Ch.8EP.3 – Princess Isis, Not a Heroine.

If the troll gene gave Ihan extraordinary recovery and physical strength, the gnoll gene gave him “smell” and “instinct” beyond human capabilities.

Since there’s much to explain about instinct, I’ll skip that, but smell was literally just smell.

Though not as keen as a hunting dog’s, his sense of smell—about three times more sensitive than an average person’s—gave him a mysterious power.

None other than the ability to remember people by their scent alone.

Just like dogs with poor eyesight can remember their owners’ scents and greet them excitedly even after years apart.

And inadvertently, Ihan too had developed the habit of remembering people by their smell rather than their faces.

…It was actually quite convenient once he got used to it.

“…I’ll head out first.”

“What about your pay?”

“Deposit it in the bank as usual. Oh, and you know what happens if you forget?”

“I don’t know about the other guys, but with you, Rihan, I wouldn’t dare shortchange you—I’d even pay double! Just promise you won’t go work somewhere else!”

“I know.”

Ihan responded halfheartedly to the construction foreman as he quickly scooped water from the well and poured it over himself.

After washing away the sweat and dust, he dried himself with a towel, maintaining a semblance of cleanliness.

He changed into relatively clean clothes and headed outside…

“‘The Lady’ is waiting for you.”

“…Sigh.”

A man who appeared to be an experienced butler bowed respectfully as if to escort him, and Ihan sighed at the sight of him.

It was a familiar face, and Ihan found this old man quite uncomfortable.

“You must be working hard too, sir.”

“Haha, it’s nothing much. Come, let’s go.”

“Phew…”

There were many reasons why this gentleman, Butler Albert, made him uncomfortable, but three stood out in particular. One was that this butler held the title of baron.

Not just any nobleman, but a baron from a prestigious family known for their loyalty to the royal family—a man who couldn’t be treated carelessly even by those of higher rank.

Although Ihan didn’t care about impressing nobles, dealing with someone of this caliber was truly uncomfortable.

Yet despite his high status, he treated everyone equally and respectfully, whether commoner or beggar, and was a perfect gentleman who even ran an orphanage.

This was the second reason Ihan found it difficult to deal with him.

If the man were openly confrontational or cold, Ihan could simply ignore him, but he was too proper for that.

And finally, the biggest reason he couldn’t treat this man carelessly was…

“Oh, your muscle quality has improved. It’s wonderful to see your steady progress, ho ho.”

“Ah, y-yes.”

“At this rate, I think you might be able to land a hit on Baltar someday. Keep it up.”

“…Haha.”

Because this gentleman was one of only three Aura users in the kingdom.

For reference, Baltar was the commander of the 3rd Knight Order and the one who had dragged Ihan into the knights.

‘This old man is quite crazy too.’

He was clearly a man of integrity, but why would someone known as superhuman work as a butler?

…Well, come to think of it, Baltar Grace was also in a relatively minor position as commander of the 3rd Knight Order rather than Commander-in-Chief of the military, so that was equally strange.

Considering the peculiar background of the third Aura user as well, perhaps all Aura users were eccentric in their own way.

The reason he couldn’t openly show this on his face was because he knew he might get hit if he didn’t manage his expressions properly.

He had fought with this gentleman once before.

‘He was terrifying.’

A perfect gentleman normally, but once he picked up a weapon…!

“—You’re late.”

…Ah.

Before he could continue his train of thought, he found himself already near an elegant carriage parked in a quiet alley.

“Late? I didn’t deliberately arrive late.”

“Your words are as smooth as ever, Albert. You were probably either gossiping about me or chatting idly.”

“Ho ho, that’s quite a misunderstanding. You’re being too harsh, Princess.”

“Hmph! Not funny at all.”

Though her tone seemed arrogant and aggressive at first glance, the unmistakable dignity and presence in her voice exuded the highest quality of refinement.

Feeling the noble aura emanating from his counterpart, Ihan gave Albert a disgruntled look that said, ‘Do I really have to get into this carriage?’

“Please get in.”

Instead of answering, Albert respectfully opened the door and pushed him in.

…Cruel man.

Inside the carriage were two ladies-in-waiting and various jewels and magical items that highlighted its splendor.

The interior was far more magnificent than what could be seen from outside.

