Ch.79Chapter 79 – A Master’s Duty

I dragged my tired and aching body back to the inn.

Behind me followed Eve, Sera, and Beatrice.

While I wasn’t sure about the other two, having Beatrice follow along was unavoidable.

“Damn that Somnus bastard…”

I could hear Beatrice grumbling behind me.

To be honest, I wanted to complain about the situation too.

The problem was this collar.

I suddenly found myself in the position of a slave trader, dragging around an adult woman on a leash.

It was so conspicuous that after leaving the shelter, we quickly headed to the ruins of the explosion site to thoroughly search for something to cover ourselves.

We found a large piece of cloth that seemed to have been part of a tent, split it in two, and draped it over ourselves to hide our faces and bodies as we moved.

Thanks to that, we created the rather suspicious scene of two tall, cloaked figures connected by a chain moving together.

Still, I thought it was better than being completely exposed, and walked on praying that no one would report us.

“What kind of damn chain won’t come off my hand…”

The chain was firmly wrapped around my hand.

I had naively thought I could just let go of it, but this magical tool was more troublesome than I expected.

Actually, Beatrice, being a magician, had tried to remove it earlier, but whenever she touched it, the collar tightened painfully around her neck, forcing her to give up.

“Well, your end of the problem will be solved when Asam arrives.”

Beatrice commented casually.

“I’m the real problem.”

“Why?”

“From what I observed while trying to remove it earlier, even if we get rid of the physical chain, the magical contract binding us will remain.”

She must be a proper magician after all.

I was somewhat impressed by Beatrice’s calm analysis of the situation.

When Beatrice suddenly fell silent, I looked back to see her rummaging through her clothes to pull out a cigarette.

A moment later, Beatrice bit down on a cigarette.

“Which means that even if we solve the chain problem, I’ll have to stick close to you until we resolve the contract magic.”

“Can’t you just keep some distance?”

At my question, Beatrice gave a resigned smile and said:

“Sorry about that.”

“Useless.”

My comment seemed to irritate Beatrice slightly, but it was the truth.

To be fair, she couldn’t remove it because she herself had become the subject of the spell, so there were mitigating circumstances.

But what good was that when she still couldn’t remove it?

For a while after that, only cigarette smoke spread between us as neither of us spoke.

Finally, Beatrice broke the silence with a somewhat deflated voice.

“Asam should be able to completely remove it if he spends some time on it.”

So in the end, connections were all we had left to rely on.

To me, she just seemed like a strange witch who soaked biscuits in medicine before eating them.

Still, given how eagerly she was looking for him, he might be better than Beatrice in this field.

‘They seem quite close.’

Before, I thought Beatrice was just using Asam one-sidedly, but from what she’s saying now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Perhaps the two of them had been working as a duo long before I knew them. Beatrice taking the lead, with Asam supporting from behind.

“…So to summarize, you need to stay close to Kay for the time being.”

When Eve said this while looking at Beatrice, she nodded.

The cigarette smoke moved with her motion.

“That’s right. But don’t worry.”

Beatrice looked at Eve and Sera in turn, then smiled and said:

“I won’t touch him from my end.”

Eve’s expression darkened slightly.

Sera also grabbed my arm with a somewhat gloomy expression.

The atmosphere between the two was a bit frightening.

“Ah, to think I have to stay with this helmet. I don’t know what might happen to me if I’m not careful.”

“What exactly do you take me for?”

I snapped back in annoyance, and Beatrice just grinned.

“Men are sad creatures, they say. When they see a pretty woman, they harbor lustful thoughts.”

Beatrice spoke lightly, as if reciting a passage from a book.

“Just as women’s heads turn when they see a handsome man, men’s heads turn when they see a pretty woman. Honestly, I’m quite beautiful, aren’t I?”

Beatrice confidently asked, clearly self-assured about her appearance.

To be fair, having seen quite a few beauties around, I had to admit Beatrice was indeed pretty.

Still, I didn’t appreciate her implying that I might do something inappropriate.

What did she take me for?

“Get lost.”

I threw out words that expressed my current feelings.

My sincerity must have reached her, as Beatrice laughed and rattled the chain.

“Sorry. The chain’s in the way.”

Where had all that hostility from before gone?

