Hotel - 1

The word 'inn' startled me. I couldn't fathom Pria's intentions, but her suggestion to go to an inn carried complex implications. I was about to say no when—

"...Hmm."

Pria seemed to realize what she had said a moment too late, her cheeks flushing as she subtly averted her gaze. I smiled at her reaction, a playful impulse seizing me, and quickly agreed.

"Shall we?"

"...Y-yes, let's."

Perhaps it was her proud nature, but she didn't object, merely nodding. She probably didn't want to retract her own words. I decided to tease her a bit before heading back, and led Pria towards the Lodging Liana had secured.

*

"...Hmm."

Pria, still drenched, looked around the rather luxurious grand inn. As a princess, she seemed quite accustomed to opulent interiors. The problem was, being soaked and in a private room with an unfamiliar man was clearly making her uncomfortable.

She restlessly got up, wandering around the room, idly poking at decorations, trying to distract herself. I suppressed a laugh, finding her behavior quite amusing when Pria sighed and spoke to me.

"...Anyway, thank you for today. Honestly, I never imagined I'd experience something like this."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Yes, I am too. *Haa*, I truly feel like I'd suffocate and die if I stayed there. I mean, others must find it hard too, but that pressure... you wouldn't know unless you've felt it."

Honestly, while I could understand, I found it hard to empathize. One could never truly know another's perspective without experiencing it firsthand. So, when Pria lay down on the bed and spoke, I simply nodded, refraining from making any hasty judgments.

"So, what do you want to do? Want something to eat?"

It wasn't a bad option, so I nodded, about to order food, when Pria hugged a pillow and spoke to me.

"Say something... When you're quiet like this, it's kind of embarrassing."

*Do I really have anything to say? I don't think so.* I pondered her words for a moment, then decided to humor the Princess and replied briefly.

"Let's talk while we eat first."

"Oh, okay."

Pria nodded at my suggestion, then fidgeted and spoke.

"Speaking of which... you seem quite used to places like this, don't you? It feels familiar."

*Is there anything particularly familiar about it? It's luxurious, but it's still just Lodging.* I was about to say there was nothing special about it, but then I thought saying that in this situation might make things awkward. So, I decided to stay quiet for now.

*It doesn't seem like a particularly important question anyway.*

Once she'd eaten, she'd probably relax. I decided to ask her about the previous agreement and whether she could become an Ally at an opportune moment.

*Well, if not, it can't be helped.*

Even if I forced her, she wouldn't listen, and even if such an Alliance were formed, I doubt she'd genuinely help. So, if she was reluctant, I decided to leave it be.

*It would be nice if she did, though.*

With those thoughts, I decided to wait until the food arrived.

*

Since I had plenty of money, I ordered lavishly. Considering she'd complained about the gamey smell when eating skewers before, it was likely she had a very discerning palate from a lifetime of eating luxurious food, so it was best to cater to her tastes. As the food was ordered, Pria looked at the dishes with an expression full of interest.

"There are so many interesting-looking dishes."

She seemed quite hungry, eagerly eating various things. I watched Pria, and once she seemed to have eaten her fill, I calmly brought up the topic.

"You mentioned earlier that you'd help the House Karsaril. How exactly do you plan to do that?"

"Oh, that? It's a bit awkward to talk about right now, so I'll tell you later."

Pria gave an awkward laugh, truly seeming uncomfortable discussing it, and averted my gaze. I sighed, unable to understand why she was acting this way about the method, when she seemed to want to change the subject and brought up another topic.

"By the way, why are you at odds with the Order? I mean, the House Karsaril wasn't exactly on great terms with them to begin with... but I don't recall things being so twisted that an individual and an organization would be fighting."

I thought for a moment about her question, then gave a brief answer.

"The Dark Mages crossed a line."

*How much should I tell her?* I pondered for a moment, then began to speak, omitting only the crucial information that might put me at a disadvantage.

