Chapter 15: A Friend’s Advice
“Hey… I heard that the Weimar Royal Castle was attacked by someone… Do you know anything about it?”
One day, as usual, Ivern brought supplies to me and immediately asked that question.
“Hmm? Oh, I took care of it myself since they weren’t keeping their promises.”
I had no reason to dodge the truth, so I answered honestly, and Ivern buried his face in his hands.
“…So it was you after all…”
“Yeah.”
I responded briefly, as it seemed Ivern had already anticipated my answer. He let out a deep sigh.
“You know… because of that incident, the Weimar Kingdom is in chaos right now. There are disputes with the Demon Tribe, and some people are saying it was their doing. The whole country is in an uproar, vowing to fight against the Demon Tribe.”
“Oh, really?”
“Is that all you have to say? …Well, I guess to you, it’s all just someone else’s problem.”
As expected of Ivern; he understood me well.
“That’s how it is. I don’t care what happens to Weimar.”
“Well, that’s true for you.”
Ivern pulled out the supplies, sounding a bit tired as he spoke.
“What’s up? You feel differently?”
“Ah, well, there’s been a call for volunteer soldiers among explorers. Quite a few people around are planning to join. I keep getting asked, and it’s a hassle to turn them down.”
“Why not just go?”
Given Ivern’s personality, I thought he would be the first to step up for something like that, so I was a bit surprised he was refusing.
So, I casually suggested he should go, and Ivern shot me a glare.
“What’s with that look?”
“I thought it was probably your doing. Everyone else is pumped up for revenge against the Demon Tribe, but I can’t feel that way. If I joined with that mindset, I’d just drag everyone down.”
“Hmm. You’re as serious as ever.”
It seemed Ivern’s seriousness was affecting his decision this time.
“If I didn’t know about your issues with the Royal Family, I would have joined the volunteer soldiers too. But honestly, this whole thing feels like a wrongful accusation against the Demon Tribe. I’d just feel bad about it.”
I nodded, finishing up the inspection of the supplies Ivern had brought.
As we took a break, Ivern suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke up.
“By the way, after the explosion incident at the castle, your wanted status has been lifted.”
“Oh, really?”
Listening to Ivern, it seemed the Royal Family had recognized that I was the true culprit behind the incident.
They probably figured out I was hiding the Princess-sama and lifted the wanted status to appease me.
Looks like they’re pretty scared of me.
Well then, I might as well let them stay scared.
Will there be an attack from me someday?
Or maybe not.
Let them wear themselves thin with uncertainty.
“If my wanted status is lifted, I guess I don’t need to hide anymore. Should I lift this barrier soon?”
“No, you should probably wait a bit longer.”
“Huh? Why?”
I was thinking of lifting the barrier since it was a hassle to check every time something got caught in it, or to use the surveillance camera I had set up for the Princess-sama. But for some reason, Ivern was telling me to hold off.
Curious about his reasoning, I asked, and the answer surprised me.
“Well, the lift only applies to Weimar. In other countries, your wanted status is still active.”
“Huh?”
Seriously, why? If one country lifted it, the others should follow suit.
“Because of that, there are rumors that the castle attack was your doing and not the Demon Tribe’s.”
“That’s not just a rumor; it’s the truth.”
“I know. But if that gets out, there might be people coming after you again, calling you a criminal. So, it’s better to keep the barrier as it is for now.”
“Sigh, I still have to deal with this annoying situation, huh?”
“Even if it’s a hassle, it’s better to maintain the barrier to protect Meileen.”
When Ivern brought up Meileen’s safety, I had no choice but to agree to keep the barrier up.
“Sigh, this is such a pain…”
At that moment, something crossed my mind.
“Hey, Ivern.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know why my wanted status hasn’t been lifted in other countries?”
“Ah…”
Ivern hesitated a bit before speaking.
“Probably because they can’t give up on you. The wanted posters say dead or alive, but they actually want to capture you without killing you.”
So they want to use me as a convenient pawn, huh?
“Those guys are as disgusting as ever… Should I crush them?”
“Wait, wait, wait! Don’t go picking fights everywhere! If you do that, the whole world will come after you this time! What about Meileen and the kids? Is that what you want?”
“Hmm. That wouldn’t be good. Then I guess I’ll let it slide.”
“…With you, that’s not just a condescending remark; it actually means you’ll let it go, and that’s terrifying.”
I chuckled at Ivern’s sighing words.
“Ha. Then don’t interfere. If you do, I won’t do anything either.”
Every time they meddled, I had to respond.
They should just stay quiet for once.
“Haha. Well, you’re absolutely right. You’re harmless as long as no one pokes at you.”
“Oh, you’re starting to understand me.”
“Well, after all this time together, it’s hard not to. For now, just keep an eye on things for a bit longer.”
“Sigh… This is such a hassle.”
Taking Ivern’s advice, I decided to keep the barrier up for a while longer.
I was glad I listened to that advice, and it didn’t take long for me to realize just how right it was.