Chapter 129
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: The Hero Stops the Demon King. (6)
Eventually, without Kane, it was just Jenny, Scarlett, and Rin.
An odd situation arose where the three of them had to head to the marquisate alone.
"No way, why do I have to go without Kane...?"
Rin grumbled, but the two had no intention of letting her go.
It was only natural.
The moment they let Rin loose,
she'd bolt straight to Kane and spend blissful time alone with him, no doubt.
"Honestly, I feel like what's the point of going without Kane big bro...?"
"Sain big bro would be upset if he heard that."
Scarlett followed up on Jenny's words.
"Sis, you're thinking the same thing, aren't you?"
"Nope? Unlike you, I at least stopped by home now and then."
"Liar! You probably only came once, when Sain big bro requested it!"
It was true, actually.
Scarlett had been busy with missions and such.
And after getting together with Kane, she hardly set foot in the marquisate anymore.
Scarlett, out of retorts, quietly shut her mouth.
'Whose little sister is she? What a temper.'
Back in the day, she'd been such a fun one to tease.
A total pushover of a baby sister.
But now, she'd grown up completely.
That innocent little sister from back then was gone.
"Sigh, she used to be so cute back then."
"Ugh, seriously! No 'back then'! Back then is banned! Banned! Banned!"
Finally fed up with Scarlett's reminiscing, Jenny shrieked.
"You two seem to get along so well—how about just the two of you go?"
Rin seized the opening, but
"Yeah, shut it. We're going together."
Jenny ignored Rin's plea outright and dragged her along to the marquisate.
The trip by carriage to the marquisate wasn't too long.
"It's been ages since I slept comfortably in my own room."
"Without Kane big bro."
"This'll be the most uncomfortable bed in the world for me... I'm heading back tomorrow."
Rin sighed heavily as she spoke.
"Yeah, yeah. Sleep one night, and tomorrow we all head back to where Kane big bro is."
Scarlett laughed and threw an arm around Rin's shoulders.
"Why don't you two just back off?"
Rin grumbled, shoving Scarlett's arm away with a irritated look.
'Seriously, I just want to be alone with Kane... Useless.'
She could try running, but
Jenny would catch up in no time, so she knew better.
In the end, she gave up and stepped into the marquisate.
'I'll leave early tomorrow morning and go find Kane...'
To do that, she first needed to pinpoint where Kane was.
Contacting him via Jenny's communication stone would be fastest,
but that would blow her cover with Jenny and Scarlett for sure.
'I need to get my own communication stone and link it with Kane's...'
While she racked her brain over it,
the carriage pulled up in front of the marquis's residence, and they all walked in amicably.
"Sain big bro, we're back!"
Jenny, excited to return home after so long, skipped in first.
The other two followed behind.
"You came without notice."
Though he said that, it seemed he'd already known Jenny and Scarlett were coming.
Sain stood there welcoming his sisters.
Of course, his expression was as stiff and rigid as ever,
so to Rin, who came along, it looked like he was scolding them.
***
The luxury hotel offered top-tier service in every way.
Probably because the emperor had personally arranged it.
"If there's anything uncomfortable, please let us know right away."
The manager bowed excessively low.
"Call us anytime if you need cleaning!"
The maids in charge of cleaning squealed and approached me every time they spotted me.
"Phew... this is overwhelming..."
The over-the-top service was uncomfortable, sure.
"But this bed is way too comfy..."
This bed, though? Perfection.
Plusher and cozier than any I'd ever slept on.
It enveloped my whole body in gentle warmth.
Closing my eyes felt like it'd whisk me straight to dreamland.
"...Gotta wash up first, then sleep. Wash up."
Still, after the long journey, my clothes were filthy,
and it had been a while since my last bath.
So I decided to clean up first, then crash comfortably.
The private bath I entered was ridiculously lavish too.
I barely talked them out of attending me and managed a solo soak.
