Ch. 132

When his companion was effortlessly choked, the other thug lunged, but before he could even realize where he got hit, he was thrown aside.

One was sprawled on the ground drooling, the other flailed mid-air, eyes rolled back in terror.

Maybe he trained physically on top of spirit arts. If that’s how he got so fast, then that overwhelming aura made a lot more sense.

“Kh, g-guh… gaaaaah!”

So it really was possible to choke someone with one hand while holding them up.

That kind of grip strength wasn’t something you had unless you’d trained your body extensively.

I couldn’t possibly manage that. I lacked the muscle, and I was shorter than most men to begin with…

“What’s going on?”

Just as I whistled at the cool display, someone gently pulled me back.

Ash had shown up behind me and quietly moved me behind him.

What’s this? Was he trying to protect me?

That’s kind of cute, honestly.

“It’s nothing. Just looks like a fight broke out.”

“Oh dear.”

He must’ve come because of the commotion, and he was watching the same thing as me—but his expression was the complete opposite.

The gap in strength between them was overwhelming. The ones who picked the fight might very well die. One of them already looked half-dead.

I, on the other hand, was just leaning against the doorframe, watching like it was someone else’s business.

“We need to stop this.”

“Huh? Why?”

For a second, I thought the man in the cloak looked straight at me.

It felt like our eyes met through the shadow under his hood.

“He might kill them!”

“But they’re just thugs…”

Before I could finish speaking, Ash dashed off to stop the fight.

Lox hurried after him, and Chad strolled out of the inn more leisurely with Annie riding on his shoulders. We were firmly in spectator mode.

“There he goes again, trying to break it up.”

“Is he always like that?”

“Yeah. He can’t ignore injustice.”

“Wouldn’t dying while being a busybody count as an injustice too?”

“That’s what I think, but… he says life is precious or whatever.”

Still as soft as ever, huh.

I figured Ash might make a good sage-king, but he’d never become a ruthless emperor.

With that kind of temperament, even if he sat on the throne, he wouldn’t be able to behead opposing factions. Most emperors eliminate the power blocs that stood in their way once they ascend…

But if that guy becomes emperor, I doubt there’ll be any bloodshed in the palace. Though to become emperor, he’d have to become crown prince first.

Ash was the only member of the royal family I cared about, and everyone who mattered knew of him.

Prince Ross, the Second Prince, was trying to become crown prince because of the many younger siblings who followed after him.

They were mostly from different mothers, with only one being born of the empress.

And the First Prince, born of the empress and infamous for his cruelty, if he became crown prince, it was clear that any half-siblings would be in grave danger.

I’d heard that the First Prince despised impure bloodlines.

Especially the Second Prince—low-born yet receiving the emperor’s full trust.

“What are we going to do with him…”

“Why? What about Ash?”

Chad asked, but I could only mutter the answer in my head.

I wasn’t just worried that such a soft-hearted guy might not become crown prince—what really worried me was that if he didn’t, he’d be assassinated within a few years.

Still, why was I even thinking about this? I’m not usually the kind of person who worries about others… wait, could this be—

Maternal instinct?

‘Or not?’

If I had that, Annie wouldn’t be such a pain.

It was a completely unfamiliar feeling.

I stroked my chin while watching Ash’s back.

One thing was for sure—he seemed too lacking to just leave alone.

So what was this feeling then? Loyalty? Or maybe I did have a sliver of compassion for other people after all.

I watched Ash try to stop the commotion for a bit, but the man in the cloak seemed annoyed and walked away. I dropped my interest too.

I had plenty to do today. Even without that, the day would’ve been busy.

—

[Master! Heading out again today?]

[Yeah, planning to stop by the Mage Tower and the library.]

I had to meet with the headmaster today no matter what. I needed to ask about Annie and also request someone to accompany her.

I was curious if any of the letters I sent had replies, though those usually took at least three to four days to come, so I wasn’t expecting much.

I also wanted to check the bookstore or library for any books about the [Path of Trial].

Plus, I needed to stop by the general store and buy some supplies for Annie’s upcoming time at the academy.

[Also gotta hit the bank… Today’s gonna be packed.]

I’d forgotten—I still had the promissory note Anel gave me that needed cashing.

She’d given it to me to spend, but I thought I’d send it to Annie instead.

She probably wouldn’t need much money at the academy, but it was always better to have it than not.

[So you’ll be gone a while?]

[Yeah, probably half the day.]

[I wanna go too! Take me!]

[You need to stay here and look after Annie.]

Rai had been granted permission to roam the first floor of the inn, on the condition that he didn’t enter the rooms. The innkeeper agreed after I gave him a modest tip. Of course, Rai still went into the room.

