Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Crazy bastard. Max, who came out of the Crown Prince’s palace, spat out the swear words he had endured. His insides were boiling. Elnos’ face, who still smiled nonchalantly, looked numb.

[Why? Is there a problem?]

There’s no way there is no problem! Max clenched his fists. He was so shameless that he wanted to hit him. Crown Prince Elnos was the same age as Hizen, but he was not cute at all. Of course, Hizen was not very cute either, but… Max sighed. Whether it was Hizen or Elnos, they were both ten years younger than him, but it was too much. It was clear that something happened the year they were born. Maybe goddess Freya had something to be angry about. Max, who was wondering about it, turned around and headed for the Imperial Elite Knights.

But for some reason, his feet were heavy because it bothered him.

‘Something’s fishy about that prince.’

It was his gut feeling as a knight. After biting his lips, Max headed somewhere. It was the imperial archives located opposite to the Imperial Elite Knights.

When Max stood in front of the imperial archives, the guards saluted. It was required for all people, including the members of the Imperial Family and the nobles, to have their belongings inspected before entering. Max went inside after going through the appropriate procedures.

Piles of paper filled the wide palace. The papers piled up had the reputation of storing all the data in the world and looked like snow. It was the place where the enemy countries’ data were kept. Max skillfully walked through a pile of paper.

He opened a large wooden box and took out a stack of paper. There was a stiff document in it. He took it out right away and looked through it. The names of the enemy countries were written, but most of them were recorded by Prince Elnos. This was because the Emperor was afraid even after sending Elnos to the enemy as a hostage. Prince Elnos’ every move was subject to monitoring. The same was true of those who talked to him, and even the books he usually read.

Max looked at the data quickly and accurately. The hand turning the paper was not ordinary. But there was something particularly noticeable. These were records of the Crown Prince of the Utran Empire.

*

Leasis, lying on the cold floor, blinked her heavy eyes. In the dark, only the snoring and breathing of people could be heard. Everyone was taking a break before tomorrow’s competition.

Leasis tossed and turned. Next to her, Setchen, wearing a cloak, was sleeping hugging his two swords tightly. She sighed as she lifted his cloak to his neck. She could not fall asleep easily. She was sure Grien could not close her eyes. Now that she had not returned to the Imperial Palace, Owen and Max must be worried too.

Leasis, lying on the floor, closed her eyes tightly. She had to force herself to sleep, but she could not. She missed Hizen more today. Obviously, if he were to see her like this, he would look at her with pathetic eyes, saying ‘a strange woman’. And he would get angry and worried.

The tip of her nose was sour. She missed Hizen right now. She missed him and hated it. She kept swallowing her tears and had a runny nose.

“Are you crying?”

Blix asked, as he was sitting against the wall right next to her. He asked so softly that only Leasis could hear. She answered in a whisper.

“No.”

“No way.”

Blix smirked. He reached out his hand and patted Leasis on the head. The touch on the cape was rough, but friendly.

“You don’t look like a liar.”

Who don’t I look like? Her red eyes blinked in wonder. In the meantime, Blix reached out to her. He had a firm and strong hand. Leasis stared blankly at his hand. He waved it and spoke in a hurry.

“What are you doing? Get up.”

Leasis did not hold his hand. She stood up by herself steadfastly. Then Blix murmured.

“You’re closer to your little brother than to your Hyung.”

“What?”

“Follow me.”

Blix turned around. He headed somewhere, flexibly avoiding the people on the floor. Leasis hurriedly followed after him.

Leasis focused on watching Blix while moving. His light walking and restrained movements were unusual. She was sure. This man, Blix, was obviously a talented man, even if not as good as Hizen.

He stopped walking and looked around. She felt like he was looking for something in the dark. What was going on in the middle of the night? Leasis tried to see despite the darkness.

“Hmm. Let’s see. Near here…”

“May I help you?”

“No. There’s nothing you can do to help.”

Blix seemed like a very straightforward person. White teeth twinkled in the dark as Leasis hesitated. He seemed to be smiling.

Blix strode forward. He put his hand on a hard stone and murmured something. A faint ray of light leaked from his fingertip. It was the first green glow she had ever seen. A wooden vine rose through it in Blix’s left hand.

Blix stroked the wood vines with his right hand. Then the wall became transparent. It was an incredible sight to see.

He’s a wizard. Leasis, who was watching blankly, opened her mouth. Blix said, halfway through the transparent wall.

“Follow me.”

“…”

“Come on.”

He once again reached out to Leasis. She was a little scared, but she wanted to follow him. This gladiator tournament and everything were exciting for her, who had been scraping all her life.

