Although an innate profession was precious and unique, the gift of destiny was never free, always requiring some hidden costs.
However, eight years ago...
After a hearty meal and expressing gratitude to the Count, the Hero sipped on juice while recalling what had just been said.
Eight years ago, the large-scale Arcane Surge beyond the borders, though causing considerable casualties, did not breach the border defenses, thus it was not well-known to the inland people.
Yet, seeing the heavy expression on the Count's face and remembering that his friend lost his mother in that disaster, the Hero couldn't help but empathize.
At that time, however, the Hero was only six or seven years old, and the memories of that year had long blurred and were unclear.
She only vaguely remembered there seemed to be a period when her father was not at home.
But the Count didn't seem to know her father... so Lord Father should not have been to the border, right?
Or was it that although he came, Lord Father did not make any contributions, so the Count did not remember him?
But would that father of hers have times of non-success too...
If that were the case, he might not recognize the daughter of the Border Count. Does the little girl even know if she's returned to the Capital yet?
Remembering that the little girl had gone to vacation in the city where she was born, the Hero couldn't help but worry.
But then, she thought that the little girl did not decide on her own to travel far this time.
Since she departed from the border, Lord Count would surely assign her enough guards.
Sigh, in that case, should she worry about Lord Father and the others?
For a moment, the Hero felt a bit conflicted.
[Father participated in the battle, but had an extreme failure in the impressions of the Count! Hero's father at that time——(except for option 9, power determined at Third Ascension Battle Mage LV72)]
1. Just an ordinary member of the Magic Array
2. Attempted to challenge the Demon King alone, got brutally killed
3. Was severely injured and withdrew before the end of the Arcane Surge
7. As an adventurer ally, established certain merits
8. Challenged the little girl's mother, got brutally killed
10. Critical Success / Extreme Failure
"This is the city where Sister Hero was born and raised—"
Pulling open the carriage window, the little girl eagerly observed the street scene outside.
Although the season had entered winter, unlike the villages or small towns, this somewhat prosperous city retained vitality in the severe winter, with quite a few pedestrians on the streets.
"Young Lady, this time we can only stay for three days, otherwise we might miss the start of the academy."
Sitting opposite the little girl, an older woman in maid attire spoke flatly.
"Just might, there's so much time left..." the little girl mumbled.
"Hmm?" The strict old woman squinted her eyes.
"I, I understand, let's set off in three days." The little girl shrunk her head, not daring to speak further.
And outside the carriage, four young guards observed their noses with their eyes and their hearts with their noses, not daring to speak up for the young lady.
This old woman was the Maid Supervisor of the previous generation at the Count Mansion. Not only did she watch the little girl grow up, but she also cared for the Count during his childhood.
Despite appearing elderly, she was still a genuine legendary.
In addition to the four guards returning to school with them, several chocobos accompanied the carriage, forming a small convoy, with riders being elite second-transferred soldiers.
To prevent his daughter from running around again, the Border Count went through great pains.
The four young guards would heed the little girl's requests, but this old Maid Supervisor was not so easily swayed,
and she ruthlessly refused the little girl's request for a detour, avoiding the village where the Hero's grandfather lived on the return trip.
"Young Lady, plans need to have ample buffers to adapt to changes in reality."
Looking at the young master, she seemed to see her mother's face, and the old Maid Supervisor's voice softened a bit.
"If the Floating Ship routes weren't closed, you wouldn't need to rely on a bird carriage to travel to the border. Yet even the kingdom's airways would get cut off; who knows what unexpected events might occur on the road?
"As the future Countess, you must learn to manage affairs with adequate preparations, rather than always optimistically delaying.
"If it were only you, it would be fine, but you must understand that the decisions made by the Border Count affect countless people..."
"Got it—" In response to the elderly woman's habitual lecture, the little girl drew out her reply.
"But for these few days, I can move around freely, right? Of course, I'll let the guards follow."
"Of course, that's no problem, as long as you're aware of what you're doing."
Receiving the old Maid Supervisor's consent, the little girl smiled.
Her next plan of action… was undoubtedly decided.
—First, go visit Sister Hero's house!
[The little girl's surprise attack (Maid Supervisor's lecture -30, 30 - just took a look, 30 + inquiring, 50 + visiting)]
Though inclined to learn about the Hero's past, ultimately, surrounded by adults, the little girl was not too capricious and only inquired subtly about the Viscount's House tales, avoiding drawing attention.
Moreover, Sister Hero probably wouldn't want me prying into her privacy ...
As for the outcome of the inquiries, whether it brought relief or disappointment, it was just very ordinary.
The Military Merit Viscount, as a Pantheon Mage, held a status in the city second only to the City Lord, and working at the Viscount Mansion was considered a respectable job for many.