Ch.164Chapter 164: Unwelcome… Guest?!

#

Chiiiiik-!!

Shortly after leaving the compartment, I heard the hydraulic door close with a restrained sound.

Thanks to the perfectly sealed compartment structure.

And the sound-absorbing material built into the entrance that completely blocks any noise from inside reaching the outside.

Even if you pressed your ear against the door.

It would be impossible to hear the conversation between the two people inside.

It was truly perfect for maintaining privacy.

…Come to think of it, I wondered if the Third Prince had chosen this place for that very reason.

Judging by the casual personality of the Third Prince… no, the First Princess.

Whatever conversation she might have with my sister.

It was surely going to be nothing more than light small talk.

But no matter how trivial the conversation might be.

Once it reaches someone’s ears, rumors grow and grow uncontrollably.

I reasoned that she probably chose this place specifically to prevent such things from happening.

The fact that she brought only one knight guard who was waiting at a distance even farther than where we stood outside the compartment.

Made me think she intended to avoid drawing attention from others.

Well, whatever private conversation she might be having with my sister in this secluded place.

Since I’m not a journalist making a living from reporting.

I have no desire to pry into their private matters.

And even if they were discussing something important beyond the private realm, I had no way of finding out anyway.

I just needed to wait here until their conversation ended.

After filling the emptiness I felt upon leaving the compartment with such thoughts.

I turned my head to look at the entrance.

I could clearly see the twin dragon seal of Lanos that my sister had placed as a privacy marker, prominently displayed.

It was the symbol of the pinnacle of martial nobility, before whom even the most prestigious central nobles would lower their heads to avoid eye contact.

And alongside the imperial family that had continued for a thousand years, it was the emblem of the oldest great noble house.

With such a prominent symbol displayed.

Who would have thought a direct imperial family member would appear and make me vacate my place, entering as if it were their own home.

I wasn’t angry or anything.

But being displaced from where I belonged left me with an unavoidable sense of boredom creeping into my heart.

[You’ll only need to wait a moment, why are you complaining about being bored?]

‘After the beating I took last night, I still feel the aftereffects and wanted to sit down and rest.’

[….]

Ah, he falls silent whenever the situation becomes unfavorable to him.

One way to alleviate boredom is to converse with someone.

But just as I was thinking that talking with Fafnir would be pointless.

“I wonder what the Third Prince wants to discuss with sister that made him send us away?”

Among the three of us who had quietly exited the compartment, Shizu was the first to speak, her voice reaching my ears as we stood with our backs to the closed door.

I wasn’t looking at her face since my attention was elsewhere.

But even without seeing it, I could hear the curiosity in Shizu’s voice.

It carried a compelling quality that made listeners feel they had to satisfy her curiosity.

A capable member of the imperial family, publicly known for supporting the Crown Prince whose succession to power was all but assured.

Taking time out of her valuable schedule to visit this place and have a private meeting with my sister, a prominent figure of Lanos… well, I have no intention of becoming one, but she’s prominent nonetheless.

Being curious about what they might be discussing in private.

Was within the realm of natural curiosity that anyone aware of the situation would have.

Thanks to my life experience before regression, I was well-versed in imperial affairs.

I knew that the conversation between my sister and the Prince… no, Princess, would be so mundane that people would find it ridiculous if they knew.

But others wouldn’t know that, of course.

I wanted to say they were simply exchanging casual conversation as old friends, taking a brief respite from their exhausting duties.

But I had no desire to draw unnecessary attention to myself.

“I’m curious too, but I doubt my sister would tell me even if I asked.”

I gave an evasive answer, pretending not to know.

“Hmm….”

Hearing my vague response, Shizu hummed thoughtfully, closing her eyes and placing her right index finger on her chin.

It was her characteristic gesture when she had something to think deeply about.

Since my answer hadn’t satisfied her curiosity, she was probably racking her brain trying to deduce what might be discussed inside.

But no matter how deeply one thinks, one can’t suddenly know what they don’t know.

“…I can’t figure it out.”

Shizu finally admitted defeat.

I thought it was fine to leave it at mere curiosity, especially since the truth would be surprisingly mundane if she actually found out.

But Shizu seemed unwilling to let go of her unsatisfied curiosity, despite my answer and her own deductions.

Turning her body toward Excel, who was standing a bit to my side, Shizu fixed her gaze on him and asked.

“What do you think, Excel? What might the Prince and my sister be talking about in there?”

Her question came with the same compelling voice, seeking to satisfy her curiosity.

Following Shizu’s words.

I turned my head from the entrance toward where Excel was standing.

“…”

I could see a change in Excel, who had been standing absentmindedly since we left the compartment.

While Shizu’s question was simply meant to satisfy her curiosity.

For Excel, it seemed to act like a match being struck to a fuse.

“…”

Excel, whose expression had been unreadable like a fog had settled over his face since we left the compartment, didn’t respond to Shizu’s question.

Wuddeuk-!!

He clenched his fists so tightly that I could hear the sound.

