Chapter 64

“Wow~!!”

Riana, who had just bought a huge chicken skewer from a street vendor, stuffed it deep into her mouth, eating two skewers at once.

This was already the fifteenth street vendor.

On the first day after leaving the Magic Tower, we visited several delicious restaurants, and today, we threw ourselves into the market, buying and eating from every stall in sight.

While Abelin and I were already feeling quite full and struggling, Riana, who had let loose, was eating at an unbelievable level.

“She’s at an age where she’s growing, but this is a bit too much. Let’s see how much money is left in the wallet… Sigh.”

As I let out a long sigh, Abelin also put a piece of chicken in her mouth and casually asked while chewing.

“Why? Is your wallet in such bad shape, Kairon?”

“Well, today is a bit better than yesterday. Yesterday we went to a restaurant, and today we’re hitting the street stalls. Anyway, whether it’s a lot or a little, money is still money.”

“You should have saved more in the first place.”

“Save? We’re the Vanguard! We’re not high-paid mercenaries or bodyguards for the rich! You know how little our salary is, right? And why aren’t you taking out your wallet?”

“You took out your wallet first. Why are you blaming me when you were the one who started it?”

“There’s something called fairness. If you have a conscience, you shouldn’t force your comrade to bleed alone. At least take turns.”

“Cheapskate. Can’t you even treat your dear little sister once in a while?”

“You’re eating too…!”

“Haha, thank you. They say food tastes better when someone else pays for it, and even better when you steal it from someone else. Since you paid for it and I feel like I’m stealing from you, it tastes twice as good.”

“Stop that and contribute! You have way more money than me!”

“Oh my, I’m thirsty. I need some water…!”

As soon as the topic of money came up, Abelin sneakily left to get some water.

“Hum hum~♪”

Riana, humming a tune beside us, didn’t care about our money argument.

“Is it that delicious, Riana?”

“Yeah! Can I have one more?”

“Of course. Eat as much as you want.”

“Yay, thank you!”

Riana was so grateful that I bought her another skewer, she hugged me tightly and went to order another one.

“You know what? Your face looks really dumb right now.”

“What? What’s wrong with my face?”

Swoosh-

Abelin pulled out a mirror from her bag and handed it to me.

Thanks to that, I noticed that the corners of my mouth were slightly raised.

“Are you that happy to see Riana again?”

“You wouldn’t understand. Riana liked me so much when she was little, and I doted on her a lot. She used to cry so much that she wouldn’t stop, and when they brought me to calm her down, she finally stopped. But then she wouldn’t let me go, so I had to sleep with her in my arms until morning.”

“Just like earlier.”

“Earlier? Ah, when I tried to wake Riana up.”

When Riana, in her sleep, wrapped her limbs around me and wouldn’t let go.

When she was younger, I used to hold her and sleep together, so I was used to light physical contact with Riana, but this time was different.

Because, well, she’s softer now, and, um.

“Your face looks weird again, but in a different way.”

“What’s wrong with my face!”

“…It looks pitiful, I guess.”

I snapped back, but Abelin’s expression was the strange one.

While I was talking about my past with Riana, her expression looked somewhat bitter and lonely.

“Riana and I have a special relationship. In the early days of the Vanguard, Commander Balthazar was too busy building the foundation to come home often, and I, being a lone unit not attached to any group, had a lot of free time. So, it just happened…”

“A lone unit?”

Abelin’s eyes sparkled.

“You were a lone unit?”

“Yeah. Well, it wasn’t a good thing. When I first joined the Vanguard, I fought well, but I was too reckless, so no unit wanted to take me in. Individual combat strength and unit combat strength are completely different.”

“That’s true. I definitely feel that while commanding the Silver Guards in the Vanguard.”

“In that sense, the Vanguard’s promotion system is quite good. No matter how skilled or famous someone is when they join, they start as the lowest member. And if they do well, they can rise without any restrictions.”

“A lone unit. That suits you.”

“Suits me? I think that was the most reckless time of my life. I fought well, but I got frustrated with units that couldn’t keep up with my movements. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“You’re right. But you were different in the last wave.”

“Really? How?”

“Well…”

Abelin thought for a moment and then said.

“It’s true that you strengthen the Vanguard’s formations, especially the Black Iron Vanguard, which never breaks even when other units fall. But every time I see that, I wonder…”

Abelin stared at me and then said.

“Which is more efficient? You helping many or you running wild alone.”

“…I’ve thought about that. Actually, Commander Balthazar told me not to form a unit. It was me who wanted to create and lead a unit.”

“You wanted to?”

“Yeah. We have to think about why we’re fighting. We’re not fighting to destroy demons. We’re…”

I paused and gestured towards Riana.

Riana, who was happily watching the chicken skewers being grilled.

“We fight to protect the world where people live. We mustn’t forget that.”

“You…”

Abelin stared at me and then said.

“It’s a bit shocking to hear that from you.”

“What? What’s wrong with me! Do you know how many subordinates trust and follow me? Even those who could leave stay and follow me!”

“Who said anything? It’s just a bit shocking coming from you.”

“Geez…”

I slumped down.

And then, in a very small voice, I said.

“You know, Abelin?”

“Of course. How could I not notice?”

As I lowered my head, Abelin also leaned in and lowered her voice.

In the bustling market.

Even in such a place, someone was following us.

No, to be precise, not a person but…

The demon Ronos.

As Abelin said, it would be more strange not to notice.

He was glaring at us with a terrifying look of anger from not too far away.

“So, what should we do about that demon? Should we go talk to him?”

“Don’t. We’re doing this to provoke Ronos, but if we provoke him too much, who knows what might happen. There are too many people here. If a powerful demon like Ronos goes berserk, it could lead to an irreversible disaster.”

“I know. But you can feel it, right? At first, he was watching from afar, but he’s slowly getting closer. Soon, the distance between us and him will be so close that we won’t be able to ignore him.”

“Then…”

Abelin looked up.

“We’ll leave it to your silver tongue.”

“My silver tongue? I’m a straightforward warrior.”

“Just saying that already shows you’re not ordinary. And…”

“Yeah?”

Abelin stopped mid-sentence.

Her gaze was strange, so I followed it…

To my chest.

“Why are you looking at my chest so secretly?”

“Are you crazy? Why would I look at your chest!!”

“Why are you so defensive? It really seems like you had some perverted thoughts.”

“How could I have perverted thoughts about someone like you!”

“Someone like me… That’s harsh.”

I smirked and lifted the necklace I was wearing.

The necklace I was wearing was none other than Abelin’s.

“Ugh, I’ll have it purified at the temple when I get it back.”

“To that extent…?”

“It’s necessary! It’s probably soaked with your sweat and grime! If I put it back on my neck without purifying it… Eek!”

“Why are you screaming? It’s not like I want to wear it!”

“I have no choice!”

Abelin reluctantly admitted but still grumbled.

“The Archmage said it would be a powerful defensive tool…”

“I’m grateful for your precious item. Thanks to you, I feel more confident in hunting Ronos.”

While we were bickering, Riana returned with skewers.

Two each.

“Are you two fighting again?”

“Riana? Didn’t you say you’d only have one more?”

“Hehe… but it’s so delicious! Should I leave one for later?”

“Sigh… fine. Eat it before it gets cold.”

“Thank you!!”

Riana started eating enthusiastically again.

I glanced at Abelin and gave her a subtle look.

“Let’s keep protecting them. Those bright smiles.”

“…That’s why it’s shocking when you say things like that.”

“Geez. Don’t ruin the cool atmosphere I was trying to create!”

Of course, Abelin scolded me for ruining the mood, but she still smiled.