Chapter 15

"Big... and the processing is thorough!"

The guild receptionist said, looking at the Death Snake skin placed on the table.

Then, she hurriedly returned to the reception.

"Wow, impressive. I didn't expect your first hunt to be a Death Snake."

"It wasn't me, but thanks to Alek-kun's help."

Ericia answered, being pulled by the sleeve. She didn't want to be recognized as a royal.

"Oh my, you're just a child, but you're great. And the transport mission from the capital was so quick..."

Surprised, the receptionist said, and Erisia replied, "We have a good horse."

"Horse? Ah... I see. But I won't ask any more."

She probably thought they were a group of nobles traveling incognito. Well, it's close enough.

The receptionist put gold coins into a burlap bag and handed it to Erisia.

"Five coins for the mission, and five coins for the Death Snake. Please, take this."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Please come again anytime."

We said goodbye to the receptionist and left the guild.

We earned five gold coins from the transport mission and five gold coins from the Death Snake skin, totaling ten gold coins.

With this, we can live in the capital for half a year. It's a considerable amount when you think about earning it in one day.

"Got a decent reward. But we need to be careful."

"Yes, if the transport mission is too quick, it might raise suspicion."

I nodded at Erisia's words.

"It wouldn't be strange to say we have a Pegasus or a Wyvern. Air transport is really fast. Well... I was thinking of eating something fancy today."

Lysion is a wealthy town close to the capital, surrounded by walls and paved with stone. People from nearby villages gather here, so there are many shops and stalls.

With enough money, we could have a fancy meal. However,

"It's better to eat the fruit we received."

"Yeah. It would be a waste to let it rot... but, I wonder."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... once, I put ice in the Pandora Box. After ten hours, it hadn't melted at all."

More than that, magic power can enter it...

I put various items in it this time, but it doesn't seem to be getting full.

Ericia tilted her head.

"Does that mean it's cold inside?"

"No... nothing is frozen, and it's not particularly cold..."

"It would be a waste to let it rot, so maybe we can leave some fruit in it."

"Let's try that."

I'll leave one apple.

If there's a sandbox somewhere, I might try sucking in sand. I could also put a torch in after taking everything out.

The easiest way would be to ask the demon... hey.

<Damn it! This is a trick!>

He's too focused on something else to listen.

No, this might be the demon's strategy... to make me talk to him.

It's a bit difficult to create new dark magic.

So, I want to look at materials on dark magic.

In that sense, the materials from the time when the dark god was not considered heretical in the Lucian Empire are valuable.

My territory, Tiers, was abandoned during that era, so there might be some materials there.

"Anyway, let's stay at an inn."

"Yes! If possible, I'd like a place with a kitchen."

"Sure. And a place with decent security."

So, we decided to stay at an inn on Lysion's main street.

In the borrowed kitchen, Erisia made various things with the fruit given by the farmer...

"This juice... it's delicious!"

"It's a mixed juice. I mixed various fruits, mainly apples."

It has a bit of pulp, is sweet, and easy to drink. Perfect for the end of the day.

Well, we mostly just rode the horse and used the "Transfer" spell.

"It's better than what's served in the palace. Roasted apples are this delicious too."

Ericia seems to be good at cooking. She can fight and dissect too. There's nothing to complain about.

"I'm glad Erisia came... sorry, I've been relying on you too much."

"What are you saying! Alek-sama is a prince! And I will do anything for Alek-sama! Please, use me more harshly, Alek-sama!"

"No, that's not possible."

Before the reset, I was used to doing things alone.

But usually, for royals and high nobles, even taking off and putting on shoes is done by servants.

Well, it's easier to do it myself... I think.

"So, I'll wash Alek-sama's body tonight!"

"No, this inn has separate baths for men and women."

"At Alek-sama's age, it's not unusual for parents to bathe with their children, right?"

Ericia looked puzzled.

I'm only seven, so it wouldn't be strange to enter.

But I'm a grown adult inside.

"It's fine..."

"Alek-sama... you're so mature. That's cute, huh."

Ericia giggled, and I said, "Thank you for the meal," and headed to the bath alone.

After bathing, I went straight to bed to prepare for the next day.

The bed is harder than the one in the palace, but it's nice.

For the first time, I left the capital on my own will.

Before the reset, I only left for magic academy field trips.

By the way... can I "Transfer" to the capital from here?

I should try it once.

I lay in bed and focused on "Transferring" to the garden near the palace in the capital.

It should be late, so there shouldn't be many people. Still, I didn't think I could "Transfer" – what?

The scene in front of me changed instantly. I could see the familiar palace garden.

"No way... from this far?"

As long as I have a clear image of the place I want to go, I can "Transfer" even from this distance.

I might try "Transferring" every night to see how far I can go.

But... why is it so bright?

I could see moving lights everywhere in the garden.

It seems guards with torches and lamps are searching for something.

"Found him!?"

"No, not here!"

"Prince Lys! Is Prince Lys here!?"

Lys?

Missing?

It seems my fiancée, Lys, is missing.

Could she have been kidnapped... no.

I remember the trio I saw at the guild yesterday.

There was a very beautiful silver-haired girl.

Could that girl be Lys... no, that beautiful silver hair is unmistakable.

But why would she be with adventurers?

Before the reset, Lys was an excellent student who studied magic at the magic academy.

Anyway, if I stay here, I might be found. I could use "Invisibility," but I'll go back for now.

I immediately focused on "Transferring" back to the inn. It worked well on the way back too.

"Hehe... Alek-sama is so cute... really cute. Hehe."

When I returned to the inn, Erisia was mumbling in her sleep and moving around in the bed next to me.

But her strange sounds didn't bother me at all.

"Lys... is gone."

Should I stop the journey and search for Lys now?

No, Lys must have a reason.

She might have left the capital because she didn't like the relationship with me, who has the dark crest.

"Lys..."

I still care. It's not that I like her, but I feel responsible for causing the engagement.

Still, Lys is a "Holy Maiden," and her two guards seemed skilled.

It's probably unnecessary to worry.

"I'll continue my journey."

"Hehe!"

Turning to the sound, I saw the beautiful blonde, Erisia, lying on her back in the bed next to me, her abs slightly exposed.

She has a bad sleeping posture...

Overall, Erisia was in a good mood today. She must enjoy seeing the world outside the capital.

I covered Erisia with a blanket and went to sleep.