Chapter 109 : That X Son of a Bitch…

Rumors in the royal palace spread fast.

A terror attack occurred at the 3rd Prince’s palace.

That rumor spread throughout the entire royal palace in an instant.

Soon after.

The Black Knight, Muno Drasen, dealt with the terrorists and minimized the casualties.

As word of the recent accomplishments of the kingdom’s rising star spread, the issue of the 3rd Prince’s palace’s lax security seemed to be naturally buried.

All of that happened in just half a day.

And it was.

“You’ve done a great service, brother-in-law. I owe you one, unexpectedly.”

The work of the man before me.

Looking at the 3rd Prince, Christopher Iron, with his shining gray eyes, Muno could only give an awkward smile.

Since Princess Roanna was busy with party preparations, he was greeting Muno alone.

That in itself was a little burdensome.

As for the term brother-in-law, I could just pretend I didn’t hear it.

‘This is too much….’

It really was too much.

For a leading contender in the war for succession to meet me without an escort knight was in itself an excessive show of sincerity and hospitality.

It was an expression of excessive trust for only our second meeting.

“It’s not a debt, Your Highness.”

“Hm?”

“They were after me anyway. I was the one who caused the trouble.”

“Oh, so there’s no debt between us then?”

“I have incurred the debt. Well, this wasn’t my intention, but I hope this will suffice as payment.”

“Hm?”

Muno released a part of his armor, took out a thick ledger from within, and handed it to Orlando who was standing beside him.

The very one obtained from the Ted Family’s safe.

Orlando, who received the ledger, expressed his doubt first on behalf of the prince.

“What is this, Sir Muno?”

“You heard about what I did outside, didn’t you.”

“Ah, yes. But this is…?”

“It’s evidence that a family called Rockefeller and Aslan above them received tributes from a back-alley organization that made children beg. I thought it would be more useful to you, Your Highness, than to me.”

To be precise, since I was going to get revenge anyway, I was just finding the most reliable agent to do it.

Orlando’s reaction was surprisingly lukewarm.

“Yes? From the ducal family? Why would they?”

It seemed that mere tribute payments weren’t enough to cause any real damage.

But that wasn’t all.

“That’s not all. Looking through the ledger, it seems they also secretly moved children to create a place called a training center, and there’s location information as well.”

Rauel was probably from there.

Fortunately, the 3rd Prince’s eyes twinkled at those words.

“Oho?”

As expected of this damn fantasy world.

Systematically making children into beggars didn’t mean much, but it seemed something like human trafficking was needed to be considered a flaw.

“Human trafficking, too? Then that’s a very different story. Aslan went too far. Hahahaha.”

The 3rd Prince laughed with open satisfaction.

The most powerful supporter of the 1st Prince’s faction. It was only natural, since I’d just handed him their Achilles’ heel.

“Orlando, you look into that. If we can get a grip on Aslan’s lifeline, we’ll have quite an advantage in the contest of virtue.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will set the stage properly.”

As Orlando nodded with a smile, the 3rd Prince’s gaze turned back to Muno.

“So, are we even now?”

“I would be grateful if you thought so, Your Highness.”

So let’s not get involved any further and be strangers.

That was the meaning behind my reply.

“Alright. Then, for today, let’s just enjoy the party.”

The 3rd Prince spoke in an even friendlier tone than before, then came right up and put his arm around my shoulder.

Tap. Tap.

“Ooh, is this an artifact? This armor seems amazing. Where did you get this?”

Haa…….

As I thought, this man seemed to be of the same type as Princess Roanna.

“Excuse me, Your Highness? There’s still a lot of time before the party, isn’t there?”

“That’s why I’m saying we should have a guided sparring session and a chat before that.”

Ugh.

“Well, I have something I need to do.”

“No, are you going to refuse my request so heartlessly? I can take care of most things for you.”

“I have something to prepare by royal command.”

“Hul…?”

What’s with a prince saying ‘hul’?

“Do you dislike my company that much, brother-in-law? This is upsetting.”

To shake off a man like this…….

