Chapter 300: Caution
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 300: Caution
In the early morning, Muen opened his eyes, only to be blinded by the morning sun as it peeked its lovely face over the hilltop.
It was a rare late morning for him.
A faint, delicate fragrance still lingered at the tip of his nose. He couldn't tell if it came from the grass or from the girl who had already vanished without a trace.
"Is this the benefit of Holy Light? Even just a bit of it leaking out unconsciously can improve one's sleep quality."
Muen stretched lazily.
Though he had slept with the sky as his blanket and the earth as his bed, and despite the lingering chill of early spring, his naturally sturdy physique combined with the rest left both his body and mind feeling exceptionally satisfied.
Muen suddenly found himself envying Ariel. He had only lied down next to Liya for a short while; if he could be like Ariel in the future—holding Liya to sleep every day—what a wonderful experience that would be.
"No, no, I can't have such dangerous thoughts."
Muen shook his head, quickly driving the idea from his mind.
If he actually did that, Ariel would probably beat him to death!
Besides, he wasn't some scum man who flirted with every girl he saw.
He was only doing this to close the distance between himself and Liya, so she might help him by saying a few good words to Ariel.
As for the "closet scum" thought that he couldn't let a beautiful girl spend the night alone and thus dragged Liya to watch the stars—that absolutely didn't exist!
"Tsk, scum man."
The Pink Bear materialized out of nowhere, spat on the ground, and looked at Muen with utter disdain.
"It’s only been a few days and you’re already hitting on the little lady."
"I didn't, I'm not, don't talk nonsense!"
Muen glared at him. "Where do you get the idea that I'm hitting on her?"
"Hmph. You invited her to watch the stars, and you're still denying it?"
"Heh, who says watching the stars means anything?"
Muen crossed his arms and sneered. "That sounds like the kind of fantasy only a virgin who’s never touched a girl’s hand in his life would have."
"Vir... Who are you calling a virgin!"
The Pink Bear was furious. "I haven't been a virgin since I was three! Any... anyway, you've offended me. If you don't buy me ten cases of top-tier cigars and a hundred erotic books to make it up to me, I'm going straight to that little girl Celicia to snitch on you!"
"You think Celicia would believe a word you say?"
Muen rolled his eyes, truly speechless at this bear whose head was filled with nothing but filth.
"Let's put that aside for now. Are we crossing the Empire's border today?"
"That's right."
The Pink Bear turned slightly more serious. He reached out a furry paw, pulled a low-quality cigarette from who-knows-where, lit it, and took a deep drag. Wisps of white smoke drifted out from the eyes and ears of the bear suit as he spoke leisurely:
"Since the journey has been smooth, we're ahead of my projected schedule. We should reach the border in about two hours."
"Don't we need to pass through a checkpoint?"
"What are you thinking?"
The Pink Bear looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"You are the son of a Duke, representing one of the Empire's most prestigious academies on an official trip abroad, and you're thinking about sneaking across the border?"
"It's safer that way."
"..."
The Pink Bear stared at Muen for a long time before suddenly sighing.
"Kid, you're too cautious."
"Am I?"
"Heh."
The Pink Bear's mouth curled into a grin. He glanced at the others who were gradually emerging from the carriages, chatting and laughing with one another, before turning his gaze back to Muen.
"These past few days, everyone else has treated this like a genuine vacation—except you.
"You provided carriages and food for everyone, along with luxury goods they might never enjoy in their lifetimes, letting them enjoy the trip to the fullest. But you... you haven't let your guard down for a second.
"Patrolling every morning and evening, scouting the surroundings... except for last night, you never sleep deeply. You even check the progress with me at regular intervals.
"Even... Kid, what exactly are you worried about?"
"..."
Muen fell silent for a moment, then shrugged with a smile.
"Nothing. Just some unrealistic premonitions."
"You're going to this extreme over a premonition?"
"Based on my past experience, there's no harm in being a little cautious."
"..."
The Pink Bear studied Muen for a while, then suddenly slapped him on the back of the head, nearly sending him stumbling. He scoffed:
"You kid, you think too highly of yourself. You're just the son of a Duke, yet you act like the Emperor is on a royal tour. Actually, even when that Emperor brat goes out, he isn't worthy of having me personally watch over him."
"Fine, fine. Just consider it my persecution mania," Muen said helplessly.
"However..."
Just as Muen was about to leave, the Pink Bear spoke up again.
"The Governor of this border territory... was one of your father's former subordinates."
"..."
Muen froze, then stared at the Pink Bear in surprise for a long time.
"I'm sorry."
"Hmm?"
"I shouldn't have secretly thought your head was filled with nothing but filth. It turns out that even if most of it is trash, a small part is actually useful."
"Wha—"
The Pink Bear roared in anger, "You little brat, you're looking for death, aren't you!"
"Wait, wait, don't hit me! Don't kick my butt! I was wrong, Uncle!"
"Who the hell is your Uncle? Die!"
*
By the time Muen finished washing up and returned to the camp rubbing his backside, everyone had finished packing and was ready to depart.
Involuntarily, their gazes fell upon the returning Muen.
Seeing this, Muen felt a slight ripple in his heart. He smiled and was about to speak when he felt a gentle tug on the corner of his clothes.
"Th... that."
Liya had appeared behind Muen at some point. She whispered, "There's something... can we talk privately for a moment?"
"Hmm?"
Muen looked puzzled, but seeing the trace of anxiety in Liya's eyes, he said nothing. He gave an apologetic smile to the others—who were wearing strange expressions—and followed Liya to a secluded spot.
...
"Ariel hasn't come back yet?"
Muen was stunned. He looked at the anxious Liya and frowned. "Have you tried contacting her with the Voice Transmission Stone?"
"I... I tried, but she didn't pick up."
Liya gripped the Voice Transmission Stone so hard it nearly shattered, her eyes filled with unease.
"Don't panic yet. Let me ask."
Muen offered a word of comfort and went to find the Pink Bear.
"Oh? You're asking about that flat-chested brat?"
The Pink Bear, who was focused on an adult book with a cover that would make Liya flush crimson, looked up and said casually:
"She's been sneaking out every night these past two days to hunt magical beasts."
"I know that. What I'm asking is that she hasn't returned yet. Is she in danger?"
"Danger? Where would danger come from?"
The Pink Bear picked his nose, unconcerned. "This is the route I chose. Where could... ah, I remember now."
The Pink Bear suddenly jolted upright and slapped his own head.
"I just remembered what I forgot to tell that girl last night."