I wondered if it was good or bad that she could act this way despite her current predicament.

Was there something wrong with her head?

‘Ah, her head was already messed up.’

Given her obsession with revenge, her head was probably already not quite right.

Anyway, despite her situation, Beatrice continued to provoke me.

As a result, when I, and for some reason Sera and Eve as well, glared at Beatrice, she laughed and said:

“I’m just joking. I know your brain isn’t located in your lower half. It’s obvious just looking at these two ladies. Well.”

“…Fine then.”

Honestly, I was annoyed, but since it seemed she wasn’t being serious, I decided to let it go.

To think I’d have to stay close to a woman like her for a while.

It was torture in itself.

Shortly after, we arrived at the lodging where I had been staying, and I could finally relax.

Even though it was the cheapest inn in a corner of the capital, it was a familiar place that gave me comfort.

‘Maybe I should change lodgings soon.’

Both Sera and I were earning decent money now.

It might be time to discuss moving.

“Oh, so this is where you’re staying.”

“…Got a problem with it?”

“No. Actually, I think it’s pretty decent, all things considered.”

Beatrice was grinning for some reason as she spoke.

Ignoring her, I went inside.

I just gave a brief greeting to the innkeeper and was about to head to my room when Beatrice suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you coming up?”

“Well, I can’t just go up. I’m not a guest here.”

I had forgotten.

Naturally, except for Sera and me, not many people stayed here long-term, so I had been acting as if it were my home without realizing it.

“Then, one room…”

“Before that, let me ask you something.”

Beatrice approached with quite a serious face.

“Does your room have two beds?”

The sudden question made my thoughts freeze.

“…What?”

“If there are two beds, there’s no need to get another room. Just tell me.”

Finally, unable to stand by any longer, Sera stepped slightly forward.

Standing between Beatrice and me, she looked up at Beatrice.

“Excuse me, but suddenly asking about extra beds…”

“Little miss, I understand you’re upset, but this is the problem.”

Beatrice pointed to the chain.

“Because of this, that helmet and I can’t use separate rooms. Unfortunately.”

“B-but…”

As expected.

This chain was a serious headache.

“Of course, being a magical tool, it can stretch to some extent, but if we take separate rooms, we might end up having to sleep next to the doors rather than getting any actual rest, you know?”

“…I didn’t think of that.”

Finally at a loss for words, Sera carefully stepped back.

Seeing this, Eve looked at me with a somewhat dark expression.

“…Will you be okay, Kay?”

“To be honest, no.”

Anyone else might have been fine, but Beatrice was a burden in herself.

If it were Sera, whom I was familiar with and whose living habits I knew, it would be okay.

But Beatrice was practically a stranger.

It couldn’t help but be uncomfortable.

“…Really. She’s such a troublemaker.”

“Hahahahaha.”

When Eve glared slightly, Beatrice just laughed it off.

Like earlier, I suspected she enjoyed seeing those around her troubled.

“Can’t be helped. For now, a room with two beds…”

“That sounds good. I’ll leave it to you.”

Beatrice seemed intent on staying out of it and stepped back.

“…Hey. Why are you backing out?”

“Why? Because of this chain, of course.”

Beatrice lifted the chain slightly as she spoke.

“We’re in a master-slave relationship, right?”

“…So?”

“The master has an obligation to provide food, clothing, and shelter to the slave, master.”

In other words, she wasn’t going to pay.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who understood her meaning and was dismayed.

“…How shameless.”

At Sera’s comment, Eve quietly nodded in agreement.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the inn didn’t have such a room, but we were able to get some blankets instead.

+

After somehow arranging our sleeping quarters, I was now escorting Eve back to the merchant guild, dragging along a reluctant Beatrice who wanted to rest, with Sera accompanying us.

Under normal circumstances, Sera wouldn’t need to come along, but for the time being, she couldn’t be left alone.

It didn’t seem like Somnus had completely withdrawn from this country yet, and Sera was a target for such dangerous individuals.

I was terrified of being unable to do anything if she were left alone.

Beatrice came along because the chain left her no choice.

So the same group that had entered the inn earlier was now walking along the main road.

“Well then, I’ll be heading in now.”

