The God of Humans (4)

Evian is like a hometown for Yona. It was where she fell into this other world, and because she was taken in by Eize there, the current Yona exists.

However, even while looking at such an Evian, Yona couldn’t enter it.

The city gate of Evian visible from afar.

The appearance of the guards protecting that gate was still the same, and though the vague sight of Evian behind it was unchanged, the current Yona couldn’t enter Evian.

At this time with the sun high in the sky, it doesn’t make sense to climb over without passing through the city gate, and it doesn’t make sense to pass through the gate either.

“Doesn’t it seem like the security has become strangely tighter?”

As Alec said, it felt like there were more soldiers guarding the city gate.

When Yona’s group left the village, there were only 2 people on duty at the city gate.

Occasionally when shift changes overlapped, there would be 2 on duty and 2 changing shifts for a total of 4, but basically it was 2.

But now there were 8.

It didn’t seem like the shift change had come, but 8 soldiers were thoroughly inspecting those entering and leaving Evian.

“…Did they know in advance that we would come here?”

Yona suddenly thought.

She had fled with Alec, and a wanted order was issued accordingly.

If the wanted order started spreading across the country, they would surely be tracked, and Ludvic and Bigrind would certainly be included among them.

And—

If it’s Bigrind, it wouldn’t be difficult to predict that Yona would head to Evian.

‘Is Bigrin in Evian?’

But maybe not.

They must know that Yona is from Evian, so it might just be strengthening security for her place of origin to that extent.

For her, it would be better if Ludvic and Bigrind weren’t here.

If they were, she would have to give up on sneaking into Evian.

Having come this far with the sole intention of meeting Eize, it was too regrettable to give up like this.

“Well, I’ll go and check it out first. Among us, I’m the one whose face isn’t known.”

James stepped forward, thumping his chest.

James, whose name and face were both unknown, was also the most suitable person to scout out the situation in Evian.

“What will you do if the hero’s group is here?”

While waiting for James, the sun had already set, and thinking he would probably return tomorrow, they prepared for camping early.

Worried about being discovered while hunting, they made do with preserved food, and without properly lighting a campfire, they just rolled up in sleeping bags and huddled together.

Yona didn’t answer Alec’s question and was stroking the sleeping Rubina’s hair.

The hero’s group—

Even if they were here, she wasn’t particularly scared.

Alec might not remember, but Yona had already fought with both Ludvic and Bigrind.

Of course Bigrind, and if she summoned Berbaria, she could subdue even the hero without much difficulty.

However, if it came to that, sneaking into Evian would become forever distant.

A situation where they would have to leave to find the next demon without even stopping by Evian— without meeting Eize.

It was that situation she feared, not Ludvic or Bigrind.

“…Well. We’ll have to find a way to sneak in without being noticed. Fighting is the worst option.”

If possible, they just need to quietly sneak into Evian without causing a disturbance and meet Eize.

Then contact Ceres and go to the Katus Empire.

“Ludvic… huh. Hmm.”

Watching Alec muttering quietly, Yona felt a bit of mischief rising.

Alec’s seal had been lifted, so he should know he’s quite a strong cathedral knight.

If he responds seriously, he might be able to somehow handle Berbaria’s avatar.

Then, if it’s Ludvic who also fought quite fiercely against Berbaria’s avatar—

“Baldy.”

“I have hair now.”

“…Baldy.”

She didn’t bother changing the nickname.

The reason was childish, but somehow it felt like Alec should be bald.

“If you and Ludvic fought, who would win?”

To Yona’s question, Alec answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“Of course I’d win. Overwhelmingly. That so-called hero is nothing without the Celestial God’s power. Even if he’s gold rank, he’s no match for a cathedral knight.”

“Really? But looking at that spear, wouldn’t Ludvic be a bit stronger?”

Alec frowned as he looked at Yona.

He could guess what her intention was in saying this, but somehow it felt like losing if he laughed it off here.

Come to think of it, the hero is said to be stronger because he’s with the saint Bigrind,

but now Alec also has Yona who is a saint, doesn’t he?

Although their compatibility is the worst, and just being close makes them feel a tingling sensation— being together is actually a detriment for both of them.

“Hey, do you fight based on weapon advantage? If Ludvic is the hero of the spear, then I’m the cathedral knight of shield techniques. I have two weapons, you know. A hammer and a shield.”

“Come on, a shield isn’t a weapon.”

“Huh? Yona, you’re saying that because you don’t know. You have no idea how much of a deadly weapon a shield can be. It’s a blunt weapon in itself, you know? I’ve taught Sekti many times—”

Ah.

Alec stopped speaking at that moment.

“…That idiot.”

Along with Kaiyak’s long sigh, the surrounding air became so chilly it seemed like frost might form.

Yona, exhaling coldness, was glaring at Alec with narrowed eyes.

