“When we arrive in the central region, we will join with Heint,” Carson said, holding a book with a sowhat reluctant expression.
But that didn’t last long, as he soon smiled.
“With the nobles who sided with those Neubra bastards being apprehended one by one, this trip should be safe, so don’t worry.”
“What do I have to worry about when my brother is here?” Lucion replied, playfully nudging Ratta.
Knowing it was a slightly sugar-coated response, Carson couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Originally, we were supposed to et today, but as you’re aware, the Emperor has made it known that our ties with the Imperial Family have strained a bit due to the Eastern incident, as a diversion for the enemy’s focus.”
“Indeed, I’m already inford.”
“After a brief stay in the central region, the 8th Order of the Knights will then join us.”
‘The organization mbers are ready, but.’
Lucion tickled Ratta again as she tapped his hand that had stopped.
Giggle.
Ratta burst out laughing.
“But by now, Heint is likely at our estate in the central region. He is accompanying His Majesty.”
Lucion looked surprised, as if he had been waiting for this.
[Wow, my disciple. The more I see him, the better his acting is.]
Russell teasingly poked Lucion’s cheek.
“Don’t look so shocked. He’s here due to the Magic Tower attack strategy.”
Observing Lucion’s tensed deanor, Carson spoke reassuringly.
Lucion, unable to look Russell in the eye, swallowed his anger and asked, “But isn’t His Majesty in trouble because of ?”
“No need to worry about that. Everything will be fine,” Carson reassured him.
“Good to hear. That’s a relief.”
“And it seems there will be one more person joining us.”
‘It must be Kran.’
Lucion’s eyes widened, despite his inner thoughts.
“Who might that be?”
“Kran, a mber of the Ale organization, will be assisting us in this mission.”
Lucion realized that if Heint had ntioned it, Carson would know that the leader of the organization Ale is not Kran but Hal.
However, Carson skillfully avoided ntioning ‘the warlock Hal’ and redirected the conversation.
“What kind of organization is that?” Lucion asked, and Carson narrowed his eyes.
“It’s suspicious, but not necessarily a bad place.”
“Suspicious yet not bad?”
It was difficult to shake off the feeling that it was like forced praise.
It wasn’t like Carson.
‘What is it again?’
His hand, previously playfully tickling Ratta, paused abruptly.
He distinctly rembered Carson referring to Hal as a ‘bastard.’
“So, there’s soone there who wears a mask. What I said was just because that person seems suspicious, but the organization itself isn’t bad.”
“Are you referring to the person you once called to as a ‘bastard?’”
“That was in the past. He’s not like that, so disregard my previous words,” Carson responded, his expression unchanged.
[Sothing feels off about this.]
Bethel tilted his head as he listened to Carson’s words.
[Carson shifting his stance? Well, it’s plausible. Given Lucion’s disclosures, it makes sense. Heint would have learned that Hal aided Cronia, so this reaction is expected.]
‘Ah.’
Lucion finally grasped the reason behind Carson’s change in attitude.
It appeared Carson had realized that Hal was the one who had assisted Cronia, as Russell had ntioned.
‘Indeed. My brother values gratitude and retribution.’
[It makes sense to change his words after hearing that fact.]
Even Bethel nodded in agreent.
“Lucion, how is your wound now?” Carson asked.
“It’s much better,” Lucion responded.
After hearing his answer, Carson looked at Hu.
Lucion’s eyes widened.
‘…?’
“Yes. The young master’s wound has significantly improved. We can likely remove the stitches in a few days.”
When Hu smiled, Carson was reassured, though Lucion furrowed his brow.
‘Why does no one believe when I say I’m fine?’
[It can’t be helped. They need to see it to believe it.]
Russell t Lucion’s gaze as if asking why, but he didn’t bother to answer.
Russell had already told him so many tis, but he didn’t listen.
* * *
“Don’t be nervous,” Carson reassured Lucion as he paused at the door, glancing back at him.
Lucion simply blinked in response.
[Could it be Carson who’s nervous?]
