XVI. As time passes

Time continues to pass, almost a whole month has elapsed since that unforgettable night. In the aftermath, the entire nation has been consumed by a relentless pursuit of the demon king.

Small armies and groups of knights have taken command of various parts of the kingdom, marshalling their forces to join the search.

The news of the demon king's release has spread like wildfire, prompting the formation of search parties throughout the country. 

Numerous guilds have organized quests specifically aimed at dealing with the formidable threat posed by the demon king. 

Adventurers, mages, and even entire armies have embarked on a relentless quest to locate Azol's whereabouts. In the midst of this chaos, Celesty has seemingly vanished from the public eye, appearing only to a select few high-ranking individuals in the kingdom.

The streets have become a breeding ground for rioters, expressing their discontent with Celesty's family's perceived failure in protecting them from the wrath of the demon king.

Since I didn't have much time to communicate with her, she got caught up in handling the reports that came in after the commotion. 

As a result, we never addressed the incident that occurred between us, and now it feels awkward sometimes. Its gotten to the point where even during breakfast, she takes her food and eats alone in her room.

Interestingly, she still wants the food brought to the dining area instead of simply having her own meal prepared and delivered to her room.

On the contrast, I have become accustomed to performing my daily tasks in the company of Kev, even in his absence, I have persisted in honing my sword skills, improving my footwork, and focusing on other aspects of my training.

Initially, It felt strange to proceed without him, but over time, I gradually adapted and became more proficient.

Apart from that, I have transformed the library into my primary workplace. After the incident that occurred, I realized the importance of expanding my knowledge in the realm of arcane spells and related subjects.

Every day followed a calm and uneventful routine, with peaceful morning and evening that were nothing out of the ordinary. 

The melodies of birds filled the morning air, while the distant echoes of howling dogs resonated through the streets every night. It was a fairly monotonous existence, until that one fateful afternoon that brought about a significant change in both of our lives. 

The sun was at its peak in the middle of the day, coinciding with my usual post-training routine of indulging in a refreshing shower.

I took a wet towel and used it to clean my body after emerging from the cold water. The bathroom, surprisingly spacious, featured a unique design that included a small pool with heated water and a shower area powered by magical runic stones that could be activated with a spell.

I found myself continually impressed by the innovative designs present in this world.

Completely undressed, I settled next to the pool, allowing the warm water to envelop my lower half. 

The ambiance was incredibly soothing, enhanced by the presence of scented candles strategically placed throughout the room. The diligent maids and butlers always made sure to arrange this cozy setup whenever they knew I was planning to take a bath.

I let out a huge sigh…

*thud*

Suddenly, a noise came out from the area behind me where the door is located. It seems like it was the maids who were busy cleaning up outside.