Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 208
>Chapter Title: Dangerous Gamble
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Thud…
Thud…
The deeper Kang Seol stepped into the inn, the more tense the people inside became.
Especially Chadolf, the guard assigned to Princess Liona.
"Do not approach without the princess's permission!"
A square jaw covered in thick beard around the mouth.
The stern-faced knight Chadolf blocked Kang Seol's path to the princess.
Kang Seol stared blankly at Earl Brispin in response. Brispin waved his hand to restrain Chadolf.
"Don't do that. He's the one I brought."
"What kind of person is he?"
"An exile."
"An exile? Ha… Are you in your right mind right now…."
This incident wasn't something an exile could meddle in.
Secrecy was paramount, and lives weren't enough to cover the risks.
Moreover, Princess Liona was in a pitiful state without anyone to rely on, yet the countermeasure Brispin had prepared to save her was just an exile.
Princess Liona gently placed her hand on Chadolf's shoulder as he bristled with anger.
"Chadolf, stop it. Please don't."
"Princess, the situation right now is…"
Liona smiled sadly.
"I know. I know the situation is bad. But we can't be rude to a guest who came all this way to help."
"…You are right, Princess."
Chadolf stood up abruptly and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, exile. I was rude without realizing it due to my disappointment. Will you accept my apology?"
Kang Seol shrugged.
From their perspective, being on guard was only natural, so Kang Seol fully understood.
Brispin placed a hand on Kang Seol's shoulder and said,
"Take a seat. We need to talk about what lies ahead."
"Understood."
As Kang Seol sat down, Brispin began the conversation.
"First, some introductions. This is Princess Liona, as you know."
Liona smiled brightly and said,
"Please call me Line while we're together."
"Understood."
"And this is the princess's direct guard knight, Chadolf."
"I'm Chadolf. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you."
Brispin looked toward Kang Seol and said,
"Finally… uh… what should we call you?"
Since Kang Seol had appeared in a mask, there was no need to mention his previous name.
"Call me Crow while I'm handling this matter."
"Got it. Crow, then. You're the strongest asset we can muster right now."
While Chadolf eyed Kang Seol with suspicion, Liona laughed.
"It suits you well, that mask!"
"…Thank you."
The introductions ended there.
Instead, the discussion continued.
"What's the situation?"
"Not good. Hein IV has issued a proclamation across all of Nevenia."
"What's it say?"
"For the capture of the traitor Liona. Or…"
No need to say the rest.
"Have you wrapped up life here?"
"Yes."
"And your family?"
"They've all gone through exile procedures. They're safe, so we can focus solely on this."
"How do you think Hein IV is assessing the current situation?"
"Probably… that the princess and her guard knight fled together, and one earl is muddying the waters in the process."
"Hmm…"
"He knows our forces here are nothing to write home about. So he's optimistic. He's mobilizing the kingdom's knight orders to hunt us down, and it seems Adelrin Kingdom is stepping in too."
"Adelrin as well…"
"They're cozying up to Hein IV. They won't act aggressively, but they'll at least guard the passes."
As the talk continued, a shadow fell over Liona's face.
It was as if the situation itself was asking:
Will you side with her even like this? Will you fight for her when the whole world is her enemy?
Normally, if a blade were held to your throat and you were told to choose, a hundred out of a hundred would refuse.
Liona knew this, so she stayed silent.
But Kang Seol's reaction was calmly different from her expectations.
"Then let's wrap up and head out."
"…Pardon?"
"The road to Frion is long."
"Ah… Yes. A-are you coming with us?"
Kang Seol, in his crow mask, nodded vigorously. The beak bobbed up and down.
"Yes."
Liona's expression brightened greatly, revealing a radiant smile.
[You have begun aiding Princess Liona's exile.]
[There are those with conflicting adventure goals.]
[This adventure is extremely dangerous.]
[This is a linked adventure, so you cannot select the next one.]
[You skip rest.]
[The next adventure begins.]
[The twenty-ninth adventure begins.]
[Adventure 29. Dangerous Gamble]
…
* * *
Nevenia's most secretive space.
The most dangerous secrets are guarded the most firmly.
The king's chambers were under strict knight surveillance 24 hours a day—no one could enter without invitation.
