Chapter 226

[I've officially moved into my new apartment. Just unpacking the stuff now! I'll be back on track tomorrow. I will catch up on the missing chapters then! I apologize for any inconveniences that I've caused. Cheers!]

Evan D. Sherden, Robs the City. (1)

Many people had come out of Sherden to participate in the Dungeon Festival in Pellati. There was the Marquis' family and the explorers who usually resided in Sherden— among many others.

So, on the morning of the day Marquis Sorain left for Pellati, there was a huge crowd at Sherden's gate.

"Master, may I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

Shine, who came out to see Evan off, asked Evan, looking in the mansion's direction.

"Isn't there a gate in the mansion? I thought you could connect with the Silk Line royal palace and Pellati, but you're not going to use it this time?"

"Yes, because it's just for an emergency. The goods needed to go into a single invocation are formidable, and if you were to look at it, it's like attacking someone else's home without permission, so it's not a good idea to use it."

"But the Princess, who came by the gate to Master's birthday party..."

"That's Rei."

"Well, so that's your answer...?"

"Evan? Cute Rei is right in front of you right now, and you're saying such a mean thing!"

Evan knew what he was saying.

It wasn't just Shine and Serena. The last members of the Dungeon Knights, who were not going to the trip this time, were also out to see Evan off. Some were teary-eyed.

"It's too much to hear Master's last words of abuse when I may not see him for more than two months..."

"If you just took my words for swearing, you need to reflect on it... Phew, come here."

"Huh...? Wow! Evan kissed me first!"

Evan pretended to be sulky and kissed her, as if he couldn't win over Serena pushing her cheek in front of his face.

Evan's greatest sincerity was to appease her since she was quite disappointed that she could not go on a trip with Evan, even though she tried to wrap it up in a playful manner. As expected, the effect of his kiss was perfect.

"Ehe, it feels so good that I feel like my body floats up into the sky..."

"You're overdoing it."

"Okay, leave the dungeon city to me while you're gone! I'll keep it as safe as I can!"

"It would be best if nothing happened, but in case, I'll ask Shine and Raihan."

Evan indeed asked Shine and Raihan while patting Serena's head, who clipped and clapped. Both answered with a trustworthy look.

"Leave it to me. I don't feel like I'm going to lose to anyone right now."

"Hey, stop saying that. Why do you have to pick such a cringe phrase?"

"So do I. I'm not afraid of anything anymore, Master."

"You guys know that, don't you? You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

As they successfully completed their dungeon attack, they seemed to have grown mentally as well as physically.

"Then I'm leaving it to you guys."

"Goodbye, Master."

"Goodbye, sir!"

Evan hugged the members of the Knights who stayed in the city, starting with Shine. Finally, he found his brother, Eric.

"I'll be right back, brother."

"Be careful on the road, Evan. If anything happens, you have to contact me right away."

"I'm going with a lot of people, including father. I'll get you a present, too."

Even though Evan was now fifteen, Eric still treated Evan as if he were a small child.

Evan smiled bitterly at the image of Eric holding him in his arms, and then he bowed his head to Milia D. Sherden, a blonde woman standing beside him.

"Goodbye, Sister-in-law. Please take good care of my brother."

"Hehe. Goodbye. Don't worry about us, Young Master. Just relax."

"Yes."

Having recently become a family member, she still had an awkward relationship with Evan, but it was good to see her standing side by side with his brother. She had a picturesque beauty, so when she was with Eric, it felt much like beauty and the beast....

"Evan, let's go now."

"Oh, alright. Then, I'll be right back!"

Arisha, slightly excited at the thought of going back to her hometown, led Evan. He finally waved his hand to the people and climbed onto a large carriage.

Marquis Sorain, his two wives, as well as Liz, were in one carriage, while Evan, Belois, and Arisha were in another carriage.

Of course, the knights who escorted them were also present, and in Evan's carriage, Dain, who had escorted him from his childhood, was riding. It is almost like a tradition to always have Dain as company while out for official business."

"Excuse me... Master? Can I stay here?"

Dain looked carefully at Belois and Arisha and asked Evan carefully.

Belois sat still, staring at Evan, but Arisha sometimes looked back at Dain and tsk-ed at him. It was as if she was saying, 'Why is he here?'

"You feel that way, don't you, Dain? You feel like your presence is not acceptable here. The feeling that everyone regards you as an annoyance."

"Yes, very much."

"That's why you need to be here."

"What a profound remark."

Evan wasn't kidding. He didn't know what these girls were capable of doing!

Especially because Evan kissed Serena goodbye earlier, Arisha, and even Belois, seemed a little upset. Perhaps sooner or later, when he would try to "make it up" in any way, Evan's goal was to prevent it from going too far.

