R302 | Chapter 4

―What brings you here, nyang?

A small, gentle girl’s voice echoed. Normally, hearing a girl’s voice in a place with only two people would be surprising, but… Ain knew the owner of the voice.

“Hello, Rinne.”

The voice belonged to the cat named Rinne in front of him. Of course, she wasn’t an ordinary cat. Rinne was a divine beast who had lived in the village for nearly 30 years and had been around for over 300 years.

Ain spoke honestly to the divine beast with sharp eyes.

“Same reason as before. To deal with the chaos.”

‘Chaos’ was a cancerous existence threatening the world. It looked like a black mist and contaminated living beings, turning them into monsters.

Ten years ago, Ain fought against the chaos that spread throughout the kingdom. What helped Ain back then was the teleportation magic circle engraved on the floor of this inn’s storage room.

Why such an incredible relic was in an ordinary inn was a mystery, but using the teleportation magic circle allowed free travel anywhere in the Kingdom of Elio.

Thanks to this magic circle, Ain was able to resolve numerous incidents in a short time. The achievements from that time greatly aided Ain in beheading the tyrant and ascending the throne.

Rinne tilted her head.

―Aren’t you the king, nyang?

“I am the king, right?”

―Why do it yourself, nyang? Why not order your subordinates?

“That’s exactly what I want to say, Your Majesty.”

Bjorn quickly interjected. He looked as if he carried antacid everywhere, his face full of distress.

“Are you seriously going yourself? Even though you’re the king who rules this kingdom?”

“I’m serious.”

“Your Majesty….”

“I said I’m Ain. And you know, right? It’s hard to suppress chaos with an army. It’s better for me to move directly than to lose soldiers or knights. I’m the strongest, after all.”

“…….”

Ain’s words were a bit annoying, but they were true. Ain was on a different level from ordinary people, so what others had to risk their lives for, Ain could handle with a yawn.

Moreover, his old comrades had gathered. The five who had grown stronger than ten years ago were all together, so surely they could solve complex incidents easily, just like back then.

But still….

“No matter what, isn’t it unnecessary to make a fuss? The king pretending to be an adventurer and poking around the territory is beyond common sense.”

“Do you really think mobilizing troops is right? The kingdom was overturned just ten years ago. Do you think it’s right to stir up a kingdom that’s barely stabilized?”

Ain’s words were also right. The problem was, no matter how efficient, he was the king of a country.

“Anxiety can be quelled in other ways. Isn’t it our role to support Ain-nim so you don’t have to step forward yourself? Please trust your courtiers.”

Ain listened quietly to Bjorn’s earnest persuasion and then snorted.

“I don’t want to.”

“…Pardon?”

“This is fun.”

“…….”

Bjorn was at a loss for words. He couldn’t shake the suspicion that the last thing Ain said was the most sincere.

Lately, Ain seemed particularly stressed. Was this escapade the result of seeking fun to relieve that stress? It was all because of those greasy-bellied nobles. Bjorn gritted his teeth.

‘They kept nagging about how it’s absurd for a king to be unmarried at twenty-seven, and then they pushed young kids as marriage candidates, which made him explode!’

Thinking that way, Bjorn almost understood Ain’s escapade… but he shook his head. It wasn’t something to be easily overlooked. However, Ain’s attitude was firm.

“If I were an ordinary king, I wouldn’t do this. But this is the Kingdom of Elio, and I’m the king, right?”

“…….”

“And I’ve arranged things so everything runs smoothly even without me, so don’t worry too much.”

That’s because you’re grinding the chancellor to the bone! Bjorn couldn’t say it out loud and just clutched his head, while Rinne flicked her tail.

―I was going to kick you out if you were up to something suspicious. But if that’s the reason, I don’t mind you using the magic circle. I’ll allow it, nyang.

“Thank you, Rinne.”

Ain thanked her softly. It was Rinne who led them to discover the magic circle. Rinne had promised to tell them something good if they fulfilled her request, and that information was the existence and usage of the teleportation magic circle.

―But there’s a condition, nyang.

“What is it?”

―This time, say goodbye to Licht before you disappear, nyang. Licht was really upset, nyang. Cried a lot, nyang….

“…Okay, I got it.”

Back then, he did disappear too suddenly. There were unavoidable circumstances, but not showing up again was his own choice….

Promising repeatedly not to do so this time, Ain grabbed Bjorn, who was muttering about the noble brats, by the scruff and returned to the inn’s dining room.

Rinne followed them inside. While they were talking, the ordered dishes seemed to have been completed, and people were happily devouring their meals. Rinne crossed the dining room and leaped onto Lady Ruschilka’s lap, settling down.

“Rinne, it’s been a while.”

“Meow.”

Rinne meowed like an ordinary house cat and began grooming herself on Lady Ruschilka’s lap. Licht, who was delivering food to the end table and heading to the kitchen, noticed Rinne and approached.

“Rinne, did you have fun?”

“Meow.”

“Yeah, nothing happened? Good girl. Rinne, want some food? Food?”

