episode_0006

Episode 6.

The next morning.

It was time for a regular meeting, but I didn’t go.

As requested yesterday, Fehat has not yet announced my bridal class. The King and Carmel must be relieved to see that he did not appear at the regular meeting.

I called the maid who served me clothes and ordered her to bring me normal clothes and a hood.

“Ah… Yes, I’ll get ready right away!”

It was not that uncommon for Princess Sera to go out for inspection. Even if there was no specific order from the king, I would go to the royal capital and see how the people lived.

She was dressed like an ordinary noblewoman, not a princess, and wore a hooded shawl. At this level, she would look like the daughter of an aristocratic family out touring the streets while hiding her identity.

Of course, you should hide your face as much as possible, even if you don’t know other places. A beautiful face and lovely blonde hair that attract everyone’s attention.

After getting dressed, another maid asked.

“If you go on an inspection, how should you be escorted?”

“One person is enough. Please call Philgret.”

The maid answered that she understood and went out.

Basically, if the royal capital of Lurie is peaceful, there are not many situations that require escort. Moreover, it goes without saying that it is Captain Pilgret.

Philgret entered my room and immediately got down on one knee and said:

“I have come at your request, Princess Sera. Are you going on an inspection? I think it was something that wasn’t planned.”

“Yes. I think it is necessary to gauge public sentiment before His Majesty the King’s wedding. Captain Pilgret, can you serve as an escort for the inspection? If you have an important mission, even another knight…”

“No, princess. There is no mission more important to me than protecting the princess. I will be happy to follow you.”

“Hehe, good. Then, please get ready right away and come to the west gate.”

“Yes.”

Philgret politely withdrew. I spent some time and headed towards the west gate.

Philgret, who had finished preparing, was already out. It looked like he was already dressed for secret travel. He was wearing chain mail layered under his plain clothes, and about half of his face was covered with a wide-brimmed hat.

“Okay then, shall we go? From now on, please just call me Miss. I will call Pilgret uncle.”

“Yes, lady.”

Unlike yesterday, when it rained continuously, the weather is quite nice today. Under the dazzling sunlight, Philgret and I went down the stairs of the palace and blended in with the crowd.

“Where do you want to go, lady?”

“First, shall we go to a place where a lot of people gather? Let’s see, let’s go to the park first.”

“Okay.”

Pilgret followed me with eagle eyes as I walked boldly ahead.

I think I need to relax a bit to distract this steely man even just a little bit.

While walking through parks, streets, restaurants, and academies, I listened to people’s stories and sometimes even talked to them directly. For hours.

Up to that point, the inspection was no different from usual. But of course, the real reason I came out on the streets today was not to inspect.

“As expected, everyone is really looking forward to this wedding ceremony.”

“Well, isn’t it obvious, lady? Any citizen of the Kingdom of Lustier can’t help but be interested.”

I can feel Philgret’s tone becoming a little more comfortable. You may not even be aware of it.

“But so far, I feel like I’ve only met people from the middle and upper classes. This time… I have to go to Teneric Street.”

“Do you mean tenoric?”

“Yes.”

Even in the royal capital, where everything seems peaceful and beautiful, slums exist. An underworld filled with criminals, vagabonds, beggars, prostitutes, and witch doctors. That place is Teneric Street.

Philgret, of course, did not object. His mission is to do his best to protect me wherever I go. Because it is not his role to decide which path I will take.

The street leading to Teneric Street had a dreary feel right from the entrance. It’s amazing that even though the weather is this nice, it still has an eerie atmosphere.

I walked into it without hesitation. Several men leaning against the dirty wall were watching me. Philgret also watched their every move with his eyes shining sharply.

You show up at just the right time, bad guys.

I entered their territory without hesitation. The men responded immediately.

A fat bald man said, blocking my path.

“Hey, noble lady. What brings you to such a squalid place?”

“Hello? Isn’t the weather really nice today?”

A burst of laughter erupts from the men. These are truly people who have built a wall around civilized conversation.

“Ah, it seems like that. So what’s the big deal?”

