What if you are reborn as a demon after a funeral?

Just watching Ash's back as he walked down the street, he couldn't help but think for a moment: if Ash really became a villain, then who could subdue him?

But the final conclusion was... that he really didn't know what kind of strong people existed in this world, and he could only give up on this obviously casual joke for the time being.

"Hmm...it must be a joke, right?"

Although his instincts told him it was a joke, and his reason told him it was definitely a joke, Zain felt a strange and inexplicable sense of unease for some reason.

But I really can't think of anyone who can stop the situation, so I can only shake my head vigorously and completely put this nonsense behind me.

Since Ash didn't wake Frilian and Philon, the two of them slept soundly until dawn under the influence of the Chaos Flower.

.............................

.............................

In the early morning.

Feeling the gentle sunlight caressing her face, bringing a touch of warm comfort, Philon slowly opened her hazy eyes.

Under the dazzling morning sun, the natural scenery of the forest unfolds before her eyes like a scroll painting, making her involuntarily intoxicated by the splendid morning light.

With a long "mmm" sound, she stretched comfortably, as if trying to dispel all the fatigue of the night.

As her mind gradually cleared and she recalled the events of the previous night, she instinctively looked around and immediately noticed that Ash was sitting next to her, with an open book in his hand.

When Ash looked up and met her gaze, a smile, as always, appeared on his face:

Good morning, Philon. You look like you slept very well.

"Yes... Good morning, Ash-sama."

Yesterday's unease vanished, and Philon felt an indescribable warmth in her heart, unconsciously flashing him a big smile.

This scene caught Zan's eye, and he couldn't help but look at Frillie, who was unusually early in the morning. He walked quickly over and, with a puzzled expression, asked with unusual seriousness:

"I'm saying... are these two really not married yet?"

"...What are you talking about so early in the morning? At least act like a priest, stop thinking strange things."

Still half asleep, Frillie rolled her eyes, thinking that this guy was hopeless.

These words made Zain begin to doubt himself, perhaps the problem really lay with him... Of course, such a thought was fleeting and was quickly replaced by new emotions.

As the team's representative and the only monk, Zain went to awaken the villagers who had fallen into a deep sleep due to the curse, and he also received thanks on behalf of the team.

All his worries and confusion vanished in an instant with the gentle smile and words of gratitude from the eldest sister who represented the village.

On his journey back from the village, Zain's face still held a lingering blush, and an irrepressible smile graced his lips. That feeling of happiness lingered for quite some time, even...

"Lord Zain, how disgusting... As expected, a reliable lord should be someone like Lord Ash, who is both upright and powerful!"

Philon glanced at Zain with disdain, then turned to Ash with a respectful smile, a smile that seemed to contain a hint of warmth that was hard to detect.

Frillie stroked her chin thoughtfully and joined the discussion: "I don't think either of them are quite normal... Well, thinking about it seriously, Ash is definitely the more normal one."

However, Zain, caught up in the excitement, completely ignored their sarcastic remarks and reveled in the joy of being thanked by the older sister from the village. He was so happy that he almost lost his bearings.

He excitedly moved closer to Ash, put his arm around his shoulder, and asked with a keen interest in finding like-minded people:

"You also think that older sister is great, right?"

"...How am I supposed to answer that?"

Ash felt like he was being pricked by the gazes of Philon and Frilian behind him... He didn't want to pay any attention to this guy at all.

After all, he knew very well that if he agreed, he would suffer the same fate as Zain, being disliked by the two girls.

"Oh, they're just kids, why are you so concerned? A man has to be shameless!"

"...Compared to this, since you like that older sister so much, why don't you stay in that village?"

"I really want to!! But—she's already married!!" As soon as he said this, Zain clenched his fists in agitation, immediately filled with regret, pounding his chest and stamping his feet in despair.

"If only I had traveled a few years earlier!! If I had, I would definitely be the one marrying that older woman!"

"You've actually thought about it? But monks aren't allowed to marry, are they?"

Why don't you mention that monks can't smoke, drink alcohol, eat meat, or gamble?

"That's right... You win."

Faced with this uninhibited monk, Ash was speechless for a moment, completely at a loss for words.

After all, this guy has already gone so far, so it's not surprising that he got married. However... the gaze behind him grew increasingly cold, and even though he was just participating in the conversation, he was unfortunately affected as well.

.............................

Not long after leaving the village and continuing north, the group entered Frisch, a fortified city near the Kingdom of Esther.

For travelers, Frisch is a transit point to the magical city.

"This is the last major city before we reach the Magic City. If you need anything special, you can only buy it here."

