「Haah... I 't believe this...」 ［er］

  A lengthy sight echoed in the air, the usually calm and graceful voice of the King now riddled with disbelief and fusion. Grey couldn't see him over the phone, but he could clearly tell that he ung his forehead oher side.

  It has been but a few minutes since Grey ehe underworld and casually ended aire criminal anization. He was still by the sewer system, casually walking down the sewers, calling the King with a phone in his hand.

  The sight below wasn't particurly attractive nor was the smell particurly pleasant, but pared to the blood and gore he caused ihe hideout, it was, strangely enough, quite peaceful. A creak resounding as he opened a door to another room,

  「So... If I uand this correctly... You were saying you crushed a criminal anization on a whim, and not just any criminal anization, but 'Bck Bane'? And what's more, you left their leader alive for the sake of iigations...」 ［er］

  "Oh? Was that their name? I didn't really pay much attention, but I do know that their leader's name is Khan― Oh, and there's someone named Garoo." ［Grey］

  「Yes... That is definitely 'Bck Bane'... The biggest criminal anization in Xeros... That's defihem....」 ［er］

  And such a bug anizatioheir downfall in a matter of mihanks to a certain young man whom they mao offend by ce, wiping out everyone amongst their hideout from smallest minion to the Big Boss himself.

  There may not be a High-Ranker amongst their ranks, but there were still a few kers present, making them quite a strong power pared to anizations. Even a whole ptoon of knights would have a difficult time,

  They were a pretty elusive group, switg hideouts from time to time and managing to avoid authority all the time. Even if the gover does their best, it would still take them a couple days at best to pletely wipe out the whole anization.

  "Is there something wrong, Your Majesty?" ［Grey］

  「No, nothing... We were preparing for a rge-scale purge by the end of the year anyway. You saved us a lot of trouble. Thank you, Lrey.」 ［er］

  "No problem. I was just out on a fing date with Yuna, and these scums just happen to disturb us. So I did a little bit of ing up, you see." ［Grey］

  「So that's what happened... They really are unlucky...」 ［er］

  They weren't just unlucky, they were extremely unlucky. Had they not accepted the ission to assassinate Yuna, they would have lived to see another day. Too bad, they were too greedy for money, and such greed spelled their doom.

  As for the one who issiohem to harm Yuna, it was obvious as be. It was her than Jermel whose letter was still in the drawers. It seems like it wasn't the first time he dealt with them, causing both their downfalls.

  Well, they would be wiped out from the surface of the world sooner or ter anyway. It might have been eveer that they suffered a retively quid painless death from Grey rather thaing tortured and interrogated by the authorities.

  The King had just received the phone a couple weeks ago, but never did he think that the first news he'll hear from Grey was the subjugation of the Bck Ba was truly shog, the King in a loss for words about the young man.

  「So, what is our hero doing right now? Do you need any help?」 ［er］

  "Actually, that's one of the reasons why I called you, Your Majesty. Actually... I... Well, I made quite the mess here in the hideout..." ［Grey］

  But the real reason why Grey called was her than to have someone up after his bloody and violent mess. He could easily deal with all the blood and broken things, but dealing with the corpses of criminals was not his thing.

  Or well, to put it more bluntly, he was just too zy to deal with them. There was also the matter about Khan who is still despairing in his room. He wao take his leave before things get any more troublesome, dumping all responsibilities to the King,

  「I uand. I will send a group of knights to deal with the pce ter. I will also make sure to reward you. Just tell me if there's anything you need.」 ［er］

  "There's nothing I really want in particur... Maybe some materials and magits we could use for alchemy? I think Yuna would love that." ［Grey］

  「Materials and magits... That is not too difficult. Though it might take a few days to process that. I hope our dear Hero uands.」 ［er］

  "That's not a problem, Your Majesty. I'm more than thankful." ［Grey］

  Said Grey, his eyes looking around the room and his head turning in all dires. He had gotten inside one of the hideout's secret ste rooms, not a single person in sight and no traps or special meisms to be seen.