Just as Russell suggested, Lucion thought the sa.
“Why should I be nervous if I haven’t done anything wrong?”
Lucion’s mind raced, contemplating what might happen if Ketlan recognized him.
‘I have to do well.’
Seeing Lucion’s determined deanor, Carson burst out laughing.
“Precisely. That’s the natural response, but many don’t think that way, hence why I asked you.”
Before entering, Lucion glanced at Hu, who was holding Ratta in his arms.
Hu was waiting for his instructions.
Today, Lucion realized he didn’t need to be so tense.
There had been no attacks on the way here. As Carson ntioned, those who would attack him
were either already caught or too busy fleeing.
“We might be engaged in a lengthy discussion, Hu. So why not treat yourself and Ratta to sothing delightful?” Carson suggested.
―Ratta can wait!
Ratta appeared resolute, while Hu calmly spoke up.
“I’ll wait here.”
“Ah, rember that ice cream shop we saw last ti? Rember, Hu?”
―Hop! Ratta rembers too!
“I rember. Are you talking about ‘Norvia’s Afternoon’?” Hu asked.
“That’s right! Lady Tella told it’s a place that only sells ice cream in the sumr, and she said the ice cream there is really delicious.”
Given the sumr season, indulging in so ice cream was a must.
Lucion thought about how he hadn’t had any ice cream due to various reasons: his wound, the heat, or fear of catching a cold. But now, he felt it was okay.
“I’ll go get so right away.”
Even for such a simple errand, Hu genuinely seed happy.
“Sure. Treat yourself to sothing delightful while you’re at it.”
As Lucion searched through his pockets, Hu shook his head.
“I have enough money. The young master gave so just the other day.”
“Just take it. I can’t let you run out of money for food.”
He knew how much Hu and Ratta could eat.
Lucion passed the pouch with the money to Hu, who clutched it tightly.
‘I’m worried.’
In Cronia, it was fine to just send Hu and Ratta, but he was a little worried because this was the central region.
When he had sent them on errands before, they had been confronted by a guy who asked, “Do you believe in the doctrine?” And after they returned, they happily shared stories they had heard about the person’s parents, oblivious to the situation.
“Hu.”
Hu responded with a bright smile. For so reason, he appeared particularly cheerful today.
“Yes, young master.”
“Don’t follow anyone else, okay?”
“I understand.”
―Ratta knows too.
“No matter who calls you, unless it’s soone you recognize, ignore them.”
“I’m aware of that as well.”
―Yes! Ratta knows!
Although both responded enthusiastically, a sense of unease lingered.
[I’ll keep an eye on them, so don’t worry.]
Bethel chuckled heartily, her shoulders shaking with laughter, before chiming in.
[If you accompany them, we’ll feel much more at ease.]
It seed that Russell shared the sa doubt about Hu and Ratta; he let out a deep breath and briefly slumped his shoulders.
“If you’re that worried, I could assign a knight to accompany them.”
To Carson, Lucion and Hu seed equally worriso.
“No. Hu can manage. I trust him.”
It was perhaps an unnecessary reassurance for a simple task, yet Carson chuckled and turned the doorknob.
An uneasy silence enveloped the room, almost as if conversations had abruptly ceased.
Lucion glanced at Heint, seated directly across from him, then shifted his gaze to Ketlan.
Ketlan’s eyes were filled with apologies as they t Lucion’s.
The door closed, then Carson and Lucion bowed their heads to Ketlan.
“We are honored to et the Empire’s only sun.”
“That’s enough. We all know each other, so there’s no need for such formalities.”
Ketlan’s attire was casual because he was being followed, but it did little to hide his air of authority, reminiscent of a corporate executive.
“Please, take a seat.”
Ketlan gestured for them to sit, and as Lucion settled into his chair, he greeted Heint warmly.
“Have you been well, brother?”
Heint glanced at Ketlan before pointing out the dark circles under his eyes.
“Look at these. They’re from lack of sleep—such deep shadows!”
