Following.

The morning sun is rising, and the weeds on the side of the road are still carrying dewdrops.

At the entrance of the academy, Yakumo was preparing the saddle.

Three horses, one for him, Louise and Patchouli.

Although Pache and Yakumo had never ridden a horse, they could completely ignore this point when they were able to communicate with horses directly through their psychic powers.

As always, Ya Yunmo was wearing that gorgeous black robe, and the yin and yang jade pendant on the hem of his clothes tinkled in the morning breeze.

Pache was dressed the same as in the Red Devil Pavilion, wearing a long lace-trimmed dress that resembled pajamas.

"That, Yakumo, Miss Norregi, is it appropriate for you to dress like this and ride a horse?"

"It doesn't matter."

Yakumo shook his head.

"Speaking of which, Louise, didn't Ann Rietta say that she would arrange for someone to lead the way? Why haven't you come yet? ”

"I don't know."

"Hey, after pointing out the location of Albion, I can take you directly through the gap."

Thinking of the terrifying scene in the gap, Louise's face turned pale with fright, and she shook her head again and again: "Don't!!" ”

"Miss Louise!! Mr. Yakumo!! ”

Suddenly, Shesta's voice came from the academy.

"Shesta?"

Dressed as a maid, Shesta, with a bag on her back and an Emei thorn pinned to her waist, trotted to the school gate.

If it had been in the past, after running such a distance, Shesta would definitely be tired and out of breath. However, after so many days of training, this distance is no longer stressful for Sesta.

Shesta, not panting at all, ran to the three of them. He clenched his hands into small fists and said, "Miss Louise, Mr. Yakumo, please take me with you!" ”

"Shesta. Why do you know? ”

Shesta, who was questioned by Louise, bowed her head in embarrassment.

"Well, I'm sorry, I happened to overhear Her Royal Highness the princess's words when I was sending the laundry here last night - I'm really sorry for eavesdropping!!"

Speaking of the back, Shesta bent down heavily and apologized loudly.

"But Shesta, we're on a secret mission, and it could be dangerous."

"It's okay!"

Sesta, who straightened up, made a serious expression.

"I've been cultivating for so many days. I'll definitely be able to help!! As Miss Louise and Mr. Yakumo rescued me, I'm also Miss Louise's exclusive maid, aren't I? ”

"You say that......"

Louise found herself unable to find a reason to refuse. I can only agree with it in a huff.

"Someone's coming."

Suddenly, Pache who had been quietly looking down at a book on the side spoke.

From the faint morning light, a tall nobleman appeared.

He wears a hat with feathers and a cloak on his back. Tall and thin. He has a mustache on his chin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Gui'an. I received an order from Her Royal Highness the Princess to walk with you. It's just your words that still don't feel at ease. However, since it was a secret mission, not a single unit could be sent with it. That's why I'm named to help you. ”

The tall nobleman took off his hat and saluted.

"Her Royal Highness the Queen's Magical Guardians, Captain of the Griffins, Viscount Valudo."

"Lord Valudo......"

When she saw the comer, Louise let out a trembling sound.

"It's been a long time, Louise! My Louise! My dear fiancée! ”

Louise shuddered as she stood up.

The man named Varudo has a charming smile. Walk up to Louise and gently pick her up.

Yakumo raised an eyebrow. The man in front of him seems to have a lot to do with Louise.

Fiancee?

I can't see that Louise, the little girl, even has a marriage contract.

"It's been a long time."

Louise, who was held in Valudo's arms, whispered with a red cheek.

"You're still as light as ever! It's like a feather. ”

"I'm embarrassed to say that......

Ignoring Valudo and Louise, who were throwing flashbangs, Yakumo rolled over on his horse's back.

Pache put away the magic book, her petite body slowly floating, and then sat gently on the horse's back.

"Isn't it too early, aren't you going yet?"

Fingers playing with a strand of long hair on his chest, Yakumo glanced at Louise and Valudo.

"I'm sorry."

After putting Louise down, Valudo nodded at Yakumo and Pache Li.

When he saw Pache Li, his gaze lingered for a while, and when he saw Yakumo clearly, the man named Varudo suddenly showed a surprised gaze.

- And Yakumo immediately hated this guy.

"This ...... Miss ......"

"I'm sorry for breaking your illusions, but I'm a man."

Ah, losing color.

Valudo stood dumbfounded.

Pache burst out laughing.

Louise puffed up her cute bun face.

Smiling awkwardly, Valudo turned to look at Louise.

