Chapter 95

The time was well past noon.

The southern district of the capital was bustling with crowds. This was the biggest market in the entire capital, after all.

Merchants shouted to sell their goods.

Women came to buy groceries.

It seemed like an ordinary daily scene, but Fertisha couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away.

Curiously observing the streets, Rimer nudged her.

“You look happy!”

“Yes! It’s my first time outside the Imperial Castle!”

Fertisha, the cheerful seventh princess of the empire, smiled brightly.

On the surface, she belonged to an enviable noble lineage.

Yet in reality, aside from the royal family and a few high-ranking nobles, her existence was nearly a secret; she was a hidden princess.

If one had to give a reason…

It could be attributed to the unique preferences of the ailing current emperor.

Martes Plume Ulan Rubens.

He was a capable emperor who planted the imperial flag in parts of the Eastern Jungle and the Western Canyon.

He took pride in his absolute power, believing himself to be the noblest blood in the world.

Maybe that’s why he often said that a true match for him could only be a legendary or mythical being.

‘I thought he was just joking back then.’

According to the accounts of the court historians, the emperor made such jokes quite frequently.

But surprisingly, it wasn’t a joke.

After siring six children, the young emperor suddenly issued an odd command.

“Find and bring me a being from legends, one worthy of being beside me without shame.”

And thus began the emperor’s bizarre behavior.

Once the command was sent out, the nobles, including the great nobility, searched the continent for those who met the emperor’s criteria.

Of course, finding a true mythical being was impossible, so what was actually presented were mostly demi-human races.

Beast Races, Fairy Races, Fishman Races, and so on.

While the emperor engaged with all sorts of demi-human races, he ended up with a total of five children.

However, four of them died before reaching adulthood. Each had different reasons, but the actions of the Empress faction likely played a significant role.

“And the only survivor…”

Is none other than Princess Fertisha herself.

In a way, her mother was the very legendary being the emperor sought.

Because Princess Fertisha’s mother was a spirit.

“I’m not sure how the emperor was able to have a relationship with a being that lacks tangible form.”

What is clear is that Fertisha embodies both the advantages and characteristics of humans and spirits, making her a Half-Human Half-Spirit.

As evidence of this, she can see things that ordinary people cannot.

For example, spirits and ethereal beings.

Moreover, she doesn’t just see their existence; she can converse with them and borrow their powers.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

As Fertisha surveyed the streets, she suddenly wore a displeased expression. She sighed softly and muttered.

“I’ve felt this way for a while, but I think my brother is overprotective of me.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Lord Lapis has sent fifteen Royal Guards just to accompany me!”

Rimer fell silent at her remark.

As she said, a squad of Royal Guards, the emperor’s direct force, was currently tailing them.

However, Rimer had never mentioned this to Fertisha.

Yet here she was, accurately identifying not just their presence but the exact number thanks to her special ability.

“…Spirit Art.”

Communication with the spirits allowed her eyes and ears to perceive things far beyond what ordinary people could.

The spirits, invisible to others, brought her gossip and news.

“And another thing.”

She also possessed a special ability.

That was singing. It wasn’t just talent; her singing held an enigmatic power.

Just listening to her songs could calm the heart or restore vigor.

This was one of the reasons Fertisha was cherished by Rimer’s lord, the first prince, Chartang.

“Hey, Lord Lapis.”

Just then, her melodious voice broke through his thoughts.

Fertisha gently tugged at Rimer’s cloak while pointing in a specific direction.

“What’s that?”

A three-story building in the bustling area.

On the bulletin board outside was a flyer that read “The Song of Floris.”

It was a play recently popular in the capital, dealing with the love between a noble lady and a barbarian. Rimer simply stated the necessary information.

“Ah, that’s a theater.”

“Theater?”

“It’s a place where plays, dances, and concerts are performed.”

As soon as he finished answering, curiosity lit up Fertisha’s eyes. The perceptive Rimer quickly spoke up first.

“It’s not a good idea.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet!”

“In a crowded place like a theater, it would be difficult to properly protect the princess.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not planning to actually watch the play. I just want to take a quick look inside…”

“I’m going to tell my lord.”

“That’s so mean!”

Fertisha pouted her lips in displeasure.

Her frustrated expression was clear as she failed to gain what she wanted.

But it wasn’t long before she shifted her expression to one of wonder.

“Wow, what’s that place?”

A spacious building nearby, where many people were enjoying snacks at indoor and outdoor tables, caught her attention.

“That’s a cafe. They sell simple food and drinks. Just, the quality might not be up to your standards.”

“Then shall we have lunch there?”

“But it probably won’t meet the princess’s tastes.”

“But we have to eat something.”

“It’s fine; I brought a packed lunch.”

