Chapter 23

Afterward, the great battle in the capital gradually calmed down.

The mage group on the island and the knight commander Shining Saber, along with Coral and the high priest Skullgo, who was responsible for recovery, were tossed around by the wave attacks from both sides. The problem was that from Shining Saber's perspective, who was almost at the same level as the enemy, the enemy's HP barely decreased, and the resistance side's MP ran out first. Even though they had the skill to recover MP, only Skullgo and Maymai possessed it. Since the consumption far exceeded the recovery, it was a foreseeable situation.

Is there no choice but to charge in with the intention of mutual destruction?

Just as everyone's thoughts reached this point, a sudden thunderbolt descended from the sky, reducing the event monster's head to dust. A moment later, a blinding light and a deafening roar, which paralyzed the senses of the surrounding latecomers, soldiers, and others, echoed. Then, a pillar of fire erupted from their feet, turning the event monster into a massive torch.

Most of those involved were shocked, but only Skullgo and Maymai felt relieved. No one else could use such magic except their mother.

Following Skullgo's suggestion, Katatsu took a detour around the capital, panting and searching for his mother. He finally met Kena on the eastern trade route, not far from the capital. Kena, deciding that it was better to move quickly rather than be a burden, ordered the Zeawolves to "transport them to the vicinity of the capital without being seen."

Thanks to this, the first two days of the journey passed smoothly, to the point where Katatsu felt a headache from the ease of it. Just as he was feeling relieved, he encountered the desperate Katatsu and was surprised by the report.

Katatsu, entrusted with the two, took the lead and found the event monster being attacked by wave attacks near the residential area. Unlike the bandits, Kena decided not to show mercy or hesitate in judgment and summoned the "Silver Ring." Using "Dual Chanting" and "Amplification," she moved to the sky to avoid being seen and cast the most powerful lightning and fire magic.

The event monster, a mere 400-level creature, was nothing but a minor enemy before the full power of a skill master and a limit breaker.

Unaware of this, the residents of the capital recognized the miraculous rescue as divine punishment and praised the gods.

When Kena returned from the sky over the capital, using the "Invisibility" skill, she thanked Ronti for taking care of the two and returned to the capital with a nonchalant face. It wasn't entirely nonchalant, though, as it was due to a word Katatsu had let slip.

"By the way, why are you with the princess? Mom..."

"Huh? The princess?"

"Ah! Katatsu-sama, shh! We had a promise to keep quiet!"

"I heard you say to keep quiet, but I didn't agree to it. Besides..."

"Besides?"

"I'm scared of being interrogated by Mom later!"

Seeing Katatsu's passionate argument, Ronti's shoulders drooped in worry as he looked at Kena. Kena, who had been made the object of fear, smiled wryly and then smiled at May.

"Well, being outside might be better than being in such a cramped place. I can guard you as much as you want if you have money, anytime."

"Huh? ...Um, ...Will you not interrogate us?"

"I will if you want me to. I know you came to me from the start because you knew I wouldn't care about such things."

Thanks to the commotion, the people passing by paid no attention to Kena's conversation. Tilting his head, Katatsu was relieved that his mother, who would normally raise some questions, was acting as usual.

"Well, Mom is like that. She'll take everything into her fold unless you come to her as a 'powerful person.' It's good that the princess met her."

"If they come as 'noble and powerful,' I'll turn them into pigs with a curse."

Kena hummed a tune, acting as if it was nothing. The two, feeling the confidence, asked Katatsu about the truth of Kena's words.

"Is that true?"

"Does Kena hate nobles?"

"If she says it, she'll do it. If you show power in front of Mom, you'll face destruction."

Katatsu's serious and matter-of-fact response made the two pale. Even from a distance, they had seen the monster turn into a pillar of fire. The thought of such power being directed at an individual was terrifying. The lineup of the mage group, Maymai, the serious knight commander, Skullgo, and others had failed to defeat the monster, but Kena had ended it with two spells.

