Trees, vines, and boulders as far as the eyes see. The wind whispered and danced, soft rustles drifting in the air as they swayed the leaves and grass. The refreshing st of greens wafting through the forest.

  Each step they took, they asded through the ever so majestic mountains, twigs and pebbles rolling off the steep slopes, panting breaths pulsing regurly. A familiar figure then stopped her steps, bending over as she gasped for air.

  "Iris, you don't o force yourself. Let's take a rest, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Uuu... Sorry fing you down..." ［Iris］

  "Fufufu, don't be. We're here to have fun, remember? We rest whenever we want. The quest es sed." ［Yuna］

  "Okay... And thank you." ［Iris］

  Those figures were her than Grey, Yuna, and Iris who were on their way on their first quest which asked them to collect Ruruna herbs. And as luck would have it, they have to trek a mountain to reach the location of the herbs. It has been more than an hour since.

  And in that siderable span of time, surprisingly, even though she clearly cked the stamina, Iris mao hold on and climb the mountaihough it was quite the taxing task. Even then, will is not enough to pensate for her weakness.

  Right now, the young princess finally stopped, sitting atop a rge boulder to rest herself. Before long, Grey gave her a fresh and cold gss of water. A quick sip and she could feel her fatigue simply washing away.

  ??Dry?? ［Grey］

  Of course, they couldn't simply let the princess be drenched i. With a simple flick of his finger, Grey immediately dried Iris atire, a cool breeze enveloping her body. The young princess is fresh and tidy once again.

  "A-Ah! Thank you, Elder Brrey!" ［Iris］

  "Sure, but are you sure you're fine? I could cast a couple of recovery spells if you're hurting somewhere. Just say the word." ［Grey］

  "A-Ah, no. I'm fine, really. I just need a little bit of rest." ［Iris］

  It was good that Iris was fine, but at the rate they are going, it would take them quite a lot of time to reach their destination. It's good that Iris is having fun, but they'll really be going home te if they spend any more time l around.

  Thankfully, it wasn't like the problem was hopeless, rather, it was quite simple. With just a little bit of thinking, Grey easily thought of a simple solution. He had already do for Eliza before. Doing the same for Iris wouldn't hurt, though he's thinking of doing it a little differently.

  "Alright, let's get going." ［Grey］

  "Eh? Grey? Iris still o rest. Let's take it easy." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Sorry, that's not it... What I meant was..." ［Grey］

  Grey didn't even finish his sentence. He approached Iris, and without any warning, he suddenly held her by the bad the back of her knees, making her scream a short "kyaa!". Before they noticed it, Iris was already in Grey's arm. Princess carry style.

  "E-Elder Brrey?! W-What is this?!" ［Iris］

  "With this, you don't have to walk, right? We could head towards the location while I carry you. That way, you tio rest." ［Grey］

  "T-That's right! B-But! Why is it this way?! rincess carry?!" ［Iris］

  "Hm? Because you're a princess...? Are there any other reasons?" ［Grey］

  It was as simple as that. Though Grey wasirely wrong with his logic, they still couldn't help but be a little bit baffled about Grey's reasoning. Even Iris who reviously flustered was now speechless, a short sigh esg her mouth.

  Thankfully, through their persistent pleas, they mao vince Grey to ge his decision. Though he would still be carrying Iris, it would now be a piggyback ride rather than a princess carry. Quite the huge improvement.

  "Iris, just tell me if you feel unfortable, alright? You just o tug my jacket. And remember to hold tightly." ［Grey］

  "Y-Yes! I will make sure to do so!" ［Iris］

  "Alright. Then... Let's go!" ［Grey］

  There was o waste any more time. As soon as Iris got a tight hold of Iris, Grey and Yuna quickly sped up and zoomed through the mountain. Of course, they didn't go all out, otherwise, they might scare the princess. Just quiough.

  And even though she was a little scared at first, after a couple moments, Iris quickly calmed down, and her eyes started to sparkle. The experience of such a high-speed piggyback ride was a novel one for her. Excitement was blooming in her heart.

  When they were still in the capital, Iris had heard a number of stories from Eliza, and amongst them was her piggyback experieh Grey. She had always wondered how it felt, but now that she had experie for herself, she finally uood why Eliza loved it so much. She was happy.

  'Mmnghh...' ［Yuna］

  But a certain silver-haired elf felt a little flicted. She was happy for Iris, but even then, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous of Iris, pouting albeit subtly and cutely as she puffed her cheeks, watg the two from behind.

  Moreover, she khat it really doesn't mean anything to the two. She feels so guilty fetting jealous over such a petty reason, especially when she siders Iris one of her little sister figures. A fusion mix of emotions brewed in her heart, her eyes b a hole though Grey's head.

