Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Princess, and Fate (6)
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At first, I couldn't believe my ears. I never imagined that this fool, who only seemed clumsy, was plotting something as sinister as assassination.
Especially since the target was Erje. No matter how many times I mulled it over, I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
'Does this guy have two lives? No, maybe three...?'
Even if I conceded a hundred—no, a thousand times—that he resented Erje, I could understand that much. Even the nicest person in the world can't be loved by everyone.
But baring his fangs with assassination? That was a whole different story. No sane person would do it, nor anyone who valued their own life.
Anyone could guess what would happen if you touched Erje, the daughter of the current Emperor. If you got off easy, you'd die cleanly; in the worst case, you'd be torn limb from limb.
Of course, to be precise, it was more like Erje had arbitrarily uncovered the fangs he'd been hiding...
But the problem was that he even had fangs ready to bite an imperial princess in the first place. Even if he got dentures later, those teeth needed to be pulled out completely.
'Now the question is how this guy reacts...'
I quickly scanned their faces, rolling my eyes. The noble boy in front of me looked clearly flustered, while the vagrants clustered in groups furrowed their brows with displeased expressions.
Those expressions were proof enough of the truth—no need to verify further.
They couldn't even hide their faces properly. No way they'd make decent servants.
That was when Julius dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
"Y-Your Highness, I have no idea why you'd say such a thing. I, Julius Xenon, am a loyal subject of the Empire, always revering His Majesty the Emperor..."
"You think you can get away with anything once you escape this place, don't you?"
"N-No, that's not true. I merely wish to clear up this misunderstanding..."
"Misunderstanding... I hope that's all it is. I wouldn't want a young mage destined to lead the Empire's future raising a banner against the imperial family."
Erje's voice was so stiff it felt downright cold. Well, with someone who'd targeted her life right in front of her, it was only natural.
Of course, Julius showed no signs of admitting it.
"Allow me to explain everything. These were merely items I purchased for magical experiments..."
"Exactly one week ago, you met a man in a black robe here. He told you the moment to fulfill your dearest wish had come."
Erje cut off Julius mid-excuse.
Julius's body twitched faintly, but he didn't make a sound.
"Your father was definitely Krahriman. The one who tried to rebel against His Majesty the Emperor..."
"My father wasn't like that...! To begin with, it was all because of you that he..."
"Framed? Is that what you want to say?"
"It doesn't matter what I say now. No, actually, this works out perfectly. I was planning to kill you anyway."
Julius, who had been bowing his head, straightened up. He pulled a small pouch from his bosom.
I didn't know exactly what it was, but it was definitely dangerous.
'This guy's insane...'
I hated getting dragged into messy situations, but right now, there was no choice.
I drew my sword from my waist and raised it high overhead. Julius wasn't far away, so no need to step forward.
The sharp blade gleamed mysteriously under the moonlight, just as it began slicing toward his wrist—
Clang—!
The sharp clash of metal rang out. Vagrants who had drawn their weapons blocked my path sometime in the last moment.
If they'd cooperated in capturing Julius, or even played dumb, they might have saved their lives...
I didn't know the details, but they must have some connection to him. I had no intention of meddling in their choices. I just wanted them to realize choices come with consequences.
Slash—.
The sword moved fluidly at my command. Sometimes like raging torrent waters, sometimes like a serene river, it carved its mark into the world.
A thin red line traced the sword's path, soon followed by flowing blood.
Cutting down people still felt repulsive, but having done it once before, there was no hesitation. If needed, I'd slice anything, anytime.
"M-My hand...!"
"Gaaah—!"
Screams of agony filled the alley. Maybe because it was so quiet around, they sounded especially loud.
Weapons clattered to the ground, followed by the wrists that had gripped them rolling across the pavement.
Killing these riffraff wouldn't have been hard, but with Erje here, I couldn't. Their lives were hers to decide now.
Too merciful? Who knows—maybe dying here was better for them.
One, two, three...
I dispatched the ones in front of me in an instant. Mostly with the sword, but sometimes kicks.
In the meantime, Julius pulled something from his pouch.
'A heart...?'
It was dark red—no, closer to black. Even sitting there alone, it pulsed like it was alive.
By coincidence, I knew what it was.
A magic beast's heart.
If a living creature consumed it, their mana core would overload, leading to death. The process caused massive damage around them, making possession or trade illegal.
If he took even a bite here, Elena, I—no, everything in the area would be obliterated.
In short, I had to stop him no matter what.
'I didn't want to use this if possible...'
Sss—.
I parted my lips slightly and inhaled. At the same time, I drew the dormant aura from my body to the surface. The rippling energy enveloped my body and sword.
My body shot forward right after. Air exploded behind me, and the surroundings blurred out of sight.
I swiftly cut down the endless rush of foes and arrived right in front of Julius, who had gotten far away.
I raised my sword high again.
The moonlight made it shimmer mysteriously, then it drew a single thread-like line across the world.
Thud—, plop—.
A hand without a single callus hit the ground, followed by the magic beast's heart.
"A-Arghhh! No—! Do you know how long I've waited for this moment...?"
Did resentment swallow even his pain? Despite his severed wrist, Julius just struggled to pick up the heart.
Of course, I wasn't about to let him.
Crunch—!
I crushed the magic beast's heart underfoot. Thick, tar-like goo splattered everywhere.
"Ah, ah, ah...! Why...?!"
The life slowly faded from Julius's eyes. He'd lived solely for revenge against the princess, so with that failed, nothing remained in his heart.
I understood that feeling. Even if his parents were criminals, seeing them die would breed resentment.
But against a princess? Those fangs had to be pulled. No matter the grudge, no matter the burning vengeance.
If you're that bitter, become the princess yourself. That's how this world worked.
That was when Erje, who had been watching, stepped forward to my side. Ignoring the gruesome scene, she pulled a handkerchief from her bosom.
"You've got quite a bit of blood on your face."
"I'm fine. This much, I can..."
"Can't I do this much for the one who saved my life?"
"...That's not it."
If there'd been a hint of playfulness in her tone, I'd have refused to the end, but her unusually serious demeanor made it impossible.
Soon, the fine handkerchief in her hand gently wiped the sticky fluids from my face.
After a moment, as she tried to clean a bloodstain from my forehead...
"Uh, ugh...?"
She suddenly lost her balance and buried her face in my chest. She'd slipped on the blood on the ground.
I hurriedly supported her and helped her stand.
"Are you alright?"
"Sorry. The ground was slippery, so I..."
"I'm fine. But Your Highness, what about these guys now?"
"Don't worry about us—just head back to the Academy."
"I'm not sure I follow..."
"You didn't think I'd come to a place like this alone, did you?"
In simple terms, there was a guard knight somewhere. One so skilled I couldn't even sense them.
"Then we'll be off."
Erje smiled warmly and stepped forward.
I glanced at the fallen vagrants and Julius, then followed her belatedly.
I didn't know what fate awaited them, but I hoped they'd live without a care, at least in death.
As I took those steps, bright lights appeared at the end of the long straight path. We'd reached the end of the alley.
'Finally over...'
Today felt longer than usual for some reason. Well, with everything that happened, it made sense.
I'll skip evening training and sleep early tonight.
As I thought that and started to smile, a long shadow suddenly stretched across the alley.
Snow-white hair gleaming in the moonlight, a flawless figure and beautiful features.
My master and secret friend, Elena, stood at the alley's end. With a thoroughly displeased expression.
Looked like my day was far from over.