Chapter 39 : The Road to the Kingdom (1)

Emperor Raipen von Bahamut of the Bahamut Empire ultimately decided to let Wolfgang go, trusting she would return. 

However, he kept this decision a secret from the nobles.

If word of this reached their ears, it would inevitably lead to renewed debates about past incidents, including the hearings. 

Having finally secured permission, Wolfgang moved into action without delay.

There was no room for hesitation. 

The transfer of responsibilities was complete, and her preparations for departure were already in place. 

She simply had to leave before Raipen could change his mind.

As soon as Wolfgang stepped outside, she noticed a figure perched on the roof of her carriage, waving at her with a bright grin. 

It was Jackal, looking completely at ease.

“What are you doing up there? Get down before you fall.”

“I’m comfortable up here, Captain.”

“If that’s how you feel, I won’t stop you. But if you ever want to come inside, do so immediately.”

It seemed Jackal intended to ride to the Kingdom in that position. 

Knowing Jackal’s stubbornness better than anyone, Wolfgang didn’t waste energy trying to dissuade him and chose to accept it.

In contrast, Galina was seated in the driver’s position, double-checking everything. 

Previously, when she and Natasha had visited the Blood Pact, undead forces had driven the carriages, eliminating the need for a coachman.

But not this time.

This time, Wolfgang was accompanied only by Galina and Jackal. 

One of either Galina or Black had to remain behind to fill in for Wolfgang’s absence. 

As it turned out, Galina had won that decision with a coin toss—though it was likely a rigged toss, as Black didn’t yet understand how crafty Galina could be.

Jackal, conveniently on leave, had joined the mission as well. 

Wolfgang would have preferred to bring more personnel, but doing so would have left the Eastern Defense Army vulnerable. 

There was always the risk of an invasion from the Kingdom or elsewhere.

Natasha and Dark, formidable in their own right, were more than enough to hold the line until Wolfgang returned. 

Though Natasha had protested, insisting on accompanying her, Wolfgang had to prioritize the defense of the Empire.

“Are the preparations complete?” Wolfgang asked.

“Yes, Captain,” Galina replied.

“There’s someone inside the carriage. Can I eat them?” Jackal teased.

“Absolutely not.”

“Too bad, Captain.”

The boy with lavender-hued hair smacked his lips in mock disappointment. 

Though Jackal appeared to be an uncontrollable monster, he was surprisingly disciplined.

This wasn’t about following orders but about mastering the immense power he wielded. 

Among the Vendetta Legion, only two individuals—including Wolfgang herself—had achieved such mastery. 

Jackal was one of them.

Wolfgang tapped her eyepatch absentmindedly, lost in thought. 

She used to have perfect control over her flames, but over time, they had grown more potent, to the point where even the eyepatch could barely contain them.

‘It seems burning monsters strengthens the flames. 

Maybe the dragon hunt made them even stronger.’

She sighed deeply, imagining a future where she might need to cover both eyes completely. 

Power, even in excess, came with its own burdens.

Yet she wouldn’t trade her power for nothing. 

A life without strength would mean being at the mercy of others—a fate she refused to accept.

Lost in thought, she climbed into the carriage, where a familiar face greeted her. 

It was Theodore von Frost, the man who had approached her with the truth about her past after abandoning the Kingdom.

“You really came,” she remarked.

“As long as the Saintess is alive, I won’t be able to sleep peacefully,” he replied.

“This feels strange. Is it because we’re speaking casually for the first time in ten years?”

“I feel the same. But we’ll get used to it soon enough.”

Initially, Theodore had planned to return to the Kingdom after revealing the truth to Wolfgang. He knew full well the dangers he would face, yet he didn’t care.

[“I’ve already pledged loyalty to a lord who gave me a reason to live when I had none. Without her, I wouldn’t be here.”]

Even so, Theodore left the Kingdom because of one thing he couldn’t compromise on: his sister.

He understood that his actions would send ripples through the Kingdom and betray his lord, but he couldn’t ignore the matter of Lana Frost. 

Wolfgang, however, stopped him from returning.

For all her self-serving tendencies, she couldn’t bear the thought of someone dying because of her. 

Especially not Theodore, the brother of Lana Frost, the original owner of her body.

After much deliberation, Wolfgang asked Theodore to assist her. Unsurprisingly, he agreed. There was no way he could refuse a request from his sister, even if she was different now.

‘Even if I must give my life, I will protect her.’

Now was the time to fulfill that vow.

The road to the Kingdom was long and arduous, reflecting the strained relationship between the two nations. The poorly maintained roads only emphasized this.

Wolfgang cast a sidelong glance at Theodore, who continued staring out the window, lost in thought. 

His demeanor made her hesitant to break the silence.

Galina drove the carriage outside, and Jackal remained perched on the roof, ensuring the awkward atmosphere inside lingered.

“….”

“Hmm?”

“Ahem… can you tell me more about the Saintess?” Wolfgang asked awkwardly.

She had intended to practice calling him “brother” to prepare for her role as Lana Frost, but an inexplicable discomfort stopped her. Instead, she changed the subject.

‘Why does this feel so difficult? It’s just an act.’

Though she was traveling to the Kingdom under the guise of Lana Frost, Wolfgang found it nearly impossible to utter the word “brother.”

Noticing her hesitation, Theodore chuckled softly.

“There’s no need to force yourself to call me that.”

“But…”

“We’ve been apart for ten years. You can’t bridge that gap overnight.”

He was right. 

Titles were insignificant compared to the miracle of her being alive. 

Memories could bridge that gap in time.

“For now, let’s focus on the Saintess,” he said. “Knowing your enemy is half the battle.”

Theodore hesitated briefly, not out of reluctance but to define Jeanne in his mind. After a moment, he spoke with certainty.

“She’s a damned monster.”

Having spent a decade in conflict with Saintess Jeanne, Theodore spoke with the authority of experience.

“She appears noble and selfless, but in reality, she discards people like tools once they’re no longer useful. Many families have been ruined by her.”

“And yet, she’s still worshipped as a saint?”

“Blind devotion can sometimes override reason.”

Though Jeanne had brought ruin to many, she had also delivered significant victories to the Kingdom. 

Her supporters saw no reason to doubt her.

Or perhaps they did.

But whenever doubt began to creep in, calamities would strike the Kingdom, only for Jeanne to perform “miracles” and restore their faith.

Such was the power of a Saintess.