  「Yuna, don't pout so much. I'll spoil you all you want ter, alright?」 ［Grey］

  「E-Eh?! Who's pouting?!」 ［Yuna］

  And just when she was i of chaos, a gentle and familiar voice suddenly rang inside her head. She was so surprised, she ended up ag a little tsundere, denying her sulking. As whily made her look cuter.

  「Hahaha. I wonder who～.」 ［Grey］

  「Grey! You meanie! You're teasing me again!」 ［Yuna］

  「Hahaha. That's because my girlfriend is just so cute. But oh well, there's o act so prickly. You just say it if you don't want to be spoiled..」 ［Grey］

  「No, that! It's not like I don't want to be spoiled...」 ［Yuna］

  It was as easy as that. Yuna may be able to hold out against him in a battle, but when it es to teasing and the likes, Grey is usually the one who es out on top. Now, the young elf is soft and quiet, red blushing profusely.

  "Hm? Elder Sister Yuna, are you okay? You look quite feverish,.." ［Iris］

  "A-Ah, that's! It's probably because of the lighting! Un, the lighting!" ［Yuna］

  "Really? Are you sure you're fine?" ［Iris］

  "Un! Really! So you don't really have to worry about me. Let's just look forward to our quest, okay? I'm sure there're beautiful sights at the top!" ［Yuna］

  It was a close call, but Yuna mao dodge the topic with shifty eyes and flushed cheeks, Grey chug to himself. And so, they tiheir trek, leaping from boulder to boulder and running easily through the steep slopes.

  The distance which took them more than an hour to travel was easily bridged within just a couple of minutes, wonderful sights and the fresh forest breeze greeting them as they headed higher, the soft chirping of small critters drifting in the air.

  Before long, they finally arrived at their destination, a field of white flreeting them extravagantly, blooming by the mountain side and uhe opy. The bright and abundant sunlight atuated their magnifit bloom, dandelions drifting slowly as they were carried by the wind.

  "Ah! Look! Elder Sister Yuna, Elder Brrey, what kind of birds are those? They look so beautiful!" ［Iris］

  "Oh my. Aren't those Peachbirds? What do you think, Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "Hmm... Yeah, they are. They're Erdean Peachbirds. And... They seem a little smaller than the ones in Haltea Great Forest, don't they?" ［Grey］

  Well, there weren't just flowers and a bountiful fauna, there were also small birds and critters to be found all over the pce. So much so that rather than being amazed by the flowers, their attention was quickly taken by the small birds flying about.

  Soon enough, Grey let down Iris and she then slowly strolled towards the field of flowers, croug as they watched them bloom up close. A gentle smile was afloat on her face as she satisfied her curiosity like a little child.

  "Elder Sister Yuna, Elder Brrey, are these the ones we o collect? The... Umm... Ruruna herbs, am I correct?" ［Iris］

  "Close, but not quite. These are just normal lilies, you see." ［Yuna］

  "Fweeh?! These aren't ruruna herbs?! But they look so simir!" ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! In that case, you just o look at the leaves. Unlike lilies, ruruna herbs have three-pronged leaves. You just o look closely." ［Yuna］

  And as one would expect from our herds and alchemy maniac, Yuna quickly started teag Iris about herbs, telliips and tricks to easily spot the ruruna herbs from a patch of lilies. It was as easy as owo, three.

  Meanwhile, Grey looked around to see if there were any dangers nearby, and luckily, there weren't any monsters in the nearby viity. If there was anything hy, it would be the adventurers a couple hundred meters away also doing colle quests. The mountains were a hotspot for them.

  "A-Ah! Elder Sister Yuna! I-I think I found one!" ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! Good for you. Now, only 19 left and the quest is plete." ［Yuna］

  "Yes! I'll do my best." ［Iris］

  Before they k, Yuna and Iris were already off to start their gathering quest. Iris gathered the ones she could identify after a careful iion, and Yuna picked them left and right with lightning speed hands, identifying them in an instant.

  Of course, as one already expected, the quest didn't just stop when they reached the quota. Yuna simply kept quiet and tinued colleg all herbs she could see, not just ruruna herbs. Her hoarder side has shown herself once again.

  "Yuna, I know you love herbs, but make sure you don't take too much. They're going to get wiped out at that rate." ［Grey］

  "I-I'm not going to overcollect! You trust me!" ［Yuna］

  "Really?" ［Grey］

  "Really!... Probably..." ［Yuna］

  It wasn't reassuring at all. Both of them knew full well just how much of a menace Yuna bees once she gets into the mood for colleg resources. Not a single herb, fruit, animal, or monster would be safe once she rampages.

  Even the person herself is terrified of what she do, knowing she clear aire forest if she ever wao. It has happened before after all. The memory of Grey scolding her is still fresh in her mind.