  He used his eyes and as it seems, there were several smaller rooms inside, precious items and magic tools categorized by their use and value. They were items which will be smuggled at a ter time, only waiting for the ers to pick them up.

  Of course, there were a lot of illegal things presentー or rather, most things present were illegal. There were materials from beasts, illegal pnts, drugs, uered ons and accessories, and valuable items such as gold and silver.

  "Anyway, Your Majesty, about the issioer I told you earlier... What would happen to the one who requested it? Their punishment, I mean." ［Grey］

  「You're talking about the Young Lord of Caraquel, right? There's nothing to worry about, Lrey. Everything will proceed like it usually does. Even if he's a he w will make sure to punish him appropriately.」 ［er］

  "And if there are others involved in this as well?" ［Grey］

  「Then they will receive the same treatment. I swear that on my name and my dignity as a King, so you rest assured, Lrey.」 ［er］

  And as it seems, there was really o worry about the ts of Bck Bane who will be receiving the same punishment as the others. No matter who they were, they would be dealt with properly, the King leading the whole case.

  Grey could easily hunt them all down, but doing so would be breaking the w and starting chaos iy. It was better to have the King and the gover officials deal with all the mess, ing his troublesome traces along with it.

  「Or, is there a punishment you wish to serve against the Young Lord of Caraquel? I would be more than happy to lend my ears.」 ［er］

  "No, nothing really es to mind. I don't really mind how Your Majesty deals with it.

  As long as no os hurt, then I'm fih it." ［Grey］

  「Hahaha. That makes things a lot easier.」 ［er］

  The King's meek ughter echoed in the air, and Grey tio look around the ste rooms, finding even more things, and even some cursed items which were only made t trouble to those unlucky enough who happeo use them.

  'Hmm... Those are...' ［Grey］

  But perhaps the most iing things are the crates Grey have been looking at with eyes filled with curiosity. It wasn't particurly attractive, only stored in a wooden crate and covered with tape and nails all over it, secured tight as be.

  Though, no matter how tight it was, all Grey needed was to light a single finger and he broke open the crate, revealing quite a radiant and generous sight. The insides were as valuable as the crates were shabby, a smile blooming on Grey's face.

  「Then, Lrey, I shall be taking my leave. I would like to talk more with you, but I am ly free right now. I hopeー」 ［er］

  "Ah, wait... Your Majesty, I ask you another favor...?" ［Grey］

  Grey's voice rang towards the other side of the phone, a bright smile blooming on his handsome face. The talk tinued and a few more words were spoken, Grey maki another deal with the King and taking grasp of the ems they found.

  The dlelit fmes tio burn and silened over the whole, the short squeaking and scratg of the rats running through the empty sewers, spshes and gushes apanying it. A mysterious symphony in the dark.

  ...

  "Waah～! Magic really is ve!" ［Alea］

  "Oh! To think it would wash off so easily! How fasating!" ［Edin］

  A couple voices echoed across the forest and towards the blue sky, spshes and trickles dang in the air, apanying the rustling of the leaves. There was only peace, smiles and twinkling eyes floating all over the pce.

  It has been almost half an hour since Grey left the others, and after several minutes of work, they finally finished dismantling the Forest Wolves, now washing their hands and their clothes with the use of magic, a hot and cool wind to dry them,

  From the Forest Wolves, they got not only cws and fangs, but fur, meat, bones, green eyes, ans, and many more. Some were more valuable than others, but all easily be sold in the market, yielding quite a sum if they were all to be sold.

  "We really got a lot, huh. Are you sure we have all of them, Elena?" ［Kale］

  "Un! As long as we have the meat then we've fineー Ah! No, actually. I have some ans as well? I want to use them as alchemy." ［Yuna］

  "Of course! There's a lot around here! I'm sure we st several months with this! Take as much as you want, Elena! Take them!" ［Alea］

  Though they may be amateurs, they dismahe Forest Wolves quite well. Edin's work was especially good, each of the Forest Wolves he dismantled seamless aiful, able to fetch high prices each if he sells them through the Guild.

