Chapter 81

"Stop it, please!!"

While searching for Iris and Raser, I witnessed a group of people forcibly dragging a woman by the arm in a corner of the venue. She seemed very delicate, but I couldn't see her face. It wasn't just because she was beautiful, but my sense of justice was ignited. Time for some righteous punishment!!

I caught up with them just as they were about to take her outside.

"Wait a moment."

The group turned to look at me.

There were three of them, all wearing expensive accessories and shiny golden masks. Seriously, they should take a lesson from me in my bear mask... Hey, can we swap?

"Huh? What's your problem? You've got a really deep voice."

"This is because of the magic stone. Let go of that woman. She's clearly unwilling."

"What? Who the hell are you? Back off. You'll regret it when you find out who we are."

"Does your family background make you stronger?"

"Of course. Power is strength. Want to test it?"

The man who was dragging the woman came up to me.

"Are you trying to challenge me here? Let's say you could beat all three of us. So what?"

Huh? What are you asking? I don't understand.

"Well, if you're going to assault her, I'll take you down and save her."

"You can't beat me. Even if you did, you'll suffer more later. Got it?"

"No, I don't get it."

"What? Are you mocking me? I don't know who you are, but you're definitely lower class. I can tell from your mannerisms. Try to scratch me, and you'll be disowned and hated by your family."

"Sorry, say that again."

I can tell you're trying to provoke me, but the magic stone is making your voice raspy. I barely heard what you said. Plus, you're talking faster now.

"I'm done. You're going to be executed. Even if you apologize, I won't forgive you. Be prepared."

"Hey, can you take off the magic stone? Your voice is raspy and hard to understand. Sorry, can you repeat that?"

Crack! My bear mask broke. It seems I was hit in the face. Masks are no good; they limit your vision.

Pain spread through my cheekbone.

"Ouch!! You bastard, I won't forgive you."

The man who hit me seemed to have hurt his hand and was getting angry. I was just trying to ask politely, but it seems I provoked him. Well, justice is on my side, so I can fight back.

"Wait!"

A loud voice drew my attention.

It was the woman who was about to be taken away.

"Mr. Bear, I'm sorry. Don't try to help me anymore. They seem to be very high-ranking nobles. Run before you get into trouble. I'll... handle it myself."

"You seem to understand your position well. What do you think? The lady is speaking. But I won't let you go."

Finally, he took off the magic stone. His voice is much clearer now.

"Looks like they won't let you go, and I can't abandon you."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bear."

"Don't worry too much. I came here of my own accord."

The woman took off her elaborate feathered mask.

"I'm Iris. If you want to target someone, target me."

A whistle was heard. One of the men must have blown it. They seemed to realize the magnitude of their catch.

...So it was Iris.

They were wearing masks, yet they managed to hit the jackpot.

"I thought there was a low-ranking person here, but this is... this is..."

The leader of the group was sizing up Iris.

The woman turned out to be my important friend, Iris, and the men's behavior was unbearable.

It's time to end this farce.

"You guys have gone too far. I'll make you suffer a bit."

"Thought you were just a guy in a silly mask, but you're a dreamer. Fine, I'll enjoy taking down a guy like you."

"Mr. Bear, wait!!"

Iris shouted again.

"Mr. Bear, go home. I'll handle this."

"Handle it...?"

"Their power and all that... I'm scared, but we didn't do anything wrong. They started it..."

Everyone was waiting for Iris's next words. But what came out was a powerful high kick. The leader was sent flying. It was a powerful kick.

Then, the two lackeys were taken down by Iris's straight punches and a chokehold.

"I overdid it. I wanted to handle it more smoothly."

"Hehehe, no, I think it's just right for these guys."

I took off the broken bear mask and the magic stone.

"Oh, it's Curl! It was you?"

"Yeah, I was looking for Iris and saw those guys misbehaving. They deserved it."

"I'm sorry, I caused you to get hurt... Does it hurt?"

"A little. It's cold outside, let's go back to the venue. If we find Raser, we'll go home today." "Okay... I'm sorry."

I patted Iris, who still felt guilty, and opened the back door of the venue.

"I saw you...!"

The leader of the thugs got up, covered in blood. Iris's kick must have been that powerful. I'll have to be careful not to get kicked.

"I won't forget your face, red-haired man. I'll make you pay for the humiliation and injuries you caused. I'll make you suffer more later."

First, I have something to say. I didn't cause that humiliation and injury! I didn't do it!

