73
My Villains Chapter 73
20. City of Chaos (2)
Ellen and I, who had fallen into the middle of the market, were suddenly surrounded by dozens of soldiers.
The soldiers were all wearing round dish-shaped iron helmets and chainmail armor.
Most were armed with long spears, but there were about seven soldiers mixed in carrying crossbows or war bows.
Hmm, judging by their helmets, they look like Prince Ulkar's soldiers.... How did the army that was beyond the Salt River get in here?
As I stood there blankly staring at them while holding Hrunting, the soldiers frowned and glanced at each other.
The sergeant who led the soldiers seemed to read the atmosphere and stepped forward with a small sigh.
"Hey, mercenary. If you don't plan to fight, how about putting away your weapon?"
The sergeant, wearing a hood instead of a helmet, was a man in his thirties who looked quite experienced. I shrugged my shoulders while facing him.
"As you can see, I lost my scabbard. Don't really have anywhere to put the sword."
"Are you planning to stay like that even when the prince arrives? The knights won't stand for it."
"Hmm,"
As I quietly scratched my chin, Ellen, who was clinging to my back, whispered quietly.
"Just in case, don't do anything stupid."
"What's stupid?"
"Don't just throw away your sword."
Ah, that's what she meant. I thought she was telling me to just meekly submit.
After thinking for a moment, I gripped Hrunting in reverse and suddenly thrust it into the ground.
THWACK!
As the bronze-colored blade dug more than a hand span into the ground, the sergeant flinched in surprise and swallowed dryly. The soldiers also showed surprised expressions and subtly adjusted their grip on their weapons.
"Is that better?"
"...Ugh."
I felt a bit better since I seemed to have won the battle of intimidation.... After all, I'm still just a kid no matter how you look at it.
As the standoff continued briefly, a group of soldiers appeared at the entrance of the market street. The man in the blue cape leading them looked quite familiar.
"Sir Langbolt?"
"Well, it really is you."
The knight with an impressive mustache and dignified build approached with a rather surprised expression.
"I heard you disappeared after going underground. Now you suddenly appear from thin air - what's the meaning of all this?"
"Well, um, it's quite a long story... Would it be alright if I explained it here?"
As I shrugged while looking around, Langbolt sighed and gestured with his chin.
"Follow me. The prince is waiting."
With those words, Langbolt led us straight to the city square.
Just as I had seen from above, there were about seven large military tents spread out in the square.
Around them, what looked to be two or three hundred people were sitting on straw mats - from their appearance, they seemed to be refugees who had lost their homes.
Shabby-looking soldiers were watching over the people... But they all had expressions like they'd given up hope long ago, making me wonder how useful they really were.
"What kind of mess is this...?"
Seeing me looking around repeatedly, Langbolt, who was walking ahead, asked with a puzzled tone, "Don't you know what happened?"
"Ah... We were, um, trapped underground for a while."
"Trapped underground?"
"We went down into the sewers, but somehow groundwater leaked in and the floor collapsed..."
"Hmm..."
Langbolt stroked his mustache for a moment and nodded.
"Well, given how bad it was above ground, it must have been worse underground."
"...How bad was it?"
"Indeed. Countless people died because of the earthquake. Parts of the fortress and city walls collapsed too."
...Earthquake? What earthquake? This wasn't an event in the game!
Is Daria okay? What about Grania and the others?
Then a foreboding thought occurred to me, and I asked Langbolt.
"So... When exactly did this earthquake happen?"
"A few days ago. Hmm, we entered the city right after the earthquake... So about five days ago."
Five days? 5 days?
Wait. Ellen has been unconscious for just under three days, and we spent about a day searching for an exit. And right before that... I activated the 'altar.'
Could it be because of that? Did the earthquake happen because of the aftershocks when the Underground Lord broke free from his seal and the cave collapsed?
"Oh, f*ck..."
For a moment, I felt dizzy at the thought that I might be the cause of the disaster that struck South Harbor.
