"S-so that's how it is..."
Cain pursed his lips and gave the others, who all looked as though they finally understood, a helpless smile.
"As expected of my master!" A faint blush spread across Eris's cheeks. She gazed at Cain with adoration, her eyes burning with admiration.
"You really thought of everything, Cain."
"I-I suppose so..."
In truth, Cain had only made those plans to deal with Alexander. He hadn't thought nearly as far ahead as they believed, and their praise left him flustered.
The group reached Rikarisu Town and found an inn. It was late, and most of the rooms were occupied. They booked the only three rooms left.
The original plan was for Eris to have a room to herself while the others squeezed into the remaining two. But she insisted on sharing with Cain, and only then did Rujierd and Alexander learn something about their past.
Even before the Teleportation Incident, Eris had often shared a room with Cain.
"Yep, that's right. Cain's the Sword God with a thing for little girls."
"I-I am not! Back then, Eris was afraid of the dark, so she wanted to stay in my room... And then..."
The Sword God tried to defend himself, but when he turned and met Eris's ruby-red eyes, shining with longing as she looked up at him, he gave up.
"Fine. Say whatever you want..."
The light went out of Cain's eyes.
It was a fact that he and Eris had once lived together. He had never crossed the line between master and apprentice, but there was no denying what had happened.
If they wanted to call him a creep, so be it. Eris mattered far more than his reputation.
As long as his beloved apprentice was safe, he couldn't care less what anyone said.
"Come