Chapter 100

"Whoa! Bern! That's amber's!"

"Kyruru"

"Look, look, no fighting. Bern, you shouldn't be messing with Amber's pen."

When we returned to the hotel, everyone, including Clovis, was still in our room. There were even more dragons, about the size of cats.

Despite the noise, it was a heartwarming scene, like watching puppies play. Clovis was watching the banter between Amber and the dragons with a smile, looking very much at ease...

I greeted the dragons I hadn't met yet. Clovis introduced me to the dragon named Bernadium, and I was allowed to call it "Bern" like everyone else. It couldn't speak human language, but it understood what I was saying.

This was the first time I had seen a dragon other than a wyvern up close. They are such beautiful creatures.

"Rian, you look troubled. What's wrong?"

"Ah, well... there was a bit of a problem during today's discussion..."

While I shouldn't be discussing this with someone I just met, considering Clovis's situation, it would be better to share the information.

Since Fred is returning to his homeland, we need to discuss our next destination and adjust our plans to avoid losing contact.

So, I briefly explained the situation: I was staying in this town as a runaway due to family issues, and I was troubled by a marriage proposal from a noble who was supposed to be my patron, including interference from my family.

"That viscount, I thought he was just being indecisive, but I didn't expect this. Rian, we should leave the town immediately."

"Anna, that's a bit too hasty."

"It's better than being too late! If we go to the mansion and find the other party already there, creating a fait accompli, what will you do?"

Indeed, that would be tough. My current status is just a commoner without a noble title. If they create a pretext of having held a meeting, it would be troublesome. The viscount might not go that far, but the main family who proposed this meeting might.

If the Adventurers' Guild intervenes, we could protest that a noble is trying to force a marriage and get it invalidated. However, this would completely ruin our relationship with the Betametal family.

I don't want to make things difficult with the local Adventurers' Guild and the local lord. I've been helped a lot by the Adventurers' Guild. I want to leave the town quietly without any trouble.

"Don't worry about making a plan. Rian, you won't starve wherever you go. I've saved up enough to support myself for a while, so I can take it easy in a new town."

"Yeah, I agree. We should leave the town immediately before deciding on the next place to settle."

"Alright, I'll think about it quickly."

Hearing the urgency from both of them, I nodded hastily. Amber, listening from the side, said, "I don't understand the complicated talk, but anywhere is fine as long as it's not too hot."

"Hey, Rian, you haven't decided where to go next, right?"

"Yeah, I've looked at some options, but..."

"In other words, anywhere is fine. How about the Midgarant Empire?"

I gasped. It was so close that I hadn't even considered it.

"Hey, Clovis... saying something like that will confuse Rian and the others."

"Why? It's just a temporary destination. If it doesn't work out, we can think again."

Clovis took the lead in the conversation, and we all accepted his presence naturally.

He seemed used to being in charge, but he didn't come across as overbearing. Maybe it's his personality, or maybe he reminds me a bit of Fred... I might be feeling a bit too familiar with him.

"Besides, if you come to my place, I can be flexible. I like talented people... the artificial magic stone developer, alchemist Rio. How about it? Would you like to come to Midgarant?"

"That's too much, Clovis... Rian, you can say no, you know."

"No, Fred. It's not because you said it... After selling the artificial magic stone business, I want to go to Midgarant."

As expected, or perhaps not, Fred opposed our going to Midgarant.

"Because! There's no better country that meets all the conditions for a new home. Even if we consider other options, we'll go to Midgarant first."

"Exactly! Fred, you're being too cautious now."

"Right, right!"

"Ugh..."

However, I couldn't accept his opposition. Anna and Amber also didn't want to say goodbye to Fred and his group here, so they supported me.

"...I... I had to run away because I thought I would be killed if I stayed in that country. I've heard about the situation, but I can't say it's safe yet. It's better not to go to Midgarant."

Realizing he needed a solid reason to oppose, Fred spoke his true feelings. I understand his desire to keep us away, but...

"I've taken care of the fools who tried to harm my brother directly, so we're quite safe... but..."

Clovis said this casually, and Ed nodded. He seemed to know... This is not a peaceful story.

"I think it's better to go to the empire. There are two reasons: to build a new life away from this town, I can be the best support you need. Of course, I won't sell Rian to your family or other nobles. Also, it's easier to protect you if you're close to my brother."

"Clovis..."

"My brother's eyes are essential for his research. If his existence becomes known... I don't want to place someone who could be a weakness for my brother in a place where I can't keep an eye on them."

"Clovis!"

The Morgans are Ed's family. I've heard they grew up like real siblings, including his parents and sister. After Fred distanced himself to keep them safe, Clovis probably took over their protection.

I was a bit suspicious about how close he was to us on first meeting, but now I understand. It's for Fred's sake... It feels right.

"If you go to another country... I'll transfer one of the properties owned by 'Dragon's Roar' to you. You can manage it as a cover... You'll live quietly and inconspicuously until things settle down. I'll assign a contact person who will also act as a bodyguard, not as a spy. Given the risk of being used as leverage against my brother, I can't compromise on this."

"Live quietly and inconspicuously?! ...No way...! ...If I have to go to another country, there's no guarantee the information won't leak... People know my face as an adventurer... If Rian stands out in a distant land and it's revealed she was in my party...!!"

Fred pondered alone but eventually agreed to go to the Midgarant Empire, reasoning that it was safer to act together.

...I'm a bit concerned that it's assumed I'll stand out, but if I argue that I won't, we'll just end up back at square one, so I reluctantly kept quiet.

"It will be troublesome if it's known we're leaving. I'll send a request to your party, and we'll use that as an excuse to leave the town."

"That's a good idea. We can keep the destination and the exact duration secret under the pretext of confidentiality..."

"Don't clean up the room or pack up. Just leave everything as is. Since it's a long-term request, we'll prepay several months' rent and cancel the lease when the time is right. I'll take care of the arrangements. The rest is..."

Before I could think, Clovis had already made all the necessary decisions. I'll have to give up my alchemy workshop, which will be a bit inconvenient to manage from a distance, but that's about it.

However, I'm a bit worried about leaving the artificial magic stone business to that indecisive viscount, so I discussed with everyone the idea of slightly adjusting the plan.