Chapter 53

Always thank you.

The next day, Cain got into the carriage with his father as usual in the morning and spent the morning training with the sword at the knights' training ground. While having lunch, he talked with Arundilano about games that could be played with many people without using tools, and then left the castle to return home. Normally, Arnoldia or Serecinia would come to pick him up, but today Irvaleño was waiting. This was because Cain had told his parents that he would stay in the castle until evening and return with his father. He had lied, saying that he would be shown the castle's library by Arundilano. His parents, seeing that Cain seemed to be getting along well with the crown prince, had agreed without any suspicion.

"Let's get on the circular carriage. It's almost time for the one heading to the northern district to come around."

"Got it. Let's go."

The two walked together towards the main street. While listening to Irvaleño about Dian's behavior that morning, Cain got on the carriage that arrived. The circular carriage was a carriage that circled the capital on a fixed route with a flat fare. The fare was paid when getting off. The seats were arranged in a way that passengers faced the outside of the carriage, sitting on benches back-to-back, a practical design to minimize boarding and alighting time. After Cain and Irvaleño sat down, the carriage started moving with a few other passengers. As the carriage turned a few corners and began to run straight through the center of the capital, Irvaleño spoke.

"By the way, Cain-sama, did you notice that you were being followed from the castle?"

"Huh?"

Cain's eyes widened as he stared at Irvaleño. Irvaleño, without changing his expression, pointed to a passenger sitting opposite him.

"He's sitting right next to you."

"Huh?"

Cain turned his head sharply and saw a small child sitting there, completely covered in a hooded cloak.

"Since the follower was so careless about his presence and footsteps, I thought you were aware and just letting it be..."

"There's no way I'd be on guard with Irvaleño around..."

As Cain said this, he pulled back the hood of the child next to him, revealing Arundilano's face, looking awkward and caught in the act.

"A, Ar... Arden!"

"Are you talking about pasta cooking?"

"Hehehehehe."

Cain, almost saying "Your Highness," quickly covered it up. Irvaleño pressed the issue, and Arundilano laughed nervously.

"Say it! If you noticed, say it! We've already come this far, you can't send him back alone!"

"We can turn back. I don't want to take Cain-sama either."

"You said 'help me!' What are you talking about now?"

"I didn't say 'help me!' I just wanted you to listen to me."

"Hehehehe. You two are such good friends!"

Cain, rubbing his forehead with his right thumb and index finger, closed his eyes and sighed. Arundilano, having put his hood back on, spoke in a low voice that only the two of them could hear.

"Where are you going to play? I skipped my afternoon studies and came out. Take me with you."

"How did you get out?"

"Cain taught me a secret way out?"

"Ah!"

Cain finally buried his head in his hands, resting his forehead on his knees. It was entirely his own fault. He realized that the secret way he had used the other day was unnecessary, and by using it, Arundilano had managed to escape from the castle. If an adult found out about this, it wouldn't end with just a scolding. Sighing deeply, Cain ran his fingers through his hair and straightened his back with determination.

"Since we can't let our identities be known, from now on, call me 'Al.' We'll use informal speech. Don't say it's disrespectful."

"Okay. Cain and Irvaleño, can I call you that?"

"Call me Kai and Irv."

"Got it! Kai! Irv!"

Irvaleño wanted Cain's help. He wanted Cain to help his younger brother, Celenosta, who was being drawn into the dark organization, just as he had been helped. However, he didn't want Cain to get hurt or suffer. He had only mentioned it, hoping there might be a good way. He never expected Arundilano to say he would join. He thought that by involving Arundilano, they would decide to turn back, but he stayed silent until it was too late to turn back.

Cain didn't stop.

Irvaleño thought Cain might be using this as an opportunity to get rid of the crown prince, whom he disliked. If that were the case, Irvaleño's plan had failed.

The carriage entered the northern district of the capital, and the three got off at their destination. Since Arundilano didn't have the fare, Cain paid for him. Arundilano was surprised that one had to pay to ride the carriage.

After turning down several narrow streets, they jumped into an empty barrel in an abandoned, dilapidated shed, which led to an underground passage. They walked through the winding passage to the organization's hideout. There were many turns and no light in the underground passage, so they couldn't tell where they were.

Irvaleño was surprised to find one more guard than usual. He explained that a small child from the orphanage had followed him and couldn't be sent back without crying, so he had to bring the child along. It was quite sloppy. Irvaleño wondered if the dark organization was really okay.

"Are there other hideouts of the organization?"

"The only one I know is here. I've heard rumors of a higher organization, but I've never seen anyone who came from there or went there."

"So, if we take out this place, the people who know your face will be gone, right?"

Irvaleño nodded quietly.

Cain, after a moment of thought, leaned in to look at Irvaleño's face.

"Is there anyone in this organization who has been kind to you or taken care of you?"

Irvaleño shook his head without hesitation, showing no sign of hesitation.

Cain nodded and turned to Arundilano.

"Al, do you know any useful magic?"

"I'm learning wind magic. I can do Wind Blade and Protective Wind!"

Cain patted Arundilano's fluffy hair and praised him.

"Great. I'll need your magic later, so be prepared."

"Okay!"

"Irvaleño, you have to make an appearance next, right? Where do the organization members gather?"

"Right above us. We'll go up the stairs from the room two doors down. We should go soon, or we'll be late and punished."

"That's perfect."

Cain walked to the room next door and hugged Irvaleño and Arundilano.

"Irvaleño, hold Al in your arms. Try to make us as compact as possible."

Irvaleño held Arundilano, and Cain hugged him from behind.

Cain extended his right hand towards the room below where the organization members were gathered.

"Flame of Annihilation"

As Cain cast the spell, a compressed ball of heat shot from his right hand and expanded in the adjacent room. The room was instantly engulfed in flames, and the stone walls and floor began to melt from the intense heat. Angry shouts came from the room above as they noticed the unusual heat in the floor.

"Al, when I cast the next spell, use Protective Wind to shield us immediately. Try to make it as small and thick as possible. Can you do it?"

"I will. I can."

"Great. You're a good kid."

Cain patted Arundilano's fluffy head and extended his right hand towards the burning room again.

"Flood of Torrent"

Water flowed from Cain's right hand and rushed into the adjacent room. Before it hit the ground, he pulled his hand back and cast another spell.

"Wall of Impenetrable Wind"

"Protective Wind!"

A small wind wall created by Arundilano and a thick wind wall covering it appeared.

When the water hit the molten stone floor and walls, a massive explosion and shockwave hit the three of them.

The wind walls mostly blocked the heat and blast, but some heat and vibrations still reached their skin. Cain covered Irvaleño, who was holding Arundilano, and waited for the shock to pass.

When they finally came to, the floor around the three children was left in a circular shape, with the surrounding area exposed as soil. Debris from the stone walls and tiles was scattered far away.

"Irvaleño... I'm sorry. I'll... take a short nap... Please take care of... His Highness Al..."

Cain, having used three high-level spells in succession, had exhausted his magic and lost consciousness on the spot.

Finally, the knowledge and skills from his reincarnation have come into play.