"Good m, Your Excellencies. Lord Cedric has been waiting for you."

  Formally and politely, the guard slightly lowered his head as he greeted Grey and Yuna. And without saying another word, he turned around and escorted the both of them inside.

  Just as they had promised Cedric yesterday, Yuna and Grey were now ihe mansion to pick up the kids they are going to escort. It was still early in the m yet the two of them already feel a little tired with the stiff greeting they just received.

  A couple minutes of walking ter, Grey and Yuna finally arrived in a room slightly bigger and luxurious thaerday. There, they say Cedric with two young little boys by his side.

  "Good m, Cedric." ［Grey］

  "M." ［Yuna］

  "Good m as well. By the way, these are my children. Elnart and Galvin. Elnart, Galvihem yreetings." ［Cedric］

  "Good m, I'm Elnart von Aldridge. It's a pleasure to meet you." ［Elnart］

  "Hello, I'm Galvin von Aldridge. o meet you." ［Galvin］

  Just as their father told them to, the children bowed their heads and introduced themselves politely to Grey and Yuna. Although they were still young, they observed proper manners as one would expect from noble children.

  The older one, Elnart, while youhan Eliza has a much better posture and acted maturely for children his age. The younger one, Galvin, has a more limited vocabury but was just as polite.

  Seeing how well-behaved they were, Grey wondered if they really were five and seven year-old children. Last time he checked, children from his past life were more mischievous and spoiled at that age. It showed how different each world really was.

  "o meet you too, Elnart, Galvin. You call me Big Sis Yuna, okay?" ［Yuna］

  While Grey raising their etiquette skills at the bay mind, Yuna already went ahead of him and greeted the two boys in front of her. Of course, Grey followed suit after her.

  "ht. Cedric, where are the kids' baggage?" ［Grey］

  "They've been packed already, why do you ask?" ［Cedric］

  "I'm pnning to store them in my ste ring. That way, traveling would be a lot easier and faster." ［Grey］

  "Don't worry. Their baggage is not that heavy. It shouldn't affect the carriage's speed even if they're there or not." ［Cedric］

  "Ah, we won't be taking the carriage." ［Grey］

  "Huh?" ［Cedric］

  Not being able to uand what Grey had just said, Cedri't help himself but make a fused face. He looked like a high school freshman who saw letters in math for the first time.

  Grey and Yuna weren't people who could be uood by on sehere was no way the two of them would take a carriage when there was a much faster and more iing mode of transportation.

  By carriage, it would take about two weeks or so before people reach the capital from Galderia. That was just too slow. That's why yesterday, the both of them decided that they will be using the help of their familiars.

  "Don't worry about it. It's not something dangerous, so you rest easy. And with this method, we should arrive there ihan two days." ［Grey］

  "Two days?! That's absurd! Even with the shortest route, it would take 11! Just what is this method you're talking about?" ［Cedric］

  "That's a secret. But rest assured, the children won't be harmed in any way." ［Grey］

  Grey said with a reassuring smile at the end. After all, he couldly say they would be using their familiars and fly straight towards the royal capital at breakneck speeds.

  Of course, they only resorted to using that way as they wao have the childreheir mother as soon as possible. Well, that and the fact that normal carriage rides are b. They needed something to spice things up.

  "Oh, I see... Sorry for asking a private matter. Well, whatever it is, you have my full trust. I know you will keep my children safe." ［Cedric］

  "Thanks for trusting us." ［Grey］

  "We'll make sure that Elnart and Galvin arrive safely at the capital." ［Yuna］

  With Grey and Yuna's words, Cedric then patted his children's heads for the st time and sighem to approach the two. They didn't show any signs of wariness and just followed their father.

  Evehey had just met yesterday, Cedric already learnt to trust Grey and Yuna. It was not only because he had them iigated but also because of how much Gaston, Vanessa, and Kurt trusted them. He had identified them as "trustworthy".

  "Well then, we'll be leaving nowー" ［Grey］

  "Ah, wait! Please take these with you." ［Cedric］

  Just as they tried to leave, Cedric stopped them and hahem two letters, both of which were tained i looking tainers, marked with the Aldridge family crest. The only differeh the two was the color of the tainers.

