her, they felt cold and distant.

“Did… did I write the letter wrong?”

Lunestra said, self-reproachful.

Her voice was filled with deep remorse.

“No. It was a polite and heartfelt letter.”

Plang replied sincerely.

“Was the reward insufficient? Or…”

“Lady Lunestra.”

Plang cautiously interrupted.

After a moment of silence, a faint hope appeared in Lunestra’s eyes.

Like a drowning person clinging to a straw.

“Then… perhaps she was too busy to reply?”

“Could be…”

Plang agreed hopefully, but her expression remained doubtful.

“As an apostle, she must be busy… or perhaps couldn’t check the letter during an adventure…”

But her voice still carried anxiety.

It sounded like a forced excuse, even to herself.

“Shall we send another letter tomorrow?”

Lunestra asked, clinging to her last hope.

“Good idea.”

Plang nodded, but her expression remained doubtful.

In truth, both knew what the lack of a reply meant.

Elaria looked out the window again.

Hoping against hope that a miracle might happen, that someone would appear from the darkness.