"Ahh... I feel all soft and melty..."
Body and mind completely relaxed, like goo.
Honestly, this level of lodging felt way too extravagant for me,
but since it was provided, might as well enjoy it.
With that thought, I closed my eyes.
"...Man, this is too good."
Good enough that I'd want one of these beds for myself.
Wrapped in the soft duvet, I drifted off feeling great.
"Mm, hmm..."
How long did I sleep so deeply, without dreams?
The communication stone's chime woke me from my sweet slumber.
"Yeees...?"
Without checking who it was,
still half-asleep, I connected the stone.
"(Ah, Kane! It's Rin...!)"
Rin's voice came through, whispering furtively.
"Ah, Miss Rin. Did you arrive safely at the marquis's residence?"
Hearing her snapped me awake a bit.
I yawned, stretched, and asked how she was.
"(Yup, we arrived fine. They even served dinner.)"
She detailed what happened at the marquis's place.
Feels like nothing's changed there.
The marquisate was always the same, unchanging.
Good to know Marquis Sain was doing well too—it eased my mind.
"(Anyway, I'm planning to head to you early tomorrow morning... Where are you right now?)"
She was checking my location.
I told her about the lodgings His Majesty provided and the spot.
A satisfied laugh came back.
"(I'll head there tomorrow. See you then, Kane.)"
"Sure, Miss Rin. Will Miss Jenny and Miss Scarlett come too?"
"(...Dunno. For now, I'm thinking of coming alone.)"
Looks like she planned to ditch the other two.
No big deal—plenty of rooms.
"Got it. See you tomorrow, then."
The call ended with a simple goodbye.
Wonder where she was calling from.
Did she tell Marquis Sain and use the residence's communicator?
"Mm, I'm up now. Maybe grab some food."
Bit late for dinner, maybe,
but they'd offered to prepare it anytime earlier.
"Isn't it too late, though...?"
I headed to the lobby on the first floor to ask anyway.
"Oh dear, no need to come down yourself, sir."
The overwhelming service was still in full swing.
"Uh, I'd like some dinner..."
"Dinner! Of course! Right away! We'll prepare it and bring it to your room!"
"Thanks, even though it's late."
"Nonsense! Anytime—dawn, morning, whatever you need, just say the word~"
I thanked the manager's excessive kindness and returned to my room.
Everything here got handled without lifting a finger.
So this is the treatment you get from perks of a high-ranking figure like the emperor...
Power really is nice...
"Still, being alone after so long feels kinda lonely."
Lately, I hadn't been alone much.
Always someone by my side—it felt normal.
This quiet was a little unfamiliar.
"Might actually look forward to them coming tomorrow."
When we're all together, it's honestly super noisy.
Lots of squabbles over nothing,
people bickering a ton.
But I'd gotten so used to it now,
it felt empty without them.
"Dinner's ready—may we come in?"
"Ah, yes. Please do."
A lavish feast was laid out before me.
Even eating this,
back then no one came to mind.
Now, people I want to share it with pop into my head one by one.
"Enjoy your meal. Call us when you're done, and we'll bring dessert."
I hoped they'd return tomorrow soon.
That was my thought.
"Mm, this is definitely delicious."
The buttery steak melted in my mouth, bursting with savory juices that filled it completely.
The meat was so tender, it truly dissolved.
The garnishes balanced any potential richness, making it endlessly enjoyable.
"Great—would be even better with everyone."
Plus, the table brimmed with meat, seafood,
and fresh veggies in harmony.
It built anticipation for the dessert to come.
"My mouth's thrilled after so long."
A bit of hyperbole, but the endless spread let me savor a truly delightful meal for the first time in ages.
The dessert that followed was fresh seasonal fruits and cakes made from them.
Given the late hour, they prepared warm fruit tea and fruit ade instead of coffee.
That touch felt thoughtful too.
Thinking about it again...
Power really is the best.