Episode 294: Unwanted Assistance (2)
The red hue of twilight seeped through the window, bathing the room in its glow. Hastia offered her prayers beneath the light, eyes tightly shut, as the indistinct shapes of nurous spirits looked down upon her.
(Have you forgotten your awareness as a White Elf, Hastia?)
‘Of course not.’
(Then why do you not return to Fruian and remain within the lands of humans?)
‘I cannot return until I’ve ensured the safety of the one who showed favor. Without that person, speaking with you like this would be impossible.’
Hastia demonstrated an unwavering and assertive attitude throughout.
(We understand your heart, but the ti has co to give up. Have you not considered the worry you are causing to your clan mbers in Fruian?)
However, the ntion of her clan made Hastia’s lips quiver.
‘But, I…’
(Stop there. Do not continue to speak.)
Interrupted by the spirit, Hastia had no choice but to sever the connection.
(We will not tolerate further deviation. Return and fulfill your duties to your clan, Hastia.)
‘What should I do?’
(Return to Fruian imdiately.)
Hastia, seemingly expecting this, didn’t react with surprise.
(However, you must take soone with you.)
Her eyes widened in response to the ntion of a companion.
‘Who are you speaking of?’
(Sian Bert.)
Her widened eyes then churned with shock and confusion.
‘Why Sian in Fruian?’
(The gods wish it.)
Imdiately, Hastia grasped the soul stone tighter, her hands trembling.
* * *
Night fell suddenly after the expected hour-long conclusion of the battle against the Demon King, which had taken longer than thought. It was a relief to have avoided a ssy aftermath.
Thus settled, what’s going on here?
Near the boundary gate, about 20 ters away, the lack of soldiers was discernible.
Lower than a squad’s worth?
Still, cautious observation confird the minimal military presence.
Had there been a sudden relocation of troops?
It was a curious situation, yet serendipitous for , allowing for stealthy exit from the boundary gate and passage into the interior of Bellias.
[A savior who brought peace to the interstice, yet the welco is underwhelming.]
A savior my foot.
I might as well be lucky not to be shackled on arrival.
Ignoring Keram’s jeers, my imdiate destination was the imperial villa in Bellias.
Approaching the main entrance for assessnt…
Sothing felt off.
Beyond the gates of the villa where the princess resided, the military presence was unusually sparse.
This disparity raised questions. Could the princess truly be inside?
And with that small spark of curiosity, unease began to take hold.
Only personal confirmation would suffice now.
-Shh
“Hm?”
“What’s happening?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Thought I sensed sothing pass by…”
Easily evading the guards’ eyes, I infiltrated the villa.
“Haap!”
The mont I went to enter, a familiar, spirited yet hollow shout caused my gaze to instinctively turn.
There could only be one other man with such a shout known to .
“Huff! Huff!”
The sharp swordplay cutting through the cold night air unmistakably belonged to Brian, who was in the midst of training.
Upon confirming no one else was around, I approached him directly.
“Wh-who…?”
Felt by Brian, he imdiately spun around.
“Young Master?!”
Recognizing my face, he dropped to the floor hastily.
“Welco back! I’m relieved to see you’ve returned safely!”
Really, this kind of thing is too much for .
“Enough, stand and cease your babbling.”
At my word, Brian sprang up, his eyes becoming tinged with rising emotion.
To avoid any sentintal entanglent, I shifted the topic.
“Why are you alone here?”
“The princess had graciously assigned this imperial villa for us to stay in your absence. Staying at the Bert residence would have been inconvenient…”
That makes sense.
The likes of the dimwit Krantz and Duchess Margaret would not welco my people.
“And the princess?”
“She has safely returned and is now at ease in the villa with Nana and Emily!”
So she has safely returned?
“But why are the guards so scarce? Isn’t the princess here too?”
“Ah, well, that is…”
He hesitated, suddenly trailing off.
“She returned to the royal palace soon after reaching Bellias.”
“Imdiately? For what reason?”
“The Emperor… his health deteriorated rapidly. I assu it was her decision to return quickly considering her extended absence. She expressed regrets and gratitude, asking to convey them to you. You’re welco to rest at the villa if you wish…”
Is the emperor’s illness recurring?
While I understand the reason,
“What about others? Did they return with the princess?”
