This morning, I went to tell Aerin to prepare for our midnight departure—not a getaway, but our journey to the Labyrinth City. We’d meet at Landton City’s East Gate under cover of darkness.
Since we were leaving the city, I spent the day saying goodbye to everyone I knew. I’d planned to give some coins to Pelina for the slums, but no one ever answered his door.
By the time the moon hung high, I was already clad in thief gear, slipping through Landton’s shadows.
Tia’s house loomed ahead. I activated my [Invisibility] skill immediately. That old man Buster was surely lurking in some bush nearby—I had to be careful.
I crossed the garden, leaping from the first-floor balcony to Tia’s window.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
I tapped on her glass.
“Who’s there?!” Tia’s voice rang out, sharp with alert.
“It’s me~~ Tong~~” I whispered back.
“Huh?? You?!” Her guard visibly dropped once she recognized my voice.
“Let me in first.”
“Oh~~~” She hurriedly slid the window open.
The moment I stepped inside, I deactivated [Invisibility].
“You can sneak past Buster’s watch at this hour… So you’re the underwear thief all along?!” Tia stood before me, wrapped in a towel.
“I’m not an underwear thief!!! What would I even do with your underwear?!” I protested instantly—this misunderstanding had to stop.
“If it’s you… I’d just give them to you anyway.” She blushed, lowering her head.
“No… no… I have zero interest in your underwear!!” If this kept up, even reliable Tia would think I was a creep.
“Then… why are you here, husband??” She peered at me, puzzled.
“I came to ask about that marriage pact with the Empire!”
“My parents must’ve told you. They’re offering me in marriage to strengthen ties with the Empire.” Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke.
“What nonsense! If marriage solved everything, why fight wars at all?”
“You really think that too, husband?!” Her mood lifted slightly at my words.
“Any sane person would. Even if she’s not your daughter, marrying off your niece to the enemy is unforgivable.”
“But what can we do now?? Uncle and the King have already agreed.” Her face darkened again.
“No worries. Remember our plan? We’re heading to the Labyrinth City—right now.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the window.
“W-wait!! Now?! I’m not even dressed!! And what about the Empire’s marriage pact??” Tia stared at me, bewildered.
“Forget the Empire’s pact. Being with the one you love matters most.” I smiled at her.
“D-d-d-d-does this mean… we’re eloping?!” Crimson flooded her face.
“Pfft!!!” I’d said the wrong thing again.
“Well, if husband insists… I’ll pack right away!” Tia spun toward her dresser, flustered but determined.
Minutes later, she stood before me at the door—a small bundle on her back, my Magic Staff in hand.
“Let’s go, husband!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Wrong way!” I swept her into a princess carry and leaped out the window.
Even with her weight, my high-level stats kept my speed unbroken. I raced toward Landton’s East Gate, Tia cradled in my arms.
*Odd… I forgot to reactivate [Invisibility]. Why hasn’t Buster chased us?*
“Tong~~ Over here~~~~” Aerin waved wildly beyond the city walls.
“Yo~~ Let’s roll~~” I jogged over.
“Okay~~~” She nodded. I set Tia down and took the lead.
“Is this… what love feels like?” Tia murmured, cheeks flushed.
“Huh? What’d you say?” I glanced back.
“N-nothing!” She ducked her head.
A scraping sound suddenly echoed behind us. I whirled around.
“What… are you doing?” I deadpanned. Aerin was dragging a luggage bundle three times her size, sweating buckets.
“Heading to the Labyrinth City, of course~!” she panted.
“Are you kidding?! This isn’t a house move! How did you even get here?!”
“Worried about my luggage? Don’t be~! Everything’s essential!” She patted the giant sack, grinning reassuringly.
“Essential?! What’s with this stuffed bear bigger than you?!”
“My sleep buddy!!”
“And why so many Silver Sinew Mushrooms?!”
“Emergency healing if potions run out!”
“What about these pots?!?!”
“This is a wok, this is a deep-fry pan, and this steamer—”
“One pot does all that!!!!”
“Hmph~! You clearly know nothing about cooking precision!” She beamed with misplaced pride.
“Stop looking so proud!!!”
“Huh? What’s this?!” I pulled a bear-patterned triangle from her bag.
“PERVERT!!!!~~~!!!!” Aerin kicked me flying.
“Anyway—everything non-essential goes into my magic storage.” I rubbed a fresh bump on my head. I stashed Aerin’s useless clutter in my inventory slots, silently thanking this convenient space magic.
“Handy having a big ‘storage butt’, huh?” Aerin grumbled.
“Who has a big butt?! It’s spatial magic!”
“So you magically enlarge your butt to store things??” Tia asked earnestly, notebook already out.
“Don’t believe her!!!!”
“Stay calm, husband. I’m just researching academically.” She scribbled furiously.
*OTL*
---
As the lord’s daughter, Tia’s family would likely send pursuers. To avoid trouble, we took backroads off the national highway.
“How long until we reach the Labyrinth City walking like this?” I turned to them.
“About a month on foot,” Tia wiped her brow.
“A MONTH?!” I sputtered.
“Why so long?!” Aerin whined.
“Shouldn’t we prepare a carriage for long trips?” Tia frowned at me.
“I told Aerin to get ready. I assumed she’d handle it.”
“I thought it’d take three or four days!” Aerin sounded utterly unrepentant.
“Is this a picnic?!” Her luggage screamed “day trip.”
“What if we backtrack to the highway? Maybe hitch a ride?” Tia suggested.
“I’m in!” Aerin shot her hand up.
“You agree to what?! What if pursuers catch us?” I shot back.
“With husband here, pursuers are nothing!” Tia gazed at me with absolute trust.
“Well… true, but…” What if I accidentally killed her own guards?
“Decision made! Highway it is!” Aerin pivoted 45 degrees toward the road.
