Today, as usual, I visited Queen Thalia and Princess Hazel, both present inside the old King’s Office. As soon as they saw my face, their expression turned to a sorry smile.

When I asked them the reason behind having such an expression, Queen Thalia didn’t hesitate and directly said:

“Because we feel so indebted to you, we can’t even begin to think about how to repay all the favors we received. If you told us to hand over our country to you, I think I would even agree without a second thought.” .

Well, that’s a bit over the top, however.

“It’s fine, Queen Thalia. As one who leads a nation, it’s our job to ensure the safety and peace of our subjects. And as one in an alliance with us, for me, that of course includes your kingdom as well.”

“Right… But still, can you let us repay the favor? We will do anything, as long as we can feel even a bit like we’re not just twiddling our fingers and leaving everything to you.”

“It’s not really needed, though…”

I thought for a while before an idea popped into my mind.

“Then what about guiding me around in the city? I heard that the reconstruction was going well, and the trade is starting to pick up.”

Along the way, I also want to check up on Fatima’s work on the repair of the walls. Well, from the reports they’re giving me, it was still only half-complete.

“T-Then let me do the honors, President!”

Princess Hazel, with an excited voice, stood up as she volunteered.

“It’s fine, right? Mother?”

“Of course. Go on, my dear; don’t mind me. You can even come home tomorrow morning if you really want to.”

Queen Thalia added the small bit at the end, together with a playful wink. Princess Hazel, despite her age, did get what her mother was hinting about. Despite being embarrassed, she pumped her arms before her chest, cheering herself on.

“I-I’ll try my best!”

I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m definitely not falling for any traps that Queen Thalia sets. With that in mind, I extended my arm toward Princess Hazel, offering to escort her as we left the office under the Queen’s warm gaze.

For a while, we both stayed silent, walking along the paths with small steps. However, as if feeling that the silence was suffocating, Princess Hazel began to talk to me right as we exited the palace.

“S-So, President, where would you want to visit first?”

“Right…”

I turned to her, seeing her slightly nervous expression, and smiled.

“First, call me Will, like I said before. President is a little too stiff as a title.”

“P-Pardon me then, W-Will…”

Her face blushed madly, a reaction that I hadn’t really seen her have before. At first, she was more like a kid wanting to become an adult as fast as possible, but now she just looks like a maiden her age, without the burden of her duties as a member of the Royal Family.

For now, I decided to treat her as I would a younger sibling or cousin. After all, she was just a kid.

“D-Do I really look like a child in your eyes, Will?”

But after a while, she seemed to pick up on my mindset and asked, pressing her large assets against the arm I offered her. Yep, this sensation is definitely something not fitting her age, but all that considered, she’s still a child.

I lightly flicked her forehead lightly, telling her off.

“You sly girl, you’re just a child, so stop with that seduction that you probably learned from your mother.”

“I didn’t!”

“Really, then where did you learn that? From thin books?”

“…”

Soon, with our conversation covering a lot of topics, we finally reached downtown. Sounds of hammering and shouts, the lively conversations between locals, and the energetic greetings and smiles of everyone seeing both me and Princess Hazel together.

From the looks of things, the residents weren’t faking it but were really filled with smiles. I guess they’re trying hard to move on for the sake of those who fell in the last invasion too.

As we walked along the roads, with Princess Hazel pointing here and there and explaining the buildings, we reached the outer walls. This was the second set of walls around the capital city, which Fatima’s team added as secondary protection.

After all, the residents can’t return to their towns since the outermost walls’ repairs haven’t been completed yet. So the entire population was gathered in the Cleaver Kingdom’s capital. Demons were still roaming the space between the capital and the outer walls since there were not enough hands to reinforce their borders yet.

“From here, there’s a chance that a demon might approach. Make sure to not leave my side.”

Just in case, I reminded Princess Hazel with a firm tone. Knowing the seriousness of what could happen, she quickly nodded her head in assent.

The reason why we went out of the completed walls? It’s not that I want to take her somewhere private; definitely not. I just want to check on the closest town, since I could feel several unfamiliar energies coming from there. .𝒎

‘However, there shouldn’t be anyone there yet.’

As such, suspicion slowly grew within my heart.

I hope it was some residents who tried to fix their homes despite the ban on leaving the wall’s protection. But given the situation, I guess there’s a pretty low chance my guess is accurate.

The town wasn’t that far; it was only about half an hour’s walk on a straight path. However, as soon as we reached the town’s vicinity, the presence I’d been watching the entire time suddenly became blurred.

“…?”

Their energy signatures were still there, but their presence vanished completely. I was similar to the Seimei’s Shadows when they were in stealth. As soon as I noticed that, I realized who the other party was.

“Looks like assassins are out for my head again.”

I pulled Princess Hazel closer to me, holding her waist tight.

Updated from .𝒎