On the continent's western coast, within the Tyron Empire.
"It says, 'Made in Weinberg Territory—guaranteed quality and originality'...
So we probably haven't taken a wrong turn?"
A simple, moldy wooden signpost bore that promotional slogan, along with the words [Moonlight Castle], [Graystone Village], and a few others.
Geya and her junior, Su Wen, exchanged a glance, more or less confirming their route.
"I'll head to Moonstone Castle first, then. It shouldn't take too long. Shall I meet you at the tavern afterward?"
Su Wen's gaze lingered on Geya's profile the entire time.
He was thinking of a goddess from legend who had presided over "all beauty in the world."
She had unified aesthetic tastes and even shaped the very concept of "beauty"—
Could Geya have been the first "doll" the goddess had molded, making every part of her so perfect?
"Su Wen?"
Rather than look straight at him, Geya pretended to gaze expectantly at the distant black castle—
It wasn't that she looked down on her junior.
She welcomed other people's admiration, provided their gazes weren't vulgar or lewd.
She even preferred showing off her left profile, ideally with a few deliberately loosened strands of hair to make her look prettier.
Her second gentle call brought Su Wen back to his senses, and he nodded repeatedly.
"Oh, sure, Geya. I happen to be going to the tavern in Moonstone Village for 'duty rotation,' so that should take a while..."
Geya smiled and lightly patted her innocent junior on the shoulder.
"Of course I know you're going there for 'duty rotation.' You've already told me plenty of times on the way here—
Don't worry. I know you have work to do and aren't following me just to strike up a conversation.
Actually, thanks to your company along the way, I haven't