"No... I don't wanna... Just five more minutes..." ［Yuna］

  "Sure, sure, you sleep all you want, Midy." ［Grey］

  The day was young and the sky had just risehe horizon. Dawn and daylight had just arrived and the sky was skill bck, hints of red and e shining dimly as the sun's rays touched the sky chasing the darkness away.

  It eaceful day. The sound of the waves eg from the sea, the sound of leaves rustling as the salty breeze blew ashore, and the sound of shifting grains of sands running all around the beaches. Such a sweet and calming symphony.

  And as the sun slowly crept up the sky, a shiny glimmer filled the isnds. A ptinum figure stood proud along the cliffs. She folded her wings and waited for another pair to approach her, the su refleg in her silver eyes.

  "Master, is it really fio go like this? The Mistress still seems sleepy." ［Sirius］

  "It's fine. Yuna may look silly right now, but she isn't sile, you know? And... Whose fault is it to fall asleep te because she was so excited yesterday?" ［Grey］

  "Well... Isn't the Mistress always like that, Master?" ［Sirius］

  "Hahaha. I guess you're rightー" ［Grey］

  "Gwey... I love you... Make me burgers, please..." ［Yuna］

  The young dy mumbled as she hugged Grey even tighter. She is still sleepy as be and her eyes are barely open. There was no focus to be seen, obviously still half-asleep as Grey piggybacked her towards Sirius.

  She was so excited after eating the Krake yesterday, she went on a hunt throughout the eernoon whenever she saw some high rankis. And like all things bearing sequences, she is now dead tired, mind very groggy.

  "Hamburger...? No, no, I want steak... Steak with apple juice..." ［Yuna］

  In fact, she's so tired, she's been mumbling nonsense since Grey "woke" her up and carried her on his back. If there was ohing sistent, it was that all the nonsense she's been mumbling about was about food and sweets.

  There are even times when she looks at Grey as if she was looking at something sweet she just baked. Her sleepy and silly mind was still debating whether the one carrying her was in fact her fiancé or just a massive jam bread.

  "... Bread... Strange bread... Sounds like Grey..." ［Yuna］

  "That's because I am Grey, sleepyhead. Don't try to bite me, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Bite... Bite... I want to bite bread..." ［Yuna］

  "I just said don't... Haah... Let's just get you on board before you do something we'll bret. Sirius, if you would please." ［Grey］

  "Uood, Master." ［Sirius］

  There was no use trying to verse with Yuna as her mind was clearly still gging and not funing properly. Grey quickly asked Sirius to be ready for flight, then jumping on her back with the young dy in tow as Sirius spread her wings.

  She fpped a couple of times and the isnds shrank in all but a fra of a sed. They pierced through the clouds soon after, the warm glimmer of the sun grag their faces as they watched the sun rise from high up in the sky.

  A couple more fps ter and Sirius started darting throughout the sky once again. Rings and lines were made as she flew, the birds and clouds parting ways as they greeted her, yet another mystical sight in the sky of dawn.

  And whilst they flew several kilometers from the sea, Grey's eyes sed the deep waters once more and watched all sorts of ses unfold. He's already seen them a handful of times since yesterday, but he'll never get used to them.

  One particur sight he fell in love with was the parade of glowing sea creatures during the night. It was a sight to behold, seeming like a river of stars from below. He's never seen such a beautiful sight even on television ba earth.

  'Not here, huh...' ［Grey］

  But what he was looking for was her than demonic beasts he saw yesterday. After the Kraken, there have been a couple more demonic beasts they saw as they tio fly towards Vartes, all of them hunted by Yuna.

  Though pared to the Kraken, such beasts were much weaker, only at B-rank and rarely, at A-rank. Still such a number of beasts were still far too many and abnormal, no matter how deep and expahe o is, especially sihey're high rank.

  Grey got them all on camera, but he doesn't know when he'll be able to use them. It could all just be a great ce, but in the off ce that it isn't, it will be hell not just for them, but for all others as well. It would be a disaster.

  "Fishies... I'm going to hunt youー" ［Yuna］

  "Woah! Yuna, you ought to be more careful! You almost fell just now!" ［Grey］

  "Unm... Care... Ca... Zzzzzz...." ［Yuna］

  Grey was worried, but after a quick shock by his fiancée almost falling, such worries were easily blown away. But the person herself was oblivious to such dangers. Now, she has gone back to sleep again, her eyes now tight shut.

