Chapter 33

After the drinking party, before I knew it, I ended up sleeping in the same tent as Miralca and Riko, but the guest tent was spacious, and the space was divided by curtains for men and women, so I didn’t have a particularly bad night’s sleep.

"No... I can’t just sleep. How much did that Miralca make me drink?"

Indeed, I can’t just sleep and wait for morning. I have to leave this village before the sky turns white.

Based on my calculations, Codi will repel the Velbekia army by dawn. When that news reaches the capital, what will the Vinsbrouct family do? There are several scenarios to consider.

One is to flee the capital before the plot is exposed.

Another is to assume it won’t be exposed and attempt to cover it up. Since we have captured Rague and his subordinates, it’s impossible to completely erase the evidence of their crimes, so that would be meaningless.

The last option is the method that those in power take when cornered: to make someone else take the blame and appear before the capital... or something else. Even thinking about it is repulsive, but if someone is trying to usurp the throne, the possibility that they won’t hesitate to use any means cannot be ruled out.

The alcohol hasn’t fully worn off, and my body is a bit unsteady. I place my hand on my stomach as if remembering something and start to detoxify the alcohol.

Tiger people’s alcohol has a unique flavor, but due to the brewing process, impurities can get in, making it easy to get a bad hangover. Some customers like its wild taste, so I’d like to have the tiger people’s homemade alcohol in the store.

"...Huh?"

The presence of Miralca and Riko, who were supposed to be sleeping on the other side of the curtain, is gone.

It’s a bit worrying for the "Cute Catastrophe" to be walking around outside at this hour. If she’s with Riko, she might have been guided somewhere.

I leave the tent and decide to search for Miralca and Riko to ensure their safety, tracing their magical energy.

Miralca’s magical energy is particularly distinctive, so it’s easy to follow the traces of where she’s been. It seems that Miralca and Riko have headed towards the forest at the edge of the village.

"This is..."

After entering the forest and walking for a while, a mist appeared from the front. The warm, humid feeling and the distinctive smell—what was this?

The white mist becomes thicker, and it’s still early morning, so it’s dark and the lights are sparse, making it hard to see ahead. Tracing the magical energy also becomes difficult, but I can’t turn back, so I keep moving forward.

—Then, a wall made of tall bamboo arranged in a row appeared in front of me. The white mist is overflowing from the gaps in the bamboo.

"...Are you over there? Hey, Miralca..."

As I call out and peek through the gaps in the bamboo, I finally realize the sound of splashing water and its meaning.

"Phew... I can’t calm down unless I take a bath. Thank you for showing me the way, Riko."

"I wanted to take a bath too, so I’m glad you came with me! I love the masked lady ♪"

"...Weren’t you attached to him?"

"The two masked people are my benefactors. They’re both very important to me. Everyone’s dislike of humans has improved a bit."

"It’s dangerous to trust so easily. We are exceptional."

—Why is Miralca taking a bath with her mask on?

Anyway, what caught my eye was a bath made of rocks—a hot spring, to be precise—where Riko is washing Miralca’s back.

The steam hides things perfectly, but it flows—after a while, I start to see things I shouldn’t, and my head starts to heat up.

(Back when we were on a quest, we used to bathe together in a group of three... This isn’t peeping. I just noticed the smell of the hot spring a bit late.)

Despite making a sound, Riko, who has good hearing, didn’t notice—my luck is terrifying when it’s on my side at a time like this.

"...Hey, do you really want to marry him?"

"Meow... Yeah. The masked man is wonderful. He’s very strong and kind."

Miralca, hearing such an opinion, wouldn’t easily agree.

That’s what I thought, but...

"Hehe... He thinks no one notices. He’s quick-witted, and his face isn’t that bad. It’s hard to find someone better than him, so I can understand Riko’s feelings."

My heart—no, my heart—felt like it was being grabbed.

No, even if I heard Miralca’s honest thoughts, I have to pretend I don’t know, and I know it’s dishonest, but...

"I want to know more about him. Will you come back to the village again?"

"Yes, I’ll visit. I might bring my companions next time, is that okay?"

