Chapter 12

The summer heat was just beginning to set in.

“Duke Valen. I’ve arrived at work. I’m sorry. I’m really late, aren’t I?”

Rudi gasped for breath as she greeted me.

“Yeah. Did you meet your friend well?”

I asked, tilting my head while still concentrating on practicing fire magic.

“Yes. I’m sorry. That friend is so busy that they don’t even have time to send a parcel to their parents. Why call me all the way here when I can just hand it over in front of the Western Palace?”

She said she had sent a parcel for her friend who works at the Western Palace this morning.

“Yeah. It’s nice to help out a friend. Someday, I might need help too.”

“Haha.”

“You did well. Even if you leave something like the royal family at the palace, you should help a friend out.”

“Yes, yes?”

Rudi’s green eyes blinked worriedly.

Seeing her shoulders droop, I hurriedly raised my face.

“I was joking. Just a joke! I’m sorry.”

“I won’t buy you a drink.”

“I won’t make jokes like that again. Huh? What did you bring? What’s that?”

Seeing Rudi holding a dirty box, I hurriedly changed the subject.

Fortunately, Rudi glanced at it and moved on.

“I found a parcel addressed to you, Duke Valen. It’s really heavy.”

“Who is it from?”

“It says, ‘Adept Mask.’”

I threw down the grimoire as if I had tossed it and rushed to Rudi.

“It’s here. It’s here.”

I quickly received the box.

I couldn’t help but laugh at its weight.

“What is this?”

“It’s the money I won from the Hope Casino last time. I thought I had lost it after paying a fine and gave up on it, but thankfully it arrived.”

I was ready to be satisfied with just getting permission to practice swordsmanship.

I smiled broadly as I opened the old wooden box.

Inside the box was neat, unlike its exterior.

There were thick leather pouches, a letter, and a badge embossed with spiral patterns.

[Thanks to your advice, I saved my life. In gratitude for your kindness, I’m sending the money you requested. As I mentioned, there were no currency exchange fees. If you come again, I will serve you with utmost care.]

“Next time I go, things will go better.”

I murmured while carefully tucking the spiral badge into my pocket, indicating I was a guest of the organization.

As a member of the royal family, it was absurd to hold onto a guest badge from a crime syndicate in the red-light district.

Fate must be laughing at me.

The more I thought about it, the crazier it felt, but there was no help for it.

It was a place I would be entangled with for a long time.

“How much did you bring back? Even if it’s silver coins, it must be a considerable amount?”

Rudi asked as she took out the leather pouch.

I recalled the chips piled in front of me.

From the chips I won from the Madam, it equaled about 350 silver coins.

The chips I won from others before that also roughly equaled about 100 silver coins.

“I think it’ll exceed forty-five gold coins?”

Rudi dropped the pouch.

Her green eyes widened like silver plates, and her mouth fell open.

“Duke Valen. Shall we go to the Hope Casino together?”

“Rudi!”

I made a wry smile.

“This is practically my annual salary. What are you going to do with it now?”

I thought of a few magic tools that could help with the tasks ahead.

“I’ll explain when we get there later. I’m not sure if I can get it here in the capital.”

“‘Go’? You mean you’re planning to go out with me?”

“Of course. I said if I got money, we would go out together last time.”

Rudi’s expression turned to one of joy.

Why is she acting like this suddenly?

“When do you think you might have time?”

I glanced at the calendar and replied.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be training in swordsmanship with the 1st Royal Guard.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll endure the training during the weekdays and if I have energy left on the weekend, we can go.”

“I’ll take that to mean I won’t be able to go for a while.”

Rudi gave a bittersweet smile.

Oh, my situation.

When I had no money, I had plenty of time, but now I have so much money and no time to spend it.

“Oh, Rudi. And please buy me just a few of these.”

It was a bit embarrassing to ask for such things, so I originally planned to go alone, but it couldn’t be helped given the situation.

I handed her a small notebook with a list written on it.

“Why do you need things like this? Do you really believe they have an effect? Well, even if they do, all the ones at this price are fake.”

Rudi’s face hardened as she checked the last item.

I shamelessly said inwardly that I was bowing my head at her feet.

“Could you not look at me with those eyes?”

“What’s wrong with my gaze?”

“It feels like you’re looking at a bug.”

“Your Highness, that’s despicable.”

* * *

“Duke Valen! You need to run faster!”

“Duke Valen! Where has that speed of yours gone when you were kicking my legs?”

The sun was slowly dropping below the horizon.

The 35 kg training armor and 20 kg of lead weights, a total of 55 kg, pressed down on my limbs and torso.