The fierce light burning in those orange eyes flickered as if it would burn Alec to death right away.

“Say that again.”

“Uh, well.”

“I said say it again. Sekti, that’s a woman’s name. You, think carefully and speak.”

Alec wanted to punch his own mouth.

Because of unnecessarily prolonging the conversation, it came to this.

But he also wondered if Yona should react this much.

“Well, Sekti… was actually Scarlet. That Scarlet was my subordinate. A knight under me before I received the seal and was driven out of the cathedral. I even taught her combat techniques.”

“…So you knew Scarlet was a woman?”

“Ah, no. No, that’s not true. I really didn’t know that.”

That much at least was the truth.

Scarlet wasn’t that big to begin with, and he never dreamed she would use armor reinforced with holy power to move.

He had never seen Scarlet with her helmet off, and if he had known, he would have avoided getting involved first.

“Alec.”

“…What.”

Alec lowered his gaze, unable to meet Yona’s eyes.

Before he knew it, Yona had carefully wrapped Rubina in the sleeping bag, set her down, and moved to sit opposite Alec, glaring at him.

“Look at me.”

“…Why.”

“I said look at me.”

Yona’s long white fingers approached and lifted Alec’s chin.

Though his gaze should be towards Yona, his eyes couldn’t meet hers and looked down.

“Tell me honestly. What kind of relationship was it?”

“It wasn’t any kind of relationship. You saw her too, that tiny thing. How could I with someone like that.”

“…I didn’t say it was a romantic relationship. Are you feeling guilty about something?”

Coldness began to creep into Yona’s voice.

Alec was chilled to the bone by that voice, which felt not just cool but cold, but on the other hand, he didn’t feel too bad.

“No, I said it was a subordinate relationship. If you ask what kind of relationship further, what else would you think but a romantic one?”

“It really wasn’t any kind of relationship?”

“I’m telling you it wasn’t.”

Yona’s gaze slowly scanned Alec up and down.

This bald guy— not anymore, but anyway, she couldn’t see inside to know if he was lying or not, but probably there wasn’t much of a relationship.

“…But why didn’t she recognize you when she saw you?”

“That’s because I was under the seal. Didn’t I tell you? When you’re under the seal, all the people who had a relationship with me can’t recognize me. Plus I was bald.”

“I guess she didn’t have enough affection. If it were me, I would have recognized you even if you were under a double seal.”

“…Huh?”

For a moment, Alec made a strange expression.

It seemed like there was something in Yona’s words just now that couldn’t be overlooked.

“If she couldn’t recognize me because of lack of affection, and you’re saying you would recognize me no matter what, then doesn’t that mean you have affection for me too?”

“…Uh, huh?”

Alec looked straight at Yona with shining eyes.

The fierce light that had been burning in Yona’s eyes faded as if it had never been there, and her face turned so red it couldn’t be hidden even in this dark night.

“No, that’s right. Yona, according to what you said, it means you have affection for me too.”

“…No, it doesn’t.”

“It’s not that it doesn’t. What you said is exactly that. You said Scarlet couldn’t recognize me because of lack of affection, right? And you said you would have recognized me no matter what seal I was under, right?”

Alec thrust his face towards Yona while sitting.

Because of that, Yona also made a stupid “heek” sound and sat back abruptly.

“Th-that’s not what I meant.”

“It’s not? It can only be interpreted that way.”

“N-no. It really isn’t like that.”

Yona’s face turned bright red as if it might burst.

Her face was so red it seemed like steam might rise from it.

And yet, unable to face Alec, this time it was Yona who was avoiding Alec’s gaze.

“…Stop that nonsense and go to sleep.”

As if Kaiyak’s words were a signal, Yona hurriedly burrowed into the sleeping bag next to Rubina and lay down with her back to Alec.

“I-I’m going to sleep so don’t bother me.”

Kaiyak shook his head with a wry smile as if saying this was ridiculous.

Alec couldn’t hide the grin that kept breaking out on his face.

The night deepened, and only the sound of insects filled the forest.

“So, this person says they know you guys well. Seeing that they even know Alec’s hair has grown, how can I not believe them?”

Even while listening to James’ words, Yona looked at the carriage with a sour expression.

More precisely, she was looking at the blonde elf standing in front of that carriage.

“This is the surest way to enter Evian. Is there a better way, pretty one? If so, I’ll give up.”

There was no way there could be such a thing.

According to Berbaria, Alebbian was obviously either the Observer or the Instigator.

Although Alebbian and Ceres were thorns in her side, it would be difficult for her if she didn’t accept their help right now.

“…Alright, I understand.”

Yona nodded while looking alternately at Alec and Kaiyak.

After being used thoroughly, it’s not bad to use them once like this.

Thinking so, Yona got on the carriage Alebbian had brought.

Finally able to enter Evian which she had only been looking at,

she couldn’t help but feel her heart pounding.