Chapter 212
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Anon and Chloe’s group never cease to amaze me.
It was said that even riding wyverns, it would take nearly ten days to reach the royal capital from Boldaf. However, it seems that won’t be necessary.
Their advance team, who had already been sent to the royal capital, had set up a 「Crane’s Guidance」 there and even completed test runs to enable instant travel from Boldaf to the royal capital.
While the mana and magical stones needed to operate 「Crane’s Guidance」 for such a large group could be considered a bottleneck, I can supply the mana myself, and we have more than enough magical stones to spare.
And so, with some time to spare, we arrive(?) in the royal capital around noon the day before the summons.
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Upon reaching the royal capital, I drop off my luggage at the pre-arranged inn and lie down on the bed.
That day—the day I left the party—naturally comes back to mind.
I had been completely exhausted from being with them. And when even Eris went to Ryūgūin, I fell into despair.
To survive, I had no choice but to flee from the party.
Of course, it’s true that I gained many things by running away.
Through numerous encounters at Hidden Mountain and Boldaf, I found my precious beloved and made many valuable acquaintances.
However, what I lost by running away was also significant.
I, I—
When I open my eyes, it’s completely dark outside.
Noticing my hunger, I step out of the inn and am amazed by the number of street lamps.
Despite it being night, the city is bright and filled with the bustle of people.
There are hardly any children in sight, but there are many noisy drunk customers standing out. No doubt many are letting off steam to prepare for tomorrow’s activities. It’s not a bad scene.
While Boldaf was an exceptionally developed city among the many I’d seen, the royal capital surpasses even that.
Come to think of it, it’s been about two years since I last set foot in the royal capital. Yet I feel no nostalgia. Though I spent about a month in the royal capital, I had stayed in the royal palace the entire time, devoted to training. I had only gone out into the city a countable number of times.
Under the pretense of looking for a place to eat, I continue exploring the royal capital with fresh eyes. After about half an hour of this, just as I mutter to myself, 「I should probably decide which restaurant to enter—」
I see his back.
It’s a back I’ve seen countless times. There’s no mistaking it.
Dressed in tasteless ornaments, surrounded by several beautiful women, clapping his hands and laughing—he hasn’t changed at all, he’s exactly the same as back then.
Even if we suffer thinking about the past, it means nothing to him.
—Master, I wanted to stay by your side
He showers kisses repeatedly on the cheek of a woman whose waist he has his arm around.
I catch sight of his profile. He looks so pleased with himself.
The last of his repeated kisses is particularly intense, leaving a mark on the woman’s cheek. Satisfied with this, he proudly declares:
「This kiss mark is a present from me, the once-in-an-age heroic hero.
By this time tomorrow, I’ll have already received further honors from the nation and joined the ranks of the high nobility. With this, I’ll have maxed out all the status in this world—’strength,’ ‘power,’ ‘money,’ ‘honor’—don’t you think?」
Even if he knew that they cried with regret about the past, he would never show any remorse.
—I, you…
He remains unchanged, just as he always was.
Somehow, I feel relieved by this fact.
—Everything, everything, everything was my fault
Thank you for not changing, Ryūgūin.
「Well, since I’ve been guiding these ignorant masses all this time, receiving this much honor is only natural… no, perhaps it’s not enough. I should probably consult with Puffy about that tomorrow.」
That’s when I notice my body trembling. It’s not from fear or tension. Pure anger has instantly flared up in my heart.
If you had shown even a hint of humility, I might not have been able to completely destroy you at tomorrow’s summons.
But because of that, I’m grateful that you remained exactly who you are, Ryūgūin. By this time tomorrow, you won’t be able to wear that smirk anymore.
Having come down from the noble district, Ryūgūin disappears into the street lined with taverns, leading his large entourage.
I stand there, watching until he’s gone.
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