"We're finally back!"
Gauss and the others stood before Grayrock Town's gate, far less imposing than Barry's, their voices carrying a faint, almost imperceptible note of relief.
After getting used to the towering walls of Barry, the Forest Capital, bristling with watchtowers and fortifications, the low wall before them, built of rough stones and barely two or three meters high, somehow felt warm and familiar.
Alya couldn't help raising a hand to measure its height in the air.
Gauss took a deep breath, too. The air was mixed with the scent of earth, cooking smoke, and a faint smell of livestock. It was the familiar scent of Grayrock Town.
Since arriving in this world, this was his first time traveling far from home.
Now, returning to familiar Grayrock Town, he was overcome with emotion.
After all, this was where his path as an adventurer had begun.
At the town gate, a young guard he didn't recognize was just about to step forward and tell them to get in line when an old, scruffy-bearded soldier beside him grabbed his arm.
The old soldier smiled broadly and bowed slightly.
"Lady Alya, Sir Gauss, and you as well, sir—welcome back. You must have had a tiring journey."
After nodding his thanks to the soldiers, Gauss led his Land Bird onto the familiar main road.
The town hadn't changed at all since they'd left.
The streets were wide enough for two carts to pass side by side. Simple goods lined the storefronts, while several women sat on little stools beneath their eaves, chatting as they scrubbed clothes in wooden tubs.
A farmer carrying baskets of fresh vegetables was haggling with the shopkeeper.
The ordinary, mundane bustle of town life washed over them.
"Still just the same as ever."
Theron looked around as well, taking