The following morning, Jeanne and her companion bid a quiet farewell to the old couple. The grandmother and grandfather stood by the doorway, their eyes tracking the departing figures for a very long time, refusing to step back inside until the travelers had completely vanished over the snowy ridge.
An ache of separation lingered in their hearts, yet they understood perfectly well that their girls were destined for monumental tasks. Even if they couldn't offer any physical assistance, the least they could do was stay out of the way and ensure the young women could focus entirely on the trials ahead.
Only after the surroundings had fallen completely silent did the grandfather let out a long sigh. He turned back over the threshold to begin sorting through the small timber cottage; having only arrived the previous afternoon, they still had an endless list of household chores to manage.
Beyond the outskirts of the settlement, the group of Shieldguards that chose to stay behind, gathered to offer their own farewells. In truth, many families within the valley had wished to accompany the trio down the path, but a massive gathering would have drawn unnecessary attention. Ultimately, only the heavy armored guards escorted them through the final stretch of pine trees.
"The same applies to your unit," Jeanne instructed, pausing to face the giant warriors. "If the valley encounters any sudden hardships or faces a shortage of winter grain, you must contact our branch immediately. Do not simply grit your teeth and endure it out of stubborn pride. I can easily fly back to resolve any crisis!"
She voiced the concern because she knew the nature of these soldiers all too well. Patriot had previously warned her that his men possessed a fierce, unyielding pride; it was entirely within their character to keep silent and starve rather than risk becoming a distraction to the main force.
"We understand your words. We shall do so," one of the Shieldguards replied, offering a thoroughly unconvincing assurance.
Jeanne instantly caught the hesitation in his tone, highly suspecting they were merely placating her and harbored entirely different intentions in their hearts.
She made a silent vow to fly back and inspect the valley whenever she found a spare moment. Now that she had a genuine reason to visit family, these stubborn giants couldn't exactly bar her from entering the territory.
"Then we shall take our leave. The security of this primary sanctuary rests entirely on your shoulders. May fortune favor your vigil!" With those final words, the group prepared to depart, offering a warm wave to the defenders.
"A moment longer, Miss Jeanne," a Shieldguard called out hurriedly. "We understand the two elderly folk who moved into your old cottage are your immediate kin. Is there any particular matter we should look after on their behalf?"
The unit had been eager to ask this question. Given the elderly couple's profound connection to the movement's founders, the guards naturally intended to keep a protective eye on the household. However, they wanted to ensure they didn't overstep or overlook any specific physical limitations.
"There is no need for any extraordinary measures," Jeanne replied after a moment of reflection, gently declining the special treatment. "Their health is remarkably sturdy for their age. Simply treat them as you would any other seniors in the valley. If you accord them special status, they will only feel uncomfortable and out of place."
"Understood... We shall follow your guidance then! May the road rise to meet you!" The Shieldguard nodded in affirmation, offering a final, respectful salute.
With a collective nod, Jeanne and her companions boarded the massive wyvern, ascending swiftly into the winter sky. The great beast charted a course toward the distant horizon where the moving city lay anchored, eventually shrinking into an inconspicuous dark speck against the clouds.
The guards watched until the sky swallowed the tiny dot entirely before turning back toward the valley lanes to begin their routine inspection. Their immediate task involved cataloging the community's remaining resources and establishing a clear set of local guidelines.
In their hearts, they silently prayed for the main force's success. Compared to the quiet farming life ahead of the elders, the main force was marching toward a brutal struggle, facing countless invisible trials and political traps.
They could only hope the vanguard would weather the storm. Even as a rear-guard unit dedicated to rescuing infected souls within the wilderness, they deeply desired for the next dispatch from the south to carry tidings of total victory.
"I half expected your circle to linger for a few more days," FrostNova remarked, her expression laced with genuine surprise as the four travelers stepped into the command deck. "Are you certain you didn't wish to spend more time with your family? Our schedule could have easily accommodated a brief delay."
She had already drawn up a meticulous training schedule to discipline the rowdy scouts from yesterday, fully prepared to grant the trio a few days of domestic peace.
"There is no need," Talulah replied firmly, a rare, vibrant spark lighting up her eyes as she looked out over the sprawling iron bulk of the moving city. "We have finalized our timeline, and altering it for personal comfort would sets a poor precedent. Summon the captains; it is time to move out!"
Suddenly, the Draco felt a profound wave of optimism washing over her, her heart swelling with renewed hope for the arduous road ahead.
Seeing the unyielding resolve in Talulah's bearing, FrostNova offered no further arguments. She immediately sent out a broadcast, ordering all remaining scouting parties stationed outside the iron gates to return to their sectors post-haste. The hour of departure had arrived.
Jeanne and the others stood quietly by the viewport. Cradling Fafnir in her arms, Jeanne watched the frantic, orderly hustle of the workers below, her mind suddenly plagued by a nagging sensation. Had she overlooked something important? Was there a lingering task left unfinished?
