Chapter 56

56

'Endure the weight of the crown.'

I began to walk slowly in a zigzag pattern across the floor.

If there was no problem with the walls, there must be a problem with the floor.

The issue was that this dimly lit room was too large.

"Shelina, what's up?"

"Jang-taek!"

"Want to take a walk?"

"Sure."

"Want to go with your brother?"

No, it's fine.

Before I could even refuse, Kaishan quickly took my hand and started walking beside me.

I thought about letting go, but since he had protected me before, I decided to endure the discomfort a little.

The others were already gathered in one spot, chatting. Regardless, I moved slowly with Kaishan.

Sure enough, as we walked, I felt a magical presence under my feet.

'Is this it?'

Should I think about enduring the weight of the crown in a simple way?

Does a certain person's weight need to be placed here?

What if I just break it? What would the scale of the damage be?

Crack.

I blinked at the sound from somewhere.

When I came to my senses and looked down, I was holding an old pacifier and sucking on it hard.

'It's a habit...'

It's really scary.

Startled, I quickly pulled the pacifier out of my mouth.

"Yuri!"

I ran over and clung to the legs of the Holy Knight Captain.

He finally looked down at me. They always have to be coaxed to pay attention to you.

Hey, come over here and break it for me.

Despite my call, this stern man only stared at me without asking why.

"Yuri!"

"Yes."

He's really diligent, isn't he?

"Here, here!"

I tugged at the hem of the Holy Knight Captain's pants.

Feeling someone's gaze, I glanced back to see Sharent Clown standing a step behind me, looking at me with a complicated expression.

Aren't you grateful? I deliberately didn't bother you and found someone else! Isn't that mature enough? He pressed his lips together and took a step toward me.

The spot I pointed to was a normal part of the floor. The Holy Knight Captain didn't move easily.

He seemed reluctant to react to my words.

"Try it once, Sir Yuriaad. Didn't we enter safely thanks to you earlier?"

The Emperor said with a smile in his voice. I don't know if he's just playful or if he doesn't take this situation seriously.

It feels a bit unsettling, like he's testing me.

Only after receiving the Emperor's command did the Holy Knight Captain move slowly.

"Here?"

"Yes!"

The Holy Knight Captain knelt on one knee and stroked the floor where I pointed.

Then he drew his sword and thrust it into the floor.

The sword sank into the floor as if it were soft clay, not hard ground.

Crack, crack.

Sparks flew. The man, who had been holding his ground, frowned and pulled the sword out again.

He looked at me with an indescribable expression, then hugged me and sheathed his sword.

Sharent Clown's frown deepened as he watched.

'Are you jealous because I solved it?'

I put the pacifier back in my mouth to show Sharent Clown.

"Was there something?"

"...Yes, a powerful spell is cast here."

The Holy Knight Captain answered after a long silence, still seeming to disbelieve.

"Sir Yuriaad, is this the entrance?"

"It seems so, Your Majesty. However, we need to find another way besides breaking it."

I nodded inwardly.

The Holy Knight Captain was right.

The spell on the ruins is powerful.

I didn't know what kind of retaliation might come if I tried to break it.

If breaking it isn't an option, there must be another way.

The words written at the entrance of the ruins were 'Endure the weight of the crown.'

So, focusing on 'weight,' maybe I need to match the weight that should be placed here.

The problem was how much weight was needed and how to convey this idea to them.

It's all a problem.

No, I'm the problem.

'How can I convey this properly?'

I tilted my head.

Even if I can sense things, I can't reveal the puzzle.

Sure enough, the Holy Knight placed me at a safe distance.

"Is that child really the wild clown's son? It's astonishing."

What did my father do to deserve such a fearsome reputation?

"How did you find him, Shelina?"

The Emperor now openly showed his curiosity, even calling me by name.

"Um... well... here..."

I'm a genius, so I just knew.

But I couldn't say that, so I racked my brain.

"Magic...! I sensed it!"

I don't know. Let's just say it's 'strange.'

Anyway, I wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible. It was suffocating and oppressive.