“Hmm… I have one question. Why are you guys standing on the street since morning? Do you have nothing else to do?”

The men’s impressions become somewhat harsh. Still, I’m glad that he’s intelligent enough to understand that there’s an argument going on.

“Ha, I don’t know what kind of noble he is, but his prestige is amazing. Where, is there only one escort?”

The guys who were leaning against the wall also seemed ready to move and surround me and Pilgret. Philgret warned me quietly.

“Miss, anything more than this is dangerous. You must leave the place.”

The big bald man took out a vicious-looking knife from his pocket.

“Did you really think that just because you were a noble would make you tremble? We are now lives with no future!”

“It looks like that.”

The other guys also took out their weapons at once. It’s already too late to back out. As if he had judged that, Pilgret quietly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“I’ll play with it and then sell it to a brothel!”

The man’s knife is reaching towards me. But Pilgret was much faster.

The man’s right hand fell to the floor along with the knife.

“Ugh! Oh, you son of a bitch!”

The men who saw the blood became excited and rushed over. Pilgret calmly used his sword while covering me with his back from the men who were running at him at random.

This is truly a faithful article. So I feel a little sorry.

But there was no other way. How can I make that loyal subject take his eyes off me even for a moment?

‘Sorry, Pilgret.’

Saying that to myself, I left the place. ASAP.

* * *

“You are a rare guest. Why did the noble lady of Lustier come to visit this old and lowly sorcerer?”

An old man with a frighteningly wrinkled face greeted me with a sarcastic remark.

The ceiling and walls are full of dried medicinal herbs. This place, with its bitter and foul smell, is a witchcraft shop. It was a store that dealt with items used in witchcraft and black magic.

“I came because I had something to buy.”

“Heulheul, that sounds interesting. But what can I do? I have nothing to sell to Lustier Inn. Especially if you’re covering your face like that.”

It seemed like the old shaman had no intention of dealing with me. After saying that, he didn’t even look at me and just pounded the medicinal mortar in his hand.

I thought it would come out like that. Shamans are an extremely closed group. Because they do not do business with those who are not included in their own closed society.

But that doesn’t mean there is no way.

I recited sentences I had seen in novels, hoping to pronounce them correctly.

“Svar Wiha Tachak Kaha.”

The buttonhole-like eyes of the old man suddenly widened.

“…Where did you get that?”

“From your own people.”

“Ah, yes, that will happen… No matter how harsh the torture, there will be no compatriot who will reveal that covenant… That means that your coming here is to inherit the will of your compatriots.◦ #◦

I didn’t lie.

Magic words that seek the cooperation of the northern peoples. I learned this from their compatriot, Carmel.

Of course, what the old man said after that was an illusion.

Because I didn’t come here to inherit Carmel’s will. Rather, it came with the purpose of completely destroying her.

The old man put the mortar aside and pulled himself forward. He asked me in a much more polite manner than before.

“So, what did you need, lady?”

“I want a poison that will make me unconscious for about 3 days. There is no danger to life.”

“Hmm, it’s not that difficult. But in the meantime, you will experience pain that is close to the pain of a heart attack. Are you okay?”

I answered without hesitation.

“Yes, I don’t mind.”

To be honest, I feel like the pain could be a little stronger.

* * *

“Lady, lady! Where are you?”

When I came out of the store, Philgret was looking for me so desperately that the entire Teneric Street could be seen. All the blood splattered on his cloak and clothes did not appear to be his.

I hid the bottle of medicine I purchased deep in my clothes and walked out, waving my hand.

“Hey, I’m here!”

“Lady!”

Pilgret ran towards me with a face that looked as if the shattered sky had been restored. This makes me feel even more sorry.

“I’m sorry. One of those guys kept chasing me… so I hid for a while.”

“This place is also dangerous. I think it would be better to get out of here for now.”

There is no trace of rebuke in Pilgret’s voice or eyes. I was just relieved that I was safe.

I nodded obediently and answered.

“Yes, I will.”

I’ve finished the most important work, so there’s nothing more to do. I left Teneric Street under Philgret’s heavy protection.