Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Knot Undone
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"Strange."
"Pardon...?"
Queen Helia murmured softly as she read the letter, prompting Sarette, who was at her side, to look up.
"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"
"Madam."
"Yes."
"Truly, nothing at all happened at the 2nd Prince's Palace?"
"...What sort of thing do you mean, specifically?"
Sarette, who had suffered plenty at the 2nd Prince's Palace herself, asked cautiously, feeling a pang of guilt.
"You shouldn't need it spelled out for you... I suppose you have gotten on in years."
"...My apologies."
The Queen's eyes narrowed at the unsatisfactory reply.
Shuaak— The fan unfolded with a sharp snap, concealing her lower face.
"That insolent brat getting hurt, or some discord breaking out—something like that."
"...My apologies. I truly don't know."
At that response, the crimson eyes reflected over the fan curved ever so slightly.
Sarette felt a chill run down her spine as she bowed her head. It was probably what facing a real medusa monster felt like.
But she had no excuses to offer. In truth, she hadn't so much as educated Baedong; she was the one getting an earful more often than not, and the boy had always come alone.
Moreover, he followed orders well enough in whatever form they took, making it actually more convenient to just teach him normally.
"How did the 2nd Prince's knight seem to get along with him?"
"You mean Baedong?"
"Madam, don't make me repeat myself."
"...I haven't seen them together, so I don't know. I'll look into it."
"Good. See to it."
"...Yes."
Helia dismissed Sarette and turned back to the letter.
-Knot undone.
Nothing more to see in a message containing just those two words. Yet understanding it wasn't so simple.
No, at first, she had understood. The content was straightforward enough.
It simply meant the contract had been fulfilled.
She wondered if they'd dealt with Baedong, but the 2nd Prince's Palace remained utterly quiet, as if nothing had happened at all.
'Why is it so quiet?'
Had the message said the knot was severed, she wouldn't be agonizing like this. It would cost a pretty penny, but hiring a high-circle mage to forcibly dissolve the contract wasn't impossible.
Of course, it would be exceedingly difficult for a mere knight to hire such a precious mage, and with his own little sister in who-knows-what state, the odds of him forcing a contract break like that were slim.
'Then it must mean he definitely fulfilled the contract...'
Even if Baedong was still alive and kicking around unscathed, the contract being fulfilled implied the knight had taken the corresponding action.
'I can't make heads or tails of it.'
Knock knock—
Someone rapped at the door, followed by a familiar voice.
"Mother, it's me."
"Louis, my prince. Come in."
The door opened gently at her warm welcome, revealing a glimpse of dark bluish-black hair neatly tied to one side.
"What brings you here, my prince?"
"...I'm worried I might be disturbing your rest."
"Don't say such hurtful things. Come here, Louis. Have some tea with your mother."
As Lawrence settled onto the sofa, a maid approached and poured his tea. The sharp scent of peppermint filled the air.
"My prince, why are you acting so cautious?"
He flinched.
His hand, reaching for the teacup, froze at the piercing question. But he quickly resumed as if nothing were amiss and lifted the cup.
"It's a misunderstanding, Mother."
He took a sip, the herbal aroma flooding his mouth.
"Then I suppose you didn't come here with anything particular to say to your mother."
Helia's eyes curved gently as she spoke. Normally, Lawrence would have smiled back, but this time he lowered his gaze slightly, avoiding her crimson stare.
"Oh, Louis. What could you possibly have to be wary of with your own mother? Out with it."
"......"
"Come now?"
Under the soft yet pressing urging, Lawrence hesitated before carefully parting his lips.
"...By any chance, what happened to that Baedong...?"
Helia's expression darkened at the loaded question. But it soon softened, her voice gentle and measured.
"My prince, you seem awfully interested in that boy."
"......"
"Why is that?"
"...The other Baedongs... they never lasted more than a week. So......"
"Oh, Louis, my prince. What a foolish question today."
"......"
Lawrence's lips pressed tightly at the sharp rebuke.
"The others fell quickly because they had places to crawl back to. But that one clawed its way up from the very bottom. Don't assume it'll drop out easily just because it's living comfortably in the palace now."
"......"
"More importantly, isn't it about time to recharge the mana in your earring? I'll summon a mage."
"...Yes."
'Why on earth did the young master come to a filthy place like this?'
Noah stuck out her lip, having stood the entire time the children ate since there was nowhere proper to sit but logs.
The prince and Baedong didn't seem to mind the dirt at all, sitting on the ground surrounded by the other kids.
"Haha, Ner, I thought you were someone else at first. What happened to your hair and eyes?"
"Um, um... Big brother did it."
"What money did you use to buy food?"
"Big brother's money."
"What's got you coming here today?"
"Big brother said to come......"
The prince tilted his head as if something felt off while answering.
Then she saw a boy who seemed to be the group's leader whispering to the prince, glancing her way. It looked like they were talking about her.
"Noah, come here. If you don't want to sit on the dirt, you can use my robe."
"...But......"
"Come on."
Noah glanced around warily, then edged closer when even Nihil chimed in.
It wasn't that she hated being left out alone. The prince had called her over, that's all.
Besides, she'd heard that their guild supplied the heating tools and some rations, so this was basically a customer satisfaction survey. She could note any flaws and improve them.
Eh...? Thinking about it that way, this is a great chance to help Father's business!
Reframing her thoughts, Noah's eyes sparkled as she immediately started firing off questions.
How was using the heater? Anything difficult? Any dangerous moments? Did they like the rations? What did they want to eat? Anything lacking?
"Truth is, I'm actually from Aliep...!"
"......?"
"Haha, ahahaha......"
