The Regressed SSS-Rank Water Mage Wants To Live a Calm Life

Just before the masked legendary mercenary jumped, he gazed at the young blue-haired escort.

"We will definitely meet again, Lad."

The masked man turned away from Maxwell, and he jumped down from the rolling carriage, voice echoing in the distance as he landed:

"Woohoo!"

Maxwell shrugged.

’We definitely will.’

Olive rubbed her face, sighing as she muttered to herself:

"Oh, Mr. Ed..."

Frilo finally let out a soft huff, feeling at ease with the absence of Blank.

With the masked monster out of the way, Frilo grinned, merrily making its way to Olive’s hair, leaving behind faint trails of azure energy.

While Maxwell... he leaned in, interlocking his fingers.

Finally, he was alone with the young lass.

"So," Maxwell began, voice smooth. "About your friend. Can you tell me more about her?"

Olive’s eyes widened.

"Oh?"

A mischievous smile surfaced on her lips, one that suggested that she’d... probably misunderstood Maxwell.

"My friend is..."

***

The carriages finally arrived at Forina Inn and Lodgings.

It was a considerably large three-storey building, nestled in a not-so-secluded area of Rindell.

The building itself had a beautiful design, painted green, with a wooden sign at the front of the building that read: "Forina Inn and Lodgings!" While the sign of a mug floated beside the text.

Maxwell stretched as he got down from the carriage, and he gave Olive a hand, which the young lady took, gently walking down the carriage steps.

Frilo flew around her head gently. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The guards had already positioned their goods and luggage, moving them into the inn, so Maxwell and Olive did no other work.

The lady had mentioned the other day that her stay at this inn might be temporary, and she might move to the visitor’s lodge of the ball’s host after the ball and stay there for some time.

Walking into the building, the atmosphere around them shifted.

"Aha! It’s here, alright!" Olive beamed.

The scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the intoxicating scent of alcohol.

The wooden tables and chairs, the fanciful and adorned building, decorated with colorful robes along the ceiling.

It was the place her father always brought her when their family still stayed in the capital.

Before Maxwell, who walked in beside her, could say anything, an excited, shrilly voice echoed:

"Young Lady Olive!!"

Olive’s eyes widened.

"Miss Forina!"

A mature woman dressed in casual clothes and an apron ran out of a room in the inn, heading toward Olive with frightening speed.

Frilo, who’d been on Olive’s hair, departed immediately, landing on Max’s shoulder.

The two hugged immediately as they met. And the woman, Forina, raised Olive with her hug, rotating with her.

Maxwell stood, smiling as he watched them.

’A joyous reunion, huh.’

As their rotating hug finally stopped, the woman, with a wide, warm smile, held Olive’s face with both hands, almost squeezing her cheek.

"Olive! Look at you! All grown up and beautiful!"

She raised Olive’s jaw, kissed her cheeks and ruffled her hair.

"When your father bragged about you in his letters, I thought it was just Lorenzo being Lorenzo. Ah, my beautiful kiddie, how’ve you been?"

Olive, trying to remove the woman’s hand from her cheek, said:

"Miss Forina! I’ve been fine, really. Ludia is treating us well."

"As it should! You’re all grown up, eh? When was the last time I saw you? Four, five years?"

"Six years."

"Six years!"

Finally, Forina released Olive.

"Oh my, what am I doing? Come, come," Forina gestured. "Come tell me everything that you’ve been up to in Ludia. I’ll prepare food for you while you speak."

The woman began to walk to an inner room, and Olive followed behind her.

"Why’s the bar empty?"

"Oh, it’s a bit quiet today. But it’ll be bustling at nighttime, best believe it."

Olive then turned to Maxwell, and she gave him a small wave and an awkward smile as Forina dragged her away.

Forina seemed to notice this; she asked:

"Who’s that?"

"The mercenary father commissioned to escort me."

"Oh, a mercenary? I thought he was your partner. He’s a handsome young man. Say, do you have a partner, Olive?"

"Forina!"

"Hahaha!" Forina looked at Maxwell, "welcome young man! Enjoy your stay!"

The woman winked before entering a room with Olive.

Maxwell stood there, blinking.

Then he chuckled.

"That woman is quite something."

Frilo, standing on his shoulder, nodded.

Maxwell then spotted some guards dragging luggage up the stairs, and he followed one.

"Let’s go see our room."

As he got upstairs, he asked one guard for his own room, and the young man pointed at a room with a closed door, with Maxwell’s luggage standing in front of the door.

Maxwell nodded, walking toward the room.

The key was in the keyhole, and the door was open. So he picked up his luggage, opened the door, and walked in.

"Not bad."

The place was just like his room in the shared mercenary accommodation. Except it wasn’t a wooden house. It was built with blocks.

He walked toward a door in his room and opened it.

A bathroom.

Nice. There was even a bathroom here.

After keeping Frilo to rest on his bed and arranging his belongings, Maxwell immediately headed into the bathroom for a shower.

Now that he was in Rindell, there were a couple of things he had in mind.

Olive had the Coisur to go to. Although Maxwell doubted she’d be able to now that Forina had her in a lock hold.

Maxwell had heard about Olive’s friend from her before they got here.

As he showered, he thought about it.

The way she talked about her, described her without naming her, spoke about her family, her siblings, her father...

Maxwell was damn sure it was Rita.

A ball at this time. He couldn’t remember. Rita herself never told him about such, but...

He would confirm it the moment he was done freshening up and eating.

Maxwell let out a sigh, stepping out of the bathroom.

He gazed at the window, surveying the warm golden glow of the evening.

"I’m going to inspect the Silvester Estate."