Shia Kaltro

Early in the morning, before the temple bells rang, five figures began to move.

“Have you packed everything?”

Seraphina’s question made Chloe, with her white fur and neat short hair, perk up her cat ears.

Chloe, dressed in light clothing, moved without making a sound.

“Yes! I only picked the essentials. But…”

Everyone’s attention turned to Ronflow’s room.

Ronflow, dressed in elaborate elven traditional attire, was busily moving around the room, his green hair flowing.

“This is a 300-year-old harp… and this is a 450-year-old spellbook…” Ronflow muttered.

“And this scroll with the legend…”

“Now, the true saga begins…”

“It’s noisy.”

Gain opened Ronflow’s door.

“Ah! Wait! This ancient elven…”

Gain expressionlessly picked up Ronflow’s bag.

And tossed the harp back to the elf.

“Take only this.”

“No! This is my…”

Ronflow’s cry echoed.

“But,” Chloe moved her ears.

“Breakfast is…”

Seraphina handed her a small pouch.

“I prepared it in advance.”

“As expected of the saintess!”

Chloe’s white tail wagged with joy.

Beatrice stood at the temple entrance, looking at the eastern sky.

Her silver armor sparkled in the early morning light, and her long golden hair fluttered in the wind.

Beside her stood Gain, silent in his light chainmail, with dew glistening on his armor.

In the distant horizon, the faint silhouette of the Shia Kalt Mountains was visible.

The snow-capped peaks glistened under the morning sun, mysterious yet far away.

“Bea.”

Seraphina approached.

Her pink hair, in her pristine nun’s habit, swayed in the morning breeze.

“Let’s offer a final prayer to Michel…”

“Understood.”

The two knelt together before the altar.

“The prayer ends here.” Beatrice stood up.

“Let’s go. We need to worry about Geomun.”

The morning sunlight passed through the stained glass, creating a colorful glow.

The city was just beginning to awaken.

Merchants out for early deals spotted the group and whispered.

“Look, the saintess and the silver hero…”

“Shia Kalt? That untouched mountain range…”

“No word since the last expedition disappeared 10 years ago…”

“Hurry.” Chloe folded her ears.

“Before more people gather…”

“This path…” Ronflow strummed his harp.

“200 years ago, the great bard Delphinius…”

“It’s noisy.”

“But Gain! This noble tale…”

Gain’s cold gaze silenced Ronflow.

“Ah…” Chloe giggled.

“I get it now. If Gain says ‘it’s noisy,’ everyone quiets down in 3 seconds, and if Bea calls his name…”

“Chloe.”

Beatrice turned her head.

“Yes…”

Chloe’s ears folded back.

The group moved through the early morning air, leaving the capital of the Heshet Empire behind, bathed in the rising sun.

…

“It’s been a week already.”

Chloe said during a break.

They had traveled non-stop from the Heshet Empire to the borders of the Genes Kingdom.

“I’m curious. How did Beatrice and the saintess first meet? I joined three years ago, so I don’t know.”

Gain’s eyes slightly rose, and Ronflow paused his harp playing, interested.

Even these two, who had spent much time with Beatrice, didn’t know the story.

Seraphina glanced at Beatrice, then began.

“It was during our training days in the Heshet Empire’s knight order. Bea was a baron’s daughter but started with the same chores as the other trainees. I was a commoner, but we both trained diligently.”

“So you became close?”

“Yes. Bea was the only friend I could talk to comfortably. But then… I suddenly received Michel’s grace. I had to leave to become a saint without preparation.”

Beatrice stood up.

“It’s fine. It turned out this way.”

“So Beatrice also left the knight order…”

Chloe asked.

“Training wasn’t fun anymore. I left and became an adventurer. Then I found the holy sword.”

“Oh! This is the work of fate…”

Ronflow strummed his harp.

“It’s noisy.” Gain casually remarked, unfolding the map.

“Next, we need to cross the Solhan Pass.”

“The place with the most ice golems…” Ronflow caressed his harp.

“My song…”

Just then, a monster’s roar echoed from the forest.

Gain’s spear moved first.

It left a trail of light, piercing a monster in the trees.

Ronflow’s harp played softly.

The group’s movements became lighter.

