“Go down the alley,” Ruel instructed, and Cassion nodded in agreent. “I’ll lead the way.”
“Aris, silence the sounds around us,” Ruel continued, giving his instructions.
“Understood,” Aris replied, and he imdiately used magic.
—And what about this body? Leo was also waiting for his instructions.
“Leo, you…” Ruel hesitated for a mont, but Leo’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Leo, reveal yourself and stay close to ,” Ruel finally said. The rumor of Ruel carrying a red fox had spread widely.
—Got it! Leo happily jumped down from Ruel’s shoulder and stuck closely to Ruel’s leg.
Pretending to casually explore the market, they naturally made their way towards the alley, with Ruel patiently waiting for the person following him.
Their eyes t as a man glanced at Ruel.
Ruel removed his hat, offering a gentle smile.
“If I made you uncomfortable, please accept my apologies,” Ruel said politely.
The man, accompanied by several imposing individuals, approached Ruel cautiously, scratching the back of his head.
“I unintentionally followed soone I couldn’t see here, and I apologize regardless of the circumstances.”
The man bowed his head to Ruel. Then, realizing sothing, he gestured towards the n behind him, and they respectfully backed away.
“If you have a mont…” the man began hesitantly.
“Go ahead,” Ruel replied, noticing the man was wearing and the n who approached him as if to escort him, Ruel noticed that he was not a commoner.
“Here.”
Ttuk.
Ruel gestured with his cane toward the ground. He intended to show respect but had no intention of being led by the man until he knew his purpose.
“I’m not sure if I can convince you, but I am not a suspicious person,” the man explained, rubbing his chin and shaking his head. “No, this isn’t very convincing.” He seed to be talking to himself, contemplating how to gain Ruel’s trust.
‘What is he doing?’
“How can I persuade him to believe ?”
Ruel grasped his cane at the man’s clearly audible muttering. Preparing to speak and not wanting to waste any more ti.
However, before he could say anything, the man introduced himself.
“Please don’t be startled and hear out. I am Prince Treitol Kran, the second prince of the Kran Kingdom.”
“…?”
Ruel’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
The man then took out a necklace and approached Ruel, but Aris stepped in.
“Do not co any closer,” Aris warned, cautious of any potential threat.
“Oh, my apologies. In any case, please show this to your master,” the man said.
Aris took the necklace from the man and handed it to Cassion.
Sniff.
Leo sniffed.
—Slls like the ocean!
Cassion closely inspected the emblem on the necklace and nodded slightly towards Ruel, indicating that it was indeed the authentic emblem of the Kran Kingdom.
Ruel internally swallowed his surprise.
‘Has the Kran Kingdom’s envoy already arrived?’
Ruel glanced at Cassion and spoke softly, “Return it.”
It was clearly Cassion’s mistake not to inform him.
However, Cassion’s expression remained unchanged.
‘Does this an the envoy hasn’t arrived yet?’
The man, who was smiling awkwardly and trying to hide his embarrassnt, was indeed a prince.
The necklace was real, after all.
Ruel bowed his head to the man.
“I apologize for the inconvenience. I am Ruel Setiria.”
“Ah, as expected, you are Lord Ruel Setiria,” Prince Treitol said with relief, placing a hand over his chest before bowing his head in surprise. “Oops. Let formally apologize. Will you forgive all my actions?”
‘He believed so easily?’
Ruel montarily suppressed the doubts that arose within him. He hadn’t revealed the Setiria crest on the back of his hand yet.
‘He must have already investigated .’
He raised the corner of his mouth even higher, “How about we relocate first, Your Highness?” Ruel suggested, wanting to properly welco this suspicious guest.
***
Ruel attempted to secure a private room at the inn to have a conversation with Treitol, but the prince had rented out the entire place as a gesture of apology.
‘What a waste of money.’
He was a prince, after all.
‘The prince I know wasn’t like this.’
Ruel sipped water in silence while thinking about Banios living in his house.
Leo, sitting on Ruel’s lap, tilted his head in confusion when he saw that there was only water on the table.
—Why is there nothing here?
He tried to jump onto the table, wondering if he was mistaken, but Ruel grabbed his tail.
—Hic!
“Oh, my apologies! I rented the shop to make you more comfortable, but it seems you’ve already had your al,” Treitol expressed his regret with a sigh.
“No, I simply ate a bit earlier,” Ruel replied, hiding his annoyance and maintaining a polite smile. As they walked together and after renting the shop, Ruel continued to wonder why Treitol wanted to et him.
“To be honest, it was a coincidence,” Treitol began cautiously, sensing Ruel’s wariness.
Ruel felt uncomfortable with Treitol’s pretense.
“You can speak comfortably, Your Highness.”