Yet here, in Hein IV's chambers, was someone the king had not invited.
"Hee hee hee… Must feel fresh every day."
The one chatting at Hein IV's side was the shadowy woman who had clashed with Kang Seol before.
Jeri, the beastkin who orchestrated the horrific incident at Gatif House. The owner of that beastkin and one of the four pillars upholding the Immortality Church in the absence of the Immortal.
Black Widow Bria.
A master of shadows like Kang Seol, and one of the true leaders of the Immortality Church.
A plump man at her side grumbled.
"No time to catch my breath—being heir was better."
"Oh my~ If His Majesty says such things, the people will worry."
"Hmph, I couldn't care less about the thoughts of those ignorant fools. You haven't forgotten, have you, Bria? That once Nevenia is fully mine, the Immortality Church will aid me?"
"Of course, Your Highness. The Immortality Church will surely keep its promise. But… the matter I requested…"
"Ah, that. The grotesque statue from the annex?"
The Ecstasy of the Fallen.
The item Bria desperately desired.
It was high on the priority list of gains from orchestrating this event.
"It's gone."
"…What did you say? Did I hear that right?"
"We confirmed Liona took some treasures when she caught on and fled. It was probably with them."
Ssssss…
Bria trembled with rage. It was useless to Hein IV, but invaluable to her.
She wanted to slit the throat of this pig who spoke so casually, but she exercised superhuman patience and held back.
"Then… it seems I'll have to recover it myself."
"You, to someone like Liona?"
"My forces in Nevenia are crumbling—I don't care about the princess's life… but I can't let go of that statue."
"Do as you please."
Crunch…
The pig's tone and thoughts grated on Bria's nerves, but since she'd invested so much, she responded with a maximum smile.
Swish…
A boy whose body hadn't fully matured appeared behind her. He looked slender.
"You called? My aspiration, Lady Bria."
"Yes, Shuro. Chase the princess in my stead first. Her location is…"
"I've received it. Shall I kill her?"
Bria smiled brightly.
"Once you find the statue, sure."
"Yes! I'll repay Lady Bria's faith. Watch over me."
"Yes. I believe in you, Shuro. Hmm… but just in case, take Biran and Bidon."
"D-do you… not trust me…."
"It's not that. I'm just worried you might get hurt."
"…I shall follow Lady Bria's profound intent."
Swish-!
As the boy vanished, Hein IV sneered.
"Overzealous loyalty."
"Shuro will do well."
"Even with Chadolf there?"
"Chadolf? You mean that stupid-looking lanky pole?"
"Yes. Liona's guard knight."
"Hee hee hee… Shuro will snap that pole in half in one go."
"What if someone else is with Liona?"
"Who would walk into hell willingly? No, even if so, they won't match Shuro."
"You guarantee it?"
"I do."
"……."
Bria retreated with a beaming smile.
Alone in his chambers, Hein IV muttered,
"Creepy thing…"
* * *
When Shuro, Bria's loyal subordinate, began pursuing Liona's group, they had already reached near the border checkpoint.
"Oh dear…"
"What's wrong?"
The broker, oblivious that the woman with them was Princess Liona, had come back to get Kang Seol's group across the border.
But the situation was far graver than expected.
"Looks like they've caught our tail after all. No word for days… See that?"
"…I see it."
The head of the border guard who had helped Kang Seol pass the checkpoint dangled from a spear, making its presence known.
"Looks like our identities were exposed. We can't cross the checkpoint."
"Any other way?"
"With the checkpoint fully blocked… Hmm, let me see. Is there really no other option?"
"What…"
"Sigh, wait a moment."
Scribble…
Scribble scribble…
A paper stamped with a peculiar seal filled with the man's handwriting.
A moment later.
[You acquire Montjuri's Letter of Introduction.]
"I'm going to lay low for a while. I can't take you across the border. With my checkpoint contact dead, I've run out of options."
"Then what's this letter?"
"You still need to cross, right? It's risky, but no other way right now."
"Who should I go to?"
"There's a smuggling route between Nevenia and Adelrin. Here's a map with its location. I've written a letter of introduction to the boss there… Go see him. If it's not urgent, better wait for Nevenia's border situation to improve."
"…Thank you."
"You won't ask for a refund?"
"You've already fulfilled your duty."