Chloe vanished into the shadows, reappearing behind another monster in an instant.

“Hah!”

Beatrice’s silver sword gleamed.

A monster’s arm flew through the air.

Gain’s spear cleanly finished off the last one.

“Oh! Let’s sing of this glorious victory…”

“It’s noisy.”

Ronflow stopped, but his fingers subtly plucked the harp strings until Gain’s sharp gaze made him cease.

“Oh! There’s De Blanc…”

Everyone turned at Chloe’s words.

In the distance, the first city of the Genes Kingdom, De Blanc, came into view.

“Finally…” Ronflow’s voice rose excitedly.

“The great city of De Blanc! Now our…”

“Ronflow.” Beatrice and Gain said in unison.

“Enter normally. Without a fuss.”

As they approached the city gate, the guards noticed them.

Initially seen as a typical adventurer party, the sight of Beatrice’s silver armor and holy sword changed their expressions.

“The… silver hero!”

“And the saintess!”

Crowds quickly gathered.

“What brings you here?”

“Heading to Shia Kalt?”

“Under Michel’s revelation…”}

Seraphina smiled warmly.

“Yes, we’re heading to Shia Kalt under Michel’s revelation.”

No further explanation was given.

“This way.” The guild master of De Blanc escorted them.

He personally led them to an inn called “Moonlight Rest.”

“Saintess, silver hero…” The innkeeper bowed deeply.

“We’ve prepared the best suite for you, free of charge.”

Gain looked at Beatrice expressionlessly.

His gaze seemed to say, “As expected.”

Even as they were guided to their room, the inn’s attention followed them.

But soon, Gain’s cold gaze made everyone look away.

“Now,” Beatrice unfolded the map.

“Let’s plan the route. To Solhan Pass…”

“Oh! Solhan Pass!” Ronflow jumped up.

“The new epic we’ll carve in those harsh mountains! This is…”

“Ronflow!”

Everyone shouted in unison.

Seraphina couldn’t hide her smile.

Five years had passed, yet they remained unchanged.

***

“Lico, how about naming this child?”

“Hm? A name?”

Yes.

Since I’ll be raising this child, I should give it a name.

Hmm…

Based on its characteristics…

《How about “Hotpack”?》

“Hotpack…? What does that mean?”

《A being that brings warmth!》

The name sounds cute and fits perfectly!

Could there be a better name?

“Hmm… Does it sound hard to pronounce?”

《Do people in this world find it difficult?》

Is it because it’s a foreign word?

Well…

《How did you come up with my name?》

“Well, it just came to me when I saw you. Lycoris.”

Hmm…

I thought “Hotpack” came to me…

“Ah, but I’ve always called you Lico.”

Master smiled brightly.

Oh no!

My heart skipped a beat!

Don’t say such things!

I can totally feel it!

Thanks to the status window, I knew her full name, but hearing it directly from Master felt oddly pleasant.

Should I name my child with a nickname too?

Hmm…

…

《How about “Cecilia”? For a nickname, maybe “Ceci” or “Lia”?》

“Oh, it’s lovely. Like a flower’s name.”

《Yes! I imagined the most beautiful flower, pure yet warm!》

Master’s eyes softened.

Great!

《This one shines like Ruby…》

《Because she’s my daughter, her name should be as beautiful and radiant as a flower!》

Looking at the pulsing red light in the cocoon, I felt proud.

“Oh? Is she a girl?”

《Huh?》

Yes?

Why did I naturally think she’s a girl?

Maybe because I hoped for a daughter, given my remaining memories of being male?

It’s only natural to want a daughter if you’re a dad!

《Did you know she’s a girl?》

“Yes. It’s obvious.”

《How…?》

Master reached out with a sly smile.

Her hands, which pet me, are becoming my weak point…

《Hah!》

“Look.”

Master said with a small smile.

Oh no!

Clearly, you named me before I could ask!

But whatever.

Let’s just say she’s my daughter!

《Then let’s go with Cecilia!》

“Hoho… Fine, then.”

With determination, I named my child “Cecilia” and looked at the cocoon.

『 ☆☆ 【Cecilia】 Blaze Chrysalis LV10 』

《Oh!》

The status window updated quickly.

Naming her made me feel instant affection.

《Grow warmly, my child.》