"Hey! Did you saw what happened last night?"
"It was peaceful, but not sure what happened; the weather suddenly got dark and was like a storm was approaching…"
"The night actually changed into day time for a few seconds."
"But the one who caused this…"
"…I heard from my neighbor, that a knight was so scared when he saw the face of the one who caused all of that…"
Gossips were around the town. Everyone was talking about the mysterious person who caused the last night's commotion. And so was in the Archduke's mansion; where inside Kai's room, he was reading the newspaper.
"He had pale white face, with a large, distorted red smile. With a red swollen nose and messed up hair. It was so creepy, even a monster would fear him. There's no doubt to say it; but he's for sure the one who caused chaos the night before…"
Kai's hands were trembling as he held the newspaper; until he finally wasn't able to hold of his anger and tear apart the paper, revealing his Icey-cold eyes. He was complaining about how the people were disrespecting the joker's face like that was absolutely wrong. He sat on his chair, thinking for a while as he turned back to his bed. But as he turned, right in front of his face was a figure with that same joker mask which he had used last night. Anyone else would have been scared to this surprise, but Kai just sighed as he sat up from the chair.
"Take it off, Ray,"
Kai said; as the figure pulled off the mask revealing to be Ray who was very interested in the mask. He kept looking it over again, saying how he was first a bit scared seeing the mask. But now when he sees it, it actually looks very cool and can't help but wear it. Kai just chuckled to this, as he said that Ray can keep it but not to wear it until everything is settled.
To response, Ray smiled as walked up to him by the window side; expressing that he knows they have more work to do right now. The two looked out of the window, where they saw Hiro sitting on the grass of their front garden. He still had his clothes on from yesterday, looking a bit tired and sleepy; while beside him Ainz stood with a cup of coffee for him. Hiro took the coffee cup from Ainz, but instead of drinking it; he poured it all over his head.
Seeing that, Ainz panicked and called maids working around to bring some cold water and fresh clothes for Hiro. And while they all panicked: from above, Ray had a worried look as he mumbled about how come Hiro turned like this in just one night. But as he turned to Kai, he saw Kai was smiling with an amused look.
"What's so funny?" Ray nudged him as he asked; but Kai just shook his head saying that he just remembered someone.
He turned back towards his wheelchair while Ray questioned from behind, asking if Kai will clarify the situation now. But Kai just gave an 'peace' sign, sitting down on his wheelchair with a confident smile. Ray just took a deep breathe, as he walked forward to him while asking about last night incident, about what happened after he went unconscious.
"Right, let's see…" Kai put on a thoughtful look, as he talked about how he carried both Ray and Diark on his shoulder; first putting back Diark to his place and then taking Ray back with him to the archduke mansion.
"I see,"
Ray nodded, as he walked behind to Kai's wheelchair; but paused, slowly processing his thoughts as he reached a conclusion.
"Wait, wait, wait! You're telling me, you took Diark to his place. So, you know where Diark lives!?"
Ray stared at Kai with his question, as Kai nodded casually but Ray didn't have it enough. He continued to ask since when did Kai knew and why didn't he tell Ray about it. But Kai had covered his ears, while Ray tried to take off his hands.
"Ok, listen. I know you got lots of questions, but don't worry. All the answers to your questions will be answered tonight."
Kai raised his hands in the air as to surrender himself; responding to Ray. Next, he pointed towards the door, asking Ray to take him to Sakura. But Ray replied back with a nonchalant expression, as he asked Kai about why doesn't he walk to her then; since he will have to reveal about himself anyway.
"Just do as I say,"
Kai responded with a serious tone as Ray had no other choice but to give in. Outside in the hallway, Ray wheeled Kai forward to Sakura's room. But on the way, he leaned forward to Kai's ear as he whispered, saying how the mansion seems very quiet today. Kai simply nodded to him, as Ray continued to wheel ahead; reaching to Sakura's room.
But before they could reach the door, the door opened from the inside as Sakura walked out with her puffed out and red eyes; clear indication that she was crying the whole night. The three noticed each other, as Ray froze up; not sure what to say. On the other hand, Sakura was surprised to how come Kai and Ray were in the mansion; but she quickly turned back to her room, closing the door and appearing back after a few minutes.
