The Monster Hero

Ch: 19 On The Run

???: it's been a while, princess Melty, sir heroes

Ryuji and Raphtalia then recognized the man in front of them.

Naofumi: Who the hell are you!!?

Ryuji: Dude, he bought one of your accessories before. Van Reichnott, right?

Van: Indeed. i am Van Reichnott,  the ruler of this region. This is no place to chat, why don't you all come to my home and we'll talk

Van took the party to his mansion, where they were offered a meal.

While eating, the party began explaining their situation to van. 

Van: I see... so you reached my domain after escaping Melromarc's forces, is that it?

Naofumi: Yeah

Van: The knights came to me a while ago and informed me that the vassal hero created an explosion, which caused a wildfire on the nearby mountain to cover your tracks. Would you consider that account to be accurate, sir vassal hero?

Ryuji: Why would i--

Just then, Ryuji remembered the detail of what happened and realized that he technically was partially responsible even though Myne was the one who lit the gas. 

Ryuji: *sweating* Do that? Sure, i have some fire-breathing monsters, but none of them can make an explosion that big

Van looked at Ryuji with suspicion, then realized that it was an accident. 

Van: I see. What are your plans to reach the queen?

Naofumi: we'll start by leaving tomorrow at dawn

Melty: Why so soon!?

Naofumi: The longer we stay, the higher the doss odds us being sniffed out

Melty: Well, yes... but I was hoping I could rest a bit longer

Van noticed Melty's behavior and smiled.

Van: Princess Melty, if I may say so, it appears you've grown

Melty: Huh?

Van: In the past, you used to have a mature attitude that's beyond your years

Ryuji: So she became childish? That doesn't sound like growth

Melty: *blush* be quiet you!!

Naofumi: Quit making a racket, where trying to eat here

Melty: it's Sir Ryuji's fault

Van watches the three in their playful argument and chuckled.

Afterward, the party was given a room for them to spend the night.

After the sun has set, Naofumi looked about the window.

Melty: What's wrong?

Naofumi: There's no way of knowing when this place will be attacked. I make it a point of not sleeping at times like this

Melty looked down and a little depressed.

Ryuji: Well, good luck with that

Ryuji got into bed and immediately went to sleep, while Filo was already sleeping in her bed.

Raphtalia: Why don't I keep watch? That way, you can get some sleep

Naofumi: ...alright

Melty was surprised that Naofumi listened to Raphtalia and went to bed.

Melty: Wait a minute!! Why do you listen to what Raphtalia says but not me!!?

Ryuji: *yawn* because that guy doesn't trust royalty... because of your dad and sis... fault...*snore*