Chapter 13

Behind the King of Kriannes, who let out a weary sigh and looked around at us, stood Queen Liness and the first concubine Anisha, who hid some unknown intentions but smiled brightly on the surface. Behind them, the Duke of Varietta, the leader of the noble faction, and the Viscount of Phaltris, a Swordmaster and the head of the inner palace knights, along with several other nobles, were visible.

"I greet the Sun of the Kingdom."

"I greet the Sun of the Kingdom."

"I greet the Sun of the Kingdom..."

I bowed my head and spoke quietly, and Baris and Winry followed my lead and paid their respects.

"So, are you confident?"

His straightforward question, without any preamble, seemed indifferent.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will surely win and elevate the kingdom's prestige."

Baris answered forcefully, as he always did. Perhaps his answer was quite satisfying, as King Kriannes soon stroked his beard, nodded, and let out a short sigh.

"Return safely."

He patted Baris's shoulder and smiled in response to Baris's faint smile, then turned his gaze.

He was looking at my face.

A mix of emotions was evident on his face.

To be honest, even I, who usually can read people well, couldn't easily discern his true feelings.

Perhaps it was a matter of experience.

Even an old and weary lion doesn't lose its dignity.

"I'm sorry."

He said no more.

I had no intention of getting sentimental with him now, so I just bowed my head.

"Listen! The participation of Prince Baris in the Continental Swordsmanship Tournament is a great joy for the kingdom! Therefore, I declare a festival in the kingdom, distributing relief rice starting from today!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The nobles answered in unison to Kriannes's proclamation.

"Furthermore, issue a special pardon for those who have committed minor offenses!"

Though some faces showed subtle dissatisfaction, as this was a measure usually taken only for significant national events, no one dared to defy his command.

A special pardon, in fact, is one of the most incomprehensible laws.

"Go, go and elevate the prestige of the Kingdom of Rawn!"

With those words, Baris slowly rose and nodded.

"I will open the gate!"

Zzzz!

As the mage manipulating the mana gate shouted, the massive circular structure of blue light behind me began to emit light. A strange force created a vortex, forming a massive rift that threatened to completely envelop the platform where the procession to the Principality of Phelisite was ascending.

Sssss...

Before long, the mage's incantation flowed out, and the massive wave swallowed the entire procession, disappearing into the light.

As I disappeared into the light, I caught a glimpse of King Kriannes's expressionless face and Queen Liness's inscrutable look. I closed my eyes in silence.

* * *

The procession to the Principality of Phelisite was modest.

Leading the way was Prince Baris, who was participating, and Winry and I, who were accompanying him to cheer him on. There were also about six servants to handle the miscellaneous tasks and five knights for protection.

Of course, four of them were top-tier Sword Experts.

Considering their strategic weapon-level skills, our immediate safety was undoubtedly secured.

Their aura alone could deter any potential enemies.

Thanks to this, the journey was so uneventful that it was hard to find even a single animal, let alone bandits.

"Ugh... It's so boring."

Baris, who had lived a rough life, seemed unable to endure the boredom.

"Idiot! Being bored is a good thing!"

"Do you actually enjoy this maddening boredom?"

"Of course not! But who would want to attack with you around, idiot?!"

Winry's reprimand made Baris flinch and look at me for a reaction.

Originally, we should have traveled on horseback, but Baris, realizing that I had only recently recovered from my illness, insisted on having me ride in a carriage.

Thanks to this, the journey became even more boring, but I didn't feel bad about his consideration.

"We should camp here for the night."

The knight leading the way, Sir Blakano, reported.

It would take at least another day of horseback riding to reach the Principality of Phelisite.

Ideally, we should have used the mana gate, but unfortunately, the Principality of Phelisite was a small state among small states, and thus lacked a mana gate. We had to travel to a nearby territory via the mana gate and then proceed by land.

The only fortunate thing was that the Principality of Phelisite was very close to the Kingdom of Rawn.

The servants and maids prepared the campsite, and the knights dispersed to provide protection. Baris threw a branch into the campfire and asked,

"Brother, how do you feel?"

