Chapter 35

Lias set out for the city at Cynthia's request and had been making meticulous preparations for over two weeks.

Probably, they would be going to the area where the nobles do their shopping, but Lias gathered information on the entire city, not just that area. He visited the guard posts, sought out knights of commoner origin, and collected information on every shop. Eventually, he even obtained information about a stray cat giving birth to kittens in a certain part of the city. He wanted to be able to answer any question and meet any sudden request. To ensure their safety, he had a thorough cleaning done three days in advance. The family's city walk was conducted at the safest possible time. In the end, there was a bit of a commotion at the last shop they visited, but they managed to achieve their goals to some extent. It ended with a drunk causing a disturbance, but until then, both Cynthia and Eidan seemed to be enjoying themselves.

—Most of all, the Earl of Montague, whom they had thought was just a drunk, had taken some suspicious herbs and was in a dazed state before awakening, and he spoke about his collusion with the guards. Lias was informed by his subordinate, who was investigating the Earl, that they had made a significant breakthrough. They had obtained the pass to the mysterious gathering and were about to begin their infiltration investigation.

The city walk, which started at Cynthia's request, had unexpectedly led to such a significant discovery. Lias thought that Cynthia must have some special power beyond the power of light.

As the investigation progressed, the reports from the intelligence agents who had infiltrated the gathering were a series of unbelievable events. The bombing of the capital and... the kidnapping of Cynthia. It was such an absurd plan that it was hard to believe it would succeed. However, if there was even the slightest chance that it could harm Cynthia, he could not overlook it.

Lias's dreams usually featured Cynthia. Recently, this Cynthia did not run away when touched. She did not look at him with eyes full of hatred but smiled gently. If he got any closer, she would always disappear, as it was just a dream. In a dream, perhaps he could hold her a little. When he extended his arms, the feeling was thinner and softer than he imagined, and it made all his fatigue disappear.

"Cynthia... I love you."

When he conveyed his overwhelming feelings, Cynthia accepted them. He did not want to let go. However, for her safety, he had to hide her in the castle for a while. Even if they could not meet, perhaps they could meet in dreams.

"Lias?"

Her back was gently patted, and the arms that held her tightened. He pressed his face against her warm, soft neck.

It was so warm and soft. Could he kiss her here? He thought about it but was too afraid to do so. He could not hurt this delicate and soft person, even in a dream.

"You won't disappear today, will you...?"

Perhaps because she was about to leave, her desires were more vividly manifesting in the dream.

"It's reality."

Her words sank into his mind.

"Reality...?"

His head suddenly felt cold. He quickly pulled away. In front of him was a Cynthia even more beautiful than in his dreams.

They had gradually built up some trust, and she had allowed some physical contact. But to embrace her...

He hastily apologized, but to his surprise, Cynthia said it was okay to touch her. Her unwavering, strong golden eyes stared at Lias, as if saying it was all right.

Surrendering to the temptation, he placed Cynthia on his lap. She was so light that he wondered if it was a dream, but the soft feeling was too real. The way she leaned on him was unbearably endearing. Her silver hair, which was wavy, touched his arms. Everything about her was so dear that it was overwhelming.

He could convey his love to Cynthia and felt the unmistakable trust she placed in him. His blood felt like it was boiling. He did not know what the overwhelming emotion was, but he felt like crying or shouting. He was happy. He could do anything to protect this person in his arms. His doubts were gone.

---

In the process of eliminating the noble faction, Lias realized he had pushed himself a bit too hard. He thought he could endure it, but the days without Cynthia were unbearable, and his frustration grew day by day. He seemed to have become someone who could not bear to be without seeing Cynthia.

He thought about going to see her, but quickly realized he needed to deal with the situation in front of him first. He did not want to leave even the slightest worry behind. Capturing the nobles who had attended the gathering was not particularly difficult. The problem was that a few remnants were still at large. As long as they were out there, Cynthia could not live safely, and they could not go to the city. The investigation would take days, which was painful.

