Still, it’s a relief that that bastard Gaspar never found out Bati’s “weaknesses.”
But when I think about how desperately Bati must’ve tried to impress that guy… it just breaks my heart.
I’m going to treat Bati so well from now on.
…Not that I have anything I can actually do for him right now.
“Do I really not have to do anything?”
Bati was now slicing the deer into thick chunks of meat.
Just looking at the fresh red cuts was enough to make my mouth water.
After traveling for so long, I was definitely hungry.
“Just do what you can do.”
Bati answered firmly.
Then, without warning, he sprang to his feet and sliced through a huge bear monster that had crept up, drawn by the smell of blood.
He moved so naturally it looked like a routine task.
The bear was easily twice his size—even bigger than Bati’s own two-meter frame—and now it was on fire too.
Thankfully, when the bear’s heavy body crashed to the ground, the fire that had been catching on its fur went out.
At least we avoided a forest fire.
“Got it?”
“I was going to say yes, but honestly, you’re so perfect it’s kind of depressing.”
If only he hadn’t taken down that giant bear in the middle of all this.
Actually, even just not being an amazing cook would’ve helped. How is anyone this perfect?
“Judging by how much you’re complaining, you must be feeling better.”
“Yeah. I’m okay now, so please, give me something to do.”
Just sitting here being waited on by my lover is too much.
Sure, I collapsed from pushing myself too hard, but the guilt is real.
“If you insist.”
Bati glanced over and tapped his cheek with a finger.
He didn’t say anything, but I knew exactly what he meant.
Seriously—I love this man.
I mean, it’s embarrassing, but I love it.
“You’re talking about that…?!”
“Hurry up.”
His voice dropped low, commanding.
And just like that, I gave in to what he wanted.
As soon as my lips brushed his cheek, Bati smiled.
“Good boy.”
…Am I really allowed to be this happy?
When we arrived at our destination, Bati had to pull his hood down low.
It had only been a week since his disappearance, and the nobles—already on edge—were itching to get their hands on him again.
They’d spread their people out all over, looking for him.
If anyone spotted him here, they’d drag him off without a second thought.
These nobles are unbelievable—more concerned with putting down an adventurer they’ve never even met than taking care of their own territory’s people.
The only good thing is, the rumors weren’t too bad.
Since the nobles framed everything as a fight between Bati and Gaspar, most regular folks just see it as the usual adventurer brawl.
Nothing to get worked up over.
Sure, Bati being Gaspar’s disciple is raising a few eyebrows—but thankfully, Gaspar’s trash reputation is spreading just as fast.
‘Not that I didn’t help that along myself.’
I am good at mingling with people and spreading word naturally.
Thanks to that, Bati’s now seen less as some dangerous guy who went rogue and more as an unfortunate victim of noble politics.
In fact, people even started sympathizing with him for being wronged by the upper class.
I don’t love the idea of Bati being pitied, but… it’s not the worst outcome.
It’s way better for people to see the soon-to-be Hero as someone approachable instead of just terrifying.
“You’re uncomfortable, right? I’m sorry. Just hold on a little longer.”
Even though it’s just a hood, Bati’s clearly not used to hiding his identity like this.
He keeps fidgeting with it, his normally composed expression scrunched up in visible discomfort.
“I’m fine.”
Yeah, right. You look like you want to tear it off this instant.
I kissed him lightly on the lips in encouragement.
His fingers, which had been clutching the hood like he wanted to yank it down, slowly dropped.
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
“…One more time.”
So cute.
I leaned in to kiss him again, but the moment was broken.
I sensed a knight approaching in full armor.
A knight approaching a mere adventurer like me?
Yeah, I know exactly what this is about.
“I’m looking for the Adventurer King, Batista Zerbin. Remove your hood and cooperate with the search.”
Oh no.
Now that I look, a strand of long purple hair had slipped out from under the hood.
Rare purple hair, nearly two meters tall, with a solid, dependable build.
Of course that was going to draw attention.
It would’ve been fine if we had tidied up quickly, but getting caught by a knight in that short window? Just bad luck.
Still, it’s fine.
Instead of Bati, I pulled the hood back myself.
“He’s my escort. Do you have a problem with that?”
As the cloth covering my face fell behind my shoulders, the earring dangling from my ear swayed gently.
Along with that, I let the topaz necklace around my neck slip slightly out of the robe.
The large gem sparkled prettily in the sunlight.
Both the earring and the necklace were adorned with large, flashy gemstones.
That’s because gemstones or magic stones are commonly used as mediums for inscribing spells.
Adventurers who prioritize function usually go for magic stones, while nobles use gemstones to show off.
In fact, ordinary adventurers rarely wear accessories with big dangling gems like these.
They’d just get in the way.
“Ah…! My apologies.”
The knight, who had mistaken me for a noble, bowed his head in apology.
But he didn’t step aside right away.
“I truly apologize for the delay, but if I may, could I at least confirm the face of the escort knight? It’s merely a procedural matter, not driven by any ulterior motive…”
A knight who’s a bit too diligent.
Acting like this could easily offend other nobles.
Or maybe he just doesn’t care about that.
In that case, I have a good guess where he came from.
“Are you doubting me right now? How insulting.”
I spoke haughtily, like an arrogant noble, and the knight flinched.
In that moment, I swept aside the robe to show the brooch on my chest.
I’d managed to obtain it only after buttering up Dieter when I brought Bati along.
“So, you’re saying I’d be within my rights to lodge an official complaint to the Count from the House of Zeppelin?”
The brooch bore the crest of the Marquisate of Zeppelin.
Only members or honored associates of the House are permitted to possess it.
In this situation, of course he’d assume I’m some obscure noble from the extensive Zeppelin lineage.
Given the family’s long history, they’ve got countless branches.
“M-my deepest apologies!”
Unlike his earlier apology, this one was dripping with sincerity.
I could see the cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
“I was only following Count Covington’s orders—I had no ill intentions! I sincerely apologize for obstructing your travels!”
So he was one of Count Covington’s men.
Count Covington, a major figure in the aristocratic faction, might act arrogantly toward most nobles—but even he wouldn’t risk offending someone from Zeppelin.
He wouldn’t want his actions to lead to conflict between a Count and the Zeppelin family.
I didn’t bother to accept his apology properly—I just turned sharply and walked off.
If you’re going to play the noble, you have to act the part—rude and aloof.
I kept walking without pause, even as I heard him apologizing profusely behind me, until his voice faded into the distance.
