The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

The next day... Raye, Zephyrus, and Pyro woke up early to prepare. They went back to the marketplace after eating breakfast in the inn.

They bought food, new clothes, and other stuff they would need for their journey back.

And after doing that, around 9 AM—

The three of them headed to the gate of the Alvah Dukedom to leave.

"It’s been long since I saw the others... But for them, not even a month has passed yet."

A smile rested on Raye’s face, he was excited to go back.

-I wonder how they are doing.

-I wanna see mama! Meep!

Zephyrus and Pyro followed. Raye’s face twitched at what Pyro said, but he just ignored it.

Before, he could just understand what Pyro wanted to convey and what he was feeling, but now that he can talk—Pyro can fully say what’s on his mind.

’I thought that he liked Jerusha because of her talent in spirit magic... I didn’t know he thinks of her as his mother.’

Raye’s face reddened a bit as he thought of that.

Then, just as they were about to walk past the gate...

"Hm?"

He noticed the two soldiers guarding the place looking at him.

’Ugh... Looks like they’re here for me.’

The two soldiers were really staring hard at him. Raye started to wonder if Lucian thought he was lying about yesterday and ordered his capture.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, and as they walked closer to the gate—Raye prepared to fight in the worst-case scenario.

’I won’t get caught here, I’m coming back to where the others are.’

He declared in his head with a serious look on his face.

-...

-...

He signaled the situation to Pyro and Zephyrus too, telepathically, and the two of them were all ready to go too.

Then, when they arrived at the gate, just as Raye expected—

"Stop... You’re young master Raye, right? You’ve changed a lot."

The guards stopped and approached him.

Raye clenched his hands into fists before answering.

"What do you two want?"

He glared at the two soldiers.

The soldiers then looked at each other for a brief moment, they nodded their heads.

And when they looked back at Raye—

’Get ready, Zephyrus, Pyro!’

He exclaimed that in his head, ready to throw a punch!

"The patriarch wants to give this to you. He said that we should wait here and approach someone with white hair that has two spirits with him."

But then, contrary to what he expected—the soldiers handed him a fancy-looking red box instead of attacking.

"Huh?"

Raye tilted his head in confusion. Zephyrus and Pyro did the same.

"What?"

He asked, dumbfounded. Then opening his mouth again—

"The patriarch wants you to take this. The master said you’ll probably be on your journey back and ordered us to wait for you here and give this to you."

One of the soldiers repeated.

Raye took the box being handed to him, speechless. He was curious about what was inside.

"Also... He has a message for you."

The other guard added.

"...?"

Raye looked at them, and before he could even say anything—

"I confirmed your words. I’ll be taking care of them. It’ll take a while—but I’ll make it happen."

The guard started relaying the message. Raye remained silent.

And after a short pause...

"Thank you... Come visit again whenever. We’ll treat you as a special guest of the family because of the help you provided."

"I’m now revoking the punishment given to you to never set foot here again."

They finished with that.

"That’s the patriarch’s message, word for word."

The soldier who relayed the message said.

And after hearing that...

"..."

Raye became quiet.

A complicated expression appeared on his face, his head became a mess. He didn’t know how to respond.

But after a while... His head cleared up a little.

A small smile appeared on his face.

Then, opening his mouth again—

"Tell the patriarch to keep the territory peaceful and beautiful—I want to show it to my friends."

Raye declared that.

*****

After giving his message to the soldiers...

Raye left the dukedom with Zephyrus and Pyro. He stored the red box in his spatial storage without checking its contents.

-Hmm... I don’t know if you have a good relationship with your father or not.

Zephyrus mumbled, confused. The three of them were currently accompanying a merchant.

Their destination is the same, after all—The Zion Academy.

-meep... Is he a bad person...?

Pyro then asked Raye, referring to Lucian.

"..."

Raye sat on the floor of the carriage they were in and rested his back against the wooden wall. He remained silent for a while, thinking.

"Hmm, he’s a good leader and a decent human. And my relationship with him... I think it’s just neutral."

Then he muttered that. He meant every word he just said.

-You guys are weird... I guess you’re really blood related, huh.

Zephyrus said with a shrug.

Raye let out a small laugh at that.

"You think so?"

He asked, but he wasn’t really waiting for a response.

Then, as they were about to continue their conversation...

The three of them felt presences coming in their direction very fast.

"It’s bandits."

Raye concluded as he sat. He looked at the two who were in front of him, looking up at him.

"You two handle it."

He instructed with an awkward smile, he was feeling lazy.

And the two—

-Hmm, sure.

-meep! okiks!

Well, they followed without complaint.

S W O O S H—

Zephyrus and Pyro flew out of the carriage—Raye remained inside, then while resting... He closed his eyes and relaxed his whole body.

He wasn’t nervous at all even after knowing attackers were getting near.

’Those two can handle it, the ones coming are just a bunch of weaklings.’

Raye thought to himself.

...

...

...

Zephyrus and Pyro quickly defeated the bandits even before they could cause a problem. There were about twenty of them.

Even one of Zephyrus or Pyro could’ve done the job, really.

The merchant was really grateful when they did that.

This kind of situation happened a few more times during the travel. The two always took care of it... The other escorts couldn’t believe it.

Raye didn’t do a single bit of fighting either.

And just like that—

"We’re here."

-meep! yey!

-Oof, I’m sleepy...

Raye, Zephyrus, and Pyro arrived at Zion Academy after 6 days of traveling.