episode_0026

Clop, clop. The sound of hooves pulling the carriage gradually faded until the wheels came to a complete stop.

The coachman, brushing snow off his head and shoulders, announced their arrival to the passengers.

“We’re here. This is the border city—Valtran.”

“I’m not sure if this is the right move…”

A young man muttered as he stepped down from the carriage.

“We don’t have a choice. With no leads to follow, if that woman was lying about heading south, the Empire is the most likely place she’d go.”

A woman who had disembarked after him replied. Streeetch. She arched her back and gazed up at the sky.

The long winter that had hindered their travels was nearly over. Warm sunlight gently bathed the land, coaxing flowers to prepare for bloom.

Weather like this would be perfect for a leisurely date… Maybe even a little break after all this time.

With subtle expectation in her eyes, the woman—Mileen—glanced at Ian.

But Ian, oblivious to her gaze, remained lost in thought.

“Arina said she would use the Philosopher’s Stone from the dungeon to forge a weapon. For weapon crafting, the Empire is the most logical destination—but if she’s a mage, we can’t rule out the possibility she went to the Mage Tower.”

Of course. What did I expect from him?

Too distracted by the woman who already left to notice the one right beside him.

Mileen stifled a sigh before answering:

“I can’t say for sure, but do you really think Riel Frost—who wants to hide her identity and whereabouts—would go somewhere as risky as the Mage Tower?”

Of course, neither of them were familiar with the world of mages. There might have been some unspoken loyalty among mages that could have led Arina there.

Ultimately, faced with a choice between two options, they had decided on the Empire. Though they couldn’t know it yet, that decision would turn out to be the right one.

Before crossing into the Empire, the two began making inquiries—asking around about a silver-haired, blue-eyed mage.

If we’re about to comb through this vast Empire, not finding any trace of her here would mean breaking even—but if we find something, it’s a jackpot.

Their inquiries took less time than expected.

“I dunno if she was a mage, but I saw a girl who looked like that. A young lady who came around every day drinking herself silly—hard to forget.”

“Seriously? Do you remember any distinguishing—”

Mileen cut off Ian’s long-winded question with a simple identifier.

“Big-chested, like a watermelon, right? Couldn’t miss her!”

“Ah, well… I didn’t look that closely, but, yeah, she was definitely stacked.”

The tavern owner cleared his throat awkwardly, but his tone made it clear he remembered very well.

Mileen flicked her finger with confidence.

“That settles it. She’s in the Empire!”

“We don’t know for sure that’s her, though.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! How many silver-haired, blue-eyed women with melon-sized tits do you think exist?”

This time, even Ian had no rebuttal.

After travelling the world as adventurers for some time—albeit not too long—he had to admit he’d never seen another woman like Arina.

“Do you remember around when you saw her?”

“Hmm… She first dropped by in early winter, so must’ve been three months now.”

At the same time, early spring had arrived in the Empire, bringing perfect weather for going out.

For the past three months, things had gone according to plan—staying with the Hight Trading Company without breaking cover. Dennis’ lingering hostility had proven more stubborn than expected.

Sneaking away unnoticed wouldn’t have been difficult, but if Dennis realized she was gone and reported it, the Empire’s pursuit squads would join the Kingdom’s.

So, she had no choice but to wait until Dennis finished his business and left.

Fortunately, the company’s route included her intended destination, so waiting wasn’t a total waste.

But Dennis’ incessant provocations were grating. During breaks in travel, Arina often slipped away for walks instead.

“How much longer until we reach the blacksmith city, Daniel?”

“About a month. Dennis seems to have business there too, so you’ll be free to go afterward.”

“Really? Hmph. Well, I wouldn’t mind sticking around a little longer…”

Arina flipped her hair back, casting a sidelong glance at Daniel. Her slightly flushed face turned away as if to hide her embarrassment.

Beside her, Lilith seethed internally.

Just confess already, you dense idiot.

Do you even realize you’re acting like a flirt? At this rate, he’s bound to misunderstand.

To Arina, Daniel was a safe friend—someone she didn’t see romantically.

But Loneliness clung to her like a shadow, making feelings of affection inevitable.