  Yuna didn't waste any more time and quickly stored them all into her ste ring, everything disappearing in the blink of an eye. Even the blood on the ground has bee with magic, everything looki as it was.

  However, despite them finishing every one of the Forest Wolves, there was still not a sirace of Grey, not even news from him. Even Yuna hasn't heard from him ever siheir st telepathy call, question marks floating inside her head.

  "How long has it been already? Shin hasn't returned yet..." ［Kale］

  "Right. I 't even see him around... Did something actually happen to him? He couldn't have entered a strong monster, has he?" ［Alea］

  "We're pretty far from the city already... That might have happened." ［Edin］

  And now, everyone had seeds of doubt and worry sprouting in their hearts. They have seen hoable Grey was, but there are also a lot of dangers lurking in the forest, just like the news of Kobolds they just heard quite some time ago.

  Yet despite them ag all worried, the fiancée was only smiling cheerfully, even humming happily to herself. There was not a trace of or ay in her eyes. She was now searg for herbs, gathering time which she .

  The sight was so absurd, they couldn't help but feel bewildered. They already knew how much Yuna loves alchemy, but they didn't think she could still tinue fing herbs in such a dire and uain situation they were fag.

  "Elena... Aren't you worried about Shin? She's your fiancé, isn't he?" ［Alea］

  "Worry...? Why should I be worried? Shin handle himself pretty well, you know? He wouldn't pick impossible fights willy-nilly. I'll scold him if he does." ［Yuna］

  "Elena, you sure trust Shin a lot, huh..." ［Kale］

  "Of course! He's my fiancé, after all! I trust him the most!" ［Yuna］

  Stunned... They were simply stunned by Yuna's ahey already knew how much the two love each other, but to think they trust so much that they couldn't evehered to worry. That... Or they're just weird. Either way, it's still amazing.

  And just when everybody's worries were increasing, a familiar figure appeared in the young elf's sight, his bck hair darker than the shadows. Grey has finally returned, a bright smile blooming on the former's face as she greeted his return.

  Seeing Yuna's smile, everyone couldn't help but turn their heads around. They still couldn't see what she was looking at, heads puzzled as be. It was only after a couple minutes passed that they uood why she was doing so.

  "Shin! You're back! What took you so long?!" ［Alea］

  "Hahaha. Sorry to worry you. I just happeo see a little something." ［Grey］

  Said Grey, lifting up one of his hands and showing what he brought along with him. They were bd brown, roots measuring more than 30 timeters ih, and deep green leaves sprouting up top and spreading wide and open.

  "Aren't these Deeproot Ginsengs?! And there's so many of them too!" ［Kale］

  "They're quite big too! They must be at least a decade old!" ［Edin］

  That's right. They were her than Deeproot Ginseng useful for making calming aoxifying powders which have a great shelf life. They also offer a refreshing and cool sensation, making them quite popur to many oisseurs.

  They weren't magits nor were they very rare and valuable, but they weren't very oher. However, they were unon herbs which many of the alchemists seek to die for the sheer fact that they pliment drinks and food well.

  "I wonder how much these will cost in the market. They were all harvested nicely and are also pretty big. I think you fetch several hundred kiels with this." ［Kale］

  "Kale, stop that! Is there only money on your mind?!" ［Alea］

  "What's wrong with that? I'm going to be a mert in the near future anyway. Shouldn't I start practig right now? I won't always be young, you know?" ［Kale］

  "Kale has a point. I should also study these Deeproot Ginseng as soon as possible. I take some samples, Shin? Only a little bit will suffice." ［Edin］

  Just like that, faces which were once ced with worry were now traced with merry aement. Their eyes were all sparkly and twinkly, all of them looking at the earthy roots, their expressions dyed in the same colors. They really were childhood friends.

