Chapter 237
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Ryūgūin collapses in tears, whimpering phrases like 「Someone help me!」 and 「Mommy!」 and 「Why?」, but no merciful hand reaches out to him.
Moreover, since he had gained unnecessary combat power, they fitted him with numerous magical tools he had never seen before to prevent him from going berserk. I’ll spare you the specific details of these magical tools, but you can probably guess what they’re like. Given everything he had done up until now, this treatment was only natural.
Where they’re taking him, he’ll probably undergo something like an interrogation for a long time. About all the trouble he’s caused, and the skills he possesses.
I don’t think it’s going to end quickly.
Neutralized, he’s being led away, pulled by the arm while hiccuping and sobbing.
I had something I needed to tell him before he disappeared from this place.
「Ryūgūin, if you work hard for at least twenty years, I’ll help you find a way back!」
I call out to his retreating back.
When Ryūgūin hears my words, he wails loudly, 「Twenty… years…? AAAAAAAHHHHH!! AAAHHH!!」
It’s said that with the Wish Orb, no matter how much time passes, you can return to that day, to that place, in that same form.
Unfortunately, since there’s only one Wish Orb, we plan to have him return using a summoning magical tool that will become reusable after twenty years. When returning through the normal method of a summoning magical tool after twenty years, a forty-year-old Ryūgūin would switch places with the Ryūgūin from that day, but that can’t be helped.
He’ll return as a dungeon exploration expert, with memories of his hardships and a body aged by two decades.
However, if by that time he has truly repented from the bottom of his heart, I might help him find a way to become younger, or even erase his memories of hardships in this world and send him back as a clean slate Ryūgūin(?). Though at this stage, the possibility of him reflecting on his actions and becoming a decent person seems quite low.
As Ryūgūin’s figure disappears, all that’s left is for us to leave.
I feel Sena and Sensei’s gazes on me.
I run over to them with a smile.
Though I hope to see Sena smiling, her stern gaze is fixed on something behind me to the right.
「My, what an intense stare.」
It’s Anon’s voice. I hadn’t sensed his presence at all.
Sena maintains her silence at his words.
「Giving me the cold shoulder, are we?」
In response to Anon’s playful remark, Sena says:
「I hate humans. So I have no intention of talking to you.」
Sena intimidates Anon.
But Anon, unfazed, asks her:
「Hmm. So you’re Ichiro’s beloved…」
It’s the kind of question that makes your face burn instantly.
Yet Sena answers without the slightest hesitation:
「Ichiro’s beloved ones are me and Sensei.」
In response to Sena’s instant reply,
「That makes me quite envious…」
Anon mutters something under his breath.
I couldn’t hear what it was, but Sena apparently did, as she seemed to wear a slightly smug expression.
Also, stop saying embarrassing things like 「beloved.」
Anon composes himself and turns to face me.
「You might be planning to return to Boldaf’s Hidden Mountain today, but would you stay in the royal capital for just three days?」
「Why’s that?」
「That’s a surprise. I promise you won’t regret it.
Ah, if Ms Omi and Ms Sena would also stay in the royal capital, I’ll show you something good.」
Sena’s serious face is a bit scary, but come to think of it, she’s always like this. Sensei is enjoying watching us as usual.
「Sena, what do you want to do? If you’re tired, we can head back together.」
At my question, Sena thinks for a moment—but then:
「Mr. No-Presence is going to show us something, right? Since it’s a rare opportunity, let’s see what it is.」
Mr. No-Presence must refer to Anon.
That’s way too harsh of a nickname.
While Sena doesn’t seem to be in top form, she’s worlds better than when we first left Hidden Mountain. Still,
「If you start feeling unwell, don’t hesitate to tell me.」
I can’t help but worry.
「Son-in-law, flirting with Sena is all well and good, but there are people waiting for you over there. They’ll feel sad if you don’t hurry along.」
At Sensei’s words, I have a sudden realization.
「Sena, wait here for a bit. I need to go talk to them.」
「I’ll wait.」
After receiving Sena’s brief reply, I head toward them.
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