"Since you asked, I'll tell you my name. I'm Curl Heran. Nice to meet you."

"Hahaha, fool!! I was planning to find you anyway, but this saves me the trouble. I have a good memory. Remember my face. My name is Fregen. My family name is—"

"My family name is fine. I'll forget it anyway..."

And I can't see his face well because it's covered in blood.

"I won't forgive you! I'll tell my father."

Tell your father?!!

He had a menacing presence, but that one line ruined it.

"I've lost interest. Let's go, Iris."

"Is it okay to leave them?"

"It's fine. We need to leave before your father finds out."

Iris smiled a little.

"Say that, and it's not okay."

She whispered that to me.

"You bastards!! You laughed! I won't forgive you, I won't forgive you!!"

"If you come alone, I'll take you on anytime. See you."

I pulled Iris's hand, which was hesitating a little, and left the scene.

Fregen... or whatever his name was, was still shouting. Something about injuries and humiliation.

To be clear, I didn't kick anyone!!

"I'm sorry, Curl. I didn't fit in at the party and caused trouble. It was the worst."

"It's okay. I almost caused a major accident too... Let's find Raser and go home."

"Is it okay? I feel bad if you were enjoying yourself..."

"Probably fine, right?"

You know, I think... Raser is...

After searching with Iris for a while, we spotted someone who looked like him.

"Hey, Curl. If I'm wrong, I'll feel bad for Prince Raser..."

"I don't think you're wrong."

A short man standing quietly at the edge of the venue. His glass of mysterious juice was still full. In the warm venue, he stood alone, wearing a hawk mask, exuding a cold aura.

"Really... Prince Raser seemed so composed. I thought he would act confidently in such a setting..."

"I'm not very familiar, but I think he's not good at these kinds of events. Large gatherings where people communicate without structure."

"Prince Raser has his weaknesses too. I feel closer to him."

"Yeah, me too. I remember he seemed like that when we first met..."

"Shall we take him back?"

"Sure."

We approached Raser from behind and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I found you."

"Ani... Ani-ji!!"

Was his voice trembling? I got rid of the magic stone, so he recognized me quickly. He must have been waiting for a long time. I wish I had found him earlier.

"Let's go home."

"Okay!"

On the way back, we shared a carriage.

The atmosphere in the carriage was unusually relaxed. I could feel the air was soft.

"I thought I would be fine with you guys, but it didn't work out."

"Don't be so down. I was a mess too. Being good at something doesn't mean you should boast about it."

"That's true. But Ani-ji was flirting with beautiful women. You're amazing, Ani-ji."

I was noticed...

"Did you recognize me?"

"Yes, I thought only Ani-ji would dress like that."

Dress like that!? And it was mostly Spatifila's style!

"Well, that's it. But I failed."

I almost got a severe burn.

Even Iris looked at me with a "Wow, you did that?" kind of look. I really don't want that...

This isn't the right setting!

"I lost sight of you two. I was very worried after that. Where did you go?"

"Ah..."

Iris looked apologetic.

But she wasn't at fault.

"A small event. It was interesting, but I'm glad I didn't participate."

"Was there an event? It's fine, I wasn't there to have fun."

Raser sighed, as if he was fed up.

"I don't want to attend such events for a while. By the way, my brother was also at the venue. He seemed to fit in well. I should take after him."

"Ah, he was there?"

"Really? I wish I could have met him."

I should tell him that!

He would be overjoyed.

"I want to have lentil soup when I get home."

"Agreed!"

---

"You, Fregen."

"Hmm, your voice is unusually high. Are you Prince Arc?"

The prince, who had been searching for Iris, coincidentally met the blood-covered Fregen and his group outside the venue.

"...Why are you covered in blood?"

"...Don't worry, I'm fine. It's been a while, Prince Arc, who went to a rural school."

"Don't mock me. It's a prestigious school with a long tradition. And there are interesting people there."

"Leaving the capital for such a tradition is foolish."

"...Are you okay? I can't focus on the conversation."

"I said I'm fine! I'm in a bad mood! I need to execute the guy who did this to me!"

He raised his voice and then smiled lewdly. He was imagining the specific methods of "execution" he had carried out in the past and the twisted pleasure he had felt.

"You're showing your bad habits. There are things you shouldn't do, no matter how much money you have. Especially in front of me."

Fregen's lewd smile didn't disappear even when the prince glared at him. They knew each other, and there was some history, but their relationship was now thin.

"This is none of your business."

"Is it? Depending on the situation, I might take direct action."