[CHAPTER 74]
Large Tavern, Golden Leaf.
Located on the main street of Bellate Square, this was a three-story tavern run by a retired mage.
Ability users native to the northern continent of Tan often came here for gatherings.
The huge hall on the first floor was crowded with patrons.
About forty reconnaissance team members, citizens who had heard the rumors, and journalists mingled, ordering enormous amounts of food and drink.
And the attention of many women was focused on a single person.
“There he is, Caliph Roysen.”
“Where, where?”
The top star of the Eastern Continent, Caliph Roysen.
The news that he, who lived a full dayâs journey by land without opening a portal, would visit Tan had already spread throughout the city weeks ago.
However, the main figure sat expressionless at the edge of a table, simply raising his glass.
The aura he exuded was so fierce that neither citizens nor journalists seeking interviews could approach easily.
“Will it rain? It feels damp.”
Rob approached with a drink in hand, speaking amiably. But Caliph Roysen only scanned the wall with a bored look.
[âCrazy Lamb Ribsâ The owner’s ambitious dish flavored with rosemary and thyme. Beware, nearby monsters might be attracted by the smell!]
[âHoney-Glazed Porkâ A rejuvenating dish for knights!]
At the bottom of various pamphlets promoting the new menu, the same phrase was written:
[A portion of monthly sales will be donated to the Ability Users Association.]
“Hot, hot! Isnât it, Commander?”
Rob, sensing Caliph Roysenâs mood with his usual care, fanned his shirt collar unnecessarily and then refilled Roysenâs glass.
“Howâs the wound?”
Rob asked, glancing at Roysenâs right shoulder, injured this morning in an attack by a monster at the Solodome Harbor dungeon.
Caliph Roysen emptied his glass without replying.
“Hmm.”
Rob, swallowing words out of concern, looked at the table in the center of the hall.
“By the way, the new aide seems quite diligent.”
Caliph Roysenâs gaze followed the same direction as Robâs.
Pupu Paripa⌠what was her name.
The woman with the flamboyant name moved briskly around the tavern in a dazzling red dress, as if she were the main character of this schedule.
“Hello⌠I am the aide of SirâŚ! I may be lacking, but prettilyâŚ.”
Seeing her greet the reconnaissance team members with a flushed face, Roysenâs expression slowly stiffened.
Then Sera approached, exuding the strong scent of alcohol.
“Cute, isnât she?”
She glanced at Pippin and curled her lips, lightly touching Robâs shoulder. Seeing Rob step aside, Roysen let out a short sigh.
“I thought weâd be together forever. A new aide, huh?”
Sera subtly brought up Meyna.
“Seems like youâre very interested in my aide.”
“To be precise, youâre interested in the Sir, right?”
Roysen didnât hide his displeasure, but Sera didnât back down.
“Princess.”
“Speak.”
“âŚ.”
“To both me and Meyna.”
Caliph Roysen quietly gave a warning. The look in his eyes was terrifying enough to make Sera shut her mouth.
After a brief silence, she changed the subject.
“I know youâre not in the best mood, but letâs treat your wound.”
To the unresponsive Caliph, she said:
“Gelcoda is a monster with a terrible toxin.”
The creatureâs teeth, shaped like a giant snake, pierced Roysenâs shoulder.
“Itâs fortunate the flesh hasnât rotted. It means I attacked before it could release the toxin. Still, one canât be too careful.”
Sera added an explanation that the monsterâs saliva might contain toxic substances.
However, Roysen kept ignoring her.
“Sir Roysen.”
“Princess.”
Suppressing emotion, Roysen lowered his eyelids, and his bloodshot eyes turned toward Sera.
“What I want from you is treatment when necessary.”
“âŚ.”
“Set aside unnecessary worries.”
It was a clear warning not to cross the line for someone he entered dungeons with.
As Sera forced a smile, intending to speak, the door burst open.
Narcitan entered, exuding the scent of hallucinogens.
He briefly exchanged words with his companions at the doorway, then scanned the wide hall. Upon spotting Caliph Roysen, a sly smile appeared on his face.
It was clear he had impure intentions as he approached.
“Didnât you say you hired a new aide?”
Roysen barely swallowed the rising curse words.
Aide, aide.
That damned, lousy aide.
Why all the fuss over an aide? They can be replaced when a contract ends, and yet everyone discussed them with perverse curiosity.
