After a few dozen minutes of smooth jolting, the Chocobos merrily ran out of the mountain path.
Then, the view suddenly became clear.
"We can see the town!"
The Hero and the Little Girl couldn't help but stick their heads out of the window, cheek to cheek, their eyes glowing as they gazed at the sight they had never seen before.
Looking down, the sunlight reflected shimmering waves off the vast lake, and beside it was a town with neatly organized buildings.
Despite still being a distance away, the Hero could already see smoke rising, boats, and figures moving on the lake.
Nature and civilization were marvelously intertwined, appearing so incredible.
"Sit tight, ladies, we're heading downhill!"
The coachman called out, and the two Chocobos lowered their bodies, shortened their strides, and smoothly but swiftly raced toward the town below.
"Are there lakes on the border too?" the Hero asked curiously.
"I haven't seen any! Because the lakes there are very dangerous!" the Little Girl loudly replied against the wind.
Their hair intermingled in the wind, accompanied by bell-like laughter, they headed to the Lake Town below.
"Then, our first stop will be the Church!"
After parting ways with the Guards at the town's entrance, the Hero and the Little Girl stepped into the bustling town.
"Just like I said before, if possible, I hope my reincarnated profession can destroy Goblins faster and better."
Unlike the unfamiliarity when they first met a few days ago, the two were now close friends who talked about everything.
The Hero also shared with the Little Girl the reasons and goals for becoming a Hero.
Sometimes, strong friendships don't need a long time to develop but can be built with just a small catalyst.
"Goblins, huh..." The Little Girl, who had been thinking silently while resting on the carriage, murmured softly.
[Little Girl's attitude towards Hero's goal (Friendship +40)]
90+ Go home and tell dad to kill Goblins!
[Did you talk about your parents?]
For the Princess of the Border, Goblins were not a danger to be underestimated, as the border had these kinds of Magic Creatures in abundance.
But on the other hand, like weeds in a field that needed to be dealt with to ensure good harvests, while the threat was significant, most people wouldn't feel too fixated on hating these weeds.
"Surely only those who've experienced it can understand that feeling."
Seen as weeds that had taken everything away, that unquenchable anger and hatred.
"I see, although I can't empathize, since it's your goal, I'll do my best to help!" the Little Girl nodded firmly.
"But why is the first stop the Church? Didn't Grandpa Hero say to be careful of them?" she asked curiously.
"It's the same as killing Goblins." Hoping to prove he wasn't thoughtless, the Hero began to carefully analyze.
"Start with the hardest to kill, the biggest one. Once the leader is taken out, the remaining Goblins are easy to handle."
"...If you put it that way, I think the Priests will get angry." The Little Girl gave a subtle evaluation.
"Ah, is that so, it does sound a bit rude.... So, do you know much about the Church?"
Failing to prove himself, the Hero scratched his head and had to ask the child, who was younger than himself, for help.
Although she had read the letter left by Grandpa, the structure of the Guild was vast and complex, not something that could be explained in a page or two.
"Of course, I'm here to help you, Sister Hero."
The Little Girl nodded.
She received a high-level education in the city, and her grades were among the top. At this moment, she was full of energy, exhibiting a maturity beyond her age.
"But, let's talk about it when we get there. It'll be easier to understand that way."
[The nature of the Church is——]
1. Belief in concepts (No idols, atheism, belief in Justice, truth, Light, etc.) ♛
2. Holy Spirit Sect (Offering patron Deities of humankind, including human Heroes)
4. polytheism (Various Deities with different ideologies) (Anchor)
5. Conceptual Belief (Belief in certain concepts like Initial Fire, Holy Light) (Anchor)
6. Unified Myth (Led by the Creator God alongside other Deities)
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
On the way to the Church, the two held hands and received a lot of attention.
It wasn't just because of the Hero's beautiful appearance, or the Little Girl's noble temperament, but more so because of the large black Big Snake following them.
In any case, in broad daylight, the Dark-light Glimmering Scale Snake couldn't make its form disappear.
Following the Little Girl's suggestion, the Hero simply let it follow them openly, which made passersby take notice.
It was indeed a town with the Six Major Guilds. Even with such a rare and dangerous Magic Creature roaming the streets, it didn't cause much panic, and no one came forward to stop it.
But thinking about it differently, maybe it was the creature's strength combined with the two's extraordinary aura that created a chemical reaction.
Men with bad intentions backed off due to the creature's strength, while the guards overseeing public order only spectated due to the owners' noble status.
And just as the coachman mentioned, this Lake Shore Town's prosperity was on par with big cities, with bustling streets full of new and interesting things in the morning.
So the two walked along, exploring and observing, almost unable to feel the passage of time. Soon, they reached the Church safely.