“I deeply apologize for burdening Sir Heint every ti,” Ketlan expressed his regret sincerely.
Despite the presence of knights in the empire, the 8th Order of the Knights, being a newly established order, inevitably had to handle a variety of tasks.
Essentially, wasn’t it a blend of imperial guard duties, Lucion’s responsibilities, and Hal’s tasks?
“I am simply grateful for Your Majesty’s recognition,” Heint responded with a bright smile, sensing this was the complint he desired.
Carson frowned, his expression clearly saying, ‘What nonsense,’ which made Lucion cover his mouth and giggled.
“Lord Carson.”
Approaching and kneeling to match Ketlan’s sitting level, Carson responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Was he… quite upset?”
“Yes, my father was exceedingly, exceedingly upset.”
“Perhaps next ti we et, I should let him slap a couple of tis. Would that help relieve the tension?”
“How about offering both cheeks for a slap?”
“Ha…” Ketlan sighed.
“I agree. I would willingly present both cheeks.”
[What?]
Russell wondered if sothing was amiss and glanced at Lucion and Heint, finding both of them equally puzzled.
No matter how friendly Ketlan seed, he was still the emperor.
[This is strange, right? No matter how close Novio and Ketlan are, Ketlan is still an emperor. Is it really okay to hit him?]
‘Absolutely not. You might be charged with treason.’
Lucion shuddered at the thought.
“Oh, don’t be so startled, Lucion. This sort of banter has been customary between the Emperor and our father since my youth,” Carson reassured Lucion quietly.
Heint frowned montarily but composed himself in front of Ketlan.
“Lord Lucion.”
Ketlan addressed Lucion cautiously.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It’s the first ti I’ve seen you since you beca a saint, and your face… doesn’t look so good.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Lucion replied succinctly.
“Relax, there’s no need to be so tense. I didn’t co here to devour you,” Ketlan quipped, but Lucion rely offered a faint smile.
Ketlan rubbed his chin in apparent embarrassnt and asked Lucion, “Have you heard the story of the Magic Tower from your father, Lord Novio?”
“Yes, I am already aware of it. I inford my father of my intention to go.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need for apologies. I am pleased to assist the Empire during this ti,” Lucion responded calmly.
Carson glanced sideways, Heint wore a strange expression, and Ketlan raised an eyebrow.
[Why does everyone seem so off? Sothing feels strange.]
Lucion’s reply was perfect, but as the mood darkened, Russell started fiddling with his earlobe.
“Do you not fear this?” Ketlan inquired, still with a raised eyebrow.
“Why wouldn’t I be afraid?” Lucion replied with a smile. “I’ve thought about it several tis. Despite the fear, there is only one conclusion: I must participate in this mission, and no one can take my place.”
Ketlan’s brow twitched.
His manner of speaking felt oddly familiar, despite the difference in voice.
“I’m just going to enter the magic tower and look around as if nothing happened in this operation. What else can I do there?”
Lucion’s words caused Carson to gasp involuntarily.
Carson wanted to caution him against speaking so casually, but he was currently conversing with Ketlan.
“While it is daunting, I am prepared,” Lucion continued.
“The magic tower is peaceful now, but no one knows what will happen once you go inside,” Ketlan said, his voice serious.
“But the fact that I have to go doesn’t change, Your Majesty. I simply trust Your Majesty, Sir Carson, and Sir Heint, including the knights.”
‘He really resembles him.’
Ketlan oddly recalled Hal.
No.
Was it Hal who resembled Lucion?
Knock, knock.
At that mont, a gentle knock on the door interrupted his thoughts as he readied himself to greet the next visitor.
“My apologies for the delay. I represent the organization…”
Kran entered, lowering his hood slightly as his gaze t Lucion’s.
For a brief mont, his eyes lit up, but he swiftly resud his introduction.
“I am Kran Zell, the acting leader of Organization Ale.”
Kran appeared more energetic than ever. He seed genuinely excited to introduce himself as a mber of the organization.
‘Well, it looks like everyone is here now.’
Lucion smiled slightly.
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