“Well, that’s right.”
“In that case, I think it would be best if you avoid going in Ansyrium’s direction. If the rumor is real, if you run into the epidemic… it might be dangerous even for you or Ms. Nainiae.”
Hearing Reitri’s warning, Riley wondered if the epidemic was that dangerous. He nodded for now.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Riley was not sure if this epidemic, which turned the sand black, could really cause serious damage or not. However, he was certain that it would be such a bother if he ran into the epidemic.
“Anyway, I asked about the epidemic so I won’t run into it, so…”
Having heard the response, Reitri nodded. He saw the plate was almost empty. Reitri said,
“That’s all information I could give you about the epidemic. Is there anything else you want to ask?”
Riley shook his head and got up. He said,
“No. It’s all right. That was enough. I just need to avoid going toward Ansyrium, right?”
“Yes.”
“Nainiae.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Sitting on the bed, she was tuning in to their conversation. She responded to Riley’s calling.
“Andal’s cave… No. About where the doctor is at, it is not toward Ansyrium, right?”
The pub was empty. Not only that, the secret passage way underneath the pub was sealed as well, so Riley decided to go to the cave directly. He asked Nainiae about the cave’s location.
“Yes, it is pretty far from Ansyrium.”
Because Riley said the word ‘cave,’ Nainiae flinched. She smiled awkwardly and responded, and Riley nodded. He thought that was fine.
“In that case, we have no problem here.”
Riley got up and walked toward the bed. Reitri also got up and asked,
“Excuse me, Young Master. Do you really have nothing else you want to ask? Compared to the information I received from you, what I told you in return is quite lacking. It doesn’t feel right.”
Reitri thought it was not an even trade. To preserve the moral of a merchant, Reitri asked. Riley plummeted and lay down next to Nainiae on the bed. He moved his eyes around, wondering if there was something else he could ask.
“I am not sure.”
He moved his eyes and looked at Nainiae. He was asking if she had something she wanted to ask. Nainiae tilted her head to the side.
“Um.”
She wondered if she should ask about the remaining purple human who was not yet identified or if she should ask about Riley’s Holy Sword. She eventually shook her head and said,
“No. I don’t have anything in particular.”
Reitri nodded as if he understood. He walked toward the outside of the carriage as he said,
“Well then, let’s talk later if there is anything else you want to talk about. Please think of it as me owing a debt to you.”
Reitri said he will tell Riley one more information anytime. Reitri got out of the carriage.
“I’ll get going now. Please enjoy restful sleep.”
“Uu, Uu! My back!”
Immediately after Reitri got out of the carriage, Riley stretch-yawned big time. He looked at Nainiae who was just sitting there with vacant face. Riley wondered what she was up to.
“What is it?”
“The thing is… I wonder if something happened. Ms. Heliona have not appeared for a long time.”
“Heliona… You mean that chatterbox?”
“Yes.”
Riley looked at Nainiae’s shoulder and realized why Nainiae looked concerned through whole day. Riley put on an enigmatic look on his face.
“Since she is a summon spirit, isn’t she staying at the summon spirit world or whatnot and eating and sleeping there?”
“That’s true, but… Ms. Heliona is not the type who would not show up for a whole day like this.”
.bg-ssp-10081{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} “I see.”
“Unless it was something very urgent, she would have at least told me something before disappearing… I am worried.”
What would be the urgent business that Heliona had to disappear for without even saying goodbye to Nainiae… Nainiae could not help but to be concerned. She had hardened look on her face. She shook her head and continued.
“Well, she is a tough person, so I’m sure she will be fine. Once I see the teacher, I’ll be able to learn about her situation as well.”
Nainiae extended her arm toward the brightly lit light on the ceiling and used a simple telekinesis.
The light made a small pop sound. It shook and was extinguished.
* * *
“Young Master, please get up. It’s morning.”
It was the next day morning.
It seemed the exhaustion from the day before was not completely gone. Riley was still sleeping in even though the sun had come up a while ago. Having heard Nainiae’s voice, he struggled to open his eyes and faced the morning.