It felt mysterious when she stepped on the wall. She felt like she was sucked into a deep and warm lake. Enthusiastic about it, she rubbed her eyes. It was her first time seeing it. How could such a place be hidden in a huge stone gap? It was as strange as an unknown forest from a fairy tale. Leaves as big as most houses covered the floor, and they were fresh as if they had just been hit by spring rain. The surrounding plants were also much more lively than the flowers outside.

Among them, the yellow riff flowers were the most beautiful. Leasis fiddled with the thin petals. There were soft and warm.

“Where are we?”

“That’s where my little brother used to live. No. Should I say it was the place that survived?”

Leasis speculated that Blix’s brother was a wizard of the Imperial Family. This arena was also used as a training site for the imperial wizards. If so, was this the residence of the imperial wizards?

But it was weird. Leasis tilted her head. There was only one old bed, desk, and chair on the wall. It was not enough for an adult to use, and it was only good enough for small children like Blix.

Although a little curious, Leasis wondered. She was only a maid herself, but did she not know the secret map of the Imperial Palace? Each person had their own story, and when she thought of Blix, who had helped Setchen, he did not seem to be one to do bad things.

Blix acted naturally like the owner of the room. He rummaged through the drawer of the desk, muttering something. Then the drawer glowed brightly, and something came out of it.

Was he here to pick up his brother’s stuff? Leasis glanced at Blix and turned to the room. The structure of the room she was seeing for the first time caught her eye.

In the meantime, Blix approached Leasis after finishing his business. He picked up a flower that fell on the floor and handed it to her. He had the same calm face as when he had given her bread the day before.

Leasis looked alternately between Blix and the flower. It was unexpected. Why would he give this to her? No matter how hard she thought about it, she could not find an answer.

“Get this and relax.”

“…What?”

“Hellhard, you’ve been sniffling. My younger brother doesn’t cry when I give him something.”

Even if the tone was blunt, it was full of consideration. He grinned and said.

“I brought you here to change your mood.”

“Thank you.”

Leasis hesitated, and received the flower with both hands. It smelled good. He laughed pleasantly as she smiled. He spoke in a warm voice.

“You look a lot alike.”

“Yes?”

“Hellhard-ssi, you and my brother.”

Blix kept saying the same thing while looking at Leasis, whose face was invisible. She thought that Blix’s brother would be tall, too.

Blix raised his hand and patted Leasis on the head. She liked his rough touch. It felt rough but without pretense and caring. Max sometimes took care of her, but it was her first time being treated like this. He seemed to think of her as his real brother.

Leasis liked Blix. Friendly and nice. She brought up the topic he wanted to talk about.

“You must be close to your little brother.”

“We’re close.”

Blix nodded his head seriously. His face was full of pride and his voice full of affection. He said with his hands clenched.

“If he wants, I can give him the whole country.”

She wished she had a brother like this. Leasis envied Blix’s brother, whose she did not even know. She spoke from the bottom of her heart.

“Your brother must be very reassured.”

“He was bothered.”

“Why?”

“It’s been like that since I was a kid. He’s so stubborn. He doesn’t answer me properly. He’s always being sarcastic…”

Blix said, kicking the floor. He looked disappointed inside. Leasis shook her head and said sincerely.

“No way. If I were your younger brother, it would be great. It’s a pleasure to have a good brother like Blix-nim.”

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

There was a fever on Blix’s cheeks. He mumbled, scratching his red face.

“I think you’re closer to your Hyung than your little brother.”

It was unexpected. Leasis looked at him curiously, and he grinned.

“I’ll give you a gift in return.”

“A gift?”

What kind of gift would it be? Leasis blinked and he laughed.

“You’ll find out soon.”

Blix stroked Leasis’ head once and approached the wall. As he murmured, the wall shone brightly again.

Leasis turned to look at the room in regret. She wanted to look at it properly because it was a place where she would never come again.

Then, something came into Leasis’ eyes. The inscriptions on the small desk were blurry. She was sure it was not there until just now. Her doubtful red eyes blinked twice.

The letters stimulated her curiosity. She could not see well because it was too far away. Narrowing her eyes, she opened her lips slightly.

A number. It was a number written in Utranian. It took her a little longer to think of the meaning because it was a language that she did not usually use.

“Hellhard-ssi?”

“Oh, yes!”

Leasis moved hurriedly at Blix’ call from beyond the stone.

*

The next day, it was three hours before the start of the gladiator tournament. In the tournament, there was a ceremony to pledge in front of the statue of the goddess. All participants stood in front of the iron gate from the waiting area to the gladiator arena. The picture of the warriors engraved on the thick iron gate felt threatening.

