Volume 2 - CH 417

10-3. One month ago.

Maria returned to the Kingdom of Salletana after five days. She planned to bring Prince Kreis with her to report to the king. However, the prince started throwing a tantrum with all his might.

“No, nooo!! I want to stay with Reizen!!”

“Your Highness! I apologize, but this time you will have to follow the procedure!”

“Nooo!! Reizeeen!!”

“Have a safe trip~”

Maria and Shadow Eye gently escorted Kreis away. Reizen waved goodbye with a smile.

The morning after rescuing Prince Kreis…

When he woke up, he immediately burst into tears and hugged Reizen tightly.

Reizen quietly watched, thinking it was a normal reaction… but…

During these five days, Prince Kreis never left Reizen’s side.

Reizen didn’t mind it too much and treated him kindly. However, as a prince, it wasn’t advisable to be so attached to a single person. Maria and Shadow Eye tried to subtly warn him, but he didn’t listen.

He always behaved cool and dignified, asking and practicing how to be a king. There were times when Kreis obediently followed his instructions and acted like a prince. Although it was temporary.

“Reizen, you’re really popular, aren’t you?”

“Do you think so? Well, it’s true that various things happened.”

Roze said that while looking around Reizen.

Karna and Thekil were there too.

Even though they were once enemies, it seemed like they had become a little too friendly. But there was no hostility coming from them. They seemed to accept Reizen favorably.

Then, Houen and Uchikage got off the carriage.

Houen, who had become a full-fledged adult during these days, stretched his shoulders.

Uchikage carried the unconscious Ouren on his back.

“Phew… I’m glad my memories didn’t disappear again…”

“It’s good that Houen-dono, who understands the contents of the story the most, is safe. Well then, I’ll take Ouren-sama to the inn.”

“Seriously, how long is he going to sleep?”

“It must have been a high cost skill.”

“I’ll have to make sure not to let him use it indiscriminately in the future…”

Even after five days, Ouren continued to sleep.

Alena and Reizen tried to wake him up a few times, but there was no sign of him waking up at all.

It made them think he might have died, so they wanted him to wake up as soon as possible.

Alena was going along as a companion to carry Ouren. They all needed some rest after what happened this time.

Thinking that, Houen sighed when he saw the three new companions.

“Now then, what should we do…”

“I’m fine with anything.”

“I still find it unsettling that you have a childish demeanor despite talking like that.”

“How rude… And hey, what’s up with your growth rate? It’s beyond unsettling.”

“I’m immortal, you see.”

“That’s not fair…”

Well, it’s all about their nature.

But when he thinks that all the source of trouble was always stuck inside him from the beginning, it feels somewhat creepy.

Putting that aside.

As for what to do with these three, for now, he decided to have them stay at the same inn.

When he instructed them to follow Uchikage, Theik and Thekil walked together.

“Karna, aren’t you coming?”

“…I am, but…”

“Come on, you’re not an assassin anymore, take off the hood!”

Reizen lifted Karna’s hood and cupped her cheeks with both hands.

Karna was surprised but didn’t resist.

“You don’t need to keep that stoic expression.”

“…Okay.”

“There you go! That’s the spirit! Shall we go then?”

Her expression softened slightly.

It was a small change, but Reizen seemed to notice.

He seemed to be concerned about her in some way.

Although he didn’t talk much about Karna as a person, it didn’t seem like she had a pleasant past.

Houen felt that Reizen was determined to protect her since he insisted on bringing her into the group.

He never thought that Reizen would be someone who cares about a woman, but thanks to that, she seemed to be gradually fitting in here.

(They really suit each other…)

Seeing him effortlessly doing things that only handsome guys can do, Houen was slightly amazed.

It was all just innocent, without any intentions. It’s just an interesting story.

Karna, who was probably already becoming aware of it, looked a bit pitiful.

“Well, it’s fine. Roze, what about you?”

“I’m going to take Pacc and Ricc back with Yurie. I’m worried about Ricc too.”

“I see. If something progresses, I’ll contact you. Will you cooperate?”

“Of course! I already heard the story, after all! And it turns out that Ouren is a monster, huh…”

“Yurie had some suspicions.”

She was surprised that she suspected Ouren as a monster without hearing the story from anyone.

Does Yurie have some special ability to discern such things?

Let’s just say she truly lives up to her S-rank adventurer status.

“Oh, should we take Starhorse with us too?”

“Yes, that would honestly be helpful. With this massive body, it seems no stable will lend us their place.”

“I’ll bill you later for the food expenses.”

“So responsible…”

After Roze smiled charmingly, she and Yurie moved with the mounted dragon and battle horse.

The three animals seemed happy to be able to stay together for a while.

“Oh right, Reizen.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Come with me.”

“Huh? But I have to bring Karna along!”

“She’ll be fine… Are you being overprotective?”

“Well, I’m not refuting that. Sorry, Karna. I’ll be away for just a little while.”

“Understood. Well… I’ll go ahead then.”

After looking slightly lonely, Karna followed Theik and the others.

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

“So, then? Where are we going?”

“It’s already decided.”

Houen raised his index finger.

“We’re going to Irza’s place.”