Chapter 60: Erendil (1)


    The dream remained the same.


    The same space. A corridor that was simr yet slightly different each time. Carlyn walked towards an unknown destination.


    It felt like he could never reach the end. On the other hand, his sleep time seemed to be gradually decreasing.


    It was a small annoyance. If it were to continue like this, he would rather have nightmares.


    Nightmares and recurring dreams.


    Though the content was better in thetter, the gradually revealing wake-up time was still a struggle for Carlyn.


    I cant show that Im too tired.


    As the mission was a mission, he was in the process of managing her expression at all times.


    For a young knight to look constantly tired was not typical.


    It would be the same in the future.


    The princesss guardian knight. Throughout the mission, he had to act in a y. Sighing, Carlyn raised his thin eyebrows.


    He was currently apanying Princess Haisen on her journey to the Empire. The procession wasnt extravagant.


    Its not few, though.


    Still, it was the princess of a nation who was on the move.


    Carlyn didnt have much to do. He had originally been assigned as an additional personnel.


    Since removing his helmet, peoples gazes had changed significantly. It hadnt been much time since he started wearing it, but the change was perceptible.


    It was all about appearance. Since the helmet was worn to conceal his ugly appearance, the contrast was stark.


    It was enough for rumors to spread, even to the point where it was said he was a noblemans secret child.


    Thinking back, its ridiculous.


    The words were too impolite, even Carlyn felt the need to create a little distance.


    In the end, he denied it due to the shock. It was because he disliked the bias that came from his young age and appearance.


    However, the atmosphere was not one of belief. People naturally believed what they wanted to believe.


    With that kind of appearance, people thought, Could it be because he was a secret child?


    The rumors that spread were also like that. The kings question about whether he was a nobles secret child had a significant impact, more so than Carlyns denial.


    From Carlyns perspective, there was no need to deny it further. There was nothing wrong with it.


    Even if the treatment of secret children wasnt good, half of them were still nobles. They were treated better thanmoners or mercenary novices.


    Depending on their lineage, there were cases where they were treated on par with nobles.


    Shes here again.


    Carlyn felt someone approaching through the Winds. While moving, he didnt feel the need to establish familiarity.


    He knew about Carl Schurtafens deeds, but there was no need to go into detail.


    The original Carl Schurtafen was also introverted. Moreover, there were a few others approaching first.


    Princess Haisen was one of them.


    From the moment the princess saw Carlyns face, her gaze remained fixed.


    The disconnect between the imagined hideousness and the reality created a shock that was even greater for her.


    The princess, who had secretly watched knightly literature, saw a figure resembling her ideal.


    For the first few days, the princess had been observing discreetly, but as they drew closer to the Empiresnd, she began to engage in conversation bit by bit.


    -Youre impressive at a young age!


    At first, it was a light greeting or praise. In a world flowing with magic power, 18 years old was certainly a young age.


    Considering Carl Schurtafens achievements, this was even more true.


    Carlyn responded appropriately. Even though he had heard unfavorablements in the courtyard, she was still the kings daughter.


    He couldnt afford to fidget. And the princesss nature was like that as well.


    Good morning, Your Highness. Did you have a peaceful night?


    Yes. And Carl, how are you?


    The princesss face was always radiant with a rare innocence.


    For Carlyn, who had lived in the intelligence bureau, it was one of the unfamiliar things.


    The fact that the princess, who called himself young, was actually younger than Carlyn yed a part.


    The fourteen-year-old princess couldnt even think that she was in the wrong.


    I felt the same.


    Carlyn replied with a faint smile, exchanging a dull question and answer.


    Amidst past stories andpliments on how well he handled his sword, there was a remark that unexpectedly piqued his interest.


    Carl seems to be the type my sister would like. She appreciates quietness.


    While the intention behind the quietness was deliberate even when facing the princess, thetter was more memorable.


    The term sister referred to the imperial princess.


    Are you close with Her Imperial Highness the Princess?


    A little. We dont see each other often, though


    The princess trailed off, ncing aside. Carlyn thought that she seemed to be unting her familiarity.