The stark difference in power made My shudder at the thought of what would happen if Kena were to become an enemy. Despite this, she couldn't deny Kena, having seen her guard them diligently over three days, even comforting them during the night and warning them during the journey.

"Look, it seems like they're here to welcome us."

Kena pointed to four figures ahead. The battered Shining Saber and his subordinate knights, Coral, and Skullgo, who was holding something round, were waiting in a secluded area.

"Father was worried because we hadn't been seen for two nights."

"I'm sorry. It was my rashness."

As May and Ronti were handed over to Shining Saber and received some reprimand, Kena took the round object from Skullgo. It glowed differently from gold and was surprisingly light, about the size of a well-ripened watermelon.

"What's this? It's not divine metal. Why are you giving it to me?"

"It seems to be a drop from the monster earlier, Mother. They don't need it, so it's for you."

Kena frowned and looked at the battered two. Both were covered in blood and their armor was damaged. Coral's sword, which she had carried a few days ago, was broken in half. Kena thought they needed it more.

"We don't have the skills to process this. Since you defeated it, it's better for you to have it."

"Hmm, I'll make something. What do you want?"

"Can you make it!?"

"Yes, I don't need a weapon. Since you don't have a sword, how about a sword?"

"That's quite generous. If you ask for processing fees later, I can't pay them."

Skullgo, seeing the skeptical look, intervened.

"Coral, it's rude to respond that way to Mother's kind offer."

"Well, I have to be suspicious to survive as an adventurer. Sorry, miss."

Seeing the 'glaring wolf' in Skullgo's eyes, Coral flinched and bowed to Kena. Kena, tapping Skullgo and moving him aside, suggested he return to his duties. Skullgo, who was reluctant, was made to comply with a stern look. As he reluctantly left, looking dejected, Shining Saber burst into laughter, and May let out a giggle.

"By the way, I need to talk to you and Shining Saber. Can we meet tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, sure. And Katatsu, come with me to the Inaba Black Rabbit restaurant."

"What's that?"

"Kena, it's the White Tail Inn of the Black Rabbit."

"Oh, right. I'll stop by Maymai's place on the way."

With the two knights flanking her, May corrected Kena's mistake and bowed politely. Shining Saber, a bit surprised, alternated his gaze between Kena and the princess.

Kena waved to May and left with Katatsu. Katatsu, seeing his mother interact with royalty as if it were nothing, wondered how she could be so casual.

"So, what do you need at the noble district's restaurant?"

"I accepted a request to procure ingredients."

"Why is the princess coming along...?"

"Who knows?"

Kena smiled and shrugged, making Katatsu feel a chill. He decided not to pursue it, fearing the cold look he would get, as he had when he asked his sister about her private life. Crossing the great river with Kena, they completed the request and headed to the academy. Katatsu left to clean up the workshop.

Incidentally, the river crossing was operating as usual with living boats. Despite the chaos, people were energetically moving about, making Kena marvel at human activity. The buildings in the island were only slightly damaged by water, but those who had seen the monster outside were swept away by the waves, with half of them missing. Since they were swallowed by the river, the soldiers were working with the residents to clean up the harbor area.

"......Why are you hiding, Maymai?"

"Um, well, ...How should I put it..."

At the academy, Kena smiled wryly at Rops and his daughter, who was hiding behind him. It was understandable, as they hadn't met since the assassination declaration through her son. Kena was confused because her mother showed no reaction, expecting to be hit the moment they met.

"Well, I'm upset that you told me about the existence of my grandchildren without telling me, but I'm grateful because they were very good children."

"Phew..."

Seeing Maymai relax, Kena added with a smirk.

"Actually, I think it's more fun to get along with them. They're not stubborn and are straightforward, and they seem to have useful connections."

"Please, don't abandon me, Mother!"

