Jack of All Trades, Party of None

"Well then, I will take my leave now."

Just as everyone finished their meal and was catching their breath, Nagisa’s voice echoed.

"I need to go check on the progress of the reconstruction work… and also talk with people around various places."

Behind Nagisa as she stood up, Mr. Haruto, Ms. Katina, and Mr. Huey naturally lined up.

"We’re coming too. It’s about making introductions, right?"

Mr. Haruto smiled warmly.

"If we connect faces now, things will be easier later," Ms. Katina said as she lightly shrugged her shoulders.

Her expression was gentle, but her eyes held a clear sense of calculation.

"Fuuka can’t be the one moving openly, after all," Mr. Huey added.

His serious tone tightened the atmosphere for a brief moment.

"Thank you, all three of you," Fuuka bowed quietly.

Her voice carried more gratitude than embarrassment.

"This is only natural," Ms. Katina replied smoothly, relaxing her lips just a little.

"Yeah, this is also a way to repay Fuuka for saving us," Mr. Huey added with a sincere gaze.

Fuuka wasn’t going with them because she wanted to avoid being thrust into an unwanted position.

If she showed herself recklessly, there would be people trying to rally behind her as "Princess Fuuka."

Knowing this, she deliberately kept her distance.

That was why the three of them needed to act as substitutes, connecting with people in various places, naturally setting Nagisa to take the lead.

"Take care, Nagisa," I said as I called out to her.

She glanced back lightly and smiled gently.

"Yes. Everyone, please relax and enjoy yourselves."

With that, Nagisa and the three left the inn.

Watching their backs were me, Shion, Fuuka, Luna, and Oliver.

Fuuka pursed her lips slightly and quietly gazed at the younger sister and retainers disappearing beyond the sliding door.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Oliver asked.

Shion placed a hand lightly on her chin.

"I’m… planning to meet up with Telshe."

"Telshe is in Tsunami right now, right?"

"Yeah. She’s scouting the western part of Kyokutō. She’s investigating the Ludain Federation, the neighboring country across the sea, and the continent’s movements. At the same time, she’s probably looking into the remnants of the cult still hiding within our country, so I thought I’d help her."

Kyokutō has the Sacred Mountain standing in the center, surrounded by four districts to the east, west, south, and north.

The south is Hanemiya, the capital and the political and cultural center.

The western district Tsunami is a city responsible for foreign trade, a crucial sea route gathering supplies and foreign culture.

Additionally, the country is supported by Honāe in the north, a vast agricultural city, and Shiohara in the east, a fishing city thriving on fisheries and salt production.

Currently, Ms. Telshe is gathering information in Tsunami, which contacts foreign lands.

"Orun has principles of techniques research to handle, but if the other three don’t have anything to do, do you want to come with me to Telshe’s place?" Shion suggested.

Fuuka nodded, "That might be good."

Luna and Oliver seemed enthusiastic as well.

But I shook my head.

"Wait."

All three turned their eyes toward me at once.

I looked at Luna and said quietly,

"There’s something else I want you to do, Luna."

"...For me?" Luna blinked in surprise.

"Yeah. Luna, from now on—you’re going to touch the principles outside."

The air in the room tightened for a moment at those words.

"The principles outside…? So, you mean, Luna will become a transcendent?"

Oliver asked.

"That’s right."

"...That’s sudden. But, that makes sense. Compared to all of you, I’m quite lacking in strength... So, you mean it’s necessary to raise my power, right?"

"That’s not it," I immediately denied.

"I don’t think Luna is weak. In fact, Luna’s abilities would rank among the top if you looked around the world. The reason I want Luna to become a transcendent is different."

"...That different reason?"

"I went to the Phoenix Shrine where the principles of techniques exist earlier. There, I met—Titania."