Chapter 84

Who is this monster calling someone a monster? Latil was flabbergasted when he heard the monster call him a monster. However, the monster really seemed flustered. It seemed to be a bit scared, as it took a few steps back, and seeing this, Latil quickly regained his composure.

‘Now is not the time to analyze why this monster is acting like this.’

Since the opponent was afraid, he needed to press the attack before the monster regained its senses. When you suddenly gain inexplicable power, you should use it before you understand its source. The opponent was just as confused about the situation. Latil made his decision in a few seconds, smiled, and charged at the monster.

"Die!"

Adding a sound effect, the monster reflexively turned around. Since it had been repelled earlier when it charged, it seemed to be fleeing without even thinking.

‘I have to catch it. It might be related to Tella’s kid.’

Latil sped up as much as he could. But when the monster entered the maze-like garden where the lights were almost completely out, making it hard to see, tracking became difficult.

‘Damn.’

In the end, Latil stopped and cursed. The neatly trimmed hedges were about 1.5 times taller than Latil. It would be hard to find your way in such a maze even during the day, let alone at night. Moreover, he could no longer sense the monster's presence, so Latil gave up the chase and left the maze.

‘Better to stop chasing and avoid an ambush.’

He didn't know how the monster had been repelled earlier, but it wouldn't happen again.

“Karin?”

When he turned back to return to his quarters, he saw Karin standing not far away.

“When did you get here?”

As Latil approached, Karin looked towards the maze garden and answered.

“I woke up and found you gone, so I came to look for you... You were chasing a strange man. Who is he?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why did you chase someone you don’t know?”

Karin’s voice had a hint of force. She seemed displeased that Latil had done something dangerous.

“What can I do?”

Latil shrugged and walked over a small bridge towards the direction of his quarters.

“You don’t check and chase every attacker, do you?”

Karin naturally fell into step beside him.

“Attacker? Did he attack you?”

“It didn’t seem like he came to attack me. He was just acting suspiciously, so I chased him.”

“Master!”

“Shh.”

Latil put a hand to his mouth, signaling to be careful, and Karin placed a palm on her forehead, looking exasperated.

“He attacked me because he noticed me. And we agreed not to call me ‘Master’ outside, remember?”

“Huh...”

“But the person I was chasing didn’t seem human. His mouth was strange.”

Karin’s eyes widened.

“Did you chase him without thinking? Weren’t you scared?”

“I didn’t think that far.”

Karin’s expression became even more troubled. She seemed to think Latil was too reckless. But as they neared the quarters, he laughed lightly and shook his head.

“You’re still the same.”

“What am I still like?”

Instead of answering, Karin extended her hand and naturally took Latil’s.

“In the middle of this?”

Latil, taken aback, asked, and Karin replied calmly.

“Because it’s in the middle of this.”

Latil looked at the large hand that completely enveloped his and felt a strange sensation, so he turned his gaze away.

“You know, sometimes you seem like a playboy.”

* * * The next morning. Latil put on the neat gray clothes Hysinse had prepared and tried to tie his hair up neatly.

“Damn. It’s stiff.”

But the hair that had turned ashy white when he was disguised as a statue was still too stiff to comb properly. As Latil grumbled while looking in the mirror, Karin approached, sat him in a chair, and started combing his hair with her hands.

“When will your hair color return?”

“I don’t know. I hope it’s soon.”

“Do you dislike ashy white?”

“It’s not that, but it’s too stiff right now.”

Latil sighed, letting Karin comb his hair, but suddenly stopped when he became aware of her gentle touch. His hair, which was impossible to comb even 3 cm, was being combed so well by Karin. It didn’t even hurt.

“...You make me sleepy when you comb my hair.”

As he mumbled, a soft laugh came from above his head.

“Do you want to take a nap?”

“The clothes will get wrinkled. I have a morning appointment.”

Then, Latil felt a touch on his earlobe and shivered, straightening his back. He looked up to see Karin with a crooked smile.

“Since you’re not sleeping, I’ll wake you up.”

“Hey, King of Mercenaries.”

Instead of answering, Karin kissed Latil on the forehead and gently pushed him to help him stand up.

“Let’s go, Master.”

* * * When they arrived at the place where Hysinse’s messenger had led them, Hysinse and Aini were already seated.

‘Oh dear.’

But the atmosphere between the two was far from that of a married couple. Even couples who married for political reasons usually had some affection, friendship, or at least some liking for each other. These two...

‘Their relationship is still very bad.’

They both seemed equally uncomfortable, and when the visitors entered, they turned their heads almost simultaneously. But Aini, who had relaxed, immediately stiffened when she saw Karin and bowed her head. Latil noticed her fidgeting with her fork.

‘She’s still like this. Are they really not related at all? They don’t seem to be...’

Even Hysinse tilted his head to look at Aini’s forehead. It was suspicious, but Latil approached Aini and, as agreed with Hysinse, introduced himself with his fake identity.

“I am Sadie, the secret envoy of Emperor Latrasil. I have come to speak of matters that must remain confidential.”

Aini took her hand off the fork and nodded slightly. Her gaze then flowed back to Karin.