I started with the story of the Order setting up Relief Centers where Refugees gathered, only to sell them off to Dark Mages or wealthy individuals. Then, I spoke of their oppression of Ruen, the Saintess. I deliberately hid the parts about the *False Hero* and *False Saintess*, unsure how that information might be used. Pria gazed at me intently as I spoke.

Her eyes seemed to demand the truth, so I simply told her honestly.

"I just got pissed off and took them down."

"Ahahaha."

I didn't know why, but the Princess seemed to prefer honesty, even if the language was crude. I was still puzzled, looking at Pria laughing beside me, when she looked at me and spoke.

"So, do you regret it? I think I would."

I shrugged, indicating I didn't particularly regret it. Pria gazed at me, then smiled playfully and spoke.

"Earlier, you asked about a 'method,' didn't you?"

More specifically, the method by which the Imperial Faction could help the House Karsaril was discussed. I nodded at her words. Pria fidgeted with her hands, pulling the blanket closer. Suddenly, she opened and closed her mouth, unable to speak.

I watched her silently, wondering what was wrong. Pria let out a deep sigh and spoke to me.

"...It's nothing much. Just, you know, do *that* thing."

"That thing?"

My confusion grew as she kept beating around the bush. However, given who she was, I decided to wait patiently. Pria seemed to make up her mind, letting out another deep sigh before speaking to me.

"...M-marry."

"M-marry?"

"Marriage."

"...?"

I stared at Pria silently, the proposal so unexpected. Pria, seemingly embarrassed by her own words, turned her face away and spoke to me.

"...It's not a bad idea for either the House Karsaril or the Imperial Family. If you were still the scoundrel you used to be, perhaps, but you've proven your talent by rising to at least Intermediate Expert, and the House Karsaril's prestige has grown recently, so the Imperial Faction would also..."

In conclusion, if we were to unite, we would both gain significant advantages. And since neither of us was in a position where we absolutely had to inherit within our respective Houses, both the Imperial Family and our Houses would welcome it.

"...If you don't want to, then don't."

"..."

Unable to say anything else, I simply stuffed food into my mouth, lost in thought.

* * * * * *

Shiren grumbled, staring up at the sky of the Shadow City.

"Damian's late."

As she waited for Damian, who hadn't returned even though it was evening, Ruen, who was nearby, smiled calmly and spoke.

"He's busy, so he might be late. Come on, Lady Shiren, come and eat."

"It's fine. I'll stay here."

"Don't be like that, come quickly."

With those words, Ruen grabbed Shiren by the armpit and began to drag her away. *She looks delicate, but she's surprisingly strong,* I thought. Just then, Lorraine, who was waiting in the Dining Room, saw us and smiled.

"It's like bringing in a cat."

"I'm not a cat."

"It's just an expression."

"..."

As I was dragged along, a rather lavishly prepared meal came into view. Honestly, I was confident I could eat anything as long as it was edible, so there was no need for such an elaborate spread. Still, eating delicious food was quite pleasant, and as I gazed at it, Ruen spoke.

"Eat quickly. Your food will get cold."

I nodded at her words, putting food into my mouth with a fork, when Liana suddenly entered the Dining Room and spoke to us.

"Saintess... I'm so tired."

"Oh, Lady Liana, come here quickly. Here, we even have your favorite sandwich!"

"Sandwiches are good..."

Judging by her unsteady gait, she seemed to have had a very tough time. As I chewed on my meat and watched her, Liana sat at the table, ate her sandwich, and spoke.

"By the way, where's Lord Damian?"

"I don't know. He's not back yet."

"Really? Shall I check where he is?"

At her words, I nodded, secretly expectant. Liana closed her eyes for a moment, then calmly spoke.

"...A grand inn? He seems to be at a grand inn."

At the word “grand inn,” everyone's movements instantly froze. After all, with the Shadow City available, there was no reason to go to a grand inn. Still, I tried to act as if everything was fine, trusting that Damian wouldn't do anything untoward when Liana gave an awkward smile and spoke.

"And he's with a woman... ?"

Ruen was the first to react to the words "with a woman." Ruen dropped the utensils she was holding, her expression blank, and asked,

"Why?"