    There was no need to pry, but knowing even a little was important.


    Thats fortunate. I was worried since I tend to be quiet.


    Dont worry. She might actually like that. My sister really dislikes insincere words. She even seems to have a supernatural ability to detect lies.


    Is that so?


    Carlyn showed a slight interest, slightly lowering his upper body.


    He had only met the princess a handful of times during the game. He didnt know what kind of person she was.


    Moreover, the princess he had seen in the game was generally in herte twenties. Now she was sixteen, younger than Carlyn.


    A ten-year gap.


    Considering what the princess had experienced in the game, she might have been an entirely different person.


    It wasnt that there was no information about the princess, but only close people knew certain things.


    Still, Carlyn was willing to listen.


    Ill keep that in mind. Is there anything else I should be aware of?


    Well, she likes sweets


    Even that was information Carlyn had never heard before. In a way, it seemed like an obvious statement.


    There wasnt much that Carlyn could do about it. Since the guards didnt provide food, anyway.


    The princess seemed to be groping for vague memories. Perhaps she was trying to find a reason, having said that they were close.


    Ah! Shes quite thoughtful.


    I see.


    Carlyn already knew that. The princess had an insight beyond imagination.


    She was sharp. Afterward, the conversation continued, but it didnt yield any meaningful information.


    As they got closer to the Empires capital, the conversations with the princess became less frequent. It wasnt that the princesss interest had waned.


    It was simply because there was less to talk about with the reserved Carlyn. The fleeting nces remained.


    Carlyn pretended not to know, though there wasnt a reason for him to be noticed.


    And finally.


    In the distance, the capital of the Empire, the white city of Chenarus, began toe into view. Carlyn steeled himself.


    This was just the beginning.


    * * *


    The banquet was scheduled for two weekster.


    As the Emperors birthday approached, the Imperial Pce was bustling with activity, even at a nce.


    Ive summoned additional guards for you.


    .


    In response to the Empresss words, the Princess remained silent. Guards? For what reason? It raised questions more than anything else.


    Rather than being sudden, it seemed there was a hidden meaning behind it, making the statement less pleasant.


    The Princesss gaze drifted outside the room. Her personal guards numbered four. Two of them were stationed outside the door in shifts.


    The Empress spoke with a dignified expression.


    Dont dismiss this matter. Your father mentionedpetition, so new guards must be arranged. There should be at least one person we can trust.


    The Princess sneered inwardly. The subject of the statement about trust wasnt the Princess herself.


    From the beginning, the idea of someone trustworthy to her seemed distant.


    Who will be going?


    Were considering sending Sir Mirek


    .


    The Empress observed the Princesss expression and corrected herself.


    Dont be responsible for the one whos leaving. But after all, they are your guards.


    Then Ill go with Karzan.


    The Princess replied promptly. She had endured it for quite some time. She didnt like the looks directed at her.


    She had borne the difort as a restrained guard, both due to her position as a high-ranking noble and because her mother had assigned her the guard.


    Sir Karzan? Still, hes one of the Dumen counts


    The new guard said would be provided ording to Mothers words. Ill do it my way.


    The Empress, although dissatisfied with the Princesss resolute face, nodded.


    She thought it might be a good idea to look into other possibilities.


    Who is this new guard?


    Carl Schurtafen.


    The Princess narrowed her eyes. This was the first time she had heard the name, even though it was someone who would be her guard.


    She was suspicious of her mothers words being untrue.


    I called him from Haisen.


    .


    Erendil, right now theres no ce more trustworthy than my rtives.


    The Princess, Erendil, nced at the Empress for a moment.


    Is that the only reason?


    Yes.


    It was a lie. Erendil had anticipated it somewhat.


    Because of her siblings dislike for her and the Empress, the trials the Empress had faced in the past were beyond imagination.


    So it wasnt unusual for her mother to be ambitious after her fathers deration.


    Erendil stifled a sigh. She didnt particrly like her siblings.


    It was simply a matter of potential.


