The Traveling Hero Won’t Let the Innkeeper’s Son Escape

"Ruth, I'm sorry about your brother. When I woke up in the morning, I didn't have a brother, so I went looking for him because I was afraid."

"So, they're on the road to the dungeon. Ruth, the bed may be small, but sleep with him today. Miss, it wasn't, Bowes. Until the fog clears up, you're gonna have to stay close to Ruth, okay?

"Huh."

Ruth was increasingly confused by Rossa's conversation with Ed. Because what Ruth heard yesterday from Ed is very different from what he just heard.

(In the first place, I wasn't in my room in the morning, but I was locked out last night...)

Yet, for some reason, it's been a story that Ruth disappeared in silence. The other adults have also spoken to Ruth and cautioned: 'Keep your eyes peeled away from the little one'. That means it seems that the reason Ed headed to the dungeon here is Ruth. Which means Ruth is all bad.

(…… What happened?

Ruth looked down gently at Ed sticking to his leg, but he said yesterday, 'Do I owe you a lesson in my situation?' I don't think I said it. I've been looking up at Ruth with my would-be eyes.

Ed leaning his neck in the form of a watery glossy hair, big, long eyelashed eyes, plump cheeks, a small mouth, and an unusual young boy feels no evil at all. The adults are also determined to honestly believe what he has to say about this. Because I don't think you're lying.

No matter what Ruth says, it will be useless. Then even if I feel unreasonable in this case, I will only remain silent.

"Then, Ruth. I will notify each house after this, but I will tell them first. It is forbidden to leave the village until the fog clears. And hunting, of course. You keep an eye on that kid."

"Eh, don't leave the village... why not?

"How did you know…………?

Coming into conversation with Rossa, the mayor of the village, on the same raccoon side, has found Ruth, who returned the question, to be giddy. Apparently, he's in a pretty bad mood. You guessed it, an adult on my side walked in between me.

"... you know Grandpa Iban and Chester Morson are gone?

"Ah, yes. Grandpa Iban hasn't left yet."

"Something else went wrong. As a result of the discussion, it became clear that this fog might have caused it."

"The fog?

"Oh. So don't leave the village until the fog clears. I don't want to send out any more missing persons."

This is the first time there has been a circular that says you should not leave the village because of the fog. I've never even heard of a missing person before, to the extent that they say "be careful” or “you shouldn't go hunting” at best.

But from the look on the faces of the village chiefs, I could hear they weren't talking about mere possibilities. Maybe this fog really has something to do with the disappearance.

"When that happens, do you also cancel tomorrow's festival?

"No, I'll do the festival. We have to do it."

"What do you mean," I have to ”?

"... it's none of your business. I'm done talking, let's just..."

"- Mayor, we're back now."

Shortly after Ruth was overwhelmed with questions by the village chief, the priest's voice was heard from across the door. When he heard the voice, the village chief spoke with Ruth and rushed to the door. The surrounding adults also follow.

Ruth stared softly from behind wondering what the village chiefs were talking about as they panicked. At times like this, you can only disappear and listen.

"Johann, did you find Lord Rhodia?

"... No, I've been looking around the village though. We couldn't find any signs."

"Oh no... where did you go at this time, Lord Rodia?"

The village chief can be disappointed with the priest's reply. The more uncommonly, the more encouragement there is around.

(Who is Master Rhodia?

When the mayor of that majestic attitude puts a ”Dear" on him, he must be quite the opponent. Besides, he can't see him and says he's using the priest to look for him. But I had never heard of such a human being coming to the village.

"Ruth, how long will you be there? Take that child and go home now!

But Ruth was lightly kicked out of the room when he got eyes on the dripping village chief.

Originally, I didn't expect the village chief to tell Ruth about his details, but I'm sorry he couldn't even listen to me. But I'm glad it's done to this extent because I don't seem quite in the mood when it's that way.

"I've got Ed's breakfast. Shall we go home?"

Ruth leaves the village chief's house holding hands with Ed because he's done his errands.

Ed, who was very silent, and he walked straight down the foggy road, but he shook off his hand, which was connected where the village chief's house was no longer visible.

"Are you sure you were looking for me? Aren't you stupid?

…………

Ruth felt a little relieved when Ed, who had the same grown-up tone as yesterday, gave him a chilled look.

"…… Ed. I knew you were lying in front of everyone, right?

"Don't say bad things about people. It's a virgin art. When I tried to get to my destination, I was surrounded by angry people, so I just played the childish look that human adults preferred. Thanks to you, you can honestly tell me what you want, but only with caution."

"Make me a bad guy?

"I'm not going to be a bad guy. Because I told you honestly. After that, I can't be held responsible until they've made a mistake."

Ruth was treated as a bad guy as a result of not making a right mistake, but I dared to keep my mouth shut because I felt I was probably going to be overtold when I said that. I fully understand that Ed is the boy around his head yesterday.

But you think Ed is a little bad, and you've changed your mind openly.

"… and more importantly, this fog is causing you a lot of trouble."

"Right. We have more missing persons."

"It's not that way. Isn't it bigger that you don't know where the top spirits are? They can't just disappear without saying anything to the contracting party."

