An Extra’s POV

"I see. So that's what happened…"

Noah's voice echoed in the vast hall as Rey nodded his head. The latter had just finished telling the former all about his relationship with Esme—well, the important bits anyway—and how he was currently searching for her,

At first, Noah was relieved to find out Esme was in no way related to Rey, though that should have already been clear.

However, the more Rey spoke about her, the more Noah began to see some problematic signs.

Signs from both Rey and the Esme of his stories.

'Do these two like each other?' He thought to himself, still contemplating if he should ask the question or keep it to himself.

From the way Rey spoke, it seemed as though everything he talked about was normal. The guy probably didn't think anything of their relationship.

'If that's the case, then I better not give him any ideas by bringing it up.'

Plus, the topic at hand was a lot heavier than romance. Esme had vanished from the Grand Calamity Class Dungeon and he had no way to track her down.

"But why do you think she'd be here?"

"Because I think, even if she left the Dungeon, it's only rational that she'd move somewhere we both have a connection to—at least, pending the time I found her."

The most rational thing Rey would have done would be to wait for Esme in the Royal Estate, since she already said she was coming for him, but that would only work if she wasn't a couple months late.

"She should have reached the Capital at this point, so that leaves two major possibilities." He began, raising his fingers.

"One, she arrived at the Royal Estate, but for some reason decided not to enter or make her presence known. If that happened, then she'd have gotten the gist of what happened to me."

From that point on, she could either choose to remain in the Capital or leave.

Rey suspected she left.

"Esme's desire to grow strong was still evident the last time I saw her. If she wanted to keep growing strong, and also ensure she was accessible when I woke up, then…"

"The Adventurers City is her best bet." Noah completed Rey's sentence for him, and the lad nodded with a silent sigh.

some clues about her presence here. Maybe the name she used to register as an

want me to look into the archives for you, starting from the suspected

do it. There's no way I'm leaving all

though Rey said these considerate, friendly words, Noah couldn't help but sense some measure of protectiveness oozing

saying anything

get to work,

Rey said with a sigh, jumping to his

anyway. As Noah also stood to his feet, he observed Rey's stoic

felt almost doll-like, and the eyepatch

don't look like it."

his lips to explain. "… There'll be a city parade today, and all the recognized Otherworlders have to be present. I'll have to pick up

heaved a sigh, raising

not officially recognized as one. I dislike events like

the dreary fact that the parade was only one part of

at night. I'm sure it'll be tedious, but it's better we get it over with

together and having small talk

like in the

"Really?"

"Well… maybe a little."

"Pfft!"

it's spatial distortion

get

Ah, by the way… you mentioned two possibilities back

"…."

narrowed his eye as soon as heard the question. It seemed he didn't want to explore it at all, but current circumstances had

to hide it from Noah at

could be

stared at Rey for a while, and while it was difficult to tell his actual emotional state from

don't want

if she does, then I

even further as he looked

she go to the Elves? Especially when,

sighed and shrugged