On the wide wilderness road, the Chocobos were running hard.
The grasslands on either side appeared desolate and barren, the grass a withered yellow, and there was no warmth in the wind. Clearly, not every place has the bountiful environment of the Border Plateau, which can remain green even in winter.
First the Magic Cloud, then the meteors, the fright over these consecutive days caused the poor royal birds to lose their luster, and deep within, they yearned for the safety behind the city walls.
Thus, when the outline of the city walls faintly appeared on the horizon, the Chocobos instinctively quickened their pace without needing much prompting from the coachman.
The wheels spun rapidly, and even the enchanted shock absorbers couldn't completely eliminate the jolts from the dirt road.
These vibrations transmitted into the carriage, causing the interior decorations to sway slightly, much like the Hero's current state of mind.
She could feel the once accelerating speed of the carriage gradually slowing down, indicating they had entered a section of road closer to the city where the presence of other pedestrians meant they must not maintain full speed.
Yet after a short while, although the speed didn't decrease, the jolting stabilized.
The Hero knew this meant the wheels had transitioned from the untamed dirt road to the paved stone road on the outskirts of the city.
"Almost there," the Hero murmured to herself, her expression complex.
Her gaze fell beside her onto the heavy gemstone from the heavens, temporarily without apparent use, now quietly resting in the wind magic-infused box nearby.
Though the gemstone's mass was astonishing, as long as there was no direct contact, there would be no crushing weight, allowing the caravan to transport it smoothly.
A gift for her family...
She had thought as much, but the nature of this Earth Element gemstone was incompatible with the wind element of her family, much like herself.
"Father might not like it..." the Hero muttered softly in her heart, her brows slightly furrowed.
But perhaps Mother might? After all, she too came from the stars...
Thoughts and unease were entangled in her mind, as if there was a faint sneer in the corners, filled with contempt and disdain.
But eventually, all the chaos settled into calm, exhaled slowly with the girl's deep breath.
She looked up and gazed out at the city outline growing clearer outside the window, carrying slight anticipation and a touch of anxiety.
[The attitude of the Depraved Hero towards family]
The bird carriage stopped, and there were some noises of commotion outside.
The guards at the city gate, seeing the royal emblem and pass, couldn't help but feel tense and rushed.
Low whispers, the sound of hurried footsteps, and command exchanges weaved through the air, looking serious yet slightly awkward.
But inside the now closed carriage, neither the Hero nor the Fourteenth Princess moved.
The Fourteenth Princess quietly closed her eyes as if resting, her expression unchanged, only occasionally lifting her gaze towards the Hero with a hint of reassurance and concern.
Though being a member of the Royal Family, the Fourteenth Princess usually didn't adhere to formalities, her status in such circumstances dictated she wouldn't easily reveal herself to the public.
A mere Guard didn't have the right to behold the princess's face, and if entering the city required her personal appearance, the Attendants would have no reason for existence.
The wait didn't last long, the sound of wheels rolling steadily resumed, and the bird carriage set off again.
The Hero turned her head and gently pushed open a crack in the window, revealing a familiar yet slightly unfamiliar view.
She had walked this road towards the city gate countless times, to hunt Goblins outside the city, to wait at the gate for the return of a missing close friend, or simply to dream here of one day relying on her own strength to explore the world...
And now, she returned with an entirely different identity.
At this moment, many citizens gathered along the roadside, watching this bird carriage bearing the royal emblem, some with eyes filled with awe, some with curiosity, and the sound of whispered discussions continuously drifted by.
No matter the gaze, they were things she had never felt here before.
Many things seemed unchanged, yet many things appeared to have altered.
The Hero gently closed the window, isolating the hubbub from outside.
The carriage interior returned to tranquility, a slight ripple in the girl's heart still lightly resonated, ultimately settling into a faint smile at her lips.
[Will you return with the Fourteenth Princess?]
"It's just ahead," the Hero said softly.
As the bird carriage slowly moved along the stone road, she perceived the familiar residence drawing near, and her heart's anxiety deepened.
She leaned slightly forward, her sitting posture revealing a hint of discomfort, her small leather shoes unconsciously rubbing lightly against each other.
Their first stop was not the Heroic Family home, but the City Lord Mansion. Under the City Lord's arrangement, the group had settled in, the Attendants welcomed their long-awaited holiday, and the Fourteenth Princess decided to accompany the Hero home.
The entire caravan now only had two bird carriages left, to avoid drawing attention, the royal emblem on the carriage had been concealed.
"It's just an informal visit, there won't be any problems. Also, Hero, won't your accomplishments at the Border need a witness?"
Inside the carriage, the Fourteenth Princess broke the silence with a gentle laugh, her tone encouraging.
Facing her smile, the Hero ultimately didn't voice her words of persuasion to leave.
Her hands were placed on her knees, gently gripping the hem of her skirt.