Ch.126Chapter 126

The space where the Outer God had been trapped closed immediately after he left.

I thought it might have closed right after recognizing the Outer God’s disappearance, but thinking back, I realized it had been gradually shrinking from the beginning.

Does that mean if Vice Captain Marenne hadn’t suggested we leave soon, we would have been trapped in there along with the Outer God?

While I was rubbing my arms with my hands at this chilling thought, the Vice Captain and the Outer God seemed unconcerned, simply continuing on their way.

I suppose they’re too moved by the return of an old friend to worry about such things.

“…Sigh.”

As I listened to their conversation, I recalled the look the Outer God had given me earlier.

Those red eyes.

That intense killing intent.

Until now, besides The Advisor, few beings had displayed such murderous intent, and I was especially shocked to receive it from another human.

I hadn’t even done anything to upset him.

Perhaps my very existence bothered him?

Was he always like this?

That didn’t seem right—the Outer God I saw in the Vice Captain’s dream was a knight with a pure, unblemished expression.

For someone who had been a knight for so long to maintain such a demeanor meant his character must be fundamentally upright.

Which is why that expression from earlier was absolutely not one the Outer God would make.

Could he be controlled by an Outer God?

That’s even stranger.

If I had to guess, it would be that lesser Outer God from earlier.

But a knight regarded as equal to the Vice Captain, controlled by a lesser Outer God?

If that were the case, humanity should immediately drop everything and start building bunkers.

Since they wouldn’t even be able to confront a greater Outer God.

“Tanthyn, what’s wrong?”

“Ah! Aack! Vice Captain.”

The Vice Captain had approached me while I was struggling with these inconclusive thoughts.

When I reacted with surprise, the Vice Captain laughed briefly and pointed ahead.

“We’ve already arrived at headquarters. Why are you spacing out?”

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry.”

Well, whatever.

The Outer God did give me a thumbs-up at the end.

It probably didn’t mean anything significant.

As I was thinking everything was fine and about to enter headquarters, the Vice Captain made an “Ah” sound and stopped the Outer God.

“Hmm? What is it, Vice Captain?”

“I should have told you this first.”

“What is it! Don’t keep me in suspense!”

The Outer God frowned slightly and glared at the Vice Captain.

“You’re as impatient as ever. It’s nothing major. The Captain is inside right now, so let’s go straight to see The Princess.”

“Ah, I see… What?! What did you just say?!”

The Outer God grabbed the Vice Captain’s shoulders in shock and shook him.

The Vice Captain’s head bobbed without resistance.

“Hey! You should have told me something this important from the beginning! How did the Captain return?!”

Judging by his surprised expression, the Captain must have been in a truly difficult situation to escape from, at least in the Outer God’s assessment.

He looked so desperate—he must have regrettably lost track of the Captain.

“Captain was brought back by Tanthyn, who risked his life. Initially, he went to another dimension to prevent The Watcher’s manifestation, and that’s when he discovered the Captain stuck in a dimensional gap.”

“I-I see.”

The Vice Captain seemed to be trying to praise me, but hearing those words made my face flush again.

Why did he have to talk about it like it was his own achievement?

“So this child saved the Captain too. And in another dimension, no less.”

The Outer God turned to me with a smiling face.

“He resembles him in this way too.”

It looked like a friendly smile, but for some reason, I found it somewhat unpleasant.

#

“…Outer God.”

“Princess! It’s been a long time!”

Indeed, even the Outer God used honorifics in front of The Princess.

Though his attitude showed absolutely no formality whatsoever.

The Vice Captain could only offer a bitter smile, suggesting this was normal behavior.

“…Thank you for returning alive. I’ve spent my days looking at that blizzard, thinking how wonderful it would be if you came back.”

“Haha! Hearing that Your Highness was so worried about me makes me feel bad! Let’s clap our hands and shake off these sad emotions!”

At the Outer God’s sudden suggestion, we all clapped vigorously, following the flow.

For some reason, I really did feel my mood brightening.

The Princess seemed to feel the same way, as she smiled contentedly.

“Really, despite wandering for so long, you remain unchanged.”

“Hehey, the day I change will be the day the world ends, Princess.”

“That’s true as well.”

