---

Chapter 97: The Unexpected Farewell

“Young Master Ryan, there’s no need to panic like that; we are friends, after all,” Bruwen said, glancing at Ryan.

Ryan’s heart nearly stopped.

He suddenly realized he couldn’t use his extraordinary power: “What have you done to me?!”

“Don’t be nervous; it’s just some Demon-Rejecting Grass. Your baptism hasn’t even started yet.”

“No, no, no! My father won’t let you off! My father is a duke, and if you dare hurt me… damn cultists! Don’t touch me!!!”

Several black-robed cultists grabbed him, and Ryan began cursing out of fear.

The moment the words escaped his mouth, Bruwen’s expression changed.

“Anyone who disrespects our king will be punished.”

The next second, his face softened again: “But since this is your first offense, we can be lenient.”

Then Bruwen stepped forward, and under Ryan’s terrified gaze, he opened one hand and shoved it directly into Ryan’s mouth.

With a crack, Ryan kicked and twitched, his bloodshot eyes nearly bursting.

Bruwen yanked his tongue out with such force it was like tossing trash aside.

“Ah, ahhh…”

Ryan’s eyes were dull as blood poured from his mouth, crying softly.

He finally understood the taste of what those he had hurt experienced.

He vowed that if he had another chance, he would respect his father, respect the princess, and never harm anyone again. He would apologize to everyone he hurt, even Roy Ainbrad.

Too bad nobody in this place cared about his repentance.

Bruwen lifted Ryan with an overwhelming strength and dragged him to the edge of the pit, pushing him in.

“Ah ah ah ah!!!!”

The flames rejoiced.

The wild fire tasted noble blood and transformed into a dragon shape, embracing Ryan tightly. The fire seared to the bone, causing Ryan to scream in agony, while the crimson flames surged into his mouth, merging completely with his body.

Flesh melted in the flames, and charred skin morphed at that very moment.

“Ah! How wonderful!” Bruwen knelt reverently, watching the horrific scene in the flames, tears of joy streaming down his face.

“Truly worthy of noble blood! Such transformation from just one baptism!”

In the shadows of the flames, the struggling and twisting figure slowly expanded, the heartbreaking screams gradually turning into deep, savage roars like a beast!

When the baptism finally concluded, the flames rose, letting out a satisfied hum.

All the followers, including the girl named Mina, respectfully knelt, awaiting the king’s command.

The fire crackled, echoing an eerie roar that was hard for mortals to understand.

Yet Bruwen’s face was filled with the greatest joy.

“As you wish! We shall bring you the blood of the False King!!!”

——————————————————

The next day, Roy set off on his return journey.

Karl took only a few attendants, leaving most of the guards by Roy’s side.

Looking at the dozens of knights, five carts, two catgirl maids, and a Golden-Winged Griffin, Roy suddenly felt his concerns were a bit excessive.

With this lineup, if they encountered magical beasts, they would probably chop them into bits on the spot, right?

It was a shame that Charlotte didn’t come to see him off.

He heard the princess had to return to oversee her territory and set off early this morning, heading in the opposite direction of Ironblood Ridge.

Looks like he wouldn’t get to see her one last time.

When he had Karl for company on the way here, now he sat all alone in the carriage, gazing at the lush greenery outside. Roy felt the familiar bitterness of loneliness.

I wonder how Alice is doing…

Just the thought of that lovely little blonde maid made Roy find this journey increasingly hard to bear.

Without Alice, he could barely stand it!

Just then, Chock’s serious voice interrupted Roy’s wandering thoughts.

“Young Master, something’s not right.”

The orc’s senses rivaled those of a supreme scout, and those two catgirl maids were indeed the most reliable guards in the squad, so Roy paid attention.

Roy’s heart skipped a beat as he asked from inside the carriage, “What’s going on?”

“There are people nearby…” After a twitch of his nose, Chock’s tone turned a bit surprised, “And it seems there are quite a few!”

Roy’s first thought was bandits.

But which blind bandit would dare to stop a noble’s convoy?

Just as Roy was puzzled, the carriage suddenly came to a halt.

“Young Master, danger!”

Before Roy could push the door open, a black-haired catgirl barged in and yanked him out.

That little catgirl had such strength it almost jolted Roy’s breakfast out of him.

“Meow! Protect the Young Master!”

“Chock, Chock! Calm down!”

A voice filled with panic came from the side, urging helplessly.

“Is now really the time to be calm?!”

If you don’t calm down, I’m going to hurl on you!

Seeing Chock actually trying to put him on her shoulder, Roy grabbed her frizzy tail, making the black-haired catgirl shudder like she’d been electrocuted, and she immediately softened up enough to let Roy down.

Roy took a good look and found there were no enemies at all.

The ones blocking the way were part of the royal convoy, and leading them was Charlotte’s “cake”!

The opposing royal carriage opened its door, and out stepped the blushing princess, coming toward him with a friendly smile.

“I can’t believe I’m here to accompany you, and it seems it was unnecessary after all.”

That sharp gaze landed on Chock, causing her to tremble with fear.

“Having black-and-white catgirl maids by your side, how refined of you, Young Master Roy.”

Only then did Chock realize she had done something foolish and scurried behind Roy in fright.

But Roy, pleasantly surprised, raised an eyebrow: “Charlotte came specifically to accompany me?”

Remembering her territory wasn’t in this direction, it meant she had gone out of her way!

“Who came specifically to accompany you? It was that idiot Lisa who took a wrong turn, and I’m just passing by to keep you company!” Charlotte turned her head away, crossing her arms, and puffing herself up stubbornly.

Lisa next to her showed a knowing smile, silently taking the blame.

Roy didn’t press it and simply continued to smile, “It’s enough that Charlotte is willing to keep me company.”

“…I told you not to call my name in public!” Charlotte pouted, her ears gradually heating up, but a hint of soft joy crossed her face, and she looked adorably awkward.

“Come in and sit? My carriage is quite spacious.”

So Roy successfully coaxed the Lionheart Princess into the carriage.

The carriage wasn’t too cramped; however, it was an enclosed space where the two faced one another, the air still as if they were in another world.

Only then did Roy curl his lips into a playful curve: “So Charlotte really didn’t come specifically to accompany me?”

The red-haired girl rested her soft cheek in her hands, slightly averting her gaze, her red eyes filled with flustered feelings as she softly mumbled, “Dummy, isn’t it obvious?”

“I just wanted to hear Charlotte say it herself.”

“Annoying!”

The air was no longer filled with lonely gloom, but instead resonated with bright laughter.

 

---