Chapter 27

There are depictions of injuries. Please be cautious if you are sensitive to such content.

With the reconstruction of the town almost complete, we decided to head for the capital together. Yay, I'm not excited at all.

Until now, we had been riding in the Zain Guild's carriage, but for the journey to the capital, we would be riding in the carriage prepared by Lord Kyrat. It was spacious, luxurious, and had a great ride—three perfect qualities. It would have been perfect if only the two royals weren't riding with us.

The soldiers Prince Alan brought to Kyrat would also be returning, making it quite a large group. A few of the Zain Guild members and Grandpa would be riding in the Zain Guild's carriage. They said the capital's shop would be very busy, so they were there to help. I wonder why it will be so busy... haha.

It's not that I dislike riding in the same carriage with Prince Alan and Jin. I just get tired from Jin constantly fussing over me and Prince Alan looking at it with amusement. I feel like I'm going to go bald from all the fussing. I hate Jin when he doesn't stop even after Kirin scolds him.

But Jin has been acting a bit strange lately. He would zone out, suddenly hug me, try to act overly cheerful, or bury his face in my lap and not move. As we got closer to the capital, his behavior became more intense.

Prince Alan didn't say anything about it, just looking at Jin with a troubled expression and sighing. The atmosphere in the carriage became heavier and heavier. What's going on, seriously?

So, one evening, I decided to interrogate Jin. After setting up the camp and making a fire, I pulled Jin aside before he moved to the tent, and we sat by the fire. The others gave us some privacy.

We sat in silence for a while, just watching the fire. You can stare at a fire for hours, can't you?

"Jin, is something wrong? You've been acting strange as we get closer to the capital."

I wanted to sit next to him, but he ended up holding me in his lap. He held me tightly from behind. His usual bear hug was still there. Mmm, warm.

Resting his chin on my shoulder, I looked at Jin, who was staring blankly at the flames, and asked him directly.

"Sorry... Shina..."

Jin looked dejected. Could it be...

"Do you have a pregnant lover in the capital?"

"No! Don't call me a scumbag!"

"Then, are you scared to return because you cheated on someone?"

"It's not that! I don't have a lover!"

You don't have to deny it so forcefully. So, it's not that... I thought it was probably a woman-related issue.

"Then, did you not pay your tab at a bar?"

"I'm a prince, you know...? Shina, what do you think of me...? And where did you get such a vulgar idea?"

"From the top reasons why the Glass Forest extermination team soldiers don't want to return home."

"What a bad influence... Spending five years in such a place... No wonder you won't come back."

Jin's hand squeezed my stomach. I'm going to have dinner come out!

"So, what's the reason?"

He pressed his face into my shoulder and rubbed his cheek against my back. He petted my hair and head persistently for a while before finally speaking. Speak up already.

"There's someone in the capital I can't face."

◇◇◇

"Jinklett!"

Hearing my name called, I turned around to see the expected face.

"It's you, Lute."

I said it on purpose, and Lute smiled.

"That's a pretty cold greeting. You used to follow me around, calling me 'Lute-nii, Lute-nii.'"

"That was when we were kids!"

I felt my face heat up. Damn, Lute always brings up the past! No, it's not just Lute; it's a common trait among all my brothers.

Being the youngest of four brothers, I was both doted on and a prime target for teasing. Lute, being the brother just above me, was close in age, and we often played and fought together. We were the closest among the brothers.

"So, what do you want?"

"Yeah, I'll take your place on the next extermination."

Extermination? The one in the Eastern Forest?

That was the extermination I was ordered by His Majesty to lead. A group of giant snakes had formed, and there was a possibility of damage to the village beyond the Eastern Forest, so early extermination was necessary.

It wasn't a particularly difficult mission, and the Third Knight Regiment was scheduled to go as part of their regular duties.

"You haven't forgotten about the ball tomorrow, have you? You're the only one who hasn't decided on a fiancée yet."

"Ah!"

He knew. I was trying to skip the ball by going on the extermination mission.

"It's great to have a future partner decided."

Lute's favorite lecture was about to start. Until recently, we were comrades in not having fiancées... But as soon as he got engaged to Yurisha, the third daughter of the Zanett family, he started lecturing me. Yurisha is a bit headstrong, but she seems to suit the calm Lute, and they make a good pair. Lute also seems to be in love with Yurisha.

"But the extermination..."

"You were ordered by His Majesty to leave tomorrow, right? He said it was fine to leave after the ball. You know the Queen is preparing to introduce you to a young lady."

That's how Lute met his fiancée Yurisha and got engaged quickly.

I don't mind getting engaged, but I have a hard time with women. When I was young, I had a few girls as potential fiancées, but they would boast about being my fiancée to other nobles and bully the servants when I wasn't around, so it never worked out. I know not all of them are like that, but I can't help but be wary.

"The young lady you're supposed to meet at the ball is a relative of Yurisha. I've met her, and she's a good girl. Try meeting her."

Lute smiled. He's already under his fiancée's thumb.

"Did you tell the lord of the Eastern Forest that you're leaving tomorrow? My regiment will go, so you should attend the ball properly."

"But we're leaving tomorrow? The Second Knight Regiment might not be ready in time."

"They'll be ready. You know they're always prepared for emergencies! You're making excuses, Jinklett. Attend the ball! It's an order from your brother!"

There was no way to avoid attending the ball.

I sighed and had no choice but to follow my brother's order.

◇◇◇

The news came during the ball.

"Black giant snakes?"

I rushed to His Majesty after hearing from the attendant Barry that the Second Knight Regiment had been attacked by black giant snakes in the Eastern Forest.

In the waiting room, His Majesty, the Queen, Crown Prince Said, and Second Prince Alan gathered with solemn expressions.

"Father, where's Lute?"

The atmosphere was tense, and my throat went dry.

Black giant snakes are among the strongest A-rank monsters. Could it be...

"The extermination was successful... It seems there was a group of giant snakes, and a black giant snake was among them. The Second Knight Regiment and the lord's army cooperated, and while there were injuries, there were no fatalities."

I let out a sigh of relief. I thought the Second Knight Regiment had been wiped out, but Lute did a great job.

"However, Lute was injured protecting his subordinates. His right arm was torn off."

I felt a shock as if I had been hit on the head.

His right arm? Lute?

Limb loss cannot be fully healed by recovery magic. While the appearance can be restored, the limb won't function properly. A broken bone can be fully healed, but with a missing limb... Even if it looks healed, he won't be able to move a single finger.

Lute is skilled with the sword, much stronger than me. He trained hard to become as strong as he is. He took great pride in his sword skills...

And now his dominant arm...

If I had gone on the extermination... If I had gone as planned. If I had attended the ball and then gone on the extermination.

I felt all the strength leave my body. I had made a terrible mistake. I had taken Lute's sword from him.

I felt the world go dark before my eyes.