Chapter 45: The Hollow Lord’s Castle (2)

“Since we’re already nearby, we can just walk slowly. Besides, if there’s an orc group around, we should stay alert. Perception!”

Raion said that as he recited the spell.

Before his eyes, a map showing the surrounding terrain appeared, and red dots began to light up on it.

Among them, some red dots flickered faintly as if the light had gone out. That was the spot where Jade had just rescued the adventurers.

Other red dots appeared about 1.2 to 1.5 kilometers away.

‘Looks like there are more monsters to deal with on the way to the castle than I thought.’

When he tapped on the dots, he saw that along with orcs, there were goblins, kobolds, Rickbirds, and Tugpigs as well.

“Let’s first get the ones who are still recovering onto the carriage.”

At Raion’s command, Patrick and Jade moved immediately.

Meanwhile, Klein and Danilov stood there at a loss, eventually giving up and simply staying still.

The carriage started moving again.

Walking ahead to lead the way, Jade swiftly dealt with orcs and goblins that appeared from the forest along the route.

Klein and Danilov watched him with growing amazement.

That was because Jade’s sword movements and strikes flowed seamlessly without breaking rhythm.

No matter where the monsters appeared, his blade cut through them cleanly, the trajectory of his sword never faltering.

“Eek!”

Shush! Papapapak!

Just then, goblins leapt out from both sides. Patrick, sitting on the driver’s seat, threw something that instantly took them down.

Startled, Klein and Danilov watched as the goblin corpses fell from midair to the ground.

A wooden dagger, roughly the size of a palm, had pierced each one precisely in its vital spot.

“That butler Patrick is no ordinary man.”

“……”

At Danilov’s mutter, Klein said nothing and only nodded slightly.

Clatter! Clatter!

Among the two people lying in the carriage, Edina began to regain consciousness.

“Ugh…”

Hearing the rattling sound and seeing the ceiling above her, Edina immediately sensed that something was strange.

“What… what is this?”

As she slowly looked around, she saw Jen lying across from her.

Then she realized that the carriage she was in wasn’t a cargo wagon—it was a luxurious coach.

“What happened?”

She clearly remembered being attacked by an orc that had struck her arm and waist, leaving her with serious injuries.

But now, those wounds were completely healed.

Jen, who had been injured before her, was also in perfect condition.

“How… how did this happen?”

Carefully, Edina sat up and peeked out the carriage window.

At that moment, she met the eyes of Dike, whose bright blue eyes sparkled as he walked beside the carriage.

“Huh? Monica noona! The lady inside just woke up!”

Startled by his shout, Edina flinched and drew back.

The carriage halted, and the door opened, flooding the interior with light.

Outside stretched the streets of Kanas Castle.

Ahead stood Klein and Danilov, and behind them were unfamiliar faces.

“Edina! When did you wake up?”

“Klein! Danilov!”

Calling out to them, Edina stepped down from the carriage.

As she had seen through the window, they were indeed in the streets of Kanas Castle, right in front of the Adventurers’ Guild.

Since their lodging was nearby, it seemed the carriage had brought them there.

“What on earth happened? What kind of carriage is this?”

At her question, Klein stepped forward to explain.

“Calm down first. This carriage belongs to His Highness the Prince. He happened to see us in danger and saved our lives.”

“Prince? What do you mean, prince?”

Klein and Danilov’s eyes turned toward Raion, who stood behind them.

At his sides stood a knight, a sorcerer, a butler, a maid, and a small boy(?).

“This is Prince Raion Canel, the Third Prince of the Canel Kingdom.”

“Wha—no way! You’re joking, right?”

Edina thought his explanation was so absurd it had to be a prank.

“……”

Everyone stayed silent at her incredulous laughter.

As their serious expressions sank in, her laughter gradually faded.

“Y-you’re serious?”

Klein and Danilov only nodded at her cautious question.

“I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were really a prince…! But seriously, if you were going to trick me, you should’ve brought someone more prince-like! Well, the clothes are pretty fancy, I’ll give you that!”

Edina even put her arm around Raion’s shoulder and flapped the edge of his coat playfully. She clearly still didn’t believe he was a prince.

Klein and Danilov could only break out in a cold sweat, unable to stop her.

Meanwhile, Jade was struggling not to burst into laughter at the sight of Raion being treated as anything but royal.

“See? Even that guy’s trying not to laugh! So? Tell me what’s really going on. How did Jen’s and my wounds heal?”

It was at that moment—

From the eastern gate direction, a middle-aged man and several soldiers came running quickly.

“I am Conrad Vivalous, the administrative officer from the lord’s castle. I pay my respects to Your Highness the Prince!”

As Conrad shouted, the soldiers following him all knelt on one knee in unison.

Administrative Officer Conrad was in charge of nearly all the administrative affairs of Kanas Castle.

