Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic
It took us fifteen days to reach Tobol village’s neighboring town.
Before the demon had attacked the village, Mister Kenneth visited this town on a monthly basis. He used to take around one day to travel between the two places by horse, but his usual route probably no longer existed.
When I was still Allen, not once had I ever set foot outside of Tobol. So me knowing the path was out of question. Meanwhile, Riley had only travelled from Tobol to this town once, when he was twelve. Time had already eroded his memory of that day.
Our journey had gone without a hitch so far. I never imagined that we’d encounter a problem just as we were almost at Tobol village.
“Considering the directions, the village should be around that area, right? So why don’t we search around there? See if we can catch a glimpse of the village?”
“No, I want to avoid doing that. Some demons and wild animals roam around this place. Plus Ilya needs to have enough rest.”
“Huh? I’m the problem?” I puffed my cheeks, before shifting my gaze to the side. “…Well, maybe you’ve got a point.”
Riley was putting me into consideration.
When it came down to it, he was the hero who had so bravely stepped foot within demon territory, defeating the Demon King and his minions. For him to fear a few small-fry demons was inconceivable. But for me, a mere scratch from a puppy-sized demon could bring about serious injuries.
If one were to consider that, getting a peaceful night’s sleep in such a dangerous environment should be difficult.
Even so, we already knew the general direction of the village, as well as the fact that it should only take around a day by horse. And since it was winter, buildings should be easily spotted amidst the white snow. It wasn’t like I was suggesting that we randomly loiter around the forest.
“Still, you’re being too overprotective,” I whined.
“Ilya,” said Riley, warning in his tone.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. We’ll gather information from the townspeople tomorrow, then depart the day after that, right? You’re so stubborn,” I said, glaring and pouting for good measure.
Slight panic and remorse flashed across his face.Apologetic, he scooped me into his arms and pressed me tightly against him.
Hmph, Riley’s playing dirty.
He probably realized that the warmth of his embrace could calm me down.
Yes, he definitely did. That must be why he was doing this.
I often wondered where that cute Riley had gone. But to be honest, it’d be strange if a twenty-eight-years-old man acted cute.
That said, how frustrating it was that he could coax me so obediently like this.
So I stood on my toes and moved my lips close to his ear. I whispered, “Then, we still have time today. Let’s do it?”
I circled my hands around his neck, pulling his head down. I kissed him, biting his lower lip and giving it a suck before I pulled back.
Riley’s pomegranate eyes widened before gradually glazing over. I inwardly laughed. As I thought, Riley’s flustered state was quite the cute sight.\n…There was a reason why I prayed by the back of the cross.
With nothing left of the church aside from it, the demons naturally couldn’t tell which was the front or the back of the cross.
The entrance to the hidden staircase was still there, untouched after all these years.
After I finished my prayer and rose to my feet, the presumed leader of the demons flashed a grin.
Now that I’d calmed down, this demon looked weaker than the one that had annihilated our village.
I wouldn’t win against it. But Riley can.
As long as I wasn’t in their hands, the hero wouldn’t lose.
“Are you praying for that God to save you?”
“Nope. There’s nothing else I can do. So I might as well try to escape!”
As I said these words, I pulled out an orb from my bag.
If I remembered correctly, Mister Elmer had called it a flash orb. It would emit a blinding light upon shattering.
So I closed my eyes and hurled it toward the ground.
The light was indeed blinding. I could still discern some of it despite my closed eyes, an orange and tangerine sky before me. Without a doubt, the demons must be disoriented.
Grabbing the opportunity, I blindly ran toward the hidden staircase, my eyes still screwed tight.