So Ligurit invited Ged to accompany her, saying that once they reached the Sky City, there might be a way to melt the iron ingot. Ged readily agreed, wagging his tail. However, this strange duo hadn't even traveled a full day before they were caught red-handed by Ellie, who had rushed to find them.
While chatting with Ged, Ligurit suddenly said, "We're almost there," which immediately drew Ellie's attention. However, when Ellie looked, all she saw was an endless expanse of yellow sand. There was no sign of any Sky City.
"This is far enough. Going further would be dangerous," Ligurit told Ellie. So, Ellie had Sticky Rice Cake descend.
"Although I originally just wanted to ask you, little Ellie, to take me this far, after learning about your background, even if you refuse me, I'll tie you up and bring you along," Ligurit declared as soon as she dismounted, indicating her intention to involve Ellie.
Of course! Ellie had already planned to follow Ligurit even if Ligurit refused her. Now it was even better; she didn't need to think of any excuses.
"When I first learned of your destination, Ligurit, my intention was: even if you didn't take me, I would follow you," Ellie replied.
"That's good. But, as I just said... absolutely do not engage the guards," Ligurit reminded Ellie once more.
"But, Ligurit, those guards wouldn't attack people for no reason, would they?" Ellie countered.
"No, they are quite reasonable. They shouldn't attack people without cause," Ligurit answered.
"Then that's fine, isn't it? I understand... I can't be a match for those guards. I'm not an idiot; I won't go looking for trouble. Besides, so much time has passed, and the Eight Greed Kings, the culprits, have already received their retribution. I won't transfer my resentment to the guards they left behind," Ellie said, raising her left hand and clenching her fist.
Of course! This was still an act. She just wanted Ligurit to know that while she claimed not to care, she still harbored some lingering feelings. This was also to establish her persona in front of Ligurit.
"That's good. When you meet them later, don't say you're a princess of the Magic Kingdom. After all, you two were enemies in the past, right? You must be careful about that," Ligurit continued to remind Ellie. It was clear that Ligurit was very cautious about meeting those guards. It seemed their strength was indeed formidable, otherwise Ligurit wouldn't be so careful.
"Understood. I generally don't mention my identity unless it's necessary when I'm outside," Ellie nodded in agreement, and the others following behind her also nodded.
"Also, you and this Dragon Maid should stay here and wait for us," Ligurit said, pointing at the Dragon Maid and Sticky Rice Cake.
"Eh? Why? I won't cause any trouble," the Dragon Maid asked, confused.
"Although those guards don't care about races in general, they particularly dislike dragons. So, to avoid provoking them, you'll have to stay here," Ligurit continued.
I see, that's why Ligurit called a halt here. She was afraid they would be attacked if they approached on Sticky Rice Cake. So, those guards dislike dragons? Ellie made a mental note of this information.
Finally, after bidding farewell to the Dragon Maid and Sticky Rice Cake, Ellie, Bell, and Ged continued onward with Ligurit, walking... This was Ellie's first time walking in a desert, both in this life and her previous one. The feeling of stepping on the soft, hot sand was quite subtle.
Although her physique was completely unaffected by the heat and dryness, Ellie could still feel that this heat was not something a normal human could endure for long. They hadn't walked far before Bell, even before Ged, couldn't take it anymore.
Although she didn't say anything herself, seeing her sweating profusely, dragging her feet, and swaying, Ellie knew something was wrong.
Even Ligurit herself occasionally wiped the sweat from her forehead, and every now and then she would stop, seemingly casting some cooling magic on herself.
In contrast, Ellie... was completely unfazed, not a single drop of sweat. At this moment, Ellie was very grateful for her exceptionally good physical capabilities.
"Don't you think it's a bit too hot?" After walking for a while longer, Ellie, still without a drop of sweat, casually asked the others.
Mainly, she saw Bell looking like she was about to collapse at any moment, and she genuinely felt a little sympathetic.
"This is the effect of the Sky City. The area around the Sky City will always be abnormally hot. The purpose is probably to deter people from approaching. Just hold on a little longer, we're almost there," Ligurit said with a forced smile.
"Is that so? Ligurit, if I use magic nearby, it won't displease those guards, will it?" Ellie asked. If using magic nearby could also incur the guards' hatred, she wouldn't take the lead.
"No, it won't. Haven't I been using magic to cool everyone down?" Ligurit replied. So, when she slowed down earlier and silently recited something, she was casting magic to lower the temperature for everyone?
If that's the case, wouldn't people without magic protection who approached the area be directly evaporated? The Eight Greed Kings were truly restless; even after death, they made their city like this.
"If that's the case... Ice Barrier! Activate!!" Ellie directly activated her Level One Ice Aura. Although normally using this would make people feel cold, the surrounding heat would perfectly neutralize it.
"Ugh... I'm... I'm alive! Princess Elizabeth is still... still the best, so cool... Ugh..." Bell, as if injected with a stimulant, directly pounced and grabbed Ellie's arm.
"Get away from me! Don't rub your sweat all over me! You're so dirty!" Ellie tried to push Bell away with great distaste.
"Heh! Little Ellie, I've been wanting to ask you this. What's with your left hand?" Ligurit asked, looking at the white gauntlet on Ellie's left hand.
"This? This is my equipment. My father gave it to me for protection when I was little," Ellie said.
Of course, Ellie didn't intentionally let Ligurit see her Champion Armor; she was forced to do so.
The moment she saw Ligurit, Ellie instinctively equipped the Champion Armor on her left hand.
Of course, it wasn't for fighting Ligurit, but to hide the magic ring on her left finger. The original owner of that item was Ligurit, after all, and letting her see it on her hand would be very difficult to explain.
She couldn't just say the Warrior Captain gave it to her, could she? Climb and Brian were both there when the Warrior Captain heroically sacrificed himself! She couldn't just make something up, so she had no choice but to resort to this.
"Oh! Is that so? Can I see it?" Ligurit naturally asked to see it, which was within Ellie's expectations.
"This item cannot be taken off directly. Is it okay to look at it like this?" Ellie extended her hand towards Ligurit, replying.
She wasn't lying. Ever since she received the Champion Armor from Ainz, she didn't know how to unequip it. Although it could be summoned at will, once equipped, there was no way to remove it other than silently wishing to unequip it in her mind, making the Champion Armor disappear directly.
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