  "This one is a letter for my wife. It tains an introdu letter for the two of you and a firmatioer for the pletion of the quest. Please have my wife sign it." ［Cedric］

  Cedric expined as he ha to them. It was tained in a deep scarlet-colored tainer and was tied with a beautiful bck ribbon. It wasn't just a simple taiher, it was one which wouldn't open unless mana oured.

  It was only then that Grey realized something. That it was dubious for two, barely adult adveo be esc noble children to the capital. Thankfully, Cedric a

  Ready pnned ahead to make sure it doesn't happen.

  "As for this o tains another introdu letter. It's for the supplier of the tea you had yesterday. If you give them that, they should prioritize your orders. They might even give you a dist." ［Cedric］

  It was another letter tained in a luxurious tainer. It was a be this time which had a gold-colored ribbon ing it in the middle. And just like the other o was also ented.

  "Thank you, this would certainly help. Well then, we'll be going now." ［Grey］

  "Alright, please take care of my children." ［Cedric］

  "We sure will." ［Grey］

  "Elnart, Galvin, Say goodbye to your father for now." ［Yuna］

  "Yes... See you ter, Father." ［Elnart］

  "Bye～." ［Galvin］

  The two little boys waved their hands towards their father as they slowly turned around aed the room. Soon after, they also went out of the mansion and into the busy streets.

  From the mansion, the four of us started walking their way to the northern gate. During the process, the children didn't pin about it, rather, they just kept chatting and ughing with the two of them.

  They were more obedient and well-behaved than Grey and Yuna had imagihey were so kind in fact that they didn't even pihey ran out of stamina and started sweating. They were still children, after all.

  It was something Grey had overlooked. Since he got used to Eliza following them without breaking a sweat, he subsciously thought the children would be fine as well. It was there that he messed up.

  "Alright, let's take a carriage to the gate. Galvin is already sweating." ［Grey］

  "Grey, I also think that's a good idea. It's just that we have a little problem... there are ne stations nearby." ［Yuna］

  When he heard Grey's suggestion, Galvin's face quickly brightened up, but his newfound hope was quickly shot down by Yuna. Even then, he didn't pin and just kept silent.

  Even if they were to try and find ohe would still be more than a kilometer away. It was not an option they could take seeing how exhausted the children already were. There was only ohing which came to Grey's mind.

  "Woah～ I see so high～!!" ［Galvin］

  "Galvin, calm down!" ［Elnart］

  After a sudden idea popped into his mind, Grey lifted Galvin and Elnart up and had them sit on his shoulders. Although his shoulders weren't that wide,the children were still able to sit fortably with his arms supp them.

  When it came to Eliza, it was usually Grey who would look at Yuna with warm eyes as she cared for her. Now, it was Yuna whose eyes looked warmly at the sight of her beloved ag like a father to the kids.

  "How is it?" ［Grey］

  "It's amazing! I feel very tall!" ［Galvin］

  "Hey, Galvin. Stop moving so much." ［Elnart］

  "Galvin, listen to y brother, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Y-Yes!" ［Galvin］

  Galvin was very excited with what he was experieng. As for Elnart, he was trying to calm his little brother down in order to make sure that no acts occur. Yuna looked out for both of them.

  Elnart also looked a little bit embarrassed by it. He had tried being carried on the shoulders by his father before but that was a very long time ago. He has now matured enough to be embarrassed on a shoulder ride.

  "Well the's head to the gate!" ［Grey］

  "Yeah!" ［Galvin］

  Galvihusiastically raised his hands to the sky as he respoo Grey's words. He was a little timid at first, but now, he had pletely opened up his heart to both Grey and Yuna.

  Although it was eye catg frey to carry two children by his shoulder, the citizens just took a single look from them then looked away. But some, particurly women, looked at them as if they were some cute exhibition.

  After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived at the northern gate. Unfortunately, Dale wasn't statiohere. Even though somehow, he had always been stationed ie, Grey and Yuna were passing. It just seemed weird for them that they didn't see him there.

