Miragaia had said it would be a quick stroll, but he ended up flying way up high .

Maki said something to him and pointed in different directions and he would take her there .

“Maki seems to be very calm about it . ”

Arthur muttered .

“Maki is more accepting of things and people as they are . ”

Chiharu replied .

“And so you must be extra cautious to make up for that?”

“Not exactly…”

She wasn’t being cautious for Maki’s sake . She just didn’t like being in situations where she had no control . Of course, being easily swayed might look cute and have helped her keep her boyfriend… But still .

“Maki’s chill and accepting personality is what I like about her . You can relax when you are with her . ”

Chiharu said .

“And so there were a lot of people who tried to take advantage of that in the other world . People thought that she was too generous and lacked firmness . She would be hurt by people who forced their ideals on her, only to be disappointed later on . ”

“Do you think then, that she is trying to show everyone how she truly is?”

“I don’t know…”

She didn’t want to think too deeply about her friend . And of course, there were many things that you just had to endure when you had a job . But they both made an effort to be pleasant company when around each other .

“Something about you reminds me of my dead wife . ”

“Dead… Edwy’s mother?”

“She was very weak physically . She pa.s.sed away as soon as he was born . Everyone said that she could not be queen, and that she would not have children . But she was strong and supported me . ”

“I’m sure it was…an honor . ”

Perhaps that was why the prince was so spoiled . Arthur grinned a little and continued .

“I don’t know if I would call it an honor . My wife could be very black-hearted . ”

“Huh? But I am not black-hearted? I’m just uh, uh…”

“Yes?”

“I am just a little more honest than most . ”

“Hahaha . My wife must have also been very honest . Surely . ”

Arthur looked up at the sky .

“We had grown up together . I think that we knew each other quite well, but I often wish that I had known how she thought a little more when we were adults . ”

“I can honestly tell you my own black-hearted thoughts if you wish . ”

“Hahaha! As I thought . She would often talk to me like that . It brings back memories . ”

“She was not only your wife…”

“Hm?”

“But a very good friend to you then . ”

“Yes . Yes . ”

Arthur said with a gentle expression .

“CHIIIHAAARUUU . ”

“Maki-chan!”

Maki had come back . She came running towards Chiharu as soon as Miragaia let her down . I would probably be wobbling on my feet for a while in her place . That’s Maki for you . Chiharu thought .

“I got to see the city from above the palace! There a plaza with a fountain, and stalls, there were food stalls!”

“Food stalls! Coins! We need some change! Arthur, please convert our millions into coins!!”

“Uh? What?”

“Chiharu, calm down . It’s ridiculous to convert a million into coins . Well, we should be fine with maybe ten thousand per person . Let’s have the magic gem sold properly and convert twenty thousand into coins . ”

“Chiharu, calm down . It’s ridiculous to convert a million into coins . Well, we should be fine with maybe ten thousand per person . Let’s have the magic gem sold properly and convert twenty thousand into coins . ”

“Wait, wait . Maki and Chihaaru . It is too early for you to leave the palace grounds . ”

Maki and Chiharu swung around . Arthur pointed at the bird people .

“It’s not only the bird people that will swarm around you if they hear that the Saintesses are here . It will be dangerous if security measures are not put in place . ”

“There are people who would want to hurt us?”

Chiharu asked . Arthur answered .

“I do not think that anyone would want to deliberately . Except maybe the Doom Church . But they have been silent recently . ”

Wait, wait . Doom Church! That sounds terrifying! Why was he saying it so casually? Arthur continued before she could interject .

“But more importantly, many people would come to catch a rare glimpse of the Saintess, and I fear that you may be crushed . ”

“Then we will never be able to leave…”

“Maki…”

The king became fl.u.s.tered at Maki’s mounting sadness . He had little choice .

“Arthur . Is this the extent of the human territories?”

“No, this is the sh.o.r.e of a huge continent . There is much more to see along the coast and inland as well . ”

Hmm .

“Well then, might there be a country where women can wear veils when leaving the house? Or maybe we could disguise ourselves…”

“Veils… I believe the women of the desert countries do that . Though, that would still draw attention, I think . ”

“But it won’t cause a crowd to show up, would it?”

