Chapter 93

Chapter 92

"Big brother! I'm all ready!"

Winri, who had boarded the large carriage that, while not exactly luxurious, would at least ensure a comfortable journey, waved at me.

Originally, only Yulius and I should have gone to the Red Tower branch of the Haines estate, but since Baris had made a request, it was decided that Winri would also be under my protection for the time being.

Though Baris, who would have to take on the estate's affairs alone, might have been expected to protest, for some reason, he showed a surprisingly positive attitude about sending Winri to me.

"It won't be fast, but we should arrive without any problems in about four days."

"Hmm..."

"The way there is really beautiful! So, I..."

As she spoke, she suddenly looked behind her and her eyes widened.

"Fortna?!"

"Truly... I am grateful, Prince Dave."

"Indeed."

"Not only me, but everyone in the estate who was exposed to the disease will never forget the grace of Your Highness."

Though she spoke calmly, she seemed to have a rather sharp temperament, yet she did not forget to express her gratitude.

"I will use this life, which Your Highness has saved, to protect Princess Winri until my last breath."

I patted her shoulder, which was bowed in gratitude, and said,

"Being alive is enough. If you want to cherish the grace, take good care of the life you've been given."

"I will remember that."

"Mr. Dave, it's time to set off."

Just as Yulius, who had been checking the condition of the magic carriage, was about to speak,

Zzz... Zzzz...

The communication crystal in my pocket vibrated lightly, signaling that a message had come.

"Amy?"

I held up the crystal, and inside, I could see Amy, my former personal maid who was now learning to manage the estate, looking anxious.

-Your Highness!!... Th... The estate!

I stared at her blankly as she continued.

"What is it?"

38. Childish Encounter

Amy's fuss made me think deeply.

"Big brother?"

The communication crystal was set to be heard only by me, so no one else could hear Amy's fuss, but it made me think too much.

"Why did Baris send me as well?"

"I don't know. Prince Baris is a clever and honest person like Mr. Dave. I can't grasp everything, but... perhaps he wanted you to rest for a while?"

Winri tilted her head thoughtfully at his gentle smile.

Originally, that wasn't the reason.

His request was out of concern for his twin sister, not for any ulterior motive.

It wasn't about the Linton Earl's matter either.

-That incident, I think it might be related somehow.

As I thought vaguely, Perserk appeared in front of me with a fresh smile.

She dusted off her light and elegant attire and turned around, showing her usual smile.

-The dwarves living in the Yellow Rock Tribe also experienced something similar.

'And so did the Haines estate.'

Though it's not confirmed, the same incident happening in three places simultaneously?

Though there's almost no solid evidence, if it's true, it could mean that someone is specifically targeting and taking children.

There's something subtle going on.

'If we interpret it as a sacrifice, should we think of a black magician?'

Why wouldn't there be? There are pseudo-sects that claim you need to offer the fresh blood of a child to summon a demon king.

-That's unlikely. Black magicians are vicious but not stupid. If they were to kidnap children for sacrifices, they would be extremely cautious, not this blatant.

If they were this blatant, black magicians wouldn't be nearly legendary figures on the continent.

'Ultimately, either the rumors are false, or there's something else. After all, it's just a suspicion, and it's not confirmed that children have actually gone missing.'

Ultimately, Baris thought that Winri would be a hindrance to investigating the matter along with external affairs.

More likely, he was worried about his accident-prone sister and couldn't bear it.

Ultimately, Baris chose to send Winri to me, who was relatively safe, to prevent any further issues.

He could have just asked for my help, but he showed desperate efforts to solve the matter and the Linton Earl's issue on his own.

They say a lion drops its cubs off a cliff. It's not a saying that resonates with me, but overprotecting someone who is trying to do something on their own isn't entirely right.

Moreover, since the scope includes not only the Ordem estate but also the Yellow Rock Tribe and the Haines estate, there was a need to investigate from other angles.

"I want to go as late as possible."

"Is something wrong at the estate?"

Perhaps he heard my muttering. Yulius, who had been silently watching Winri from across, asked.

"It seems there's a rather troublesome person there."

Despite her beauty, which is a feast for the eyes, she is a person with a certain level of unpleasantness.