If people found out about this, I'd be totally screwed, right?
But come to think of it, I'm the only one who knows about the altar, aren't I?
Ellen was unconscious then... Luke might have noticed something, but what could that criminal necromancer bastard do? So if I just keep my mouth shut, everything will be fine?
...Kim Seung-soo, you crazy bastard. How could anything be fine? Countless people died, you psychopath...
"...Is something wrong? You don't look well."
At Langbolt’s question, I quickly lifted my head and shook it.
"Ah, no. Just... Thinking about how we were also trapped underground then..."
"I see. I heard the sewers all collapsed too. You managed to escape quite impressively. Did you use some magic?"
"Well, something like that..."
As I was vaguely avoiding the topic, we finally arrived at the prince's tent. Inside the tent, guarded by sharp-eyed soldiers, about ten people were gathered.
Except for a few in the corner, the rest were gathered around a large table.
At the table, cluttered with candles on plates, maps, leather gloves, and helmets, only one person was seated in a chair. It was Prince Ulkar.
"Ha, it really is you."
Among the knights standing like iron towers, the prince showed a slight smile.
"Your Highness."
"You never cease to amaze me. I hear you fell from the sky this time?"
"Yes, somehow..."
"Haha, 'somehow,' you say. I'd like to hear your story in detail."
Speaking thus while leaning back, the prince noticed Ellen on my back and showed a puzzled expression.
"What about that girl? Are you planning to keep carrying her like that?"
"She injured her leg. She's in no condition to stand..."
"Oh my."
The prince furrowed his brow and nodded, and a soldier brought over a chair. As an extra consideration, they brought me something to cover up with, perhaps finding my bare upper body awkward to look at.
After Ellen seat and putting on the tunic, the prince began firing questions one after another as if he had been waiting.
I revealed most of what happened underground, but decided not to mention one particular detail - the fact that I activated the altar and summoned the Underground Lord.
"Hmm. A necromancer, monsters, and even ancient magic... What an incredible adventure story."
The prince nodded repeatedly with his arms crossed. When my story ended, he turned to the priest in the corner.
"Father Gospatrick, shouldn't we inform the church about the necromancer?"
"I will do so. If Your Highness permits, I would like this mercenary to accompany me."
"Go ahead first for now. I'll send them to the church once our conversation is done. Ah-"
The prince turned to me and asked, "After roaming the underground, it would be good to receive purification at the church. While you're at it, you can relay the story about the necromancer."
"Yes, Your Highness. I was planning to go to the church anyway."
"Good, that works out well."
After the priest left the tent alone, the prince proceeded to question the mage.
"Master Rimond. What do you think of this mercenary's adventure story?"
Master Rimond? Ah, that's the guy who summoned the water spirit last time.
The mage stroked his chin for a moment before answering in an ambiguous tone.
"South Harbor was a greatly prosperous city during the ancient empire era. Scholars estimate that over 100,000 people resided there. For such a large city, it wouldn't be strange to have such mysterious devices hidden underground. However..."
"However?"
"Such magical devices typically have defenses set up against outside intrusion. It's rather surprising that ordinary mercenaries could overcome such defenses."
"Come to think of it, you're right."
The prince looked at me as if demanding an explanation.
...How should I explain this? It's awkward to reveal that Ellen is a mage. She doesn't have any mage credentials, and she's also being pursued by the palace....
While I was pondering this, a breeze suddenly filled the tent from behind. Where did this wind come from... Ah, Ellen?
"This is..."
While the prince and knights all looked bewildered, the mage sitting in the corner had his mouth wide open.
He blinked in disbelief after making eye contact with Ellen, who was quietly sitting in her chair.
"What's the matter, Master Rimond?"
At the prince's question, Rimond hesitated for a moment, choosing his words. Then he approached the prince and whispered in his ear.
"...There seems to be no need for doubt, Your Highness."
Though he seems to be trying to speak quietly... I can hear everything, mister.
"What do you mean?"
