Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: A New Expedition
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< Chapter 8 #2 >
&
“Felicia?”
“It’s only been a few days. Still, it’s good to see you.”
After all, it had only been five days since Ingong left the Demon King’s Castle.
Entering the central chamber of the small temple where Ingong was staying, Felicia, accompanied by Delia, was as haughty and glamorous as ever.
Ingong let his shoulders slump slightly and asked.
“Are you the one dispatched from the Demon King’s Castle?”
“Yes, I volunteered.”
Felicia answered breezily before plopping down on the cot. Delia stood silently by her side like a shadow.
*She must have planned this all along.*
He hadn't known of her arrival until she stormed into the temple. At this point, he had to assume she had deliberately concealed her visit.
*Though it doesn't seem like she has any particular agenda.*
It seemed like a prank, something that could be summed up as a surprise appearance. It was proof that Felicia treated him with a casual familiarity, so Ingong decided to welcome the gesture.
But that aside, one question remained.
“What about the Anvil that Births Thunder?”
Felicia had originally visited the Jishuka Mountains to investigate the Anvil. If not for the audience ceremony and merit report, she would never have returned to the Demon King's Castle.
At Ingong’s question, Felicia let out a small laugh, crossed her legs, and replied.
“I was planning to go. But you finished the job far too quickly.”
She wasn't just saying that. Felicia narrowed her eyes, leaned forward, and added.
“Just two days. Two. Do you realize that even Chris and Caitlin haven’t left the castle yet?”
The Cassius subjugation mission was one that should have taken at least half a month. Depending on the circumstances, it could easily last over a month, as it required tracking the erratically moving Cassius herds.
But the job was done in a mere two days. Even if it took another day or two for the news to reach the castle, that was only three or four days total. It was no wonder Felicia and Caitlin hadn't left yet.
*Right. In Knight Saga, even I stayed at the castle for at least a week whenever I returned.*
Ingong, who had left the Demon King's Castle for another mission after just two days, was the abnormal one.
As Ingong nodded slowly in understanding, Felicia shook her head in disbelief. She uncrossed her legs, rose from her seat, and approached him.
“Shutora, you’re in the spotlight right now.”
Unlike before, her voice held no trace of playfulness. Instead, her eyes were clouded with worry.
“The Cassius subjugation mission itself, frankly, isn't that difficult. It’s a frequent occurrence, almost an annual event, so it’s not considered a big deal in the castle. But two days… the timeframe is too short.”
A first always draws attention. Moreover, the Cassius mission was a long-standing tradition of sorts. Naturally, many knew about it, and they couldn't help but be shocked by the two-day timeframe.
“On top of that, the details of the mission are so different from usual. It’s bound to attract attention.”
The Drake Ogres that appeared among the Cassius herd.
The herd’s completely atypical movements.
The powerful grand magic cast in conjunction with the guardian spirit of the Anger Plains.
Each detail was enough to pique interest. And all of them were capped off by the two-day completion time.
In truth, those three factors were what made the two-day timeframe possible, but dwelling on such cause-and-effect relationships was meaningless. What mattered was how people reacted.
“It’s only been a few days since the audience ceremony that shocked everyone. Just when everyone was curious about you, you went and threw them some fresh, juicy bait.”
The details of what missions the Demon King's children undertook and how they resolved them were not exactly secret.
However, that didn't mean everyone paid close attention. At Ingong’s first audience ceremony, the only person who knew of his merits beforehand was Isabella, the official in charge of meritorious deeds.
But things had changed. One could say the world shifted the moment the Demon King called Ingong’s name. Many had been watching his first mission after the ceremony, and they all received astonishing news.
“Is that why you came?”
Ingong asked reflexively. Felicia was momentarily flustered and quickly averted her gaze. She produced a small fan from somewhere, partially hiding her face as she spoke nonchalantly.
“Well, if anyone else had come, they would have tried to tear you down or spy on you.”
That's why she had volunteered. To protect Ingong from the world's malice.
Ingong was genuinely touched. He sent a look of immense warmth toward Felicia, which only made her more uncomfortable. As if embarrassed by the situation itself, Felicia, who had been trying to look away, spun around and blurted out.
“That’s not all. I’m also interested in the magic of this temple you activated. And I’m curious about the violet malevolence that was said to have enveloped the Cassius herd. Right, that’s why I’m here. For that and other things.”
“Thank you.”
Ingong was simply being honest. Felicia, who had been rambling, ended up with her already small earlobes turning red. She plopped back down on the cot and changed the subject.
“I heard you fought the enemy commander. Did the Dark Elf’s Tear help?”
“Of course. It created the opportunity for me to land the final blow.”
