Chapter 148

“A gate? Have they identified the monster’s rank?”

“They haven’t gotten a precise read on it yet, it seems. However, they’ve confirmed it’s just one.”

At Suren’s explanation, the elders frowned.

“Why all the fuss over a single monster? Send in the hunters.”

“They’ve already been dispatched. But… it seems magic is ineffective against it.”

Only then did the elders’ expressions turn serious.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Explain yourself!”

“The monster is wearing armor, so magic doesn’t work on it.”

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

A monster immune to magic in a kingdom of mages. Oh, what a terrible predicament.

Elder Maga glanced at me, then tried his best to feign composure.

“…Mobilize all the slaves trained in swordsmanship.”

“W-well, it’s just that the monster said something strange.”

“The monster can speak? So, what did it say?”

“As soon as it appeared, it said, ‘Let the one who is worthy challenge me.’”

“…!”

It was the Dark Knight!

I quickly shot a look at my companions, signaling them not to react.

After exchanging glances with the other elders, Elder Maga stepped forward with a troubled expression.

“Guild Master Astell, I apologize, but we must postpone our negotiations for a moment.”

“When were we negotiating? I thought it was a one-sided declaration.”

“W-well, anyway, we’re busy now. Let’s talk later.”

“We plan to leave tomorrow. I hope this is resolved by then.”

“…We’ll be in touch.”

The elders rushed out of the reception room. Their faces were grim, as if they sensed the gravity of the situation.

Only after they had all disappeared did Johan speak, his voice laced with worry.

“Lady Astell, that’s the Dark Knight… right?”

“Most likely.”

“If that’s the case, they’ll have no way to deal with it. Should we not warn them?”

“What the Dark Knight wants is a fair duel with the strongest challenger. To put it another way, as long as they don’t foolishly attack it indiscriminately, nothing terrible will happen.”

“But they don’t know that about the Dark Knight.”

“They’re smart mages. They’ll figure it out soon enough.”

“But…”

Johan still looked uneasy. He must have been worried about the casualties that would occur before they understood the Dark Knight’s nature.

Worrying about those who were treating us like enemies just a moment ago. Such a priest-like attitude.

Of course, I couldn’t help but think he was a bit of a pushover.

“Sir Johan.”

“Yes, Lady Astell.”

“I’m not here on a volunteer mission. You know that, right?”

“I do.”

“I don’t have the power to save everyone. Not even a god could do that.”

“…”

“That’s why I have to set priorities. The people I love, my allies, those who are useful to me—things like that.”

I was already busy protecting my own people; I had no intention of making sacrifices for Akron, a place I had no fondness for.

“Do you think I’m being selfish?”

“N-no, not at all. I don’t think that. Lady Astell, you’re more necessary to this world than anyone. I believe in you.”

I felt sorry for Johan, but I had no intention of saving the world.

I was simply struggling to escape my own tragic end.

“Before long, they’ll figure out the Dark Knight’s nature. And naturally, they’ll ask me for help.”

I avoided Johan’s direct gaze and asked.

“What should we do then? Let’s hear everyone’s opinion.”

“I believe we should help them, provided they sincerely apologize for their actions.”

“So you’re in favor, Sir Johan. Alex?”

“The thought of you getting hurt is terrifying, but there’s no other way… Ugh, this is a headache.”

“So you’re neutral? And you, Your Highness?”

Dante, who had been listening quietly, twisted his lips into a cruel line.

“It seems everyone has forgotten what happened to the Princess when she faced the Dark Knight.”

“…!”

Johan and Alex held their breath. They both lowered their heads, their faces etched with guilt.

While it was true I had been injured while dealing with the Dark Knight, it was nothing serious. Compared to other hunters, it barely qualified as an injury. Besides, hadn’t Johan’s divine power healed it in an instant?

“I won’t get hurt like last time. We have Sir Johan with us, after all.”

“Just because a paladin can heal you, does that erase the pain you suffered? Besides, what does it matter to you if they live or die? Leave them.”

“By that logic, we should just stay home regardless of whether gates open or not. Hunters have a duty to protect others. We have to endure a certain level of injury—”

“That’s enough.”

Dante cut me off. His dark, sunken eyes felt like they were digging into my innermost thoughts.

“What… is enough?”

“Have you ever considered that you might die?”

I’d never thought of that. Because I was strong. Because I was the hero who saved the world in my past life.

“You don’t have to struggle so hard. Things will go the way you want, Princess. I’ll make it so.”

He spoke as if he knew my secret goal. Even though that should have been impossible.

“So stop. If you get hurt, it makes me want to give up on everything and start over.”

Give up on what and start what over?

Before I could ask, Dante clamped his mouth shut and stormed out of the reception room.

His back was visible for a moment through the violently swinging door before he disappeared. His final expression lingered before my eyes.

‘He looked like he was about to cry.’

I must have seen it wrong. I shook my head, trying to dispel the afterimage of Dante.

“Alright, that’s one vote in favor, one against, and one neutral. So, it looks like Sir Kaiel’s choice will decide it. Sir Kaiel?”

“I…”

Kaiel, who had been staring at the table, met my eyes for the first time.

