Chapter 95
And so, it was decided that Clael would go to the royal capital.
Clael entrusted the rest to the acting Priest Gieville and loaded his packed belongings into the carriage.
He had already said his goodbyes to close acquaintances.
Boarding the carriage dispatched from the Grand Shrine, he and Reina sat side by side and set off toward the royal capital.
"～～～～♪"
Inside the intermittently shaking carriage, Reina kept humming cheerfully the whole time.
She wore a gentle smile and kept gazing at Clael with delight.
"......You're in a good mood, Reina."
"Yes! I'm really happy!"
Reina, sitting across from him, declared with a blooming smile.
Blooming smile... That was just a metaphor, but a real miracle occurred and the inside of the carriage filled with vivid red petals.
The two inside the carriage had no way of knowing, but on either side of the road the carriage traveled, colorful flowers bloomed, decorating the path like rails.
The flowers born from that miracle would likely not wither even as autumn came and winter passed.
From now on, they would delight the eyes of travelers, soothe the hearts of peddlers... and surely drive away attacking monsters with sacred power, protecting the people.
"Clael-sama. There's a shop I went to with my friends. The crepes were super sweet and delicious. Shall we go together once we arrive?"
"Sounds good. I love sweet things."
"Yes, I know. I also found a café with delicious tea. It has a nice atmosphere, it's quiet and not crowded—like a hidden gem. And there's a used bookstore that only deals in rare old books. There's also a flower field a little ways from the royal capital where lots of fairies gather. If we bring a bento and go for a picnic there, it'll definitely be fun."
Reina began chatting with a beaming smile about all the plans she had for after they arrived in the royal capital.
"Let's visit all the shops we can during summer break, and after it ends, we can go out on weekends. The first break, we'll go to the café, then the next break to that shop, and the break after that we'll picnic on the hill... Ah, and I want to go bookstore hopping too. That'll be for next month's break..."
"Reina... maybe calm down a little."
Clael felt a slight headache coming on.
He understood she was excited... but just how far ahead was she planning?
"If you spend every break with me, you won't have time to hang out with your friends, you know?"
"Ah... you're right. I'm sorry, I got carried away."
Reina blushed in embarrassment and cupped her face with both hands.
"Spending time with friends is important too... Then, how about once a month with friends, and the rest with Clael-sama?"
"............"
It seemed Reina was overjoyed.
He didn't think it was something to be so unabashedly happy about... but the heart of a maiden was a mystery.
"U-um... may I have a moment?"
"Hm?"
A voice called out from the coachman's platform.
The coachman peeked apologetically through the front window of the carriage.
"Sorry. It seems the road ahead is closed off."
"Closed off... Did something happen?"
Before they realized it, the carriage had stopped.
Peering out the window... they saw other carriages and travelers stuck as well.
"Um... it looks like the bridge up ahead collapsed due to rising water. Everyone seems quite troubled."
"Rising water... Did it rain that much?"
In this region, typhoons in summer were rare, and it was uncommon for river levels to rise enough to wash away a bridge.
For that reason, the bridges weren't particularly reinforced against flooding.
"It might be the work of monsters."
"You can tell, Reina?"
"Yes. I sense an evil presence upstream."
Reina leaned out the carriage window.
She turned her gaze upstream... and extended her right hand.
"Ei."
Then, with a light flick of her fingers.
Something like a white shooting star fell in the upstream direction.
"That should do it... Now, shall we move on?"
"Move on... Even if the monsters are gone, we can't proceed without a bridge..."
"It's okay."
Reina smiled sweetly.
Clael tilted his head in confusion... but then, the previously stalled carriage began to move.
Other carriages and travelers also started moving forward, crossing the river where the bridge should have been destroyed.
"How should I put it... As expected of the Saint..."
The coachman's awed voice could be heard.
The carriage carrying Clael and Reina also crossed the river just like the others.
They crossed over an arch of vines and flowers that had replaced the broken bridge.
"......Reina."
"Now we can reach the royal capital. I'm so excited for the crepes there!"
"............"
Reina's miracles knew no bounds.
With a flick of her finger, she defeated monsters far upstream and created a bridge of vines and flowers...
She seemed to be growing stronger and stronger as a Saint.
(It's probably a good thing... but why do I feel so uneasy about it...?)
The more Reina's power grew, the more Clael felt like he was being cornered into a dead end.
Clael was overcome by a mysterious sense of crisis, and a cold sweat formed on his back.