“I do not think so . I see . That could work . Although your hair and eyes are also unusual . ”

“We can wear wigs . ”

“And your eyes?”

“And your eyes?”

“We will just look at the ground . ”

“But your height . ”

“We will say that we are children . ”

“…You want to visit the street stalls that badly?”

“YES . ” “YES . ”

“…It cannot be today, but I will arrange for it to be done . ”

“AWESOME!” “AWESOME!”

They would be allowed to leave! Arthur grumbled to himself as the two rejoiced next to him .

“You can wear wigs and pretend to be n.o.ble children . That way no one would think it strange that you have guards . Edwy did it often . No, maybe we should just publically announce that you are the Saintesses and have Edwy show you around . We could a.s.sign much more guards if you are with the prince . Yes, I will discuss it with Edwy and Sera . No, first we must decide when we will make the announcement . ”

He seemed to decide, and then:

“Miragaia, this generation’s Saintesses say that they will meet with you . So you must go through the proper steps . And do not rush anything . Let them be, should they refuse! Also, one more thing . Since you are here, there is some business to discuss . Please come to my office with me . Well then, Maki and Chihaaru, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? You should go back now . ”

He said and walked away quickly . Miragaia looked longing at Maki, but he was at least satisfied enough now to go and follow Arthur obediently . The other bird people seemed to have calmed down, now that they saw their chief’s wish was fulfilled after so many long years . And they talked amongst themselves with some emotion . As for Sauro…

“Do you like high places too, Chihaaru?”

He invited her, but she…

“I’m not prepared to go so high yet . ”

…refused him . Still, she did have him carry her directly back to the balcony . Maki was completely used to it now, and Chiharu felt that she was getting close . It was a good thing that they hadn’t eaten yet . Sauro and Saikania would eat somewhere else, and so Maki and Chiharu were left behind with Sera .

“That was just splendid . You dealt with those birds without causing a fight . ”

“I guess it was like an unrequited affection he had for many years . Perhaps . ”

“The people of this world feel more strongly about the Saintesses than either of you realize . It may feel like a burden at first, but I am sure you will get used to it . Now, you should eat your breakfast . ”

Yesterday they had eaten the food of this world . There was soft bread that was the size or your palms, and jam, hams, and soups . And today there was rice .

Yesterday they had eaten the food of this world . There was soft bread that was the size or your palms, and jam, hams, and soups . And today there was rice .

“I thought this yesterday as well, but what do you use for the soup?”

Chiharu asked Sera .

“Kelp and dried fish . We also add dried mushrooms . ”

“I knew it . But I guess they didn’t learn about bonito flakes . ”

Sera seemed oddly excited .

“According to the records, a Saintess long ago said that she wanted to eat bonito flakes . However, we did not know how to replicate it . Fortunately, we had seaweed and small fish to make these other two things . The mushrooms were added to complete the flavor . ”

Interesting .

“Do you two know anything regarding the making of it?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t . It has something to do with mold I think, I have no idea how it is done . ”

“Neither do I . ”

“Mold, you say?”

“Yes . But, mold is usually bad for you, so it’s difficult to do . ”

“Hmm, I see . But perhaps the elves and beastfolk can study it, as they have longer lives . It is definitely something to consider . ”

And then they were served tea after breakfast .

“Huh, Sera, this…”

“It’s green tea…”

“Is it? So this is what it is! The color is a little on the yellow side, but as it was just the right season for harvesting the leaves, we tested some of the methods that Maki suggested to make this . ”

“While it is called green tea, it’s mostly just the color of the leaves . The actual tea is generally quite yellow . And this tastes exactly like it . ”

“I see, so it was quite simple to make after all . If only your predecessor could have drunk this…”

Sera seemed very moved . But really, we should be the ones that are moved, seeing as they made this in just two days . Both of them felt a sense of warmth over Sera’s affection for the late Saintess .

Miragaia had said it would be a quick stroll, but he ended up flying way up high

 .

