Chapter 267: Side Story: The Adventures of Isaac Adler (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 267: Side Story: The Adventures of Isaac Adler (5)
“Ugh…”
“Adler? Are you finally coming to?”
Clutching my pounding head, I forced myself to sit up. As expected, the scenery was entirely different from where I’d been before the drinks started flowing.
“You’ve been groaning and clutching your head ever since we got into the carriage. I was worried something was seriously wrong with you…”
“And this place is…?”
I quickly realized I was indeed inside a carriage, and the person sitting beside me was none other than the Queen of Bohemia. Thankfully, it seemed everything was proceeding according to the plan I’d mapped out in my head before downing that liquor.
Still… I have a nagging feeling I did something I’ll regret.
What was truly puzzling, however, was the absence of Princess Clay, Silver Blaze, and even Moran. Why weren’t any of them here?
I tried to piece together my fragmented memories, but a sudden, sharp pain shot through my skull. From experience, I knew that forcing myself to recall things in this state rarely ended well.
Right. Whatever I can’t remember isn’t the priority anyway. I’ll give it some time.
Somehow, that felt like the healthier choice for my sanity.
“Are you asking about this place?”
As I pondered, the Queen, who had been watching me with genuine concern, gave me a soft smile and threw open the carriage window.
“Wow…”
What met my eyes was a vibrant, bustling European morning, brimming with life and prosperity.
… This looks oddly familiar.
It wasn’t an exact match, but it reminded me of a view I’d seen once during a brief backpacking trip back in my university days.
“This is Prague, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the heart of Bohemia.”
“Pardon?”
Of course, the words out of the Queen’s mouth sounded like something straight out of an alternate history novel.
“Why are you so surprised? Prague has always been the capital of this ancient empire, steeped in history and tradition…”
“Ugh, my head… all of a sudden…”
“Your condition still isn’t right, I see.”
Hold on a damn second. Prague is the ancient capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?
If I kept listening to her, the collision between her words and my modern understanding of history was going to make my headache unbearable. Pressing my hands to my temples, I cut her off mid-sentence. She looked at me with a grave expression.
“What kind of scoundrels did this to you? I will not forgive them for what they’ve done.”
If I told her that a certain detective she’d hired years ago and a university professor were the ones who orchestrated my confinement, would I ever truly escape that hellhole reeking of… fluids?
Of course not.
If this were something the Queen could solve, I wouldn’t be in this predicament in the first place.
Honestly, I was more worried that meddling might trigger some butterfly effect—like accelerating the outbreak of the First World War. Not that it mattered much; the Professor is already speeding things up by herself. I’m just doing my best every night to sob and wail in desperation, hoping to delay it, even if only by a little.
“I can’t remember very well…”
“Damn it… How dare those bastards commit such heinous acts…”
I mumbled evasively, but the Queen, looking personally affronted, pulled me into her arms. Her face was filled with anguish.
“Do not worry anymore, Adler. I will protect you for the rest of my life.”
“……”
For some inexplicable reason, her words made my eyes sting. After being forcibly entangled in chaos for what felt like an eternity, experiencing pure affection like this after so long was…
No, snap out of it.
For a fleeting moment, I almost let myself get swept away by her intensity. I had to remember my purpose for being here.
Wait, why did I seek asylum here again?
Oh, right. I’m on the run.
If only I’d gone straight to August Academy in the first place, none of this would’ve happened!
I’d strayed so far from my original destination. What was I supposed to do now? Should I suggest the Queen invade England? No, that might just get me kicked out of here, too.
“Is it… still troubling you?”
“… Uh, what?”
Noticing the sudden shift in my expression as reality dawned on me, the Queen asked in a low, concerned voice.
“My royal marriage… I mean.”
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, there was supposed to be a highly significant wedding happening soon. It reminded me of when I first arrived in this world. Back then, things hadn’t spiraled into such a catastrophic mess.