Was it because of the recurring rejections?

Fertisha’s brows furrowed.

It seemed she was seriously upset now.

“What about the risk of poisoning…”

“That’s too much of a worry.”

“When it comes to protecting the princess, being overly cautious is far better than not cautious enough.”

“It’ll be fine. There won’t be poison.”

“But…”

“Even if there is, I’ll know.”

This time Rimer fell silent.

It was true. Fertisha could sense if food was poisoned better than anyone else, thanks to the spirits informing her.

And this ability was the true reason she survived various assassination threats from the Empress faction.

“I won’t insist anymore, so please let me go in just this once. If I don’t, who knows when I’ll get to walk around the capital again?”

With her heartfelt requests, Rimer finally waved the white flag.

“…Sigh, fine.”

“Oh, really?”

“But you must keep it a secret from my lord.”

“Yes! I promise.”

Fertisha beamed with joy, having gotten what she desired.

The time was similar.

Just as Fertisha, having secured permission from Rimer, moved with a lighter step, crowds began to pour out of the theater.

People who had just watched a play were now exiting. Among them were Ulan and Ivella.

“Ugh, that was so sad.”

Ivella sighed, wiping the red around her eyes. Observing the tear streaks, Ulan asked in confusion,

“Was it really that sad?”

“Of course! Especially in the last scene, I wasn’t the only one crying!”

Ulan recalled the last act of the play they had just witnessed.

It was the scene where the two protagonists, realizing their love was impossible, sang a song promising eternal love and jumped off a cliff together.

“I just don’t understand why they jumped.”

“Well, it was because they couldn’t overcome their social class difference. The man dies while the woman gets taken away to marry someone she doesn’t want.”

Ivella’s passionate explanation continued.

“So, if it’s a love they can’t achieve in life, they’d rather die together to express their resolve.”

“I see.”

Ulan nodded silently.

However, he still wore a perplexed expression. Just as they were about to completely leave the theater, Ivella suddenly spoke up.

“Hey, what would you do?”

In the play, the couple chose to die together instead of living separately.

What choice would Ulan make?

Ivella held her breath in anticipation, her face a mix of tension and expectation as she awaited his response. Without a moment’s hesitation, Ulan replied.

“I would fight.”

“Huh?”

“I would face it head-on and solve the issue.”

Ulan raised his large fist as if to smash anything blocking his path.

Ivella chuckled awkwardly.

“Well, that’s possible for you, Ulan. But what if you weren’t a master? Would you still fight?”

“Yes.”

His answer was unwavering.

He continued with a serious face.

“If you run away once, you’ll be a fugitive for life.”

This was wisdom passed down from the prairie as well as a lesson learned from his past life.

Immediately after his profound response, Ulan posed a question in return.

“What about you?”

“Well, I think I’d fight to the end too.”

The reason was simple.

What she wished for was to stand by Ulan’s side. Also, fighting alongside him felt like they could break down the walls of reality.

“But we shouldn’t have to worry about being in such a situation in the first place. Father, or rather the Count, really seems to like you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Hehe, it’s nothing.”

Ivella smiled broadly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Just then, while she was spinning around…

Growl!

Ulan’s stomach let out a loud growl.

It was a cry from his belly.

“Ah, are you hungry?”

“A bit.”

To be honest, he had been hungry for a while.

He had eaten a simple sandwich, timed with the start of the play.

“Then should we go eat? I made a reservation at a place nearby that serves delicious pancakes and meat pies.”

“Let’s go quickly!”

Ulan’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

Since he arrived in the capital today, his expression had never been livelier. But just as he felt that rush of excitement, they found themselves blocked at the cafe’s entrance.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t enter.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“It’s because of your attire…”

“It would cause a disturbance for other guests.”

The two staff guarding the cafe entrance shot a side glance at Ulan. Ivella frowned at this.

“No one mentioned that when I made the reservation.”

“Well, we’ve never had a guest without an upper body covered.”

“Once again, I’m sorry, but may I have the name of the reservation holder? I think I’ll need to refund the deposit.”

Their attitude was adamant with no room for negotiation. Ivella sighed as if she were giving up.

“Sigh, it’s Istan El Deorg.”

“I see, Istan… Wait?”

The staff member taking down the reservation name suddenly froze, their expression blank.

Then their face turned cautious as they asked.

“May I ask what relationship you have with the reservation holder…?”

“I’m his daughter.”

“…!?”

“Please wait just a moment!”

Two startled staff members hurried off, looking aghast.

A moment later, they rushed back with a man. He had a large scar over his left eye.

The man immediately bowed his head.

“We apologize for the rudeness of our staff. If it’s family of His Excellency, we should have allowed you in regardless of the situation. It seems there was a miscommunication.”