Maki said something to him and pointed in different directions and he would take her there

 .

“Maki seems to be very calm about it . ”.

 .

Arthur muttered

 .

“Maki is more accepting of things and people as they are . ”.

 .

Chiharu replied

 .

“And so you must be extra cautious to make up for that?”.

“Not exactly…”.

 .

She wasn’t being cautious for Maki’s sake . She just didn’t like being in situations where she had no control . Of course, being easily swayed might look cute and have helped her keep her boyfriend… But still

 .

“Maki’s chill and accepting personality is what I like about her . You can relax when you are with her . ”.

 .

Chiharu said

 .

“And so there were a lot of people who tried to take advantage of that in the other world . People thought that she was too generous and lacked firmness . She would be hurt by people who forced their ideals on her, only to be disappointed later on . ”.

“Do you think then, that she is trying to show everyone how she truly is?”.

“I don’t know…”.

 .

She didn’t want to think too deeply about her friend . And of course, there were many things that you just had to endure when you had a job . But they both made an effort to be pleasant company when around each other

 .

“Something about you reminds me of my dead wife . ”.

“Dead… Edwy’s mother?”.

“She was very weak physically . She pa.s.sed away as soon as he was born . Everyone said that she could not be queen, and that she would not have children . But she was strong and supported me . ”.

“I’m sure it was…an honor . ”.

 .

Perhaps that was why the prince was so spoiled . Arthur grinned a little and continued

 .

“I don’t know if I would call it an honor . My wife could be very black-hearted . ”.

“Huh? But I am not black-hearted? I’m just uh, uh…”.

“Yes?”.

“I am just a little more honest than most . ”.

“Hahaha . My wife must have also been very honest . Surely . ”.

 .

Arthur looked up at the sky

 .

“We had grown up together . I think that we knew each other quite well, but I often wish that I had known how she thought a little more when we were adults . ”.

“I can honestly tell you my own black-hearted thoughts if you wish . ”.

“Hahaha! As I thought . She would often talk to me like that . It brings back memories . ”.

“She was not only your wife…”.

“Hm?”.

“But a very good friend to you then . ”.

“Yes . Yes . ”.

 .

Arthur said with a gentle expression

 .

“CHIIIHAAARUUU . ”.

“Maki-chan!”.

 .

Maki had come back . She came running towards Chiharu as soon as Miragaia let her down . I would probably be wobbling on my feet for a while in her place . That’s Maki for you . Chiharu thought

 .

“I got to see the city from above the palace! There a plaza with a fountain, and stalls, there were food stalls!”.

“Food stalls! Coins! We need some change! Arthur, please convert our millions into coins!!”.

“Uh? What?”.

“Chiharu, calm down . It’s ridiculous to convert a million into coins . Well, we should be fine with maybe ten thousand per person . Let’s have the magic gem sold properly and convert twenty thousand into coins . ”.

“Wait, wait . Maki and Chihaaru . It is too early for you to leave the palace grounds . ”.

 .

Maki and Chiharu swung around . Arthur pointed at the bird people

 .

“It’s not only the bird people that will swarm around you if they hear that the Saintesses are here . It will be dangerous if security measures are not put in place . ”.

“There are people who would want to hurt us?”.

 .

Chiharu asked . Arthur answered

 .

“I do not think that anyone would want to deliberately . Except maybe the Doom Church . But they have been silent recently . ”.

 .

Wait, wait . Doom Church! That sounds terrifying! Why was he saying it so casually? Arthur continued before she could interject

 .

“But more importantly, many people would come to catch a rare glimpse of the Saintess, and I fear that you may be crushed . ”.

“Then we will never be able to leave…”.

“Maki…”.

 .

The king became fl.u.s.tered at Maki’s mounting sadness . He had little choice

 .

“Arthur . Is this the extent of the human territories?”.

“No, this is the sh.o.r.e of a huge continent . There is much more to see along the coast and inland as well . ”.

 .

Hmm

 .

“Well then, might there be a country where women can wear veils when leaving the house? Or maybe we could disguise ourselves…”.

