Chapter 34

"Thank you for the bookmark rating.

'Your Majesty, this is the town's shopping district. The people who live in the town come here to shop.'

Indeed, this is the highlight of the town. Although not as bustling as the capital, there are many people, and the security is good.

'...'

...Still, Your Majesty's reaction is really quite thin.

Did I say something wrong without realizing it?

'...Your Majesty, is something the matter?'

'About that, please don't call me 'Your Majesty.' Since this is an incognito visit, just treat me normally.'

'B-but that's not possible...'

'I'm Esyck.'

'Eh?'

'It's my name. From now on, I'd prefer if you called me Esyck without any honorifics. And no need for formal language, either.'

...No, no, if I, a slave, call Your Majesty by your name, there's no point in me being a guide at all!!

However, if I refuse here, I'll surely upset you.

Hmm... What should I do...

'Actually, I wish I had been born as just an ordinary person with no power. People who have power are expected to work 'for the country' and 'for the people.' Not only that, but their actions are often restricted. I, as the king, am a good example of that. ...Well, this time I came a bit forcefully. I heard from the guild about your past, and I think you understand, don't you?'

...Indeed, even as a member of the royal family, I can relate to that.

In the past, I wasn't allowed to leave the castle except on special occasions, and even then, I had to bring several guards.

I became a slave, but I gained a sister named Lily. The townspeople were kind to me, and most importantly, I met Master Nest.

—Those are things I probably wouldn't have gotten if I had been a member of the royal family.

If Your Majesty, as a member of the royal family, is thinking the same thing now, I want to let you experience it, at least for today, or if not today, at least for now.

'Alright, Esyck. But no sudden charges of disrespect later, okay?'

'Yes, I understand that.'

'...Still, if you had been born as just an ordinary person, what would you have wanted to do, Esyck?'

'...The 'Dark Savior.' No, I know that's impossible. So, I'd probably be an adventurer. Every man wants to go on an adventure at least once, you know.'

'H-huh, my Master is on a quest right now. I think it was the Goblin King...'

Wait, did Esyck just say 'Dark Savior'? It's not about Nest, right...?

'Hmm, the Goblin King, huh? It seems your Master is also a fan of the 'Dark Savior.'"

'Is, is that so?'

It's definitely about Nest!!! And you even added the honorific!?

When he gets back from the quest, I have to make sure he doesn't reveal anything in front of the king....

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'By the way, Nest seemed to get along well with the guild people, didn't he?'

After we left the town in a cart, Vais said something like that.

'Yeah, they did seem to be on good terms.'

'Ah, in our guild, farewells were rare, and even talking was uncommon.'

The Syan brothers, who were driving the cart, also joined the conversation by turning around.

'Hmm. Maybe it's not that they're close, but rather that they're just being nice because we've been helped by the guild?'

After all, Asuha is one of the beautiful receptionists in the guild, and she's known for her polite treatment of adventurers, which has earned her the admiration of many men.

Still, I've never heard of her dating anyone. Because of this, various rumors circulate, such as whether she has a secret boyfriend or if she prefers women.

'Oh, is that so? I was hoping it was more than that, but I guess not.'

'Well, she is beautiful, and I envy anyone who can date her. I once got a bento from her, and it was really delicious.'

It was really delicious...

I'd like to have another chance, but it would be too presumptuous to ask.

'...No, that definitely sounds like more than just being nice...'

'More than just being nice?'

'...'

Why are you all silent? What do you mean by 'more than just being nice'...?

'By the way, Nest and Vais, we need you to take the night watch, so try to get some sleep now.'

'U-understood.'

In the end, I was ignored, but what Syan said was true.

Following the advice, Vais and I lay down in the swaying cart.

...Yeah, it's hard to sleep in a cart. I knew that, but...

During the journey, or rather while we were sleeping, we managed to reach the area where the Goblin King was sighted without any problems.

According to Gail, there are far too few monsters, but it's better that they're not there.

As the sky began to darken, we started preparing for camping. Vais and I were looking for firewood for the campfire.

...How long had we been searching? Before I knew it, the basket was full of firewood.

'Let's head back with this much.'

'Sounds good.'

I reached for a stick I saw and picked it up.

'Grrrrrr...'

...The faint growl I heard...

A low, heavy sound that a goblin or even the Goblin King could never make.

The shadow of 'It' faintly visible at the end of my lowered gaze.

The massive foot of 'It,' with claws as long as my body.

Slowly raising my gaze, I saw... ————————————

...a dragon.