Based on my intuition, she probably came to me after finding out about most of the matters.

It wouldn't be hard to brush her off, but I don't think that's her only purpose.

Most importantly,

'I don't want to see Caldiras again.'

-He's the type who would grab you by the collar as soon as he sees you.

The holy sword Caldiras is likely grinding his teeth, ready to grab me by the collar as soon as he sees me.

Like Hongdan, I had to use all of Caldiras' holy power to cast the final holy magic, which is a 9th-level ultimate spell.

A bitter smile doesn't come easily.

* * *

We moved so slowly that it felt like a snail was crawling, and time naturally stretched out like a thread.

"That's what happened, right? When you were just climbing the tree..."

"Haha, Mr. Dave has always been quite unique."

"Right? Hehe."

While I didn't say a word, Winri happily reminisced about the times we played together in the past.

-Ho... You had such a vibrant time back then?

At that time, my mind was quite naive.

'What's wrong with my current image?'

-It's like an arcade owner who has a master key to restart games but watches children struggle with their meager allowances.

Just criticize me openly as a black screen.

'What is that supposed to mean?'

Since she can read part of my memories, her metaphors are quite playful.

-You are honestly abnormal.

'Do I look that way?'

It's a difficult question to answer.

-If you compare someone who lives with the fear of the unknown in the next life to how you live, the difference is clear.

She pointed out the twisted aspect of my existence.

It makes me feel uncomfortable.

'Don't you know that you shouldn't hit people with facts?'

-Sometimes, a heavy blow is necessary to regain one's senses.

Perserk, giggling, moved around as if mocking me.

I wanted to grab her, but I didn't want to draw attention, so I quietly swallowed my frustration.

Heeheehee!!

Then,

As we were quietly moving and enjoying the scenery, the carriage suddenly stopped.

"Hmm?"

"What's happening?"

Surprised by the sudden stop, Winri slowly opened the window and saw the coachman looking bewildered and at a loss.

"Who... Who are you! Do you know who's in this carriage?!"

After a moment, the coachman, with a tense tone, shouted at those blocking the way.

The horses, with their glossy coats, and the men in sturdy, imposing armor were not the typical bandits you'd see in the deep mountains.

They were formal knights, and it was clear that they were from a significant estate, not just a small or medium-sized one.

Thud...

One of the knights dismounted and slowly approached us, then bowed respectfully.

"Please forgive my rudeness. I am Durees, the captain of the Red Dragon Knights."

He was probably in his 30s or 40s.

The man with a short, neat beard removed his helmet and introduced himself quietly.

"The Red Dragon Knights... Could it be!"

Yulius, who heard the introduction, was the first to realize their identity and his eyes widened.

"Why are the royal guards of Princess Ilyna here?"

Yulius and Winri don't know who is currently gnashing their teeth at the Haines estate.

That's why they reacted this way.

"We are here to escort you to ensure there are no problems on your journey. If it offends you, please forgive our rudeness."

His politeness was impeccable, almost to the point of being uncomfortable.

I made a wry face.

'Such a style is really uncomfortable. Even Bernil, the head butler, is cold but surprisingly cunning.'

I made a face as if I was tired of the rigid politeness.

"To be honest, I don't need an escort, but... the Red Dragon Knights have too much influence to ignore their offer."

Yulius laughed and asked for my opinion.

I was trying to pass the time and arrive as late as possible, but this woman seems to have read my mind instantly.

'I hate perceptive kids.'

-Caldiras' contractor is the same age as you.

'But she's still a kid.'

Despite her beautiful appearance and being the top bride candidate in the continent, my judgment of her is also a pity.

-It's a shame. She really enjoyed looking at things leisurely.

Her voice, despite expressing disappointment, was refreshingly cheerful.

* * *

To be precise, I fled from the Principality of Felicity, leaving all the troublesome matters to Princess Ilyna.

If I were in her position, I would have gone there and grabbed the person by the collar and shook them wildly.

She seems to have endured for quite a while, but we eventually met.

"Princess Ilyna of the Palan Empire requests an audience."

Her presence is so significant that it can only be described as a major figure.