Ch.BONUSAfterword) Age doesn’t matter.

The rattling sound of the train flows into my foggy mind.

It was quite a loud noise, but to me, who had surrendered myself to the flow of consciousness, it sounded as faint as the whisper of air passing by.

That’s how much my attention was focused elsewhere.

Thoughts.

The Giant of the Snow Mountain, the Second Princess Iphomia, had been stopped, and the snowy hell on earth was finally saved.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that an unprecedented era of peace had arrived.

The restoration of collapsed buildings proceeded quickly, and thanks to Neutrice’s efforts, the devastated spirits of the people recovered rapidly.

Yes, peace had certainly arrived.

Since Lintpia was the imperial capital, restoration work happened almost instantly, which meant I could live comfortably doing nothing for at least a few months.

But.

But why am I!

“Sigh…”

My flowing consciousness plunged into a million rivers of sweet potatoes, making my chest feel tight as if I were choking.

Where is this train I’m riding headed?

This train was bound for Rondan.

If you’re wondering why I’m returning to Rondan when everything is over…

It’s because Rondan is the only place left where I can hide!

Yes, I’m a fugitive now.

Even now, like The Huntsman who was in the underground prison, I had my face covered with a muffler, trying my best to conceal my identity.

It all started when I fled with Ria’s help, escaping from what seemed like an impending war after hearing that “There should be only ONE person by my side!”

I sighed as I scratched Ria’s head, which was peeking out of my pocket.

Even now, I could see a wanted poster fluttering on one side of the train.

On it, without a single error, was written the name “Raedan Tanthyn.”

The fortunate thing is that people wouldn’t be able to find me from that wanted poster.

Well…

The Princess, who presumably drew that poster, must have had quite the love blindness, because there was an unrecognizably handsome man on it that I couldn’t identify even when looking in a mirror.

…I’m rambling due to my frustration.

Anyway, the reason I’m fleeing to Rondan is simple.

It’s because Rondan is truly the only place left for me to escape to.

My reputation had already spread throughout the territories near Lintpia, making it impossible to stay there as too many people recognized my face.

So I headed for the most remote place I could find, only to discover a village plastered with Agharta’s writings.

Every wall was covered with the phrase “Are you there?”, filling me with indescribable terror, but ironically, those writings saved me by keeping me from entering.

Of course, one might say this escape is pointless if Bell is monitoring me, but thanks to the method The Huntsman taught me, that wasn’t an issue.

The problem is Oko…

I don’t know.

Oko is rational, so if she comes alone, perhaps we can resolve things through conversation?

“Next stop is Rondan Station! Passengers disembarking, please gather your belongings!”

While I was lost in thought, the conductor’s voice came from the front.

If you’re wondering why I’m heading to Rondan… to be precise, I’m not exactly going to Rondan.

The chief administrator and branch manager of Vandre at Rondan Station.

I’m heading to where White Mask, my master, is.

Perhaps staying with the Knight Commander or Vice Commander would be safer in terms of raw power, but those people are busy maintaining public order.

Rather than bothering them, it’s much safer to go to White Mask, who I’ve heard is just sitting at a desk job.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

I lowered my voice as much as possible as I greeted the conductor.

My experience living in the Eastern Land of Courtesy compelled me to be polite even in this situation.

The conductor gave me a strangely warm smile.

Sigh.

Once again, I realized that hiding myself was impossible now that my face was known.

#

Near Rondan Station, where snow never falls, lush grass had grown, giving the area a rather natural appearance.

The saplings, though not fully grown, seemed somewhat inadequate, but listening to their fresh rustling in the wind brought a sense of tranquility to my heart.

I couldn’t fully appreciate it in Lintpia where I had witnessed the rebuilding of structures from the beginning, but seeing the area around Rondan Station made me truly feel that peace had returned to the world.

As I walked along the path, feeling the energy of nature with my whole body, I could see a building standing like a painting.

Behind it was a larger building that appeared to be dominated by vines, confirming I had come to the right place.

My breathing quickened.

I finally felt that I could survive for a while!

Yes, I just need to hide until those scary people chasing me calm down.

Then I can avoid the worst-case scenario!

With that thought, I carefully knocked on the door of the small building.

“Come in.”

A voice telling me to enter without even asking who I was.

It probably meant not many people came directly to this building.

Which also meant they were confident in the hygiene and security around Rondan Station.

As expected of an iron-blooded person.

Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since I last saw White Mask.

One month?

Maybe even two months.

With an excited heart beating slightly faster, I held my chest and opened the door to enter.

Scratch, scratch.

A pen gliding quickly across paper.

I saw White Mask processing documents.

Not yet noticing my presence, she furrowed her brow slightly and looked up, probably finding it strange that the visitor wasn’t saying anything.

When our eyes finally met, she first showed a slightly surprised expression, then…

“…Well, it’s a face I haven’t seen in a while.”

She welcomed me with a warm smile.

#

After pulling up a chair for me to sit, White Mask listened silently, nodding as I recounted everything that had happened, almost like I was pouring out my grievances.

After I finished, she nodded a couple of times.

“…So that’s how you ended up here, is that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Having reached a conclusion, White Mask lowered one corner of her mouth, exhaled through her nose, and looked at me with an expression that seemed genuinely perplexed.

“But isn’t this your karma?”

“M-Master!”

I had no real rebuttal, but I turned pale at White Mask’s blunt statement.

Finding my reaction amusing, White Mask waved her hand with a light laugh.

“I’m joking. I understand. You never expected that your actions to protect the empire would stir their hearts like this.”

“…As expected of you, Master! How do you see through my heart so well!”

“Still, shouldn’t you take responsibility? I don’t think hiding like this will change anything.”

“Just until they calm down, that’s all.”

“That might only provoke them further.”

White Mask’s logical counterarguments…

It seemed like she was trying to convince me to return to Lintpia.

Argh.

This won’t work.

At times like this, appealing to emotions is the only answer!

I jumped up from my chair and grabbed White Mask’s hands with both of mine.

“…?!”

“Please, Master! The truth is, I have no one but you now!”

“N-No one but me?! W-Wait, calm down! You shouldn’t say such things carelessly…”

“I’m serious! You’re the only person I can trust and rely on now!”

I brought my face closer to show my most pitiful expression.

Did my appeal work?

A hint of emotion seeped into White Mask’s cool face.

“But… the age…”

?

What’s this random comment?

Oh, is she saying that?

That her body is too old to protect me properly?

Come on.

Even in your thirties, you’re still in your prime.

And besides, I just need you to hide me, so what does that matter?

“That’s not important at all. What matters is your willingness to take me in!”

At those words, White Mask seemed to have some kind of revelation, showing surprise with a reddened face.

Hmm.

White Mask sometimes shows these strange reactions.

Like when I restored her face.

After freezing for a moment, White Mask cleared her throat and pushed me away to create distance.

Well.

I guess I was too close?

“I, I understand, so please, just calm down a bit…”

How could I calm down!

If I’m kicked out of here, I truly have nowhere else to go!

…But I couldn’t say that out loud, so I filtered my words carefully.

“So, would it be alright if I stay for a while?”

For some reason, she mumbled with a flustered expression, but finally nodded.

“…Fine, do as you please.”

“Okay! Thank you!”

I don’t know why she had such a strange reaction, but at least I got permission, so it should be fine.

I just need to figure out how to persuade Oko when she eventually finds me.

And so I was at ease.

Not anticipating at all what was about to happen next.