Frilian, who was very familiar with this station, looked at the fortress city not far away and, as a senior, naturally gave everyone a reminder.

Upon hearing this, Philon couldn't help but take out his money pouch and glance at it: "Lady Frilian... our travel expenses are almost gone... if we don't use Lord Ash's money, we don't even know where we'll stay tonight, let alone buy anything strange."

"...Accept Ash's money? No, if it continues like this, I have a feeling I'll be played really badly later." Upon hearing this, Frillie immediately showed a troubled expression, instinctively furrowing her brows.

But before she could reach a conclusion, she suddenly seemed to notice something and looked towards the road behind her.

A nobleman's carriage was parked behind them for some reason.

They were an old man who looked like a steward, a middle-aged man with one eye who looked like a nobleman, and a boy who looked almost exactly like the second son of the village chief from the previous warrior village, but with a slicked-back hairstyle.

It's worth mentioning that the three people—one old, one middle-aged, and one young—were all staring intently at them, their hostility palpable.

"...Frilian, are they your enemies?" Having heard that Frilian had been here before, Zain instinctively turned his gaze to Frilian.

But these words made Frilian a little unsure of herself, and she couldn't help but lower her head and think hard: "...Although I don't like the owner of this territory, I shouldn't have offended any nobles, right?"

"But if you don't like it, it must be because you accidentally offended the other person, right?"

Remembering the risk of being executed for the slightest disrespect towards nobles in the Central Kingdoms, Philon, who had been educated by Ash since childhood and was unlike most people in this world, lacked respect for nobles and was already preparing to escape.

Because... all three people opposite him had their hands on their weapons.

Before they could make a decision, the red-haired boy with slicked-back hair, who was clearly a nobleman, walked over and took off his gloves, throwing them at Ash's feet.

"...Looking for Lord Ash?" Philon looked completely bewildered.

"You must have thrown it in the wrong place?" Zain quietly squatted down and placed the glove on Frilian's feet.

This action made Frilian frown in annoyance: "What? Why are you doing this to me? You just left it all to Ash, why didn't you just let Ash handle it?"

Before Kazan could say anything, the boy opposite him stared intently at Ash and said angrily:

"—You actually let your servant throw the gloves that symbolize a duel onto a little child's feet? Don't you even have the courage to accept a challenge head-on?"

"Huh? Is it really to find Lord Ash?"

"Wait a minute? I'm a monk! Why am I being treated like a servant??"

"Am I... a child?"

.......

Philon, Zain, and Frilian were all shocked to varying degrees by the boy's words, with Zain and Frilian even questioning their own existence.

Ash, however, remained calm and collected, scrutinizing the unfamiliar young man before him for a long while before simply spreading his hands in resignation:

"Excuse me, you've mistaken me for someone else. I don't think I know you."

"You may not recognize me, but I recognize you! It is you who—stole Father's eyes!"

"Is that so? Hmm... who is your father?"

"Alden, one of the three great knights of the northern kingdoms and the head of the Frisch family!"

"Ah, I see, Alden?" He nodded as if suddenly realizing something. Philen tugged at his sleeve with unease, "Lord Ash, what exactly happened? Did you accidentally injure that nobleman named Alden?"

"No, you misunderstood. I have absolutely no recollection of this name. I was just trying to show that I remembered it."

"—You bastard....!" Upon hearing this, the boy was so enraged that he was about to launch an attack on the spot.

But the father he spoke of—a middle-aged man with a scar on his right cheek and wearing a black eye patch—suddenly grabbed his shoulder:

“Wilt, step back, you are no match for him.”

"—Father!?"

“You are indeed an excellent warrior, but this person… is certainly not someone you can handle right now.” Alden gently shook his head, stopping his son's reckless action, before turning to Ash, his voice tense as he questioned him:

"...Why aren't you staying in the Kingdom of Esther? What are you doing in my territory?"

"It's just during a trip... By the way, are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else?"

"You really don't remember? Then let me help you recall... Thirteen years ago, at the Kagel Pass near the magic city of the Kingdom of Esther, when the Kingdom of Esther was using monsters in battle, I was about to kill a Rock Wall Dragon when you suddenly appeared and took my eye with a single strike."

Alden recounted the unbearable border conflict in a deep voice, staring intently at Ash and gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, almost unable to resist the urge to avenge that fatal blow.

But even though he was unwilling, he still endured it.

Because he knew all too well that the other party was different from normal adventurers; he seemed to be a high-ranking official from an enemy country and wouldn't care that he was a nobleman.

If they really decide to fight, they won't hold back at all... I doubt any of us will survive.

.............................