115. The Unexpected Reinforcement Is Someone You Know, Isn’t It?

A wyvern suddenly appeared from the sky, cutting through the fog, and bombarded the hydra with fireballs.

On its back rode Kyle’s father, Margrave Ortros Gandarl von Veil Road.

“”Father!?””

Kyle and Zaid shouted simultaneously.

“The Margrave is a dragon knight…”

“…Yes. Few people know this, but he bears the dragon knight’s crest.”

Margrave Veil Road repeatedly hit and ran with the wyvern.

The hydra’s attention was divided between the sky and Raidoc.

Of course, Raidoc and the others wouldn’t miss this chance.

“We got it! [Crimson Ascending Dragon Strike]!”

“Just fall already! [White Heat Ray]!”

“How dare you target Kyle-sama! [Spiral Gale]!”

One after another, powerful techniques were unleashed, centered around Raidoc and Eva.

The top adventurers of the Golden Dawn launched a simultaneous attack.

Of course, the wyvern’s fireballs were also tremendous.

And finally.

Gyaaaahhhh!

Slowly, its massive body collapsed.

It was the end of the giant eight-headed hydra.

Everyone present remained vigilant, but Camille slowly approached the hydra and murmured.

“We did it.”

After exchanging glances, everyone raised their arms and cheered explosively.

“Woohoo! We won!”

“This is our victory!”

“Damn! That was tough!”

“Lord Raidoc!”

Amidst the joyous shouts, I started running with all my might.

“Brother!?”

“I’m bringing Myrna!”

“Craft! Don’t go alone! …Damn! That idiot!”

Raidoc and Leafan quickly followed, but I ignored them and kept going.

“Myrna!”

I dived into the shelter where she was hiding.

“…!”

Myrna, curled up with her knees hugged, looked up with a start.

“Good. You’re safe.”

I sighed in relief.

I was worried she might have been caught in the hydra’s massive water attack.

“…Late…”

“Sorry. But we took down the scary hydra.”

“Mm!”

Myrna jumped at me, hugging tightly.

I slowly patted her head.

“You did well, Myrna.”

“…Mm…Mm!”

Myrna, pressing her head into my stomach, took out the rabbit doll she had entrusted to me.

“…Mm.”

“Yeah.”

I tied the rabbit doll to my waist, and Myrna tightened her hug with satisfaction.

As I gently patted her, feeling sorry for scaring her, I sensed an odd presence behind me.

“Oh… I see. Craft has that kind of hobby, huh?”

“Heh. I see. So that’s what Craft’s into.”

Turning my head, I saw Raidoc grinning and Leafan with a complicated expression.

“I always wondered why Craft, who’s quite popular, never had a girlfriend.”

“Huh!?”

“Wait, Craft’s popular?”

“…Ugh?”

Raidoc’s teasing made not only Leafan but also Myrna look up.

“Many targeted him since his adventurer days. But he was too busy chasing money to notice.”

“What!? First I’ve heard! Why didn’t you tell me!?”

I couldn’t help but shout, and Leafan and Myrna’s gazes turned cold.

“Oh? You were interested?”

“Uh, well…”

Of course, I was interested!

But saying that now felt like a matter of life and death.

“Well, I was an incompetent mage back then, so I had no time for that.”

Huh?

Why am I making excuses to these two?

“Oh? If you had time, you’d be super popular, huh?”

“No, that’s just Raidoc talking nonsense…”

“Since you joined the Golden Dawn, even more people are after you.”

“Raidoc!?”

What a betrayal!

And I was popular? I didn’t know!

“Oh, I see. So that’s what Craft’s like.”

“…”

Why is Leafan looking at me with those cold, half-lidded eyes!?

Ah!

Myrna moved away and hid behind Leafan!

Is it my fault!?

“Come, Myrna-sama. Let’s return to Kyle-sama. Everyone is waiting!”

“Mm.”

Leafan and Myrna held hands and went back to everyone.

“…I don’t get it!”

“It’s fate.”

Shut up, Raidoc!

Still feeling unsatisfied, I followed the two.

◆

When we returned to the group, the atmosphere was tense.

Adventurers and lizardmen had begun dismantling the hydra, but Kyle’s private soldiers were guarding a tent.

As we approached, a former adventurer among the private soldiers called out.

“Myrna-sama! I’m so glad you’re safe!”

“…Mm.”

When Myrna bowed her head, the tense air among the soldiers eased a bit.

…Don’t relax your expressions too much.

