"And the key, please." ［Kae］

  "Oh, here you go." ［Grey］

  As per Kae's request, Grey rummaged through his pocket, finding his key after a short while. He then ha to Kae, and the tter, after receiving it, wrote some notes down the register before looking back at Grey and Yuna.

  It is the fourth day siheir arrival at Torvis, and after staying three nights at the inn, their stay has finally expired. It was time for them to get going and tiheir jourowards the wedding's venue.

  Their stay has only been a short while, but it was ohey could never fet. Well, apart from the sudden dungeon break and monster flood, their experiences iy of Torvis were quite memorable. They have gained new insights about the vast world called Merusia.

  "Hey, did you hear about the masked heroes yesterday?"

  "Hahahaha! What are you talking about? If we have! It's beealk of the town all day yesterday!"

  "That's right! And I was lucky enough to witness it! It was super amazing, I tell you, super amazing!"

  pared to the gloomy mood the days before, the inn was enveloped in a much brighter atmosphere. Rather than worries and s, all that there is to be heard were ughter and celebrations as they talked about yesterday's happenings.

  Rumors about the masked heroes' feats have already spread far and wide throughout the city. There was not a single soul who hadn't yet heard about the overwhelming strength shown by two mysterious figures the day before as they vanquished the monster flood all by themselves.

  Of course, the talks about how four majestic ptinum-scaled dragons suddenly appeared out of nowhere was also a hot topic, especially si only those who were otlefield, but evey folks witheir marvelous figures.

  Unbeknownst to the people talking so merrily, the subject of their topics were her thawo youths cheg out of the inn at the moment. The same two figures whose faces are painted red from embarrassment.

  "Mister Shin, Miss Elena, are you alright? You seem a bit... red...?" ［Kae］

  "Ah, no... iIt must have been because of the heat. It's quite hot today, isn't it, right, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "U-Un... N-Now that you mention it. I do feel like it's getting quite hot." ［Yuna］

  Grey and Yuna could only smile dryly as they tried to make excuses towards Kae. Oher hand, the tter couldn't help but tilt her head slightly in fusion. After all, for her, the temperature was just like any normal day's.

  In the end, Kae decided to attribute their different perception iher to the differeween Galderia and Torvis' topography. Grey and Yuna were able to avoid trouble only by a hair's breadth.

  "Well, I guess this would be goodbye, huh..." ［Kae］

  Kae was the one who said those words but the most affected ones were Grey and Yuna. In the short time they stayed at the inn, they have already grown attached to the food there. It was a shame, but they couldn't do much about it.

  If there was anything positive, it was that they were able to try new experiences and taste new dishes on their short stay at Torvis. If they have the ce, they would visit the city once again. Of course, they would love it if there weren't any sudden disasters ime.

  "Anyway... Thank you for choosing the 'Silver Sky Pavilion'! We wish you a happy journey up ahead!" ［Kae］

  "Thank you, Miss Kae." ［Grey］

  "Goodbye～!" ［Yuna］

  Waving their hands goodbye, Grey and Yued the room and came out to the open streets, greeted by the bustling crowd and magnifit carriages. And so, just like that, Grey and Yuna's short stay at the "Silver Sky Pavilion" came to an end.

  Havihe inn, there was only one more destination on Grey and Yuna's checklist left. It was towards the northern gates where they first eorvis. They were heading there to greet their other acquaintance before heading out on their journey.

  "Oh, kiddos! What's the matter, why're you leavin' so early?" ［Roen］

  The acquaintance was her thahe very moment he saw the two heading out, he immediately greeted them, his face was full of glee and his smile extending from ear to ear.

  Thankfully, after esc Grey and Yuna towards the meeting room, Roen was quickly dismissed soon after. It was because of that that he wasn't able to withe events which took pext, especially the revetion of Grey and Yuna's identities. Not that the two wanted him to hear anyway.

  It was also worth mentioning that after su event, Roen was not punished whatsoever for his as. Rather, the Lord and the higher-ups were secretly thankful for his as. They decided to secretly give him a raise sihey couldly reveal the reasons why.

  "Actually, we're here to say oodbyes." ［Grey］

  "Oh, for real?" ［Roen］

  "Uill o attend an importa." ［Yuna］

  "I see, I see. Nothin' much we do about it then. It's a shame, but I guess that's just how life is, huh..." ［Roen］

  At Grey and Yuna's words, Roen became a little philosophical as he lightly shrugged his shoulders. There was no sadness nor loneliness in his voice, only a little bit of disappoi. Disappoihat he would be having less people to talk to.

