10 Years 3

Rai's POV

"*Sips tea* I was wondering." Setting down the teacup, I turned to face the princess. Everyone looked at me, pausing in their activities.

"Why bother renting a room on an inn when you have a mansion inside the Empire?" I asked, and they went silent.

"...."

"...."

"...."

"...."

"W-well..." The princess was stuttering while looking away.

"Wouldn't it be more comfortable if you're staying at a mansion than an inn?" I asked.

"That wouldn't be the case, but..." She hesistated.

"But what?"

"*Sigh* We entered the Empire without authorization, and if they discovered we were here, they would undoubtedly call us in accordance with the emperor's orders. Additionally, it will unleash a massive catastrophe between the Empire and our kingdom." Princess.

"Heh."

"Hence, everyone agreed to stay at an inn, since it's the safest and also a dangerous place." Everyone nodded.

"But we are only staying for the night, since I have to go back and report it to the queen," she added. I silently sipped my tea while watching everyone who was busy talking.

"My lord." Count Lysanthir. I put my teacup down and crossed my legs.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Uhmm... About the three mythical eggs..."

"I already told you, there's no need to worry about the three eggs." I said and frowned.

"But how will we explain to the Crown prince its sudden disappearance?" He asked.

"Just tell the Crown prince another mythical beast took the three eggs and suddenly vanished, and they were nowhere to be found." I lazily said and sipped my tea. But I could see the uncertainty in his eyes.

"*Sigh* Can't you trust me a little?"

"That's not it, my lord."

"Then why are you hesitating?" I asked.

"..."

"Are you afraid?" He shakes his head in disagreement.

"Then what is it?"

"The Crown prince suspects me right now. Ever since my lord vanquished the Kraken, the Crown prince has not stopped interrogating me on you, my lord." The Count.

Everyone and everything were so loud, celebrating and didn't mind us.

"...."

"He knew I had something to do with you, my lord."

"....."

"He purposely dispatched one of his reliable knights to document the entire episode when we happened to visit the town. Unexpectedly, the knight also managed to catch you, my lord, as you emerged from the woodland. And the Crown prince's misgivings increased when my lord materialized in front of the kraken out of nowhere. The Crown prince assigned a guy to spy on us right now. And my entire family may be put to death if I tell the Crown Prince lies," he said with a worried face. I sighed and brushed my face with both of my hands. Then suddenly, a plan came to mind.

"Killian." He walked in my direction and gently lowered his head.

"You called me, my lord?"

"Call the princess."

"Yes." He went to the princess's room.

"What are you planning, my lord?" The count asked

"*Smile* This plan might help you and your entire family." He was gulping uncomfortably, as I could see. After a few minutes, I caught sight of Killian and the princess making their way down the stairs.

"Come here." The princess walked in my direction with a serious look.

"Yes, my lord?" I told the princess the entire situation of the Count, and she attentively listened to my plea.

"I hope the Princess will help Count Lysanthir with the situation," I said in a serious voice.

"No matter what the circumstances are, I will help the count's family since we owe them." The princess grinned ear to ear, while the count and his son, Killian, also smiled.

"Thank you, my lord." I just raised my hand and waved it.

"There's no need to thank me."

"And also, thank you, Princess of Elyarus." Count.

"I'm glad that I could be of help."

___________________________________

It was the loud commotion outside the inn that awakened me up. I get up and give myself a wash. When it's all set, I go downstairs and see the knights hurrying along.

'Hurry!'

'Is there anything left?'

'None. The knights already moved them inside the wagon.'

'Good.'

I saw the Count and the Princess talking. I silently walked in their direction.

"*Yawn* You're leaving early?" When they saw me, they gently lowered their heads and put their right hand on their left shoulder.

"We greet the Lord." They said in unison.

"Good morning." I said and yawned again.

"We decided to leave early since we might get caught by the Imperial knights." The Count said.

"And I'm sure that the Empire will be quite hectic." Killian smiled.

"Master." Wither appeared in front of us and gently bowed his head.

"I greet the Lord," he said and I waved my hand.

"What is it?" Count Lysanthir.

"Everything's ready."

"*Sigh* I guess it's time for us to go." The princess said with a disappointed face.

"Don't worry, we'll be seeing each other." I said lazily.

"Your highness, it's time to go." The princess's secretary said.

"This isn't the last time we will meet; you know," the princess said and smiled. All the knights and mages were waiting for them to leave.

"I pray for your safe travels."

"Until we meet again, my lord," they said and gently lowered their heads and placed their right hand on their left shoulder. I clasped my hands and closed my eyes.

"The gods bless you."

Their carriage was slowly disappearing in front of my eyes.

"Now, where to start?"

________________________________

"Hmmm... I can't find anything." I am currently at the westernmost region of the Empire, the same region where the princess and the count found the three eggs. Generally, a magical brooch or something similar was left with eggs to protect them from other magical creatures and robbers.

"Ah! Found it!" I took the green brooch and placed it inside my purse. I traveled to the floating island by teleportation. Upon opening my eyes, I saw a huge commotion led by the creatures, like dragons, Pegasus, unicorns, phoenixes, and the guardians.

"Everyone, please! Calm down!" Callis yelled at them, but they continued running.

"*Sigh* What a mess." I said and massaged my forehead. I raised my aura to the highest level.

"Everyone stop." They all went silent and looked in my direction.

"My lord!" Callis greeted me enthusiastically.

"Everyone, what are you doing?"