"So, what's she doing here?" I asked.
"She decided to tag along despite my protests," Gren replied. "The King encouraged it, saying we needed to spend more time amongst each other."
"I'm here because of His Majesty's wishes and also because I'm Her Highness' protector."
"Enough of that! You're souring my mood. I'll never acknowledge you as my sister's protector. You're a would-be murderer," Gren murmured.
I thought more would've been said but, surprisingly, the once-antagonistic Zu' Re remained silent.
"Ahem. So, I thought you were staying here, Gren-san," I remarked.
"I'm staying with Ferris...but I haven't forgotten the promise I made to you, Kazuma-san, nor the purpose for which I was hired. I'm still your guide until you leave Sylvenn."
"Well, leaving should be easy, right? We just head back the same way we came, no?"
Gren giggled. "Yes. But we're not exactly going the same way we came, right? Luckily for me, I figured you'd use the western gate; though, I was beginning to feel like you might never show."
"Well, yeah, that's true. So, what's the reason we're headed this way, then?"
She smiled. "To visit that place you wanted to quite a while back. We're headed to the Emerald Gorge."
Then Zu' Re finally spoke. "I don't see what purpose there is for non-Sylvs to visit it."
"I don't think I remember asking for your opinion," Gren snapped.
Zu' Re fell silent once again.
"Anyhow," Gren continued, "we'll be passing the Grand City of Syltras Hath as well. It's quite a beautiful city. I'm sure you and the others will like it, Kazuma-san."
"Hmm, alright, looking forward to it. I'll head inside now since the front is getting kinda crowded."
"I will too," Zu' Re added.
"No you won't! I'm not letting you near Ferris!" Gren said, quickly getting up.
"Not much of a guide if you aren't leading the driver."
"Uh—" Gren sat down and let out a fuming sigh. "Kazuma-san, may I ask you to look after Ferris for me? If this monster does anything—and I mean anything—please don't hesitate to toss her out the back door."
I chuckled nervously. "Sure."
With that said, both of us headed inside.
"Your Highness," Zu' Re said with a bow. As she was about to sit near Ferris, I stopped her. "What are you—"
"Don't think I forgot the things you did to us too. I'm not so quick to forgive slights against me. So, if you think I'll take your side in this you'll be extremely disappointed."
She snatched her arm away. "I care not what you think, human. I've been assigned an important task and I intend to follow through with it. Be aware that preventing me from doing so can be considered an act of treachery."
"Whatever. Not like you can judge us anyway. And you might wanna remember whose carriage you're riding in. I'm a person who lives by his own rules."
"Noted."
Zu' Re sat down beside Ferris who was playing with Aqua, while I sat down across from her, beside Megumin.
"Kazuma," Megumin whispered, "what's she doing here?"
"Guarding Ferris, oddly enough."
"Feels a bit odd, doesn't it?"
"Umu. Keep an eye on her. She does anything funny, you go ahead and—"
"Hit her with Explosion?"
"No. Don't do that, you'll kill all of us too."
"Then?"
"Just let me know."
"Umu, alright."
As the carriage creaked down the dirt road, the lot of us stared at each other with suspicion and doubt. It seems this wasn't going to be the end of the inconveniences this trip had to offer.