“I deeply regret my actions, and I wanted to apologize to Lord Setiria…”
“It is I who feels uncomfortable,” Ruel interrupted suddenly, causing Treitol to blink in surprise before awkwardly smiling.
“I apologize… I an, I’m sorry. I spoke that way because of my guilt towards Lord Setiria.”
“I consider myself fortunate to have t you, Your Highness Treitol, in this vast neutral zone,” Ruel confessed. Even when Ruel questioned whether it was truly a coincidence, Treitol answered without hesitation.
“Oh, by the way, speaking of coincidences, the diplomatic delegation has not arrived yet. I hurriedly ca here because I was eager to explore this place.”
“You arrived before the delegation?”
“That’s correct. I have always wanted to see the neutral zone. It’s a place where the perspectives of the Kran, Leponia, and Cyronian nations converge!” Treitol exclaid excitedly before quickly covering his mouth. “I apologize. I haven’t been out much, so I didn’t realize my voice was getting loud.”
“It’s alright. I understand that feeling.”
“I appreciate your understanding. It’s sowhat embarrassing,” Treitol said, taking a sip of water before returning to the main topic. “I overheard soone passing by calling out ‘Lord Ruel.’ Out of curiosity, I followed, as I only know one Ruel, Lord Setiria.”
“Did you know about ?”
“Of course! Lord Setiria, the noble who saved the village of the Cyronian Kingdom and earned the title of the Noble of Darkness, is truly an exemplary noble!”
—This body’s favorite words! Ruel is indeed a noble of darkness!
Ruel’s expression suddenly crumpled, and he grew tired of maintaining his smile as bombshell words ca from both sides.
‘Damn you, Ganien.’
He never expected to hear the title ‘Noble of Darkness’ here.
It hit him hard.
“I’ve always hoped to et Lord Setiria soday,” Treitol said with a smile, extending his hand. At that mont, Ruel felt a strange sensation wash over him.
Swish.
For a brief mont, Treitol, who had appeared harmless until then, seed different.
It was like touching a spider’s web that couldn’t be easily broken.
‘What’s happening?’ Ruel blinked a few tis and looked at Treitol again.
The person sitting before him appeared plain yet elegant, just like when they first t.
Treitol briefly glanced at his outstretched hand before retracting it awkwardly, seemingly embarrassed.
However, Ruel held onto his hand.
“I am also pleased to et you, Your Highness.”
“I am truly, truly glad as well. I didn’t expect to encounter Lord Setiria here. If I had known, I would have followed the envoy to Leponia,” Treitol expressed his regret while fiddling with his glass. He spoke as if there were reasons preventing him from joining the delegation, so Ruel asked vaguely, “Even now, couldn’t Your Highness join the delegation?”
“It’s a bit complicated. Um, there are internal matters that I can’t discuss. It’s just regrettable,” Treitol replied.
“Cough.”
Treitol asked worriedly as Ruel coughed.
“I’ve heard rumors that you’re not feeling well.”
“It’s nothing. Just a minor cough,” Ruel reassured him.
“I hope I’m not taking up Lord Setiria’s ti with my presence,” Treitol said, taking a mont to collect himself.
Even in the midst of their conversation, a spirit departed. It was a pity, really.
“It’s alright. I’ve been curious about Kran for a while,” Ruel replied, patting Leo while maintaining an innocent smile.
“Well, that works out nicely then. Although I haven’t traveled much, I know my country well,” Treitol said, and from then on, he continued to talk incessantly.
He ntioned the beauty of the seas in the Kran Kingdom and the bridges connecting the neutral zone, sharing trivial stories.
Ruel struggled to stifle a yawn and noticed that Leo had fallen asleep. He found Treitol rather uninteresting.
“Oh, I forgot to ask the most important question amidst our conversation. I’ve heard about the Turbulent Day in Setiria. Is it truly as beautiful as they say?” Treitol asked, ntioning the Turbulent Day, catching Ruel off guard. If Treitol knew about it, it ant that the Turbulent Day was not just a famous sword.
Ruel had even shattered that sword twice, albeit a replica.
Ruel composed himself and replied, “Yes, it is truly beautiful. If Your Highness ever visits Setiria, I would be delighted to show it to you.”
“Thank you. I’ve been eager to see it. Ah, the legends associated with Turbulent Day are quite fascinating, aren’t they?”
“That’s what legends are for, aren’t they? Most of them are fictional.”
“Yes, indeed. But they often have roots in true stories. Ever since I learned about the Turbulent Day, I’ve been curious about the hero who perished by that sword.” Treitol smiled. “And what about Lord Setiria? Aren’t you curious?”
“I’ve never really pondered it before. But now that Your Highness ntions it, I am starting to feel intrigued.”
Ruel’s words flowed effortlessly, and Treitol burst into laughter.
