Chapter 20

※This is a story from Guy's perspective, supplementing Octavia's perspective (Episodes 18 and 19).

As a result of losing the lottery, I was dispatched to patrol the castle grounds in the dim early morning. No major incidents occurred, such as an attacker lurking in the shadows, but I did discover a couple of male lovers in the midst of their passionate moment. Most couples, even when they are in the heat of the moment, choose the right time and place. However, when there are many, some inevitably go overboard and lose control.

... What started as a refreshing day turned into a sight I didn't want to see.

Oh, Sky God, grant me your protection.

May this be a good day.

While offering such prayers, I was making my rounds along the inner side of the castle walls when—

“!”

As if mocking me, a Rev bird dropped its feces from the sky, right onto my brand new shoes that I had just bought!

Damn bird...!

But I hesitated to attack. It's a Rev bird, after all...

I've heard the stories about this bird dozens of times from the old men in the village. A man who killed a Rev bird with a stone died the next year from a rockslide. It's known as an omen of misfortune and death.

Some say that if you can't kill it, you might as well let it go. If you injure it and let it escape, the Rev bird will come back for revenge. They never forget those who harm them, whether they are humans or animals.

Since they are not considered pests, it's best to leave them alone.

They fly wherever they please, regardless of humans.

Like when they drop feces on my new shoes!

I tore a nearby blade of grass and wiped the feces off my shoe. Really...

“Hey, you got hit by a Rev bird. Be careful; it's a sign of a bad day.”

A senior soldier teased me with a laugh.

“Those are just superstitions...”

The Rev bird is a bird with many anecdotes. Even the feces have a tale. It's said that those who get feces from a Rev bird will face misfortune that day. I don't believe it, though. It's too far-fetched.

“Hey, are you influenced by Princess Octavia too?”

Though it was said with a laugh, there was a hint of contempt. Ah... This senior soldier is a Prince Serius supporter.

While Prince Alexis supporters generally respect and love Princess Octavia, Prince Serius supporters... I don't understand why.

“Why does Princess Octavia come up?”

“‘Black Fan,’ ‘Black Fan.’”

Black fan? Because it's black?

“Is it the black fan that the princess always carries? The color...”

“What? You didn't know? It's made from Rev bird feathers.”

“Huh?”

A fan made from Rev bird feathers... That's an unusual idea. The mental strength to ignore strange looks is not something a normal person can emulate.

After that, the sun rose, and the patrol ended, but I encountered another couple in a passionate moment, which drained my mental strength.

I returned to the training ground to join the regular training.

The atmosphere was unusually restless, just as it was when Princess Octavia visited yesterday.

Moreover, Prince Alexis was there too.

It's unprecedented for the princes to visit the training ground two days in a row.

“Guy, you're late. If you had returned earlier...”

As I tilted my head, a close colleague, who is also a bit of a troublemaker, approached me excitedly.

“Did something happen?”

“Listen, be amazed. The king himself was at the training ground just now. And he personally trained Prince Alexis!”

“The king?”

Really? There was no plan for the king to inspect the training ground. In such cases, even new recruits like us would be informed in advance by our superiors to avoid any mistakes.

“It was a surprise inspection.”

“What do you mean, ‘trained Prince Alexis’?”

“Yes. They were talking while training. You just missed it by a little, man.”

My colleague witnessed something rare, like the king training Prince Alexis, while all I saw were male lovers in a passionate moment. ... There's a huge difference.

My colleague patted my shoulder with a good-natured smile and left. He was going to patrol the town.

Patrolling inside and outside the castle is as different as heaven and earth.

If done well, you might meet young girls, and you can stop at food stalls during breaks. Some new recruits even pay to trade for this duty, it's that good.

My heart grew even more restless. Was the Rev bird's feces a hint of this?

“—Guy Pewts”

So, when I was called the first time, my reaction was slow.

“Guy Pewts!”

“Yes!”

Prince Alexis was standing right in front of me.

“I have a favor to ask. Come with me.”

“Me? What about the others?”

“The others?”

Prince Alexis glanced around and shook his head.

“It's you.”

There are plenty of more skilled and excellent soldiers, but... the reason for choosing me... it can only be one thing.

Whether I am influenced by homosexuality or not.

I am the only one who is not influenced—until a moment ago, my colleague was there, but in the immediate vicinity, it's true that I am the only one.

“Follow me, Pewts.”

Jealous gazes pierced me like needles. ... Today, it's a 60-40 ratio of two types.

Those who have a crush on Prince Alexis.

Those who are unhappy that a commoner recruit, who hasn't even been assigned a position, is remembered by name and face by the second prince.

The latter jealousy is still better, but it's sad that it's not because of my own merit.

Well, it's a rare opportunity. I don't intend to let it go, for the sake of my career.

“Yes! Prince Alexis!”

I saluted and followed Prince Alexis, who had already started walking.

Thus, I found myself facing Prince Alexis in the dungeon beneath the training ground.

Well, what is this.

This is where they interrogate captured criminals. The real prison is elsewhere. This is just a temporary holding area.

