Yggdrasil Year 1641, Month 10, Day 15, Town of Shills
"Happy birthday, Young Lexington!"
The town ceases activity today, as Reynes pays for every food and drink served in the town. Nobles from neighboring towns, merchants, and knights acquainted with Reynes come to celebrate his seventeenth birthday.
Reynes, of course, rejects the present since he will depart tomorrow as planned. He only takes the presents such as elemental gemstones, iron, or any items that could be useful for his journey. Those who knew him well know what to give, but those who couldn't be left perplexed.
Frabela gifts Reynes a non-Valkyrie version of Valkyrie's helmet. Because of his relationship with Scharlwarltz, he deserves to receive it.
"Ah, Senpai. Aren't you worried that Scharlwarltz may punish you for making this helmet?"
"No one dictates which helmet cannot be replicated, Reynes. Besides, it contains several attributes, and I think you can find it useful when you want to upgrade it with Sage Ore."
"Mmm… Thanks. I'll put it to use."
The helmet looks like a Valkyrie helmet but lacks feathers on both sides. Reynes stores it at his [Item Box].
Sipping the drink and enjoying the meal, Frabela asks Reynes for departure preparation.
"Is everything ready for tomorrow's departure?"
"Yep. By the way, how come did you get here? I thought you're on duty at the capital today."
"I am on duty. I'm representing His Highness Striden to congratulate you on his behalf. Thankfully he chose me to attend your party."
"Don't worry. I'll find my sister when I visit Einhalzen. I recall that His Highness has a crush on her, is he?"
Frabela can only nod as she takes grilled meat from the BBQ grill.
"He wants to make her his Crown Princess. But, as your family dictates, she is the only one to make a call whether she would stay or not."
"Maybe my sister would do some trial for him. Oh, and please tell His Highness that he must flourish this Kingdom by the time I found and rescued her. Otherwise, she may see him as someone that only thinks about her."
Frabela can only giggle as she hears that. She already knows that Striden has a crush on Klendiana, and maintaining the Lexington Family's tradition is definitely one of his challenges.
"I know His Highness didn't want to make her see him as someone who she saw as "only to please her." You better be back with great achievement, Reynes. I'm looking forward to hearing your tale. And…."
Frabela gives him a letter of recommendation.
"I vouch for you to establish a Legion, which requires at least two letters of recommendation from the nobility. You got your letter from your father, and I will also present you with the same thing."
"Aren't you supposed not to do that?"
"A year ago, I can't. But this year, I can. My father will now focus on fortifying defenses on all borders after what happened to Prince Eliot's campaign. I have already received the Arkun House's Seal, and my father continues giving me more tasks as I grow. For me to take the house as Duchess is getting closer."
"I see…. Good for you, then."
"Your ranking as Baronet is a start, Reynes. And don't worry about dealing with nobles here. I got your back when you're here. Just report it to me if you find something that needs my attention."
"I will. Thank you, Senpai."
Reynes receives an unexpected guest, which is Shina.
"Shina-sensei."
"Congratulations on your coming of age, Reynes."
"Thank you for coming."
Shina looked at the crowd of people as they were having fun around the Town Square. She was, nonetheless, impressed with Reynes' effort in rallying the people of Shills to celebrate his birthday together.
"Just how much achievement have you made over the last three years since you graduated? I barely recognize your magic power anymore."
Reynes can only chuckle. "Oh, you don't want to know. I know that you already have it."
"Oh, you…."
Shina knew what Reynes meant, as she was an Apostle of Uror, the Goddess of Fate.
"Maybe we would meet again somewhere, Reynes. I have to thank you for creating the carriage for me. It's very useful and handy when I travel to other places."
"Is it suitable to be pulled by Valkyrie's Pegasus?"
"It is. I'm grateful for it. I may commission you again in the future."
Afterward, the party continues to the night. When people are sleeping from exhaustion, Reynes takes a final walk around the town before returning to the Lexington Manor.
The Next Day, Departure Day
"Is everything ready, Reynes?"
"Yes, father."
Reynes bids his parents goodbye, as Frabela also was about to return to the capital.
"Thank you for these years of raising me."
"Boy! We will always welcome you!"
"Bring us some delicious meat to feast upon!"
"Don't forget to share the knowledge you get with us. The kids are going to miss you."
Many people gather at the gate, seeing Reynes off for his journey. Reynes pops up a book, which automatically begins to write the journal about the people of Shills seeing him off.
"Take care, Reynes."
"I'm off, then."
Bidding farewell to Kurt, Yuki, Earl Sylvester, and the people of Shills, cheers deliver Reynes's departure as he and Frabela part ways a kilometer after leaving the city walls of Shills. Heading east, his first city to visit is the city of Sapphire Wolf, Lucentyr.
He prefers to walk than a carriage since he would like to take time for his journey. The journey to Lucentyr Town takes a week, and that is where he would see the collection of information about Lucentyr.
There were no encounters with bandits or mercenaries who deserted Eliot's Army. Reynes can only hope his journey was unaffected by the civil war.
"It seems Frabela-Senpai is having a tough time."
Knowing that Frabela is one of the Knight Commanders, she would be given authority to command soldiers on the battlefield. Since the House of Arkun's main duty is to maintain the defenses around the border, her house was exempted from being drafted into the war.
At night, Reynes stares at the sky as he writes and reads his father's journal. He did some research on the Town of Lucentyr beforehand since it's a town designed for tourism.
Its main value is the Blue Sapphire, which has become the iconic jewel of Lucentyr Town. There was a legend that the sapphire wolf, Lucentyr, serves as the Guardian of the town. Reynes intends to investigate it, as he was curious about it.
The High-Quality Blue Sapphire can be sold for up to ten Large Gold Coins. Reynes could wish to obtain more information once he reaches Lucentyr.
Kingdom of Scharlwarltz, Oversee Pond
"So, he finally goes on his journey?"
Luciana looks at Reynes as he begins his first night outside Shills. It's quite a shame that she can't commission things that she wanted anymore. Shina can only chuckle hearing that.
"Don't worry about him. When he happens to find something, surely he would write it down to us."
"Speaking of which, how's the training of those who want the license?"
"Few were qualified, and…"
Shina gives Luciana one name that has strong potential to earn a Special License.
"She first enters this academy with the referral of the Kingdom of Aldenbourne as a B Rank Blacksmith. She's diligent, let alone created several revolutions in blacksmithing. I could say that her achievement is worthy of earning Special License."
"Oh, that girl? She says her main project is to create a suit that could prolong his life."
"For who?"
"She didn't want to tell about it. But, it is for someone she holds dear respect for."
"Alright. We would let her use the lab and furnace as long as she wants. Just tell her not to overdo the work, Shina."
"I will."
Luciana looks at Reynes, resting inside the tent. Since it is his creation, there would be no worries if there were any outlaws or monsters who tried to attack his tent.
Snapping her fingers, the monitor inside the Pond turns into a plain pond. Luciana leaves as she goes to the audience hall to conduct her duty.
The first destination to visit is the Town of Lucentyr. But, Reynes may find the town becomes different when he arrives there.