Chapter 57: Debt 57 - The Demon Will Have a Public Execution

In many ways, the meeting Ryan had with the Viscount proved to be highly educational for him.

He understood things he hadn’t even considered before regarding the power of nations and the holy knights.

Although at several points Ryan wanted to dig deeper into the subject.

He didn’t dare to ask openly.

Taking into account that his ability was considered heresy, he also wanted to avoid any kind of suspicion directed toward him.

’So any questions I have about everything I discussed today with the Viscount, I’ll leave them to Karol. She’ll surely be happy to answer once I’ve flattered her a bit.’

The Viscount remained in front of Ryan, waiting for an answer.

To which, after finishing his processing of all that information.

Ryan responded in the affirmative.

First, he made a gesture, nodding his head.

Then he spoke.

"I’ll tell my companions and we’ll head to the plaza tonight."

"Very well, it will be a pleasure to be able to greet the heroines personally."

’I’m not a fan or a supporter of any kind of public execution; those types of acts have never interested me, but I am interested in learning more about that group of holy knights.’

After finishing the talk, he left the Viscount’s study, and the man accompanied him, but his young son was there. As soon as he saw Ryan, he came running toward him and hugged him.

The boy was happy to see him and started saying that he wanted to be an adventurer as cool as he was.

After that, he asked Ryan about Karol, Beatrice, and his little brother.

To which Ryan told him that the girls were busy. He also pointed out that Beatrice had only helped him that one time, but they had stopped seeing each other. He claimed he knew nothing more about her, to which the little boy commented that it was a shame.

After that conversation, Ryan said his goodbyes.

And he headed back to the inn.

’Helen is probably still sleeping...’

Ryan continued on his way, and just a few blocks before reaching the inn, he stopped when he heard his name.

"Ryan!"

He turned around, and there were Karol and Miriam.

They ran toward him.

"Where were you?" Miriam asked.

Karol took Ryan by the arm, pressing herself against him.

"Did you guys come out looking for me?"

"No, we just got back from the guild. We sold the items just as you asked us to."

"And it took you that long? I thought it would be something faster."

"Those things usually take a long time, you know?"

Then they continued talking about the matter as they walked together to the inn.

With the materials they sold, they now had a good sum of money, enough not to worry for at least a month.

Or at least that’s what Miriam said.

’Well, I didn’t expect to become a millionaire by clearing a single A-rank dungeon either, even if it was only half of the dungeon.’

They entered the inn.

The girl at the reception greeted him with a warm smile.

But then she hid behind the counter when she felt how Miriam and Karol were glaring at her.

The owner of the inn presented himself where Ryan was, shook his hand, and told him that he and his companions could eat and drink all they wanted, and the cost of the lodging would be free for having helped his daughter.

Ryan accepted that and continued on his way to the room on the second floor.

Karol and Miriam wouldn’t stop asking him about what had happened, and Ryan just ignored them.

When they entered, the room was in silence.

Of the three rooms inside the place they rented, only one door was closed.

Exactly the door Ryan had closed before leaving.

"Why isn’t Helen coming out?" Miriam asked, approaching the door.

Ryan and Karol also approached.

When he opened the door, Helen was still naked on the bed, asleep.

And a large smile of satisfaction was drawn on her face.

"What? Why is she naked, and... this room smells a bit strange, don’t you think?" Miriam said with curiosity.

"Yeah, it smells like..."

"Ryan! Don’t tell me you’ve been doing perverted things with Helen!" Miriam shouted with flushed cheeks and a subtle pout of jealousy.

"It’s not fair, you guys always want to hog Ryan all to yourselves..." Karol murmured.

"What’s all this noise...?" Helen sat up in bed, still naked.

And when she realized she had no clothes on and was being watched, she screamed at them, got up, and closed the door quickly.

’Anyway, I should probably get used to this. To be honest, I like the lifestyle I’m leading right now. I mean, I’m surrounded by these beauties, and besides... somehow it seems I can become even stronger.’

...

After a good while, when Helen got ready and left the room, she joined Ryan and the rest of the group.

"You two probably know, but Helen doesn’t because she was asleep. There will be a public execution today. Do you want to go?"

"Execution? Who are they executing?" Helen asked with curiosity.

Karol placed a hand on the table and began to speak.

"They mentioned it at the guild. After Alina and Delia reported what happened, they sent several groups to investigate, and they found a demon survivor. Even though he was far from the dungeon, he was very badly injured. They brought him here to interrogate him, but it seems they are going to execute him today."

"It’s not that I approve of demons, but doing that kind of thing is an act I don’t like, nor can I agree with it," Miriam murmured.

"Yeah, that’s the thing. It’s not that I’ll enjoy it, but I’ll go regardless. There are things I want to find out about the holy knights," Ryan said while leaning his elbows on the table.

"So it’s about the church then?" Helen asked, then added, "They aren’t people I want to associate with, but if Ryan goes, I’ll go too."

"Me too."

"Me as well."

...

So, they spent the rest of their time at the inn eating, waiting for the hour to come. Eventually, someone inside the inn commented that it was already time to head to the execution.

Ryan and his group were alert and headed to the great plaza.

Upon arrival, they saw many people, both adventurers and ordinary townsfolk.

Though there was no sign of Alina or Delia.

Ryan inspected most of the people he saw who showed signs of being strong, but he found no trace of any heroes above A-class.

There was something—a huge box covered with a black blanket—in the center of the plaza.

Around the plaza, people were gathered. And then, the two holy knights who had previously run into Ryan at the inn appeared.

They walked straight to the box. When they removed the black blanket, what it actually covered was a cage.

And inside was the prisoner demon, chained and wounded.

"Ryan!" Karol grabbed Ryan by his overcoat and looked at him with worried eyes.