Published: February 1, 2026
The road to the Capital City, morning of the second day.
“Where’s Ittou?”
“That black guy sitting over there eating meat.”
“Oh? He looks strong. Why is he staring up at the demonic bird? Does he like it?”
“Who knows. Oh, the cavalry is calling out to him. They seem pretty used to this.”
The man called the prince was about to speak to Jill, who was sitting by the campfire, but was stopped.
By the way, at that time Rizel was riding the demonic bird, and Eleven was still asleep.
The road to the Capital City, night of the second day.
“Hm, unfamiliar face.”
“Ah—Prince-sama?”
“That’s right. Are you part of Ittou’s party?”
“Huh? …Ah, yes, ‘Ittou’s party,’ that’s us.”
The man called the prince noticed Eleven mingling with the cavalry soldiers who were drinking and approached with great interest.
By the way, Rizel was attending a demonic bird lecture in Nahas’s tent, and Jill was polishing his sword inside their tent. The conversation was mostly avoided.
The road to the Capital City, morning of the third day.
“I heard Ittou’s party has three members.”
“That’s right.”
“I’ve only seen Ittou and the red-haired beastman. Where’s the other one?”
“Eh? You haven’t seen them? They’re quite eye-catching… Ah, there they are.”
“Hm?”
Just as the man called the prince turned around, cheers erupted from the cavalry who had been watching a training session—actually, a fight to the death—between Jill and Eleven.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Rizel boarded the demonic bird carriage and disappeared from the man’s sight. He thought about sneaking a look but was stopped.
The road to the Capital City, night of the third day.
“Hm, is that… Ittou’s tent?”
“Prince, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, vice captain. Thank you for your patrol.”
“The escort guys were looking for them earlier… Well then, let me escort you to the tent.”
The man called the prince shrugged as if resigned and followed Nahas, leaving the scene.
Behind them, Rizel peeked out from the tent, scanning the surroundings. She beckoned Eleven, who had been mingling at the drinking site nearby, but the man never noticed.
The road to the Capital City, morning of the fourth day.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, good morning. Mr. Calm One.”
“(Calm One?)”
“Let’s have a good day. Just moving today, though.”
“…Yawn. Waking up early like this day after day is really tough.”
“Oh, good morning, Prince.”
“Ah… Did you hear a voice you don’t recognize just now?”
“You still haven’t met, huh?”
The man called the prince appeared a few seconds after Rizel passed by, showing a puzzled expression.
The escort men wondered why the timing was always so bad but just shook their heads, saying it was nothing.
The road to the Capital City, evening of the fourth day.
The man led the escort with an unfazed smile as they walked inside a certain building.
The building, refined in pursuit of efficiency, was brightly lit despite the night. The reason was obvious by the officials continuing their work, coming and going without pause.
Everyone stopped and bowed their heads upon seeing the man. There was no one there who did not know who he was.
“Long time no see.”
Passing through several doors, the man suddenly stopped. The golden decoration around his ankle made a cool sound.
He called out with the same smile to the approaching footsteps from the opposite side, which stopped a few meters away.
“Long time no see, Your Highness the Prince.”
The man who spoke, placing a hand on his abdomen in a perfect bow, was incredibly handsome.
His glossy dark hair flowed with the bow, and his lowered eyes revealed a crimson color as they lifted. Though middle-aged, his gaze was sharp yet exuded an age-appropriate charm.
No one would doubt if he said he was the Elf king, though the dark circles under his eyes slightly marred his beauty. Even that seemed intentionally left incomplete as if to create an exquisite face, yet he didn’t smile even a little.