The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 214 Surveillance and Secret Meeting

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

Arios and his party were heading towards the lair of monsters located near the capital city.

The monsters had made their base in an abandoned village in the mountains and were causing harm to passersby.

Their objective was to exterminate these monsters.

Normally, Arios had no intention of dealing with monsters. He believed he should only face foes of at least demon race level or above. The Four Heavenly Kings were his main concern, and he couldn't bother with small fry. Let the adventurers handle them.

As for any potential harm to the people during this time? He didn't care.

He used to think like that and would usually ignore such matters, but this time, the situation was different.

"Come on, Lord Arios. We're almost at our destination. Let's keep going," said a woman clad in knight armor, smiling as she addressed Arios.

Her golden hair was cut shoulder-length, and even with the armor on, her well-defined figure was evident. Walking through the city, she would catch the eye of anyone with her stunning beauty. Her name was Monica Éclair, a member of the King's personal guards.

Why was the royal guard accompanying Arios on this mission? The answer was surveillance.

Arios' recent actions had been too much. His reckless behavior not only went beyond what was acceptable, but it also endangered the people.

However, they couldn't just lock up a hero like Arios, and there was no immediate way to correct his behavior.

So the King decided to keep him under surveillance. With constant supervision right by his side, reporting his every move, surely he wouldn't make foolish decisions.

That's why the King sent Monica to be by Arios' side.

At first, Arios resisted accepting Monica and tried to send her away, but it was a royal decree. He couldn't defy the King's order, so reluctantly, he accepted her presence.

And now, to demonstrate to Monica that he was acting like a proper hero, Arios had taken on the monster extermination task that he would normally have ignored.

"Damn it," Arios muttered under his breath, just quiet enough that Monica couldn't hear.

Why did he have to do this? Why did he have to be watched?

He brought this upon himself, but Arios couldn't realize that. Instead, he continued to curse silently in his mind.

Meanwhile, Aggus, Lin, and Mina were chatting amiably with Monica.

"I see, I get your perspective. You really look far ahead, Monica," said Aggus.

"Oh no, I'm still far from being that skilled. Among the royal guards, there are much more remarkable individuals. Also, Aggus, please, you can call me Monica. Being addressed with honorifics makes me feel ticklish," Monica replied.

"Understood. In that case, I'll call you Monica," Aggus agreed.

"Hey, Monica," Lin chimed in.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Hmm..."

Lin gazed intently at Monica.

"You have such beautiful skin."

"Oh, really?"

"What's your skincare routine? Can you tell us? Right, Mina? Aren't you curious too?"

"Oh, no. I don't really..."

"Come on, Mina's curious too. Tell us!"

"Haha... Well, even if you ask me, I don't do anything special..."

"What!? Seriously!? You're naturally like that!?"

"Yes."

"Wow... I'm losing confidence... Don't you think so too, Mina? Monica is just unfair!"

"No. I'm not particularly interested..."

"Wait a minute? Could it be related to your daily life? Hey, Monica..."

...And so on.

Except for Arios, the rest of the party had accepted Monica's presence relatively easily.

Of course, the fact that it was a royal decree played a part in that...

But more than that, Monica's friendly and earnest personality endeared her to them.

Arios' reckless behavior had been causing the party to fall apart...

But then Monica, acting as a mediator, was inserted into the group.

Thanks to her presence, the party's harmony was maintained, and smiles increased.

...However, this applied only to everyone except Arios.

"...Tch."

Arios watched his comrades enjoying their conversation with displeasure.

Why were they getting along with someone dispatched to monitor them like that?

Were his companions all insane?

Arios seriously contemplated such thoughts.

"...Hehe."

"Wha...!?"

Suddenly, their eyes met.

Even though there should have been a considerable distance between them...

As if she noticed Arios' gaze, Monica turned around and met his eyes.

And then... she smiled.

To others, it would appear as a warm smile directed at her companions.

However, Arios made a different judgment.

How... cold can a smile be?

Monica's smile was as icy as it gets.

No, it wasn't even comparable to ice.

It conveyed something even more repulsive...

Something inhumane, a smile that didn't belong to a human.

"...What's up with that woman?"

Turning his gaze away from Monica, Arios continued walking.

...Before he knew it, his hands were sweating.

――――――――――

Arios and his party defeated the monsters smoothly.

They returned to the capital city and stayed at the accommodation provided by the country.

And... at night.

Everyone seemed to be asleep; it was a late hour.

From the inn where Arios and his party were staying, a figure appeared.

This person wore a robe, making it hard to discern their identity.

They moved furtively through back alleys, avoiding attention.

Eventually, the figure entered a certain building—an unused residence.

"Phew..."

Letting out a small sigh, the figure removed the robe.

Beneath it was Monica, with her golden hair.

Monica glanced around the empty building...

"I've kept you waiting."

"Hehe, you were quite slow."

A voice resounded from the darkness.

The night's darkness condensed, taking on a tangible form.

From the darkness emerged a demon.

Its eyes shone purple, emitting an eerie light in the darkness.

Demon wings and horns adorned its figure.

And a devilish tail.

With a smirk on its face, it laughed gleefully.

"What were you doing until this late hour? Perhaps enjoying yourself with the hero?"

"You jest, Lord Reez. Arios-sama and I do not have such a relationship."

"Oh, how dull. It would have been more interesting if that were the case."

"If Lord Reez desires it, I shall obey?"

"Well... I was just teasing. I'm not the kind of boss who forces you into that kind of situation."

"Then I shall observe and make my own judgment."

"Very well."

Despite the other party being a demon...

Monica, a member of the royal guard, kneeled down, bowing her head, showing respect, and speaking with deference.

If there were a third party witnessing this peculiar scene, they might be astonished.

However, for these two, it was completely normal.

For Monica, the one she truly serves is not the king, but the demon named Reez in front of her.

"Well then, let's hear the report."

"Yes."

"We want you to eliminate the nuisance, Rain Shroud, and also... to guide the human hero, Arios, in a direction favorable to us. Please let me know if these two tasks are proceeding well?"

TL Note- Now the plot begins and I hate to say this but Arios might be the right in this one.

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