The Kingdom Knights and the intelligence department, along with the knights of Pencillia, held multiple meetings. Should they use a human sea tactic? Offer a deal? Use a decoy?

"The arrests are complete. How about spreading the rumor that the lady is returning?"

"Will they fall for a rumor? They are on high alert after the arrests."

"They have no choice. —I will be the decoy. If I show my real form, they will take the bait."

Rouban raised his hand.

"I am short and relatively slim."

Compared to Cynthia, he was still quite built, but with the right dress, he might look similar from a distance. The plan was decided.

---

A few days later.

"—They're here."

A subordinate whispered beside him. As he said, a carriage was approaching from a distance. It was the carriage Cynthia always used, surrounded by a strict guard, just as usual. But inside was Rouban, not Cynthia.

"...They didn't take the bait."

The most vulnerable time for an attack was during transit. If they made it to the mansion safely, it meant the plan had failed.

The gate opened, and they waited for the carriage.

"—Over there!"

Someone pointed. From the opposite direction of the road leading to the castle, a black group was approaching at an incredible speed. It was a cavalry unit. They would meet right in front of the gate.

"What are they thinking..."

The captain of the knights drew his sword. It was not unreasonable to wonder why they would choose to attack in front of the most heavily guarded mansion.

"Stand by."

Lias gave the order to the entire group and watched the approaching group. Leading the charge were the Marquis Marcel and his son. The black unit split into two, one heading into the mansion and the other towards the carriage.

"First, we intercept them, then we head for the carriage."

Tension ran through the knights. They tightened their grip on their swords.

"Draw your swords."

Once he confirmed the enemy was in battle formation, the sharp sound of swords being drawn echoed.

"Wait."

Lias closed his eyes for a few seconds. It had been a while since he had fought in a war. He recalled the way to suppress his emotions. He knew how to release the tension before the clash. He took a deep breath and gripped the hilt of his sword. The enemy's shouts and the loud sound of hooves were close.

"Go, don't let a single one escape!!"

At Lias's command, the troops let out a low battle cry and charged. The numbers were about the same. The enemy was on horseback, and they were on foot, but they had the advantage of the terrain. Most importantly, individually, they were no match for Pencillia.

The carriage was being guarded by the Kingdom Knights, and they seemed to be in the lead.

Lias cut down the enemy and moved towards the Marquises.

"Marcel!"

The father responded. He looked down at Lias from his horse, glaring hatefully.

"Lias Pencillia...!"

"Surrender. If you don't want your entire family to be destroyed!"

Attacking other nobles without the king's permission is tantamount to treason.

"Shut up, usurper!"

Avoiding the dust from the hooves, Lias used his magic to kick off the ground and leap high, attacking the Marquis Marcel. Marcel's sword grazed Lias's cheek. He thought he had narrowly avoided it, but the sword must have been wrapped in wind. A hot sensation ran down his cheek.

He spun his body and kicked Marcel off his horse. Marcel gasped from the impact of the fall and stiffened. Lias took advantage of the moment and struck him in the torso.

Marquis Marcel spat out foam and lost consciousness.

"Father!!"

Next, a sword blade attacked from behind. It was the second son of the Marquis Marcel. He had already dismounted and attacked with all his might. Lias stopped the sword with his side and struck the second son's neck with the hilt of his sword. The second son fell easily.

Looking around, the battle was almost over.

—Usurper.

Why was he called that when he was not the one wielding the royal power and the crown prince was still alive?

Lias suddenly stopped. He faintly smelled gunpowder. Looking around in a panic, he saw a wounded magician in the midst of the chaos, starting to cast a magic circle. Following the circle, he saw three figures quietly running towards the mansion. They were abnormally bulky.

Gunpowder.

They were wearing explosives all over their bodies.

"Dunker, it's a magician!!"

He warned the captain of the knights, who was closest to the magician. He immediately reacted and tried to apprehend the magician, but the magic circle could not be stopped. They had knights but no magicians. Only a magician could counter a magician's magic circle.

