episode_0012

Born into the royal family from the day he was born.

Prince Pinter, who started his life at the top of the food chain.

With his exceptional intelligence inherited from Emperor Lagur.

He was a capable figure who had been ranked first in the line of succession so far by showcasing outstanding political and diplomatic skills.

With strong support from the surrounding nobles and enough power to help himself when he becomes emperor in the future.

He could be considered the epitome of an excellent prince.

However.

Second Prince Yulrian disliked Prince Pinter.

It wasn’t because of inferiority.

If it was because of inferiority, he wouldn’t have learned swordsmanship and magic at the academy.

He would have been cultivating his political skills all this time.

Yulrian, who didn’t want to start a family feud, had practically conceded the emperorship to Pinter.

Nevertheless.

The reason Yulrian disliked Pinter was… because of his ideology.

Classism, a supremacist ideology that looks down on those who have nothing.

Because of his values, the upright Yulrian could only clash with him frequently.

Originally a national terrorist organization, the Eclipse Sect.

If Pinter had used his political power and influence, they could have responded more quickly.

But Pinter got angry, asking why he should use his power for such civilians.

Yulrian naturally couldn’t help but distance himself from him.

“…I have to step up.”

Yulrian, who organized the Imperial Alliance to counter the Eclipse Sect.

Yulrian, who established welfare for the people affected by the Eclipse Sect.

Yulrian, who prioritized the people over politics….

“Ha-ha, you’ve come. Lady Rose. How…unseemly.”

“…Second Prince?”

Because of Yulrian like that.

One day, while riding in a carriage.

He couldn’t help but be attacked by the Eclipse Sect, who saw Yulrian as a thorn in their side.

He didn’t have as strong a guard or established power as his counterpart, Pinter.

*

“What happened?”

Rose asked, looking at Yulrian lying in bed with a serious expression.

“I was inspecting a village damaged by the Eclipse Sect with four guards when I was attacked. I never imagined all four guards would betray me. Ha-ha….”

“……”

Rose looked sternly at Yulrian’s leg.

The leg that was emitting a strong odor and decaying.

It was being corroded by powerful dark magic.

Rose could tell just by looking at it.

Yulrian could no longer walk on two legs.

Furthermore, his life was in danger.

Gritting her teeth, Rose spoke in a stern tone.

“It seems you won’t be able to lead the Alliance.”

“Do others know about this?”

“No, only you, Lady Rose.”

“Why is that?”

“Ha-ha….”

Yulrian looked at his legs with a bitter expression.

And then he said.

“You must know.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t lead the Alliance like this. That’s why I called you first.”

“……”

Rose remained silent at Yulrian’s words.

His intentions were clearly conveyed to Rose.

But Rose couldn’t say anything.

Even though she was straightforward and thought it was right, in such a terrible situation, she couldn’t calmly speak the words she understood.

“I felt it in meetings and in your actions. I don’t know the circumstances, but when it comes to the Eclipse Sect, Lady Rose, you become infinitely serious.”

“Second Prince….”

“Please take on the leadership of the Alliance. I beg you, Lady Rose.”

“…Sigh.”

Rose bowed her head with a complicated expression, touching her forehead.

Her thoughts were complicated.

‘Those bastards who dare to touch the royal family must be insane.’

Beyond a mere crime.

This was a planned crime.

Touching the Crown Prince, the royal family will surely become more involved in eradicating the Lunar Cult for the sake of the people.

Naturally, even the First Prince, Finter, will have to make some nominal moves for the sake of the people’s sentiments.

They thought they could handle all of this and that’s why they committed this act.

It was clearly insane.

“I always wanted to act for the Empire, but on the other hand, I am happy that my wish has finally come true.”

“…But now you can’t even move.”

“Just because of me, more things will start moving, right? That’s enough.”

“….”

What a foolish person.

The rule will be governed by the First Prince.

Why does he think about the country so much, even to the point of sacrificing himself?

Even Rose, who was usually indifferent, was moved to tears at this moment.

‘…That’s why I can’t afford to lose this person even more.’

Rose made up her mind and said, “Second Prince, no matter how much I think about it, I am not suitable for a leader. It is true that I dislike the Lunar Cult, but I do not have the responsibility to embrace everyone.”

“Rose…!”

“Please listen to the end. I will not take on the role of a leader. But.”

Turning back, Rose said, “Now is not the time for the Second Prince to step down from the leadership position. Rudy, come in.”

“…?”

Suddenly, Yulian looked puzzled as a masked figure entered through the opening door.

*

“Let me introduce you for the first time. My disciple.”

“….”

When Rudy saw Yulian, he doubted his memory.

‘…Didn’t he say it was a man?’

Certainly, the person had short blonde hair.

A sharp nose, a feminine jawline, and a small face.

The dramatic blue eyes with double eyelids reminded him of a woman.

