The next morning .

Most of the other guests are still staying in the bed because of yesterday party . Souta and Dina have a breakfast and then check out from the inn .

「Now then, should we depart to the capital?」

Souta gets on the carriage and takes the reins .

「Yes, let’s go!」

Dina replies to Souta from inside the carriage .

「Hihiiiennn . 」

Ed answers Souta and then start advancing .

The way to the imperial city is well maintained, the carriage barely shaking as it quietly moves .

Contrary to the road, a group of bandits is trying to attack Souta’s carriage . However, as they approach, Dina shot off their weapon one by one with her silver bow . The group of bandits decides to retreat in a hurry before they lose everything .

「Good job Dina . 」

Said Souta to Dina who just returned from the roof of the carriage back inside .

「Thank you . I prioritize shooting what looks like to be a good weapon in their group, so I think they won’t be able to do big activity for a while . 」

Reported Dina while she takes out a cloth to wipe her silver bow .

「Just reducing their strength a little is fine . In the afternoon, adventurers will start coming, they can do the rest of the job then . 」

Souta also confirmed the destruction of their weapon . Thinking about how much fighting potential they lose as the result of Dina’s sniping, he believes it’s a sufficient result .

As predicted by Souta, in the afternoon that day, the group of bandits trying to attack a carriage for new weapons, but they end up wiped out by a group of adventurers .

At that time, Souta is already one day distance ahead from that event .

The way since then proceeds without any more incident . Five days later, they reach the imperial city .

Beastkin imperial city, Fortress City Wedolph .

As Souta’s carriage approaching the city, they can see more and more people also going the same way . By the time they reach the city gate, they can see the long line of people trying to enter the city . If one is a resident of this city, or if they’re an influential people of beastkin country, then they can be given preferential treatment and come in right away . However, Souta comes without having any connection, so they lined up like how it should be .

There are many adventurers from other countries at this period of time, rather than diminis.h.i.+ng, the line actually getting longer behind Souta . Many people seem to be irritated for waiting too long, and so a fight broke out here and there . Every time, the guards move in and stop the fighting .

Souta and Dina aren’t in the rush, so they patiently wait while taking turns to take a break using the futon that’s laid inside the carriage .

When Souta’s carriage reaches the halfway of the line, a single carriage tries to pa.s.s his, but then it stops . The carriage is one that the white tiger beastkin from before ride, he stopped because he sees Dina who is on the carriage, and feel like he wants to say something .

「Ah, you’re the person from the bar, aren’t you . My name is Gargis, as you can see, I’m a white tiger beastkin . I’m sorry for suddenly saying that strange thing before . 」

As he calms down, he remembers his own blunder and then lowers his head toward Dina .

「No, it’s fine . I also need to apologize . I just reflexively responded to your question . 」

Dina apologizes, but her eyes show no hint of smile but instead, hint of anger appears .

「Oh, looks like you’re angry . My bad, I also was pretty drunk at that time…… Though I guess it’s not an excuse for what I did isn’t it . 」

Gargis tries to make an excuse, but noticing Dina’s gaze that becomes colder, he stops and given up on it .

「Dina, let bygones be bygones . You should forgive him here, we probably will never meet again after this, so let’s not leave ill-feeling between both of you . 」

「You’re right Soutsan . I understand, I will accept the apology . 」

After nodding to Souta’s opinion, Dina replies to Gargis with a smile on her face .

「Oh, you guys… thanks . By the way, are you guys troubled by how long the line is? As an apology, how about I make it so you can enter now?」

Gargis pointed at the entrance separated from the line .

「No, it’s fine . 」

Diana coldly said .

「No, it’s fine . 」

Diana coldly said .

「Eh!?」

Hearing Dina’s unexpected answer, Gargis responds with a loud voice .

「Since we’re not in hurry, we will wait for the line instead, so it’s fine even without your help . 」

Dina faces the front, trying to not meet his gaze .

「Eh, no, that, umm…… . Hey, don’t laugh and help me here!」

Gargis looking for help from Souta who peeks her head out of the carriage and in the middle of stifling his laugh .

「Hahaha~ No, it’s an interesting exchange both of you make there, sorry . Dina, isn’t it fine already?」

Once addressed by Souta, Dina’s shoulder also starts trembling .

「Fufufu~ I’m sorry . I only want to get back at him a little . Is it still fine if I ask you for mediation now?」

Dina asks Gargis with her usual smile .

「Seriously, it feels like you don’t feel bad at all . Nevermind that . It was something that I brought up by myself, of course, it’s still fine now . So should we go over there?」

Souta’s carriage leaves the line and head over to priority reception following Gargis’s lead .

「Then, I will inform them, so please wait over here . 」

Souta’s carriage leaves the line and head over to priority reception following Gargis’s lead .

「Then, I will inform them, so please wait over here . 」

As he says so, Gargis get off his own carriage and head toward the reception . Looking at their exchange from the distance, it feels like he’s having a fun conversation with the guard . After the two looks at Souta, the guard nods over and over . Gargis who already confirm it, approaches Souta carriage .

「It should be fine now . You don’t mind showing your ID and touching the crystal right?」

「There is no problem with that . Still, we really can pa.s.s? You’re quite amazing aren’t you, Gargis?」

Souta takes out his adventurer’s card as he says his honest impression .

Souta and Dina get off the carriage at once . After the guards confirmed their identification and they touch the crystal, they can now proceed into the gate .

「Well then, I have an errand I need to do . Is this enough for an apology?」

Gargis says so while grinning .

「That triumphant look spoiled it… . . I’m just joking . Thank you very much . It really helps us . 」

「Thanks . 」

Both of them thanked Gargis then proceeds to the different direction from where Gargis go .

「That reminds me . We should have gone ahead of him, but we met him in front of the gate…… How did he catch up?」

Souta’s doubt disappears within the hustle and bustle of the city, his doubts remain unanswered .