Free Web NovelChapter 204: A Dangerous Reunion
Upon hearing the conversation from the table behind him, Ryan began to ask himself.
His eyes remained fixed on the wooden plate, eating his stew in silence while his mind put the pieces of the puzzle together.
’Was he escorting a woman or why exactly were they here? What are they planning?’
Even though Ryan knew very little about William, what he did know was that he was called by the title of solitary hero, well, or at least that was what he was told the time they met in the throne room of Lunar Veil.
Although for these adventurers, it made absolutely no sense for the solitary hero to be wasting his time in a simple fishing zone. And having a meeting with other S-rank heroes.
Unless the woman’s identity was the true motive behind that secret meeting between heroes.
But those answers would have to wait.
He left a few coins on the table and stood up from his seat to leave the inn.
The night had barely just begun in Friah Village.
It was still too early to sleep, and since he was in a new and completely unknown city, he wanted to explore. Walking around a bit would help him memorize the streets and the possible escape routes just in case the holy knights were to appear.
He needed to see what was being said in the alleys, what was happening among the inhabitants far away from the tavern’s noise. He adjusted the scarf over the bridge of his nose, leaving only his green eyes visible.
But when he stepped out through the wooden door and into the cold of the street, he only heard the murmurs of common villagers. The people spoke about the sea, about the day’s earnings, and about weak monsters in the nearby forests.
No one spoke of him as the dangerous fugitive from the past disturbances.
He checked the stone walls and the light posts on the corners out of the corner of his eye, and he didn’t see any wanted posters of himself either. His face and his name seemed to have completely disappeared from the authorities’ interest in this distant town.
Which made him think that it would be an immense relief if the world simply forgot about him forever. Then he corrected that thought with pure sarcasm, shaking his head slightly beneath his hood. freewёbnoνel.com
Assuming with total certainty that that was never going to happen. Once you have debts with the world’s system, the hunters will pursue you until the very end of your days.
But something strongly caught Ryan’s attention in that moment.
People, as if it were some sort of street show, were crowding together in the distance while he walked. The dirt path was blocked by a mass of bodies pushing against each other with great excitement.
Ryan felt curious about the event and went to where the crowd was.
He slipped between the shoulders and backs of the onlookers, using his physical strength to make his way through until reaching the front row. It was a very expensive food establishment, with fine wooden frames and glass windows facing the main street.
And all the villagers present were observing two people dining at a well-lit table. One of the people right next to him commented in sheer wonder that that was the S-rank Hero, William.
The people murmured about how the hero had won countless battles on the demonic continent, territory of Demon King Rohan.
Known by humanity as the solitary hero, he wore clean clothes and a charming smile while he cut his food. But the townsfolk did not know who his companion was because her face was covered.
A thick dark cloak concealed her features completely.
Only an intense red hair that fell over her shoulders and back was visible, standing out beneath the light of the lamps.
"So they are gathered here just to see William, what sheer nonsense." Ryan murmured to himself, turning around.
Wasting his time watching a conceited boy eat dinner in front of a crowd was not in his plans.
’Anyway, it would be best for me to leave here.’ He thought as he moved forward, retracing his steps and distancing himself from the place.
The noise of the excited people was rapidly left behind while he walked back toward the dark zones of the town.
For a moment, he thought about inspecting them directly through the window to measure the level of that hero and his companion.
Even though he already knew his stats from their past encounter, Ryan assumed that if he himself had become stronger, it was very certain that William was no longer the same. And that his power had also increased.
But if it turned out that that red-haired woman was of a high rank, they would notice immediately if someone used an inspection skill on them.
They would feel the invisible presence clashing right against their bodies.
And so he stopped himself, prioritizing stealth over his own curiosity.
He arrived at a round and empty plaza.
The ground was cobbled, and the salty sea breeze battered the branches of the few trees surrounding the place. And he sat down on one of the rustic wooden benches, stretching out his legs to rest.
But just when he sighed, trying to reflect on the recent events.
Remembering the demon queen’s prowess in the basement and thinking if Ophelia would be fighting against Amadeos’s demons at this very hour.
Also reflecting on what the girls back in the village would be doing at this precise instant. Helen would surely be complaining about the confinement and Mirian trying to calm the situation down in the main living room.
’If I don’t return soon, they will surely go out looking for me.’ He thought to himself, knowing perfectly well how impulsive they could end up being.
And he felt a hot, sudden steam form right in front of him.
The temperature of the plaza rose abruptly, as if a dense boiling fog had just opened up in the middle of the stones.
And as if stepping out of an explosion of white steam, the silhouette of a man appeared right before him.
The smoke covered the boy’s vision and blocked the sound of the wind.
’And where did this guy come from...?’ He thought to himself, remaining on maximum alert.
His hand traveled immediately to his hip, brushing against the hilt of the dagger hidden beneath his clothes.
There was absolutely no sound of footsteps; the movement spell had been utilized in a silent and precise manner. The figure took a step forward, leaving behind the cloud of heat to reveal his features.
Bright yellow hair, green eyes fixed on him, and a cynical smile drawn across his face. The exact same hero the crowd adored in the restaurant just a few minutes ago was now standing in the solitary plaza.
"Wow, you are Ryan, aren’t you?" The voice said as the steam dissipated completely.
The blonde young man’s tone was relaxed, almost mocking, as if he were simply greeting an old friend on the street.
"I sensed that there was someone strong nearby, but... this took me by surprise." He said calmly.
William crossed his arms, showing off his confidence in front of the most dangerous fugitive in the human lands.
And right behind him, the sound of light footsteps made itself present.
The silhouette of a woman materialized from the very same residual transportation magic.
With her face covered by the dark hood and red hair that stood out intensely under the moonlight.
Ryan did not step back nor show any hint of doubt in his expression, maintaining a stone-cold demeanor.
"Inspect."