"That young lady is a mage. Judging by the quality and quantity of her magic, she must be from a distinguished family line."
"Distinguished family?"
"The Dawn Council, the Palace, or the Rao family... It must be one of those three."
After the mage stepped back, the prince examined Ellen with renewed interest.
Far from lowering her eyes, Ellen met the prince's gaze with a look that seemed to say 'What? So what?'
As always, she's quite consistent in her attitude.
"Come to think of it, I haven't even been properly introduced to the young lady. What is your name?"
"It's Ellen."
Look at her using formal speech. I guess even she finds it difficult to be defiant before a prince.
At Ellen's clear response, the prince uncrossed his arms and asked again.
"Would it be rude of me to ask for your family name?"
"If you insist on asking, I shall tell you. Who would dare blame Your Highness for being rude?"
Not only was Ellen's formal speech devoid of any real respect surprising, but it was equally surprising to see the prince simply shaking his head in response.
"...No, there's no need. I hear you have magical training despite appearances, tell me about that."
"The incident at 'Guard il Weir' hasn't been even a hundred years. I fear to boast my humble skills before the lion's clan."
Guard il Weir? I don't know what she's talking about, but judging by the knights' expressions behind us, it doesn't seem to be a pleasant topic...
I quietly moved closer to Ellen.
If the knights' faces showed anger rather than displeasure, I needed to be ready to escape with Ellen at any moment.
With this thought in mind, I scanned the surroundings, and noticed several knights showing startled expressions.
What's with them, why are they acting like that?
Regardless of my confusion, the prince's questions continued.
"Then... Are you here on personal business?"
"Yes and no."
"As you know, I am a member of the royal family. I'm concerned that I might be unknowingly neglecting my duties."
"Your concern is unnecessary. Your Highness has no obligations to me."
"...I see. Understood."
After their exchange of cryptic words, the two stared at each other for a moment.
The silence ended when the prince turned his head toward me.
"Are you aware of the city's situation?"
"Ah, I heard there was an earthquake."
"Yes. Several defensive facilities including the city walls have been neutralized, making us vulnerable to enemy attacks. And... All able-bodied men in the city are subject to conscription. The basis is the Count's mobilization order that was recently proclaimed."
...Damn it.
Prince Ulkar turned to Ellen and added,
"The same applies to Ellen. Given the emergency, you should serve as a combat mage... No, you should go to the church first."
"...Understood, Your Highness."
"Then for now... Lord Langbolt will take this one. With his excellent skills and quick wit, he'll be a great help in defending the harbor."
"Yes, my lord."
Harbor defense? Wait, no. This isn't good.
Just as the prince was about to gesture dismissal, I quickly spoke up.
"Your Highness, if I may, I have something to say."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"When I was carrying out the lord's request before, I obtained some information..."
When I brought up the story about Swift Tobald and the letter he had, the prince's expression hardened. Then he asked the knight in shining armor,
"Lord Liam. Have you heard anything about this?"
"The guard captain said they acted on suspicious evidence but came up empty-handed."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
When the prince fell silent, a small elderly man stepped forward from among the knights.
"My lord, this..."
"This could be the 'certain reason' you mentioned."
"Yes. It's worth investigating."
What are they talking about? Did they also suspect there were infiltrators in the city?
The prince tapped the armrest while deep in thought, then spoke.
"Even maintaining the city's defenses and public order is challenging right now. But we can't ignore internal enemies either. I'll assign this matter to Lord Ariad."
"Leave it to me."
"Lord Liam, can the city guard spare... About twenty men?"
"Of course, my lord."
"Good."
Prince Ulkar nodded and looked back and forth between me and Ellen.
"Ellen and you, um, Phoenix was it?"
"Yes, that's correct, Your Highness."
"You two will help Lord Ariad catch the infiltrator. I know you've had a rough few days underground, but given the city's urgent situation, I can't be lenient."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"Good. You may go."
At the prince's words, I bowed respectfully, then quickly picked up Ellen and left the tent.