Chapter 56
It had been two days since the Subjugation Corps arrived in the Valaris Count Territory.
In that ti, much had changed.
First, the bodies of the dead had been sent back to the Capital, and the injured too returned there along with the procession.
Among them were so who had no visible injuries and seed perfectly fine, yet no one blad them for leaving.
“Anyone who wishes to return—do not feel ashad. Every mber of the Subjugation Corps who fought to repel the orc horde is already a hero. The Aphahiel Empire will never forget the labors of its heroes.”
That was the order from the Corps’ Supre Commander, Marquis Carson.
In the last battle, over a hundred and fifty n had died, and fifty more were left with injuries that would scar them for life.
Coupled with such words from Marquis Carson, the number of those who left the Subjugation Corps increased by the day.
Many things had changed after the battle, but the greatest shift of all was in the atmosphere between the Second Prince, Arencar, and the Fifth Prince, Yuwon—their positions had completely reversed.
“…We’re among ourselves, so I’ll say it plainly: if His Highness the Second Prince hadn’t acted so recklessly, at least fifty fewer n would’ve died. Am I the only one who thinks that?”
“Of course not. Until His Highness the Second Prince charged out and broke formation, the total casualties in the Subjugation Corps weren’t even ten. Considering the strength of the additional orc wave that appeared afterward, if the formation had held, the entire outco of the battle would’ve been different.”
“Phew… thinking about it now, it’s truly fortunate that His Highness the Fifth Prince arrived as early as he did. Judging by how things were then, if he’d co even an hour later, it would’ve been a massacre.”
“I agree. If His Highness had been an hour late… would you and I even be here talking right now? I doubt it. I really thought I was going to die that ti.”
Wherever people gathered, similar conversations arose. So even went further, outright condemning the Second Prince. Considering the standing Arencar had before the battle, such talk would’ve been unthinkable.
“If that bastard hadn’t been blinded by greed for military rit… Luke wouldn’t have died so aninglessly…!”
“Hey, watch your mouth, friend. What if soone hears you?”
“Watch my mouth? Aren’t you angry too? Our longti friend died, his body crushed beyond recognition!”
“Of course I’m angry. I’ve known Luke longer than you have—how could I not be angry? But saying such things won’t change anything. Hold your tongue. Save your words, and show your will through action.”
“Action? What could weak nobles like us from the borderlands possibly do?”
“Think about it. Even people like us can choose where to stand. For example… we could pledge ourselves to His Highness the Fifth Prince.”
Not a single good word was said about the Second Prince anywhere. anwhile, Yuwon’s reputation only continued to rise.
“They say that a few hours before the battle even began, His Highness the Fifth Prince warned Marquis Carson that an attack was likely.”
“Really? That’s strange. It looked like everyone was caught completely off guard when those creatures appeared.”
“Well, that’s because Marquis Carson ignored His Highness’s warning. The commander was still hung up on ghosts of the past—‘White Dog’ this, ‘White Dog’ that… tsk tsk.”
“Heh… is that so? But how did His Highness even know beforehand? That’s uncanny.”
“You say that after seeing His Highness’s performance? Knights who’ve mastered the sword can cut through enemies in the dark with their eyes closed. It’s probably sothing like that.”
“So you’re saying His Highness noticed sothing even Marquis Carson didn’t? Does that an he’s stronger than the commander?”
“Who knows? You can’t be sure until they fight. But if you ask —I’d say yes.”
Without realizing it himself, Yuwon’s na spread through the camp, shaping him into the image of an ideal man.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
“Good morning, Your Highness!”
As Yuwon stepped out for so business, the mbers of the Subjugation Corps greeted him warmly. Yuwon returned their smiles with a soft grin.
“Yes, a good morning indeed.”
In the past, such greetings might have felt overly formal or burdenso.
Now, however, every face that greeted him was alight with genuine joy.
He was about to pass by after a simple reply when one of the n who had greeted him stepped forward.
“Your Highness may not rember , but I am one of the n whose life you saved on the battlefield. I’m truly grateful for that day.”
“Hmm… You were the one who risked yourself to protect a comrade even while struggling to stay alive yourself, weren’t you? A true example of knighthood. Of course, I rember.”
“Oh, You do rember! I’m honored. But to say I’m an example of knighthood—no, that’s too much. If not for Your Highness’s help, I doubt I’d still be alive.”
“My intervention doesn’t diminish your courage. You acted despite knowing your limits and still threw yourself into danger. You, not I, saved your comrade and yourself. You should take pride in that.”
“Your words… truly an everything to , Your Highness. I’ll continue to devote myself to serving Aphahiel.”
Yuwon’s smile brightened as he extended his hand for a handshake.
“I’ll hold you to that. I’d like to rember you for that promise… What is your na?”
The man, almost trembling with gratitude, reached out his hand.
“Ah, forgive my manners. My na is Erol Hampton, Your Highness.”