  If there was someone who wore a different expression, it was her than Yuna who was a little bummed. She doesn't have a perfect memory ability like Grey but she knows it was hers, a little upset that her precious herbs were taken out. Grey simply decided to ighe young dy.

  "Right! Shin! Where did you find them?! I want to get some please!" ［Alea］

  "I just got lucky and found them while I was chasing down the Forest Wolves. They were just growing behind the bushes, and in abundance as well," ［Grey］

  That was a lie.

  Fet about such a ce, they weren't evely harvested. They are amongst the thousands upon thousands of herbs ihe "Iory", Grey just pulled out randomly to create an excuse for how te he came back.

  To make it even more believable, Grey even covered the Deeproot Ginsengs with earth and dirt, sprinkling a bit of moisture ihe "Iory" stops time either way, so it retty believable to see that they were still freshly picked.

  "Sadly, these are the only ones left, so... Getting more might be hard." ［Grey］

  "Ah... I see... It 't be helped then..." ［Alea］

  "Hahaha. Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I already picked all of them, you see, and most of them are in my ste ring. You have all of these if you want. We already have more than enough for ourselves." ［Grey］

  "Oh!! You really are generous, Shin! We'll take you up on your offer then! Just don't start regretting it ter, alright? They'll be gone before you know it!" ［Kale］

  "Hahaha. What a decration." ［Grey］

  Grey didn't waste any more time and soon handed over all the Deeproot Ginsengs to everyone, splitting them three ways befiving them to Alea, Kale, and Edin, much to Yuna's dissatisfa. She set that her herbs were given away.

  Of course, there were still several thousand Deeproot Ginsengs ihe "Iory" ae ring. But knowing Yuna, such a rea was only natural. She was like a puppy who just got her favorite toy taken, ear dropping down sadly.

  Yuna, don't be too upset. I alsht something for you. ［Grey］

  Thankfully, Grey already knew she would rea such a way. So using the fact that she asked Yuna beforehand and that he was just iy a couple minutes ago, he then took out his secret on, a subtle smile all over his face.

  "Right, everyone... I alsht something else. I hope you'll like it," ［Grey］

  """Waah～ / Ohhh! Sweets～!!"""

  They all responded simultaneously, excited expressions on their faces. And they were right, Grey brought them sweets from the city, and not just any sweets, but sweets from one of the best pastry shops in the capital.

  Normally, it was hard to buy sweets from them, and even if one was able to make some orders, it would take several days before it's ready as there are a lot of people who order from them. Well... Normally, that is...

  But with an introdu from the King himself, there was always a way. All he o do was show his letter of reendation and the bakers and shop owner quickly moved their hands. He was fortunate enough to have some pastries ready on the go, his stop only taking him a couple minutes.

  "But that's strange... How could y sweets all the way here? Is there a magic shop around here which suddenly pops out of nowhere?" ［Edin］

  "Like those in Fairy tales? There's no way that happens, you punk." ［Kale］

  "That's right. I just got lucky and passed by a mert's carriage on the way there. The sweets smelled delicious so I bought some for us to enjoy. They were pretty cheap too, so I got a lot." ［Grey］

  "Hm? The highway is quite far from here, though?" ［Alea］

  "Well, I'm fident in my speed. A few kilometers is not that hard." ［Grey］

  The 1st statement was a lie, and so was the 2nd one, and even the 3rd one, Grey still wearing a bright ale smile as he uttered such deceitful words. He didn't even bat ahe others nodding their heads after him.

  He was so natural, the others didn't sehe obvious loopholes in his statements. Yuna would have also been fooled and vinced if she didn't know it beforehand, a little in awe and afraid of the deceitful abilities of her fiancé.

  """"Mmn～! Delicious～!!""""