I gasped and gazed at the mirage near the setting sun.

Even when I turned my head, the afterimage of the red sunset lingered in my vision.

I seem to have a problem with my eyesight.

My throat felt scratchy, my legs were trembling, and my body was heavier than it should be.

No, it wasn’t just my eyes that were a problem.

“Your Majesty! Why did you send me here?!”

It was half genuine, half theatrics.

In other words, half of it was genuine.

Sir Bonnel, with his buzz cut, who had sparred with me, and his senior, Lady Trentia, with her red hair, pushed me from behind.

“Run faster!”

“Do you realize how difficult this is for me?!”

How did it come to this?

I thought it was a great opportunity to properly learn the Imperial Swordsmanship developed by Jeilliris.

But why didn’t I think that training in Imperial Swordsmanship always came with physical conditioning?

I know that this training will be of great help in the war to come.

I know, but I’m exhausted.

My mana, which had been abundant compared to my peers, was now nearly depleted.

Even my well-trained muscles screamed with every movement.

“If you run this last lap, you’ll advance to the second stage of Imperial Swordsmanship.”

Lady Trentia stayed close to me to help push my back.

I tucked my chin and tried to catch my breath as I let out groans.

“And this is while wearing this armor and carrying lead weights!”

“I’ll guide your form from the side.”

“Thank you, Lady Trentia.”

“In the end, you can rest when it’s over, Your Grace.”

“Yeah. I can rest while getting a massage from my maid, Rudi.”

Thanks to that, I was still alive.

“I have to continue my patrol duty at the Western Palace.”

So, it meant not to complain.

“Oh dear. I’ll comfort you with my words.”

I pretended not to understand and retorted.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Are you implying I should comfort you with my body?”

Lady Trentia struck my back armor with her steel gauntlet, making a loud noise.

Thud! Even with armor on, my back felt sore.

“In this political climate, I don’t wish to become your new sister-in-law. Though, Your Highness’s body is nice, I’d prefer it if you could comfort me with money instead.”

“I still have some of the Tears of the Wasteland I received last time; want a glass of that?”

The knight’s eyes flickered at the mention of the name of the expensive wine that couldn’t even be bought with money.

“May I come by after my shift ends today?”

At that moment, the last remnants of the sunset fell upon Lady Trentia.

Reddish-brown hair with flecks of gray, slightly messy short hair, deep and vibrant ruby-like eyes, and lips.

A beauty with both splendidness and melancholy, reminiscent of a courageous wolf.

“I’ll be waiting. What do you like to snack on?”

“Cheese and ham, and if you have ice grape, please prepare that. If not, I can bring it with me.”

“Ice grapes? Grapes as a wine snack?”

“Remarkably harmonious.”

Lady Trentia was a diligent knight with a deep loyalty to the imperial family and held a strong philosophy as a connoisseur.

“I’ll prepare for the second stage of Imperial Swordsmanship!”

“Agh! My arm, I can’t lift it.”

“Tuck in your chin and straighten your chest!”

But can I really drink in this state?

Thinking about that, I swung my sword aimlessly until the last fragments of the sunset disappeared below the horizon.

“Oh, I’m going to die. I’m going to die.”

I removed the lead weights from my limbs and put away the intentionally heavy training armor.

“I’ll stretch before I go!”

As I tried to escape in the carriage, Lady Trentia caught me by the nape.

“Are you planning to make me work harder?”

“If you don’t stretch, your muscles will stiffen tomorrow, and you won’t be able to lift even a finger.”

“My maid Rudi will give me a massage.”

“That level of a massage won’t relieve the fatigue from this training.”

I groaned as I finished stretching.

Finally, Lady Trentia let me go.

“Well then, I’ll visit the Crimson Crescent Palace after my shift ends. I’ll wash up at my lodging before going, so it should be midnight.”

“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”

I got into the carriage.

The moment I climbed in, my legs almost gave out, and I was about to stumble.

I tossed a teaspoon of salt Rudi had prepared into my mouth.

The taste of salt and the scent of the sea filled my mouth.

I took a large water jug and gulped it down.

Inside the carriage, the ice had melted, and it had turned tepid.

Still, it was a taste I couldn’t resist.

“Ah.”

I completely emptied the water bottle.

Sighing deeply, I felt the tension release from my body.

Feeling quite tired, I began to feel sleepy.

Still, I managed to endure better than on the first day after doing consistently for a few days.

Back then, I would collapse the moment I sat in the carriage.

