[The Hero is leaving. Is there anyone to see her off?]
[Would you like to say goodbye to anyone else?]
The Hero, holding her luggage both big and small, stared somewhat blankly at the room she'd lived in for fourteen years.
Can't I return here anymore?
Then, for the first time in a few days not exiting through the window, the Hero left through the room's door.
The house was silent, and no one came to bid farewell to the Hero.
Maids and servants could be seen, but they were busy with their own tasks, seemingly unaware of the Hero's departure.
The work at the Viscount Mansion wasn't something everyone could handle.
While magic largely took care of most tasks for her father and mother, as Mage Nobles, the Viscount's House needed servants to present a certain image, unlike those Cocoon Dwellers shut away in the Mage Tower, which is why they hired many servants.
It was for this reason that the Viscount Mansion had high demands and provided good treatment for the servants.
They were all kind and professional, remembering each family member's habits, ready to prepare food late into the night for the Hero, even specially adjusting the bathwater temperature for her.
But in the end, they were employed to work at the Viscount Mansion, hence they couldn't go against the master and future master's decisions.
Some buried their heads, not daring to take their gaze off the impeccably clean window; others stopped their work, letting out barely audible sighs.
Silently bowing to everyone, the Hero proceeded to the entrance hall.
Still, no one was there: not her father or brother, nor her mother who had wanted to caress her just the day before.
Only a purse lay on the console table, heavy with Gold Coins, adorned with the Viscount's House's Family Crest.
With freshly washed soft hair hanging in front of her forehead, covering her eyes, the Hero pursed her lips.
This was the Traveling Expenses her mother had left for her...
"...must be too busy, I guess."
With a sentiment she herself didn't believe in, the Hero caressed the purse to her chest.
As if by doing so she had received her family's send-off, as if she was just embarking on a simple journey, with the belief that one day she would return here.
The cold weight of the money felt like it was sinking into her chest as much as into her embrace.
The Hero walked out of the family home, heading towards the city gates.
The clear autumn sunlight shone down, reflecting off the Hero's tender green eyes, creating ripples like those on a jade lake.
"Your mood seems quite good," the Hero quipped with a wry laugh as she looked up at the azure sky.
She took a step, her dress fluttering in the breeze, her slender legs beneath, sculpted like jade, revealed in the morning light.
Passersby glanced at the beautiful young girl, but she walked absentmindedly, observing the city where she had been born and raised.
Everything was so familiar, an occasional acquaintance in the crowd would give her looks of both astonishment and admiration.
"Isn't that the Viscount's daughter? She has grown into such a beauty. But with all that luggage, is she going on a trip?"
Ignoring the gazes of the passersby, the Hero stopped in front of the city gates.
The coffee shop she frequented with her dearest friend, the park where they played, the other playmates they both knew, and those Childhood Friends they talked with, also considered her own friends.
Her memories were intertwined with the time spent here.
When would she be able to forget her?
Could she, did she even want to forget her?
The Hero laughed mockingly at herself.
Come to think of it, she hadn't even visited her grave.
It doesn't matter anymore.
There's no point in going now.
The Hero walked towards the city gate.
"Are you going out again today? We missed you coming back yesterday."
A familiar Guard spoke to her for the first time, polite and courteous.
"Yes, this time it's a bit farther, I won't be coming back for a while."
The Hero lowered her eyes.
"Is that so," the Guard couldn't hide his disappointment but quickly straightened his posture.
"Then, I wish you a safe journey. This city will always welcome you back, no matter when."
The Hero, stupefied for a moment, then smiled gently.
That smile blossomed like the flowers of spring in the sunrise, filled with enchanting Charm, leaving the Guard momentarily speechless.
"Well then, I'm off. Goodbye, Mr. Guard."
With a slight bow to the Guard, the Hero pulled her luggage and took a step forward.
[How many days does it take to travel from the Hero's city to the countryside by transport?]
[How is the environment in the Hero's countryside? (Village -30, Minimum 10 for the old home where she used to play as a child)]
In the early morning, leaving the hometown she had lived in for fourteen years, the Hero headed to the station outside the city.
In her hand, she held the shabby Magic Wand of the Goblin Shaman, a simple stick that even a Mage Apprentice would look down upon, serving her as a traveling staff.
Aside from her personal clothes, she had no particular aversion to items touched by a Goblin.
After all, it would be too pitiful to throw something away simply because a Goblin had touched it.
Outside the city gates, the station wasn't far away, and she could already hear the bustling noise from there.
The village located in the countryside wasn't too far but wasn't very close either; taking a coach would require three days if all went smoothly.