  "Well, what're two waitin' for? Don't you still have an appoio catch? Hurry along now before I start chatterin' again." ［Roen］

  The silence didn't st too long. Uhers who usually wore sad expressions at goodbyes, Roen, oher, was rather happy to see the two off. There was even cheerfulness and carefreeness in his voice as he prompted the two to get going.

  Both Yuna and Grey were gd that Roen was still being his free-spirited self after the disaster yesterday. He was the first person they met when they eorvis, and in a tal turn of things, he was also going to be the st person they met during their leave.

  "Well then, Roen, we'll be going now!" ［Grey］

  "Hahaha, o say so! Just get goin' already!" ［Roen］

  "Roen, thank you for everything! Goodbye～!" ［Yuna］

  It was yet anoodbye, but this one was much light-hearted in nature. Now, rather than the open streets, what greeted the two of them were the open fields of the green and peaceful meadow, the grasses growing tall and butterflies to be seen here and there.

  The sky was clear and blue, the weather was fine as one could be. It was the perfect day for a journey, and so, with smiles painted on their faces, Grey and Yuna headed out into the vast horizon, feeling the gentle breeze in their skin.

  ...

  A man was standing still, watg silently over the window, gng at the sacred tree standing proudly just a couple hundred meters from where he was. Despite how spacious the room was, there was not a single sound to be heard.

  Creeakkk

  The silence was soon broken as another maered the room. He had white hair and crimson eyes which shone like rubies lit uhe moonlight. He was wearing heavy armor and one only needs a single go tell he was well-built. Not only that, he was also powerful.

  The man who just entered was her than Windson Artemir, the head of the knights over the territory and one who held the rank of "Brigadier" when it came to the national army. He was, without a doubt, the stro in Torvis.

  As for the one who was standihe window, he was the most iial person and also the most authoritative figure in Torvis. His name was Lenon fol Citron, the head of the Citron ital household and the current lord of the territory.

  "Windson, you've arrived. How did it go?" ［Lenon］

  "It has been firmed, Your Excellency. They have left the city." ［Windson］

  "I see... They have already departed, huh... What a shame, I couldn't even ihem over for a meal. What a failure of a lord I am, to not even serve my beors with hospitality... Really, what a shame..." ［Lenon］

  Lenon had said many words already yet his eyes were still fixated at the sacred tree across the city. His eyes were looking distantly and his expression visibly down and gloomy as he recalled yesterday's happenings.

  Even now, Lenon was still uain about what to feel trey and Yuna. If there was ohing he was sure of, it was that he was deeply thankful for the two of them and what they have done for the city. He would never fet their grace for the rest of his life.

  "Windson, what do you think of Their Highnesses?" ［Lenon］

  "By Their Highnesses? Did you mean Lrey and Lady Yuna?" ［Windson］

  "Well, who else would I be talking about? They are the hottest topi the city right now. Why don't we also hold our own discussion about them over some wine. I happeo have sht here." ［Lenon］

  Said the Lord as he finally turned around. He then headed towards the ets on the right and after a quick search around, he took out a luxurious-looking bottle of wi was one which was colored with the rich purpleness of grapes.

  Of course, now that he had the wine in hand, the were the wine gsses which were vely pced on the drawer just above where he got the wine from. He took out two for the two of them to drink from.

  A bottle of wine in the right hand and two wine gsses on the left, Lenon headed towards his seat and sat down in an ued manner, almost throwing himself towards his seat like a little child.

  "What are you waiting for, Windson? e have a seat already." ［Lenon］

  "A-Ah, yes..." ［Windson］

  At a loss for words, Windson followed his liege's request and took his seat just in front of the lord's desk. After which, Lenon popped opetle of wine and started p them to the two gsses in front of him.

  "Y-Your Excellency, let me do that." ［Windson］

  "It's just p wi least let me do this much. And also, stop with the formalities, just call me Lenon for old time's sake." ［Lenon］

  "Haah... Alright, as you wish." ［Windson］

  "Hahaha, that's more like it... And here's a toast for Their Highnesses!" ［Lenon］

  After Lenon gave a gss of wio Windsohen raised his. Following him, Windson also did the same and raised his. They both cheered frey and Yuna before chugging down their gsses.

  "Mhm... Sweet and not so bitter. It also packs quite the punch as well. It's a good wine, isn't it?" ［Lenon］

  "Yes. It goes down quite smoothly." ［Windson］

  "Right, right. I should buy more of these soon." ［Lenon］

  After downing their gsses in one go, Lenon once again poured some on their gsses, filling the room once again with the sweet st of wine, apanied by the st of alcohol wafting through the whole room.