It wasn’t just talk; it was the truth. The Dark Elf's Tear had completely blocked Mustapha’s mental attack, giving him the opening to summon Karak.
At Ingong’s words, Felicia let out a satisfied "Hmph" and continued with a very pleased expression.
“Of course it did. It’s one of our Dark Elven treasures. You’ll find it quite useful in the future.”
It certainly seemed that way. So, Ingong pleased Felicia once more with a few words of thanks. She smiled and said.
“Anyway, you’ve achieved another great merit. Like I said, if it had been a normal Cassius subjugation, it would’ve been just that, but the details have completely changed. If this temple can be used to defend the Anger Plains in the future, your merit will grow that much larger. Even Isabella was impressed.”
Due to the nature of her job, Isabella maintained fairly close relationships with almost all of the Demon King’s children. Thinking of her reminded Ingong of two others, and he asked after them.
“How are Chris and Caitlin?”
“Chris is the same as always. Caitlin looked like she wanted to come along, but she didn’t really have a reason. She asked me to send her regards.”
Ingong grinned at Felicia’s response. It wasn't because of the news about Chris and Caitlin.
“You’ve gotten pretty close with them.”
Close enough that she could answer right away.
The atmosphere was unimaginable compared to when they first met during the Red Lightning Tribe subjugation. It seemed she was still a bit distant with Chris, but she had grown completely close with Caitlin.
Her ears reddening again at Ingong’s observation, Felicia shot up from her seat and said.
“Anyway, they were both busy preparing to return to the Lycanthrope lands. They’ll probably leave the castle tomorrow or the day after.”
This was something Ingong had already expected, so he simply nodded.
*Still, it’s a shame.*
He likely wouldn't see them again for at least a few months.
Perhaps noticing the disappointment on his face, Felicia spoke in a bright, consoling tone.
“That’s enough of our private talk. Shall we let the others in now?”
At the mention of a private talk, Karak, standing beside Ingong, blinked as if to say, *Am I invisible?* But Delia merely offered a faint smile. She knew Felicia hadn't said that because she didn't consider her or Karak to be people.
With a few exceptions, an aide to a child of the Demon King was like a limb, a being who shared all their secrets. A conversation with one’s most trusted aide present was as good as a private one.
Understanding the gist of it, Ingong turned to Karak.
“Karak.”
“Got it.”
Karak opened the firmly shut doors of the central chamber and let in the people waiting outside. Among them was Fierce Eye.
“Sixth Princess Felicia Moonlight, it has been a long time.”
“It has been a while.”
The two had met before during a Cassius subjugation three years ago. Ingong could sense the hidden pleasure in both Fierce Eye's gruffness and Felicia's haughtiness.
*For some reason, it feels like everyone is close, except for Zephyr.*
While Ingong was lost in thought, a new person entered the room. He reflexively glanced at the newcomer's face, and his eyes widened.
*Daphne?*
The dryad, Daphne. One of the children born to the Demon King's concubines.
Just as he had seen in the illustrations, she was a beautiful girl with green skin so pale it looked almost white, and black hair.
Felicia introduced Daphne, who stood demurely by her side, to Ingong.
“Have you met? This is Daphne. The eldest daughter of the Fifth Concubine.”
According to the etiquette of the Demon King's Castle, Felicia's status was higher than that of the Fifth Concubine. Daphne bowed politely to Ingong and introduced herself.
“Greetings, Your Highness the Ninth Prince. I am Daphne, daughter of the Fifth Concubine, Echo.”
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Shutora.”
Ingong returned the greeting as best he could. Fortunately, she showed no particular reaction, suggesting she had little interaction with the previous Shutora.
Felicia spoke again.
“The guardian spirit of the Anger Plains is also involved in this matter. She is an exceptionally talented druid. I’m sure she’ll be a great help.”
*That's right, she's certainly a competent druid.*
She was one of the top three talents among the concubines' children that he absolutely had to recruit.
Daphne, who had been looking down slightly, gently raised her gaze and spoke.
“Your Highness the Ninth Prince, I heard that you met with Green Wind, the guardian spirit of the Anger Plains.”
“Yes, I heard her voice. We fought together on these plains.”
In truth, he hadn't just met her; he had conquered her.
At Ingong’s reply, Daphne let out a small gasp of admiration. She took a step closer to him and added.
“She has protected the Anger Plains for over a thousand years but has never revealed herself personally. Even among the centaurs, those who have heard her voice are extremely rare, are they not?”
Her strangely excited gaze fell upon Fierce Eye. He nodded gravely.
“Almost none. In the last few decades, no one has heard Lady Green Wind’s voice.”
And yet, Ingong had met her. Ahead of all the local centaurs and satyrs, and just one day after arriving on the Anger Plains.
“That’s amazing.”
“It is amazing.”