“…!”
Ruel suddenly choked and hurriedly covered his mouth as blood spurted out.
‘Not again…’
Treitol, who had been laughing joyfully, quickly stood up in shock upon seeing the blood flowing between Ruel’s fingers.
“Quickly! Get a doctor!” he urgently shouted, and Cassion imdiately rushed into the room.
“I will take care of him. I apologize, Your Highness,” Cassion said, carrying Ruel out.
“No, go quickly! Hurry!” Treitol urged Cassion hastily.
“Until we et again, Lord Setiria,” Treitol said faintly, leaving Ruel with an unsettling feeling, as if he was caught in a spider’s web.
***
As Cassion carried Ruel back to the inn, Leo, who had been sound asleep, suddenly opened his eyes, hearing Ruel’s groans.
—Ruel?
Leo hesitated, not sure what to do, as he saw Ruel curled up in pain, trembling.
—Cassion, Is Ruel in pain again?
“It’s the pain he always experiences,” Cassion replied calmly, administering a third painkiller to Ruel, who seed to be in more intense and prolonged pain than before.
It was a variable he had worried about, but fortunately, they were currently in a neutral zone and not the Beast Forest.
Aris wiped Ruel’s cold sweat and asked Leo, “Leo, can you check to see if anything black stuff has increased in Ruel-nim’s body?”
—There aren’t any.
Leo approached Ruel and gently patted him.
—Don’t be in pain. I will comfort you.
“Cassion.”
Aris called out heavily, interrupting Cassion.
The enemy had finally made a move, and Aris could sense their presence.
Expecting retaliation from the Red Ash, Aris calmly said, “I will go.”
“Don’t let any of them escape,” Cassion instructed.
“Of course,” Aris replied, tightly gripping the handle of his sword.
Opening the door swiftly, he drew his sword.
The enemy had been waiting for an opportunity, and now they had targeted Ruel.
How dare they?
Aris’s eyes glead with fiery determination as he declared, “Not a single one.”
Flas erupted from his sword with a swift motion. “None of them will survive.”
***
As the pain subsided, Ruel breathed heavily, feeling drained. Cassion offered a handkerchief and asked, “How about returning to the mansion?”
Ruel, after coughing up black blood, raised the corner of his mouth and said, “You know this symptom… it appears even when I’m resting. What about Aris?”
“He went with my subordinates to dispose of the bodies.”
“Bodies? There was Red Ash?”
“Yes. As soon as we crossed the gate, the enemy attacked. Although I thought they would give up once we reached the neutral zone, they pursued us again.”
“Cassion,” Ruel called out to Cassion fiercely. He, too, foolishly didn’t know about it.
“I apologize. But I didn’t want to disturb your peaceful journey, and it seed manageable enough for Aris to handle.”
“Cassion, you have an obligation to report everything to . Is there anything else you’re hiding?”
“Yes, there is.” Cassion spoke without hiding the truth. After all, even if he had concealed it, only his heart would ache.
Ruel looked at Cassion with a look of disbelief. “There’s more?”
“As you know well, I am your loyal butler, Ruel. I won’t do anything that harms you.”
He confidently stated that the hidden information was for Ruel’s benefit.
Ruel clenched his fists, considering Leo’s presence, and suppressed his anger.
Cassion had hidden the truth from him, but he was unhard.
It was clear that it was sothing for his own sake. But it was unpleasant.
After inhaling Breath, Ruel asked without showing his emotions, “…Fine. What happens if I find out?”
“You will likely be greatly confused.”
“Greatly confused?”
“Yes, after all, who doesn’t have secrets?”
Ruel chuckled at Cassion’s remark. “Okay. You’re right. Who doesn’t have secrets?”
Ruel’s gaze gradually turned cold. “But not you, Cassion.”
Ruel’s words drew a clear line between them, and Cassion suppressed a smirk that almost escaped.
Regardless of whether he had crossed a line or not, he couldn’t show any fear to Ruel.
It was only natural for soone who was his master.
“Rember,” Ruel reiterated, driving the point ho, and Cassion lowered his head.
“I will keep it in mind. If you ever wish to know the secret I’ve hidden, please command anyti.”
“…No. Later. Tell later.”
Ruel didn’t want to imdiately know what secret Cassion had concealed, considering the potential confusion it could cause.
His mind was already consud with thoughts of Rupina.
Ruel closed his eyes in exhaustion, then opened them again, raising his upper body.
“Would you like to rest a little longer?” Cassion asked, his gaze falling on the bloodstains on Ruel’s clothes. He had brought plenty of spare clothes, knowing this would happen.
“We’ve already delayed for too long,” Ruel replied, turning his head toward the spirits clinging to his body. “Once Aris returns, we’ll set off.”
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