[I don’t wanna! Watching kids is boring! It’s not even my kid!]

[You’re a spirit, what are you even saying?]

[If you hate her, how could I possibly like her?]

[…Why are you suddenly making sense?]

Kinda hit my conscience a little there.

[Besides, Chad’s good with kids! I think he’s totally trustworthy and reliable!]

[Yesterday, you called him a filthy human who talks about poop and said he was even worse because he reminded you of Kenta.]

[I may have misspoken. That man is a dependable and courageous fellow!]

Ugh, this guy changes sides like super glue.

[Take me with you. I just wanna be with you, Master!]

Rai was literally clinging to my pants now. Those were brand-new, by the way!

—

“Chad, can I ask you to watch Annie?”

“Going to the Mage Tower?”

“Also have other errands… I’ll be back by evening, maybe.”

“I’ve got nothing better to do, so sure.”

“Thanks.”

Also, thanks for the sandwich. I didn’t order it, but I still took a big bite of the one sitting in front of me.

It was good enough that I packed a few extras in a napkin.

“I never said yes, though?”

“Should I bring you something on the way back?”

“I’ll jot it down.”

In our own shameless way, we got along just fine.

When I stepped out after leaving Annie in Chad’s care, I happened to glance up—and the sky was a brilliant blue.

The weather was so nice, I had a vague feeling that something good might happen today.

And my gut feelings were usually dead wrong.

—

Damn it, why was that old man so hard to find?

Nothing went right. The headmaster, who had supposedly been waiting to hear from me, was summoned to the royal palace today of all days, so he wasn’t at the academy.

More wasted money on communication fees.

One more call and I might as well have burned down a stable full of horses. At least I managed to book a proper appointment for tomorrow.

On top of that, for some weird reason, Mielta didn’t even have a bank.

Apparently, they pulled out due to poor public safety? No library either, and the bookstore didn’t have what I needed.

After one failure after another, I had to return to the inn earlier than expected.

And for some reason, the place was in complete ruins. In just one hour.

“What the hell happened here…”

When I left, everything was normal. Now, there was no trace of peace. The door had been utterly smashed, and when I cautiously stepped inside, the interior looked like a war zone.

Tables and chairs in the first-floor dining room were mostly broken, many windows were shattered, and the staff was sweeping up shards of glass.

I’d seen this kind of thing before.

Back when I traveled with the [Shavel Mercenary Corps], the place always looked like this after a big brawl.

I was ready to brush it off as a traveler scuffle.

Until I spotted Lox pacing anxiously and Chad off in a corner, covered in blood and breathing heavily.

That’s when the unease hit me.

Ash was nowhere to be seen in this chaos. And neither was Annie…

“Hey!”

Chad shouted when he saw me. Normally, I would’ve been angry—but this time, something felt off.

Even when he stomped over and suddenly grabbed me by the collar.

“What the hell have you been doing?!”

“Grrrr!”

[Rai, wait.]

I held Rai back just as he bared his teeth, ready to pounce.

Before I knew it, Chad had lifted me clean off the ground by my collar.

Lox tried to calm him down, but Chad’s fury was aimed squarely at me.

“Blond hair, blue eyes! Pretty young girl—they were looking for you, dammit!”

“…What are you talking about.”

“They took Annie! Those bastards!”

It took me a moment to process what he said. I didn’t understand, so I had to ask again.

“They were after me?”

“Yes!”

“Then why take Annie—”

“This is all your fault!”

“Okay. Got it. Now put me down—”

“What are you going to do?! This is all because of you! What did that kid ever do wrong?!”

“I said put me down—”

And he started shaking me. Seriously?

“Rai, bite him.”

I was gonna let it slide since he looked like he’d already taken a beating, but if he wouldn’t listen…

Rai lunged straight for Chad’s leg and started shaking him.

“AAARGH!”

I did try to tell him to go easy, but Rai had pretty sharp teeth. Chad screamed and dropped me.

See? This wouldn’t have happened if you just listened.

Rai dragged Chad off across the floor by the leg.

Now that the guy had lost it, I had to keep him out of the way first…

I rubbed my sore neck and turned to Lox.

“Lox, you explain. What did Chad mean? Are you saying Annie was kidnapped because of me?”

“…That’s exactly it.”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Then explain properly. I’m not getting it yet.”

“Do you know someone named Grak?”

“No. Never heard of him.”

“He’s a man with no nose or ears… He seemed completely insane.”

“Well, I said no, but… huh?”

Something about that sounded familiar. An unpleasant memory began creeping up.

(T/N: OOoohhh, is it the start of one of the most violent and bloodiest arc?)