Chapter 54

Polina, unlike when she was active as an adventurer, had her hair neatly styled, and she even looked like the two Elven clone soldiers standing beside her. All three were women, and all three had the same hairstyle: their bangs were cut straight at an angle, one side of their sideburns was braided, and overall, they had short hair.

"...I see you noticed it was me."

Perhaps aware that she had become "unremarkable" rather than just similar, Polina said this.

"We are a special enforcement agency that guards the royal family of the Elven Forest, the Kingdom of Sylvis. The magic airship is the kingdom's 'Owl's Wing Flap.' It seems a bit noisy here to discuss further matters."

"...I see."

Ashia's condition and other matters couldn't be discussed here. In this room were not only the mayor and us, but also Dantes and the other party members, as well as scribes who were taking notes.

The mayor said with a smile,

"In any case, the defeat of the Sea Monk is a very auspicious event. We will hold a banquet today, so please join us. I'm not sure if it will satisfy the noble Elven lady..."

"Of course, we will attend."

"Your Highness."

"See? It's fine."

"...Yes."

Polina, who seemed to be about to say something, swallowed her words.

"Well,"

When we moved to the inn where we were staying, Ashia said,

"Mr. Rage... It seems you've been quite active without me..."

She said it with a presence that made it seem as if flames were flickering behind her.

"Mr. Rage...?"

"I've been waiting for a long time... I've been a good girl, waiting with the Dark Elves... And the story I heard was 'I'll go ahead, so wait for me'...?"

"Ugh..."

Indeed, it was I who had held back Ashia, who had wanted to come along, and then headed straight for the Red Gate—.

I hadn't forgotten about Ashia, but I had prioritized the Red Gate in front of me.

"There seems to be a complicated story, so we'll take our leave!"

"Master, good luck~"

"Rage-kun, you must always treat women with sincerity?"

Dantes, Zelly, and Non left the room.

"Rage-kun..."

Mimino, with a somewhat troubled look,

"...If you play with girls, you must take responsibility! Should I join you in apologizing?"

"No, it's fine!"

"That 'it's fine' is what worries me—"

"Really, it's fine!"

I pushed Mimino out into the corridor. Joining in the apology, is she like a mother?

"So... what about those people?"

"We will not leave Princess Anastasia. Besides, there are things we need to know."

"About the Princess's throat?"

"That too."

That too?

"If a man and a woman disappear together for a long time, some people will start to suspect unnecessary things."

Are you asking about that kind of thing?

"Nothing happened!"

"Nothing happened with this beautiful Princess? Are you really a man!?"

"Unreasonable reverse anger!"

Ah—so that's it, Polina was really worried about Ashia and trying to protect her.

"Ashia... There are many things we need to talk about, but first—"

I put my hands on the table, which was rather shabby for a High Elven royal, and bowed my head.

"I'm sorry. Really. I didn't mean to neglect Ashia, but I had to—"

"Please raise your head, Mr. Rage."

"But—"

"I knew all along."

"...What?"

When I raised my head, I saw Ashia's troubled face in front of me.

"I knew you wouldn't leave me for no reason. But it hurt to be left alone, so I just pouted a bit."

"Ashia..."

"I have a lot to talk about too. About the village after you left, the border lord's territory, and about Polina."

Ashia's hand, which was gently held, felt warm and flushed.

"Hem. Mr. Rage, if you touch the Princess any more, it will be considered a breach of etiquette."

Ah! I instinctively let go, and—

"It's not a breach of etiquette! I touched him because I wanted to!"

"Touching a man's hand is not a proper behavior for a royal. It's indecent."

"Indecent!?"

Ashia's cheeks turned red, and several flames danced in the air.

"Anyway, let's calm down and talk—"

Polina, was she always like this...? I thought she was more reserved and hard to read. No, she's still hard to read.

"First, I'll talk."

When I told them that the Red Gate problem had been resolved, both Ashia and Polina were surprised. However, I added that it wasn't a permanent solution and that the dragon had said something meaningful, and the three of them had a whispered conversation.

"—About the dragon's words... if...—"

"—Then, to the 'Three Sky Forest'... we should contact them urgently...—"

"—Understood."

One of them said to Ashia,

"Your Highness. We need to return to the 'Owl's Wing Flap,' and I will go."

"Understood."

"Excuse me."

She bowed respectfully and leaped out of the open window—this is the third floor, you know.

She silently ran across the roof of the two-story building next door. She must have the [Rapid Running] skill.

"...She could have just gone out from below."

I completely agree with Ashia's mutter.

"So... why did Mr. Rage come here?"

"I came to follow my sister."

Lark is now being cared for by the air pirates... sea pirates? She has been asleep since then.

I planned to return the magic ship to its owner and pay for the repairs to have the crime of stealing the Sea Monk nullified.

It turned out that the owner of the magic ship was the mayor's brother.

—What? The noble knight who fought in the "Red Gate Battle" was on board and fought!? What an honor. Leave the wounds as they are!

He was even more delighted. It seems the mayor's brother, like the mayor, had always dreamed of being a knight.

They say "evil travels a thousand miles," but my name has been strangely transformed and spread throughout the Kingdom of Light Sky Knights, which is scary.

Regarding Lark's innate pearl, it has already been recovered. I confirmed with the pirate leader, Cook, and I pulled it out and now have it. It shouldn't get worse, but her condition is quite serious.

"I plan to set sail tomorrow and search for a wise person in the sea."

"..."

"...Ashia?"

"A, no..."

"Mr. Rage. The Kingdom of Sylvis has a secret medicine that can restore lost vitality."

"Polina!"

What, there's such a thing? I thought, but I was also concerned about Ashia, who seemed flustered and scared.

"But it is a very precious item managed by the royal family."

"Oh... I see. Then, it can't be obtained, can it?"

"Why not? The one in front of us is the royal Princess Anastasia."

"...Polina, about that talk—"

"Right now, the Princess can use magic and speak. Therefore, she is a complete, legitimate royal. The King, her father, will surely welcome Princess Anastasia back. The perfectly controlled [Fire Magic] is not a disadvantage."

Ah... I see.

Polina wants to take Ashia back to the Elven Forest because her voice has returned.