episode_0031

Deep within the eastern wing of the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince’s residence.

A crystal chandelier softly illuminates the room, and the bookshelves along the walls are filled with thick books.

Square, square.

A white noise is heard as the pen moves.

The ebony desk in the center was filled with neatly organized documents, and Crown Prince Fedelian was processing the documents while enjoying the quiet atmosphere.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

At that moment, a deep voice was heard from behind him. Fedelian spoke calmly without even turning his head.

“Did you get the work done?”

“Yes.”

“What is the result?”

“That’s… ….”

The man, who was wearing a black robe that was turned over so that only Inyoung could be seen, avoided answering.

“Failed?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Hmm.”

square.

The quill stopped and the white noise disappeared.

“Did you tamper with the evidence?”

The shadow bowed its head.

“Yes. I placed the corpses of the mercenaries and bandits, including the free knights from Sanburg, nearby to make it look like a fight had broken out.”

Fedelian nodded slightly. Those who were part of the Sanburg bandits and mercenaries had bounties on them, so their origins were clear and they were suitable for use.

A more certain way would be to infiltrate the Sandburg estate and bring back the corpses of official knights with clear origins, but that would be a long tail and would likely lead to detection.

In that respect, it was appropriate to place the blame on the Sanburg side by using a mercenary group or a band of bandits that included free knights.

“There might be a war with Sanburg.”

There was nothing wrong with the Sanburg side, but they took the blame. Their mismanagement caused a great disaster to the pride of the Empire.

The Empire will not simply demand compensation for the damages.

They will show you what happens if you don’t treat them properly as an example.

In any case, based on the known information, it is true that the Sanburg side did not treat the imperial messengers well and that they failed to control the border.

If a conflict with Sanburg were to arise in this way, it would be an opportunity for Fedelian as well. It was a favorable choice that would allow him to strengthen his own position while raising the prestige of the Empire.

There was no need to worry about danger. The really dangerous front was Cassis Lenokhonen. You could just send that warlord.

Fedelian asked.

“What happened to the others?”

“All Imperial Guards are dead.”

“Have you identified the body?”

“Yes.”

The shadow bowed its head deeply. The Imperial Guard that had gone together to protect Rudela Bismark were all found dead under the bridge.

Caught in the blast and falling from a height of several dozen meters, it was impossible to survive.

“Only the bodies of Johan Harsen and Rudela Bismark were found.”

“Yes. I searched all over the cliff, but I couldn’t find it. And I couldn’t trace the magic.”

“It must have been Johan Harsen who wrote the number. He knew a lot of strange magic.”

Tak. Pedelian put down his quill pen and closed his eyes, tilting his head back. It was to relieve the fatigue that was creeping up on him.

“Eliminate all traces, retrieve the shadows you placed, and stay away from the area. It’s time for the officials to move. That’s it.”

The shadow responded by lowering its head and then disappeared into an afterimage.

Fedelian frowned and tapped his index finger on the desk.

‘Johann Harsen, you’re squirming like a rat. This is the second time you’ve done this.’

From the time of the special-class demon lord’s attack until now, it wouldn’t be strange if both of their limbs were torn off, but they survived safely.

It is true that while his skills were outstanding, he was also quite lucky.

‘As expected, I don’t like it.’

Fedelian swallowed his slight discomfort and returned to his work. There was nothing he could do right away since he couldn’t even find the shadows.

* * *

Swaaaah.

A torrential downpour that showed no sign of stopping.

Rudela and John were sitting side by side at the entrance to the cave.

Winter was approaching, and the wind and rain were making me feel cold, but the white noise gave me a sense of psychological stability, so it wasn’t that bad.

“How much is left?”

Rudella asked, hugging her knees. Her smooth, white thighs were exposed in such a position that Johan looked away and answered.

“It’s one day. Tomorrow is the promised date.”

“I see.”

Rudel nodded and buried her mouth in her hugging knees.

“… By the way, can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“How do you spend time with your lover?”

John paused for a moment, looking up at the cave ceiling as if trying to guess what Rudella meant by that.

“Time.”

Rudel watched John’s face carefully while waiting for his answer. She was simply curious about what he was doing with his lover.

Phew.

It rained.

The sound of the endless pouring rain created silence inside the cave.

John spoke quietly, maintaining a distance where he could feel Ludella’s body temperature.

“I think it’s time to get to know each other in small daily life. Usually, we go for a walk together or have dinner together and share what happened that day.”

John smiled slightly. When his eyes turned to Rudela, Rudela turned her face away slightly. She couldn’t meet his eyes.

“I see… … .”

Spending small daily lives together and sharing time together. It’s a romantic and heart-fluttering little life.

Rudel suddenly wondered about the warm smile he was showing to his lover.

“How do you smile when you smile at Princess Pervace?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. It’s not like I’m really paying attention to my smile.”

Rudella spoke quietly, caressing her wrist for no reason.

“Hey, can’t you just smile at me like I’m Princess Pervace?”

“… … I don’t know what it means.”

As John’s expression hardened, Rudella hurriedly made excuses.

“Just, just because you’re curious. Didn’t I say that before? I was curious about what kind of life you’ve lived. It’s an extension of that… … .”

Rudel buried her face even further into her hugging knees. Why was she asking for such a favor and making such excuses? She felt hot with embarrassment.

