Chapter 171: Encounter with the Demon Queen (P1)

After Mirian went back inside the house, just as Ryan had ordered her to do in order to wake up Helen and Irina, he remained alone for a few minutes in the garden of his residence.

He continued playing with the enormous wyvern, caressing the hard scales on its neck while the winged beast emitted deep, vibrating sounds of satisfaction under his touch.

"You must feel very lonely here without your own kind to fly with," Ryan said with a soft voice, looking into the mount’s large reptilian eyes.

"When I finish off Demon King Rigal and we secure our territory, I will claim the church’s wyverns for you."

’Of course, stealing the entire aerial squad from the armed forces of the holy knights will not be an easy task.’

After a few additional pets, the wyvern extended its immense wings and flew away toward the artificial sky and the open field of the village.

And without averting his gaze from the heights where the wyvern had flown off to, Ryan spoke with complete tranquility in the middle of the empty garden.

"You can come out now, Alicia."

"Ah." A faint sound of surprise was heard, like a small gasp.

"I am so incredibly sorry, Your Majesty. I wasn’t hiding intentionally," she said, stepping out from behind the thick trunk of one of the fruit trees, her wolf ears twitching slightly due to the nerves of being discovered so easily.

"I just didn’t want to interrupt the private moment you were sharing while talking with Miss Mirian a few minutes ago."

She approached him with soundless steps, but she kept her gaze firmly fixed to the side, toward the bushes, as if trying to hide the evident embarrassment she felt upon seeing Ryan completely bare from the torso up.

Exposing the imposing musculature defined by his brutal combat stats.

"Why are you here so early?" Ryan asked, turning around to look at her.

"I was working on gathering the data you asked for yesterday," the beastwoman explained, maintaining her formal posture despite the slight blush on her cheeks.

"And since I heard from the administrative district that you got up and went out to the patio, I came immediately to see if you needed anything, Your Majesty."

’She heard me get up from all the way over there?’ Ryan thought, evaluating the massive distance between his residence and the offices.

’Well, I suppose the hearing senses of beastmen of her class are far better and much sharper than those of ordinary humans.’

Ryan closed the distance, stepped closer to her, and raised his hand. With a gentle and carefree gesture, he brushed a strand of silver hair away from her face that was being tossed around by the cool morning breeze of the village.

"Y-Your Majesty..." Alicia stuttered, losing her professional facade for a second upon feeling the warmth of Ryan’s fingers brush against her skin.

"You haven’t slept at all, huh," Ryan said in an analytical tone, noticing the slight exhaustion in her features.

"It’s not necessary for you to push yourself so hard, you need to rest."

"Absolutely not, Your Majesty, I am not pushing myself hard at all," she responded quickly, straightening her back with pride.

"I already have all the information you asked for ready. The detailed geographical maps, and the records regarding the heroes. I even took the initiative to include information about the Demon Kings and their known generals."

’She is incredibly efficient.’ Ryan thought, feeling a profound sense of satisfaction.

’Even though I only asked her for a few specific things, she didn’t hesitate to take advantage of the night to give me much more than she was ordered to. It is excellent that she is proactive like this. Irina did very well in recommending her as my assistant.’

"Well done," Ryan praised her directly. "Later on, I want you to give me that report. After I meet up with Ophelia on the outside, I want you to come to my private study so we can analyze it together."

"Yes, Your Majesty, as you command."

"What are you two doing here standing so close together?" Helen asked as she stepped out the door.

She still seemed to have quite a bit of sleep in her eyes, rubbing them with the back of her hand, but she was already fully geared up in her light armor and her sword at her waist.

Irina walked right by her side, showing off her impeccable suit and offering a morning bow.

Mirian came out a moment later, bringing Ryan’s dark clothes in her arms, since he was still wearing nothing but his pants.

She walked over and handed them to him without saying a word, although she shot a quick, evaluating glance at the silver-haired assistant.

Ryan took the clothes and put on his shirt and his distinctive black trench coat right there in the garden, adjusting the collar and sleeves with methodical movements.

It was already time to leave. Ryan turned toward Alicia to give her his final instructions before departing for the surface.

"Alicia, stay in the village. I want you to inform the elven and beastmen elders of everything we have done so far and what we are working on," Ryan ordered.

"But completely omit any information regarding our business with the Demon Kings. I will take charge of discussing such a delicate topic directly with them later."

Then Ryan prepared himself to leave with Helen and Mirian.

But Irina took a step forward and asked them for permission to tag along. She argued that, due to Kenia’s intense tutoring, who had been teaching her many new things about her lineage.

She had barely had the time or the opportunity to be alongside the main group and serve her king properly.

Ryan evaluated the request and nodded, accepting that the young elf join the escort.

They exited through the great glowing portal of the village, being instantly transported to the gloomy boss room. Thus, they arrived directly at the one hundredth floor of the sky dungeon.

They waited for several hours inside the lair on the hundredth floor, but Demon Queen Ophelia simply did not show up. The robe’s portal gave absolutely no sign of magical activity.

So, since nothing was happening and boredom began to wear down the group’s patience, Helen took the dark robe that contained the runic anchor for the portal so that Ophelia could come to them, and put it on.

"There is no point in continuing to sit here wasting time," Ryan dictated, standing up.

They decided to leave the lair and begin walking in a descending direction until they reached the first floor of the dungeon.

Whether it was to stretch their numb muscles after being inactive while they waited.

And also, with the objective of exploring the structure and personally making sure that there were no intruders or adventurers prowling around the first levels of their dungeon.

...

Author’s Note: In the comments, I’ve posted the interactive map of the important locations visited so far. Take a look at it—I’ve left it in several Chapters so everyone can see it.