“Veils… I believe the women of the desert countries do that . Though, that would still draw attention, I think . ”.

“But it won’t cause a crowd to show up, would it?”.

“I do not think so . I see . That could work . Although your hair and eyes are also unusual . ”.

“We can wear wigs . ”.

“And your eyes?”.

“We will just look at the ground . ”.

“But your height . ”.

“We will say that we are children . ”.

“…You want to visit the street stalls that badly?”.

“YES . ” “YES . ”.

“…It cannot be today, but I will arrange for it to be done . ”.

“AWESOME!” “AWESOME!”.

 .

They would be allowed to leave! Arthur grumbled to himself as the two rejoiced next to him

 .

“You can wear wigs and pretend to be n.o.ble children . That way no one would think it strange that you have guards . Edwy did it often . No, maybe we should just publically announce that you are the Saintesses and have Edwy show you around . We could a.s.sign much more guards if you are with the prince . Yes, I will discuss it with Edwy and Sera . No, first we must decide when we will make the announcement . ”.

 .

He seemed to decide, and then:.

 .

“Miragaia, this generation’s Saintesses say that they will meet with you . So you must go through the proper steps . And do not rush anything . Let them be, should they refuse! Also, one more thing . Since you are here, there is some business to discuss . Please come to my office with me . Well then, Maki and Chihaaru, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? You should go back now . ”.

 .

He said and walked away quickly . Miragaia looked longing at Maki, but he was at least satisfied enough now to go and follow Arthur obediently . The other bird people seemed to have calmed down, now that they saw their chief’s wish was fulfilled after so many long years . And they talked amongst themselves with some emotion . As for Sauro….

 .

“Do you like high places too, Chihaaru?”.

 .

He invited her, but she….

 .

“I’m not prepared to go so high yet . ”.

 .

…refused him . Still, she did have him carry her directly back to the balcony . Maki was completely used to it now, and Chiharu felt that she was getting close . It was a good thing that they hadn’t eaten yet . Sauro and Saikania would eat somewhere else, and so Maki and Chiharu were left behind with Sera

 .

“That was just splendid . You dealt with those birds without causing a fight . ”.

“I guess it was like an unrequited affection he had for many years . Perhaps . ”.

“The people of this world feel more strongly about the Saintesses than either of you realize . It may feel like a burden at first, but I am sure you will get used to it . Now, you should eat your breakfast . ”.

 .

Yesterday they had eaten the food of this world . There was soft bread that was the size or your palms, and jam, hams, and soups . And today there was rice

 .

“I thought this yesterday as well, but what do you use for the soup?”.

 .

Chiharu asked Sera

 .

“Kelp and dried fish . We also add dried mushrooms . ”.

“I knew it . But I guess they didn’t learn about bonito flakes . ”.

 .

Sera seemed oddly excited

 .

“According to the records, a Saintess long ago said that she wanted to eat bonito flakes . However, we did not know how to replicate it . Fortunately, we had seaweed and small fish to make these other two things . The mushrooms were added to complete the flavor . ”.

 .

Interesting

 .

“Do you two know anything regarding the making of it?”.

“Unfortunately, I don’t . It has something to do with mold I think, I have no idea how it is done . ”.

“Neither do I . ”.

“Mold, you say?”.

“Yes . But, mold is usually bad for you, so it’s difficult to do . ”.

“Hmm, I see . But perhaps the elves and beastfolk can study it, as they have longer lives . It is definitely something to consider . ”.

 .

And then they were served tea after breakfast

 .

“Huh, Sera, this…”.

“It’s green tea…”.

“Is it? So this is what it is! The color is a little on the yellow side, but as it was just the right season for harvesting the leaves, we tested some of the methods that Maki suggested to make this . ”.

“While it is called green tea, it’s mostly just the color of the leaves . The actual tea is generally quite yellow . And this tastes exactly like it . ”.

“I see, so it was quite simple to make after all . If only your predecessor could have drunk this…”.

 .

Sera seemed very moved . But really, we should be the ones that are moved, seeing as they made this in just two days . Both of them felt a sense of warmth over Sera’s affection for the late Saintess