Felicia exclaimed in admiration, and Fierce Eye agreed. Karma, standing in the corner, couldn't bring herself to speak but earnestly conveyed *That's amazing* with her eyes.
*So, Master, you should treat me more preciously.*
Green Wind, who had been quiet until now, whispered in Ingong’s ear. As she hadn't materialized, no one else could hear her voice.
Ingong pretended not to hear and looked at Felicia, who brought up a new topic.
“Anyway, Shutora, what are your plans now? The mission ended too quickly, but that doesn’t mean you have to return to the castle right away. In this case, there’s room for an extension.”
It was obvious what "room for an extension" implied. Ingong nodded.
“I’m thinking of scouting the north to see if any remnants of the Cassius herd are left. Green Wind wants that as well.”
*Master, I have done no such thing.*
Green Wind immediately retorted, but again, no one else heard her. Fierce Eye expressed his surprise.
“Lady Green Wind did?”
“Yes. There were many exceptions this time around.”
At first, he had thought of scouting the north as just an excuse to stay active, but his thinking had changed over the last few days.
Obtaining the White Eagle was still his top priority, but Ingong felt a real need to scout the north properly.
As Felicia had said, there were many unusual aspects to this incident. It was possible something extraordinary was happening beyond the northern borderline.
Ingong thought of the Anger Plains and the centaurs who lived there. For their sake, he needed to investigate the cause of this anomaly.
*Of course, I’m also considering the merit points.*
And above all, Ingong himself felt a sense of doubt. The Cassius herd’s rampage and the Drake Ogres’ participation were things that hadn't happened in *Knight Saga*.
“Then I shall join you.”
“Fierce Eye?”
Fierce Eye looked not only at Ingong but at everyone in the room and said.
“This incident occurred on the Anger Plains. Thanks to the Ninth Prince, we’ve averted the immediate crisis, but many are worried about what’s to come. The mere fact that I, the great chieftain, am touring the north with the Ninth Prince will bring peace of mind to my tribesmen.”
It was sound reasoning. Felicia grinned and unfurled her fan.
“Alright, it seems we have a plan. Then I’ll come along too.”
“Sixth Princess?”
At Fierce Eye's question, Felicia gave a wink and looked at Ingong.
“I told you at the beginning, didn’t I? One of the reasons I came down here is to investigate the Cassius enveloped in that violet malevolence. It’s better to study a live one than a dead one, right?”
This too was sound reasoning. And it was something Ingong had anticipated from the moment Felicia appeared. That was why he had used Green Wind as an excuse. Beyond strengthening the pretext for reconnaissance, he had a few other aims in mind.
“Then I shall join you as well.”
As Daphne carefully stepped forward, Felicia glanced at Ingong. It seemed she was indicating that since Ingong was the leader of this operation, he should make the decision.
“We’d be glad to have you.”
Ingong said with a bright smile, and Daphne bowed with a happy expression.
“Thank you. I will do my best to be of service to Your Highness the Prince and Your Highness the Princess.”
*Good. Let’s use this chance to get closer.*
Having made this resolution, Ingong looked at Felicia again. She shrugged once, then straightened her posture and spoke anew.
“There are two children of the Queen here, but you’re the representative. I’ll be in your care again.”
“Likewise. I’m counting on you.”
After they even shared a light handshake, Fierce Eye asked.
“Ninth Prince, when shall we depart?”
“There’s no reason to procrastinate. We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”
Given the nature of reconnaissance, he had no intention of moving a large force. Fierce Eye immediately nodded.
“Understood. I will make the preparations. I shall select our finest warriors.”
“Then, for today at least, I’ll investigate the temple with Daphne.”
Felicia was the last to speak. Once again, everyone’s roles were neatly decided.
After the meeting concluded, the centaurs who heard the news were content with the mere fact that Ingong was going on patrol with their great chieftain. The satyrs were immensely grateful that the Sixth Princess had arrived following the Ninth Prince, taking it as proof that the Demon King’s Castle was paying close attention to the Anger Plains.
And so time passed, and the day of departure arrived.
Amid the excitement for the new journey, one person stood alone with a sullen expression.
“Karak, is something bothering you?”
Ingong asked Karak in a low voice, with Fierce Eye and twenty elite centaurs behind him.
Karak narrowed his eyes, let out a groan, and replied.
“Something… something about setting off all formally like this makes me feel like trouble’s bound to happen… No, never mind. Don’t want to jinx it. Let’s just get going.”
As if to honor his own words, Karak clamped his mouth shut and stared straight ahead.
And exactly three days later, in the afternoon, Karak’s worries became reality.
&
“See! Didn’t I say we’d jinx it!”
“You’re the one who said it in the first place!”
< Chapter 8 #2 > End