  "So, about my question... What do you think about them?" ［Lenon］

  "Hmm... That's hard to say since I don't know them very well. But based on my impressions, I could tell that they aren't bad people. On the trary, I believe they are quite likable. Especially after hearing their ditioerday... Even now, I am still quite surprised." ［Windson］

  "Hahaha, I could say the same. I believe all of us still are." ［Lenon］

  Lenon once again drank from his gss of wine, silently, his eyes looking nostalgic as he recalled the memories which occurred not too long ago. Memories of yesterday's meeting.

  He could still remember the chaos and insecurities swirling around the city as the emergency bells were rang. Even his aides who were the most experienced iy felt the same and couldn't calm themselves down.

  Yet in such a chaotid hopeless situation, the heavens didn't let them down. While it was in a way more than ued, their prayers were heard and two saviors appeared before them, in the form of two youths no less. It was quite shog.

  Lenon could still remember how his heart trembled the moment he saw Grey and Yuna's privilege cards. More than shock, he felt awe and admiration to the two figures who stood before them. They were not what one would call normals, they were the elites of the elites who could crush cities if they so wanted.

  "Alright. We'll help you out." ［Grey］

  When Lenon heard those words, his heart started jumping and dang for joy. Not only him, everyone else who resent also felt the same. But such happiness was short-lived. It was soon repced with despair after the young man opened his mouth once again.

  "But! Under one dition... You'll have to do us one favor." ［Grey］

  At that moment, Lenon and everyone's hearts sank in the deepest and darkest ss of despair. They were in a situation where it was hard to iate yet they couldn't turn dowher party's offer. It was a dilemma.

  Agreei an uain future while rejeg meant a path of ruin. Both were risky but as the Lord, Lenon must make a choice. It was with a heavy heart that he gave his ao Grey and Yuna.

  "Alright... Your ditio's hear it." ［Lenon］

  Even though he already prepared himself, Lenone couldn't help but gulp a mouthful of air, feeling both nervousness and ay deep inside his heart, one fueled by the ued situations which happened successively all of a sudden.

  His heart trembled in fear even more when he saw Grey's smile spreading on his lips. It was as if he just made a deal with the devil, one which could either save him or devour his soul, dragging him to the very depths of hell.

  "Then, for your part of the deal, we'd like you to deal with the aftermath of the battle. Keeping our identities a secret, dealing with the materials which will drop, expining to the popuce, and all the troublesome things which follows after." ［Grey］

  Silehere was only sileer Grey said the ditioalked about. All people present were speechless and frozen in shoeither one of them could believe what they just heard.

  "Why are you all so quiet? Is our dition too much?" ［Grey］

  "N-No, that's not it, Yhness. Rather, apart from keeping your identities secret, everything you mentioned was something which all of us are going to do anyway. A-Are you sure that's all yoing to ask?" ［Lenon］

  "Yeah... Why? Do you want us to ask another favor?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, no... Not at all..." ［Lenon］

  "There's no problem then. It's a deal." ［Grey］

  Everything was settled uedly quickly. Lenon, still in disbelief with how smoothly things went, signed a tract with Grey and Yuna stating their simple terms. Grey and Yuo extermihe flood while Lenon and the others would deal with everything troublesome afterwards.

  If before, everyohought they were making a deal with a devil. Now, they only saw Grey and Yuna as angels sent by the heavens. They didn't know if they were just being siderate or were really naive, but they were thankful for everything.

  "Ah, right, one more thing. Do you have some spare masks around?" ［Grey］

  "Masks...?" ［Lenon］

  Grey didn't answer Lenon's fused inquiry, rather, the only response was a small smile f on his face. After receiving the masks, Grey and Yued the room and the rest were history.

  Even now, whehing was done aled, Lenon still couldn't believe everything that happehey were able to avert a crisis without doing much work. On the trary, they even gained some profits brought in by the tons of drops they gained, especially with the ones ing from the Vul King.

  Of course, Lenon wasn't going to be so shameless and have Grey and Yuna be unrewarded for their efforts. Not only will he give them the money earned from the drops, he was also pnning to add in a prize from his own pockets. He still has to maintain his dignity as a Lord, after all.

  "Well, whatever our opinions are, there is ohing we couldn't deny... They are true heroes, not only in title, but in a as well." ［Lenon］

  "I couldn't agree more." ［Windson］

  Swirling his wine gss a little, Lenon once again drank some wine. Following him, Windson also drank his share. Gsses were filled and gsses were emptied, such a cycle tinued until there was no wi otle.

  "Such bad luck... And I was starting to enjoy myself as well..." ［Lenon］

  Lenon clicked his tongue as he shook the bottle of wi and right and eyed its insides, firming whether it really was empty or not. It was only when he saw not a drop of wihat he put it down, ending his movements with a short sigh.

