As expected, their departure was set for the following day. When Allen told Noel that they now had a way into the empire, she naturally accepted it without hesitation. They would be using the carriage Noel and her group had arrived in. After some discussion, it had been agreed that Allen and his companion could ride along.
And so the next day arrived. Lisette had prepared provisions as promised, and Anriette was already waiting at the guild from the morning. After they met her there and loaded the food onto the carriage, preparations were complete. With Mylène holding the reins, the four of them set off toward the empire, gently rocking in the carriage.
A few hours into the journey, Anriette let out a sigh. “Hmm... How should I put this? This is more boring than I imagined. And we’ll be traveling like this at least until we reach the empire? What are we supposed to do with ourselves?”
Allen couldn’t help but agree. Noel likely felt the same. Since leaving the Frontier town, they had exchanged the occasional word, but the conversations never lasted long. Most of the time was spent in silence. It wasn’t as though the silence was awkward; it was simply that no one had anything to say. But thinking about it, that was natural.
Unlike when Allen had traveled with Riese and the others toward the empire, he had only just met this group. Expecting conversation to flow easily was unrealistic. Perhaps, if he thought of a topic that even strangers could talk about, things would be different. And just then, an idea struck him.
“Oh, that’s right. We never actually introduced ourselves, did we? It might be a bit late, but maybe we should?”
After all, they had joined up and immediately left town, skipping formal introductions altogether. Maybe that was why their conversations hadn’t gone anywhere, or so Allen thought.
“No, there’s no need,” Anriette said flatly.
“That’s right. It isn’t necessary,” Noel agreed.
“Indeed, unnecessary,” Mylène added.
Allen hadn’t expected all three to reject the idea outright. He was fairly sure they hadn’t spoken much along the way, so had he somehow offended them already? The journey had only just begun, yet the thought of the road ahead was weighing on him.
But it seemed he had misunderstood.
“Ah, you look like you’re taking it the wrong way, so I’ll explain. What I mean is that there really isn’t any need,” Anriette clarified.
“Exactly. There’s no need for introductions when we already know each other,” Noel agreed.
“That’s why it isn’t necessary,” Mylène added.
“Ah. I see. That makes sense.” Allen finally understood. Anriette was an imperial noble, while Noel and Mylène lived in the Elven Forest within the empire. Of course they would know each other, at least by name.
“Then again, the fact is, it’s not as though we’ve met before,” Anriette admitted.
“Yes, we’ve just heard of each other,” Noel said.
“If that’s the case, maybe introductions are needed after all?” Allen suggested.
“All I’ve got to say is my name and that I’m an adventurer in town. Unless you want me to go on about topics like what I like to eat?” Anriette said dryly.
“This isn’t a matchmaking session...” Allen muttered.
“Still, when I think about it, I don’t really have much to add either. My name and the fact that I’m the Elven Queen. That’s hardly new information,” Noel said casually.
“Maybe I need to give some more information about myself?” said Mylène.
“Not really,” Anriette interrupted. “You might not realize it, but you’re quite well-known as the Elven Queen’s bodyguard. And the fact that you’re not an elf but an Amazon... Well, of course that stands out.”
Allen blinked at that. Now that it had been pointed out, it was indeed odd. He hadn’t really questioned it before, but how exactly had Mylène, an Amazon, ended up as Noel’s personal guard? It seemed natural to him now, but the more he thought about it, the more unusual it was.
“Now that you mention it, it is a strange pairing. Would you mind telling me how that came about?”
From what Allen knew, elves weren’t especially insular, but he doubted they’d casually appoint a stranger to be the monarch’s bodyguard. And from Noel’s earlier stories, he couldn’t imagine many opportunities for her to have even met Mylène.
“It’s no big deal. It’s not like there’s some great story behind it,” Mylène replied.
“You call that not a big deal? If so, then most things in this world would stop being a big deal,” Anriette said. “Frankly, I’m more surprised Allen doesn’t already know this story.”
“Well, I was surprised too at the time,” Noel admitted. “One day, out of nowhere, this Amazon girl shows up and declares she wants to be my bodyguard.”
“It was a spark. I just knew I had to,” Mylène said simply.
Anriette snorted. “So basically, love at first sight. And here I thought you were exaggerating. But you were dead serious, weren’t you?”
“No exaggeration. Just the truth,” Mylène answered.
“Which only makes it worse,” Anriette muttered.
“Wow...that really happened?” Allen asked. No wonder the story was famous. It was no small matter. “But you actually accepted her? Wouldn’t it make more sense to suspect she was an assassin or something?”
“Normally, I wouldn’t have,” Noel admitted. “But at the time, things were complicated. I did need a guard, but there was no one else suited to the role.”
“Elves generally aren’t known for their combat prowess,” Anriette explained. “Which is why this became such a well-known story. It was never supposed to happen. You’re lucky.”
“Not luck. Fate,” Mylène said firmly.
“And why exactly are you so confident about that?” Noel asked, exasperated.
“From what I’ve heard, I thought I knew what to expect...but she’s even more outrageous than I imagined,” Anriette muttered.
“You’re going to make me blush,” Mylène said.
“I don’t think she meant it as praise,” Allen commented.
There were clearly details they weren’t sharing, likely matters of elven politics. Still, one thing was clear: This version of Mylène was bold, even free-spirited. The Mylène that Allen knew had been quiet and reserved, but even she had always acted with a certain freedom. Under the right circumstances, maybe she would have done the same.
“Did you say something?” Noel asked.
“No, just talking to myself. Funny how our introductions actually turned into a decent conversation.”
“Now that you mention it, yes,” Anriette said.
“Thanks to me,” Mylène added.
“Well, technically, yes,” Noel said, “though somehow I don’t feel good admitting it.”
Allen had only meant to cover the awkward silence, but in the end, it really had helped. The carriage ride felt lighter now, and the air among them felt more relaxed. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad topic after all.
With that thought, Allen let out a small sigh of relief.