"Right. Big Brother, do you like the gifts we prepared? You used to say you wanted to go camping like this, like an adventure. We minimized the procession to avoid making it too grand and burdensome."

The two of them smiled, eager for praise, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Thanks, you two."

Even though we're not related by blood, it was heartwarming to see them taking such good care of me.

Baris, sitting down, reminisced about the times we played together as children, chattering away.

Winry, despite her occasional teasing, also smiled at Baris's behavior.

"Brother?"

But despite their conversation, my gaze was fixed on a spot in the forest, unable to look away.

"Big Brother?"

Noticing my gaze, Winry asked cautiously.

"Ah... Hmm?"

"Try this."

"Thanks."

"But what are you looking at so intently?"

"Right, Brother. Is there something there?"

I didn't bother to answer.

Just staring blankly at the forest made the two of them worry and exchange glances.

"It's nothing. It's late, so I'll go rest first. Do you want to rest in the carriage too?"

The two of them shook their heads.

"I prefer the tent, Brother."

"Me too."

Who would think these two are high-born royals?

Even if Baris is one thing, Winry being so rough makes me worry who would take her in.

"Hmph. You're so rough, it suits you to go camping. I already worry about who will take you in later."

"Hmph! I'll live with Big Brother. Don't worry about others, just take care of your own business!"

Winry stuck out her tongue and clung to my arm.

I stroked her head, and she smiled even more, making Baris tut disapprovingly.

"Alright, get off, you brat."

"Tch."

The two of them, looking strangely disappointed, went into the makeshift tent set up by the servants, and the camp fell silent.

The two of them, who usually led the conversation, had gone to rest, so the conversation had stopped.

"Your Highness, would you like to go rest?"

Sitting silently and gazing at the sky, a maid named Amy approached and asked.

"It's a good night for a walk."

"Really?"

Her question made me stand up, saying something random.

* * *

When everyone was asleep.

Sitting on a branch not far from the camp, where everyone was asleep, I looked up at the sky while reading a book.

If they realized I was gone, there would be a commotion, but the Welcoming Spell wasn't just there to make a pot of soup.

The book I've been reading recently is about the political situation on the continent during my absence and medical knowledge.

I shouldn't neglect my training, but the same goes for medicine.

Diseases keep appearing, but improving medical skills isn't that fast.

Of course, as a disciple of the divine physician Hippocris, I'm confident in my medical skills wherever I go.

"The night sky is beautiful."

A soliloquy without an audience slipped out of my mouth.

The dark sky was illuminated by two moons, one red and one blue, shining brightly.

Cyrus, the moon that illuminates the beginning, and Krias, the moon that illuminates the end.

There are many legends about the two moons, but they are just old tales and not particularly interesting.

They are just beautiful moons.

The countless stars and the Milky Way, filling the night sky, made it hard to believe it was night.

A beautiful sight that can't be seen on Earth or in the Corridor.

The night sky here is different from the one in the palace, and it has its own charm.

Sssss...

The only sounds were the chirping of insects and the hooting of owls.

I put down the book I was holding and casually snapped a nearby branch, swinging it in the air.

Swish! Swish!

A light whistling sound accompanied the thin branch as it cut through the air.

Hmm, satisfying.

"Well... I've enjoyed the night view, so how about some night exercise?"

My gaze was fixed on one spot and wouldn't waver.

At the end of my field of vision, I could clearly see black-clad assassins moving.

There were about 20 of them, all professional killers who could hide their murderous intent.

They were skilled enough to complete their mission under any difficult conditions.

If I were an ordinary person with no power, the result would be a brutal massacre.

The outcome was obvious.

This was the only chance to deal with all three of us at once.

Queen Liness seemed to have chosen to send assassins to eliminate us rather than leave us as a potential threat.

Honestly, I don't like revealing my abilities and arousing suspicion so early.

I quickly dismissed these thoughts.

There was no need to worry about such things.

"Are you so slow that you can make a living as an assassin?"

After all, no one would see me in action...

"Huh?!"

"Chk?!"

A thin branch became a massive mountain, splitting an assassin's body in two as he moved stealthily.

Dark red blood spurted into the dark night sky.