In my drowsy mind, I recalled Lady Trentia, that formidable face.

I thought of her hair, which was slightly messy and reddish-brown with touches of gray.

Soon, she would find herself in a situation where she’d be framed and purged.

Then she would meet the treasonous prince Justianus and become his right hand.

And in the distant future, she would become the tenth Swordmaster of the Soleratarato Empire.

Lady Trentia, you wouldn’t even imagine this story now.

I murmured to myself while gazing at the Western Palace.

You will protect the treasonous prince Justianus twenty years from now and meet your death at the hands of the emperor.

When the emperor leaves the capital to confront both you and the treasonous prince, hordes of barbarians and monsters will cross the wall from the north.

I absolutely won’t let that happen.

I’ll clear your name.

First, let’s create an alibi at the drinking table.

“I’ll sleep until Lady Trentia arrives.”

Tonight will likely be quite long as well.

* * *

“Wake up, Your Grace.”

Rudi shook me awake.

I instantly sat up and checked the time.

Fortunately, it was dark outside.

“I’m glad I didn’t sleep until the morning. Is it about 11 o’clock now?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I changed into a reasonably clean shirt, unbuttoning three buttons before tossing my hair back.

“What about what I asked for?”

Rudi replied monotonously.

“I’ve prepared the Tears of the Wasteland, snacks, and coffee wine.”

Coffee wine is sweet and fragrant, going down easily, but surprisingly has a high alcohol content.

It’s reputed to be the best for drinking comfortably with someone of the opposite sex… or so I’ve heard from the flirts of the capital.

“Is that all?”

“And I brought the last thing you mentioned!”

Rudi handed me some incense that she clearly disliked.

Incense, also known as seduction incense.

It was said to enthrall someone of the opposite sex to the point of losing their senses.

Of course, that only works for decent high-end products, and these cheap ones sold in back alleys would have no effect at all.

“Your Highness, what are you planning to do with Lady Trentia!”

She glared at me with a fierce expression.

I turned my body away, feigning annoyance, and issued an order to Rudi.

“Get out through the side door.”

“Your Highness!”

“Quickly.”

“Duke Valen. I’m disappointed in you.”

Rudi stomped away, slamming the side door behind her.

Bang!

Hearing that sound, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

It was a calculated action and an expected response, but this piercing feeling in my heart was hard to shake off.

It wasn’t something I was coerced into; it was just something I had to carry.

In the distance outside the window, a rider who appeared to be Lady Trentia was approaching.

“I’m late, Your Highness.”

“Not at all. I had fun while waiting.”

I seated Lady Trentia before me and poured the Tears of the Wasteland into her cup.

“Drink up. The aroma will dissipate.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Seeing the color of the wine, Lady Trentia smiled warmly.

As she raised her cup to smell the aroma, she smiled contentedly.

“With just the fragrance, I feel so happy. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity.”

“It was lonely drinking alone, so I hoped for someone to share faces with.”

We clinked our cups together, the clear sound ringing out.

Tilting my head slightly, I slowly swallowed the expensive liquid.

The radiant aroma spread throughout my brain.

As we toasted a few more times, intoxicated by the scent, I thought it was soon time for her to arrive.

Before I could finish that thought, footsteps approached, echoing in the corridor.

Hearing the heavy footsteps, Lady Trentia set down her cup, looking around apprehensively.

Suddenly! The door burst open, and armed knights stormed into the room.

The metal armor covering their bodies reflected the candlelight, making it shine loudly.

“I would appreciate it if you’d remove your shoes before entering.”

I spoke nonchalantly to the hulking figures filling the room.

As the man entering heard my words, he briefly hesitated, then took off his shoes.

“I am Barbatos, commander of the ‘Black Iron’ Knights. Duke Valencius, may I take Lady Trentia with me?”

A man with a mane-like reddish-brown hair and striking black eyes.

A large knight who possessed both wildness and intellect. Barbatos.

“May I ask why?”

I spoke with a lengthy expression of disappointment.

Barbatos’s eyes scanned me and my room.

It was nighttime, just a man and woman alone together.

Three buttons undone revealed my collarbone.

The finest wine and suggestion-inducing coffee wine.

Cheap seduction incense barely visible here and there.

Barbatos, looking back at me, let out a derisive sigh.

“Duke Valencius, Lady Trentia is suspected of stealing relics belonging to the imperial family that are stored in the Western Palace.”

Lady Trentia gasped.

I stood up abruptly and stepped in between them.

“That can’t be true!”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Do you think I could leisurely enjoy a drink inside the royal palace on the day of the theft?”