This time, she came out dressed properly; trying to cover her lack of sleep. Putting on her casual smile; she leaned forward to Kai asking how he was in the mansion, since she thought he would be in the palace. To response, Kai simply smiled as he reached out to take Sakura's hand. Holding her hand with his left arm, Kai raised his right arm as he snapped his finger.
Sakura was confused, but Ray got the cue and pushed Kai's wheel ahead as he asked Sakura to just follow Kai for now. Sakura still tried to ask about what Kai was doing, but he didn't respond back as Sakura had no choice but to follow him.
The three then slowly reached outside the mansion, where Hiro noticed the door opening and seeing Kai coming out, holding Sakura's hand. And behind them was Ray who was pushing Kai's wheel.
Hiro was surprised, to how Kai and Ray were here in the mansion. But for him, his main focus was Sakura as he sat up and walked to Sakura; calling her name. But Sakura turned her gazes away from him, with a slight tear forming in her eyes again. Hiro's voice died down, as he stood in his place unable to say any word. But Kai and Ray came right in front of him, with Sakura who reluctantly followed Kai.
Ray then slowly stepped to the side, as he thought that it's finally time for Hiro and Sakura to be surprised like how he was. He looked at Kai, wondering how he will begin. But then, in front of him; Kai searched his pocket and pulled out an arrow locket pendant. Hiro, Sakura and Ray looked at him while wondering what he's doing; as Kai put it on. Taking on deep breath, as he opened his mouth and spoke.
"A-hem!"
Hearing his voice, Hiro and Sakura were frozen; while Ray on the side was surprised, thinking that Kai actually let out his voice in front of everyone. As Hiro and Sakura's gazes landed on Kai, he opened his mouth to speak again.
"So-"
But before he could even start, it was already over. As Sakura hugged him tightly from the side; with tears forming in her eyes while she looked over him. Asking him that if he really spoke just now. Similarly, Hiro kneeled in front of him, while holding onto Kai's wheelchair as he asked if it was really Kai's voice just now.
It was overwhelming, but Kai could feel how much the two cared for him as he took a long breath and said that it was him just now who spoke up. Hiro and Sakura were overjoyed, asking Kai how it happened. Until Hiro's eyes landed on the necklace, as he asked if it was due to that necklace which Kai wore just now.
"That's right," Kai nodded as he held up the necklace and said that he was working on the necklace with Ray; which would bring out his voice through magic and be audible to all.
To this, the two looked at Ray who appeared complicated on the outside, but inside was sneering to himself; saying he knew that Kai would make up another lie.
Quickly plastering a smile on his face, Ray added;
"Exactly as he said. He wanted to surprise the two of you!"
He walked forward, placing a hand on Kai's shoulder;
"He wanted to show it in front of everyone, but then suddenly something happened with the two of you. So, he had no choice but to do this."
Ray was showing remorse with a sad tone, but in secret; he was talking to Kai with the earpiece.
"I'm getting good at acting, right?"
Ray asked, while Kai's voice responded back.
"Isn't it all because of me?"
The two were laughing mischievously through the earpiece, while keeping up normal appearance on the outside. Sakura and Hiro cling to Kai with tears of joy, holding tightly onto him. But then, Kai placed his hand on Sakura's and Hiro's hand, as he looked at the two and said that there is one more thing they need to clarify.
To which, Sakura and Hiro looked at him. But Kai said with a slightly worried tone; if the two will get mad at him. Looking at his worried face, Sakura caressed Kai's cheek; saying she can never get angry at Kai; which brought a smile on his face.
Hiro smiled looking at the two, as he carefully asked in a soft tone.
"Tell us, Kai. What's the other thing?"
Kai looked at him, as he let out a sigh and snapped his finger. In a split second, right in front of him appeared his figure; standing tall with greyish hair and blue eyes.
To the appearance, everyone was surprised; including Ray. But then Sakura's mind began to ran, as she remembered seeing the same figure yesterday.
"Wait, I saw him yesterday in the market place. But how come…"
She had lots of questions, as Kai spoke up.
"It was all a misunderstanding." He began, as Sakura and Hiro looked back at him. Kai then slowly began his lie; saying he was practicing a new magic to create a clone or decoy of himself. And he succeeded in it too. But then he wanted to test it in public place, so he randomly choose a location and made his clone take form in a busy street. Whatever the clone saw, he could see as well. And the movements of the clone were being controlled by his mind as well.