  "Haah... This girl... Stop giving me heart attacks..." ［Grey］

  Well, there was no use thinking about it, especially when all he could do was grasp blindly in the dark. While it is sure to be trouble, he shouldn't worry too much about it. After all, they didn't just get stronger for nothing. They'll deal with it when time es.

  Just like that a couple moments passed, and after the sun was fully unveiled over the horizon, Grey immediately started preparing breakfast. With the amount of excess dishes they cooked yesterday, there was o cook for the day.

  Grey took out a couple dishes one by oill hot and steamy and made sure to hold them tight. It wasn't the first time they'll be having meals on Sirius' back whilst flying, but it was still a fun experieo have, the winds brushing past them.

  "Mmn～! These are so good! Are these from the Krakeerday?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. I also made some sandwiches with it, so make sure to enjoy themー Oh! Hold still for a while, Yuna. There's something on your cheeks." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Thank you～!" ［Yuna］

  Speaking of breakfast, Yuna was quickly revived as soon as she smelled something delicious wafting through the air. Her eyes sparkled brighter than the sun which had just risen and a bright smile appeared, extending from ear to ear.

  After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and with Grey being the one who prepared it, it was something to look forward to and something to enjoy. It was a great experience, experieng a blue view below them.

  "Sirius, would you like to have some too?" ［Yuna］

  "I'm fine, Mistress. I'll just eat once we're done flying." ［Sirius］

  "Okay～! I'll leave some for you and the others ter, then." ［Yuna］

  The journey tinued and Sirius tio fp her wings. She covered kilometers of distan a single minute, s through the sky faster than as and pnes Grey had seen ba Earth, sonis serving as music to the ears.

  Soon enough, massive groups of isnds and shallow reefs started appearing oer another, and a couple more moments ter, rge isnds came to view, along with the mainnd, spanning several hundred kilometers from the shores alone.

  It was a shore covered with sandy beaches and rocky cliffs, a couple of coves and caves here and there. There was lush vegetation and also port towns dotted along the shoreline, some boats and ships popping up left and right.

  It may be because the port towns are more focused on naval and maritime operations, but there were quite a lot more ships in the seas of Vartes than there are in the seas of Oirois. Many were much bigger as well, sails painted all sorts of colors.

  "So this is Vartes, huhー" ［Grey］

  "Waah～! There's so many ships～! And port towns too! It feels a little bit different than when we're in Alfrione, doesn't it?" ［Yuna］

  "Well, it's a new ti, after all... Their culture and architecture should also be a little different as well. I'm sure you'll love it." ［Grey］

  "Un! I'm looking forward to it!" ［Yuna］

  Vartes, the Western ti, possessed simir cultures and architectures from people in the Medieval Ages of Middle Eastern tries. Be that as it may, there is still a rge portion of Western European culture into the mix.

  Such a dynamic between two different culture groups makes Vartes a little bit strao Grey and Yuna who were only familiar with Western Culture. The more they see below them, the more ied they bee.

  The name of the Kingdom before them is "Talspara", a kingdom just about the size of Alfrione whose specialty is fishing, infrastructure, cooking, and arts. It is a pe could say is less teologically advahan Alfrione, but just as beautiful.

  "Grey, do you think they also deal with high-ranking aquatic beasts here? Do you think we sell the inedible ones we caught?" ［Yuna］

  "That's a nice idea, but let's put that on hold for now. We still have other pces to visit. Let's do those ones first." ［Grey］

  "Fine, but that's a promise, okay? Let's go here once everything is settled." ［Yuna］

  "Sure. Let's enjoy it to our hearts' tent wheime es." ［Grey］

  Unfortunately, their first destination in Vartes aren't the port towns located by the long shores of Talspara, but rather, a much further innd city located by the pins where twe rivers verge, one of the most famous cities of the Kingdom.

  It was the city of "Arihal", known for various famous artists and also its great cuisi is one of the pces the Royal Family reeo them, and one which they especially enjoyed because of how wonderful the experience was.

  The city's specialty dishes involve freshwater fishes and seafood which they harvested from the nearby rivers. It is said that when it es to seafood, not even port towns could pare to the greatness of Arihal.

  "I heard there are also some fairly powerful beasts in the rivers by the city. About D-rank and k, they said." ［Grey］

  "Hm? Isn't that a bit dangerous then?" ［Yuna］

  "Usually, yes, but fortunately, there is an A-rank familiar living in those rivers owned by the Lords for several geions. It's a 'Tarlgan', or so I've heard." ［Grey］

  "Ohh～! A familiar, that's amazing! I want to see it!" ［Yuna］

  And perhaps ahing it was famous for was the presence of a High-Ranking familiar living along the banks of the two rivers. Not only does it protect the citizens from danger, it also helps them hint from time to time.