    The elder princes had already secured their positions. Moreover, there were gender limitations. Even if Haisen offered help, could they reverse the situation?


    Even if the Empire is aware of these intentions


    There were ample reasons, but the Empire was not just an empire for no reason. Suspicion was inevitable.


    If the truth were to be revealed, the Princess wouldnt be seen in a good light, since she had attracted foreign influences.


    Of course, there were those who supported the Princess as well. The behavior of the three princes hadnt been particrly good.


    However, even if things went well, there would be sacrifices, and if things went wrong, there was no avoiding punishment.


    Much blood was being shed pointlessly. Erendil didnt want to get involved in a fight with a high probability of failure.


    That was why she had said she had no interest in the imperial throne, but


    It was a futile effort. The Empress had already staked her bet on a war with low chances of sess.


    The potential for that oue was also likely drenched in blood, and Erendil knew there was a high probability of her own blood being shed. She tried to suppress her uneasy heart.


    Hell probably arrive tomorrow.


    I understand.


    Erendil was aware of her cousins impending arrival.


    She had been looking forward to it. The purity that was hard to find in this ce was something she anticipated.


    However, right now, that sense of anticipation had deted considerably.


    It wasnt her cousins fault, but Erendil found this meeting somewhat unpleasant. The Empress had meddled.


    Dont treat him rudely, he is still one of us.


    .Yes.


    * * *


    We arrived in Chenarus in the afternoon, but since prior contact was necessary, we couldnt go straight to the pce.


    We had to secure lodgings and unpack before we heard that we were toe tomorrow morning.


    And the next day, when I woke up from sleep, I felt something strange. The answer was quickly found.


    I hadnt dreamt of the recurring dream. It was the first time since meeting the nun.


    The nightmare was not particrly pleasant.


    It was a mystical harmony, but there was no time to ponder over it as we had to visit early in the morning.


    I couldnt beter than the princess, so I immediately armed myself and headed down. The wait was short.


    After walking for a while, the pce came into view in the distance. I felt a strange sensation. A current seemed to flow through my mind.


    Flickering scenes ovey onto reality like a lingering image. It was the ce I had seen in my dream.


    Finally realizing this now


    The recurring dream was like a lingering mist after waking. Thoughts from the dream didnte to mind.


    Could it have been a kind of prophecy?


    Perhaps something passed on to me from Ines. Without realizing it, I found myself nodding.


    I hadnt even known at that time that I would be the princesss guard.


    Anyway, I moved with Princess Haisen, so there was no time to waste. We followed the guide through the corridors. These things were just dawning on me.


    The room I used to go to must have been the princesss.


    What was strange was that there wasnt such a guide back then. The same went forpanions. We were in somewhat of a hurry. Could these be events in the future, even further ahead than now?


    Even as I thought this, my eyes discreetly surveyed the surroundings. It was a habit to look for escape routes.


    Soon, we reached a room, but it wasnt the room from my dream. I didnt sense anything eerie.


    It might have been a reception room.


    On either side of the door stood two knights. Their gaze quickly scanned us. They must have heard about the princesss guards.


    Unlike the princesss guards, who were discreet, I stood out, so their gaze soon fell on me.


    I had anticipated this.


    One seemed neutral, the other hostile. Even the neutral one had some distance from friendliness.


    I hadnt avoided the gazes that I had anticipated. Amidst the conflicting gazes, the guide inclined their head at the door.


    Your Highness, Princess of Haisen hase to visit.


    Let her in.


    The voice that reached us wasnt the princesss. Since there was a hint of age in it, I thought it might be the empress.


    Only then did I turn my gaze.


    Finally, the door opened. In the expanding field of view, the princess was there.


    In my dreams and outside, it was the first time I had seen the princess. Strangely, our eyes met directly.


    Could those eyes see the truth?


    The princesss Mystic eye could discern truth from falsehood.


    Unlike the eyes of the knights, which seemed to pierce through me, her gaze felt like it was delving into my inner self, causing my breath to subtly tremble.