‘But looking closely, he seems a bit ambiguous…’

While Rudy was lost in observing Yulian, Rose said, “Rudy, can you fix it?”

“Well, I’m not sure until I get closer.”

“Second Prince, may my disciple check your condition?”

“What? Uh… please do.”

As Yulian nodded awkwardly, Rudy approached the bedridden Yulian.

[System: Detected a strong dark magic.]

[Do you want to purify it?]

[Required lunar energy: 60%]

[Remaining lunar energy: 100%]

As Rudy approached, the status window responded as expected.

“I may need more strength than usual, but I think I can fix it.”

“Then please.”

Yulian was surprised by their conversation and intervened, “Wait a minute. What are you two talking about?”

“Second Prince, just stay still. My disciple will purify you.”

“Purify? Does that mean… you can cure me right now?”

“Yes.”

“….!”

Seeing Yulian’s hesitation, Rudy became anxious.

‘Let’s just finish this quickly.’

Rudy quickly reached out his hand.

And that was when it happened.

– Aah!

“It’s done.”

“…! What is this!”

The pain that had been plaguing his body disappeared.

Yulian couldn’t believe it, so he got up from the bed and moved his legs around.

Seeing this, Rudy thought, ‘I can’t take it anymore. I’m about to lose it.’

As he was about to find the bathroom, Yulian suddenly grabbed Rudy’s hands and said, tears streaming down his face.

“Thank you. Thank you so much!!”

“….!”

“Oops….”

Rudy, taken aback, pulled his hands away from Yulian and stepped back.

He almost lost it.

‘I almost screwed up for real.’

But Yulian, unaware of Rudy’s situation, was overwhelmed with gratitude for being healed and mistakenly thought he had made a mistake.

The male disciple of Rose, who covered his face, was still a mystery.

“I’m sorry if I got too carried away.”

“I apologize. I got too emotional and couldn’t stop…”

“No, it’s okay.”

“May I ask for your name…?! You cured a symptom that even the priests at the cathedral couldn’t fix! I must repay this grace!!”

“…I am Phantom.”

Rudy had to use a pseudonym even with Yurian.

As far as Rudy knew, Yurian was also a student at the academy.

Surely, he would have heard the rumors of his proposal to the Fourth Princess.

His face was also well-known.

Right now, Rose is wearing the sad white mask with the sad eyes that Rose gave him (Rose discarded the lizard head).

“Phantom…? It seems you have your reasons.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No! Please tell me when you can. Until then…! I won’t forget this grace, I-”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes? Oh, yes! Phantom… I will definitely remember.”

Rudy bowed his head and left.

As Rose followed Rudy, she whispered to Yurian with a small smile.

“You don’t have to give up the leadership position now. Please take care of us in the future as well, Second Prince.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Soon, Rose left as well.

Rudy hurriedly walked down the hallway, with Rose following behind him, calling out.

“Hey! Why are you in such a hurry?”

“I have urgent business.”

“…You’re so shameless.”

“Phantom….”

Yurian moved her legs as if she still couldn’t believe it.

Recalling the man who called himself Phantom.

“A savior, a lifelong savior… sniff….”

In fact, he said he could sacrifice his body anytime for the country.

But Yurian was also afraid.

Slowly losing his life.

There would be no situation that could make a human feel as much fear as that.

The man called Phantom was a savior.

If he wasn’t there, what would have happened to him by now.

His legs would have rotted.

His lower body would have completely decayed.

Watching the process of his upper body being slowly consumed by dark magic.

“Sniff….”

It must have been terrible.

Yurian was concerned about his earlier mistake.

Maybe he got too carried away thinking of him as a savior.

“I must apologize later. But more than that, he had a subtle atmosphere like my peers.”

A pseudonym and a mask.

For some reason, the mysterious atmosphere he exuded.

He was a man firmly shrouded in mystery.

“What kind of story does he have? Surely it must be so heavy and deep that he can’t tell.”

Yurian made up his mind.

He was a savior.

If there was something he could help with, he would definitely help.

During the Grand Alliance meeting, Rose mentioned that she intended to send her disciple to the academy.

“If you enroll in the academy, it will be in the swordsmanship department, right?”

Since Rose mentioned it at the meeting.

Yurian is also a sword master, but his main department is swordsmanship.

If he meets him again, he will be able to provide a lot of help.

“But more importantly, it’s uncomfortable.”

Since being attacked by the lunar cult, he hadn’t bathed for a day.

He couldn’t use his legs.

His condition was still a secret to everyone.

Even this empty hospital room was a space he could trust, where he briefly revealed his situation to a trustworthy servant.

Yurian headed to the patient shower room.

And.

-Swish…

He took off his top.

Frowning at his upper body.

“This won’t work anymore… I need to find another way.”

Yurian unwrapped the bandages.