He instead asked, "You look quite normal. Does that mean the other Superd are dangerous?"
"No. That is only a misunderstanding… At least, it is a misunderstanding in this era," For some reason, Ruijerd's expression became sad as he spoke.
As their peaceful conversation continued due to Ash's curiosity, he learned from Ruijerd that, they were currently in the northeastern region of the Demon Continent, while the Kingdom of Asura was located at the opposite diagonal end of the map.
The distance between them was… roughly like the distance from Beijing to Zambia in Africa.
After learning their location and chatting for a little while longer, Ash understood why Ruijerd had appeared here.
There was no special reason. He had simply been wandering around everywhere.
Because he seemed to be one of the few remaining members of the Superd tribe, he was also searching for his fellow tribesmen and was using his own methods to work hard to clear his people's bad reputation.
As for why the Superd had those strange bad reputations, Ash did not intend to ask further.
But after learning that whenever Ruijerd went to help people, those people would be frightened and troubled by his bad reputation, Ash thought about it for a moment… And, as a return for the information the other party had given him, suggested, "If you want to clear your bad reputation, just shave your head, then take some kind of headscarf and cover that ruby, hiding your racial features while helping people."
"Wouldn't that be…"
"Listen to me! Later, take off the headscarf and reveal your identity. Whether they accept it or not, just leave afterward. That way, you can have done them a favor while first establishing a good impression."
"I… I see. Are you a genius?", After hearing Ash's suggestion, Ruijerd unconsciously widened his eyes and looked at Ash in shock. It was as though some incredible problem had been solved, and his eyes were filled with admiration, while his voice carried a trace of excitement that he could not hide.
This left Ash somewhat unsure how to comment on this guy, but he still reached out and patted him on the shoulder, encouraging him, "A huge magical disaster has just happened, and people all over the world have suddenly been thrown into unfamiliar places and need help. If you actively get moving, you should be able to save quite a few people. By then, your reputation should be able to recover."
"I understand… You look quite capable, so you probably don't need to worry. Then I…", Ruijerd nodded, his eyes full of gratitude. He looked at Ash and hesitated, seemingly unsure whether he should leave this benefactor behind.
Ash immediately waved his hand and urged him, "Don't worry about us. I know there's a village nearby, so hurry up and get moving yourself."
"Thank you, truly! I will never forget this great kindness!"
After receiving his directions, Ruijerd bowed deeply toward him and sincerely expressed his thanks before eagerly running in the direction where the points of light had scattered, trying to find people who needed help.
Only after Ruijerd had completely left did Ash remind her that she did not need to be nervous anymore.
Eris, whose legs had been trembling the whole time, who had been holding back her tears and was almost unable to anymore, and who had even stuffed her entire head into his clothes during their conversation, finally seemed to let out a sigh of relief.
She slowly released her grip on Ash, but her whole body seemed to have gone limp as she dropped onto the ground.
"It's so hot!"
The moment she sat down, Eris sprang back up as if she had burned herself, her little face scrunched into a ball.
That pouty, tearful, aggrieved expression really did make her look pitiful. Ash could not help shaking his head helplessly as he looked back at her, "You, just calm down for a bit, okay?"
"It's my fault again?! I didn't do anything?!"
"That's true. You were too busy being scared."
"W-who said I was scared!! I'm not scared at all!!"
Eris did not even bother fixing her skirt covered in sand and gravel. Holding back her tears, she tilted her head far back and glared at Ash with the same arrogant attitude as always.
Her refusal to admit it made him somewhat want to laugh, but to avoid being complained at, he still tried hard to hold it back. He gently stroked her head while also looking toward the setting sun in the distance:
"It'll be dark soon. The nights here should be pretty cold, so let's find somewhere to stay first."
"Why are you changing the subject!?"
"Calm down a little. Otherwise, if you attract another strange monster, I can't guarantee that I'll protect you."
"Y-you cheapskate!", Eris stomped her feet furiously, but her voice really did become quieter… That should count as listening to him, right?
He did not understand, nor did he want to keep dealing with this troublesome little girl about this for the time being. But he also noticed that she had some injuries from falling, and she seemed to be in pain when she stomped her feet. She had probably twisted something, right?
So he could only half-crouch on the ground and casually grab Eris's little foot in its white stocking, saying with a slightly apologetic tone, "Sorry, I almost forgot that you were still injured."
"That doesn't matter at all! You're really not just taking advantage of the chaos to keep touching my feet, are you? That tickles!", Sitting on his knee while he rubbed her foot, Eris could not help squirming, looking very uneasy, with an unnatural flush on her cheeks.
"Do you think I'm some kind of pervert? A girl's white stockings can't attract me. I'm just checking the extent of the sprain first!"
'Although white stockings on a girl do feel pretty nice!', Ash felt that this point should probably remain a secret.
But the moment he said this with such confidence, Eris's gaze toward him instantly became cold, "That's right, you're just like Dad and Grandfather. You're all perverts obsessed with big breasts!"
"…"
He felt that nothing he said at this point would be appropriate, so he simply said nothing. He silently held her foot in its white stocking, confirmed that the bones had not shifted, and then used healing magic to heal both the sprain and the scrapes on her body at once.
Then he stood up with the frustration of someone who had been wrongly accused despite doing a good deed, intending to walk toward the village.
But before he could take even one step, his clothes were grabbed. Eris, standing there, pursed her lips and muttered quietly with an unwilling expression, "My legs are weak..."
"Still not better after all this time?"
"Carry me!", Eris hesitated for a moment, as if she had summoned up a great deal of courage, then said loudly with a red face.
"Are you some kind of young lady?"
"I am, aren't I!"
"Then how are you planning to repay me?", He immediately became interested and teased her playfully.
Hearing this, Eris unconsciously tilted her head and thought for a moment, "When you get old, I'll punch you one less time?"
"Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome!"
"I wasn't praising you."
"Uuu~ Carry me!", Eris whined aggrievedly, tugging on Ash's clothes and shaking them as she acted spoiled.
Her coquettish appearance really made it hard to refuse her. Ash seemed to have been defeated by her and helplessly responded before crouching down, "Yes, yes…"
"Great!", Eris cheered and immediately climbed onto his back using both her hands and feet. She tightly wrapped her arms around Ash's neck, resting her head on his shoulder, while still muttering softly, "That's more like it~"
"Have at least a little gratitude, will you? For example, hurry up and praise me."
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