So, ignoring the Holy Knight Captain's consideration, I ran to the spot where the sword had been thrust.

"Here, Your Majesty!"

"Hmm?"

The Emperor immediately recognized my voice and turned his head. He approached me with a slight smile, as if to ask what I was up to this time.

Sharent Clown's expression became even more wrinkled with dissatisfaction.

To solve the problem of communication...

"I'm so bored! Shelina, let's play!"

I decided to throw a tantrum.

What did I do in my past life to deserve this... Of course, I did commit some sins.

But do I deserve this much pain?

Anyway, Your Majesty, come over here and stand.

"...Okay!"

Seeing the disappointment on the Emperor's face, I quickly added another line.

"Shelina, let's play!"

I thought I'd start with the heaviest, not in physical weight, but in value as a king.

The Emperor's interest seemed to wane as he frowned slightly, but he still approached me slowly.

He looked disappointed but didn't push me away, maybe because he was a parent too.

"So, what are you playing..."

Crack, crack.

As the Emperor placed one foot where I stood, the floor cracked with a loud noise.

'Oh, already?'

Is one person, the Emperor, enough? Or is it me? What's going on?

'No, this is too fast...'

"Ah."

Before I could finish my thought, a hole opened in the floor, like a black maw opening wide.

Without time to think, my body started to fall. I plummeted to the ground.

'No, damn it. Why is my luck so bad today?'

I grabbed the magic stone attached to the pacifier in a hurry.

It was lucky I had attached the magic stone to the pacifier in case of emergencies...

I struggled to cast a spell, but I saw Sharent Clown diving into the hole.

He paused for a moment, perhaps seeing the clumsy magic circle I had created.

Sharent Clown reached out and pulled me into his arms.

He looked at me with a complex expression, then hesitated as he tried to lodge his spear into the cave wall.

His eyes narrowed as if he had noticed something.

In an instant, the spear transformed into a bracelet around Sharent Clown's wrist.

Sharent Clown kicked off the wall lightly, spun in the air, and landed safely on the ground.

I thought we would fall to the bottom of the hole, but there was a stone staircase.

The Emperor landed gracefully on his own and brushed off the dust from his body.

The Holy Knight Captain and the knights also descended, perhaps understanding the situation.

"Is the child alright, young duke?"

"Yes, he seems fine except for being a bit startled."

Am I startled?

I widened my eyes in realization. Now that I think about it, my body is trembling a bit.

Sharent Clown sighed softly.

"You are...'"

Sharent Clown murmured.

His expression and voice were troubled, and he seemed a bit annoyed.

"Don't wander around like a wild child. Stay close to me."

Who's the wild child? Seriously, thanks to me, we found the way.

I puffed out my cheeks in frustration, and Sharent Clown frowned.

He sighed softly and patted my back a few times.

"You don't have to."

What's he talking about all of a sudden?

"I don't need your help. It's not helpful, so just stay put."

He tilted his head back, looking hurt.

'Not helpful? I found the way!'

No matter how hard I tried not to take it personally, his cold words stung like a dagger.

I turned my head in annoyance.

"...I understand that you're special and more mature than other children, but everyone needs to be a child at some point."

Sharent Clown said with a complicated expression.

This was not like him at all. I never expected him to say something like that.

I looked at him with a slightly flustered expression and then looked away.

It felt like my deepest secrets had been exposed.

He patted my back a few more times and slowly put me down.

"I told you before, if you stay close and behave, you'll be safe. As long as you're under my protection, I'll protect you with the honor of a Clown."

His words were stiff and harsh, seemingly cold, but they sounded so warm.

Maybe it's because I heard it from someone unexpected?

Anyway, it felt strange. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time, a feeling that made me even more uncomfortable.

I had been running non-stop without a break, even considering sleep a waste of time.

'Being a baby is nice.'

You can be forgiven for anything and protected by anyone.

'You're right.'

Childhood is not long.

If that's the case, can't we pretend for a little while? That he's a Clown and I'm a Hella.

'At least inside these ruins.'