Rinne perked her ears and jumped down. Licht chopped up leftover fish from the kitchen and handed it to Rinne, who started eating it happily.

“Food isn’t really necessary for a divine beast….”

“Licht doesn’t seem to know about Rinne yet.”

“Don’t the villagers know Rinne is a divine beast?”

“She’s cute.”

The fact that Licht, who kept Rinne close, didn’t know the truth was part of his charm. Ain nodded in satisfaction.

“Ain-nim, have some more.”

“Sure.”

Mr. Maser poured him a drink. Ain drank it along with the food that had filled the table. Drinking and chatting like an ordinary adventurer after a long time was quite enjoyable.

Ms. Albina returned to her seat, and the five of them talked about recent events. The only one who remained by Ain’s side after he became king was Bjorn, who had revived a fallen family and become a duke. Lady Ruschilka was at the temple, Ms. Albina at the magic tower, and Mr. Maser traveled both within the kingdom and abroad, living their own lives.

It had been ten years since all five of them gathered in one place.

“When I first saw Ain-nim, you were much smaller than now. I miss those days.”

“Why are you talking about so long ago? And if we’re talking small, Bjorn was smaller.”

“I was sixteen, Your… Ain-nim.”

“I was seventeen, you know?”

“Ain-nim, you grew a lot after that incident, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. I guess it’s because they fed me well and let me sleep well. Of course, it was my growth period, but I suffered a lot from growing pains. Bjorn wouldn’t know about that, right?”

“…I’m not that small either.”

“I saw earlier, Licht is about your height.”

“No matter what, I’m taller than Licht.”

“Hmm.”

Ain looked at Licht, who was at the counter, and called him over as soon as he finished calculating.

“Why? Do you need something?”

“No, not really. I’m just curious.”

“Curious?”

“Yeah. Stand up for a second, Bjorn. Licht, you too, stand back to back.”

“…….”

“Why?”

Licht tilted his head, glancing at the grim-faced Bjorn. Ain grinned mischievously.

“I want to see who’s taller between you and Bjorn.”

“Huh? Isn’t Bjorn-ssi taller?”

“You won’t know until you check. Come on, stand up.”

Licht, still puzzled, obediently stood back to back with Bjorn. Ain and Mr. Maser stood up to compare their heights. Bjorn was slightly taller by about 2 centimeters.

“See? I’m taller.”

Bjorn boasted, sighing in relief. Licht didn’t seem to mind. He returned to the counter, talked briefly with Heiker, who had come out of the kitchen, and then approached the group again with a bowl.

“Ajusshi told me to eat… Can I eat here?”

“Of course. Sit here.”

Ain quickly pointed to the seat next to him. It was where a guest had been sitting.

“That’s Bjorn-ssi’s seat….”

“Bjorn can sit over there.”

Bjorn moved to another empty seat without complaint. Licht thanked Bjorn and sat next to Ain.

“Licht, are you done for the day?”

“Yeah. Ajusshi said it’s past midnight, so we should close up.”

“Did you sell a lot today?”

“Yeah! I think we made over 200 Rund. Everyone drank so much. We ran out completely. It’s the first time that’s happened.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

No wonder everyone left quite tipsy. Licht looked at Ain with concern, who was purely impressed.

“It’s nice to earn a lot, but… Ain, is it okay to spend so much money?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I told you, hyung is rich. Just say thank you.”

Licht recalled the amount Ain had secretly mentioned. With that much money, it wasn’t a burdensome amount.

“Okay, thanks. I’ll give you lots of service from now on.”

“How sweet. Our Licht has grown up, huh?”

Licht snorted at Ain, who kept treating him like a child, and started eating the potato soup he brought. He practically drank it, and the bowl was empty in no time. Ain looked at the empty bowl with concern.

“Is that enough?”

“I’m going to sleep soon, so I just ate enough not to be hungry.”

“Still, it’s too little. That’s why you’re so skinny.”

“I’m not that skinny….”

At those words, Ain grabbed Licht’s arm. Both their gazes fell on Licht’s arm, which Ain held lightly with one hand.

“See, you’re really skinny.”

“Ain’s hands are big….”

Licht protested, but Ain didn’t listen. Letting go of Licht’s arm, Ain looked over the table.

“Eat some more. There’s still some left. Bina, can you heat this up?”

Ms. Albina placed her hand on the edge of the plate and infused it with magic, heating it up and making the cooled food warm again. The delicious smell tempted Licht.

“Then, I’ll eat well, Bina-ssi.”

“Yeah… eat a lot….”

Licht, who seemed to have been lacking in quantity, cleaned up the remaining meat. It wasn’t much, but a satisfied smile appeared on Licht’s face. Looking like a full cat, Licht noticed the wine bottle that still had some left.

“Ain, can I have some wine?”

Ain’s eyes trembled violently at Licht’s words.

“Wine?”

“Yeah.”

“No, no, you can’t drink wine. You’re a kid.”

“…I’m twenty, Ain.”

In the Kingdom of Elio, you’re considered an adult from eighteen. There was no reason Licht, who had been an adult for over two years, couldn’t drink, but Ain frowned deeply.