Yet even the sparkle of the jewels paled in comparison to the noble aura emanating from the veiled woman.

Ihan smiled bitterly and bowed his head in the spacious carriage interior, large enough for five grown men to lie down.

“It’s been a while.”

“Hmph, you heartless man. How can a friend be so out of touch?”

“I’ve been busy with life.”

“Nonsense. If you had only accepted my patronage, you would have had plenty of leisure.”

“Haha.”

“Trying to brush it off with laughter again, I see.”

She used the word “friend” when addressing Ihan.

At first glance, it seemed completely incongruous.

Just from the nobility she exuded, one could tell she was among the highest aristocracy, so it was hard to believe she could be friends with Ihan, who showed neither refinement nor extraordinary qualities.

Yet surprisingly, Ihan and the woman were indeed friends.

…The only flaw being that their social status differed as much as the brightness between a firefly and the sun.

“The Crown Princess must have been busy as well, so we’re even.”

“Still that impertinent tongue. I’d like to cut it off right now.”

“That’s not a joke—”

“I’m not joking.”

“…I apologize.”

“Hmph, still so quick to bend your waist.”

Tap.

The woman, Isis Elaine de Pendragon, first in line to the Pendragon royal succession, tapped her fan against her hand and snorted haughtily.

—Revealing her stunning beauty that belied her forty-some years.

* * *

Crown Princess—when they had met in the past, she had merely been a princess, but in just three years, she had gained unapproachable power and become the official heir to the royal family.

Some had made outdated remarks questioning whether a woman could become monarch, but those who made such comments had probably become fish food at the bottom of the vast river by now, or perhaps fertilizer in the ground.

Truly a fearsome woman.

Having secured a foothold in power while still in her twenties and demonstrating the skill to recruit even Albert, an Aura user, she already carried herself with the dignity of the next monarch.

…It was quite ironic that his friendship with such a formidable woman had been a coincidence.

“Crown Princess, Your Highness. What brings you here tod—”

“Enough. Don’t call me by such awkward titles. Call me as you usually do.”

“But, our positions are different now…”

“Do you intend to make me repeat myself?”

“—Sister! Your adopted brother pays his respects!!”

“Ho ho, that’s more like it.”

Isis smiled broadly, pleased with his playful antics, creating the illusion of a flower bud blooming.

Though clearly in her forties, her beauty still radiated brilliantly.

Well, it was said that people of the Pendragon royal family maintained their youth until they were 100, so it wasn’t surprising.

Their average lifespan was even 150 years.

‘If they avoided stress and overwork, they could live up to 200 years, wasn’t it?’

…Impossible for royalty, of course.

“Remember this, Ihan. You saved my life, making you my benefactor. In return, you received the honor of becoming my brother, which you should consider a lifelong honor and act of mercy.”

“…Sister, you really haven’t changed at all.”

Three years ago, just after the war ended, Isis had visited a garrison to encourage the soldiers when she was attacked by an assassin.

Fortunately, a brave soldier saved her—that soldier was Ihan, and that was how their relationship began.

…Don’t get any strange ideas just because their relationship began.

There was absolutely no romance.

In fact, romance would be problematic because…

“Ho ho, I’ve actually become much more gentle than before.”

“How is the child doing?”

“Would you like to see?”

“Woo woo!”

“……”

“He simply refuses to leave my side.”

She was a married woman who had given birth to a child.

“……”

Ihan’s mouth fell open.

He knew who that child was.

He had seen him from a distance when he was just a newborn.

That’s why Ihan, irreverently:

“…S-Sister, I know I shouldn’t say this, but… are you insane?”

He scolded her, and Isis, pleased with his words, smiled even more broadly, showing a magnificent laugh worthy of a great man.

“I’m perfectly sane. I bring him along precisely because I trust my people.”

“…Sometimes I think you’re quite idealistic.”

“I know.”

“Woo woo!”

“Ho ho, yes. What a bold laugh. Well, it’s only natural that my child should have such boldness.”

“Hmm…”

Didn’t a friend from his past life say that all politicians were missing a screw or two?

It seems his friend’s words were…

‘Spot on.’

The only son of Crown Princess Isis and direct heir to the royal family continued to giggle, and Ihan’s stomach hurt.

All he wanted was to escape from this place immediately.

…Though it was even more depressing that he couldn’t.