  "There's so many people..." ［Elnart］

  "And horses too!" ［Galvin］

  Si was still early in the m, there was a very long liowards the gate. If they were to wait it out, it would take them approximately half an hour before they could pass the gates. It was a waste of time.

  her Grey nor Yuna wao use that method, but if they wao have the children arrive at the capital as soon as possible, they had no other choice but to resort to it, even if it was unfair to other people.

  Ign the other people in line, Grey and pany just walked towards the gates. And with the children sitting on Grey's shoulders, they garnered more attention than what they ever wanted.

  "Excuse me, we pass through first?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, Your Excellencies. Good m." ［Gate Guard］

  "M." ［Yuna］

  "Good m as well. So about my question..." ［Grey］

  "Oh, of course! If it's Your Excellencies, you pass through anytime you want. It's also the same for your panions." ［Gate Guard］

  The guard said as he let them pass through gates without even dug an iion. It was one of the privileges Grey and Yuna could take advantage of after being B-rank adventurers.

  Of course, they had never used it before as it felt unfair for the other people in lioday was only an exception as they wahe kids to spend as much time as possible with their mother. It could be sidered their reward for being obedient.

  "Thank you." ［Grey］

  "It's my pleasure." ［Gate Guard］

  As the gate guard slightly nodded his head and with Grey and Yuna feeling a little guilty, the four of them finally set foot out of town and tiheir jourowards the royal capital.

  "Alright, here should be fine." ［Grey］

  After exiting the gates, the party of four then traveled some distance away from the highway and headed into the nearby woods, making sure that no one could see them or what they were about to do.

  They were not going to do something illegal, it was just that it would still be a lot more bothersome if someone saw them using "that" method. Some people might even freak out because of it.

  "Everyone, you e out now." ［Grey］

  As Grey said those words, his shadow trembled slightly and soon enough, four "pieces" split up from it, darting a few meters away from Grey's position as if they had their own sciousness.

  Shortly after, the shadow, from being a two-dimensional bck patch, into a three-dimensional figure which took the form of winged horses. Not only the shape, color also started to appear as more time passed, revealing four beautiful pegasi.

  Iy, none of the four beasts were a true pegasus. All of them were Grey and Yuna's familiar's who took the shapes of pegasi. It was so that they wouldn't scare the children with their true forms.

  We'll be relying on you once again, everyone. ［Grey］

  Please take care of us. ［Yuna］

  It's our pleasure to serve you, Master, Mistress. ［Sirius］

  You t on us! ［opus］

  Just as they had agreed to yesterday, they will be riding on the familiars' backs on the way to the capital. It was not only a fast way of travel, but will also provide a very rare experience for the children.

  On the journey, Greyn and Yuna will only ride on two familiars at a time while the other two stand guard and protect them. Sirius and opus will be ridden on the first day, while Kentaurus and Arcturus on the sed day.

  "Woah～ Winged horses!" ［Galvin］

  "They're our familiars. Be sure to be o them, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Amazing... Older Brrey and Older Sister Yuna are amazing." ［Elnart］

  "Fufu, thank you～." ［Yuna］

  Galvin was over the moon as he hugged Sirius from excitement without much thought. Meanwhile, Elnart only admired the magnifit beasts from afar. He was much more cautious than his younger brother.

  her Grey nor Yuna had a good memory with horses, but si was their familiars whom they will be riding, they felt reassured a like everything would just be alright.

  Neighhhhhh Heighhhhh

  Incited by the familiars' calls, Grey then approached opus, and with a light hop, he mao ride his back without much trouble. He looked like a professional equestrian even when he failed miserably during his first date with Yuna.

  To Grey's surprise, the pegasus' back was very fortable uhe horses they once rode when they first arrived in Galderia. Following him, Yuna also hopped on Sirius' back.

  "What are you waiting for? Hop in." ［Grey］

  "Eh? We're going to ride on them...?" ［Elnart］

  "I did say we weren't going to take the carriage, and this way, you see your mother much faster." ［Grey］

  "Alright..." ［Elnart］

  When Grey reached out his hand to Elnart to hop on the pegasus, the young boy was a little hesitant about riding it. But after Grey mentioned his mother, he quickly cleared all his fears and hopped on the pegasus' back with Grey's help.

  Oher hand, Galvin...