"Heh heh… Grateful words at least."
"And one request…"
"I get it. I won't breathe a word about you anywhere. Short time together, but I get the gist."
Kang Seol sent the broker off and procured four horses.
He asked Liona,
"Line, can you ride?"
"Hmm! Basics, of course. I can even sleep on horseback."
So saying, Liona hooked her foot in the stirrup and tried to hop up.
"Ungh…"
Failure.
"Grgh…"
Failure.
"Chadolf… help me up."
"Yes! Prin—Line!"
With Chadolf's help, Liona barely mounted. Embarrassed, she avoided Kang Seol's gaze.
"Giddyup!"
Kang Seol mounted and rode off, the group following.
"Where are we headed now?"
To Liona's question, Kang Seol explained the plan to the group.
"To the smugglers."
"Pardon?"
"No other way. I have ideas, but they all take too long. We need to leave Nevenia urgently."
"Smugglers… Debrik?"
Brispin interjected.
The broker had named Debrik, so Kang Seol asked,
"You know him?"
"Yes, quite a big shot in Nevenia. One the royals know about but can't touch."
"Why?"
"Too much backlash. Royals once tried a subjugation—took heavy losses and retreated. They bled too, but didn't get caught. Vanished after. Heard they set up a new base, even know the location, but no new subjugation force. Royals probably lost interest."
Liona nodded.
"My father was wary of deploying forces outward. Smugglers weren't hit hard unless they turned bandit."
Thud thud thud…
The horses galloped across the plains.
Days later, they reached the mountain base.
"From here, we dismount and walk."
"Why?"
"Ride into the mountains, and you'll get an arrow shower."
"Down quick! Chadolf, down!"
"Understood."
The four climbed the mountain on foot.
"What if they shoot suddenly?"
"Walking on foot, they'll at least ask questions first."
"Will they listen?"
"Who knows… If not, make them."
"What does that mean?"
Then.
Grrrrrr…
A beast's roar echoed through the mountains. Less intimidating than a wolf—maybe a large hound.
A voice came from the forest.
"Who dares trespass here?"
Kang Seol stepped forward, but Brispin went first.
"I'm Earl Brispin! Heard Debrik's here?"
"Oh… Brispin? The southern noble who rebelled against the royals?"
"We…"
Thunk-!
A thrown dagger embedded at Brispin's feet.
"…What is this?"
Rustle…
People emerged from the forest.
All nocking arrows at Kang Seol's group.
Rustle…
Their apparent leader appeared.
A large scar across his face.
Left eye like a rotten fish.
The man with a huge cigar in his mouth said to Brispin,
"Fuuu… Let's not make this hard. You think there's scraps here to pick up?"
"Us…"
"No sane smuggler runs routes now. Both Adelrin and Nevenia watching like hawks. Got it? Scram."
"We must reach Adelrin."
Debrik and his men laughed.
"Puh… Puh ha ha… What're you saying, noble scum."
"Let us use the smuggling route. We'll repay later…"
"Quiet."
"……."
"I hold the reins. Answer only yes or no to my questions."
Brispin nodded, and Debrik shifted gaze beside him.
"Hey, you're the fugitive Princess Liona, right?"
"…Yes."
"I'll get you to Adelrin."
"Really?"
"But leave that earl's head."
"…Why?"
"Yes or no?"
"No! You damned tax-evading bastard! How dare a criminal threaten royal blood!"
Everyone froze at Liona's sudden retort.
"Wha, what… Puh ha ha ha…"
"Hee hee hee… Funny girl."
After a moment's thought, frowning Debrik summed up concisely.
"Fire."
"Princess! Behind me…"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh-!
Dozens of arrows rained toward Liona's group.
"Hmph…"
Just as Liona was expected to pay for her bravado with an arrow barrage.
Swish-!
Splash-!
Black ink splashed across the mountainside.
"…Wha, what?"
The sticky black energy knocked all incoming arrows to the ground.
The perpetrator: a black knight who had appeared at Liona's side.
'Who the hell is that guy?'
Debrik's eyes widened in shock.
And.
Sizzle…
Kang Seol stood before him. Using thumb and index, he pinched out the cigar's flame.
"I hold the reins. Answer only what I ask."
"……."
"Live or die?"