“Um… ….”

John seemed to think for a moment, then nodded and looked at Rudella.

The escort was feeling increasingly anxious, but this was something they could have just let go of.

“Okay. Then look at me.”

“… Do I really have to look at it?”

“… If you don’t look at me, I can’t show you a smile.”

“Ah.”

Rudella coughed in vain and looked at Johan. Their eyes met. Just as her face was about to turn to the warm gaze, Johan grabbed her chin.

“I told you I can’t show you if you turn away.”

“… … .”

At that moment, Rudella felt her face heat up. She must have turned bright red. But contrary to her worries, Johan didn’t seem to feel it.

“How is it?”

He had such a bright smile. His smile was warm and comforting, and it touched my heart.

“… … .”

Rudel’s heart stopped beating. Her chest started pounding, and she wished that smile was directed only at her.

With that smile that appeared so casually, she seemed to be under the illusion that she had been chosen.

“Lady Bismark smiled, thinking she was Princess Francia… no, Princess Perbace. I hope you were satisfied.”

John smiled awkwardly and scratched his cheek. He too was quite embarrassed by the situation. It was a smile he only showed to Francia.

“I was… …very satisfied.”

Rudella muttered softly, her voice crawling.

“Yes?”

That’s why John didn’t hear it.

“Ahem. No.”

Rudella turned her head, coughing. As her fever rose, her ears and cheeks were turning bright red.

“Hey, can you hold my hand?”

Suddenly, Rudella spoke cautiously. She held her breath even after she spoke it herself. It was because she had spoken impulsively.

“Are you cold?”

“Oh, that’s right. Hmm.”

Come to think of it, it was cold. Rudela sighed in relief, having found a suitable excuse. She was glad he didn’t find it suspicious.

“Let’s catch it.”

John held out his hand. Rudella carefully took his hand.

The moment they held hands, she unconsciously tightened her fingertips. She felt her fingers tremble subtly under his touch, as warm magic spread through them.

The urge to move a little closer crossed her mind, but the thought that she shouldn’t made her face flush.

“The weather is cold. Winter is approaching and heavy rain is coming.”

Johan, who unconsciously clasped his hand in Rudel’s, said.

It was a habit that was formed because Francia and I always held hands like this.

“… … .”

Because of that, Rudel completely froze. It wasn’t just a simple grab, but the sweetness of the contact that lovers had was crawling up the back of her neck.

If it were now… … .

Just a little more… … .

Can I come closer?

Such a desire slowly blossomed. Rudel felt her eyes spinning. It was because her head was too hot.

“Lady Bismark?”

“Mumumumumu, what is it?”

Rudella stuttered even as she spoke.

John tilted his head with a puzzled look.

“…Why are you suddenly like that?”

“Oh, no. I’m just. I’m just a little tired… … .”

“Would you like to lie down?”

“It’s okay. I just… …want to stay like this.”

Rudella held Johan’s clasped hands tighter and buried her face in her knees. Her heart was pounding like crazy and her breathing was becoming labored.

“… … .”

Swaaaah.

While the sound of rain can be heard.

Rudel prayed that Johan could not hear her heartbeat. He would surely think it was strange if he did.

I didn’t want to be thought of as strange by anyone else, at least not to him.

“Your face is red.”

John put his hand on Rudel’s forehead. He felt heat.

When his hand touched her forehead, Rudelah stopped moving completely.

All senses were focused on his hands, and even his breathing stopped.

My heart was pounding.

“… You have a fever. It’s cold outside, so we need to be careful. Should we go inside? Let’s go to the bonfire.”

John said with a worried look in his eyes.

Rudel’s shoulders trembled. Does this man know? That his many acts of kindness touch his heart and soul.

… … you wouldn’t know.

“… I’m going inside. It would be a shame if I got sick after holding out this long.”

Desperately maintaining her senses and suppressing her desires and longings, Rudel released his hand and stood up.

I can still feel it at my fingertips. It’s rough, but surprisingly soft and warm.

“… I’m tired, so I’ll rest for a bit.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

As Rudela lay down in the bushes, Johan lit a fire.

Knock knock.

The fire began to burn and the heat spread.

Rudella.

Even though I lost contact with him and the distance between us grew, my heart still beat fast.

I tried to show my embarrassment by caressing my wrist with my fingertips and twisting my long silver hair with my fingers.

“Let’s hold out for just one more day, Lady Bismark.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Knock knock.

The blazing fire warmed their faces, but the cold air outside and the sound of the heavy rain obscured the strange distance between them.

“… … .”

Rudel’s eyes were shut tightly, hoping that this moment would last longer, but also guarding herself against wishing so.

What if we cross the line now?

Fear and anticipation simultaneously enveloped her.

“I hope tomorrow never comes… … .”

She whispered without knowing it, hoping that her small voice would not reach John.

But on the other hand, I wondered how he would react if he heard it.

But that only lasted a moment.

‘… You’ve finally gone mad, Rudella Bismark.’

Rudella swallowed and chastised herself for what she had just been through. She had been so honest with her desires and longings that she had come up with ridiculous thoughts.

I was really on the verge of falling for him. No, maybe I had already fallen for him in my heart.

And so another day passed.

The time has come to part with John.