“Hampton… a family of scholars, yet here stands a knight among them?”
“Ha… haha… I’m honored that Your Highness even knows of our humble house.”
“How could I not? There are more than a few works by your ancestors that left a deep impression on .”
“Ah… truly? Those old texts are scarcely read nowadays… As expected, Your Highness is well-versed in both the pen and the sword.”
“Hm… so that’s what they say now—that I’ve mastered both. Once, they used to call a dog.”
“Ha… haha… impossible! Who would dare say such a thing to Your Highness?”
“Why so surprised? The whole world knew it.”
Yuwon chuckled softly.
At that easy, confident smile, Erol Hampton was once again moved.
‘Now no one can deny it. His Highness has been sharpening his blade all this ti under the na of the Wastrel White Dog…!’
“I have an appointnt, so I’ll take my leave. I enjoyed our talk, Sir Hampton.”
“Yes, Your Highness! Farewell!”
Even as Yuwon left the inner quarters, many others recognized him and greeted him warmly.
He responded to each one with the sa bright smile, though he did not linger in conversation as long as before.
Once he exited the inner citadel, Yuwon slipped into a quiet alley and opened his subspace bag.
‘Too many people are recognizing now. That won’t do.’
Rummaging through the bag, he pulled out his old black robe and mask. He needed to move unnoticed.
Yuwon’s decisive reason for heading south—Hastings’s rescue.
‘If he went toward the Great Jungle, he must have passed through Valaris. And with Marcellus’s size, soone here would surely rember if he caused a stir. Hopefully, I’ll find so useful clue… well, I’ll know when I get there.’
Having made up his mind, Yuwon moved like the wind, lting into the shadows.
‘The Thieves’ Guild first.’
His eyes glead through the slit of his mask as he headed deep into the back alleys of Valaris.
A few minutes earlier, in the sa market alley Yuwon had passed through, two n in deeply drawn hoods walked down the sa road.
The man behind carried arms full of groceries—it seed they had gone shopping. The man in front was busy haggling.
“Hey, mister! Why’s a sack of wheat so expensive? You think I’m an outsider just because I’m wearing a hood? I’ll have you know, I’m a local—born and raised in the South!”
“Heh, you must’ve been hiding under a rock. Prices are like this everywhere these days. Don’t want it, don’t buy it. Plenty of others will.”
“What? That’s it? You think I’ll just take that? It’s not even warti! Forget it! I’m not buying! Goodbye! I’ll never co here again! Tch!”
The haggling ended in complete failure. The man spat on the ground in frustration and stord off.
The one behind, still holding the groceries, bowed politely to the rchant in apology before following.
“Hey, hurry up! What are you bowing for? Co on! We still have more to buy!”
“Yes, coming.”
“Damn it, those filthy crooks. Prices doubling in a month? A real rchant knows to take a fair profit! Scamrs, all of them.”
The man in front grumbled ceaselessly, his anger yet to cool. The one behind trailed quietly, clearly uncomfortable.
‘He could’ve just paid the price… everything I saw on the way here was about the sa…’
Of course, he only thought it—he wouldn’t dare say it aloud.
The hierarchy between the two n was obvious: the talkative one was the superior, the quiet one carrying the load was the subordinate.
‘Still, my senior isn’t the type to argue without reason… and he’s haggled everywhere today. Could prices really have gone up that much in just a few days?’
It was only the beginning of sumr—food prices shouldn’t have risen so drastically. The man followed, frowning, until suddenly—he caught a familiar scent.
‘Huh…?’
He stopped abruptly. The man in front seed to sense it without even turning around.
“What? See sothing you want?”
“No, sir. I just thought I caught a familiar scent.”
“Scent? Don’t be ridiculous. I know you’re excited to be among people again, but we’re not here to play.”
‘Right… it couldn’t be the sa person anyway.’
Shaking off his thoughts, the man resud walking.
“Yes, understood. Must’ve been my imagination.”
“Good. Let’s get moving. If we get stopped for a random inspection, it’ll be a headache. Feels like sothing big’s brewing anyway. The South’s been… uneasy lately.”
“Yes, sir. Let’s finish shopping quickly and head back.”
“Right. Next ti, I’m not dragging you with . Just watch and learn.”
“Yes, sir. Don’t worry—I’m watching carefully.”
“Hmph. You’re good at talking, at least. Let’s go.”
“Yes, yes. Coming.”
He answered obediently, but for so reason, his steps faltered. After a few strides, he turned back once more.
‘No way… it can’t be. There’s no reason he’d be here.’
From under his hood, his eyes carried a weight of unspoken emotion. Just then, a gust of wind swept through the marketplace. His hood blew back, revealing his face.
“There you go again! You keep spacing out and I’ll leave you here! Huh? You even took your hood off? Get it together, Hastings!”
Of course—the man in front must’ve had eyes in the back of his head.
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