  "Haah... Alright, I'll leave it up to you. But just remember this... If you ever go overboard, I'll cut yar allowan half." ［Grey］

  "Grey! That's too cruel! Half is too much!" ［Yuna］

  "Well, you know what they say, drastis need drastic measures." ［Grey］

  Grey wouldn't budge oopic. Though he knows how much Yuna treasures her monthly allowance of sugar, he had no other choice but to use that very weakness. Otherwise, only God know how far she'll go once she goes ham,

  After all, if Yuna suddenly goes all out and wipes the whole mountain of resources, it would trouble everyone in Erdea and things might get out of hand. It was something he wao avoid at all costs. A drastic measure indeed for the now crestfallen elf.

  "Don't be too sad now. To make up for it, I'll give you all the herbs I'll colled find you some rare ones with my appraisal." ［Grey］

  "Really...? No takesy-backsies, okay? Promise me!" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, yeah, I promise. So you cheer up now." ［Grey］

  "Yaay～! You're really the best, Grey!" ［Yuna］

  Thankfully, cheering Yuna up was as easy as taking dy from a baby. All Grey o do was give her a simple promise and now, she is up on cloud nine, a bright smile on her face as she hummed to herself.

  'This makes it thirteen. Just seven more! Seven more!' ［Iris］

  And all the while their flirting unfolded, Iris overheard everything, her cheeks a little red from embarrassment. She simply pretended not to notice, gathering ruruna herbs as she melted into the air. She is one now with the forest.

  The gathering tinued and more herbs were picked. Though it was strange seeing a princess croug by the grass to pie herbs, the person herself had a lot of fun experieng hings even when her hands got dirty. She was smiling so merrily.

  Fun whily increased when Grey and Yuhe familiars join in on the fun. They soon helped around and picked herbs which caught their eyes. Before long, a mountain of rare and preaterials appeared before them.

  "Ah! Elder Brrey! I found the same flower from the gardeher day! Should I collect it?" ［Iris］

  "Wait a minute. Don't touch it recklessly and wait for me." ［Grey］

  "O-Okay! I won't move a muscle!" ［Iris］

  Of course, evehey're having a lot of fun, they still prioritized their safety. Iris didn't simply piy herb she saw. She first tells the others and asks them for help. She was a smart and well-behaved child one just couldn't help but be proud of.

  The colleg tinued, and soon enough, they gathered quite the hefty amount. Heck, the familiars even mao defeat a bunch of ogres from god-knows-where and brought their drops back. They feed on corruption, after all.

  Of course, Grey also kept his promise to Yuna and gave her the rarest, most valuable herbs he could find in the viity. It was a ton of magits whily served to make the tter beam a bright smile. Sht, it was blinding.

  "With this, our quest is done. Good job, everyone." ［Grey］

  "Ehh～? 't we colleore? I want to collect more!" ［Vega］

  "Master, I found some kobolds a few kilometers away! Let's hunt them!" ［opus］

  "Fufufu! Now, now, everyone, let's not be too rowdy, shall we?" ［Yuna］

  Everyone had differeions the moment they heard Grey's words. Some were happy, some were disappointed, and some were straight up enthusiastic. It was like having a whole ten children at once.

  But perhaps the most unique reaong them was Iris'. She was now trembling ever so subtly, tugging on the end of her skirt as she bit her lips. She was deathly silent, eyes showing swirls which clearly meant panic.

  "Is something wrong, Iris? You're shaking..." ［Yuna］

  "It's... Uhh... Umm... T... T..." ［Iris］

  "T...?" ［Yuna］

  "... Toilet... Please..." ［Iris］

  "Ah..." ［Yuna］

  All eyes were on her, and her cheeks were flushed red. As embarrassment brewed within, the princess couldn't really care less as only one urgent thing was on her mind. She couldn't hold bay loears f on the er of her eyes.

  High-Rankers could trol their bodies so well that they could simply do such whe's ve without feeling disfort. They had totally fotten that normal people oilet breaks iween. It totally slipped their mind.

  Of course, Grey didn't waste any more time and opened up the "Sanctuary". The moment he did, the princess quickly hurried inside, Yuna apanying her if she ever needed fort. It was embarrassing, after all. Especially for a princess.

  "Everyone, you remind us ime to sider bathroom breaks? I feel like it might slip our minds again." ［Grey］

  "As you wish, Master." ［Sirius］

  "You t on us, Master!" ［Pro］

  Their silly versation aside, Yuna and Iris soourned from their little break. The young princess' face is nht red from embarrassment. Thankfully, everyone was there to cheer her up and things quickly returo normal.

  And so that such things won't repeat again, they decided to take breaks every two hours for Iris' sake. And though she was a little shy, she wasirely against the idea. It was for her own good, after all.

