115: You’re telling me the surprise reinforcements are you?
The wyvern sliced through the mist, appearing suddenly from the sky, dousing the hydra in fireballs.
Perched atop its back was Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier—Kyle’s father.
“Father!?”
Kyle and Zaid shouted in unison.
“So the marquis was a dragon knight…?”
“…Yes. Few know it, but he bears the mark of a dragon knight.”
Lord Bairoroad danced across the battlefield on his wyvern, striking and retreating.
The hydra split its focus between the sky and Raidock.
Of course, Raidock and the others wouldn’t miss such a chance.
“Gotcha! ‘Crimson Rising Dragon Blade Strike’!”
“Time to fall already! ‘White Heat Beam’!”
“How dare you target Master Kyle! ‘Spiral Cyclone’!”
Raidock and Eva were at the center, unleashing great techniques one after another.
A coordinated assault from the top-tier adventurers of Goldendoon.
Of course, the wyvern's fireballs were terrifying too.
And then, finally.
Gyu-gaa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!
Slowly, its massive body crumbled and fell.
The end of the giant eight-headed hydra.
Everyone stayed alert, but Camille slowly approached the hydra and muttered,
“Downed.”
After exchanging glances, they all raised their arms and erupted into cheers.
“Woooooo! We did it!”
“It’s our victory!”
“Damn it! Made us sweat!”
“Raidock, you daaaaamn it!”
Amidst the roaring joy, I sprinted full speed.
“Brother?!”
“Bring Maina!”
Craft! Don’t go alone!...Damn it! That idiot!
Raidock and Leifan follow close behind, but I keep walking, ignoring the two of them.
Maina!
I dive into the shelter where she was hiding.
“……!”
Maina curled into a ball, knees drawn to her chest, and flinched as she lifted her face.
Good. You're safe then.
I let out a sigh of relief.
I was freaking out, worried I’d get caught in Hydra’s massive water attack.
...Too late.
Sorry. But I did take down that scary hydra.
“Hnn!”
Maina lunged at me, wrapping her arms around me as tight as she could.
I slowly ran my hand over its head.
Good job, Maina.
...nn...nn!
Maina pushed her head into my stomach, rubbing it back and forth, then pulled out the rabbit doll she’d been holding.
...hmm
Ah.
I tied the rabbit doll to my waist, and Maina leaned into me, pressing her arms tighter against my chest.
She was rubbing my stomach gently, like she was soothing me after scaring me. Then, something odd brushed against my back.
“Hm… I see. So Craft’s got a thing for that sort of thing, huh?”
“Huh. Ohhh. So that’s how it is. Craft’s like that, huh?”
I twisted my head back, and Raidock smirked, eyes gleaming. Leifan just stared, face twisted in that awkward, unreadable way.
“Honestly, I was curious. Craft’s usually popular. So why’s he never had a girl before?”
“Wha—?!”
“Wait, what? Craft’s popular?!”
“…Huh?”
Raidock’s joke sent both Leifan and Maina snapping their heads up.
"Plenty of folks’ve been after him since adventuring days. Just… he was too broke to notice, so maybe he didn’t catch on."
"Wha—!? First I’ve heard of this! What’s that supposed to mean!? Why didn’t you tell me!?"
I blurted it out, and instantly Leifan and Maina’s eyes went icy.
"Hmm? You’re interested, huh?"
"Eh? Well, I mean… I guess…"
I wasn’t interested? Right.
But saying that now… something about it felt like it could cost me my life.
"No, I mean… I was a magicless mage, so I wasn’t exactly in a position to care, you know?"
Wait.
Why am I making excuses to both of them?
"Hmm? So idle time meant all the girls came running, huh? Interesting."
"No, that’s just Raidock making stuff up…"
"Since coming to Goldendown, there’ve been even more after him."
"Raidock!?"
What a betrayal!?
Wait, am I actually popular!? I didn’t even know that!
“Huh, oh really? So that’s how it is, Craft-kun?”
“……”
Why’s Leifan giving me that cold, half-lidded stare!?
Ah!
Maina’s stepping back too, slipping behind Leifan!
Is this my fault!?
“C’mon, Lady Maina. Let’s go back to Kyle-sama. Everyone’s waiting!”
“Mm.”
Leifan and Maina walk off hand in hand, returning to the group.
“…I don’t get it!”
“Fate, I guess.”
Raidock, shut up!
Still unsettled, I follow behind them.
◆
Back with the group, the air felt off—strange.
Adventurers and lizardmen were already dismantling the hydra, while Kyle’s private soldiers guarded one tent like a wall.
As I approached, a former adventurer among the soldiers called out.
“Lady Maina! We’re so relieved you’re safe!”
……n
Maina bowed deeply. The tension in my personal guards eased just a little.
