Chapter 25

One week had passed since then.

The bird had learned to fly properly, and by now, it had even become capable of breathing a crimson flame mingled with gold from its mouth.

Its physical size seemed to have stopped growing, as there were no signs of it getting any larger.

Its favorite spot lately was on my shoulder, where it perched quite often.

Ril had also taken to spending a lot of time on my lap recently. It almost looked like she was competing with the bird since it had claimed its own favorite spot.

In fact, whenever I patted one of their heads, the other would rub their head against me as if demanding I do the same for them.

Come to think of it, I wondered what had happened with Dowal. I was a bit curious. I didn’t think he would be kicked out of the country, but I was worried he might have been thrown back into a cell.

“Shall we try heading down the mountain today?”

I called out to the two of them and asked, as was our routine.

“I’m fine with that. I’m getting tired of poultry anyway.”

“Pyi?”

Ril seemed onboard, but the bird didn’t seem to quite understand.

“Why don’t we head down and go to the Dwarven Kingdom?”

I spoke to it face-to-face, but it still didn’t seem to get it.

“Well, there shouldn’t be any problem going there.”

After muttering that, I stood up, and the bird perched itself on my shoulder.

“Fufun~”

Ril wrapped her arms around mine.

Now then, I wondered what had become of Dowal Crown after being away for so long.

Around the third station of the mountain, Ril dropped her human form and returned to her wolf shape.

From there, we eventually reached the foot of the mountain.

Dowal had said he would come to get me once the issue of the throne was settled, but since he hadn’t come yet, the possibility that it wasn’t over was likely higher.

I couldn’t exactly walk right through the main entrance of the country, either.

Just as I was thinking that, I spotted a familiar face.

“Sir Ryu, so this is where you were.”

It was the middle-aged man from the guard post.

“Oh, what’s the matter?”

“What do you mean ‘what’s the matter’? I’ve been searching for you on King Dowal’s orders!”

If he was looking for me, did that mean it was already over?

“Is that so? I take it the mess has been cleared up then?”

“The mess? Well, a low-ranking person like myself doesn’t really understand the affairs of the King.”

It seemed he had settled things secretly.

Well, that was probably for the best. If there was no need to force the details of those shady dealings into the light, then so be it.

“In that case, I’ll ask you to guide us again.”