Dragged Into Another World Because of My Otaku Friend-Chapter 153: Shelter

We chatted a little and told them what happened before we arrived here.

"Alright, enough talking. We need to keep moving," Beltimore said as he adjusted his glasses.

"I still have a lot to say to you, Beltimore. But it can wait." William’s voice was serious. He then turned to the rest of the party. "Everyone, let’s move."

All of us started walking deeper into the town’s residential area.

"Did something happen between those two?" I whispered to Evelyn as we walked. Bob leaned in, making sure not to miss a word.

"They had a bit of a scuffle," Evelyn replied softly. "But it’s nothing serious... hopefully."

"Did we miss something interesting?" Bob asked, eyes flicking toward William and Beltimore. He really loved gossip.

"Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business," Maya scolded him from behind.

Bob instantly looked forward.

"Lioness," he mumbled under his breath.

"You better not let her hear you call her that," I told Bob.

"So the bandit group already left, huh? I was hoping for a good fight with them," Lee said, sounding disappointed.

"You really think you could take them on? You’d just be a child’s plaything for them. Be grateful they’re gone," Bob replied with a smirk.

"What did you just say?" Lee snapped, stepping toward Bob, but Mark held him back while Linus restrained Bob.

"We’re in the same party. Don’t waste energy fighting each other," William said firmly.

Bob and Lee glared at one another before turning their heads away.

I sighed. How could we hope to work together in the upcoming tournament when our chemistry was still this bad?

After several minutes of walking, we finally reached another large hall, much like the shelter in the north district.

"I hope Michael is here," Evelyn whispered, her voice heavy with worry. Bob and I had already told her about Yui’s brother living in this area.

The hall was overflowing with people, many gathered outside because there was no space left inside. Some were bandaged and injured, while in one corner, dozens of motionless bodies lay beneath sheets.

Families wept beside their loved ones, people who, just yesterday, had been alive and laughing together with them.

The sight of so much death filled me with a mix of anger and sorrow. What did they do to deserve this? I clenched my fists and grit my teeth.

Me, Bob, Linus, Maya, and Evelyn walked toward the hall while the others waited outside. We’d already told Beltimore we needed to find someone. At first, he rejected the idea since it deviated from the initial objective, but William gave us the green light.

As we entered the hall, a familiar figure caught my eyes.

"Sir Llyod?" I called.

Llyod turned his head at the sound of his name. "You! So the three of you are still alive. I’m truly grateful."

"If you’re here, then that vulgar woman must be here too," Bob muttered, putting extra stress on the word vulgar. He still couldn’t let go of the words Githa had thrown at us. Bob was the type who never forgot a grudge.

"The princess must be here as well," Linus teased, giving my arm a playful nudge.

"Forget it. I never said I liked her," I shot back quickly.

"Liked?" Maya caught the slip and immediately perked up, exchanging glances with Evelyn.

"Did Alan have a crush?Tell me. Tell me." Evelyn asked, clearly entertained.

"Yeah, he wants to become royalty and marry the princess," Bob said nonchalantly.

Bob and his damn mouth. One day, I swear I’ll find a Carolina Reaper chili and shove it straight in there.

"Is that so? Then good for you," Maya said, pretending not to care.

"No, no. It’s not like that." I tried to clear the misunderstanding. There was a reason I didn’t want this gossip to spread any further.

I definitely didn’t want Prince Reymond to hear about it. Judging from his reaction when I once mentioned his sister, he was the overprotective type, I was really sure, no doubt about it.

The last thing I wanted was to be chased around by someone who was probably as strong as Linus, maybe even stronger than both me and Bob combined in term of raw strength.

As I tried to kill the gossip once and for all, suddenly someone called my name.

"Alan! You are here." A soft, feminine voice came from behind me.

I slapped my forehead. This was the worst possible situation.

"Bob and Linus are here too." Princess Reika smiled warmly as she saw us.

"Err... yes, Princess. It is nice to meet you again." I bowed my head, and the others quickly followed suit.

"I am glad all of you are safe." Reika clapped her hands, her radiant smile shining even brighter. Looking at her expression, how could anyone not fall for her?

Beside her, Githa wore her usual frown, as if our survival was somehow a disappointment to her.

After that, we had a short conversation before Bob told the princess that we were looking for a boy named Michael. Reika immediately ordered her guards to search the shelter for anyone with that name. After we thanked her, she departed, escorted by Githa, as they headed toward the base of operations to meet Princess Reid, who was waiting there.

People around us waved their goodbyes as the courier carrying the princess moved away.

"Since when were you guys close to royalty?" Evelyn asked once the princess’s group was gone. She looked genuinely impressed that we somehow had connections with nobility. Royalty, at that.

"Something happened on our way here," I said, not feeling the need to explain everything.

"Did anyone want to meet Michael?" A woman suddenly approached us. Beside her stood a boy with brown hair, a bit of chocolate smeared on his mouth. He looked frightened, clinging tightly to the woman’s skirt.

"Is your sister’s name Yui?" I asked.

The boy nodded slowly.

"Michael!" Bob rushed forward and wrapped Michael in a big hug, tears of relief in his voice. He was grateful beyond words that Michael was still alive.

Michael squirmed, trying to escape from Bob’s grip.

"Aunty, who is this fat uncle?" he asked, looking up at the woman.

"F-fat?" Bob froze and speechless.

Pfff.

Linus and I struggled to hold back our laughter.