“Craft-sama, Myrna-sama. Please enter the tent.”

“Me too?”

“Yes. This is by order of Margravef Veil Road.”

I instinctively looked at Leafan, but she just shrugged.

“Understood. Let’s go, Myrna.”

“Mm.”

When Myrna and I entered the tent, Margrave Veil Road, Van, and Jabil-sensei stood together, with Zaid deeply bowing before them.

Kyle was also kneeling on one knee but not bowing as deeply as Zaid.

“Oh, Craft, you made it.”

Van casually beckoned me over.

He’s the king, right? How should I act!?

“Myrna, Craft. Stand beside Kyle.”

“Y-yes!”

While I was frozen, Margrave Veil Road… Ortros-sama gave me the order. I knelt on one knee beside Kyle as instructed.

(Kyle! What’s going on!?)

(It’s… complicated.)

Kyle looked confused. It seemed like the situation was quite troublesome.

“Hmm. Now that Craft is here, Ortros, please explain the situation again for clarity.”

“Yes! Kyle’s mysterious illness, which even Jabil-sensei couldn’t cure, was completely healed by using an elixir.”

Starting from there?

“Zaid suffered a near-fatal injury and was treated with His Majesty’s elixir. This resulted in a significant change in his feelings towards Kyle.”

Ortros-sama addressed Van formally as the king, but Margrave Veil Road was the one seated in the highest position. What was going on?

Unperturbed, Van nodded at Ortros.

“Jabil, state your opinion.”

“Yes! This is mere speculation, but I believe Zaid-sama was likely cursed. As for Kyle-sama, I cannot be certain.”

“Hmm…”

While the discussion continued, Zaid remained deeply bowed, almost like a different person.

“Jabil, if Kyle and Zaid were cursed, who could have done it?”

At Van’s question, Jabil-sensei closed her eyes and furrowed her brow.

It seemed difficult for her to say.

“…This is still speculation.”

“No matter. Speak.”

“…I was both Zaid-sama’s personal physician and examined Kyle-sama multiple times. Only one person could have acted without my noticing.”

Jabil-sensei opened her eyes with resolve.

“Zaid-sama’s mother, Bella-sama.”

Kyle and Ortros widened their eyes.

Hey, hey, hey! A crime committed by a family member!?

Bella was the flashy lady who suggested taking the original Golden Dawn village from Kyle and giving it to Zaid, right?

Ignoring my doubts, Van nodded deeply.

“Ortros! Return to Gandarl immediately and apprehend Bella! Take Zaid with you and throw him in jail!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“I will travel to Gandarl by land. We will discuss further once we reunite there.”

“Will you not travel with us? My wyvern can carry three people…”

“That would work if it were you and two women, Ortros. I am heavy. Speed is crucial now. Go, Ortros!”

“…Understood!”

After kneeling and responding, Ortros spoke to Zaid in an emotionless voice.

“Zaid. Let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

Without resistance, Zaid obediently followed Ortros, and the two flew high into the sky on the wyvern.

“Now, Kyle.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Van turned his gaze back to us.

“You are to return to Golden Dawn, handle the aftermath, and then head to Gandarl, Ortros’ domain. Do not forget the key members involved in this event. Decide who will attend the meeting on-site.”

“Understood!”

It seemed the decisions for the future would be made in Margrave Veil Road’s capital.

“Temporarily, Kyle will be the acting overseer of Zaid’s village.”

“Understood.”

“Now, Craft.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Idiot. Right now, I am just Van. No need to be formal.”

No, no, no!

How can I act normally when Margrave Veil Road and Kyle are bowing to you!?

“Haha! Just kidding! But once we leave this tent, treat me as an adventurer.”

“Is that… an order?”

“Hmm? It’s a request from a friend.”

“…Understood.”

Ugh. Fine. I’ll treat him like a regular adventurer!

“So, what will you do next, Your Majesty?”

“As the king, I will head to Gandarl.”

“Understood. We will provide an escort.”

“Hmm? What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

Kyle’s confused response was understandable. I didn’t get it either.

“As an adventurer, I will tour Golden Dawn! Then I will accompany you to Gandarl as your escort.”

“What!?”

I couldn’t help but shout in surprise.

That level of informality would normally be grounds for execution.

“Alright! Show me your town!”

Thus, the king’s impromptu and secret inspection was decided.

“…Van! As a temporary adventurer, listen to what Raidoc says!”

I shouted in frustration, and Van smiled wryly while Jabil-sensei held her head in his hands.