"Uh... that you don't know where the top spirits are? What do you mean?"

"Huh? You would have heard that earlier, too. Tell me about the disappearance of the superior spiritual Lodia here with the village chief."

"Ah... that's the thing. So I was making a scene."

Ruth finally figured out what the village chiefs were panicking about. Apparently the top spirits with village chiefs, who are also the protagonists of this Spirit Festival - Rodia disappeared and was fussing in search of it. A priest with little physical strength was searching for it, probably because of his high sensing ability or something like that.

And for that reason, I also nodded to ban him from leaving the village on the grounds of fog. If a person is missing, there is still a good chance of mere carelessness, but it is not a matter of urgency for the Spirit to be gone. It was quite possible that something was happening around the village, as Wonok had said when he left.

"Nevertheless, Ed knows the top spirits and stuff, that's amazing. Whose story are the village chiefs talking about me..."

Ruth, surprised at Ed, realized there was a fuss.

"…… How did Ed know the name“ Rhodia ”was a superior spirit with a village chief?

Ruth, to be honest, listened to the conversation earlier, but didn't realize that the village chiefs were talking about spirits that were gone.

Of course, it may be that Ruth is dull, but it would be strange for Ed, who has just come to the village, to know.

"How did Ed know“ Rhodia ”was talking about spirits when even I lived in this village for years and didn't know the name of the village chief's spirits?

"………………… be, nothing. I was taught."

"That village mayor isn't the type to make stranger children listen in his own hands, is he?

Anyway, even Ruth didn't know until recently that the village chief had a superior spirit on him, or that he was the half of Dwarf and Elf. I can't tell you how harmless I am in front of a child and how I can tell that Rhodia is a superior spirit.

When Ruth turned her gaze, rarely did Ed turn that way. Considering the many cold reactions I've had so far, I guess I don't think it was a good idea to say it myself. That means there's something to hide.

"Ed, maybe you know where Rodia is..."

"- No. I met with Rodia on my father's introduction. I also knew it was attached to a village chief somewhere. So find out soon enough."

"Uh, wait a minute, Rhodia with your father's introduction - I mean, what do you mean, meet the top spirits?

"Eh... it's nothing!

"Ah, Ed!

Ruth hastily caught Ed trying to escape. If I let you go like this, you'll go somewhere by yourself again, so I just have to thank you for the speed of my reaction.

(I guess I've heard a little too much)

Ed didn't really want to talk about himself from the start. Then it would be natural for Ruth to be reluctant in the way he talks right now. Even though it's a little boy opponent, you can't just ignorantly ask about other people's circumstances. Even Ruth would feel bad if she asked about Alec. Detailed questions lagged behind.

Ruth lifted his rampaging body as it was and gazed at it. The little body is as light for Ruth as I thought.

"Ed, I'm sorry. I've heard too much. Because I don't ask anymore. Relax."

"Please let me go!

"I'm sorry, Ed, calm down. If you calm down, I'll let you go."

"You annoying..."

When Ed looks angry and grabs Ruth's shoulder, he stares at him.

The watery hair floated and the silver eyes gave off a strange glow. Momentary zowari and a bad feeling ran through my skin - but nothing happened.

"Oh, that?

Such a full voice of surprise and confusion echoed from Ed. When Ruth blinked, not knowing what she was surprised at, Ed blinked as well. The face had a cute, boyish look.

"What's wrong?

"Why is that? Why is that?

"Oh, uh, hey, Ed? What?"

Then Ed touched Ruth's cheek hard. It's not that I've resisted and beaten you, it's just a petite and small hand touch to make sure of something, so there's no shock. It just makes me tingle a little more than once.

"... well, you..."

That said, Ed suddenly grew very angry with her earlier. And then he pulled out of his power and left his body with Ruth. With his hands on his shoulders and his head on his cheeks, Ed felt like he was holding Ruth.

"So, Ed? What's wrong? What's wrong? Maybe you're not feeling well?

Ruth is more confused by the very rapid change in attitude. But what came back from Ed was a voice that regained calm, just as it was a dear attitude.

"No, you don't. …………………………… May I have it down? I'm not running anymore."

"Uh... oh, yeah"

Ruth hesitated for a moment, but lost his staring straight at Ed and dropped him to the ground as he was told. Then Ed sighs small and walks out on his own on the road straight to the center of the village.

"So, Ed?

"It's okay. I'm hungry, too, so I'm headed to the inn properly. … but let me be alone for a little while"

"Oh, but..."

"I'll tell you a little bit about my situation when I get home. Please, Ruth."

The other guy said he was a boy, but for the first time he was called by his name, he got a little thrilled. The tone of his voice was not much different than when he first spoke, but he sounded somewhat different.

"I get it. Because if you rely on the lights on the lamps, you'll go out into the square. But be careful because it's dim, if anything comes out, if you scream out loud, I'll walk from behind."

"You don't have to worry about it. I look strong."

"Oh, really?

".................. then, later"

Speaking as if he were an adult boy, Ed did not return Ruth's question, but waved and walked down the road first.