  "Alright Iris, hop i's go to our destination." ［Grey］

  "Yes! I'll be in your care once again." ［Iris］

  Shortly after, it was time to depart once again. They quickly zoomed throughout the pce, the familiars following them from behind. And sihey were still in their wolf dub form, they looked so cute dashing at extreme speed with their little legs.

  Fortunately, the quest location wasn't too far away from the first one, and only took them to reach it. With Grey and Yuna's speed, a couple minutes was more than enough. They quickly arrived at their destination.

  Just like the previous ohe current location was also a wonderful present from mother nature. Though the sight varied quite well, with less open areas and more trees, it was still beautiful over all, calm shades shielding them from the sun's rays.

  "Amazing... There are so many fruit trees... Are these all edible?" ［Iris］

  "I think so tooー Ah! Iris, you like apples, right? I think I spotted some over there. I'll go get them for you." ［Yuna］

  "Ah, you don't have to, Elder Sister Yuna." ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! It's fine～. I also wao taste some anyway." ［Yuna］

  There was no stopping her. As soon as they arrived, Yuna quickly skipped some high jumps like aed rabbit and hopped over to where the apple trees were. With a little bit of ice magic, she cut off the fruits, making them fall towards the ground.

  However, with reflexes as fast as hers, the apples didn't even have time to reach the ground. With hands as fast as lightning, Yuna easily caught them oer another, returning back with a handful of apples with her.

  "Here, Iris, have one." ［Yuna］

  "A-Ah, thank youー Waah! It's cold!" ［Iris］

  Of course, she didn't just give them to Iris as is. Other than ing them up quickly with magic, she also chilled them so that they bee cool. After all, nothis a cold, sweet treat. It's simply the best refreshment there is.

  "You too, Grey, everyone." ［Yuna］

  "Thank you, Mistress." ［Aar］

  "Oh, these are quite sweet." ［Grey］

  Just like before, they had yet another unpnned break, enjoying the cool and sweet apples uhe shade of the light opy, the fresh air embrag them gently. The pead quiet of the mountains were a sight to behold.

  Well, they didn't simply just ze around. After eating their apples, they quickly went around and searched for blue orchids, their current quest item. They are flowers which grow on branches high up irees.

  And since Iris wouldn't be able to reach it, Grey decided by himself to shoulder carry Iris so that she could reach them. And for super high pces, he could simply use a little bit of wind magid use it to fly. It wasn't too difficult for him.

  "Amazing! We're really flying!" ［Iris］

  "Hahaha. We are, we are, but be careful. You'll fall over if you're too eic. That would really hurt, you know?" ［Grey］

  "A-Ah, yes! I'll keep that in mind!" ［Iris］

  Iris is a well-behaved child, but there was still the o remind her. With how uncharacteristically eic she is right now, she really might fall over. Well, Grey could simply catch her if something of the sort were to happen.

  Meanwhile, Yuna and the familiars were also on their own, colleg any herb and pnt they could. Yuna was simply moving about at breakneck speeds, while the familiars grew small, fppy wings. Now, they're winged wolf pups!

  "Then, Iris, where should we go ?" ［Grey］

  "How about that tree, Elder Brrey? I see a lot of orchids there." ［Iris］

  "Alright. Let's go to that tree then." ［Grey］

  Iris requested and Grey followed. At the dire Iris ointing at, soon starting their colle with Iris trying her best. Hardw efforts which are truly reflected in the warm eyes of a certain silver-haired elf.

  'Fufufu! How adorable...' ［Yuna］

  She was still a little jealous, but seeing them act so friendly, such jealousy was easily buried by warmth and happiness. She could only giggle to herself as she observed the spectacle from a distance away, a bright smile painted on her face.

  'I wonder... Would Grey also be like that to our children...' ［Yuna］

  Such thoughts entered her mind as she tio watch them. Seeing Grey act like such, she could only imagine what their future would be like, thinking of their future kids riding the shoulders of their father. She couldn't help but be happy.

  Happiness which was soon repced with embarrassment the moment she realized just what kind of things she was thinking of. Her face quickly burned up, a red color eyeing her face all the way to her ears as her heart thumped madly.

  'Uuu... It's still too early for that...' ［Yuna］

  It was super effective, and she even did it to herself. Now, her face is pletely beet red and feverish, croug on the ground from embarrassment, wanting to simply dig a hole and hide away. She got too excited once again.

  "M-M-Mistress, are you alright?! Y-Your e-ears look red!" ［Capel］

  "Emergency! Call the Master!" ［Pro］

  "Master! Mistress feels feverish!" ［Kentaurus］

  "E-Everyone, please stop!" ［Yuna］

  Well, not as excited as the familiars, that is...

  CHAPTER 270 END