Chapter 63

Today, Chapter 2, Part 2.

The capital city dyed red in the twilight.

The small shop was crowded with people.

Lilith and Teti were there.

And Edgar was holding hands with a little girl.

When I entered the shop, Lilith came over to me.

"Welcome back, Master—this way."

She handed me the Philosopher's Stone, so I took it and put it in my magic bag while responding.

"Welcome back. How did it go?"

"It went well. I was surprised that such a method existed."

"That's interesting... I don't think I can be there to witness it, though."

"Yes, and Cordelia didn't want to part with the Philosopher's Stone, so it was difficult to get it back. She even started throwing a tantrum like a child..."

Lilith smiled with a troubled look, perhaps remembering the incident.

I could only chuckle at the image of the old lady throwing a tantrum, saying, "No, no!"

"What was she doing, that old lady... Anyway, I'm glad you managed to get it back safely."

"Yes, I worked hard. —And this is Princess Rose from Yamata."

Lilith introduced the little girl holding hands with Edgar.

Princess Rose arched her flat chest and smiled proudly. Her lustrous black bob hair swayed.

"I am Princess Rose of the Yamata Mikanari. —You must be Alex, who saved me. Yes, I commend you."

"Thank you. Don't overdo it since you just recovered?"

"I understand—mm. Azuma, carry me, carry me."

Princess Rose signaled for a piggyback ride by moving her hands up and down.

—Azuma was Edgar's real name.

"Yes, as you wish."

Edgar squatted down and turned his back to Princess Rose.

The princess wrapped her small hands around Edgar's neck and climbed on.

Edgar then stood up, supporting the little girl with one hand.

—Taking care of the princess seems like a tough job.

I thought so, but Edgar looked very happy, his eyes softening.

I asked Edgar about what would happen next.

"What will you do after this, Edgar? Will you live with the princess?"

"No, I'll bring her back starting tomorrow. I'll return quickly, so if anything happens to the children while I'm gone, please take care of them."

"Return quickly? Isn't the island in the eastern part of the continent? Don't you have to take a boat?"

"Well, with a wind magic spell like mine, I can instantly move to any place I can see."

Edgar said this casually.

I was so surprised that I exclaimed.

"What, that's the ultimate magic! Oh, so you can instantly appear behind enemies, right?"

"That's not possible. There's a freeze time right after the spell is cast. If you use it in battle, you'll be counterattacked. It takes 30 seconds to cast again."

"I see. It's for instant travel... If you can see it, can you fly higher, like to the top of a mountain?"

"Exactly. As expected, Alex. From the top of a high mountain, you can fly hundreds of kilometers in one go."

"Envious..."

I want to know about this easy travel magic.

Edgar, gently swaying his body to soothe the princess on his back, said casually.

"If you train, you can do it too, Alex. It's like a martial art using magic power... Oh, it's impossible with just holy waves."

"That's a shame. How long will it take you to return?"

"Well, it takes 4 days to get there by boat, 1 day to deliver the princess and find the gem, and 1-2 days to return. So, about a week."

"A week for a round trip to the continent... You're not just competent, you're exceptional... But you're a wanted man, right? Is there anything we can help with?"

I asked, quite worried.

Edgar is a great guy. I don't want to lose him.

However, Edgar smiled easily and said.

"Don't worry. The warrant will be lifted when the princess returns."

"Is that so... Then, I'll leave the gem to you."

"Got it, I'll take care of it."

Edgar smiled casually.

It was a bright smile, unlike his usual self.

Then, a group of people entered the shop noisily.

Five children, ranging from early to mid-teens.

They were Edgar's team.

The lead was a tanned explorer girl who entered energetically.

"We've completed the mission—hello!—it's done—good evening, Alex—carrying it was tough."

A boy with an axe and a lightly armored swordsman boy entered.

Behind them were a healer girl and a boy with glasses.

Edgar nodded.

"Good work. How did it go?"

"Great. D-rank boars were no problem."

The swordsman boy responded casually.

Princess Rose, on Edgar's back, frowned.

"What? Who are these people?"

"Oh, they're my party members—everyone, this is Princess Rose, whom I told you about before. Please be nice to her."

The children gathered around Edgar.

"Nice to meet you—so cute—nice to meet you—I'm Yuma—I'm Chana!"

The children started chatting amicably.

Ten people in the small shop was definitely too many.

I headed to the counter and said.

"Then, let's celebrate. I don't have much to offer, but..."

I took about 8 bottles of petit eli from the counter and handed them to Edgar.

"Is that okay?"

"The princess just recovered. She might get sick if she doesn't eat properly, so take them."

"Thank you—see you later."

Edgar sniffed happily and put the petit eli in his pouch.

Then he left the shop.

The children also said their goodbyes and bowed as they left.

The shop was quiet after the storm.

—Anyway, I'm glad Edgar's long-held dream came true.

He looked happier than I've ever seen him.

I felt happy and smiled, looking at Lilith and Teti.

"Shall we close the shop?"

"Yes, Master!—Sure!"

We quickly closed the shop and returned to the mansion for dinner.

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The next chapter will be updated in two parts tomorrow

→ Chapter 64: Reunions of Families (Part 1: Alex's Family)