episode_0050

Vess tightly clenched the bead containing the conversation between the Crown Prince and his subordinates.

“If I have this bead, I can prove the innocence of the princess!”

Eager to rush to where Claudia was, but…

“But… how?”

Currently staying at an inn near the Imperial Capital, close to the palace where Claudia resided.

In search of evidence to prove Claudia’s innocence.

However, Claudia’s trial had already begun.

Before the verdict was reached, Vess should have obtained the evidence and handed it to Claudia, but he was too late.

“What should I do…”

Due to the empire’s strict laws, once a verdict was reached in a trial, even if new evidence emerged later that could overturn the decision, the verdict remained unchanged.

Therefore, before the verdict was finalized, Vess had to intervene in the trial.

The problem was that Vess, in his current position within the palace, held no official status.

Originally Claudia’s bodyguard, Vess had relieved himself of that duty, fearing that the Crown Prince might blame him if things went awry.

Thus, Vess couldn’t enter the palace where Claudia stayed.

His plan was to swiftly find evidence to prove the princess’s innocence and somehow contact Claudia to participate in the trial.

“Is there no way to intervene in the trial?”

Despite rigorous training, Vess, at best, could only exert the strength of an advanced adventurer.

“At this rate, I might… lose the princess.”

The power struggle within the royal family was chilling.

If the Crown Prince emerged victorious in the battle for the throne, who knew what he might do to Claudia.

“Sigh…”

– Beep?

“Is there no way to intervene in the trial?”

– Beep…

“It seems even you can’t do it.”

It was inevitable.

Even if it meant getting caught and imprisoned in the empire’s underground dungeon, he had no choice but to try.

With determination, Vess left the inn room.

—

“Phew… it’s high.”

Vess hid in the bushes beside the palace walls.

Observing the palace knights and guards passing by, he began calculating how to use Sylph’s power to cross the wall.

“It might be tough here… but yes, this spot looks good. Sylph, lift me up.”

Using Sylph’s power, Vess crossed the palace walls multiple times and made his way inside.

“Just a little further.”

Good. Just a bit more in this direction.

At the moment he was about to enter the grand hall where Claudia’s trial was taking place…

“Intruder.”

Vess slowly turned his head at the voice behind him.

“A small spirit, huh.”

There stood a wizard in typical robes with a long beard, stroking it.

“The Royal Court’s chief wizard…!”

“Hmm? Do you recognize me?”

Damn it! Caught!

Known to have reached the esteemed level of 7 Circles, the royal court’s wizard was not an opponent Vess could easily defeat or evade.

“I don’t know why such a young spirit mage has sneaked into the palace, but…”

Woong

Numerous magic circles unfolded behind the wizard.

“It’s not something I can overlook, having an intruder set foot in the palace.”

Kwahng

Magic spells aimed at Vess.

“Sylph!”

Kwahng Kwahng

Vess summoned the wind spirit to start deflecting the attacks.

“Gah!”

However, due to the significant gap in mana quantity between them, practical experience, and skill, Vissus was not a match for the wizard.

—

*Zzzing!*

The wind spirit couldn’t withstand the wizard’s attack and was forcibly summoned back.

*Wooong*

Soon, chains of magic power emerged from the ground, binding Vissus.

“For a spirit mage, you are quite exceptional for your age. It’s unfortunate. But do not worry. With such talent, His Majesty will likely show mercy.”

He would probably rot in prison for a few years.

—

“No.”

This cannot happen.

It doesn’t matter if I am imprisoned.

But… but then I won’t be able to save the princess!

*Whiiing*

A fierce wind began to swirl around Vissus.

—

“Hmm?”

The sudden increase in magical energy density.

The wizard’s eyes widened at the strange sight before him.

“I can’t be captured like this!”

*Whiiiiing*

*Sizzle*

The magical chains binding Vissus were all severed.

*Kwoong*

And a massive portal opened in the air.

“This… this can’t be.”

The wizard’s mouth gaped in awe at the being slowly revealing itself within.

“How can a spirit with this much magical power… Could it be, no, the Spirit King!”

A wind spirit in the form of a mature woman embraced Vissus from behind.

“…Eh? Sylph?”

*Zzing!*

—

The once small girl transformed into a stunning beauty.

Yet, Vissus, connected to her soul, realized that the wind spirit queen embracing her was none other than her own spirit, Sylph.

“How… how can you…”

-I’ll explain later in detail.

“Can you speak now?”

-We don’t have time right now.

“Ah!”

Stunned by the shocking sight, Vissus remembered her purpose for being there.

The person she needed to save.

“Yes. Sylph. Can you help me?”

-Of course. Everything is as my master wishes.

*Kwaaang*

—

* * *

—

“Plead, Cladia. Do you admit the charges brought against you?”

“The girl…”

A formal trial held within the royal palace.

As another family judging the noble blood of the imperial family was inappropriate, the Emperor himself presided over this special and solemn trial.

“If she admits guilt here, the lady will be confined to a small tower within the palace.”

Exile for tarnishing the honor of the imperial family and causing a scandal meant complete elimination from the succession competition for the Emperor’s favor.

Cladia recalled her encounter with the Crown Prince in the temporary confinement room the night before.

“You must know you can’t escape. If you’re clever, you won’t be clueless.”

“You…!”

“Hehe. If you admit your guilt at tomorrow’s trial, I’ll let that man you care for go free.”

“!!!”

“What do you say?”

For some reason, the Crown Prince noticed Cladia’s special treatment of Vissus.

In exchange for giving up the imperial succession competition, he promised to ensure Vissus’s safety.

“Vissus…”

Initially just a cute child.

Someone competent enough to be a useful aide.

When did these feelings grow so strong within her?

“Vissus. If you can remain unharmed… then perhaps I…”

“As the girl admits to the charges against her…”

—

At the moment Cladia was about to admit the unjust accusations against herself,

*Kwaaang*

The massive doors of the courtroom burst open.

“Hwangnyeo!”

The man’s cry, so longed for, echoed.

“Vistus? Why?”

The sudden appearance of an intruder flustered the judge.

“What are the palace knights doing! Seize the intruder!”

Even in the Emperor’s bewildered state, Gungjeongbaek ordered the palace knights nearby.

“Oh, no…”

Seeing Vistus again, relieved that he had come all this way to save her.

To invade the royal palace directly.

That was by no means a matter to be taken lightly.

No matter how well it was resolved, at least a serious crime enough to avoid the underground prison of the palace was inevitable.

To see Vistus suffer like that.

She couldn’t just stand by.

Growl

“Kk!”

Claudia unknowingly raised her hand to cast a spell, but due to the magical seal restraining her arm, she crumpled in agony.

“Hwangnyeondim!”

Kwung

As Vistus witnessed the scene, his emotions fluctuated, and behind him, the King of the Wind Elementals revealed himself.

Woowoong

A being of unmatched presence descended, overwhelming everyone with immense pressure.

Even the knights rushing towards Vistus were pinned to the ground by the overwhelming force.

“To have such presence… Could it be… the King of Elementals?”

“How can a human… command an Elemental King?”

Although the members of the royal court had seen many elementalists due to their powerful positions, they had never encountered a being of such unmatched presence.

“Vistus… you…”

Thud thud

Amidst the silence enveloping the courtroom,

Vistus slowly walked towards Claudia.

“Why are you here?”

“I am the princess’s guardian knight.”

Vistus smiled brightly at Claudia.

“I’ve come to rescue you, my princess.”