  Needless to say, ead every bite was delicious, an explosion of sweets bursting forth in their mouths. There were sour, salty, citrusy, and bitter sweets, but they were all delicious, everyone happily enjoying them and stuffing their cheeks full.

  After which, they then tinued expl the Lorinia Forest and gathered several more herbs and materials. They were all led by Kale, taking to his previous spots and fulfilling the requirements in pce of their greenhouse.

  Of course, there were also shenanigans afoot whilst they vehroughout the forest, merry ughs and chatter eg all throughout the forest. The sands of time tio trickle down the hss, the suing soon enough.

  As the sky turned amber, everyone soouro the city and parted their own ways. The trio headed back to the Academy whilst Grey and Yuna headed towards the Camellia Valley, eating dinner before heading to their bedroom.

  "Fuwaahhhh～! Today was so fun!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, you should really stop doing that. That's very undylike." ［Grey］

  "Ehh... That's so troublesome... Don't wanna..." ［Yuna］

  And as per usual, Yuna quickly jumped towards the bed as soon as she arrived, then rolling around and hugging the pillow. Grey scolded her a little, but it was useless. She was already oh the bed, an adorable smile blooming on her lovely face.

  Well, she at least removed her boots and ged into her casual clothes with a bit of magic. Grey only shake his head at the sight of his whimsical fiancée, not having any will to scold the young dy. He could only sigh and open his "Iory" to take out a certain something from inside.

  "Grey～! Let's cuddle～! What are you doing～? Hurry upー !!!" ［Yuna］

  The young dy couldn't even finish her words, her eyes opening wide from shock as Grey showed what he was holding onto in his hands. What he took out wasn't just any ordinary item, but one worth millions, rare as be.

  It was yet anit, its leaves red as blood instead of green, veins of gold and amber running through it and along the stem. Its petals, like Yuna's hair, was a beautiful silver color, its pollen sparkling like starlight in the middle of the night.

  "I-Isn't this a Silver-Haired Cattleya?! I couldn't even find one in the au! H-How did you get this, Grey?! Was it magic?!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. What are you talking about, you silly girl? I got this as a gift." ［Grey］

  It wasn't just a simple gift, but a present from the King to him as a hero. It was one of the smuggled items which he found ie area, packaged carefully a even more securely than gold and silver, precious as be.

  It was amongst the rarer magits, used in making higher grade alchemy items. And tally, it was also one of the ingredients Yuna had been seeking for a long time, sparkling so beautifully before her eyes.

  "G-Grey! You're the best! I love you! I love you! I love you!" ［Yuna］

  The young dy had ation, jumping trey's arms and embrag him tightly. She then showered her with kisses and a flood of affe, the young man only able to receive her ugh whilst chug to himself.

  "Hahaha. I didn't know you liked it this much." ［Grey］

  "Of course. I do! You know how long I've been looking for it! But to think you'll find it faster than me! Your luck must be Diviier too!" ［Yuna］

  "Luck, huh... I guess you could say that." ［Grey］

  The young man chuckled once again, but he wasn't talking about the herbs. He was talking about the very sweet and adorable young dy before him. Just spending the days with her is the best experience. He was the luckiest man in the world.

  "Then, as a reward, I'll give you tons and tons of hugs and kisses!" ［Yuna］

  "Ehh...? But you already did that anyway though..." ［Grey］

  "Now, now, don't mind the little details. Is there something wrong with me showing affe to my beloved fiancé?" ［Yuna］

  "Well... I guess you're right... Haah... I really am no match against you." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu!" ［Yuna］

  And as one would expect, what followed after was a lot, and by that, I mean a whole lot of flirting, the whole room dyed pink ahe atmosphere getting sweeter and sappier by the moment, smiles blooming all over the pce.

  The nightly breeze tio whistle and bellow, the curtains dang fervently by the tune of the winds and the symphony of the night. The moon was a magnifit crest, shiniiful as gentle light rained down the world.

  Yet another peaceful night.

  CHAPTER 382 END