☀️ Arselia and Akonia

- What a wonderful story. This land reminds me of home. - Sonata was referring to her home in Larian, not Rheime, but half of those present were unfamiliar with either. - When Azarina recovers, we must definitely visit, preferably all together! I am particularly interested in the hot springs and gliders.

- Yes, that would be wonderful, - Aiyano nods, trying not to let the image of the abbot intrude on this pleasant thought. - And there's a very sweet girl who works with the gliders, and you would definitely become friends with her.

- Hmm... What if they are later used against us in war... - Gaheris, in turn, could hardly believe his ears. - To be honest, this is not at all what I expected... Not at all. Don't get me wrong, Miss Aiyano, I am infinitely happy that things turned out this way, but... Excuse me, bringing negativity after such a warm story is out of place.
- Exactly, - Kayasa nodded, - in my long life, there haven't been that many such moments, and I haven't met a real mermaid, let alone had picnics together! I'm also glad that things worked out so well for you. It's always nice when the expectation of the worst not only doesn't come true but also leads to something positive.

- You really like to wave flags, Bors-san... Are you talking about the town, or...? Believe me, I understand you more than you think - for me, it was also unexpected - and that's putting it mildly. If you want to know what I think, then... - she tilted her head to the side, spent a few seconds formulating her thought, and then said with the utmost seriousness. - I tend to feel that your... not very wise, but very noble impulse of the heart, which caused me, in addition to despair, also a feeling of gratitude, was not in vain and may have influenced such an outcome. I can't say for sure, but what I do know is that sometimes people need a certain push in the right direction to get out of the spiral of despair. And I will try to prove it to you. It just so happened that I, too, am tired of despairing. So... until this moment, I hadn't thought about it in this way, but I think your act, even if not in the way it was intended, still saved me, - she smiled and bowed to the venerable master thief. - Excellent words, Kayasa-kocho! I suggest that we, through joint therapeutic efforts, gradually bring Bors-san out of his state of skepticism. I will take care of the external factors, and you take care of the internal ones - and in six months, we won't recognize him. Then he will understand everything, because sometimes, even without bad intentions, he underestimates women. And you will have many more good moments, and I will definitely introduce you to this mermaid when we all visit there with Sonata and Azarina-chan. You will like her, I promise.

- So, that's the story, - the priestess concluded. - Everything turned out strangely, of course... Life is sometimes stranger than fiction, - with these words, she looked at the whole company - the invigorated master thief, his eternally young woman, and two aliens, one of whom was also a fallen monarch with furry ears.
- I'm very glad that we were able to find you here, Kayasa-kocho. And Bors-san - I think it goes without saying, but still - keep me informed if anything comes up regarding that matter. After all, you now know where to find me. And in everything else, the Kami-sama will help us.