“Kheuk….”

Then he collapsed to his knees with a sorrowful sound as if the world was crumbling around him.

The desperation displayed in his posture, practically screaming ‘I am ruined!’ was truly a masterpiece.

Wow, I never knew this guy could show such a side.

Someone who was so good at reducing others to this state with his sharp tongue, I never expected him to end up like this himself.

Well, I could understand his shock, considering the person he liked was now spending time alone with what appeared to be a handsome man, having sent him away.

I wanted to explain with valid reasons that what he was imagining wasn’t happening in there.

But the fact that the Third Prince was actually a woman was only officially revealed after the Crown Prince’s sudden death in my previous life.

If I carelessly revealed that now, I couldn’t predict what trouble might befall me, so I had to remain silent.

Keeping my sympathetic consolation locked in my heart.

Anyway, it was quite fascinating to see him in such a state.

I was tempted to leave him be and watch how he would react.

But I knew that might lead to disruptive behavior like breaking into loud sobs, drawing unwanted attention.

I was about to try calming down the collapsing Excel and redirect his attention.

But my action was never completed.

Not because Excel acted out before I could stop him.

“…Shh.”

But because someone suddenly appeared in front of Excel, preventing him from making any sound.

[Oh….]

Even Fafnir let out an exclamation of admiration at the sight.

A figure had appeared, displaying a well-harmonized movement of stealth and agility.

#

I am watching.

Excel, who had collapsed to his knees as if crumbling.

And was about to break into loud sobs as if the world was ending.

When he saw someone suddenly appear before him, trying to silence him.

“…Huh?”

His expression showed utter bewilderment.

And the protagonist who revealed their presence before him.

“I would prefer that the person I serve not receive attention from others due to any commotion.”

I watched as he skillfully controlled Excel’s impulsive behavior with a low, calm voice.

[To close the distance so quickly from where he was standing… he’s no ordinary person.]

The movement he displayed was so precise and sharp that even Fafnir expressed such admiration.

The fortunate thing was that he showed this movement without any hostility or killing intent, merely to stop Excel’s behavior.

If this person had wanted to, he could have easily inflicted clear wounds on all three of us present, but he didn’t, for which I was grateful.

I wasn’t the only one thinking this.

Even after some time had passed, the bewilderment on Excel’s face as he confronted this unidentified person up close showed no signs of fading.

“…”

Shizu was the same, rapidly blinking her eyes to indicate her surprise.

…What about me?

As I mentioned earlier.

From the moment the Princess entered our compartment.

I had sensed through my ki perception the sword aura emanating from this person, reminiscent of a well-forged blade.

So I wasn’t particularly surprised by his appearance.

Rather than surprise, I felt shame.

There was a reason for my shame.

Among the bearers of noble life flames that I had extinguished while wielding a tainted sword as a puppet of the Evil God in those days.

This man, who had been counted among the strongest, was standing here alive and well.

The tragedy that had occurred because of me came to mind, causing me to feel ashamed.

The fact that he looked almost identical to my memory of him, even though this was in the past compared to that time.

Intensified my shame even more.

Short gray hair reminiscent of gloomy ashes.

And a pitch-black mask that concealed every part of his face except his hair.

He looked almost exactly as I remembered him from that time.

Though I couldn’t see his bare face because of the mask.

But what did that matter?

The moment the Princess entered the compartment.

I had sensed a subtle aura like a well-forged sword emanating from a distance.

And I knew exactly who it was.

There are two major military groups representing the Empire.

The Imperial Knights, known as the Empire’s Sword, organized to counter external threats represented by magical beasts.

And unlike the Imperial Knights, the Royal Knights, who function as the capital’s defense force to protect Solarium Island.

While these two groups are well-known to the general public.

There is another group that, despite having minimal presence in public awareness.

Is just as important in terms of the mission entrusted to them.

The imperial direct guard called Umbra in the ancient language of the old kingdom, meaning “shadow.”

Selected from the most skilled members of the Imperial Knights or Royal Knights.

Three to five of them are assigned to each imperial family member, literally protecting them like shadows.

And the man who appeared before our eyes.

“I apologize for startling you.”

Despite his polite apology for suddenly appearing and surprising us, he possessed strength not easily associated with such courtesy.

He is known as the King of Shadows and also referred to as the Empire’s hidden strongest knight.

A man strong enough to perform alone the duty that normally requires four or five shadows to accompany an imperial family member.

“Due to circumstances, I cannot reveal my name, but I am one of the shadows serving the Third Prince.”

I never thought I would encounter the Third Prince… no, Princess at this point.

And of all people, I didn’t expect this person to be the knight escorting her today.

Ah, was he already her dedicated guard knight from this time?

My mind grew increasingly complex as I faced someone I never expected to meet on my journey home.

-This is Conductor Steiner. This train is scheduled to depart in approximately 20 minutes, so those planning to board should hurry.

The conductor’s announcement that departure time was approaching echoed throughout the train interior and across the platform.