At least, he cast an earth spell. He created a huge earth wall around the mansion.

"Such a thing... can't stop it."

The man with the gunpowder spat out.

The scale of the explosion was unknown, but from his words, it seemed he intended to blow up the entire mansion. With the explosives from three people, it could easily be done.

"Die, Lias!!"

He lunged forward instinctively. What was he trying to protect? Perhaps he could not bear to see the mansion, where Cynthia and Eidan would return, destroyed. He tried to use his body to stop the explosion— and was hit by an overwhelming shock, losing consciousness.

---

Lias regained consciousness in his bedroom, where he had been moved and received emergency treatment by healers.

"———k...u..."

The pain was so intense it felt like his bones were grinding. He could not sit up and a sound escaped his lips.

"Your Grace, are you awake?"

Healers surrounded the bed. The one who called out was the captain of the knights. Rouban was also there.

"What happened?"

"We have captured everyone. Our casualties are minimal."

"Your Grace, how can you say there are no casualties when you are in such a state!"

"Quiet."

Rouban's voice, like a scream, echoed in his wounds. He frowned, and Dunker restrained him.

"Ah, the blood..."

"It's because you moved. You should have been out by now?"

"No! I can't leave Your Grace behind."

Rouban finally burst into tears. Dunker, who said "Oh dear," was remarkably calm.

Without the healers, he might have died. However, with several healers working together, he could be mobile in three days, they estimated. He would have to endure the pain for a while.

Lias carefully exhaled. Even breathing caused pain.

"You were reckless, Your Grace."

"...I'll rest a bit. Leave the aftermath to you."

"Understood."

"Put me to sleep."

When he said this to the healer, a spell was cast, and drowsiness overcame him. If he let himself be carried away by this for a few days, he would be able to move again...

---

He felt the heat rapidly leaving his body.

His bones, his muscles. The skin, which had been burning, suddenly felt cool. His heavy body became light, and his consciousness was rapidly restored.

The soft sensation clinging to his body...

When he opened his eyes, he saw the familiar silver hair.

"Cin...Cynthia...?"

His body moved. When he sat up, it was undoubtedly Cynthia.

"Does it hurt anywhere? Lias, you said you were fine..."

Tears welled up in Cynthia's eyes. He had startled her. Seeing him in such a bloodied and sweaty state must have been frightening. Why was she here?

His mind was not working clearly after just waking up.

"Cynthia, why are you...?"

"I heard you were injured."

Lias was taken aback. The mansion was now guarded by only a minimal number of knights. No, he did not know how long he had been asleep, but most of the knights should have been at the castle, protecting Cynthia and Eidan, or dealing with the situation.

"The mansion's security?"

"The lady's return has been scheduled, and the original deployment has been restored."

Dunker answered promptly. Lias relaxed, relieved. The captain of the knights had done his job well.

Only then did Lias realize that all his wounds were completely healed. They must have been quite deep. To heal them so thoroughly must have required a significant amount of power. The power of light, though praised, was not omnipotent. The amount of magic power required was enormous. Healing one person's wounds could even cause the healer to collapse.

"For my sake, you must have pushed yourself. Send for a maid—"

He had to let Cynthia rest. As he thought about giving the order—Cynthia, with a gentle, flower-like scent and a warm, soft touch, hugged Lias. Lias stiffened.

"Cynthia, you'll get dirty."

Even after being healed, his body was still so dirty. Cynthia did not let go. The Cynthia who always smiled brightly and watched over Eidan with a calm expression was now in a state he had never seen before, crying.

Lias was flustered and did not know what to do. He did not know how to stop the tears of this gentle and beautiful person. All he could do was hold her, as if to comfort her, and recall the former crown prince's actions, gently stroking her head.

For a long time, Cynthia continued to cry. Lias held her gently, continuing to comfort her.

From Lias's perspective, it was... I can't write it! Tomorrow, I will.

Thank you for reading this dark story!