The carriage soon left the Saint Nali District and began to head in the northeast direction outside of Saint Nali City.
The overall terrain of Saint Nali is higher in the north and lower in the south, with nine rivers flowing out from the northern mountain range across the entire Saint Nali District. Seven of these rivers run from northwest to south, with only the Klein River and Balem River flowing from the northeast.
The northeastern peaks are significantly lower in altitude than the northwestern mountain range. North of the Klein River and beyond the Klein Mountain lies the enormous lake named after the Nali Kingdom, Nali Lake.
As previously mentioned, a bit further away from the outskirts of Saint Nali University is the Imperial Mausoleum of the Gedelin Royal Family, located near Nali Lake.
As private property of the Royal Family, not only does the area around Nali Lake host the mausoleums of successive kings, but it also has the National Treasury Museum, which stores the treasures of the Gedelin Royal Family, and the Royal Library, which houses their books.
In ancient times, that place was the treasury of Nali. Since the Council reforms, when the power of the Golden Palace was greatly diminished, it has become a symbolic memorial museum that rarely opens to the public, only during New Year celebrations or the Gedelin Festival.
This year was particularly unusual since Gedelin IX’s life was nearing its end, and the Golden Palace lacked the energy to hold such events.
Fisher’s carriage was now traveling towards Klein Mountain, having passed by Saint Nali University. Moli, seated inside the carriage, gazed longingly at the university growing more distant, only turning her attention away when she saw the deserted "South Continent demi-human Protection Association." She quietly moved to the front of the carriage and opened a slit to peek at Fisher, who was driving.
The sound that followed, akin to that of a small animal, made Fisher partly turn his gaze to meet her eyes, as he inquired,
Moli pursed her lips, then shook her head, saying,
"It’s... nothing, just... just that I’m very grateful you could help me ... I don’t really have anything to give you in return. If I were alone, I wouldn’t know what to do after being expelled from school. The human world is so complicated for me, even though I really like being around Milica, Isabella, and... you."
After listening, Fisher quietly turned his head to gaze at the road ahead. The carriage’s pace was slow, as if enjoying a leisurely stroll.
In the distance, Klein Mountain, from where the Klein River flowed, was gradually coming into view. It was just the start of autumn, and the mountain was still covered with trees full of leaves.
"No need for thanks. Although it’s difficult to admit, the fact is that humans are rarely purely good, and I am no exception. At first, I helped you hide your identity to satisfy my academic curiosity about demi-humans. Later, I helped you because I learned that your aunt could craft relics, a skill long lost to the world, which piqued my interest. As for why I’m helping you now..."
"It’s probably because I got infuriated by the continuous attacks from the Old Immortal behind Pink Hall, and incidentally, I’ve been charmed by you, a strikingly beautiful Whale-man girl."
Upon hearing Fisher’s words, Moli’s face inside the carriage immediately turned red, her ears flapping in response, and her tail began to wag before she suddenly remembered that Fisher had spent quite a bit of money renting this carriage, so she forcibly stopped her tail mid-air, motionless.
In reality, she was much like Fisher, having frugal habits because, when she first came ashore, she had no concept of human currency and relied entirely on the scholarship from Saint Nali University for meals, able to afford only enough to eat to two-thirds full at restaurants.
Now that she could eat her fill with Fisher, though Moli had given all the money Bai Mu and her friends had given her to Fisher for food expenses, the naive Moli was always wondering if that money was enough and whether she should eat less to save even more.
With such needless concerns, Moli also began to worry about Fisher’s spending.
"Fisher... do you think I’m beautiful?"
That soft question came through a door that had been opened slightly wider, and within, Moli had removed the cloak draped over her, allowing Fisher to see her proud figure and naively beautiful face.
A little uncertain but still fixated on Fisher as if wanting to hear the answer, Moli asked this question.
A simple word from Fisher made her giggle foolishly, then she completely closed the carriage door, and the sound of a collision followed from inside—maybe her tail or perhaps her body had accidentally hit the door.
"We’re almost at our destination. The training to come will be very strict. I hope you’re prepared."
Afterward, Fisher’s tone became somewhat more somber, and Moli was as if back in Fisher’s classroom,
Moli responded a bit loudly from inside the carriage, but soon, as if realizing something, she repeated the acknowledgment in a softer voice, only this time addressing him simply as "Fisher."
As the carriage shook, it quickly arrived at Fisher’s destination. Below the Klein Mountain peaks, a river fell from between the mountains, at the Mountain Foot coming together into one, and then flowing in the direction of Saint Nali City.