“I-I’m so sorry!”

The staff who had previously turned them away now bowed in apology.

Actually, it felt more like the man had pinned their heads down with force.

“Please come in. I received instructions from His Excellency to prepare a place for you.”

“Is it okay for me to wear this?”

“Yes, if you’re a guest of His Excellency, you can come in even without any clothes. We can’t help if you’re arrested by the guards for indecent exposure, however.”

After delivering the cheerful response, he introduced himself as Kier Rompel, the owner of the café.

He also mentioned that he had helped Count Deorg during the Southern Battle Line, explaining that without the Count, he couldn’t have run such a fine cafe.

Kier led them to the café’s backyard.

A significantly larger and quieter space than elsewhere. It seemed he had deliberately assigned them a seat to discuss privately, away from the noise.

“If there’s anything you need, feel free to ask. If we don’t have it on the menu, I’ll fetch it from the market.”

Kier left with a polite bow.

Once he disappeared completely, Ivella whispered, looking slightly overwhelmed.

“He’s too friendly.”

“That just means he owes a lot to Count Deorg.”

Indeed, the Count was a good man.

Ulan sighed in admiration. Meanwhile, Ivella had a slightly complicated expression.

But it was only temporary.

They soon placed their food order, and before long, an incredible quantity of food came out.

The round table nearly buckled under the weight.

“Eat up, Ulan.”

“Thank you very much.”

With food served, there was no reason to hesitate.

Ulan dug into the dishes before him, eating heartily like there were no manners whatsoever, but Ivella simply watched him with a warm smile.

After a while, when almost all the food had vanished.

“Whoa, I’m really looking forward to this!”

Suddenly a clear voice rang out from outside.

Immediately, Ulan turned to the source of the voice, as he recognized it.

What followed was white hair fluttering in the wind. Ulan’s eyes widened slightly.

‘Could it be…?’

Fleeting memories of an old comrade from his past life rushed back to him, but he quickly shook his head in denial.

‘No way, that can’t be.’

After all, that person had never stepped outside until the downfall of the empire.

Just as he was recalling those old memories…

Tap, tap!

Ivella’s fingers drummed on the table.

As if to snap Ulan out of his thoughts.

“Hey, Ulan?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you listening to me?”

“What were you saying?”

Ivella frowned.

Ulan slightly bowed his head.

“Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.”

“Well, it’s too much to expect a response when you’re completely ignoring me.”

Ivella crossed her arms, looking miffed.

Ulan shrugged apologetically.

“I’ll remember this time.”

“No, it’s not even worth remembering. I just asked if you had plans for summer break.”

“Summer break?”

“After finals end in late June, two weeks of summer vacation are planned. Are you thinking of going back home with Noa?”

That wasn’t happening.

The distance to the prairie was considerable.

Just coming to the capital from the prairie already took two months.

Of course, if Ulan alone traveled without the physically weak Noa, he would reach much faster.

But two weeks was just too tight a timeframe.

So he shook his head.

“No, I won’t go back home.”

“Really? How about visiting the Count’s territory instead? It only takes three days by carriage from the Academy.”

“You mean your home?”

“Yeah, my father is saying he wants to see you.”

Though he wanted to spar with Ulan again, Ivella finished her statement with a hint of anticipation, waiting for his reply.

After a moment, the long-awaited response came.

“Unless something special happens, I’ll consider it.”

“…! Really?”

“Yeah.”

Ivella’s face lit up with an unexpected joy, having received a positive response.

In the warm atmosphere that followed, they chatted while enjoying dessert.

Then suddenly…

Shuffle!

A group of guests entered the backyard with lively footsteps and sat at a distance from Ulan.

As the girl in the center of the group took off her hood, Ulan’s hand froze in mid-air as he reached for a pancake.

It was the girl with the white hair he had just seen.

Her beauty was such that it would captivate anyone, regardless of age or gender.

But the reason Ulan was spellbound wasn’t just her looks.

It was because she was a figure from his memories.

“…Fertisha?”

Fixated on the girl, Ulan muttered her name in a daze.

The seventh hero who had joined the party last to face the Abyss.

The bard who soothed the heroes’ weary bodies and minds with her outstanding singing; the one of the very few people capable of using Spirit Art.

‘How did she end up here?’

Just then, their eyes met.

Her scarlet eyes, as if drawing him in, held a mysterious allure.

Suddenly, he felt warmth on his cheek.

It was the warmth from Ivella’s palm.

“…Don’t be distracted.”

Ivella’s voice broke through as she pulled Ulan’s face towards her, a blush blooming on her cheeks as her lips moved.

“Look at me properly.”

With eyes full of jealousy, she glared at him.

---