It has been a month since we visited the distant islands. There was no rush, and the local climate was perfect for a leisurely vacation. Gradually, the locals grew accustomed to the presence of noble guests and no longer bowed in fear upon Katrina's approach. As they got to know her better, they were delighted to find that the heir to the throne was such a kind and caring young lady. The reverent fear of royalty turned into love and admiration, as she was the first representative of the royal family in the last five hundred years who did not neglect her subjects.
Later, we had to tell them about Hilda and Seleria, but thanks to their open demeanor and being princesses from other countries, people found it easier to accept them. Seleria spent most of her time at the port and the bazaar, always examining all the passing goods in search of curious items. Sometimes, she even assisted her compatriots in international affairs since concluding contracts with foreigners required the approval of some of Lera's high nobles. With Vina's support, the young princess helped small merchants establish friendly relations.
Hilda, on the other hand, was more bothered by our relaxed mood, so she occasionally helped the port laborers. Of course, the presence of such a "fragile" girl initially puzzled the sturdy men, but after she demonstrated her strength, they not only respected her but also feared her a little.
Levris, too, couldn't sit still for long and decided to work as a voluntary teacher for the children of the poor. However, only a few families could afford even basic education and literacy. Due to the influx of students, she enlisted the help of Grain, Leira, and Algo. She tried to entice Rizel as well, but when Rizel walked into the classroom with a scythe, several children jumped out of the window, so she had to abandon that idea.
Having given up on a teaching career, Rizel preferred to interact with the local dragon community. Together with Reines and Aileen, they visited Alira in the evenings to discuss various achievements in modern science. What exactly they did there - concocting chemicals, practicing magic, discussing poetry - we never found out, but the suspicious glow and occasional explosions from the hill kept all the curious at a distance.
Asura even managed to open a local branch of her café here. With access to a rich assortment of fish, she prepared all possible recipes from her clan's records. Although the locals struggled with a fish-based diet after a couple of months, they still appreciated the new variations of her dishes.
And I... all this time, I did nothing. For the first time, people stopped looking at me with suspicion in my hometown, but strangely, it didn't bring me much joy. Soon after Dagon's death, I received a message from the Rector.
"You managed to destroy all the escaped monsters sooner than I thought. Act as you see fit."
And so, I still haven't decided what to do next...