"Lumine, please, slow down a bit!"
"Paimon, the prince sent someone to tell us he's arrived in Sumeru. Let's go see him quickly."
"I know, but can you stop running so fast? We're not that far—there's no need to use the wind element just to sprint!"
In the city streets, a golden silhouette streaked through the crowd like a shooting star, followed closely by a small, floating white spirit.
Paimon was flying along, panting heavily.
Behind them were also a few friends the two had made in Sumeru.
"This is the first time I've seen her this excited. Is she meeting someone?"
"Apparently, he's the prince of the Kingdom of Palettia. I've heard he's an incredible person."
"Really? I didn't expect Lumine to know someone of that stature."
"Well, I don't think they're just casual acquaintances."
"Nilou, Dehya, wait for me!"
Perhaps Lumine had a special talent—she could make a group of friends wherever she went.
But they weren't just Lumine's friends.
They were even more determined to save Lesser Lord Kusanali.
"Paimon, do you know anything about this?"
"Hey~ Nilou, no one knows that Prince Leon is Lumine's boyfriend."
"Huh?! Really?!"
The traveling companions were stunned.
Paimon sighed helplessly and finally caught up to Lumine.
"Lumine, could you be a bit more reserved? What's the difference between you and a dog running back to its owner?" Paimon said.
Lumine blinked silently, as if agreeing with Paimon's words.
"Okay, pretend I didn't say that."
Paimon fell silent for a few seconds, then held her forehead and sighed. She had almost forgotten that this woman was, in fact, the prince's little puppy.
"Ahem, I… I only did it for the money. His Highness gave me way too much."
Lumine scratched the back of her head, a little embarrassed.
Paimon rolled her eyes.
"Hmph! Did you forget what you said last time, when we were being chased by that dragon in the desert?"
"Uh…"
Lumine turned her head awkwardly.
Of course she remembered.
At the time, she had thought she was going to die, so she used her last strength to push Paimon away—and also confessed her final words to Leon.
Paimon clenched her tiny fist and suddenly stomped the air in frustration.
"Also, I almost forgot. You took way too long to remember to come find me. Do you know how lonely and scared I felt being all by myself?"
"Scared? I remember that when I found you, Paimon, you were in the most expensive restaurant in Sumeru, ordering tons of pricey food and eating so much you turned into a ball."
"You couldn't even fly anymore."
Lumine crossed her arms, narrowed her eyes, and said,
"You were lonely and scared? Paimon, look me in the eyes and say that again. All I remember is you stuffing yourself until you turned into a ball among piles of plates. And by the way, that was my hard-earned money! Something serious happened to me, and you took our savings to enjoy yourself. You were doing just fine, weren't you?"
"Then why didn't you come looking for me for so long? I thought you were dead."
Paimon turned her head away, embarrassed.
"I turned my sadness into appetite to ease the pain of losing you. And your money is my money, so there's no need to be polite between us."
"…"
"Hey, what was that supposed to mean? You're very lucky you found me!" Paimon said, hands on her hips.
"…You two really have a great relationship." ×N
The people behind them fell silent for a few seconds, admitting they had never seen such a unique pair of traveling companions.
"Alright, alright, Lumine and Paimon, stop arguing," Nilou said. "Didn't you say you were going to meet the prince who came from afar? Don't keep him waiting."
"Well, Nilou, you're right."
Lumine nodded to the red-haired dancer beside her.
"Don't worry, everyone. As long as Prince Leon is here, we'll definitely be able to rescue Lesser Lord Kusanali," Lumine said.
"How can you be so confident? I'm a little curious about what kind of person this prince is," Dehya said.
"Dehya, His Highness is so powerful that he even conquered the Dragon King," Lumine replied.
"Oh? Whether that's true or not, I'll need to meet him to understand," said the bold-spirited warrior.
Soon, everyone arrived at the luxury hotel of the Mitsugoshi Trading Company. After explaining who they were to the receptionist, they were led to the door of the most luxurious suite in the establishment.
"…That receptionist just now wasn't weak."
"Well, it must be said that all the staff in this place are strong."
"Cyno, what do you think?"
"…It would probably be difficult to defeat even one of them."
Lumine's companions whispered among themselves.
Since they were all planning to rescue Lesser Lord Kusanali, these people naturally possessed considerable strength, each with unique abilities—some of the finest in all of Sumeru.
Yet they were shocked to discover that every receptionist in that hotel made their hearts race and sent chills down their spines, as if they had stumbled into the King's Game.
Lumine also let out a relieved sigh.
"Haha~ His Highness is surrounded by powerful people as always. He's just way too over-the-top."
She straightened her clothes and knocked on the door, expectant.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Come in… Hmm? Isn't that my Lumine? It's been a long time," Leon said.
"Your Highness, I missed you so much," Lumine replied immediately.
"Haha, then why don't you show me just how much you missed me?"
Casually seated on the sofa in the living room, Leon smiled and beckoned to her. In the very next second, the blonde traveler looked like a puppy spotting its owner.
She leapt straight at Leon.
Everyone could almost see dog ears sprouting from Lumine's head and a wagging tail appearing behind her.
At the same time, they finally had a chance to observe Prince Leon. But the moment their gazes met his, they all felt as though they were staring into a bottomless abyss.
"!!!" ×N
This elegant, relaxed prince radiated an invisible aura of terror.
The instant they met Leon's eyes, it felt as if they were being stared down by a dragon.
"You're her friends? Hello, everyone. You've worked hard taking care of my little girl all this time. Haha, don't be nervous—I'm not a bad guy."
Leon said with a smile.
(End of chapter)