Reigner spent some time reassuring Paula that she will be fine. He couldn't really see through her worries, and each of his words had confirmed her initial thoughts - Reigner is going to leave soon. It was the first time for Reigner to also be in such kind of relationship.
He had a few relationships in his high school days. Of course. those relationships were thrilling and enjoyable, but more like love, it was more like an attraction towards one's appearance or part of the personality.
In his school life, Reigner had surrounded himself with good friends that were sociable. He himself stood out and was friendly and close with pretty much everyone. The classmates' ladies were pulled by his cheerfulness and it was enough.
Though Reigner became closer with a few of them, he had never ended up going all the way when it comes to body contact. It was enough to give him confidence though, so when it comes to hugging and staying close, Reigner wouldn't back off unless immense shyness somehow got poured onto him.
Even though he is still a virgin!
His relationships were fleeting one, built upon nothing more than a simple attraction. So nineteen years old Reigner had never been in a relationship where the lady had responsibilities weighing her heart.
Of course, Reigner had only one responsibility which was school. The same applied to his girlfriends, so this was the first time for Reigner to actually miss the lady's honest feelings. Even though he had some experience.
The question 'Why' couldn't really be answered appropriately then.
"Let's sleep. Tonight, I will lie within your sleeping bag."
"..."
Thinking that Paula is tired from the new knowledge and surging emotions, Reigner took princess into princess carry and both of them ended up in already a familiar position.
She was a treasure that soothed his pain.
The earthling swore to make her stronger!
-
"Border Simmila."
The Metal Perante Kingdom has two neighbors. Adding the world hope's new land, it is three. The border Simmila is one of the fronts when the occasional confrontations happen. At least, that's how it had been for a while.
The surrounding villages were tasked to provide enough supplies for the soldiers around the border. On their way, Reigner had encountered the poor villages carrying the bags with vegetables and fruits of their hard work.
There were also kids helping them.
It was rather a pitiful sight to look on. The adults had tattered clothes with the dirt covering them up from the top to bottom. Their coarse hands had mixed dirt and blood as they carried the bags... The kids fared better, but it was only appearance-wise.
There was no way for them to be strong enough to pull all the bags filled with supplies.
Amidst that, the grumbling also could be heard.
"It means we are close to the border... Anyway, you."
Reigner raised his voice at the end. His eyes were darting at the farmer from the village who was leading the party. Devoured by the exhaustion, the farmer barely could shift his head to the sight. Naturally, Reigner didn't miss that.
"Come and sit here. Bring all your stuff to our carriages."
He spoke to everyone. His troops had nodded with contentment, then helped the villagers who had tears flowing down their cheeks. There was a noble symbol of royalty and an unknown one on the carriage.
Why would such a person care about them?
However, Reigner and his troops are of common origins. They had yet to experience their status and even so, it's not that easy to forget one's origins unless strength drunk! The troops helped everyone, then even Reigner himself hopped off from the carriage with the princess on his back.
Just from that, at least six seats became available for the villagers.
It's not like they are fat, but the princess and the noble naturally have a lot of space around them.
"Thank you... Thank you so much, Noble..."
The horses growled then, and slowly rushed forth... A lot of adults and kids fell asleep within the carriages, but a few were looking at Reigner and Paula with big eyes... It was mostly the kids who finally saw someone nice to them.
"What's on your mind, little one?"
"Ah! No-nothing..."
A small girl fiddled with her fingers as she saw Reigner's black eyes pointing at her. The sight of her blisters didn't elude Reigner and he sighed. At least now, she could display innocence that probably couldn't be seen in a long while.
He gently smiled with the princess following his suit.
"Feel free to ask anything you want. Currently, I am just enjoying the small breeze and beauty on my back. Nothing can stop my ears."
"Umm."
When Reigner reassured, the small girl looked around. She saw adults sleeping soundly and her friends looking at her with bitten lips. It was obvious that the villagers were abused lately, but Reigner hoped to know more.
His smile widened, then the small girl spoke.
"Mister Noble... Could you... lower the demands of big general? Mommy always cries he asks for too much and we have nothing to eat..."
"Did that general say the reason as to why you have to bring out so much?"
"No... He just demanded without explanation! A lot of villages united to support each other, but it is too hard!"
A small girl already had welled up tears around her small eyes. She was on the verge of explosion from all the accumulated sadness... So small yet she had to see a lot of pain and anxiety within her parents' eyes.
Then, the small lady also had to work.
'Disgusting...'
Reigner muttered, then the memories of TV news flashed through his mind... He sighed as he remembered the similarities between this world and the earth! Of course, he himself was not the same as in these memories.
He had status... and a lot of disgusting flowing through him right now.
It is different to see through TV and see it with one's eyes!
"I will speak nicely with that general."
"Really?"
"So nicely he will send his people to bring back all the stuff you have gathered here."
The eyes of the small girl glittered with thousands of stars. She was flushed, and tears no longer could be stopped... She was just so relieved Reigner had to turn his eyes to not get influenced by her bright eyes.
He is not a hero or someone like that.
His goal... is to come back home.