Roysen let out a small, hollow laugh.
“Speak.”
Narcitan, whose expression had stiffened when seeing Roysenâs arrogant face, twisted his lips in a grin.
“She was outside?”
“âŚ.”
“I thought I was mistaken at first because she was wearing a bright dress like a noble lady.”
Roysen was unsettled.
Narcitan, hiding his victorious smile, delivered the final blow.
“She was walking with some man.”
Roysen slammed down his glass and stormed out.
People scattered like the sea parting as he crossed the hall with a murderous expression.
Narcitan chuckled, shoulders shaking.
The rival who seemed immune to attacks and utterly unlucky. This was the first time he saw Roysen lose his composure.
It was a thrilling realization.
The only sword capable of striking Roysen was Meyna Winslet.
***
At the same time, Meyna was struggling to explain to Biterion why she wanted to leave Bellate Square.
“There are just too many people hereâ”
Her answer, finally given, was terrible.
Biterion responded to the hesitant Meyna.
“You dislike crowded places, huh?”
“âŚ.”
“Alright. Shall we find a quieter place?”
Meyna, barely nodding, lowered her gaze.
Her only reason for wanting to leave Bellate Square was to avoid encountering Caliph Roysen.
Unaware of this petty motive, Biterion smiled warmly.
“Is there anywhere youâve wanted to go?”
“âŚNo, nothing comes to mind right now.”
“Shall we think together slowly?”
“âŚ.”
“We can go anywhere via portal.”
Just as they were about to spend time in Kairiv, raindrops began to fall.
“I thought it might rain.”
“Indeed.”
Meyna looked up at the night sky silently.
It was a light drizzle. Thin raindrops quickly formed on her glasses, and her dress started to get wet.
Biterion, observing Meyna, removed the hood of his robe. Turning his back, he unexpectedly began unbuttoning it.
“Prince⌔
Meyna trailed off, doubtful.
A moment later, Biterion handed her a black shirt worn under the robe.
“Use this to shield yourself from the rain.”
“Oh my! Itâs fine, Prince!”
Meyna waved her hands in panic, but Biterion smiled amusedly.
“Prince, getting a little wet wonât hurt.”
Meyna, feeling uncomfortable with the excessive care, spoke seriously.
Biterion remained smiling but replied earnestly and firmly.
“Iâm not trying to act as a lover, nor am I behaving like a man blinded by love.”
“âŚ.”
“The reconnaissance team entered a dungeon near Solodome Harbor this morning. If toxic substances leaked into the air, rain on your skin could be harmful.”
“AhâŚ.”
It was an unexpected, reasonable explanation.
As Meyna finally nodded in compliance, Biterion held the shirt out, shielding her from the rain.
It looked as if she were embraced by him.
They were so close that their breaths mingled, and their gazes met and shifted repeatedly. Biterion offered a welcome suggestion.
“It may be a bad rain, but shall we return near your home without delay?”
“Yes!”
“Haha⌔
Seeing Meyna nod as if she had been waiting, Biterion laughed as he opened a portal.
Meyna temporarily removed her glasses, soaked to the point of blurring her vision.
Carefully wiping the lenses with the hem of her dress, she glanced at the night streets of Bellate Square.
Bright night lights and hurried passersby. In the midst of this faintly shimmering scene, a familiar silhouette appeared.
He approached slowly and stopped facing Biterion and Meyna.
“Sir Roysen⌔
Meyna muttered, aghast.
When she adjusted her glasses with trembling hands, his figure became clearer.
Standing silently with his mouth closed, he looked incredibly emaciated. His rain-soaked hair hung to his nose, and his skin was rough and almost sickly dark.
Seeing him, Biterion let out a short sigh.
“Lady, shall we give you some space?”
He was being considerate to allow them time to talk.
Meyna, frozen and unable to respond, then noticed Roysenâs injured shoulder.
Seeing the blood spreading more in the rain, she clutched her stomach in sharp pain.
“Are you alright?”
Biterion supported her from behind, checking her complexion with a serious expression. Meyna, gritting her teeth to endure the sudden pain, responded with effort.
“Prince, could you open a portal to my home⌔
Before she could finish, Roysen quickly grabbed her arm, shaking her gaze like raindrops in the wind, locking her attention on him.