Thud.

As soon as the iron gate opened, a hot heat was felt. An ear-splitting roar and intense sunlight fell over their heads.

A haze rose on the huge round arena. The participants began to settle around the gladiator arena. In the front row, Leasis and Setchen looked around. The seats outside of the circular arena were full of people.

“Win it all!”

“Carlo! Show these damn bastards your skills!”

Most were excited enough to swear words. Surprised, Setchen grabbed his two swords tightly. Leasis patted Setchen’s head.

However, the fingertips of Leasis were also a little nervous. Feeling worried, Setchen raised his head. His golden eyes grew bigger. Leasis was smiling. It could be seen by her dimly exposed mouth under the cape. He felt a strange sense of incompatibility as if he had never seen her before. Setchen tried to take a step back without realizing it. Then, he bumped into someone by mistake. It was Blix.

“Are you all right?”

“…Yes.”

Blix patted Setchen on the head. It was a rougher touch than Leasis, but it felt good. Setchen also liked Blix inside.

Blix was eating a piece of bread again today. It was amazing that he could maintain a skinny shape even though he ate like that. When Setchen looked at him closely, he handed him a half-eaten bread.

“Do you want it?”

“No.”

Setchen could not believe he could eat now. He shook his head greatly. He still felt nauseous and wanted to go to the bathroom.

The liveliness and enthusiasm of the gladiator tournament were beyond the control of a young boy. As he looked intimidated, Blix tapped him on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry.”

Facing Setchen’s anxious eyes, Blix smiled. He spoke in a confident voice.

“I promised your Hyung a gift.”

“What gift?”

Blix smiled mischievously, stroking Setchen’s blonde hair.

“Your life.”

The ceremony began with the sound of horns.

*

Prince Elnos was getting dressed in front of Max. He laughed as he received the clothes from the maids.

“You want me to change the rules?”

“Please.”

“Now that you’re here?”

Max bowed his stiff neck. He swallowed his dry saliva and said.

“I’m sorry.”

Elnos’ dark eyes were stuck on Max. He was a handsome man with a neatly ironed black uniform. However, his eyes were darker than before and his cheeks were gaunt. Maybe he could not sleep for a few days. Elnos uttered a provocative remark.

“Sir Max. You’re duller than you look.”

What’s this bastard talking about? Max swallowed a curse inside. He just tightened his head quietly. He repeated that he could not hear anything now.

“I don’t even notice.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Elnos snorted. He had already heard all the reports about Max. The fact that he went out of the palace and searched the archives during three days and three nights.

Max was so desperate. No matter how important the gladiator tournament was, life could not be taken lightly. He had to use any method. Max accidentally discovered information about an enemy called the Killer on the battlefield. He was the Crown Prince of the Utran Empire. His eyes and Elnos’ eyes were similar.

Max’s hunch was often right. It was no exaggeration to say that if a person’s life was at stake, it was absolutely right. So Max visited the Emperor. It was the last resort.

“His Majesty the Emperor has also given me permission to do so.”

“Are you here to let me know?”

The atmosphere became violent. Walking on thin ice, Max tightened his head once more.

“I’m sorry. Please, Your Highness the Crown Prince, grant me permission.”

“You’d better not offend me.”

Elnos, fully dressed, approached Max. Overbearing. Max breathed heavily as he looked at the close black shoes. A cold spirit shook his whole body.

When Elnos smiled softly and bent down, Max tried to step back reflexively. At that moment, Elnos stretched out his right arm and hugged Max gently.

Max swallowed his dry saliva. The emotionless hug lasted longer than necessary. A soft voice rang in his ear.

“You. Maybe you haven’t been properly educated by your superior.”

He’s too young to talk down to me. Max’s mouth twitched slightly. He grinned instead of getting angry. He had one last card.

“Blixrond.”

Elnos’ eyes got a little bigger. Max raised his head and said, facing his black eyes straight.

“As expected, Your Highness Elnos is great. I never imagined that you’d spread such a smoke screen.”

“You’ve managed to notice it.”

“It was pretty tough.”

Max did not turn around. Looking at Max smiling softly, Elnos worried.

‘Should I kill him?’

Elnos was lost in thought, touching his mouth with his hands. But there was something he could not understand in Max’s behavior. Why was he doing this? It was a sword fight that had nothing to do with the Imperial Elite Knights. Elnos asked in a pure voice.

“What do you gain by doing that?”

“Gain…”

Max tightened his dry throat.

“It’s the safety of the people in the Empire.”

“Is it more precious than your life?”

Max gave strength to his eyes. His brown eyes were containing his beliefs. He spoke in a heated voice.

“Of course.”