According to Eve, assassins had come near the guild, but fortunately, since Eve and Sera had left the building first, there seemed to be no damage to the building or the guild members.

I could see Eve’s relief as she confirmed that none of the staff had been injured.

“Now I can focus on catching up on the work that’s piled up.”

“Catching up? Aren’t you going to rest?”

“I’ve fallen behind on some work while protecting Seraphina.”

It’s sad to work when everyone else is resting.

I briefly grabbed Eve’s shoulder as she was about to go inside.

“Take it easy.”

“…I will. Don’t worry.”

After saying that, Eve slowly removed my hand from her shoulder and smiled.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Sure.”

“Well, I’ll be going in now. Please contact me if anything happens. The same goes for Christina.”

Christina was still receiving treatment.

They said she had passed the critical stage, but still.

“Got it.”

With my answer, Eve smiled and entered the guild building.

Earlier, her expression had been somewhat sour because of Beatrice, but by the time she went in, her face had brightened.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

I headed back to the inn with Sera and Beatrice.

+

After a simple dinner, I headed to the room, soaked in fatigue.

Noticing that night had fallen, I laid a blanket on the narrow floor and was about to lie down when Beatrice took the bed.

She had said she didn’t care whether she slept on the floor or the bed, but while I was briefly occupied with something else, Beatrice quickly claimed the bed.

“I wonder who’s the master here.”

“In these matters, it’s first come, first served.”

Beatrice stuck out her tongue slightly to tease me as she replied.

Too tired to argue, I just started to lie down on the blanket on the floor.

‘She said the magic created a master-slave relationship…’

But judging by her behavior, she seemed to be the master.

After voicing a slight complaint and waiting a bit, Beatrice quietly opened the window and started smoking.

‘I need to get my equipment refitted tomorrow.’

With the money I’d recently earned, getting armor, a helmet, and gauntlets refitted wouldn’t be difficult.

As I lay there contemplating what to do tomorrow, a voice suddenly reached me.

“Asam should arrive by tomorrow morning, so just bear with the discomfort for tonight.”

“I hope so.”

I wished he could come right now.

“What are you going to do tomorrow?”

“What else? I need to buy new equipment since someone destroyed mine.”

“How fortunate. Getting new equipment thanks to someone.”

To say such a thing in front of someone who’s sad about spending money.

I was considering how to counter when…

“…Huu…”

I heard the sound of regular breathing.

The source was, of course, Beatrice, who had fallen asleep.

“…I guess she was tired too.”

She had fallen asleep on the bed still wearing her clothes.

‘I should sleep too.’

Being teased by Beatrice and having various discussions had made me realize how tired my body was.

Gradually, sleep began to overtake me.

Soon after, two rhythmic breathing sounds filled the room.

+

It was an image of a snow-white dragon being slain.

In the New Kingdom, Idea was lost in thought as he gazed at the picture depicting his exploits.

“So this is where you were.”

“What is it?”

Without turning around, he spoke, and the voice replied with a laugh.

“A message from Somnus.”

“What is it?”

“Since a saint died this time, they’re asking for a replacement.”

At the man’s words, Idea fell into thought for a moment.

Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“Somnus is being capricious again.”

“Well, isn’t it fine? There should be hundreds of them left.”

“Wake one up quickly. No need for selection.”

At Idea’s words, the other man bowed his head.

After all, Idea was a hero of the New Kingdom.

There was no one in the New Kingdom who could treat him casually.

“So. Is that all?”

“Of course not.”

At the man’s words, Idea turned to face him.

“They’re asking you to come to the Mikea Kingdom soon.”

“So they’re coming.”

If that was the case, it was time to prepare.

“Gather some of the Red Knights.”

“For your escort?”

“Not for me.”

Idea added after a moment:

“It’s just a precaution for the new saint we’re about to awaken.”

“I’ll handle it. So you’re planning to go to the Mikea Kingdom yourself?”

“Yes.”

The man picked up another picture.

The other half of the illustration that accompanied his own picture.

Looking at the image of a black dragon, he quietly spoke:

“Finally, I’ll have it again.”

One of the several items needed to awaken as a hero.

Among them, one whose origin was certain but difficult to obtain.

“A dragon’s heart.”

Idea quietly uttered the name of that object.