Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Uncomfortable Companions-1
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Suffocating silence dominated the interior of the carriage.
Across from me sat Princess Rosmel, while Maribel occupied the seat right beside me, sitting demurely.
Objectively speaking, it was a situation any man would envy—surrounded by stunning beauties.
But as the man at the center of it all, I was suffering under an oppressive pressure that felt like it could suffocate me at any moment.
Even the cool air flowing in through the window wasn't enough to lighten the mood.
I wanted to flee to the comfortable Altesia carriage, even if it meant enduring a few bumps.
But without a special reason, I couldn't ignore the princess's goodwill.
"Heinz, young master, you don't look well. Is something bothering you?"
"Ah, thank you for your concern. It feels like all my fatigue hit me at once now that I've relaxed a bit."
I responded to Princess Rosmel's genuine worry with the most natural smile I could muster.
But no sooner had my words landed than reactions erupted from both women simultaneously.
"Shall I cast a recovery spell on you, then?"
"Heinz! I know a great massage for relieving fatigue! Want me to do it right now?"
The princess's and Maribel's offers collided inside the cramped carriage.
The two stared blankly at each other before turning to fix their gazes squarely on me.
Silent pressure demanding I choose one.
I already felt like I was choking.
The moment I picked one, I knew I couldn't handle the icy resentment from the other.
But staying silent would let this suffocating standoff drag on forever.
"So, you can use magic?"
"Yes. I'm embarrassed to call myself a mage, but I can handle a few practical spells for daily life."
"Why not take this opportunity to properly learn magic?"
"Sadly, my magical talent isn't all that great. I feel my limits when I try to delve deeper."
"Even so, considering over 80% of humanity can't use magic at all, Your Highness, you're truly remarkable."
"Flattery like that won't get you anything."
As I chatted amiably with Princess Rosmel, Maribel's eyebrows drooped beside me, her face on the verge of tears.
Before her expression could darken further, I subtly extended one arm toward her.
At that instant, Maribel's face bloomed like spring flowers.
She gently took hold of my arm as if she'd been waiting for it.
Precise acupressure started at my fingertips and traveled up my forearm.
Wherever Maribel's touch passed, my blood circulated vigorously, sending a tingling, refreshing sensation throughout my body.
Pleasant conversation with the princess on one side, devoted service from Maribel on the other—it soothed my mind.
It was the perfect compromise I'd agonized over, since I couldn't abandon either.
Am I pretty smart?
"So, I should take that to mean you don't need my recovery spell?"
"Yes...?"
"Indeed, a clumsy spell from someone who's not even a proper mage wouldn't live up to your expectations, young master."
"Um..."
Message withdrawn.
With my meager romantic cells, satisfying these two incredible beauties at once was simply too daunting.
If they hadn't been so likable, I might have brushed them off indirectly, like I did with my former fiancée.
But both Princess Rosmel and Maribel were far too exceptional for me to act like a scoundrel.
Considering who their fathers were, messing with them lightly would spell disaster.
That's why I couldn't playfully retort to the princess's mischievous smile.
One wrong move, and my head might part ways with my body forever.
"Your Highness, Heinz had no such intention. I vouch for it with my life—I've been by his side, watching him closer than anyone."
Maribel stepped in protectively, speaking with grim resolve.
But Princess Rosmel replied gracefully, without losing her leisurely smile.
"Hehe, of course it was a joke. I'm sure the young master already knew I wasn't serious. Even as his closest aide, you can't read his deepest thoughts, it seems."
"It's my failing, so I'll strive harder. That said, please refrain from excessive teasing toward my lord."
On the surface, it was a refined exchange full of decorum.
But to my ears, their words filtered through with entirely different meanings.
'Can't you see Heinz is clearly uncomfortable? As his trusted subordinate, I can't allow it!'
'Getting so serious over a little tease? Are you really close to him? Just being nearby doesn't mean you know everything.'
'Tease? Does this look like something to brush off lightly? Don't cross the line.'
Though it was all just my brain's imagined hallucination, their eyes betrayed no ordinary tension.
Was the destination of this carriage hell?
I deserved a medal for barely holding onto my sanity.
"Then, if it's not too rude, may I humbly request your recovery spell?"
"Of course!"
Princess Rosmel seized my left arm just as eagerly.
Of course, recovery magic didn't require physical contact to work.
She knew that full well, yet she gently caressed the back of my hand while infusing it with warm mana.
Left hand with Princess Rosmel, right with Maribel.
A true feast for both hands, yet I couldn't simply enjoy it.
Sometimes, I envied the Ketchup Young Master's utter scoundrel nature.
If I were Heinz, I'd have ignored the consequences and tried to engage these two women in some steamy physical conversation inside the carriage.
And probably died heroically.
Unlike Heinz, I was just a fashion scoundrel at best, so I could only imagine.
Still, if I kept navigating this harsh world diligently, maybe one day I'd share such heated exchanges with them—enough to make the carriage rock.
Of course, I'd have to overcome fathers like towering mountains first.
As I watched the two women intently tending to my fatigue in their own ways, anxiety gnawing at me...
