Larichmond, the capital of the Sage Empire of Ritz.
As a fortified city, its entire perimeter was encased in towering stone walls. Word of the Demon King Army’s invasion had clearly spread; a massive crowd was surging toward the gates, desperate to seek refuge within Larichmond.
Because of the influx, the guards were meticulously vetting every person attempting to enter the city.
"It’s almost Nyau’s turn, isn’t it?"
"Yeah, looks like it."
We had been standing in line for quite some time before we finally reached the front.
"You two. Names?" the guard asked.
"I’m Kiska."
"It is Nyau-nanodesu."
We answered the guard’s questions without hesitation.
"Classes?"
"We’re both adventurers."
"Can you show me your Status Screens?"
"Yeah, of course. Not a problem."
A Status Screen contained a wealth of personal information, but I recalled being able to configure the settings to display only my name and rank. I made the adjustments; that should do it.
"I see. You clearly have some skill," the guard remarked after looking at my screen. My rank was Platinum—not a bad rank at all. "Are you perhaps here to join our forces in the fight against the Demon King Army?"
"Yeah, that’s the plan."
"Is that so? The Sage Empire of Ritz welcomes the brave. Let us fight together for the sake of humanity."
This guard had a surprisingly gallant way of speaking.
"Of course. We intend to," I replied.
"Yes, and here is Nyau’s status," Nyau added, standing beside me as she presented her own screen.
The guard’s eyes went wide. "Wh-What is this status?! C-Could it be… are you Sage Nyau-sama?"
Sage Nyau-sama? What was that all about?
"Erm… Nyau is occasionally called that, yes," she admitted, looking a bit awkward.
"M-My sincerest apologies! I’ll go fetch my superior immediately! Please, wait just a moment!"
The guard scrambled away in a frantic rush.
"Well, that escalated quickly," I muttered.
"Aha-ha…" Nyau let out a dry, strained laugh.
Thinking about it logically, Nyau held the rank of Master—the highest possible tier—and she had traveled with the Hero. It was only natural for her to receive special treatment.
Still, "Sage Nyau," huh? Knowing what she was really like, the title felt like a poor fit for her.
"Sage Nyau-sama, thank you for waiting! We shall escort you immediately. Ah, your companion is welcome to come along as well."
An official-looking man, presumably the superior, arrived in a state of high agitation. It seemed we were being taken somewhere important.
"Hey, where are you leading us?" I asked.
"Ah, actually, a certain individual gave strict instructions to escort Sage Nyau-sama to their presence the moment she set foot in this country."
"And who is this individual?"
The superior stood a little straighter as he answered.
"The foremost authority of the Sage Empire of Ritz, the man who holds the titles of both Great Sage and Sage Emperor—Great Sage Agrippus-sama."
Great Sage Agrippus. Master Rank, 9th Seat.
He was the only person who might be able to stand against the Demon King Army, humanity’s final hope. He was exactly the person we had come here to find.
Great Sage Agrippus resided in the Imperial Palace at the heart of the capital.
Deciding that it wouldn’t do to have us walk, they even provided a luxurious carriage for the journey.
"I’m actually starting to get a bit nervous," I admitted. My stomach was doing somersaults; I hadn’t expected this level of grandiosity.
"Wh-wh-wh-wh-what should Nyau do, Kiska-san!?"
To my annoyance, Nyau was far more panicked than I was.
"Hey, get a grip."
"But… Nyau is definitely going to be scolded-nanodesu!"
"You think so?"
"Nyau will definitely be blamed for failing to protect the Hero-sama."
I didn’t think Hero Eligion’s death was her fault, but how the rest of the world saw it was a different matter.
"Well, if it comes to that, I’ll find a way to follow up for you. I don't know how much I can do, but I'll try."
"Kiska-san! Thank you-nanodesu!"
Suddenly, Nyau lunged forward and hugged me.
"Hey, don't just jump on me like that."
"Ehh, why not? Or is Kiska-san just being shy?"
Nyau looked up at me with a teasing glint. Her eyes held a mature, adult allure that completely betrayed her youthful appearance. In reality, she was much older than me.
Of course, that didn't make her any less irritating.
"Nyaaaaaaaa!! Why did you pinch my cheek!?"
"Because you were being annoying."
"That’s just cruel, Kiska-san!"
Nyau wailed and began thumping me repeatedly with her small fists.
"Um… we’ve arrived…"
The coachman was staring at us through the window with a look of pure bewilderment.
It seemed we had reached the Imperial Palace where Great Sage Agrippus waited. Having our little spat witnessed by a stranger was, I had to admit, a bit embarrassing.