Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Princess's Temptation (6)
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Right after the noisy meal ended, Erze spoke up with a regretful expression.
"Well then, I'll head back now. I have some personal matters to attend to, and I need to pass that item I received earlier to the mages."
The item in question was surely the glass vial Elena had been carrying. More precisely, the grotesque bug inside it.
"We appreciate your help."
Elena bowed her head politely in greeting.
I did the same, standing beside her.
'It would have been nice to spend a little more time together...'
We had only shared a meal despite facing each other. Honestly, I felt a bit disappointed. Erze seemed to feel the same.
But I couldn't object to her decision. She was an imperial princess, and I was a servant from a baronial family. Even if I had objections, it would be proper to go through Elena, my mistress.
Of course, things might be different at the Academy.
"See you at the banquet tomorrow."
With those brief parting words, Erze left our side.
I watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning my gaze to Elena.
Just then, she looked my way as well. Our eyes met in between.
"Grand Duchess, may I ask about the rest of our schedule?"
"I feel like wandering a bit more. There are still so many places I haven't seen."
"Understood."
We had already walked quite a bit since morning...
I understood her excitement, but I was worried on the other hand. She had asked me to massage her sore legs more than once or twice.
Well, what could I do? A servant's duty is to follow the master's lead.
With that thought, I stepped forward alongside Elena.
After that, we really visited a ton of places. We saw a park with a fountain, dazedly listened to a bard's song, and I even entered an arm-wrestling contest at a tavern and took first place.
It was all to escort Elena, but I couldn't deny it had been an enjoyable time. In fact, I felt grateful that I got to come along.
Time passed like that until late afternoon. The sun was precariously hanging over the mountain ridge.
"Luke, is this really weird?"
"As your secret friend, I have to say it's extremely weird."
"No way. It's so cute..."
Elena was examining a trinket she bought from a street vendor, turning it this way and that.
But the trinket's appearance was downright bizarre. If I had to name it, something like "Twisted Nether Rabbit" might fit.
If a creature like that actually existed, I'd run without looking back.
The problem was that Elena had bought three of them. And one was for my room, no less. Talk about awkward.
I had a feeling it'd give me nightmares...
"You'll understand its charm if you look at it often."
"I'll try."
"Good. It's a gift from me, so accept it happily."
"A gift from you, Grand Duchess? It's far too generous."
I forced a smile and bowed my head.
What choice did I have? If Elena gave it as a gift, I had to accept it gladly. Even if I didn't like it, there was no other option.
'Still, it's the thought that counts...'
It was then, as I lifted my head with that thought.
Elena's gaze wasn't on me—it was directed somewhere else. More precisely, somewhere behind me.
Feeling puzzled, I quickly turned to look.
'...What is it?'
At the end of her line of sight were men in plain clothes. They were walking in a line toward somewhere.
But something felt off. Their movements gave a strange sense of incongruity. A group like that should be chatting lightly, but they just marched in stiff silence.
As I observed them, Elena's voice suddenly came.
"Luke, let's follow them."
"May I ask why?"
"I sense ominous magic from them. Like that guy you fought yesterday."
That guy was surely the black-robed thug from yesterday. If they had the same magic, they were probably from the same bunch.
But still. There was no need for us to get involved. Just like we talked about this morning, nothing good would come from it.
Especially since Elena could be in danger.
Did my thoughts show on my face? Elena met my eyes with a serious expression.
"Luke, I'm a member of the Frozenheart Ducal Family. As a noble, I have a duty to work for the empire's safety. If you won't go, I'll go alone."
"I overstepped."
"It's fine. I know you were just worried about me."
"Thank you for understanding."
Honestly, noble duties and responsibilities all felt distant to me. There were plenty of nobles chasing personal gain right now, and in my 21st-century life, nobles didn't even exist.
But this was the Elena I knew. Some might call her foolish, but I respected her for it.
Anyway, seen any way you like, she really was the protagonist...
"Then let's follow them."
"They went into that alley, so let's go straight there."
I stepped forward with Elena and soon entered a dim alley after the men.
The alley was dark and foreboding, as alleys usually are, with its characteristic damp air lingering. Small rats scurrying across the ground added to the atmosphere.
Deep in that alley, I could see the men's backs. They advanced without hesitation, as if used to such situations.
"Grand Duchess, one last time—do you really want to...?"
"Don't ask—just follow."
Her resolve seemed ironclad; no need for further questions.
At this point, I had only one choice. Protect Elena so she wouldn't be in danger.
That's why I learned the sword in the first place. Now I was finally fulfilling my role.
"Please stay close behind me."
I began advancing deeper into the alley with Elena. The deeper we went, the stronger the eerie stench and unpleasant feeling became.
No matter how glamorous and splendid the capital, darkness always lurks beneath.
We caught up to them shortly after.
"Guh... guhuk—."
In the deepening twilight of the alley's depths, a typical vagrant was caught by the men.
A dagger lay on the ground, but their clothes and bodies were unscathed. It meant their physical abilities were impressive. Just like the guy I fought earlier.
Hoo—.
I let out a long sigh and drew my sword from my waist. I didn't need to ask what would happen next.
There were three of them, two of us including Elena, but I didn't feel we'd lose.
Then, one of them pulled something from his bosom. I thought it might be a weapon at first, but no.
A long, wriggling something. Its identity was obvious at a glance. Elena had carried one just today.
"Kr... kruhek—!"
The long worm wriggled into the vagrant's mouth.
The vagrant thrashed in agony but soon stopped all movement, as if dead.
But that lasted only a moment. Soon, he began moving as if nothing had happened.
The men who had subdued him until then didn't bother restraining him.
"Luke, it seems..."
"Yes, same as I thought."
They used the worm to turn the vagrant to their side. I didn't know how, but no need to worry about it. The imperial mages would figure it out.
Then, after finishing the process, all their gazes turned to me at once. Their eyes were dull and lifeless.
If they caught me, the outcome was obvious. I'd end up like the vagrant.
"Grand Duchess, I'm sorry to say this, but..."
"Luke, do you think I'd abandon you and run?"
"I wish you would."
"No. Absolutely not."
Elena flatly refused. She usually went along with what I said, so this was rare.
Breaking her stubbornness was probably impossible. Once she decided, she never bent.
In the end, I gripped my sword tighter and sighed.
"I'll protect you somehow."
"Good. I trust you."
Four enemies now, two of us. One more, but still, I didn't think we'd lose.