Naturally, he was also connected to the adventurers’ and mercenaries’ guilds, so most people knew his face.

Edina was no exception.

“He’s… really a prince?”

Edina was still resting her arm around Raion’s shoulder.

“How dare you commit such an offense against His Highness! Remove your hand this instant!”

At Conrad’s loud reprimand, Edina quickly stepped away.

“I-I’m so sorry! I truly didn’t mean to offend! I thought my comrades were playing a prank…”

Edina hastily knelt on the street, apologizing while trying to explain herself.

Since a mere adventurer had treated a royal family member so casually, it was an act that could easily be punished.

Conrad looked at her, ready to say something more—

But Raion raised his hand to stop him.

“That’s enough. Everyone, stand up.”

“But, Your Highness…”

“I said, stand up.”

At that moment, a heavy sense of authority radiated from Raion’s entire body.

Startled, Conrad and the soldiers slowly rose to their feet.

“You’re Edina, right? You should stand up too. Kneeling on the street like this doesn’t look good.”

“I’m terribly sorry. I’ve committed an unforgivable sin. I truly apologize.”

Frightened, Edina could only repeat her apologies.

“That’s enough. I understand it’s a hard situation to believe at first glance. You won’t be punished for this.”

As soon as Raion gave his assurance, Edina stood up abruptly and shouted,

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

At the same time, Klein and Danilov both sighed in relief.

While they were finally relaxing, Raion turned toward Conrad.

“So, the sentries at the eastern gate must have informed you of my arrival. I was planning to head to the castle on my own. Why did you come?”

“How could I stay still when I heard that Your Highness had entered the lord’s territory? As soon as I received word from the sentries, I rushed here.”

Conrad replied politely, but Raion’s brow furrowed slightly.

He knew very well who this man was.

‘Conrad Vivalous, the Dark Administrator of Kanas Territory. One of the worst people responsible for driving this land into ruin.’

For a brief moment, murderous intent nearly leaked from Raion’s eyes. But knowing it wasn’t yet time, he held it back and spoke calmly.

“I see. I appreciate the effort. I’ll take my leave here. Jade, could you carry the one inside who hasn’t woken yet?”

“I’ll do it.”

Before Jade could move, Danilov stepped forward and hoisted his unconscious comrade, Jen, onto his shoulder.

“Then, I hope we’ll meet again if fate allows.”

With that, Raion climbed into the carriage, and Dike quietly followed behind him.

“We’ll depart for the castle now.”

Patrick, seated beside Monica on the driver’s bench, flicked the reins.

The lord of Kanas Territory, Shtefan Palvin, had already received word of the Third Prince Raion’s arrival.

He was now waiting inside the lord’s castle for Raion to arrive with Administrative Officer Conrad.

“So, he’s finally coming?”

Before long, a carriage passed through the great gate of the inner castle.

However, the carriage did not bear the royal emblem of a lion’s head, but instead the image of an unknown monster resembling a serpent.

“What kind of crest is that?”

Before the entrance of the main keep stood Lord Shtefan and rows of soldiers, all lined up in order.

As the carriage stopped, the soldiers stiffened with tension.

Meanwhile, Administrative Officer Conrad, who had followed behind the carriage, stepped forward to stand behind Shtefan.

Jade and Caldein had already dismounted their horses and stood on either side of the carriage door.

Patrick slowly climbed down from the driver’s seat and opened the door.

Raion stepped out, his crimson hair flowing as he moved.

Step. Step. Step.

The face of Shtefan Palvin, who had imagined a weak and awkward prince, froze in shock.

Raion radiated an aura of dignity and majesty surpassing any man present.

For a moment, Shtefan was too overwhelmed to offer his greeting. Then, realizing his lapse, he hurriedly bowed.

“Ah! I am Count Shtefan Palvin, Lord of Kanas Territory. It is my honor to meet Your Highness for the first time.”

Raion looked him straight in the eyes and spoke.

“I am Raion Canel, Third Prince of the Canel Kingdom. You may raise your head now.”

“Thank you. Was your journey a safe one?”

It was a formal question, though inappropriate given the perilous nature of the Clamen Mountain Range.

“It was quite comfortable. But I imagine my sudden visit must be an inconvenience to your administration.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. It is a great honor to have you here.”

“Then shall we go inside? Ah, and Administrative Officer Conrad—please show my butler where we will be staying.”

At that instruction, Conrad, who had been following behind, looked slightly troubled.

“Do you mean… right away, Your Highness?”

“Would you prefer to do it tomorrow?”

“N-no, of course not. I’ll do it immediately.”

As Conrad replied, Patrick stepped up beside him.

“Then I’ll be in your care.”

The two men walked off in another direction, leaving only Raion and Shtefan at the front.

“I’d like to speak with you privately about what’s to come. Would that be acceptable?”

“Of course. I’ll take you to the reception room.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep