They had already walked for days, exploring more of the world.

  Meliora was the most excited about the journey, her eyes always attentive to every detail of the landscape.

  Souta, in silence, thought:

  *Hmmm… I was forgetting. We still don’t have a group name.*

  Pikonota raised her hand in agreement.

  — Yes, names always help you stand out. When I was one of the Demon King’s celestial generals, just my name alone made enemies tremble.

  Souta and Meliora stopped walking at the same time.

  Pikonota stammered nervously.

  Thirga raised an eyebrow.

  — What is it? Why so serious? I know she’s a celestial general. It’s obvious. In this world there aren’t many dragonoids… especially with ice magic.

  Souta smiled theatrically.

  — How clever… trying to impress me, are you?

  Thirga hesitated, but turned on her heels and kept walking.

  Suddenly, Mel — the little bee familiar — took flight, trembling and sweating as always.

  — H-how about… *the Monarch’s Spoons*? — she suggested timidly.

  — Meliora could be the Spoon of Light… Pikonota, the Spoon of Ice… Thirga, the Spoon of the Forge… and you, sir… the Spoon of Shadow…

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  Souta nearly exploded in reproach, but stopped, thought, and sighed.

  — You’re lucky, Mel… “Spoon of Shadow” sounds really cool in English. So be it: **The Monarch’s Spoons.**

  Everyone agreed.

  Mel smiled, satisfied, though still shy.

  Suddenly, Souta stopped.

  — Strange.

  — What is it? — asked Meliora, curious.

  — This should be Termia’s territory, shouldn’t it?

  Meliora frowned.

  — That’s true… after you destroyed the royal capital, the villages and provinces dissolved. Some became new nations, others were taken by the three great powers.

  Thirga crouched, touching the ground.

  — This land was the stage of recent battles. The smell of blood still lingers in the air.

  Souta smiled theatrically.

  — Striking the enemy while they’re weak… hmm…

  Thirga spoke aloud, thoughtful:

  — I wonder what happened to the Ark of Serrooth… it was Termia’s greatest architectural project.

  Pikonota joined in, surprising everyone:

  — Serrooth is a kingdom now. Didn’t you know? During the territorial disputes, part of Termia’s people and nearby villages dragged the Ark into the water. They escaped the wars and proclaimed an independent kingdom: the **Floating Kingdom of Serrooth.**

  She lifted her chin proudly.

  — Today it’s a powerful tourist destination. Nobles from all over the world go there to vacation, enjoy themselves… and have romances.

  Everyone stared at her, astonished.

  After all, she did know a few things.

  — W-why are you all reacting like that?! — she burst out, blushing.

  Souta thought, amused:

  *A cruise the size of a kingdom… that sounds like something from a memorable isekai. Meliora would love to see it.*

  He raised the spoon.

  — Then let’s go to Serrooth.

  Everyone was left speechless.

  — What?! Are you serious?! — they replied in chorus.

  Pikonota, excited, stepped forward.

  — Finally! This will be fun!

  Souta cut her off coldly:

  — Not you, Pikonota.

  — Huh?! What do you mean?! I’m already part of the team! — she exploded, puffing her cheeks.

  Meliora realized the situation.

  *He wants to dismiss Pikonota so we can travel alone…*

  She gave Pikonota a discreet signal, who smiled foolishly, almost stammering as she understood.

  *Ah… I get it now.*

  — O-of course… then you have something for me to do, don’t you? — Pikonota disguised.

  Souta smiled mischievously.

  — I have plans for you.

  She tilted her head, intrigued.

  — What do you need, sir?

  He narrowed his eyes, his voice dripping with irony.

  — I want you to destroy three villages for me.