Chapter 83

Finally, the hellish outdoor training was over. The sweaty knights screamed and ran to the shower.

Of course, Leasis was an exception. Because of her different gender, she had to shower in her private room. After saying goodbye to the knights, Leasis headed to the dormitory.

Hizen and Max also headed slowly to the shower. Max sighed, keeping pace with him.

Something embarrassing had happened recently. An important imperial order had been issued, asking to escort Princess Ashley for her coming-of-age ceremony. Hizen had also been explicitely requested.

Max carefully looked at Hizen’s eyes. He originally hated Ashley, so it could be even more unpleasant for him to escort her.

“Commander-nim. I don’t think we can ignore this escort mission.”

Hizen nodded as he had expected it to some extent. There was no reason to refuse this mission because there were appropriate procedures and reasons.

However, Max’s sigh did not stop. Blix’s dangerous voice never stopped ringing in his ears. His suggestion to take Leasis to the Cave of Prophecy kept giving him a headache.

“If we put Miss Leasis on this mission… We’ll know a little bit more about her.’

Whether I like it or not. Max, who had been agonizing over it, finally decided to put Leasis on the mission.

It would not hurt to try. Either she would see an illusion in the cave or she would not see anything. Nothing much would change just by looking at it.

He could just tell Blix that he did not take her there.

“Commander-nim, it would be a good idea to put Miss Leasis on this mission.”

“Leasis?”

“Yes.”

Max’s subsequent argument was not heard. Now that she had recovered, Leasis had to work like the other members.

Leasis was one of the most outstanding knights of all time, so it was a loss for the Knights not to use her abilities.

Hizen nodded willingly and said.

“Good. Then Leasis, Jason, Kerian, Bern, Taker and Lacto will join the escort mission.”

“Jason?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No. Not really, but…”

Despite Max’s concerns, Hizen’s expression did not change a bit. In fact, Jason had been struggling with what to do, so he had come find him in the middle of the night and had talked all night long.

Jason had said that he would only see Leasis as a colleague, so he did not need to worry, and that he hoped the Commander-nim would be happy.

Hizen had listened to Jason’s words to the end without a single complaint. One way or another, Jason was also a valuable knight.

The two men who entered the shower room began to take off their uniforms. Max looked at the burn marks on Hizen’s arms and legs with a bitter expression.

The color had faded, but it was still clear. Maybe the wounds in his heart were in the same condition.

Max sincerely wished for Hizen’s happiness. I hope he doesn’t get hurt anymore, funny.

“And. There’s one more person.”

“Yes?”

“Include Setchen. It will be his first escort mission, so he’ll learn a lot.”

“Yes. All right.”

Max grinned as he recalled Setchen. He did not imagine that Liduré’s son would grow like this. Recently, Setchen had successfully transferred from the 2nd Division of Imperial Knights to the Imperial Elite Knights.

He could perfectly use a blue sword and had considerable physical strength and stamina. The Commander and the Vice Commander of the 2nd Division had doubted their eyes at his growth rate.

‘But… it’s fascinating.’

Max was a little curious. For such a young boy to grow remarkably like this, he had to have a special talent, a specific purpose, or an excellent teacher.

What led to Setchen’s growth? Max did not stop wondering about it while taking a shower.

Anyway, knowing the reason would help the other members to grow.

I must ask him next time. Max made a firm commitment.

In the dark night, Setchen quietly left the dormitory.

He crept through the hallways of the Imperial Palace, covering himself with a black cape. It was so suspicious that he looked more like an assassin than an knight.

He arrived at the tomb of the former Empress, which was rarely visited. In the eerie atmosphere with only cold winds blowing, it seemed to be haunted.

In the middle of it, Setchen looked very bright. He sat on the floor near the grave and approached a boy who was eagerly breaking bread.

“Blix-hyung!”

“Oh. You’re here?”

Blix smiled gladly, with a lot of chocolate sauce on his mouth. He put the half-eaten bread in both hands and into his mouth.

“Hehe. I came secretly.”

“I’m glad you came.”

After a short greeting, Setchen took out some small bottles of milk from his cloak.

“Thank you.”

Blix made a refreshed face after drinking the milk that Setchen gave him. Unlike in Utran, the milk of the Harknon Empire had a clean and savory taste.

The two met secretly every night. Blix taught Setchen the blood swordsmanship, and Setchen delivered milk and cheese. In a way, it was a kind of deal.

Bliss grinned at Setchen. In fact, he could just ask Elnos for milk separately, but he did not want to.

The taste of something given by a likable person and by a stranger was really different. This was one of the new lessons that Leasis had taught him.

Blix got up from the floor and stretched. What should I teach you today?

“Hyung, Hyung.”

“Huh?”

“I will finally be transferred to the Imperial Elite Knights tomorrow.”

“Well. I’m jealous of you.”

He was really jealous. If he were in the Imperial Elite Knights, he would be with Leasis. Setchen’s nose rose at Blix’s jealous eyes.