“Then……. Would it be alright if I used Your Highness’s name to take care of something else, Bro. ther-in-law?”

I had no choice but to play a strong hand.

Seeing him flinch when I came on strong, it seemed his combat power was weaker than Roanna’s.

“Of course~! If my brother-in-law needs me, I’d be gratef…….”

It was too late to pretend to be composed.

“Then I’ll go and refuse the royal command fir…….”

“……Ehei! That’s not right! Brother-in-law!”

Sunk in one blow like that.

“That preparation is the most urgent thing, brother-in-law?”

In truth, there wasn’t much to prepare.

“Ahem, that’s something I can’t really do anything about….”

It was amusing to see the prince take a step back with a dry cough.

“Then I will see you at the party, Your Highness.”

“My, how you make a person feel disappointed.”

Perhaps the reason his small grumbling wasn’t so hateful was that the couple resembled each other.

Muno left the 3rd Prince’s palace with a satisfied smile.

“His Highness rarely gives up. You’re amazing.”

As soon as I came back out, Orlando chuckled and gave a thumbs-up.

All that came out was a sigh.

“Haaah….”

“Ah, well, it has been a hectic start to the year. Thanks to that, more eyes will be on our party.”

……Is that how your mind works in this situation?

I was staring blankly at Orlando, dumbfounded.

‘Hm?’

Suddenly, I saw a hazy, pure white light cover the entire prince’s palace.

A light I was now quite familiar with.

“……A Holy Barrier?”

“Oh. How did you know, Sir Muno? Holy power is usually invisible to the eye.”

Seeing Orlando’s shining eyes, I thought, ‘This is going to get annoying again.’

Fortunately, I began to see Holy Knights wandering in the distance.

“Look, there are Holy Knights over there. I also know that His Highness the Prince is acquainted with Sir Maier. In that case, what needs to be done now is obvious.”

“Ah…… haha, it’s like fixing the stable after losing the horse, but I asked just in case.”

In truth, that poison master called Chamber or whatever was impressive, but the number of people those evil cultists mobilized was quite small.

Even if there were six 3-Star-level Magic Knights among them.

‘This level of security isn’t excessive. If anything, it’s overdue.’

However.

“Still, I understand that the Double Veil cannot be detected.”

“Sir Muno, who will be attending the party, will be able to distinguish it for us. Am I wrong?”

A dry laugh escaped me at the sight of Orlando’s sly smile.

I didn’t think I had made it that obvious when searching for the magician.

But Orlando had already figured that much out.

It was difficult to deny it now.

“……I suppose so. Though I can only tell when I’m nearby.”

“I knew it! You can do it.”

Was it bait?

“Heo……”

It seemed I had to be on my guard every time I spoke with the people around the 3rd Prince.

“Please don’t look at me like that. We’re struggling so desperately because we’re desperate too.”

“Desperate…… you say?”

“During the contest period, those with succession rights are not protected by the royal palace. That’s why the tragic incident this morning happened. We’re doing our best to ensure such an unfortunate event doesn’t happen again at tonight’s party.”

Orlando’s expression even looked resolute.

‘Come to think of it….’

It was a natural thing to say.

I had forgotten for a moment because the 3rd Prince was so confident, but this was a competition for the throne.

What would happen to the prince’s position if he lost that competition?

‘He’d be lucky to keep his life.’

No matter how relaxed the 3rd Prince was, his subordinates could not be.

“……I’ll keep an eye out.”

“Thank you. Then that’s one less thing to worry about.”

“Shall I start looking around now?”

“If you would do that, I’d be even more! grateful.”

Heh.

“Alright, then.”

Orlando’s attitude of not bothering with his pride was what ultimately moved Muno.

“Ah, but you mentioned earlier that you were preparing for something you received a royal command for….”

Ah…… crap.

“Well then, I’ll take a look around!”

As I dashed down the hallway, the back of my head felt a little prickly the whole time.

* * *

Fortunately.

Even though a grim knight in black armor was roaming every corner of the palace, the attendants cooperated warmly.

“Is this everyone involved in the preparations?”

“Yes, Sir Knight.”