“Not really. Lady Lunab and Sir Seth are still here in Bellias.”
There’s no reason for to et and bother them now.
It’s better to leave without seeing them.
“What about Hastia? Is she here too?”
“Hastia? Oh yes, she’s with Emily in her room.”
“Then quietly bring her here. No need to ntion my presence.”
“But why, if I may ask?”
-Sssh
I need not answer, as another presence intrudes.
“Seems that won’t be necessary.”
For the one I was seeking, the elf, had found her way here on her own.
‘Welco back, Lord Sian.’
Clutching the soul stones in her hands, Hastia greeted warmly.
Her mood seed subtly changed, or was it just my imagination?
I promptly moved with her to a secluded place for a private conversation.
“Let’s go to Fruian together.”
‘…!’
She looked surprised, which I expected, but her reaction more intense than anticipated.
‘Why are you heading to Fruian?’
No point in hiding the truth, so I relayed the entire ordeal with the Devil Dragon’s leader to her.
‘So, Lord Sian, you seek a way to survive from the highest beings in Fruian?’
I nodded to affirm, expecting that the situation would not be pleasing to Hastia.
She, a being protected by a deity, had no good reason to assist soone like , an eyesore to those deities.
That said, I didn’t really want her help.
It was simply convenient to take her along to Fruian; what ca after, I’d handle myself…
‘Yes, I’ll help you with everything I can!’
“…?”
‘Willingly!’
She accepted my request readily, beaming with enthusiasm.
Even after I asked her several more tis if she was truly fine with it, Hastia remained resolute.
I decided to et her at dawn and sent her away, then returned to where Brian was.
“Where are you going now?”
“You know the drill, why ask?”
“Still… it’s.”
“Sorry for causing you concern. I didn’t an to bring you all the way to Bellias.”
“Not at all, Young Master!”
Brian emphatically denied with a wave of his hand.
Smirking, I turned away from him.
“Where to now?”
“Ho. I have soone I need to see.”
“Who might that be?”
Obviously, it wasn’t to see Krantz or the Duchess.
If I had to put it simply…
I was off to see the person who offered unwanted aid.
* * *
Under the shroud of a lancholy night, Elis was left alone in the empty room, leaning against the window and gazing at the room’s landscape, her eyes filled with intense sadness.
-Creak
The door suddenly opened, and a brief shock at the unexpected visitor was replaced with…
“Welco, Sian.”
Elis greeted him calmly with a smile, though Sian’s eyes bore a hint of sharpness unlike usual.
“You look rather stern. It’s as if I’m the guilty one here.”
“…”
“How did you know I’m here?”
“Just had a feeling you’d be here. This was the first room I visited.”
The siblings found themselves in the room of William Bert, the head of the Bert family, located on the top floor.
“Heh, family’s intuition is sothing else. To be in synch like thi—”
“Why did you do it?”
Sian’s cutting question was followed by silence.
“What do you an?”
“To do our respective duties, that was your own decree. Was this your idea of duty?”
Elis simply looked back into Sian’s eyes, seemingly untroubled by his severe inquiry.
“I won’t mince words. Where have you put Eshel—my brother?”
“And once I tell you, what will you do?”
Should another have asked that question, Sian would have promptly answered without hesitation.
I would kill him.
But before Elis, those words remained unsaid.
“Will you kill him?”
He dreaded the inevitable follow-up he knew would co if he answered.
“Why?”
“He’s a criminal who insulted the empire and the royal family. He also brought dishonor to our family and father…”
“That’s all in the past.”
Sian fell silent again.
“You’ve wanted to kill Brother Eshel for a long ti, haven’t you?”
“…”
“Ever since you saved at the front seven years ago, no, even before that, you’ve been intent on his death.”
“…”
“Even Brother Eshel admits he doesn’t understand why you hate him so much…”
Sian’s lips refused to move, and Elis pressed on with her words.
“I don’t want to force you to explain. But I can no longer wait. It’s ti for you to choose, Sian.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Tell all your secrets, right here, right now. It’s about ti you did, isn’t it?”
“Give another option.”
Sian imdiately made clear he couldn’t share his secret with her yet.
“If not that…”
Elis, however, seed prepared for his refusal, remaining impassive.
“Let it all go, Sian.”
“…!”
“Let’s end this here.”
(To be continued)
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