「You, do you know what you’re saying!?」

Kurou’s facial expression changed, which was rare, and then he approached Ria.

This was the first time I’ve seen Kurou so agitated.

Or rather, it seems that this was the first time I’ve heard Kurou raise his voice.

「I know. Akira-sama will now be heading towards the demon territory. Isn’t that right?」

Ria turned towards me and confirmed.

I nodded.

Kurou glared at me, but I didn’t pay it any mind.

Perhaps, he didn’t want Ria, who yearned for himself in an upfront manner and who he cherished, to meet with danger. 

「In that case, there would be a time when you need my barriers! I am going with you!」

That was most likely not the reason why she wanted to come along, but when we saw the determination in her eyes, even Kurou gave a small nod. 

Amelia broke into a smile when she saw that, but I wonder what she was thinking about.

「Saa, we’re departing!」

It was fine that after briefly returning to the royal castle, Ria came to the outskirts of the city after quickly packing her luggage when Kurou said that he no longer had any reason to stay in Uruk after Gram died, carrying a large suitcase, but she made all sorts of preparations and was lying in wait there. 

Most likely, she thought that Kurou was going to leave her behind, so she waited here for us. 

「Don’t think that Kurou-sama is the only one who knows this city! Even I know one or two secret paths after living here for so long….」

「What are you doing here.」

Compared to Ria who said those words proudly, Kurou’s voice was quiet when he interrupted her.

It was too quiet.

The tension was palpable when Kurou said those words that sounded like a growl.

Although there was no killing intent, the heavy pressure was unbearable.

「Just now, Kurou-sama nodded when I said that I was coming along. I was not told where to meet up, so I came here thinking that you would come. Besides, I no longer have any place to go back to.」

Ria puffed out her chest, but if she could predict Kurou’s behavior so accurately, did she not know that Kurou was extremely angry right now.

Or, did she know and was provoking him.

Also, what was she talking about when she said that there was no place for her to go back to.

I don’t think that greedy king would let her go though.

「The demon territory is hundreds of times more uncompromising than you think. Do you think that you, who had been spoiled as someone of the royal family, would be able to endure that.」

Ria energetically nodded at Kurou, who was still unwilling to let her come.

「It’s alright! I’m not as weak as Kurou-sama thinks! Besides, I’ve cut off all ties with the royal family. Now, I’m just Ria. Not Ria Lagoon.」

「…is that so.」

What did she mean?

Thinking that, I tilted my head in confusion, and Amelia asked before I could.

「I didn’t think that you would leave the royal family after being adopted into it. Why?」

「It’s simple. It’s because I knew that those people only wanted my barriers, and not me. I just promised him that I would keep the barriers up even if I’m no longer part of their family. Maa, I promised the king, so I don’t know what would happen when he steps down from the throne.」

I was surprised when I saw Ria laugh with a mischievous look on her face.

She was much livelier than when she was still part of the royal family.

Perhaps this was who she really was.

「That was a wise decision. The various wrongdoings of the royal family will come to light because Gram had been assassinated. In return for them turning a blind eye, Gram had covered up the crimes of the high-ranked nobles and the royal family.」

Was that how it was.

At present, except for the elven royal family, I didn’t have any good memories of royalty. 

Aah, however, the beastman Victor and the soldiers within the castle were all good guys.

The only fly in the ointment was that they were too hot-blooded though.

Kurou turned his back on Ria and started walking.

「Though, that was because the royal family was involved with human trafficking of all things, which was something that the beastmen detested, and the king even tactily consented. I have circulated the information. Soon, the royal castle would be swarmed by the citizens.」

..nn? 

That is to say, Kurou intended to leave her behind in the middle of that.

Perhaps Ria had also noticed that, as she hung her head while her whole body was trembling.

No, this was Kurou, he probably made some preparations or something so that only Ria would not be caught up in it.

Was it the usual tsundere?

「…now then, let’s go.」

「Now then, let’s go, not! Kurou-sama! What was that about!」

Ria flared up at Kurou, but her lips drew an arc.