"Miss Norregi, we met once when we were in the palace. So, this ...... Sir, don't you want to introduce me? ”

"Yakumo Mo."

Just reported his name, and Yakumo Mo stopped paying attention to Varudo.

False smile, nasty breath.

This man is very suspicious.

"Yakumo......? Is that Louise your demon? I've heard of it. ”

"Uh-huh!" Louise nodded again and again, looking at Yakumo with pride in her eyes, "Yakumo is very powerful!" Awesome! ”

Thinking of the rune card that Yakumo handed to her, Louise was excited.

After the tasting, Louise, who knew the power of the spell cards, was coquettish and cute in her spare time learning magic from Yakumo Mo, and used various means to get several spell cards.

"Okay, Mr. Yakumo. We're acquainted, and there's one other thing that might be rude to say, but we're on a mission—"

Varudo looked at Shesta.

"-Is it appropriate to take a maid with you?"

"You underestimate Shesta?"

Yakumo glanced at Varudo.

"This girl may not be your match right now. But after a year, you won't be able to beat her. ”

"Interesting...... Is that the lucky maid who was rumored to have learned magical martial arts from Mr. Yakumo? ”

Valudo looked at Shesta meaningfully, causing the little maid to hide behind Louise.

"Alright, let's go, your phantom beast should be nearby, right? I could smell that smell from afar. ”

Valudo glanced at Yakumo in surprise, so perceptive.

The whistle sounded, and Griffin appeared from the morning mist.

The upper body is an eagle. The lower body is a lion.

It has very beautiful feathers.

Valudo gracefully stepped onto Griffin and held out his hand to Louise.

"Come here, Louise."

Louise bowed her head with some hesitation. Glancing cautiously at Yakumo Mo, he laughed secretly at this action.

- He didn't think anything wrong about Louise, but it seems that these days of getting along with each other have made this little girl slowly pay attention to Yakumo.

Especially, whenever a new magic is mastered. Louise was always the first to tell Yakumo the good news. After receiving the compliment from him, he laughed happily and silly all day like a pet cat rewarded by his owner, even if he was teased by Truuk.

"Shesta, do you know how to ride a horse?"

Seeing that Louise seemed to hesitate, Yakumo turned to look at Shesta, who was standing crampedly to the side.

The little maid shook her head in embarrassment.

"So, Louise, how about you ride a horse with Shesta?"

"Hmm!"

The little girl immediately nodded without hesitation, and at the same time secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Valudo shrugged indifferently. Commanding Griffin to walk ahead.

◇

Harbour pull? Rochelle is about two days away from Torlistine on horseback.

This port city is located on the doorstep of Abion. It is designed as a mountain road in a narrow valley, a narrow pathway.

The population is only about 300 people, but counting the people who come and go to Abiang, there is a floating population ten times as many as the indigenous people.

It is located in a narrow mountain road with a cliff backdrop and a variety of shops and inns lined up.

Perhaps because of the topography, the architectural style tends to be rough.

However, the buildings lined up are all cut out of the same rock, and they look very similar.

Because the city is located in a canyon, it is slightly dark even during the day.

The Gin Cup Shop is the name of the hotel where Yakumo and his party stayed.

However, as the name suggests, this inn looks like a ruined house.

"Because it's a secret mission, it's better not to choose a hotel that's too good, so as not to attract the attention of people with intentions."

That's how Valudo explains.

Yakumo and Pache both frowned.

Especially seeing the mercenaries drinking in it making a lot of noise, the two of them became more and more repulsed by this hotel.

"Forget it, it'll be one night."

With a sigh, Yakumo's ink clothes fluttered, and he took the lead in pushing open the door and walking in.

The strong smell of alcohol came to his face, and the youkai who had no resistance to alcohol immediately withdrew with a black face.

Although when Gensokyo has a banquet, the monsters will make the whole banquet venue smell drunk, but those wines are carefully brewed, and he can still tolerate the aroma of wine.

And the inferior smell of wine that Yakumo smelled just now made him almost unable to resist the explosion of demonic power and raze this place to the ground.

Although it can also block out the sense of smell, the clothes on the body will inevitably be stained with the smell of alcohol, which makes Yakumo Mo, who has developed a slight cleanliness habit because of Lan and Asuina's care, and has begun to be picky about all aspects of life, unbearable.

"Hey, you guys stay, I'll go find somewhere else!"

"Louise, if it's dangerous, just use the spell card I gave you, you're welcome."

Before leaving, Yakumo glanced meaningfully at Varudo. (To be continued......)