  "Yay! I get to ride a winged horse!" ［Galvin］

  "Careful, Galvin. Here grab my hand." ［Yuna］

  ... was very excited about riding one. He was very different from his older brother. It seemed like there was still no such thing as worry or caution inside his i and pure mind.

  "Elnart, hold on tightly to the pegasus's mane. You too, Galvin. And don't move too much. Yoing to upset the pegasus." ［Grey］

  "Uood." ［Elnart］

  "Y-Yesh!" ［Galvin］

  "Alright. The's take off!" ［Grey］

  "To the skies!" ［Yuna］

  With Grey and Yuna's signal, the familiars fpped their wings with all their might and took off to the skies. It was like a se in a fantasy movie, except that it was very much real and a little scary.

  Even though her Yuna nrey were skilled at horse riding, the familiars' flight was still smooth because they only o order them. There was no need for them to actually do any work.

  Whilst Sirius and opus carried them on their backs, Kentaurus and Arcturus flew by their sides and stayed alert for any possible dangers. Though, with their preseno other creatures tried to approach them.

  "Amazing! We're flying!" ［Galvin］

  "Galvin, stay still. Yoing to fall if you move too much." ［Yuna］

  "But we're flying! I reach the clouds!" ［Galvin］

  "I know, I know, so please calm down. Big Sis Yuna is going to get angry if you don't settle down." ［Yuna］

  "S... Sorry..." ［Galvin］

  Unlike Elnart who was able to suppress his excitement, Galvin, like the little child he was, was really excited wheook off, his head was turning both left and right, and up and down from pure curiosity aement.

  Yuna had a hard time calming him down. Thankfully, she knew how to handle children well. With just a single warning from her, Galviled down. Well, at least most parts of his body did, since his head was still turning in every dire.

  "Now that's more like it. Good boy." ［Yuna］

  As Galvin calmed down, the party's focus was then shifted to the sery below them. Rivers, trees, hills, and pins, they passed a lot of them. It was as if they were flying in the sky like free birds.

  "Amazing..." ［Elnart］

  Even the quiet and well-mannered Elnart was moved by the sery that was taking pce before his eyes. It was simply breathtaking. A luxury not even royalty could experience.

  "Older Brrey, thank you..." ［Elnart］

  "Hm? What for?" ［Grey］

  "You know... foing to such lengths just so that we meet our mother sooner. Even though this is the first time we met." ［Elnart］

  Elnart sincerely gave his gratitude to Grey as he tio admire the sery below him. He initially thought that he'd only be able to meet his mother after two weeks, but it was cut down signifitly to the span of two days. He couldn't ask for more.

  Hearing his words, Grey felt happy that he went to such lengths. Not only him, even Yuna, who just happeo overhear them, felt satisfied with his words.

  "If it's about that, then you don't have to worry about it. This is a quest made by your father, and as adventurers, it's only normal that we do this. We are heading to the capital anyways." ［Grey］

  "I know, but I'm still thankful." ［Elnart］

  "Well, if you're that hang up on it, then you're welcoー" ［Grey］

  "Woah!! There's a lot of animals!" ［Galvin］

  Befrey could finish his sentence, Galvin interrupted him with a loud voice as he poi a rge herd of animals that were peacefully grazing at the pins together. They were bulldeers.

  "Grey, are those..." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah... they're the same herd of bulldeers that me and Mister Kris hunted from when we were still at Moterno." ［Grey］

  It has already been two months since Grey st saw them. But because of their small migratiohey were still not that far away from Cervidia Pins near Moterno. They were peaceful animals who took their time slowly.

  After all, Alfrione was not a try which had four seasons. It was a try where the trees and grass stay green all year round. It only made sehat they migrate slowly. Seeing them like that, Grey wondered when they would reach their destination.

  Speaking of destinations, Grey and Yuna also had one which they'll arrive shortly after a few days. And with new pces, es new experiences. It was something the both of them looked forward to.

  "Elnart, Galvin, do you want to go even faster?" ［Grey］

  "Yes!" ［Galvin］

  "Y-Yes..." ［Elnart］

  "Then hold on tight, and... giddy up!" ［Grey］

  CHAPTER 69 END