  "Ah, by the way, Lenon." ［Windson］

  "Hm?" ［Lenon］

  "What are you going to report to His Majesty ter down the line? I know we have a deal with Their Highnesses, but we couldn't lie towards our Kiher. What are you going to do?" ［Windson］

  The room was once again swallowed by silence as Lenon thought of an ao Windson's question. He was swirling his empty wine gss with rotating movements from his wrist, thinking deeply and rationally

  Just like Windson has said, it was a tricky situation. While they have an obligation to their King, they also have a promise trey and Yuna. The former weighs much more, but he doesn't want to destroy what little trust there was between him and the two. It was a dilemma.

  "Hmm... It's giving me a headache just thinking about it. I'll just cross the bridge when we finally get there." ［Lenon］

  "That's quite the answer you have there..." ［Windson］

  "Well, it's not like we have many choices anyway... Right, where did you say Their Highnesses went again?" ［Lenon］

  ging the topic, Lenon asked Windson a peculiar topic. The tter, after receiving such a question, ut in a tight spot as he tried to recollect every bit of information his subordinates had given him.

  "If I'm n, they headed out of the northern gates, but their dire is due east. I'd say they're heading to the eastern region." ［Windson］

  "The eastern region, huh..." ［Lenon］

  Standing up from his seat, Lenon once again approached the window, looking towards the dire of the sacred tree, which happeo also be located in the eastern district of the city.

  Much further away, in the very same dire. Lenon imagined Grey and Yuna had already covered kilometers upon kilometers of distance. He didn't know where exactly they were heading, but he wished for ohing deep inside his heart.

  'I hope you have a safe journey, Yhnesses...' ［Lenon］

  Like how the se started, the se ehe very same way. Lenon was standing still, once again fag the windows with his eyes looking distantly. There was only one differe was that this time, there was a gentle smile on his face.

  ...

  Clouds of white and gray, forests of green and brown, and mountains standing tall and proud. Such series could be see and right as one soars through the vast ay sky, like a free bird during a sunny day,

  Currently, Grey and Yuna were riding on Sirius' bace again, heading towards East where the Farfory was. They didn't know the pce, but heless, they were still excited about what things there were to see and experience.

  Of course, it went without saying that the thing they looked forward to the most was tasting new kinds of food along the way. They were both looking forward to what else the elven cuisine has to offer. They wouldn't back down from anything.

  "Looks like it will be a few days' journey. We'll probably o camp outside many times." ［Grey］

  "Ughh... Camping... I just want to rest in a fortable bed..." ［Yuna］

  At the very mention of camping, Yuna's face ainted with expressions of exhaustion and disfort as she recalled what terrible experiences she had whilst camping in the wild.

  It wasn't only those experiehat she recalled. There was another one, far more ret and far more valuable. It was one which just happehe day before.

  "ht... Grey, about my favor..." ［Yuna］

  "Huh? What favor?" ［Grey］

  "Well, didn't we have a petitioerday? And it's my win! Do you not remember already?" ［Yuna］

  "I do remember, it's just... I don't remember you winning." ［Grey］

  "Eh?" ［Yuna］  "Huh?" ［Grey］

  The two tilted their heads in unison, both fused about the other's words. While they have yet to settle the scores, both of them believed they won from the bottom of their hearts, hehe fusion.

  "No, no, no, no, just wait a minute! Just how many did you defeat, Yuna? I had 3,207, and you?" ［Grey］

  "Mine's 3,253! Like I said, I won!" ［Yuna］

  "But I defeated the boss, it's gotta be worth a lot of points, right?" ［Grey］

  At Grey's question, Yuna's lips arched up into a smile with her eyes gleaming with joy aement, it was only then that Grey realized where he slipped up. It was his own mistake.

  "Grey, we only agreed on the most number of enemies defeated. There wasn't a sg system." ［Yuna］

  Shock. Grey's heart was filled with so much shock that he froze in that very moment. He couldn't believe he let such a detail slip and most of all, he couldn't believe how sly Yuna has bee. He was a little terrified.

  Meanwhile, Yuna's smile only grew brighter at Grey's realization. She was very happy that she finally won aname against Grey after a long time. Not only that, she also gained a favor while she was at it. It was like killing two birds with oone.

  "Fufufu, I look forward to it, Grey～!" ［Yuna］

  "Ugh... Dammit..." ［Grey］

  Two figures, two trasting expressions. Whilst Grey was feeling a little depressed, Yuna was smiling and giggling to herself. Such a se unfolded as Sirius tio soar in the sky. It eaceful day.

  CHAPTER 136 END