"Extra's presence, which neatly blocks the main character and heroine's event that must happen just by being in the space, is an essential element in any love comedy. In a sense, it is a more shining role than the main character, in that it maintains the tension of the play and pushes the unrelenting desire to the next event. It's what I'm saying as an extra expert so that you can count on it."

"It was quite plausible. But what you said at the end is not very believable."

Dain felt a little tearful upon seeing Arisha's cold eyes, even though Evan deliberately explained this in a loud voice. Although Belois might sigh inwardly, she was preparing tea and putting it out in front of Dain.

"Drink some."

"Thank you, Belois."

"Lua, that's poisonous tea."

"....My dear, I made a mistake."

"Oh, my...!"

'Can I get off the carriage now?' Dain, who began to feel threatened for his life, seriously agonized over it, but the carriage had already left. The Master's short yet long vacation began.

* * *

That evening, arriving in a suitable small town, the group visited the most luxurious restaurant and had dinner.

Dain, who was only looking for the timing to escape, jumped with the other drivers, and the two girls were able to have time alone with Evan as they wished.

"Then I'll explain the goal of this trip since it's the right time."

Evan declared, stirring the stew brought by the clerk. For one's information, his share was especially large compared to the other two's, and the meat was also included, but no one tackled it because it was a scene they saw every time in the store where a female clerk worked.

"What do you mean, 'the goal of this trip'? We're going on vacation, aren't we?"

"What are you talking about, Arisha? There will be a few more chances to come out on this route."

Arisha, who was dipping bread in the stew, tilted her head and asked. Evan shook his head firmly and took a small map out of his arms. It was a map that carefully marked the place of the quest.

"We should do everything we can on our way. First of all, the port city of Palman and gambling city of Roizen. I'll stop by these two places no matter what. If possible, the Carl Rosa Tower too."

"That's why Evan accepted my invitation without hesitation..."

Evan was worried about the dungeon city's safety, yet had a sense of incompatibility with his decision to accept her invitation and leave for Pellati. She had just fully understood everything in Evan's words.

However, Evan heard her and shook his head with a bitter smile.

"No, Arisha. Don't turn me into the bad guy. I was just thinking about doing what I could while I was invited to travel. Originally, we won't have any problem collecting them in the next few years."

"You thought I'd fall for it if you told me that, didn't you?"

"I'm afraid not. I don't get fooled by those appearances, so I hope you prove it with more specific and active actions."

Already displeased by Evan's words, Arisha patted her cheek, pretending as nothing happened. She meant to ask him for a kiss.

Evan expected it to turn out this way, but it was really fast timing. Evan was a bit stunned, so Arisha made an excuse that she didn't have to make.

"What, what, you've done it to Serena, right? I thought Evan was okay doing that with friends. Well, then it shouldn't be a problem with me, should it?"

"Well, that's..."

"Lady, you're blowing yourself up."

"I know. I was just a little nervous! Evan, don't get me wrong. I thought I was just more precious to you than Serena!"

Arisha had finally exploded. If one were to provoke her here, they would just be in big trouble. Evan just smiled awkwardly.

"Let's talk about it again later. Can I continue with the explanation first?"

"I beg of you, Master."

Evan explained the purpose of the trip step by step. Originally, the plan was not too extensive. Still, as they explored Sherden's Dungeon deeper than he had originally planned, the dungeon level had increased dramatically, so there was nothing difficult.

"Let's just think of traveling to more diverse places."

"Port city of Palman... I remembered a few years ago. You said you wanted to see it."

Belois looked nostalgic, pointing out a dot on the map that Evan had taken out. 'Did I ever tell this to her and Shine?' While tilting his head, Evan acknowledged what she said.

"It's such a famous tourist attraction in the game...... Oh, I mean I saw it as foresight."

"I'll be glad to accompany you."

"Well, it's going to be fun. They're Evan's plans, so it can't be boring."

Arisha also pointed out the map because she was curious as to where Evan wanted to go.

"The festival starts in two weeks. What are you going to do?"

"I'm thinking of moving away from my father's company. I've already told him."

"That was fast."

"Are you only taking the Dungeon Knights?"

"No, I'm taking a few more. Mainly Horta and Bane."

"...Huh?"

"Uh, eh?"

Belois and Arisha's eyes turned into dots as they did not understand Evan's words. Evan laughed merrily at the reaction. Of course, he wasn't going to take back his words.

There was nothing he would hide; this was the travel destination, the gambling city, he was planning to stop by, and there was the artisan's and the chef's unique hidden skills!

"Master, you called me?"

"But when will you call me by my name?"

Evan persuaded Horta and Bane to join, although they didn't intend to follow the original journey. Bane showed up with an awkward expression.

When Belois and Arisha saw them, they were assured that the romantic summer with Evan would be postponed for a while. It was truly unfortunate.

Evan's journey to shed all the secrets of the Yo-Ma Great War Series had only just begun.