It seemed that whenever a grand march was about to commence, a phantom anxiety would creep into her thoughts, whispering that some crucial detail had slipped her mind. Yet, even her inner spiritual insights offered no warnings. She eventually dismissed it as simple pre-travel jitters.
"All sectors, secure your stations! The city engines are initiating start-up procedures!"
Talulah's voice resonated through the public address systems, prompting a fresh surge of activity across the districts. Within a remarkably short window, the massive iron bulk groaned as the heavy gears engaged.
Jeanne stood by Talulah's side as the leader delivered a rousing address to stir the spirits of the populace. Privately, the young saint couldn't help but wonder where the Draco had mastered the art of such stirring rhetoric; it sounded incredibly formal and grand.
Fortunately, Talulah lacked the tedious habit of standard imperial politicians who would ramble for hours without reaching a point. Had she droned on, Jeanne might have succumbed to a deep slumber right there on the platform, which would have been terribly embarrassing for the leader.
The citizens and soldiers gathered in the plazas were practical folk who harbored little patience for hollow pleasantries, but given the momentous nature of the day, everyone listened with intense focus, recognizing the historical gravity of the occasion.
Once the address concluded, the massive moving city—a grand prize wrestled from the clutches of their oppressors—shuddered to life. Flanked by the protective bulk of their primary landship, the great iron behemoth began its slow, thunderous advance toward the southern horizon.
The immense rumble of the engines naturally reverberated across the neighboring valleys, reaching the ears of the settlers who had just settled into their new homes. The elders rushed to their porches, staring in absolute awe at the sight of the twin iron giants charting a path through the deep drifts.
"My word, those children truly are remarkable," the village headman muttered, marveling at the spectacle. "Look at that... they command two separate iron mountains! What is that sleek vessel trailing the main city? It doesn't look like any standard mobile district I've ever seen."
None of the farmers could identify a dedicated landship; they merely deduced the nature of the moving city based on its sheer, towering scale. After all, how many decades had passed since high-technology of this caliber had crossed these forgotten northern wastes?
"Phew... we are finally underway."
Inside the central operations cabin, Talulah let out a long, weary breath as she watched the frost-laden ridges slowly slide past the window. Though she had maintained a flawless, confident facade throughout the morning, she had been secretly terrified all day.
This march marked their formal departure from the familiar snowfields, entering uncharted territories to the south. She possessed zero experience regarding the political factions or defensive military units they might encounter along the border, and a nagging fear whispered that they might be crushed and driven back into the wilderness before their campaign even began.
If such a disaster occurred, rallying the movement for a second advance would become an almost daunting feat.
"Relax a little," Jeanne teased, resting against a heavy oak table with a playful smile. "If you are this wound up while we are still within familiar borders, whatever will you do once we cross the frontier? I fret that you'll become so consumed by anxiety that you'll refuse to sleep entirely."
"I would never display such frailty!" Talulah countered immediately, puffing out her chest. Then, her gaze locked onto Jeanne's relaxed posture, and a slow, thoroughly mischievous smile crept across her features. "Though, now that I think about it... you seem remarkably free today, Jeanne."
"I suppose I am. There are no sudden crises to manage, why do you ask?" Jeanne replied innocently, shifting Fafnir in her lap. The young dragon girl was currently content, munching on a fresh apple. Where on earth did the youngster keep finding these crisp fruits? Her pockets seemed to possess an endless supply.
"Since you have an abundance of leisure time..." Talulah's eyes narrowed into a sly squint, her entire expression radiating an intent to cause immediate mischief. A faint shiver of apprehension raced down Jeanne's spine.
"It is high time you master advanced mathematics! Kashchey left behind a meticulous collection of advanced theorem exercises, and it would be a terrible sin to let such educational resources go to waste, wouldn't you agree?"
The hidden blade was finally revealed. Talulah triumphantly produced a stack of thick, dense exercise ledgers from beneath her console, her face alight with the joy of a person about to exact absolute vengeance for every headache Jeanne had caused her over the past year.
"Absolutely not!" Jeanne yelped, scrambling to her feet to beat a hasty retreat.
But Talulah's iron grip was entirely unyielding. With a swift, merciless motion, she caught the young saint by the collar and dragged her back to the desk, leaving poor Jeanne to stare down at the terrifying equations with an expression of pure, unadulterated despair.
Observing the ridiculous display between the two companions, Alina simply shook her head with a fond, resigned sigh. She scooped Fafnir up into her arms, wisely choosing to evacuate the immediate vicinity before the chaos spread.
"Alina! Don't abandon me! Save me!"
The tragic wail echoed piteously through the metal corridors of the command deck, leaving only a grinning dragon leader to supervise a thoroughly miserable, helpless young saint.