  Usually, it is only the Royal Families and High-Ranking aristocrats who possess such powerful familiars, the ital House which reigns over the city mao summon one several geions ago, and is now serving as the guardian of the city.

  Of course, with it being so helpful, it is one of the major tributing individuals to the territory's ey. All the city's people love the said beasts and they even have a whole festival dedicated to it as a tribute. It's like a guardian god,

  It was also the reason why the Royal Family of Alfrione could never fet su experience which was as unique as they e. They've also met such a beast. Only Iris and Natalia who were too young didn't know of it.

  "Lucky for you, we go a in its habitat. From what His Majesty said, it's one of the main tourist attras of Arihal." ［Grey］

  "Ohh～! That's great! I wonder if I fight it!" ［Yuna］

  "We'll... We'll probably get in trouble, so please don't." ［Grey］

  "Hehehe! Looks like I'll have to give it up then... For now, that is..." ［Yuna］

  For now, she says... It wasn't really ving whes it that way, and there was no way to know just what kinds of things were going on inside her mind. Grey could only hope she doesn't do something reckless and cause trouble.

  Just like that, Grey and Yuna tio fly for about an hour, passing through variions and seeing all sorts of natural wonders. No matter where they were, nature was always beautiful, all worthy to be taken photographs of.

  "Ohh... Amazing... So that's Alia, huh..." ［Grey］

  Soon enough, a city appeared over the horizon, and with it were two massive rivers with widths reag almost a hundred meters each. Both rivers verged southeast of the city, creating an area with an overall width of over 200 meters.

  And located before where the rivers verge was a massive city, evehan Galderia, built with its own ports, bridges, watermills, and barricades spanning over the rivers' shores. It stood out like a sore thumb in such ft and grassy terrain.

  With such rivers present, one could only imagine how fertile the nd is. A vast portion of the pins has been turned into farmnd, all sorts of crops grown from grains to root crops, and various greens. It was a sight to behold.

  "Grey! That's unfair! Let me see too!" ［Yuna］

  "ht. Sorry, sorry. I'll share my vision now." ［Grey］

  "Un! Hurry! Hurry! I 't wait!" ［Yuna］

  Grey spared no time to rey his vision with illusion magid Yuna's reas were just as amazed as her, her mouth opening in agape and her eyes sparkling with great curiosity as her eyes swam left and right, trying to process the view.

  "Ohh... Ohhh!～ Grey, look! The bridges are so big! Th-They're like really massive! There's a lot of them too!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, calm down... We're gonna fall off at this rate." ［Grey］

  "How I calm down?! This is just so exg!" ［Yuna］

  Excimed Yuna, all the while shaking Grey's shoulders then leaning on his back, pointing her fingers excitedly to the sights she's witnessing for the first time. There was a clear tinge of excitement present in her voice.

  The Talspara Kingdom may be behind pared to Alfrione when it es to magic tools and magical teology, but when it es to building teiques and the like, there is a clear winner, massive and impressive structures located all over the city.

  Though the building style is rustid medieval, the bridges made were really sturdy and eveer than that of masterpieces like the golden gate bridge and the tower bridge ba Earth. It was reinforced with magid could even survive powerful attacks from B-rank beings.

  "It's so big～! We're these bridges ba Earth like this too, Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, but I don't think there's anything as beautiful." ［Grey］

  Most of all, it doesn't look bare and bnd, like the huge cable bridges ba Earth. Rather, it was actually filled with life and colors, with lots of arches, domes, towers, spires, and murals. Lots and lots of murals.

  It erfebination of Middle Eastern architecture along with bits and bobs of other cultures, mostly western. It was no woalspara was known for famous arts and artists. They weren't just engineering masterpieces, but works of art.

  With the pins drawing closer to them, they soon decided to nd by the nearby forest and took a short break. As promised, they had everyo some of the dishes Grey cooked, sooing towards Arihal by foot.

  "Ohh～! It's even more amazing when you see it up close..." ［Yuna］

  "I agree... And it isn't just the bridges, but the highways as well. They're all paved well and there are also stations located all throughout." ［Grey］

  "Right... Alfrione doesn't have these, huh..." ［Yuna］

  "The streets and cities are all well-made, but the highways outside are another issue. It costs quite a lot, after all. Several hundred million, I'd say." ［Grey］

  With how fast they were, it didn't take long befrey and Yuna reached the bridges and it was even more breathtaking up close. Not only was it pretty, it was funally sound as well, nes divided into that for carriages arians.

