Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Grand Duke's Heir, You've Run Away
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Oh, my best friend, friend of the nostalgic name.
We didn't leave Aim Village until around noon, Shura and I. The villagers were terribly saddened by her departure, but they showered her with congratulations for finding her lifelong companion. In the end, Shura burst into tears from guilt and gratitude, which delayed our start for quite a while.
Ah, this woman—unlike her usual sharp, composed demeanor, she sure is a crybaby deep down.
"Alright, let's go."
"Yes."
Shura and I raced swiftly through the Dwyn Mountains. We spotted a few monsters along the way, but this time we ignored them and pressed on. Wasting a day in Aim Village was nagging at me.
Still, we had plenty of time, but with Shura slowing us down, we needed to hurry regardless.
Shura had pale blue skin and red eyes, traits very close to those of the Moon Elves, a dark faction. Traversing the territory of the Yosrahim Empire, the light faction, openly could get her mistaken for a spy. So we had to move stealthily at night only.
And Shura wasn't as fast as me. I taught her assassin movement techniques bit by bit along the way, but it inevitably wasted time.
'Still, we made good time.'
We arrived at the Divinum Holy Site exactly nine days later. Now we could relax. The Divinum Holy Site was the greatest sanctuary on the Prosia Continent, where Saint Prosia and the Seven Great Saintesses first descended to spread civilization and faith. No nation dared send troops here.
If anyone dispatched forces to this holy site, it would be seen as defiling the sacred, inciting outrage from every nation and church across the world. In other words, it meant waging war against the entire continent.
No matter how bold my father and uncle were, they couldn't send inspection troops to the Divinum Holy Site.
"Over there."
Half a day later, Shura and I safely reached the vicinity of Divinum Castle. As expected, there were no checkpoints. Holy Knights and holy soldiers patrolled to guard the site, but they didn't stop us particularly. Plenty of dark faction pilgrims visited the Divinum Holy Site too.
"The castle... it's huge!"
Shura gaped in awe at Divinum Castle, its 30-meter walls stretching endlessly. It was clearly her first time seeing such a grand fortress.
"Yeah. It's the holy site for all the world's religions, including light and dark."
Divinum Castle housed the Divinum Main Temple and central temples of every church worldwide. With hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, commerce thrived too. It might be slightly smaller than Yosrahim's capital, but in splendor and luxury, it was unrivaled.
"I see."
"So be careful. Light and dark coexist here, and one slip could spark a huge fight. And once you cause trouble, you're banned for life. Keep that in mind."
"Yes."
As we walked, I halted before the gates of Divinum Castle, spotting an armed group of mercenaries. One familiar face stood out—Roland, a knight from the Karl Grand Duke's territory.
I knew Roland well; he'd been one of my escort knights back at the Imperial Noble Academy.
'Jeez, he's really going all out. What if he gets caught?'
They were definitely searching for me. I'd clashed with my father over coming to the Divinum Temple right before running away, so anyone could predict I'd head here.
The problem was, this was humanity's greatest holy site. Even as the empire's second-in-command, if Father sent territorial troops inside and it got out, it'd be a massive scandal.
Shura approached.
"Master, what's wrong?"
"Interlopers here to drag me back."
"What do we do?"
I sat on a nearby rock ledge.
"We wait."
"But it'll be noon in a few hours..."
The Hall of Divinity was shared alternately by light and dark churches. Daytime belonged to the light church, nighttime to the dark. Neutral divine forces could use it anytime.
The light church considered high noon, the brightest hour, most sacred. That's why the Hall first opened at noon—and I'd entered first that day to claim Yojjo.
"Yeah."
"Doesn't that mean we can't just sit here? Didn't you say you need to be the first inside to achieve your goal?"
"No need to force it. We can enter before noon."
"How?"
The plan was simple: hitch a ride on my Imperial Noble Academy classmate's carriage.
Most noble graduates visited the Hall of Divinity right after school, at the perfect age to enter. You could go later, but impatience made it rare.
Your life hinged on whether you claimed a divine artifact here.
People saw artifact wielders as saints blessed by the gods. It massively influenced noble succession.
'A lord loved by the gods.'