As he further explained, Hiro and Sakura began to understood what actually happened. But Ray was the only one that knew everything was a lie. He covered his mouth, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. But meanwhile, underneath he was trying to hold his laughter.
"None of his words can be trusted," Ray thought as Kai finished his explanation.
"So… It was all a misunderstanding?" Sakura asked; while looking at Hiro with a guilty look. Kai simply nodded to this, as Hiro gave a thoughtful look to Kai and patted his head.
"And to clear this misunderstanding, you came with Ray to the mansion right in the morning." Hiro continued to ruffle his hair, as he looked over Sakura too. Giving a bright smile to Sakura, who was in a few tears of joy; the two quickly embraced Kai. The two praised Kai for his skills with magic; while suggesting him to be carefully while doing such experiments in the future which might cause some misunderstandings.
Everything seemed to settle down, while Sakura apologized to Hiro. But without caring of the mood around, Hiro began to flirt with Sakura; saying how the night felt lonely without her right in front of Kai and Ray. Everyone was laughing to it, when Ainz walked up to them; saying he's happy to see things being settled with the two. He too was slightly surprised to hear Kai talk, but after hearing the fake reason; he quickly took it in saying that since Kai is Hiro and Sakura's son after all. It was natural for him to do something extra ordinary like that.
But then, Ainz remembered why he came as he pulled out a letter from his pocket.
"A letter just arrived from his Majesty," Ainz described, as Hiro took the letter and began to read it. While he was reading the content; Sakura was busy talking to Kai as she always wished to talk with him. And just then, a young man's voice came to them all calling out to Kai as 'young lord', as they turned and saw the young gardener running up to them along with a maid.
The two were holding hands; beaming with smiles, as the two came in front of Kai and slowly bowed to him. Saying their thanks to him.
Sakura then asked what they were thanking Kai for, as the gardener replied.
"You see, duchess. One day, young master was looking around the garden when he saw me with a gloomy expression. He came to me and asked if I was having some trouble and…"
The man looked towards the maid with a blush; as the maid too looked at him and smiled. Turning to Sakura; the maid spoke next.
"Actually, the thing is that we both liked each other for a long time. But we both were shy; until the young master came to our help and we were able to confess to each other."
The two intertwined their hands, as a happy smile played on both their faces. Sakura was as if on cloud nine, while Ray nodded to them; saying that Kai surely had brains for setting up couples together.
"I just gave a little push, that's all." Kai responded, as the young man and maid were stunned; asking if it was really him who spoke just now.
With Ray's explanation, the two were happy for Kai. Along with Sakura who expressed that Kai is both a genius and a matchmaker.
But just then, she noticed the look of complication on Hiro's face. And after asking, he said that they were actually given a land to run a shop or café of their own if they want by Maximus. The land was the one of the of the café where Kai and Ray; with Diark countered the demonoids.
And according to the letter, since it was a free property after the investigation by the knights; Maximus himself signed to give this property of land to them for whatever use they want.
"What am I supposed to do with a shop, Max…"
Hiro questioned to himself, while unaware to everyone; Kai and Ray exchanged a celebratory fist bump to show their shared accomplishment. But right in front of them; Sakura had a spark of idea in her mind. She looked at the couple pair to her side; then at Kai.
Hiro kept running his mind; when Sakura suddenly snatched the letter from his hand and declared with a bright smile.
"We are opening a matchmaking agency!"
Everyone was surprised at her words; with the couple slowly exchanging a happy look to each other. Sakura then came up to Kai, holding his hand as she said.
"And Kai will be the matchmaker of our agency!"
"WHAT!?"
Kai exclaimed, but it was too late. Sakura took control of Kai's wheel, pulling Hiro alongside as she said that the three of them are going to check the site right now. And being unable to give any opinion, Hiro and Kai were dragged by Sakura to the carriage. While Ray was left behind wondering what he should do now; until he too slowly levitated in the air to follow them as well.
At the same time, at the entrance of the palace. The palace butler stood with Ornalf and the imperial knights; as a carriage stopped by. And coming out of it was the first prince of the Isolde kingdom of Frost Guard empire. Along with him came the grand duke of the Frost Guard empire.
"We finally reached the empire."
-To be Continued