"Friends of the masked man are welcome! I’m really looking forward to it ♪"

"We’re also happy to have a place to visit on our days off. There are many rare animals around here... and, your tail..."

"Hehe, it’s ticklish. I let you touch my tail before him. Being touched by a woman is a sign of friendship."

"Is that so? Then, this means I’ve become friends with Riko."

Miralca touches the fluffy tip of Riko’s tail. In gratitude, Riko starts to wash Miralca’s body more carefully.

I leave the bamboo screen and head back to the tent. There was nothing to worry about, and if I had been caught, the consequences would have been more than just scary.

"...The masked man was behind the screen. Riko, did he see us?"

"...Why didn’t you say anything? Where was he listening from... Depending on the situation, we might have to eliminate him..."

"It’s okay, he wasn’t that close. Human ears, unlike tiger people’s, can’t hear from this distance."

"That’s... good. If he heard, I’d have to think about my next move..."

"Will you marry the masked man together? You can be the first, and I’ll be the second ♪"

"...You’re so honest. Looking at you, I can’t even get angry."

The current Miralca is so much kinder than she was in her more prickly past.

While I sometimes thought that the old Miralca, who didn’t easily let people in, was cool in her own way, the current softer atmosphere is even more attractive.

However, the demon lord slaying party is not someone I should be thinking about in a romantic way.

Even if seeing Miralca makes me so flustered that I have to use 'Healing Light' on myself.

◆◇◆

Before dawn, we returned to the capital on a fire dragon.

Miralca had already gotten used to riding with me as a backrest and was enjoying the view from the sky—however.

"...Huh? Something is flying from the direction of the capital. That’s... Miralca’s..."

"Fairy Bird... I asked it to inform me if anything happened. Charlotte, what’s going on?"

The Fairy Bird lands on Miralca’s shoulder. It has a beautiful appearance that matches its overly cute name—its feathers are sapphire blue, with a gradient that becomes more pronounced towards the tips of its wings, delighting the eyes.

The Fairy Bird can blend into the surroundings and completely disappear. Miralca had sent it out for reconnaissance on her own, separate from my guild members.

The Fairy Bird chirps in Miralca’s ear. As a professor of Attack Magic Class I, Miralca’s research on animal languages is more famous than her achievements in magic.

"Dick, the former Duke Zebias is trying to pin his crimes on his subordinates... Kirsch and the others. If this continues, they will be executed."

There’s no anger, no emotion. My chest is just quietly calm.

I had considered this possibility. I could send guild members to rush there, but I’m already over the capital.

"...What about Jean?"

"He’s trying to escape from the capital. He’s breaking ties with his father... I’ll capture him. Please send the guild members to support me later. Once we catch him, we need to bring him to the appropriate place for judgment."

Miralca, who had taken off her mask while riding the fire dragon, puts it back on. Her eyes are filled with a burning, strong will.

I can trust Jean to her. I’ll send the guild members as instructed—then, what will I do?

Zebias Vinsbrouct. The man who, after passing the ducal seat to his son, has been working in the shadows to seize this country.

I will completely destroy his ambitions. The people of the capital must continue to enjoy their peace without knowing anything.

"...'The Forgotten Dick.' Let Zebias and the others regret not knowing about your existence."

"I’m fine being forgotten. What I’m about to do isn’t anything special."

I also put on my mask, following Miralca’s lead. Acting as the guild master myself goes against my principle of being a consultant... but.

Watching my companions from the demon lord slaying party, I remembered that I had traveled with them to defeat the demon lord.

Always staying in the background. But always making sure the party never lost.

At that time, I wasn’t just calmly watching my companions.

Codi, Miralca, Aileen, Yuma. I admired the flowers they each held and was excited by the battles. I was proud to be their companion and happy to be part of their party.

"Once everything is over, how will you reward us, Mr. Masked Butler?"

"Look forward to it. I’ll treat you to a full course meal at 'Silver Water Jug Inn,' my lady."

I give the fire dragon a secret command and descend sharply towards the northwest of the capital—the Vinsbrouct mansion is already in sight.