Chapter 6

Eisen's Perspective

Eisen squints at the sight of the pure young girl, who seems out of place in the shabby cart. Despite the severe jolts that could make one feel sick if they let their guard down, Platina continues to look around with what seems like enjoyment.

（To be able to break such a curse in an instant. Who is this girl?）

The chains that had bound her wrists painfully just moments ago have already disappeared. They were a terrible curse that would make her feel as heavy as lead and slow her movements if she resisted even a little.

Eisen clenches his fist, recalling the frustration of not being able to wield his sword freely.

His interest in the sword tournament held in the small country of Shande was purely coincidental. Upon hearing that the winner would receive a large sum of money, he and all the members of the party he was with at the time decided to participate as a way to test their skills.

For Eisen, who had become a wandering swordsman to broaden his horizons and participated in various tournaments while doing mercenary-like work, it should have been just like any other. Yet, he ended up winning by sheer luck. Looking back, it might have been better to lose.

（The contract I signed to participate in the tournament had a binding force similar to a servitude curse. What kind of country is this?）

As the tournament winner, he was assigned to the royal guard, close to the heart of the country, and treated as a mere decoration. It was a humiliating time.

Queen Rega had her own direct guards, so Eisen had no direct involvement with her, but he had seen her a few times. She was a flashy and haughty beauty, and it was clear from just looking at her that she wanted to control everything.

The prime minister, who always stood by her side, was also a creepy man. Even though he was only watching the queen from a distance, he immediately noticed Eisen and glared back with a keen sense. He was more than just a bureaucrat.

They were people who should not be made enemies.

Conversely, as long as they were not enemies, they were not a threat.

The troublesome one was Medea, another princess of the country.

Medea was lovely to look at but ugly inside. She acted as she pleased, using her mother's authority. She believed herself to be the center of the world.

She kept a different royal guard by her side every day, like accessories, indulging in her whims. The guards who followed her had little sense of chivalry and were chosen solely for their appearance. They tried hard to please Medea to improve their own or their family's treatment.

Eisen always treated her coldly, but she found that amusing and favored him, which only fueled the jealousy of those around him. He ignored it.

He couldn't run away because of the contract, which bound him. But one day, the contract suddenly loosened, as if a thin chain had snapped.

There had been such moments before, but none as significant as this. That's why he tried to escape at that moment.

（I didn't expect to be watched.）

The informant was a fellow royal guard. He was annoyed by Eisen, who was Medea's favorite despite not flattering her, and had been waiting for a chance to trip him up. He must have been sensitive to the signs of Eisen's escape and reported it.

I think this is a corrupt country. The cursed chains and the madness they represent are too abnormal.

What's even stranger is the girl named Platina standing before me now.

（If her story is true, it means the princess was kept like a saint, almost imprisoned.）

Even if she is not the queen's biological child, it's a strange story. In terms of lineage, Platina should have the qualifications to be queen. More importantly, the power to break Eisen's curse was incredible. Platina didn't seem to realize it, but the curse on Eisen was very strong and could not be removed by ordinary means; it would have required multiple priests working at full capacity.

（To break it so easily... to exile such a powerful saint because she has a short life? Is this country sane?）

If Eisen were part of this country's administration, he would instruct them to do everything possible to extend Platina's life. Exile is out of the question.

（This is more troublesome than I imagined.）

Eisen narrows his eyes at Platina's gentle smile in the dappled sunlight and inwardly sighs.

（Perhaps I should have run away as she suggested.）

The image that came to mind to dispel his indecision was Platina's smile at the moment she broke the curse. It was pure, without any ulterior motives, and she genuinely rejoiced at the breaking of Eisen's curse.

It was impossible to ignore such an innocent smile.

Taking advantage of the fact that Platina hasn't noticed his gaze, Eisen carefully observes her. Her hands and feet, visible through the tattered ceremonial robes, are so thin they might break if he gripped them tightly, and her complexion is poor. Yet, her eyes alone sparkle strangely, creating a striking imbalance.

（Is she malnourished? And if she has been in the temple all this time, she probably has no physical strength.）

Until he knows what illness is consuming her life, there's no specific action he can take, but he will do everything he can. There's a possibility that the illness can be treated in another country.

Helping a girl who understands her impending death and wishes to travel freely is a simple matter. Her touching last wish to travel freely strikes a chord in his heart.

Eisen quietly smiles wryly.

He feels a fresh surprise at the human emotion of wanting to protect someone.

（Since she is a saved life, letting go and going with the flow isn't so bad.）

If the curse couldn't be broken, he would have eventually been discarded. Seeing this as some kind of fate, Eisen decided to accompany this peculiar girl on her journey.