Chapter 93

I can’t let those bastards kill the Crown Prince. If that guy dies, I’ll be like a kite with its string cut. Besides, that brat is about to become a father… And above all, I hate it when those naive fools who believe in justice and ideals die the most.

I had to hurry to the next floor. As I tried to climb the stairs, the so-called guard knights blocked my way.

“From here, you cannot proceed.”

“Move aside, you damn bastards. This is important.”

“Moreover, it seems you’ve sustained serious injuries. I don’t know what happened, but you should receive treatment first.”

“I’m not the type to give warnings, you know? I’m being incredibly kind right now… Move.”

“If you continue like this, we’ll have no choice but to subdue you. We don’t want to do that to someone who’s seriously injured…”

The conversation was going nowhere. If it were like the old days, I wouldn’t even bother talking to these brats and would’ve just snapped their necks.

“Last warning. If you block me, I’ll kill you.”

“…Forgive our rudeness. It will only take a moment.”

“Your lives?”

I was about to pierce their arteries with the edge of my hand. I could have killed them instantly before their hands even touched me. But then, a commanding voice rang out.

“Enough!”

It was the Crown Prince. I withdrew my hand, and the guard knights also withdrew theirs and knelt.

“Your Highness, but this person was causing a disturbance, insisting on meeting you…”

Look at these bastards framing me. I clearly stated my purpose and hadn’t caused any disturbance yet. Are these damn tin cans trying to push people around?

“This is Count Holstead, my trusted confidant. Please let him through.”

“Yes… Our apologies.”

“Well, this much…”

As I went up to the second floor, the Crown Prince spoke to me from a balcony overlooking the first floor.

“Shouldn’t you get your injuries treated?”

“It’s just a shallow cut on the skin. Even a newborn wouldn’t die from this.”

“Anyway, that was close.”

“Who would’ve thought? I almost died not by the Black Round Table but by Your Highness’s guard knights…”

“No, my guard knights almost died. You were about to pierce their necks in one strike.”

This brat saw through that…? What, does he have some special ninja eyes or something?

“I’d like to hear why you came to see me so urgently.”

Damn, is he giving me a hard time? Well, I almost killed his subordinates.

“You need to leave quickly. Lorcha and I will handle things inside the hall, so get to the carriage…”

“Oh? May I know the reason?”

I told him what I had discovered. That they would move after the music ended and the next piece began, that many corrupt nobles were involved in this, and that there was a leader controlling them. The Crown Prince chuckled after hearing my story.

“I was planning to leave because these balls are tiring… But I guess I should stay.”

Damn, this golden sun bastard doesn’t listen to reason. Why does he take everything up his ass? Is that why he hates women?

“This is no time for jokes. You need to leave quickly!”

“Haha, Master. Didn’t you teach me? Basic tactics… There are two reasons why I shouldn’t leave.”

“Huh?”

“First, if they’re enemies, they would have anticipated me fleeing. It’s better to face them on my own two feet than in an unstable carriage.”

Listening to him, it made sense. But still, there’s always that one in a million chance…

“Second, they’re after me. In other words, it’s a good opportunity to capture them.”

“Of course, but Your Highness’s safety…”

“Master, the people in the streets risk their lives every day. Hunters hunting beasts, herbalists climbing dangerous mountains, merchants facing the threat of bandits, knights and soldiers dealing with danger daily… Should I spare my life just because I’m the Crown Prince? What makes me so special?”

This brat is really…

“Your Highness, there is a hierarchy to life.”

“Hahaha, stop testing me. Didn’t you teach me?”

[Those who wear fine clothes and eat good food bear the heaviest responsibilities. It’s not about giving away their wealth, but about striving and working for them, you idiot Crown Prince brat.]

The teachings directed at the Crown Prince, which also exist in Werner’s memories. This Crown Prince still follows them.

“If I can be of use to the people… As the Crown Prince of the Rootvelg Van Kaionia, I will use my life as bait to catch them.”