Still, behaving like this would only make him think she liked him.

Blame the head maid’s etiquette drills for this.

Her usual cold, blunt demeanor had been overwritten by reflexive noble manners—making her come off like a shy maiden unable to express affection.

“Haha. I wouldn’t dare keep you any longer than necessary.”

Yet Daniel didn’t misinterpret her at all—perhaps the only reason their relationship stayed intact.

Maybe he didn’t see himself as someone women could love, or maybe his rough looks kept romance at bay—but Daniel never entertained the idea that Arina might fancy him.

And that’s exactly why they fit.

Because Daniel loved men, Arina—someone who hated male attention—felt at ease with him.

Outwardly, they were as mismatched as beauty and the beast—but honestly, who else would put up with that temperamental mess?

In Lilith’s eyes, if anyone could crack Arina, it was Daniel.

(Not that either of their feelings mattered.)

“But Daniel, why are you helping Her Ladyship so much?”

“Hm? Why the sudden question?”

“I mean, it’s not like you like her or owe her anything. Yet here you are, dragging us freeloaders around, even lying to your family.”

“Actually, yeah, I’m curious too.”

Arina folded her arms, ignoring the freeloader jab, and waited for Daniel’s answer. Their original deal had only covered passage across the checkpoint.

Three months overdue, this was now way beyond a minor favor.

More baffling was his unwavering trust in Arina—Riel Frost—to an almost irrational degree.

Under the sudden scrutiny, Daniel scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“It’s been years since the Hero Party first set out. Over a year now, actually.”

Which meant Arina was now solidly in her late twenties. The unpleasant reminder made her frown.

Maybe turning into a woman made me younger too? Could I count my age starting from twenty again?

“The Hero Party was my childhood dream. I used to brag that I’d join them when I grew up.”

“So… it’s just hero worship?”

“Had it not been for your party, our family wouldn’t be this prosperous today.”

Lilith rolled her eyes at Arina. Hero Party talk always puts her in a foul mood.

But contrary to expectations, Arina’s expression didn’t flicker. Though she had revealed her identity, she hadn’t shared everything.

Daniel knew she was being hunted by the Kingdom—but not the full story between her and the Hero Party.

And she had no plans to tell him. Not out of distrust, but reluctance to shatter his illusions about them.

Not exactly a tale worth spreading anyway.

“But the real reason is that you saved my mother.”

“Did I?”

“How would I know? You’ve saved tons—that’s what the Hero Party does. Save people, slay monsters.”

“True, but I think you might remember this one.”

At the time, the Hero Party was barely six months into their journey. Though skilled, they were still far from their peak when Arina left—struggling to coordinate and often clashing.

When two distant villages were simultaneously attacked by the Demon King’s forces, they had to split up.

While leader Yuria agonized, Arina volunteered to defend one village alone.

Ignoring protests, she departed—and returned after slaughtering the entire demon army.

It was her first true proof of strength—the moment Riel Frost, the prodigy whispered among mages, carved her name into the world.

(Deeper down, it was also what sparked her romance with Yuria.)

“My mother was staying in that village for business. She stayed behind to witness your fight—I heard every vivid detail from her.”

To Daniel, Riel Frost was both his mother’s savior and the embodiment of the hero he had once aspired to be.

Though he couldn’t imagine the bloodied, battered figure refusing to retreat until the last demon fell, his reverence for the Archmage was boundless.

“Oh, right, there was an auntie like that. Yelling at me to watch my back. Didn’t help much, though.”

Wouldn’t even run when I told her to. Daniel’s head snapped up.

“Not that I doubted it—but you really are Riel Frost. That matches my mother’s accounts.”

“That sounds exactly like doubt.”

“No.”

“You doubted me.”

“Nope.”

“Be honest. If you confess now, I’ll let it slide.”

“…Watching you sleep in every morning did make me question—GYAAAH!”

Trusting her mercy was a mistake.

This wasn’t a regular flick—it was a magically enhanced flick. Even the sturdiest of ordinary humans couldn’t endure that pain.

As Daniel writhed on the ground, Lilith watched and drifted into fantasy.

Just get married already.