That alone eased territory management. From a father's view, passing on the title, a capable heir could send him straight to heaven. Better to curry favor early.
Thinking about it now, it was comical—yet a current social reality.
"I have a friend named Hubeo who's running late due to personal matters today. We can borrow his carriage."
Hubeo was my best friend from the Imperial Noble Academy. Heir to the Perero Duke family, the empire's top mage lineage—I'd personally befriended him.
And today, Hubeo would pass this road at the last minute. Delayed helping Father's magic research, but he'd arrive an hour before the Hall opened.
"Hubeo... Are you close?"
"Yeah, my best friend. One of a kind."
But Hubeo died at Folkin Pass, the first great battle between the Prosia Continent Allied Forces and monsters. Such a shame.
Soon, a six-horse carriage sped toward us from afar. Wind crest on the front—definitely Perero Duke family.
It had to be Hubeo. How many years since I'd seen him? Overjoyed and nostalgic, I blocked the road and bellowed.
"Hubeo! My friend! It's me!"
The carriage screeched to a halt. Mounted escort knights drew swords and advanced. To them, I looked worse than a beggar.
"You insolent cur! Who dares block this path?!"
The knights just yelled, unlike usual. They'd normally cut down pests, but this was holy ground—no blood allowed.
I kept calling.
"Hubeo! It's me, your friend!"
A brown-haired young man peeked from the carriage window. Hubeo. He stared piercingly, face paling, then ducked back inside.
I clenched my fist.
"Hubeo, I saw you recognize me!"
A miserable voice came soon after.
"Ugh... I know him. Bring him inside."
Classic Hubeo—spotting me in rags instantly. We were best friends through school, after all.
The knights awkwardly escorted Shura and me into the carriage.
Inside sat Hubeo in fine noble attire and an elderly gentleman with a white mustache.
Once aboard with Shura, I patted Hubeo's awkward shoulder.
"Hubeo, long time no see. Man, it's been forever!"
"Ah, about a month? Good to see you."
Years for me, a month for him—since graduation.
I eyed the elderly man.
"Who's this?"
"Family butler."
"Yeah? Carriage feels cramped."
Hubeo frowned. A six-horse carriage fit four easily.
He glanced at the butler.
"Sir Joseph, step out for now."
"Yes, understood."
After Sir Joseph left, the carriage resumed. Hubeo eyed me cautiously, then asked slyly.
"You ran away?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Palace sent people to our house looking."
"Really? They say anything?"
"Nothing worth saying."
Hubeo glanced curiously at Shura. Her pale blue skin peeked from her hood.
"That lady... a Moon Elf?"
"Yeah. Her father's a High Elf, though."
Shura pulled her hood tighter.
"Wow, first female elf I've seen."
I slung an arm around Shura's shoulder.
"My girlfriend. Hands off."
"Whoa, girlfriend?"
"Yeah, I'm kinda capable."
Hubeo looked envious. Female elves were stunning but rarely loved human men. Even high nobles rarely landed one.
"Gotcha."
As the carriage passed Knight Roland's group, I played dumb, avoiding the trackers' eyes.
Smooth sailing. Roland, in mercenary garb, lacked the guts to stop a Perero Duke carriage—escorts would've skewered him.
But the gate Holy Knights' inspection was unavoidable. They demanded identity plaques boldly.
After Hubeo's check, I handed over the one from the dead mercenary.
"Here."
The Holy Knight eyed my plaque and Hubeo's group suspiciously. A mercenary with high noble heirs? Odd.
"Young Lord Hubeo, why ride with a mercenary?"
Hubeo glanced at me, baffled by the mercenary plaque and my antics.
"Benefactors who helped me. Just treating them."
"Ah, I see. Understood."
The Holy Knight cleared the way. Hubeo's status was ironclad—no reason to block.
Inside Divinum Castle bustled endlessly: shops galore, massive temples sprouting everywhere. A fitting sight for humanity's grandest holy site.
I sniffed. Fresh bread scent wafted nearby.
"Bakery around here?"
"Hungry? Want me to grab some?"
Hubeo jumped at my words.
Ah, nostalgic. His school-bought bread was divine. But time was tight—no room for snacks.
Oh, my best friend, friend of the nostalgic name.