‘She’s not interested in me at all.’

Aini’s eyes, fixed on Karin like a magnet on a piece of metal, made Hysinse tilt his head again. When he met Latil’s eyes, he indicated where Latil should sit.

“Sit over there.”

Latil quickly took the seat Hysinse pointed to. During this time, Aini continued to look at Karin. It was so obvious that Karin couldn’t have missed it. Perhaps because of this...

“I am Karin, the concubine of Emperor Tarium.”

Karin introduced herself as a concubine rather than the King of Mercenaries, so Latil had to quickly add:

“Your Majesty, the two of us are secret envoys, so Karin’s presence here must remain confidential.”

But Aini still paid no attention to Latil. He felt dejected and slumped his shoulders.

‘At least look at me a little.’

But he didn’t feel ignored. It was clear that Aini wasn’t deliberately ignoring him but was so distracted that she couldn’t pay attention to anything else.

“Concubine...”

Aini murmured in shock, and Karin calmly replied, “Yes,” and sat down next to Latil. Karin’s attitude remained the same. She acted as if they were strangers. Latil slowly unfolded the napkin in front of him and glanced at Aini.

‘Maybe they’re not acquainted, and Aini fell in love with Karin at first sight?’

* * * During the meal, Latil told Aini about the ongoing issues in Tarium, where someone believed to be the deceased Prince Tella was causing trouble, and informed her about the legend of the Lord’s resurrection.

“I see.”

Fortunately, Aini, once the conversation began, managed to tear her gaze away from Karin and engaged properly. Some of the stories were surprising.

“Your words make me feel relieved that I’m not going mad...”

“Sadie.”

“Yes, Sir Sadie.”

‘I’m completely out of her sight, it seems.’

“When Heum first appeared, he couldn’t even show himself to me. But after my maid died and her body disappeared, he revealed himself. I think Heum ate... my maid’s body and that’s why he changed.”

“Perhaps Prince Tella and Prince Heum have joined forces.”

“Why do you think that? Maybe the Lord’s resurrection affected both of them at the same time?”

“Emperor Latrasil suspects Prince Tella to be the Lord.”

It felt strange to call himself by his name. As Latil fiddled with the salad, Aini asked:

“Is there a chance Heum is the Lord?”

“From what I know, it’s more likely to be Prince Tella. But since nothing is certain, there’s a low possibility that Heum could be the Lord.”

“...”

“We need to put both of them to rest. That’s clear.”

Latil watched Aini’s reaction as he said this. Since Aini had been Heum’s lover, he was worried she might be upset. Fortunately, Aini agreed with Latil.

“I think so too.”

Relieved, Latil turned to Hysinse.

“Emperor Latrasil wishes to exchange information and cooperate to resolve this issue involving Prince Heum, Prince Tella, and other malevolent entities.”

Hysinse answered without hesitation.

“Of course.”

When Latil looked at Aini, she also readily agreed.

“I will inform the Emperor that I will assist with all my efforts.”

“Thank you.”

After finishing the meal, they discussed how to communicate discreetly and quickly. This took almost an hour and a half.

‘I shouldn’t stay any longer. I need to leave.’

Knowing the Emperor’s busy schedule, Latil checked the time and decided it was time to go. As expected, Hysinse, who was very busy, left his seat immediately after the greeting. Latil waited for Aini to leave with Hysinse, but when she didn’t move, he quietly stood up.

“Your Majesty, we cannot take up any more of your valuable time, so we will take our leave.”

Just as he was about to leave with Karin:

“Wait.”

Aini, who had already said goodbye, called them back. Latil turned to see Aini looking at Karin. He alternated his gaze between Karin and Aini, and when Aini stood up and approached, he instinctively stepped back. He didn’t want to be the awkward third wheel. Karin frowned at Latil’s reaction but was already in front of Aini. When Aini looked at Karin, she asked in a trembling voice:

“I want to have a word with you.”

Latil hesitated, pointing over his shoulder, about to say, “I’ll wait outside,” but before he could speak, Karin rejected the request as dryly as desert gravel.

“It’s better to speak to Sir Sadie about official matters.”

When Aini looked at Latil, he awkwardly lowered his raised hand. When Aini looked back at Karin, she added in an emotionless voice:

“If it’s a personal matter, I find it difficult to listen as a concubine.”

“!”

Aini’s expression became very sad, but Karin coldly bowed and signaled Latil to leave quickly.

“Miss, let’s go.”

We should go. We should go... Latil glanced at Aini, who stood there as if she might collapse at any moment, and then left with Karin.

* * * At that moment. When the three arrived at the Tarium palace, they were as bewildered as Latil had been when he saw Aini. They stood in front of the Emperor who welcomed them.

“You’ve worked hard. I feel guilty for always giving you so many tasks.”

Even as Emperor, Latil maintained a casual tone with Seunet and the head butler, except when issuing formal commands. The head butler had been in service since his father’s time, more like a friend or uncle than a subordinate. Seunet and Latil had grown up together, training and bickering like knights. The Emperor in front of them used the same tone and habits as Latil. Moreover, his face and smile were identical. But...

Seunet frowned.

“Who are you?”