No one is in the cell now, but it's clear that someone was here recently.

The stains on the wall, the smell... Even with the torchlight, it's obvious.

Vomit and blood. The lack of cleaning is intentional. They want to create a harsh environment to thoroughly break the captured criminal. It's one of the elements of torture.

I don't want to be here, whether I'm the one being tortured or not.

However, with only one entrance and no place to hide, and no captured criminals, it's the perfect place for a private conversation.

“Is this a message for Princess Octavia?”

I lowered my voice. My heart was pounding.

I heard some incredible inside information...

When the king visited the training ground, he gave Prince Alexis a secret order. Prince Alexis must leave today to carry it out, which will keep him away from the castle for a few days. His absence must be kept secret from everyone. Prince Alexis' order to me is to convey this information to Princess Octavia, who is currently in the castle's practice room. He even told me how to get there.

But...

Is this something I should know? Isn't this the kind of information I shouldn't know?

“Shouldn't this be the job of a messenger?”

“My father will find out. A common soldier like you is actually better.”

... So, this means that Princess Octavia is not part of the king's plan? Normally, the secret order should be kept from her too.

“Are you willing to do this, Guy Pewts?”

“Yes!”

Refusing here would be foolish. When a bait is dangled, you grab it without hesitation. However, this bait is a feast if you can successfully take it, but it becomes dust if you drop it.

“Do you just need to convey the message to Princess Octavia?”

“After you convey it, just follow her. She will surely—”

Surely...?

I can't predict what actions Princess Octavia will take, like Prince Alexis can.

“Is Prince Alexis leaving immediately?”

“Yes. Everything is prepared. I will use the side gate. Do you know where it is?”

“Yes!”

That's the gate that's always closed. The one they call the 'gate that never opens.'

“I will go and convey the message.”

“Wait, Pewts. People saw us enter the dungeon. If you leave now, you'll stand out. ... In a very unpleasant way.”

I see... I understand. Two men disappearing together. In the king's castle, that means—flirting! Even if we entered the dungeon, it doesn't matter! Unfortunately, there's a risk of strange rumors.

“So, use the secret passage.”

Secret passage...!

Prince Alexis said it casually, but my heart leaped a little. A secret passage in the castle actually exists, and I can use it.

“Press the indentation at the end of the opposite wall. A path will open. From there, go right, left, right, right. It will lead you to the back of the training ground. Be careful, or you might end up somewhere terrible.”

“Somewhere terrible?”

Where exactly?

“Do you want to know?”

I shook my head. This is the kind of information I shouldn't know.

“Is it because you are royalty, Your Highness?”

“No. I explored it with my sister when we were younger.”

Prince Alexis smiled softly, looking nostalgic. But even here, it's about Princess Octavia.

“My brother might have been taught by my father.”

Prince Alexis' expression darkened.

“I will use the secret passage.”

The royal family's relationships are complicated. All I can do is pretend not to notice. I took a step forward. But—

“Pewts, face me.”

I was immediately stopped.

“Huh?”

I blinked and rubbed my forehead.

Was it just a mistake?

The prince's eyes, which should be blue, seemed to be brown, like amber. Was it because of the darkness in the dungeon, or was my vision affected?

“... What's wrong, Pewts?”

In the end, I was asked curiously.

Talking about my eyes... that would be bad.

“Your Highness called me. Is there something else?”

“Called you?”

The prince looked confused. But it was Prince Alexis who called me.

“No, that's right. I have nothing else. Go.”

“... Yes.”

... It was just a mistake.

This time, I headed for the secret passage. I pressed the indentation at the designated spot.

A sound was heard, and another entrance appeared.

“Ah, so that's how it works...”

The secret passage was not completely dark, even without torches. The stone used for the passage was different, white, and slightly glowing.

—Right, left, right, right.

The short exploration ended quickly. It was a dead end, but there was another indentation like the one I used to enter the dungeon. I pressed it, and the path opened.

The sunlight was blinding.

I emerged at the back of the training ground.

The door closed automatically after a short delay. Looking back, it was just a wall.

“—Let's go.”

Even as a soldier serving the royal castle, I don't know everything. In a different sense, I was stepping into an unknown realm. Prince Alexis told me the shortest way to the practice room, but the challenge was getting there without the guards stopping me.

I immediately faced two guards on either side of the passage.

I had no particular strategy. ... So be it!

I approached while observing the guards. ... They didn't even look at me as I got closer.

Could I just pass through?

Out of basic courtesy, I bowed and slipped past the guards.

—No one stopped me.

I repeated this three times.

It went too smoothly. Did Prince Alexis arrange something behind the scenes?

So, the guards were pretending not to see me.

That's the only explanation.

... There are some points that don't add up, but meeting Princess Octavia is the priority.

—Here it is. I've arrived.

There were no soldiers in front of the practice room. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Excuse me! I have a message from Prince Alexis! I was told that Princess Octavia is here—ah! O!”

And I was immediately hit by the killing intent from the 'Messenger of Ongalnu.'

I thought I was going to die.