  And uhe bridge was a rge river with multiple ships and boats passing at the same time, and also many ports where they docked, unloading numerous cargos oer another, fishermen also unloading their catch.

  "Hohoho. Is it your first time here, young ones?"

  "Ah, yeah... We came from a distant pce, you see." ［Grey］

  "Hohoho! No wonder! I've never seen youths with suteresting clothing before. You really do stand out in this crowd."

  As for the people, the ohing which immediately stood out was the differen clothing. Everyone was wearing traditional Middle Eastern Clothing, styles popping out with color and embroidery. It was a very busy and lively city.

  Of course, though they were adventurer clothes, as Grey and Yuna's clothing were still weariern European styles and designs. As soon as they stepped foot on the bridge, all eyes were on them, gazes curious as be.

  They've been under such stares because of their identities, but it was the first time people stared at them for their "strange" clothing. Both of them were taken aback by such a rea, both not used to such curious stares.

  "So, which try are you two from...?"

  "Well, it's a long story..." ［Grey］

  "Hohoho. With a lihis long, we have all the time in the world. What do you think we have a nice long chat? I have some snacks over here."

  "Ohh! Talsparan snacks! I want some!" ［Yuna］

  "Hohoho! What ahusiastic young dy. Here, please have some,"

  Thankfully, it's not like people have mean iions for them. In fact, one of the old men they lined up with tally was very friendly, the two of them a couple of snacks over a nice long chat as they waited for their turns.

  Thanks to the old man, they were able to learn a lot of things about Arihal from him, from the famous tourist spots, the notable traditions, the delicious cuisines, and most importantly, about the prices of the goods in the area.

  Surprisingly, despite the fact that it was an o away from Oiros, the prices in the Kingdom were just about the same. Save for the fact that spices were cheaper and some goods were more expe was retively the same.

  "Oh, you'll be staying here for some days, right?"

  "Yeah. That's the pn. Do you have any inns in mind, Mister?" ［Grey］

  "Preferably oh a bath, please～!" ［Yuna］

  "Inns and baths, huh... Hmm... There's a few I have in mind..."

  Eating some snacks on the way, the old man then listed the inns he reeo Grey and Yuna, telling them about the perks and drawbacks of suns and what kind of dishes they could enjoy in the inns and what tourist spots were near it.

  It wasn't long befrey and Yuna finally reached the gates and they handed over their ID cards for the guards to check. They were given some suspicious stares for what they were wearing, but they were able to pass without any problems,

  As soon as they stepped foot ihe city, they were greeted by a simir style of architecture from before, lots of domes, spires, and arches everywhere. It was simir to Erdea, but also different at the same time.

  There were also a ton of stalls present by the gates, even more than what they are usually met with, selling all sorts of goods from crafts all the way to metal artifacts, the soft sound of metallic chimes ringing in the air.

  "Waah～! Waah～! Waah～～!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna was so speechless by the sight, all she could do was gasp iement and open her mouth in every dire her eyes swim to. She was excited as a child and happy as one, obviously eager to explore if she could.

  Well, Grey was also in the same shoes, wanting to go around and have another date with his beloved. But even more so, he was amazed by the sery id out before him, snapping out a couple photos silently as be.

  There were a number of differences but Grey was reminded of the setting of the movie, "Add*n", the momeepped foot inside Arihal. It was as if he was ihe movie itself, his heart pounding iement.

  "Ohh～. That's a oy you got there, Young Man."

  "Ah, yeah. That's right. It's still a little g, but it does the job," ［Grey］

  "Hohoho. I see... Then, I'll be taking my leave now. Until ime, young ones."

  Before long, the old man finally left our main characters to themselves, both of them still excited as be. They were still standing by the gates, barley moving an inch as they scoured the whole pce with their eyes.

  They soon started to move, expl the city bit by bit as they headed towards one of the inns reeo them by the old man. Grey was snapping photos and Yuna was still mesmerized, her eyes shifting even quicker than the winds.

  "Grey, look! They also have dies!" ［Yuna］

  "Hm? dies? What are youー" ［Grey］

  "Let's buy some!" ［Yuna］

  Of course, what ied the young dy the most were her than the sweets. The people may be looking at them weirdly, but what matters the most is that she's having fun. Everything else doesn't matter.

  "Grey, hurry up! Hurry!" ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 405 END