Some time after Shigeto had decimated Disaster, he was summoned to Dudur Valley’s provincial garrison.
“Ah, Shigeto-sensei, apologies for the summons.”
“Yazzak-san, please don’t worry…”
“That’s right. You should hold your head up high.”
“S-Spellsess-san, that’s…”
In Yazzak’s room were Yazzak, Spellsess, and another soldier Shigeto hadn’t seen before. As Shigeto watched, the soldier bowed deeply and handed over a letter.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a personal letter from President Leafman of the Hodgkin Federation.”
“T-The President!?”
“Yes! It’s an invitation to the Federation’s 150th anniversary commemoration ceremony for Shigeto Kusunoki-sama!”
“The ceremony… Where will it be held?”
“In the capital of the Federation, Manitoba.”
“Manitoba? In the Obildo State?”
“Yes.”
Certainly, as a celestial ranked among the Federation, I felt obliged to attend such an event. Moreover, it was the 150th anniversary of the Federation’s founding—a significant ceremony indeed.
I glanced at Spellsess, looking somewhat troubled.
“You can’t refuse this.”
“…I suppose so. Spellsess-san, you will be attending too, right?”
“Well, I am a sage of the Federation. It’s a hassle, though.”
“Spellsess-san!”
Yazzak interjected, clearly uneasy with Spellsess’s response. Nevertheless, it seemed unavoidable. I opened the letter as instructed, confirming it was an official request for my attendance at the ceremony, along with a formal induction into the Federation’s military beforehand.
It appeared Kimishima was already registered as an official guard, and both of us were expected to attend together.
“It seems Kimishima is also required to attend.”
“Yuzuki is registered as a Celestial Guard Knight, right? It’s only natural.”
“So she’s already registered. What about Nishina and Sakuragi?”
“They’re still in the state army. It would have been interesting if Miki had reached celestial rank in the Seventh Step, but it seems quite challenging. Moving up to the Eighth Step could take about a year.”
I recalled that Carton of the Disaster had achieved celestial rank in the Eighth Ladder. It was quite an achievement, and Sakuragi seemed close to achieving something similar. Apparently, magical rankings tended to decrease.
Rankings reflected not only the gifts received from the gods upon climbing the Ladder but also one’s inherent abilities. There wasn’t much variation in magical power, but there was a significant difference in physical abilities such as strength.
Thus, individuals like Carton, being Warwicks, had a larger base physique compared to other races.
Most top-ranking individuals combined both melee and magical attacks, rather than specializing in just one.
From Spellsess’s perspective, Sakuragi’s lack of enthusiasm for melee combat was somewhat disappointing.
In any case, I reluctantly agreed to go to the capital…
“Can Nishina and Sakuragi come with us?”
“Well… Those two haven’t been invited, so they’ll have to stay behind this time.”
“Is that so…”
“It’s a bit complicated for soldiers from one state to visit another. There are old customs from before the Federation.”
“I see…”
“Ehh! No way! I want to go too! It’s not fair, just Sensei and Senpai!”
“But… I’m not going because I want to. It’s work, so I have no choice.”
“But I want to go to the capital too! Unfair!”
Back at Vito’s inn, I relayed the conversation to the three of them, and as expected, Sakuragi wanted to come along. While it was a trip, it was also work. This was an opportunity for both Kimishima and I to formally join the Federation’s military.
Since the Disaster incident, no adventurers targeting me had appeared. The effects of Brian and the Puppet Master’s dramatic spread of information seemed to be working. However, I couldn’t help feeling anxious about going to crowded places.
“Miki, try to act more mature.”
“But even Takato-kun wants to go! Why am I the only one being left out?”
Unbeknownst to me, the distance between the two had grown considerably. They weren’t quite like lovers yet but more akin to siblings. Nishina, being reliable, and Sakuragi, being naive, seemed like a good match.
“That’s enough! I’m going to plead with Yazzak-san!”
“Hey… Stop…”
“Hmph! Even if permission is granted, I won’t ask for Takato-kun’s permission!”
“Oh…”
“Miki-chan…”
Sakuragi stormed out of Vito’s inn. Vito, who had been preparing our meal in the kitchen, looked puzzled at the sudden commotion.
“Sorry. I’ll go after her for a moment, Vito.”
“Oh, okay. What about lunch?”
“I’ll be back by then!”
I hurried after Sakuragi.
In the end, the four of us gathered before Yazzak and discussed the matter. As expected, Yazzak tried desperately to persuade Sakuragi. With Spellsess already gone, there was no one to stop Sakuragi’s rampage.
“H-However, Miki-san is still a member of the state army…”
“B-But since coming here, I haven’t left Dudur Valley at all!”
“I understand… Then… could we go together to Vadzul?”
“Eh… I can’t leave Durham State?”
“Since Miki-san is still a soldier of the state, there are various procedures to cross state boundaries…”
“B-But! What about Spelt? It was lively there. Vadzul will be boring.”
“Well…”
“And General Degry! We have to thank him!”
“G-General Degry? You know him?”
“Yeah! He introduced us to General Camilla! Ah, I can’t believe I can’t thank General Degry after he helped Sensei and Senpai… It’s so rude!”
“Ugh…”
Yazzak rubbed his stomach, visibly troubled. That expression… It looked like the face of a middle manager with a stomachache. I asked Nishina to use healing magic on him.
Despite understanding Sakuragi’s feelings, I hadn’t done much to support Yazzak. Even Nishina must have wanted to go on this trip deep down. I felt I owed an apology to Yazzak.
Deep in my heart, I bowed my head.
In the end, both Nishina and Sakuragi received permission to go to Spelt’s capital. I even managed to get permission for Vito to come along. It was quite a push, but I felt it was okay, given my wish to show the children the outside world.
By the way, we would part ways there and head to Manitoba, the Federation’s capital in the next state, Obildo. We were likely to stay there for about a month, from the induction ceremony to the 150th anniversary celebration.
“Sensei, it’s like a honeymoon.”
“Huh? No, I’m not married yet…”
“Then it’s a pre-wedding trip!”
“Huh? Well, I mean…”
“Hehehe, it’s exciting!”
“Uh, yeah…”
Kimishima’s excitement seemed oddly high.
