Published: March 21, 2026
"Do you even understand what you're saying?!"
Uncharacteristically, Crow's face darkened as he stepped up to Ria.
It was the first time I'd seen Crow so visibly upset.
In fact, I think it was the first time I'd heard him raise his voice.
"I understand. Lord Akira and the others are heading to the Demon Clan territory now. Right?"
Ria turned to me to confirm.
I nodded.
Crow glared at me, but I ignored it.
He probably didn't want the Ria he doted on—who admired him so sincerely—to be put in danger.
"If that's the case, there will come a time when my barrier is needed! I will accompany you!"
That was likely part of her reasoning. Seeing the resolve in her eyes, even Crow nodded slightly.
Amelia, who had been watching that exchange, had a smirk on her face. I wondered what she was thinking.
"Well then, let's depart!"
After Ria returned briefly to the Royal Castle, Gram being dead left no reason to linger in Uruk, Crow said, and we hurriedly packed. We made it to the outskirts of town, but there stood Ria with a huge pile of luggage as if she'd been ready and waiting.
She'd probably guessed Crow would try to leave her behind and had gotten ahead of him.
"Don't think Crow-sama is the only one who knows this town! After living here for years, I know one or two backways..."
"What are you doing here?"
Contrasting Ria's triumphant tone, Crow's interrupted voice was calm.
Too calm.
Crow's low-toned words made the air solidify.
There was no killing intent, but the pressure was intense.
"When Crow-sama nodded earlier when I said I'd accompany you, he didn't give a rendezvous point, so I anticipated it. Besides, I have nowhere to return to anymore."
Ria straightened her chest, but if she could read Crow's actions so well, didn't she realize how clearly he'd been angered?
Or did she know and was deliberately provoking him?
Also—what did she mean by having no place to return to?
I couldn't imagine the greedy kings willingly relinquishing her.
"The Demon Clan territory is hundreds of times harsher than you think. Do you really believe someone pampered as a royal could endure it?"
Crow still hesitated, but Ria nodded energetically.
"It's fine! I'm not as weak as you think, Crow-sama! Also, I've severed ties with the royal family. I'm just Ria now. Not Ria Lagoon."
"...Is that so."
What did she mean she'd cut ties with the royal family?
As I tilted my head, Amelia asked first.
"I can't imagine the royals letting go of a foster child they once accepted. How did you manage it?"
"It's simple. They wanted my barrier, not me. I promised to continue maintaining the barrier even if I was no longer a foster child. Well, I only promised it to the king, so what happens after he stops being king is another matter."
Ria smiled like she'd pulled off a prank, and I was surprised.
She seemed livelier than when she was part of the royal family.
Maybe this was more like her true self.
"That was a wise move. With him dead, the current royal family will have various corruptions exposed. Gram had been overlooked, and in exchange he covered up the misdeeds of the royals and high nobles."
So that was it.
So far, aside from the Elf race's royals, I didn't have any fond memories of other royal families.
Well, Victor of the Beastmen and the castle soldiers were all decent people. A bit hot-blooded, but good nonetheless.
Crow turned his back on Ria and started walking.
"Moreover, it's shameful that the royals allowed human trafficking—a crime the Beastmen abhor—to happen. I leaked the information. The castle should already be flooded with residents by now."
...Hm?
If that's true, did Crow really intend to leave Ria in the midst of that?
Ria seemed to realize it too; she looked down and trembled.
No, knowing Crow, he'd have made some arrangements to protect her.
His usual tsundere act?
"...Right, let's go."
"Don't just say 'let's go'! Crow-sama! What is this about?!"
Ria snapped at Crow with a flaring voice, but her mouth formed a curved smile.