Vol 1 Chapter 27 – Coffee Break【Exile to the Empire Arc】

When Roy came downstairs, everyone except Sarina had already started breakfast.

“Are there no other guests here?”

He asked Sophia as he took his seat.

“None. This place is under my organization’s influence.”

“Organization? Didn’t you go back to the Empire?”

“I did. I was taken in by Eiden Ignia—the Ignia family. The Ignias oppose the nobility system, so they took me in, the daughter of the dissolved Lane family.”

Roy put a piece of bread in his mouth and separated the cherry tomatoes and meat. Seeing this, Yukino moved the food she couldn’t finish onto Roy’s plate and transferred all the cherry tomatoes Roy disliked onto her own plate.

Witnessing this sequence, Manabu’s eyes went wide with surprise.

“So you gathered people who have grudges against the nobility and formed an organization?”

“It’s called Stark. Yes, if you put it crudely, that’s about right. And what’s with that coordination… with the whole ‘I’m the legal wife~’ vibe? It’s irritating.”

“Huh? L-legal wife!? No, we just do this all the time. There’s really no other meaning to it!”

Roy nodded along with an “Uh-huh,” while Yukino happily munched on the cherry tomatoes.

“Well, fine. Also, try to avoid going outside as much as possible. Everyone here except me is wanted.”

She placed wanted posters on the table.

“Hey, these don’t look anything like us. The wanted posters you see around town are drawn much better.”

“They’re created with projection magic, so it can’t be helped. Honestly, the hero Haruto is so popular that everyone else is just thought of as ‘attendants.’ Lucky you, saved by Haruto’s popularity.”

“So basically, ‘I have no recollection of that’… By the way, how do they do wanted posters in the Empire?”

“Let’s see… they do interviews and composite sketches. The classic methods work surprisingly well, I think.”

Afterward, Roy heard from Yukino about what had happened. Apparently, while receiving treatment, Roy had been transported to an inn in the royal capital Regzeria that was under Stark’s influence, and he’d been asleep for two full days.

After the meal ended, everyone gathered at the table. Sarina, who had been eating in her room, was also present.

“Now then, regarding what comes next—Roy, Yukino, and I will be defecting to the Empire. What will you two do?”

“I’ll follow the boss!”

“Understood. What about you?”

Sophia turned her gaze to Sarina with the question.

“I want to go back to Haruto… so just leave me alone.”

“Oh really? But you’re on a wanted poster too.”

Sarina, who hadn’t been present for the earlier meal, cried out in surprise.

“Why! How come!? I’m Haruto’s companion!”

“Look here. It says ‘capture alive.’ Haruto probably protested.”

“Then if I turn myself in, I can see Haruto?”

“Even if you go back, there’s no place for you. Because—Haruto is getting engaged.”

Sarina froze for a moment, then screamed while tearing at her hair.

“No no no no! Why!? If this guy hadn’t captured me in the first place, none of this would’ve—”

Slap!

Yukino struck the cheek of Sarina, who had called Roy “this guy” and tried to blame him.

“Sarina, Roy-san purified your corruption! He could have killed you, but he held back and chose a path that would let you live normally! Did you forget that we destroyed his village? Don’t trample on Roy-san’s decision!”

“But… but… ugh…”

Manabu put his arm around Sarina’s shoulder to comfort her. Perhaps because they were former accomplices—no, because they were kindred spirits—he took on that role.

Seeing this, Roy and Sophia moved away slightly to talk.

“What are you going to do with that girl?”

“I’m… thinking of taking her with us.”

“Seriously!?”

“The fiancée is… the king’s daughter, Arcange, right? If she’s lucky enough to get back to Haruto, that woman will definitely try to eliminate Arcange by any means necessary. That’s the kind of woman she is. If she does something to the king’s daughter, she could get the death penalty in the worst case. That would make saving her meaningless.”

“…Fine. Tie her up with rope if you have to and bring her. I’ll contact the organization Stark and arrange for a carriage. You wait here.”

With that, Sophia left the inn. Until Sophia returned, everyone took various actions.

Roy lined up chairs for a nap. Yukino organized the contents of her item box in the seat next to him. Manabu chugged milk from a mug at the counter—probably trying to get taller.

And Sarina remained slumped over the table.

Clang clang

“Everyooone, today’sh the paraaade~! Drink, drink!”

“You’ve had too much to drink today. Master, can I get a glass of water?”

Despite it being reserved, two men entered. One was already slurring his words, while the other’s face was red but he seemed steady. He was probably always the one looking after the other.

The innkeeper brought water to the heavily drunk man.

“Here, water. And didn’t you see the sign outside? We’re reserved today.”

“Oh, really? Sorry, I didn’t notice. We’ll leave as soon as this guy sobers up a bit. Just let us stay till then. Y’see, today’s the hero Haruto’s engagement parade, so there’s a lot of people… and he passed out…”

The exasperated innkeeper turned back to Roy, seeking agreement.

“I don’t mind. We help each other when we’re in trouble. More importantly, today’s the parade?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Hence this situation!”

Bang! Clang clang…

(Ah, Sarina ran out. Damn, that selfish girl!)

Sarina probably wants to see Haruto. She kicked over her chair and rushed outside. When Roy got up to chase after her, Yukino weakly tugged at his sleeve.

“Roy-san, I also—”

“No, Yukino and Manabu wait here. I’ll bring her back by myself.”

“Please, make sure you come back… I’m begging you…”

Roy ruffled Yukino’s head, then dashed outside.