Seeing Maymai cry and cling to her mother's waist, Rops was convinced that his wife's stubbornness was definitely in the blood. Rops, meeting Kena's gentle smile as she stroked her daughter's head, felt a sudden flutter. It was a smile that seemed to forgive everything, like a holy mother.

"...So, where is the site?"

"Ah, this way."

Rops shook his head to clear his thoughts and led Kena to a corner of the academy grounds. The area, not very large, was dug up and looked like the aftermath of a bombing.

Kena could see it clearly, but the others couldn't. The shape was the same as the collection point in the Black Country, with a '???' sign floating in the air. Kena remembered that the activation item here was a liquid, as her friend had mentioned. The key was also confirmed from the log.

The key item could be obtained by exchanging materials with a dedicated NPC, not through a skill. This incident was probably a very rare, almost miraculous occurrence. Kena thought for a moment and tried to dig up the ground with a blasting spell, but the sign didn't disappear.

"Mom!?"

"What? What's wrong!?"

"Hmm, it doesn't disappear. Maybe I need to blow up the entire island?"

The explosive statement made the couple shudder, knowing that Kena, not a divine intervention, had eliminated the monster with one hit. Kena, putting her finger to her forehead and looking serious, made the two step back in fear.

"Maymai?"

"Yes, Mother? What is it?"

"Make sure no one can approach this place. Inform the knights and other important people accordingly. If it happens again..."

"If it happens, what should we do?"

"...We'll have to blow up the entire island and sink it into the river to prevent misuse."

"Yes! I'll set up a barrier and throw anyone who approaches into prison!"

Maymai, standing at attention, quickly left to handle the procedures. Kena, amused by her speed, turned to Rops, who had been thinking about something since they met.

"So, you seem to have something to ask?"

"...Right. The reason for this commotion was that I wanted to make potions like Kena."

"Huh?"

Kena tilted her head at Rops' sudden request and then nodded in understanding.

"Oh, you want the 'Potion Making I' skill? Like me..."

"Yes, I heard from Katatsu that you manage that 'skill.' Can I have it?"

"Hmm, normally I'd make you go through a trial, but since you don't seem to misuse it, it's fine."

Kena took out a piece of parchment and ink, created a glowing sphere, and executed the "Scroll Creation" skill. Soon, a document written in ancient local script was handed to Rops.

"But only if you can read it, of course."

The next day, the meeting place designated by Shining Saber was the square in front of the arena. Arriving after lunch, Kena found the two already there. Coral, for some reason, looked extremely exhausted, sitting on a rock.

"Why is Coral so tired?"

"Well, I was called to the castle this morning for my contributions... It was tiring with all the formalities, but I made a good profit with the reward."

"They also wanted to call you, but Skullgo strongly opposed it."

Apparently, the reason for the opposition was that "Mother, though she looks like a human, is a High Elf. If she is called to meet the human king, it could cause friction between the elf and human races, leading to complications." Since she was already recognized as a divine being by the people, she was treated as if she didn't exist.

Kena, stopping Shining Saber from speaking, summoned wind and light spirits to keep the eavesdroppers away and asked the light spirit to create a wide "Invisibility" effect by distorting the light.

"Do you have eavesdroppers, miss?"

"Yes, an old man claiming to be the prime minister is following me. It's troublesome if he hears our conversation."

"Let's start. I'm Shining Saber, you can call me by my name. I was a sub-leader of the 'Silver Moon Riders' guild. My level is 427."

"I'm Coral, same guild. My level is 392."

Shining Saber, in white armor, and Coral, in leather armor due to the damage from the previous event, introduced themselves. Kena, recognizing the guild name and the cow-patterned dragon person, introduced herself.

"Silver Moon Riders? The same as Kyotaro?"

"Do you know our guild master?"

"Sort of. I'm Kena. Call me whatever you like. My guild is 'Cream Cheese.'"

"Wha!?"

The two men burst out laughing at Kena's guild name, and Coral took a step back with a strained face. The guild name was so well-known that