Chapter 219: The Senior Adventurer
“I intended to die here as the last king…” Karn said, roughly raking his hair.
“Unfortunately, I’ve lived a life far removed from the kind of tale where one blooms beautifully before death. Besides, with Baylis around, the ‘King’s Branch’ expects me to keep living, so give it up.”
I sensed that Karn was somewhat tired of his long life and wished to end it all. Baylis, who stood nearby, seemed to agree. So, for a while, I thoughtlessly burned with the desire to see how things would unfold for Karn.
But Shahira was different. Looking at the branch, she seemed to believe there was hope, and that was what swayed my heart.
“You’ve been holed up for over a thousand years, right? It wouldn’t hurt to explore the world outside. If you love this land, it might take a while, but you could do something to return to how things were. And if you get tired of living, you can just disappear.”
It’s fun to wander around, poking and prodding everywhere. I highly recommend it.
“Is that what you wish for?”
“Well, yeah. Why not let yourself be free at least for the end?”
I wanted him to be happy from the perspective of others before he vanished, not just satisfy himself.
“Understood.”
Karn nodded gravely. I thought it could be a bit lighter than that.
“I am Baylis.”
“Yeah, you’ve already introduced yourself, right?”
“Isn’t it customary to return the greeting?”
“Baylis, then?”
I asked back, confused by the customs of an ancient kingdom from another world.
“—Wait, my magic power has been drained?”
“I’m a rather large Spirit, you know. It was unavoidable at first, right?”
Wait a minute.
“Even if you say that, I’m at a loss. You’re contracted with Karn, right?”
What does that even mean for me?
“I am now Karn’s retainer. And since Karn has contracted with you, I will also contract with you.”
“?”
I tilted my head in confusion, petting Rishu. It was incredibly soothing.
“You… don’t understand, do you? Right now, I am your ‘King’s Branch.'”
“Why a branch?”
I don’t want a humanoid branch that’s bigger than me.
“Because before I disappear as king, you renamed Shahira. Unbelievably, the contract has been overwritten.”
“Since you merged with Karn right after, now Karn is essentially the ‘King’s Branch,’ and you are the contractor.”
Karn wore a bitter expression while Baylis looked amused.
“That’s a problem for me.”
“It’s already done. I resolved my confusion about this matter last night.”
Karn, isn’t that a bit too quick to sort out your feelings?
“Do I have to do something, or will Karn disappear?”
“We’re experiencing weakening and transformation. Unless I wish for it or you revoke my extension of life that you ordered for Shahira, I won’t disappear.”
“You’re an existence that can’t be classified as either a Demon Beast or a Sacred Beast, huh?”
Baylis clung to Karn’s arm, saying that.
Damn it, they’re getting all cozy! Despite Baylis’s round chest pressed against his arm, Karn remained unfazed.
“What are we going to do now?”
“Go see the world.”
Should I gift him a staff?
“Sorry about that, but could you leave one of those treasures I mentioned?”
“Sure. In fact, if we’re going to restore the country, I’ll take a little and leave the rest.”
“No, once I say something, it’s settled. Besides, there aren’t any people here, so even if we do, it will be quite a while.”
What Karn desired was a set of Transfer Circle and Transfer Crystal. The Transfer Circle, as the name suggests, allows you to teleport to a paired Transfer Circle when you step onto a round plate.
There was a large one in this temple, paired with another. The crystal is a consumable used during teleportation. Since Baylis is a Desert Spirit, she can’t be away from here for long—ten years at most—so if we take her along, we’ll need to return regularly.
Even in Karn’s time, there were no craftsmen left who could create them; it was a lost art. Although the knowledge exists, the balance of the world’s spirits has changed so much that it’s impossible to make them. I saw it, but there were many parts I couldn’t understand.
The plan was to set up a base with the Transfer Circle, explore the surroundings, and move the base when we got bored.
For now, I shared what I knew about the current situation, and we decided that the most convenient identity would be that of an Adventurer. I had a form of identification issued under Soleil’s name.
Thus, I became Kanum.
I sought help from Dinoss, the Butler, and Retze. I was clearly unqualified to explain this world on my own.
When I introduced Karn in the room where we played card games, Dinoss was on high alert, and the Butler vanished his presence.
“You are…?”
Seeing the two’s reactions, Retze shot me an exasperated glance.
“This is Karn. Nice to meet you.”
Ignoring the three’s demeanor, Karn grinned and introduced himself.
“My neck is prickling. Who are you?”
Dinoss’s voice was tense.
“I’m Jean’s ‘King’s Branch.'”
Karn replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink.
Right after being brought here via Teleportation, I had been restless, wandering around the room, examining plates and cups, unable to settle down.
“Is the ‘King’s Branch’ the Ex-Staff?”
Retze looked at the Ex-Staff.
“It’s a different branch! It would be too soon for me to become an old man!”
The Ex-Staff replied cheerfully.
Rishu didn’t like crowded places, so I sent him home. Baylis was with Karn, but for some reason, she had taken on the appearance of a girl, likely due to being away from the desert.
So, the suspicion of Karn being a lolicon, huh?