“Well… I did mean to talk to you about that.”
“Really?”
As I reminisced wistfully about the past, the Queen, who had been watching me intently, suddenly seemed to reach a decision. She leaned closer and whispered softly.
“Still, it feels inappropriate to discuss it here…”
I listened, trying to figure out how to navigate this predicament, but her next words caught me completely off guard.
“Let’s discuss it further at the palace.”
“Sure, I guess…? Wait, what?”
I stared at her, wide-eyed.
“Why? As Queen, isn’t it only natural for me to return to the palace?”
“Well, yes, but…”
So she wasn’t just going to find me some discreet hideout?
.
.
.
.
.
A few days later, at the historic landmark of Prague Castle in Bohemia.
It’s nice to live in luxury for a change, but…
Having been discreetly transported to the castle under the Queen’s orders, I found myself lounging in an opulently decorated room, nibbling on grapes while lost in thought.
Is it really okay for me to just sit around like this?
To be honest, part of me wanted to act immediately. But with no information on how far the Professor had tracked me or what the situation outside even looked like, I was hesitant to move.
If only Moran were here, we could regroup and plan a covert journey to England.
Then again, rushing things might not be the best idea.
Looking back, even if I’d stormed the academy right after escaping, I’m not sure I would’ve succeeded. Given the distances involved, I likely would’ve run straight into Lestrade or the Professor before even reaching the headmaster’s office.
In fact, lying low for a while and striking when everyone’s guard is down might actually be the superior strategy.
This isn’t because I’m enjoying the comfort. Nope. Definitely not. Uh-huh.
—Creak.
As I mulled over my thoughts and popped another particularly sweet grape into my mouth, the door suddenly opened.
What’s this? Have they already come to clear the dishes?
“Adler.”
“Oh, Your Majesty.”
It wasn't a servant; it was the Queen.
After insisting I stay hidden in the palace due to "urgent matters," she had been absent for some time, presumably caught up in her duties as both a queen and an empress. Seeing her look so weary made a sudden pang of guilt shoot through me.
“No. Call me Isaac.”
“Pardon?”
Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my head, but she sat softly beside me. She took my hand in hers, her touch gentle.
What was this? What did this mean?
“To tell you the truth, I’ve been trying to cancel the wedding these past few days. After all, I’ve finally found my true love.”
“Uh, what?”
“But… it seems I’m far too late.”
As I watched her, her words became increasingly unsettling.
“I failed to convince the ministers. If I were to push ahead with my own decision now, it would inevitably lead to national turmoil.”
“Th-That’s a shame.”
Caught off guard, I stammered a response. The Queen’s once steady gaze suddenly welled up with tears.
“I’m truly… truly sorry.”
Her voice trembled with emotion, filling the room.
“I could have finally made you happy…”
“No, well… I’m fine, really. Haha…”
A wave of guilt swept over me. I waved my hands dismissively, forcing a cheerful expression.
“I mean, I could just go live quietly somewhere. If you could just spare me some travel money…”
“Which is why I have a proposal for you.”
Before I could finish, she grew even more crestfallen. Then, without warning, she pulled me into a tight embrace.
“W-What if we were to mingle your blood with the noble lineage of the imperial family?”
She uttered something that made me doubt my own hearing.
“What?”
“Wouldn’t you want to see your child ascend the throne and rule as an emperor?”
I gawked at her, stunned, trying to process the words.
“Wait, are you saying that…”
“Just so you know, I’ve silenced anyone who might remember that my original hair color was brown. Which means…”
She ran her fingers through her hair—now dyed to match mine exactly. With her flushed face leaning closer, she whispered words that sent a chill down my spine for the first time in days.
“Even if I were to bear your child, no one would ever know.”
“Are you in your right mind right now?!”
“…Tainting the noble bloodline of the empire just once—surely that isn't such a terrible prospect for a man, is it?”
Oh, for the love of—! Where’s my emergency stash of alcohol when I need it?