“Sigh… Your Highness, may I say one thing?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

“Your Highness is the most stubborn of all my disciples.”

“Hahaha! Stubborn… That’s an interesting expression. Shall I execute you for disrespect?”

The Crown Prince made a gesture of slitting his throat with his hand. Well, he’s not entirely different, but this guy is similar to my friend. The naive fool who believes in justice and ideals.

“I can’t let such a stubborn disciple die.”

“You don’t need to protect me. I’ve trained in martial arts to some extent.”

Yeah, he definitely looks skilled. He learned magic from Werner and has been honing his swordsmanship on his own.

“Then I should head down.”

I moved my steps.

“With Your Highness as the ultimate bait, I, Werner, will cast the net.”

“Looks like Master Werner has become a reliable fisherman.”

A fisherman who catches people, a descendant of Peter, Werner is on the move. Coincidentally, we share the same surname, though I’m not sure which ‘Bae’ it is.

The fourth piece ended, and I jumped down from the balcony. I wanted to do a superhero landing, but it felt like my knees would shatter, so I gave up. Being a hero is about mindset and actions, not landing techniques.

Was it the rough landing? Or was it because this hero Werner didn’t use a superhero landing?

It didn’t matter. As I circulated mana throughout my body, the dye magic wore off. Then, some nobles who recognized my face covered their mouths in shock.

“You… you are…!”

“Werner! The renegade Archmage has returned!”

“I heard you were dead, what is this…”

It was a bit exaggerated for someone like me to return. I cleared my throat and shouted.

“Yes, I, Werner Alten, have returned!!! And to cut to the chase, if you don’t want to die, everyone get down!!!”

Everyone was dumbfounded by my words and didn’t move. Then, the Crown Prince spoke.

“This is an Imperial Edict! Sir Werner is my confidant! Refusing his orders will be considered treason!”

As he spoke, the nobles began to reluctantly kneel. Damn, this is why status is good. They hesitated when I spoke, but as soon as the Crown Prince did, they knelt.

“Hey, you idiot!!!”

“Master!”

From afar, Lorcha and Airi came running. Lorcha ran towards me and launched a Hectopascal Kick. Unlike last time, I barely dodged it, and Lorcha, who landed safely, grabbed my collar.

“You said revealing your identity was dangerous! That’s why we did that ridiculous couple act, and you ruined it?! You and I are really enemies now! You damn…”

Lorcha started hurling thick curses. Damn… She could retire and open a granny’s curse-filled soup shop later. I bent down and whispered in Lorcha’s ear.

“The Black Round Table is about to attack. Most of the involved nobles have already fled.”

“What…?”

“You take care of the safety of the nobles gathered here. My disciple and I will handle them.”

“…Got it.”

Nodding, Lorcha stepped back, and I quietly whispered orders to Airi.

“Airi, you fight near where the Crown Prince is. Keep an eye out for any suspicious presences.”

“But Master…”

“Worried my head might get smashed?”

“…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”

I patted Airi’s head. But as I did, Airi noticed my wound and spoke.

“…Who gave you this wound?”

“Ah, there was a little fight…”

“If you get hurt again, I’ll really tie you up in a log cabin on a remote island for the rest of your life.”

Airi licked her finger and applied her saliva to my wound.

“Ah, it stings.”

“This cute disciple’s saliva is a cure-all. A panacea.”

“Hmph… And don’t you get hurt either.”

“What do you take this disciple’s skills for?”

Indeed, seeing Airi’s skills when she fought Glacia, their abilities were evenly matched. It should be fine to leave the rear to her. Maybe I’ll grant her a wish if she does well this time.

The music hadn’t started yet, but the enemies had already surrounded the ballroom like a swarm of bats. The ballroom’s windows turning black must be because of them.

Soon, a rain of transparent glass fell as they invaded, and I picked up the relic Lancelot had given me.

“Unfold, Enok.”