Lianus hurriedly clamped a hand over Noah's excited mouth and laughed awkwardly. Revealing her identity wouldn't be a big deal, but his own involvement was another matter.
If it came out that he'd been deeply involved in this redevelopment and relief project, the kids would surely end up being used politically.
Just then, his quiet companion turned his head somewhere and was called over.
"Ner."
"Yeah?"
"Gonna step out for a bit."
"Wh-where?"
"A rift opened."
"...A rift?"
While Lianus tilted his head in confusion, Nihil stood and brushed off the dirt.
"Woof, stay alert."
Sir Evan materialized at the words. The children yelped in surprise, but since they'd seen his face once before, no one ran.
"You, stay put."
Nihil said that to someone outside, then stood still for a moment.
"Nil, where're you off to?"
"Earning some money."
"......?"
"Latest two hours... no, I'll be back in two. Stay with the kids."
"Fairy big brother! Going to hunt kebabs?"
Dani asked innocently. He'd been hunting for meat the moment they arrived today.
"Yeah. Bringing back meat."
Nihil said so and actually started counting the children's heads, as if he meant to procure enough.
A few kids got excited, chattering about meat for dinner.
"Big brother, it isn't dangerous, right?"
"Don't worry. Nothing dangerous for me. Mind if I take the last two?"
"Uh...? Oh, sure! Yeah! Take 'em!"
Realizing the "two" meant their guard knights, Lianus nodded quickly. Much better than sending him alone.
With Sir Evan and Sir Michael there, escorts were no issue anyway.
"Right. Rima, Frederick, follow me."
Nihil headed out, tent flap billowing.
The tent flapped twice more.
"No, Young Master! Close the rift first, I said! You know how, right?!"
"Gather a few more magic stones first."
"We'll die gathering them!"
"Whining with not a scratch on you."
Nihil, who had been standing idly pointing out the magic beasts' cores, snorted and approached the rift. He'd told Lianus he'd be back in two hours, so it was time to wrap up.
He glanced at the last wolf-shaped magic beast and issued an order.
"Between the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae."
"I don't even know where a dog's third and fourth thoracic vertebrae are!"
"Incompetent."
Unlike Frederick, Rima at least had a rough idea of the spot and leaped in quickly, dodging bones to plunge her dagger deep.
"Not long enough. Shove it in another 5cm."
"Yes."
Rima balanced atop the thrashing beast with her dagger blade planted, drew a slightly longer spare from her waist, and stabbed deeper nearby.
"Don't damage the magic stone too much."
"Yes."
Rima twisted the blade in place, then thrust her hand into the wound to grip the stone.
She yanked it free, bits of clinging flesh stretching and snapping off.
Nihil confirmed the magic stone intact and turned to the rift. Just then, one beast was poking its head through.
Far larger than the rift, the black beast could only barely get its head out and flailed wildly.
Nihil braced the gaping maw meant to swallow him with foot and hand, then shoved his own head inside. He reached in with his free hand, pierced the guts, and extracted the magic stone within.
Once separated, it crumbled to ash and scattered.
Nihil wiped the stone on his clothes and held it up to the sunlight. It looked like the best one he'd collected today.
He closed the rift and turned to find Frederick staring in bewilderment. Rima looked equally unsettled.
"What."
"...Thought you were gonna get eaten."
"Such a scaredy-cat."
"...You can take down magic beasts that easily, and you just stood there making us do all the work...?"
"I spoon-fed you the core locations, and you still complain."
"......"
"Wasn't it good experience?"
"Well... yes, but."
Having core spots pinpointed made it easier than easy. Of course, that didn't mean he could handle multiples at once yet.
Then Nihil pulled something from his pocket and sprinkled it into the air.
"What're you sprinkling?"
"Holy water."
More precisely, water diluted with holy water. Possible only because the holy water from Woof was so pure.
To avoid tangling with the Grand Duke, he had to clean up thoroughly. Leaving traces like with the pirates would invite suspicions.
Nihil watched the demonic energy and holy power clash, devouring each other until both faded, then turned away.
"Let's go."
"Yes. ...Young Master? That's the other way."
"Meat."
"Ah......"
"Pretty big brother's little brother, what about Kitty? Did you eat it?"
Bri beamed innocently, her face smeared with cream, as she spat out something brutal without hesitation.
"No! I didn't eat the cat!"
"Then where'd it go?"
"Uh... well... home... probably."
"Kitty has a home?"
"Uh......"
"Kitty has a home, so why doesn't big brother?"
"......Right."
"Sniff."
Sir Evan burst out laughing at the scene. Spotting the twins clinging to his arms demanding play, he hoisted them up high again.
"Kyahaha, fun!"
"Bear uncle, higher!"
"...Not uncle."
As Evan grumbled, little Dani, swinging like a swing from Jane's arm, asked brightly.
"Jane big brother, when's the knight uncle coming?"
"Uh, w-well, when he's fr-free, m-maybe then?"
"...Knight...?"
Evan paused at the word "knight" and asked. Yvon answered instead.
"Oh, there's this guy who sometimes brings extra stuff. He always has fancy chocolate, that's why the kids wait for him."
Chocolate.
Evan's face stiffened even more. It reminded him of the person who, back in his childhood, always brought luxury chocolates whenever visiting him.
"...By chance, what does that knight look like?"
"Why are you curious about my looks?"
"......!"
Evan whipped his head around at the familiar voice—one he never expected to hear here. The tent flap rustled as someone entered.
"What are you doing here, Evan?"
"C-Captain......"
Walter glanced at the twins dangling from Evan's arms and smirked.
"You're good with kids."