……don’t slack off that much, now.
“Lord Craft, Lady Maina. You two are to enter the tent.”
“Me too?”
“Yes. As ordered by Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier.”
I glance at Leifan, but she just shrugs.
“Got it. Maina, let’s go.”
“Mm.”
As I enter the tent with Maina, Lord Bairoroad, Van, and Professor Jabir stand side by side, and Zaid lies prostrate before them.
Kyle kneels on one knee, but not quite as low as Zaid.
“Hey, Craft. You made it.”
Van waves me over with a casual gesture.
He’s the king, though. What’s the proper way to act around him!?
“Maina, Craft. Stand beside Kyle.”
“Y-yes!”
When I froze up, Lord Bairoroad—Orthros, my dad—gave the order. I dropped to one knee beside Kyle, just like I was told.
(Kyle! What the hell’s going on!?)
(That’s….)
Kyle looked confused. Whatever was happening, it was bad.
"Hmm. Craft’s here too. Orthros, I’ll ask you again—get the situation sorted."
"Yes! Kyle’s illness, which baffled even Javir and couldn’t be treated before, has been fully cured through the use of the elixir."
So that’s the explanation?
"Because Zaid was near death, he was treated with the king’s elixir. Afterward, a major shift in Zaid’s feelings toward Kyle was observed."
Orthros is acting like a king toward Van, but the man on the high seat is Lord Bairoroad. What the hell’s going on here?
But Van just nods at Orthros, not even batting an eye.
"Jabir. State your opinion."
"Wha— This is mere speculation, but I believe Zaid was cursed. As for Kyle, I can't go beyond mere speculation."
"Hmm..."
Even as the conversation continued, Zaid remained utterly still, bowing deeply. He felt like a completely different person.
"Jabir. If both Kyle and Zaid were cursed, who could have done it?"
Jabir closes his eyes, frowning deeply at Van's question.
Seems like he's struggling to say it.
"...I can't even say for sure."
"Go on. I'm listening."
"...I was Zaid's personal physician. I've examined Kyle countless times. There's only one person who could have slipped past my eyes."
Jabir opens his eyes, resolve hardening.
"Zaid's mother. Lady Bella."
Kyle and Orthros stare wide-eyed.
Wait, wait, wait! Of all people, it’s family?
Bella—wasn’t she the sharp-tongued aunt who pushed Kyle to take over the first Golden Dune village and then handed it to Zaid?
Ignoring my disbelief, Van nods sharply.
“Orthros! Return to Gandar immediately and seize Bella! Take Zaid with you—lock him up too!”
“Hai!”
“I’ll take the land route to Gandar. We’ll meet and talk there.”
“Can’t we go together? My wyvern could carry three, no problem…”
“Only if you’re bringing two women. I’m too heavy. Speed matters now. Go! Orthros!”
“…Hai!”
Orthros kneels once, gives his reply, then speaks to Zaid in a flat, emotionless voice.
“Zaid. Let’s go.”
“…Hai.”
Zaid didn’t resist. He followed Orthros without protest, and the two of them vanished high into the sky aboard the wyvern.
“Now, Kyle.”
“Hai.”
Van turned his gaze back to us.
“You’re to return to Golden Dune, handle the aftermath, then head straight for Gandar—the direct domain of Orthros. Don’t forget the core members. Who attends the meeting is decided on-site.”
“Hai!”
Seems like the next steps are being decided at Lord Bairoroad’s capital.
“For now, Zaid’s village falls under your command, Kyle.”
“Understood.”
“Now, Craft.”
“Hai!”
“Idiot. I’m just Van right now. No need to bow and scrape.”
No way, no way, no way!
They’re both treating Lord Bairoroad like royalty, and I’m supposed to act normal?!
“Hah! Just kidding! But once we step out of this tent, you’re acting like a proper adventurer.”
“Is that… a command?”
“Huh? A favor from a friend.”
“…Huh.”
Ugh. Whatever. Treat me like a regular adventurer already!
“By the way, Your Majesty, what are you planning to do next?”
“As king, I’m heading toward Gandar.”
“Understood. Then I’ll escort you to that point.”
“Huh? What’re you talking about?”
“Eh?”
Kyle’s dumb reply wasn’t exactly surprising. I don’t even know what I’m saying myself.
“As an adventurer, I’m touring Goldendown first! After that, I’ll be your escort to Gandar, alongside Lord Kyle.”
“Wha—!?”
I couldn’t help but blurt out a ridiculous sound.
That kind of attitude toward the king? That’s execution-level disrespect.
“Alright! Then show me your town!”
And so, the king’s secret, free-spirited inspection was set in motion.
...Van! If you're just some random adventurer, pay attention to what Raidock's saying!
I shout, half-crazed, and Van grins. Jabir shakes his head in exasperation.
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