What happened that night was not known by anyone besides Shien and Melika.

However, the next day, when everyone got up, someone noticed that Markray was missing, which ended up causing a small commotion. After a brief search, he was finally discovered to have long since awoken. However, since he was hung under a tree for the whole night, Markray was somewhat exhausted.

Then, just as Shien had though, everyone rescued Markray and asked him why he was hung under a tree. However, Markray didnt dare to tell the truth, so he just hesitantly covered the matter up in a very obviously suspicious manner. The only thing of note was the hateful glare he tossed in the direction of the smiling Shien.

As one could imagine, that young master truly had begun to hate Shien. That was completely within Shiens expectations.

Finally, this particular matter obviously couldnt be taken any further. However, there was another matter that brought about an even greater commotion.

That was the fact that someone had discovered that the chained up Jillian was covered in injuries. His entire face was bloated up with swelling and bruises. Also, it was as if he had undergone some kind of torture, and he had completely lost his cold demeanor. Rather, he was like a doll. His face was vacant, and he even needed people to feed him before he could eat.

This situation had alarmed even Balon, who ordered an investigation. He seemed to be ready to seriously investigate this matter.

Unfortunately, this particular incident also ended up unresolved.

That was because other than Jillian, there was no one else who could possibly know just what this demon of the Old Demon Faction really experienced the previous night.

But Jillian was completely slack and unresponsive. Compared to the fearful aura he emitted the previous day, it was like he was now a completely different person. Balon and the others tried all their might to get Jillian to speak, but it was to no avail.

Rather, over on Vivian and Dieres side, when the who of them heard about his, they suspiciously looked at Shien over at the side acting like a good boy.

It cant be

You did something again?

The two of them looked at Shien with eyes full of suspicion.

It was obvious that in the minds of those two, Shien was already synonymous with the word incident.

Im not. I didnt. Dont speak nonsense.

Shien naturally wouldnt admit to it, and he kept on acting like a good boy.

Vivian and Diere naturally didnt believe him at all.

Putting aside the matter with Jillian, the two of them were at least sure that the incident with Markray had something to do with Shien.

The reason for that is the young master in question was just way too terrible an actor. Although he refused to say what had happened last night no matter what, he did constantly glare in Shiens direction with eyes filled with anger and hate. It was like he wanted to literally take a bite out of Shien, so it was obvious that Shien definitely had to have been involved.

But since Shien wouldnt admit it no matter what, so the two of them couldnt really do anything about that.

Rather, it was Melika who kept on sneaking peeks at Shien ever since she got up in the morning. Then, shed hurriedly shift her eyes away and lower her head whenever Shien turned to look at her. It was obvious that she was trying to avoid meeting Shiens eyes.

Whats with you? Melika?

Lumia noticed Melikas behavior and was somewhat worried, which ended up attracting Vivian and Dieres attention.

The two of the looked at the unnaturally acting Melika, then the pissed off Markray, and finally the completely calm and peaceful Shien. They suddenly had an epiphany.

It looks like that piece of trash really didnt learn his lesson.

Diere looked over in Markrays direction with a cold glare filled with killing intent. That finally broke the young masters nerve and scared him into running away.

I had thought that given how many people are in the camp, even young master Markray shouldnt have been so reckless as to do something so obvious. It looks like my consideration was lacking. Vivian begun reflecting before speaking to the group, From now on, be it for patrol or night watch, at least one of us is to accompany Melika at all time. Any issues with that?

Diere and Lumia obviously has no problem whatsoever with that, and they nodded without hesitation.

T-theres no need to go to such troubles! Everyone!

Melika was rather embarrassed at that, so she tried to object.

Until

Does that include me as well?

Shien asked that from the side, and Melika immediately lost her voice.

What does Melika think?

Vivian was silent for a bit before turning to Melika and asking for her opinion.

After all, Vivian knew about Melikas situation. She knew that Melika was guarded against Shien, so she felt that she should ask for Melikas opinion on the matter.

Of course, Vivian personally felt that Melika probably wouldnt agree.

To allow Shien to be alone with her. That didnt seem like something that Melika would agree to.

However, Vivian herself still hoped that Melika and Lumia could get along better with Shien.

It wasnt for any particularly deep reason. Its just that Shiens identity was special, so it was likely that she and her group will end up needing to work with Shien long into the future. Thus, Vivian didnt want the two sides to be so awkward with each other.

However, Vivian also knew that this wasnt something that could be forced. For now, all she could do is allow both sides to slowly decrease their distances. As for the rest, that could wait.

While holding such thoughts in mind, Vivian didnt really think that Melika would agree to it. Rather, when she asked Melika, she had already prepared some excuses in her mind.

But who would have though

I Im fine either way

Yet, Melika who was just embarrassed actually blushed, lowered her head, and gave such an answer in a minuscule voice.

Eh?

This time, it wasnt just Vivian, but also Diere and Lumia who were also dumbfounded.

It wasnt just the girls either. Even Shien was somewhat surprised. He looked at the blushing Melika and twitched in his mind.

(This development It cant be that a mere flower crown ended up conquering an elven beauty that even a noble young master couldnt, right?)

Were the beauties of this other world really so easily conquered? Were there seriously goddesses with such beauty who would fall for a random mob without a car, house, or savings?

(No, Im not a mob though. Im the Hero chosen by a goddess. A man of destiny. How could I be a mere mob?)

Shien forcefully shook his head to purge himself of his previous thoughts.

Shien had already forgotten all his memories relating to how he lived in his previous life, so Shien had no idea what kind of family he was born to previously. However, since he had forgotten it all, then his identity in his previous life thus shouldnt mean anything to him anymore.

(Maybe I was some rich heir back then. Who knows?)

Shien could only repeat that to himself in an attempt to brainwash himself.

As for the other side, everyone just looked at Melikas blushing face, and each person had their own thoughts on that.

Young master Markray seemed to have done something good this time.

Vivian showed a smile deeply laden with meaning as if she had seen through something.

Humph

Diere looked away like she felt the whole thing was boring.

Melika?

Lumia still didnt understand. She just looked at Melika, still in shock.

Ugh

Melika hadnt raised her head at any point, and her face remained a deep scarlet.