Feeling flattered, Setchen continued to talk without being asked to. He spoke about the fact that he would be able to learn swordsmanship from Hizen, go on missions with Leasis, and that there was an important mission beginning tomorrow to escort the Princess.

Innocent, Setchen was not even a little suspicious of Blix. Blix was a good brother to him, so he just spoke candidly about the top secret information.

An interesting story came out smoothly. As he listened to it, Blix got intrigued and shut Setchen’s mouth with his hand.

“Wait. Where are you going on your escort mission?”

Setchen replied hurriedly, removing his hand.

“The Cave of Prophecy!”

As soon as Setchen finished his words, Blix burst into a pleasant laugh. Indeed, Leasis had a talent for stimulating all kinds of interest.

This guy was pretty helpful, too. He patted Setchen’s dark blond hair and spoke in a soft voice.

“Setchen.”

“Huh?”

“There’s something you must do.”

Setchen had always been helped by Blix. He asked, delighted by Blix’s words.

“What is it?”

For Blix, who had been through a lot of trouble, a young child like Setchen was like a toy on his palm.

“Bring Leasis into the cave.”

Blix wrapped up his plan, saying it was for Leasis’ sake.

The front gate of the Imperial Palace was spectacular. There were large lines of horses, maids, and servants, that were the size of most commoners’ houses, and there were countless nobles who had come to see them.

Today’s protagonist was Princess Ashley. In front of her carriage, Ashley had a fine makeup, a pure white dress and white shoes. It was not an exaggeration to say that she was the main character of the party.

The Imperial Elite Knights, including Hizen, were standing in front of Ashley. However, the faces of the members selected for the mission were filled with awkward smiles.

They had been told it was an escort mission to a cave, but when they saw her appearance, they thought that they might have come to the wrong place.

“I see the Count-nim.”

Princess Ashley greeted gracefully by grabbing the hem of her dress, hiding her foxy undertone.

Hizen and the Imperial Elite Knights also saluted her courteously.

The nobles chattered at the warm sight that was rarely seen.

“Oh my. Her Highness the Princess and the Count-nim look like a couple.”

“I guess the rumor about the relationship between Count Dratius and Her Highness is right. They go well together.”

The rumors were heard especially well by Leasis. Defending the rear of the Imperial Elite Knights, she clenched her fists discreetly.

But white energy was leaking from the tip of her fists. As a result, Iddahak and Setchen, standing on both sides of her, stepped back slightly while coughing.

She was always gentle and kind, but she was scarier than anyone when she got angry.

Ashley was escorted by Hizen and climbed into her carriage. Her heart skipped a beat at the touch, even if it was only polite and affectionless.

She blushed shyly and opened her mouth.

“Well, Count-nim.”

“Tell me.”

Despite the chilly atmosphere, Ashley’s heart fluttered. She smiled softly enough to make the noble men watching blush.

Ashley was finer and more beautiful than anyone else on the outside. She asked with a pure face.

“Would you please ride the carriage with me and protect me?”

Hizen stared silently at Ashley as if he were asking what she was talking about. Then she said embarrassingly, twisting her body.

“I think I’ll be relieved if the Count-nim protects me up close. Recently, I was threatened with assassination.”

Of course, it was all a self-made play. Max, who was standing behind Princess Ashley, smiled strangely at her words. It was his first time seeing such a peculiar figure.

“Please.”

“I don’t want to.”

“…What? W-why?”

It was a determined and quick denial. Embarrassed, Ashley grabbed the hem of her dress and asked for an explanation.

Hizen answered with a face that seemed to say that it was obvious.

“There are three reasons. First, it is difficult for most assassins to open the door of the carriage, which was reinforced with all the magic stones of the Imperial Palace warehouse. So it would be inefficient for me to be inside. Second, I have already prepared a perfect escort plan with the knights, so I will proceed as it is.”

Max turned his head completely the other way with a fake cough. No matter how wicked the Princess was, he could not see a woman being beaten in front of his eyes.

But Hizen was relentless.

“And third. It’s the most important thing.”

What else! Hizen gave the final blow to Princess Ashley, in tears.

“I don’t want to be in the same place as you.”

Ugh. Kerian walked backward covering his mouth with his hands. It would not be strange to see Hizen beheaded right now if the rumors about the Princess were true.

However, Princess Ashley hardened like a stone and could not say anything. Surprised by the urgent situation, Kerian pulled the sleeve of Leasis standing next to him.

“Leasis, look at that. The Princess Ashley…”

Huh? Kerian opened his eyes wide in surprise. Leasis standing next to him was bowing her head, red.

Is it that scary?! Kerian held Leasis’ hand tightly, telling her not to worry.

However, Leasis was bowing her head for another reason. She was happy even if she had to control her feelings now.

It was good to see Hizen treat her differently from Princess Ashley, and it was good to be the only one to know his other side.

Meanwhile, Kerian looked at Leasis and Hizen alternately and tilted his head.

What is it? I have a bad hunch.