There were no more beings with demonic energy in the prince’s palace.

The only problem was.

“We’re done, right?”

“Ye, yes.”

Karina’s cold demeanor as she turned away as soon as I answered.

I couldn’t understand the reason at all.

– If it’s for something like that, of course we should cooperate. Thanks, little brother! Sister, you’ll help, right!?

From the moment I met her with the princess while looking around the palace, a chill had been emanating from her.

At first, I thought it was because of the morning’s mishap, but at this point, it didn’t seem like that was it either.

“……Excuse me.”

I mustered up the courage to speak to her.

“If your business is done, shouldn’t you be on your way? Sir Muno.”

All I got in return was a cold reply.

A frigid arctic wind seemed to pass between her and me, whoosh.

Her glaring eyes were just fierce.

‘No, really, why is she being like this?’

I was so bewildered.

We’re both busy now, so let’s meet again when everything is over.

I was aware that the reason I had turned away leaving such a vague promise was because I lacked the courage to get closer.

‘That was the best I could do! What do you want from me!’

But the atmosphere was definitely positive back then, and I hadn’t seen her since, as I’d been running all over the place…….

Whatever.

‘When there’s no answer, a frontal assault is the way.’

First of all, I was dying to know why Karina was acting like that.

“……Did I do something wrong?”

“Yes? Of course not?”

“Then….”

“A man full of vigor can drag a female attendant to bed, things like that happen. Of course, I absolutely de. test. that kind of man.”

Ack!?

For a moment, I felt dazed, as if I’d been hit hard on the back of the head.

“Wha…… Yes? What, th, th, that’s ridiculous….”

Her icy gaze was so flustering that I found myself stuttering.

And then, one fact flashed through my head like lightning.

“Ah, Rauel!?”

“Rauel? Was that her name? You must have had a good time. Remembering an attendant’s name and all.”

Damn it, sh*t!?

In that moment, I remembered the Steel Knights guarding the guest palace.

Especially that bastard who was guarding the front of my quarters.

‘That fucking son of a bitch!!’

I was boiling with anger, but finding that person could wait.

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

“What misunderstanding!? They said a hundred people saw it.”

Right, so it wasn’t just one bastard who blabbed. Damn it.

Anyway.

“It’s related to the incident that happened today! Sir Orlando knows about it too!”

“……Yes?”

“That is….”

From then on, a long time of excuses began.

I put my heart and soul into it, chattering away earnestly.

“So, what about that assassin who supposedly defected?”

“That…… I sent her to do a job….”

“Ah, so you have no proof?”

Ugh…….

Every single word felt like a dagger piercing my heart.

But, just as I was feeling so dizzy I thought I would faint.

I suddenly saw a slight smile grace Karina’s face.

A playful smile I’d seen somewhere before.

“Ha….”

“What is it? Go on, say more.”

“……I didn’t know you could play pranks like this.”

“A prank? No? I’m serious?”

Seeing her feign ignorance made me let out another dry laugh.

“That took ten years off my life, really……. Haaah….”

Only then did she drop the act, a smile forming on her face.

“To be honest, I wanted to hear the explanation from your own mouth. Hearing it only from other people made me a little concerned.”

She definitely seemed to have suspected it for real, just a little…….

‘If you had been just a bit more concerned, you would have worried me to death.’

Still, at the moment of relief, I smiled without realizing it.

“Make sure you keep people’s mouths in check so the misunderstanding doesn’t spread further, Sir Black Knight. The knights working in the royal palace also get bored and spread strange rumors.”

“Of course! I will definitely….”

…crush that bastard and be done with it.

It seemed I had something to do before the party started.

But even that seemed to have been within Karina’s palm.

“You seem a little more motivated now.”

“……Yes?”

“It was written all over your face that you didn’t want to go to the party, so I played a little prank. If you have to do it anyway, you should do it well. Right?”

Ah.

“If you’re frowning, people will think you have a problem with them and remember it. That’s the kind of party it is today.”

Ha.

Seeing the female knight pat his back, smile, and turn away, Muno found himself laughing without realizing it.

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