Seeing him talk and laugh so boisterously made me physically understand how close the relationship was between the knights of Rondan and The Princess.

Perhaps the Vice Captain, who treated her as respectfully as I did, was simply bound by principles and rules.

When order collapses, the country falls into danger.

“Ah! Princess, I’ve returned safely—don’t I deserve some kind of commendation?”

“Hehe, I told Alpha and Beta to leave your commendation certificate in the knights’ lounge. Go get it.”

“Skipping the award ceremony! This is complete mistreatment!”

When the Outer God said this with a shocked expression, the atmosphere became so funny that I couldn’t help but laugh along.

I could fully understand why people had such a good impression of Muyeon.

How could anyone dislike her when her father was such a likable person?

“Anyway, I sincerely congratulate you on your return. Go and rest now. It must be difficult to move around with an overworked body.”

“Hahaha! Thank you, Princess! I feel full of energy thanks to you!”

The Princess gave the Outer God a smiling glance, then signaled to the Vice Captain that they should withdraw.

So I tried to follow them out.

Thud.

Huh?

For some reason, the door simply closed the moment I tried to leave.

At the same time, the atmosphere in The Princess’s chamber seemed to instantly turn ice-cold.

W-what’s going on?

Why is this happening all of a sudden?

I slowly turned my head to look at The Princess, who was sitting at the table with an infinitely clear smile, pointing her finger at the chair across from her.

“P-Princess?”

“…”

“Sh-should I leave too?”

“…”

“Ah, hahaha. Do you want me to sit there?”

Nod.

“I-I’d like to rest after all my hard work…”

“…”

“Yes! Yes! I understand!”

As the atmosphere grew colder with each word I spoke, I quickly followed The Princess’s instructions, fearing I might freeze to death if I objected further.

Only then did The Princess withdraw her smile and begin taking several deep breaths.

What is this?

Did I do something wrong?

No, I don’t think so.

I haven’t done anything that would harm Rondan.

Could she have called me here because I’ve been fighting using Outer Gods?

If that’s the case, I have nothing to say…

Since the knights had been permitting it, if The Princess were to point this out and punish me, I would have to accept it gracefully.

Ah, that’s right.

I’d forgotten about it because I’d grown accustomed to it, but thinking about it now, it was indeed a heinous crime in Rondan.

As soon as I realized this, I quickly bowed my head to the table.

Bang!

“T-Tanthyn?!”

My response seemed unexpected, as I heard The Princess’s startled voice.

But I didn’t raise my head.

At times like this, keeping my head down was the best way to reduce my punishment.

“I’m sorry, Princess! I deeply apologize for acting without informing you!”

In response to my words, The Princess made a sound like she was in pain, then snorted.

“…That’s right, Tanthyn. Since you’re aware of your mistake, this conversation will be faster.”

See?

I told you this was it.

The knights looking the other way and the highest authority accepting it were two different matters.

“Good. Now tell me exactly what you did wrong and what you plan to do about it.”

Ugh.

The phrase “what you plan to do about it” was the most frightening part.

It was the kind of statement that accumulated disfavor if you didn’t meet the other person’s expected conditions.

What should I do?

Should I just be straightforward?

I tried to think of something, but it was clear that disfavor would continue to accumulate during this time of hesitation.

Yes, I’ll just be direct.

What I did wrong is clear, isn’t it?

“…I deeply apologize for violating Rondan’s taboo and borrowing the power of Outer Gods. I will accept whatever punishment Your Highness imposes and atone for my sins.”

“Yes, violating Rondan’s taboo… What?”

Huh?

I thought I had made a proper apology, but for some reason, The Princess’s reaction was unsatisfactory.

Did I say something wrong?

But from what The Princess said next, I could understand what was wrong.

“I’m well aware that you’ve been fighting using the power of Outer Gods.”

“…Eh?”

“Do you think the Vice Captain wouldn’t report such things to me? I know everything that happens in Rondan.”

Huh?

Then why is The Princess saying I did something wrong?

I haven’t committed any other major transgressions.

As I was thinking this, The Princess blushed slightly and averted her gaze.

“…You still don’t know what you did wrong?”

“No.”

“…Your mistake is.”

When I heard The Princess’s words, I could only blink.

“…why you haven’t been visiting my room often lately.”

…What?