Chapter 65: Debt 65 - The Elven Village

Owning a property far from Lunar Veil had undoubtedly turned out to be more useful than anything else.

By this time, it was most likely that Ryan’s guild had already heard about what he had done.

After all, being adventurers of that nation, it would be the first place where a complaint about his actions would be lodged.

At least, that was what was circling through Ryan’s mind.

’I can imagine Sophia’s face when she found out. Will it be like those novels I used to read? Are there wanted posters of me now? It would be pretty funny to see myself on one...’

Ryan let out a soft sigh.

’But at least, given what happened, they won’t be able to blame them.’

Ryan thought, referring to his companions. Although there was only one thing he could do for now, what would happen afterward?

It wasn’t as if humans would just forget about this over time.

He was now a fugitive.

Likely accused of treason against humanity—blasphemy? That seemed like a mild charge in comparison now.

"I’ll get out first," Ryan commented as he stood up from the bathtub.

Beatrice let out a flirtatious laugh.

"All right, I’ll stay a bit longer. I need to wash myself thoroughly after that..." she replied with a blush, pressing her legs together.

"Take your time. I’m going out to buy some supplies and some clothes for you."

Then he left the room and walked directly through the streets of Ehres Valley.

It didn’t seem like anyone recognized him.

Though he was certainly prepared for the worst.

He headed to several shops and began buying food that he could use.

He didn’t intend to stay there; he knew perfectly well that in a matter of days, the news would spread to the rest of the nations.

’At least there’s that place. I can stay there for a while, but... it depends on what Helen and Mirian’s intentions are when we meet.’

After purchasing food and clothing, he headed back to the house where Beatrice was waiting for him.

When he entered and walked into the living room, she was sitting in one of the chairs, her hair still wet and a white towel covering her.

"You came back sooner than I thought." She approached him. "Were you that eager to see me?" She gave him a mischievous smile.

But Ryan placed some bags on the table.

"We can’t stay here any longer. I bought some supplies and this outfit for you. With these, you can cover your horns without raising suspicion."

She took the items of clothing Ryan had brought, while Ryan opened his magic inventory and stowed the rest of the bags.

And before Beatrice could ask what that was.

He told her they were provisions for their journey.

"You’re talking as if I’m not going with you..." she said, frowning with an annoyed tone.

"You’re not coming with me. Following me will only bring you trouble, plus it’s not like you can walk freely in human nations."

She dropped the clothes onto the table.

"Don’t you understand? That’s exactly the same for you. Right now, you’re the problem here, not me. Because of what you did, everyone is targeting you, and if someone tries to fight you when you’re discovered, I’ll gladly give my life so you can escape."

"No!" he replied sharply. "I told you before, I didn’t save you just so you could die afterward."

Ryan walked over to the window and looked toward the village walls.

"We’re on the border of the continent belonging to the realm of Demon King Rohan, right? That’s supposed to be your home. I’ll accompany you to the border, and then we’ll say our goodbyes."

"Tch." Beatrice clicked her tongue.

She stepped closer to Ryan and looked at him intensely, straight into his eyes.

"Don’t talk nonsense. It’s not like I can just go back like that. I’ll remind you that I disobeyed direct orders from the son of the Demon King. There’s no place for me there but death, and if I went back now and they forgave me, I’d just be a laughingstock to other demons."

Then she took the clothes Ryan had brought and started putting them on.

"Do you realize what I’m saying? I’m in the same situation, whether I stay with you or return to the demon continent..."

"..."

Ryan didn’t respond; he just stood there processing her words.

Then she continued.

"And if I’m going to die either way, then I’d rather it be with you, right by your side, fighting for the fool who risked his life... even if all of humanity considers him a traitor..."

She finished putting on the lower part of the outfit—a pair of short shorts with leggings stretching from her thighs to her ankles.

Her breasts were still exposed, without any clothing yet.

"Do you understand what I’m saying, Ryan? Do you have a problem with that?"

Ryan sighed.

"It seems you’re intent on coming with me no matter what..."

"That’s right. And if that bothers you, then you’d better kill me yourself. If you do, I won’t cause any trouble, I swear."

’There’s no need to exaggerate, though in a way, it makes me happy that she’s being honest about how she feels. We can still go to that place and hide for a while, even if Helen or Mirian object... No, I won’t think about anything else for now.’

"All right. There’s a place I want us to go. We can hide there for a few days, and then we’ll figure out what to do."

"Yes!" she said, her expression now calmer. She put on the rest of her clothes, finishing with a cap that covered her head and part of her forehead. At the very least, her horns were no longer visible.

"These clothes are uncomfortable. I look like some obnoxious ninja."

’Do those even exist in this world?’

But that didn’t matter for the moment. Ryan prepared alongside Beatrice and left the city. They found the wyvern and flew in great haste toward the Dungeon of the Sky, the very place where everything had begun for him.

Although the trip lasted less time than he expected due to the wyvern’s speed.

After a couple of days, they managed to get very close.

While it was true that the dungeon was in the sky, in a very high-up location.

Finding it would be difficult for anyone who didn’t know it was there.

However, that dungeon was located very close to the elven village.

So, even before seeing the dungeon.

The elven forest was already visible. And there was black smoke everywhere.

’What’s happening...?’

"Is that place under attack by demons?" Beatrice asked.

"I’m not sure. That’s the elven village; I was there a while ago."

"A village? Aren’t they part of the elven nation?"

’Elven nation? What does she mean?’

"Well, that doesn’t matter now. We have to go see what’s happening."

Ryan adjusted their flight path, heading in the direction of the elven village.