Screeech-!
The carriage, speeding along the road, came to an abrupt halt with a harsh grinding sound.
In the sudden jolt, my body lurched forward when someone urgently knocked on the door.
"Heinz, young master, sorry, but could you step out for a moment?"
"What's going on?"
At Gerrick's call, I immediately opened the door and stepped out.
Bandits? Unlikely, upon second thought.
Thieves targeted nobles occasionally, but no one dared touch imperial blood.
Who in the world would crave suffering worse than death?
Besides, the escort force Emperor Kraus had assigned to Princess Rosmel for this journey was overwhelmingly powerful.
Every knight guarding the carriage matched or exceeded Gerrick's level.
Those knights alone could erase the Adenberg Marquis territory from the map.
So I was certain the return trip would be a comfortable journey.
If only for the horrific sight that greeted me the moment I stepped down.
"This place..."
"Do you remember? It's the last village we stayed in before visiting the duke's estate."
"Ghastly."
A small village with fewer than fifty souls.
Though tiny and poor, its people had warmly welcomed outsiders with heartfelt hospitality.
That warmth was nowhere to be found now.
...
The scene before us was devastating.
Blood splattered everywhere, staining everything red, with half-eaten corpses grotesquely strewn across the streets.
Blood pooling from the ruins of collapsed buildings formed grim puddles.
I bit my lip hard.
Just two days ago, the tavern owner had slapped my back with rough hands, chiding the young man for lacking energy as he ladled a hearty bowl of meat soup for me.
One of that jovial man's severed arms now lay cold near my feet.
"Gerrick."
"Yes, sir?"
"Gather the escort knights and find the cause. Now."
"Understood."
I'd forgotten.
This world wasn't a fairy tale filled with dreams and hope.
No true catastrophe had struck the empire yet, but dangers still lurked everywhere.
A game world where even the protagonist had to brace for death.
I pitied myself for losing my vigilance amid all the smooth sailing.
"Maribel, check the village for any survivors. Don't miss even the faintest sign of life."
"...Got it. Be careful, Heinz."
My aides scattered, leaving my personal guard empty, but I wasn't worried.
Princess Rosmel was by my side, surrounded by the empire's sturdiest royal knights.
"It's heartbreaking..."
"My apologies. I recommended this route passing through the village, and now I've exposed Your Highness to this horror."
"Don't blame yourself, young master. How could this tragedy be your fault?"
"Thank you truly for saying that."
Seeing the deaths of people who'd welcomed me as a stranger, yet my emotions remained eerily calm.
Just a bitter aftertaste.
I'd witness all sorts of deaths ahead—couldn't afford to waver over this.
All I could do for them was vengeance.
"Young master, we've identified the culprit."
"Report."
"Analysis of footprints, droppings, and corpse damage points to Luna Bears from the mountains beyond."
"Luna Bears?"
I furrowed my brow.
Luna Bears were cunning and powerful mana beasts, but fiercely territorial.
They rarely descended to human settlements.
"A bear from the mountains came all the way to a human village and did this? With plenty of food in the forest?"
"That's my question too, but the traces clearly indicate them. We'll swiftly investigate the exact cause of the attack and report back!"
Gerrick bowed his head, deeming his report insufficient, then straightened up.
As he turned to investigate further...
Gasp...!
Gerrick was the first to open his mouth. He froze, inhaling sharply at some unbelievable sight.
The shock wasn't his alone.
Everyone recoiled in horrified disbelief; some even lost their footing and fell backward.
The princess's royal knights drew swords, entering full alert.
"To positions! Protect Her Highness!"
Only one thing could rattle the empire's elite knights like this.
A blood-soaked old man slowly approaching from the village entrance.
He dragged a Luna Bear corpse—over five meters long—with one hand.
In his other hand, he carried four or five men bound tightly with thick rope.
Several adult men combined would seem puny next to the bear, but their wretched state rivaled it.
Ignoring the reactions around him, the old man walked straight toward me.
As he drew near...
The royal knights and Gerrick thrust swords at his throat.
The old man didn't so much as blink, dozens of blades aimed at his neck.
Thud-!
He released his grip, and the massive Luna Bear corpse slammed into the ground, shaking the earth.
As dust rose, he dropped to one knee before me.
"Young master, a small token of my esteem."
"...I'll accept it gratefully."
The Luna Bear corpse he'd laid down was astonishing.
A single clean line sliced its throat—severing tough hide and bone in one stroke for instant death.
Examining the bound prisoners he tossed aside narrowed my eyes.
The groaning men, trussed up tightly, wore pendants emblazoned with a jet-black dragon emblem on their chests.
In that moment, fragmented intel in my mind converged on one conclusion.
Nidhogg Cultists had controlled the Luna Bear to ambush me and Princess Rosmel.
The village had been a test run to gauge its power.
But facing the worst possible enemy right before the real strike, both their plan and lives unraveled.
"This humble one, Kizen, bows to his sole benefactor and lord, Heinz Altesia, young master."
The assassin who could make even the empire's Sword Masters kneel.
And now, he bowed his head before me.