‘How unexpected…’

For the first time, his unreadable expression became clear.

His face was filled with an inexplicable glee, as if he had been waiting for this very day.

“I wish for Akron to be annihilated without a trace.”

“…!”

It was a vicious malice. We all held our breath.

“I want them to haul magic stones while surviving on a single rice ball. I want them to sleep huddled on the cold, dirt floor. I want them to be in a position where a simple cold could kill them!”

His words revealed just how miserable his life had been.

Finally, Kaiel’s mysterious intentions became palpable. He wanted revenge. Even if it meant using me.

“Did you… know a gate would open in Akron?”

“I predicted that at least one S-rank gate would open during our stay.”

“How?”

“Because I’ve studied the frequency of gate appearances. Currently, S-rank gates are opening once every three to four days.”

‘That fast?’

Compared to my past life, this frequency was on par with the period just before I entered the final dungeon.

The apocalypse only began a year ago, so why had the pace quickened so much?

Suddenly, I felt like something was wrong. Though I didn’t know what.

“Was this your reason for allowing me to accompany you? To use me to get revenge on Akron?”

“It would be helpful to you, Princess, and I could also get my revenge. I considered it the perfect opportunity.”

Kaiel stated his intention to use me with brazen confidence, without batting an eye.

I wasn’t the least bit offended. In fact, I liked Kaiel’s shamelessness. After all, aren’t partners people who use each other for mutual benefit?

“That’s impossible. Akron won’t fall even if I don’t clear the gate.”

“I know.”

Kaiel smiled self-deprecatingly.

Of course, when he was younger, he might have wished for Akron’s ruin. He might have even spent some time cursing Akron after his escape.

But Kaiel was far too rational and realistic. He wasn’t naive enough to be unaware that he was chasing an impossible dream.

What he truly wanted now wasn’t some empty revenge. He would try to extract the maximum benefit from this incident—enough to deal a massive blow to Akron.

“They aren’t fools. That’s how they’ve managed to maintain their unjust system of slavery until now. Even if you don’t help them, they’ll eventually find a way.”

He was right. The truth is, while the Dark Knight was classified as S-rank, once you understood its nature, its threat level was lower than an F-rank. It wouldn’t attack until a challenger appeared.

‘The key is how quickly Akron figures this out.’

“Now, it all depends on your choice, Sir Kaiel. What do you want to do.”

Johan was in favor, Dante was against, and Alex was neutral. It was what I had expected.

That was why I had asked Kaiel last—to give him the deciding vote.

As if sensing my intent, Kaiel’s eyes wavered.

“Please, help Akron.”

“…Really?”

“If you happen to be injured in the process… I will compensate you for that as well.”

“How?”

Kaiel smiled silently. It was a dark, acrid smile, like that of a mastermind plotting a scheme.

“In the future, should you establish a Guardian branch in Akron, you will need a trustworthy director.”

“Hmm, I suppose so.”

“I will take the position.”

The corners of my mouth curved into a smile.

‘Clever, as expected.’

If he became the director, the elders of Akron would have to walk on eggshells around the slave they once scorned. What greater revenge could there be?

“Furthermore, I will give you my entire share of the profits from the branch for the first three years.”

“Profits aside… what about the Magic Tower?”

“The Magic Tower will run just fine without me.”

To give up three years’ worth of profits for an injury that Johan’s divine power could heal in an instant. For Kaiel, who loved money more than anyone, this was a monumental decision.

“Sir Kaiel is a member of Guardian and ranked second. He also has experience leading an organization as the head of the Magic Tower. He’s more than qualified to be a branch director.”

“Thank you.”

Kaiel gave a slight nod. To look so arrogant even while bowing his head—that was a talent in itself.

“Constellations, is a live broadcast of the Dark Knight possible?”

— Anonymous Constellation: Already on it.

— Anonymous Constellation: There’s a clip up on the main board!!

— Anonymous Constellation: They raised a huge ruckus, but now it’s a standoff.

I smiled brightly.

“Well, this won’t be boring. Let’s watch and wait.”

* * *

The next morning, at the Taikan Imperial Palace.

Frank stepped down from the carriage and offered his arm.

“Your Grace, we’ve arrived. Please, step down.”

“I’m fine.”

Duke Ruthius brushed Frank’s hand aside and stepped out of the carriage.

Even under the intense sun, he remained cool and didn’t so much as flinch.

— You are hereby summoned to the palace regarding the matter of the Crown Prince’s engagement.

The Emperor wanted Dante and Astell to be engaged. It wasn’t surprising, really. He had anticipated something of this sort.

With Igrid out of the line of succession, only one card remained.

It was only natural that the Emperor would use Dante to the fullest extent for his own power.

The first method was a political marriage.

Astell was currently the empire’s only princess and the leader of the powerful organization, Guardian.

There could be no better match for the Crown Prince.

Moreover, Astell was far from cooperative with the Emperor; in fact, she was closer to being hostile.

That was why he intended to tie her down with the bond of marriage.

Because once they became family, no matter what the Emperor did, it would be difficult for Astell to turn her back on them completely.

The Emperor would be hoping for Dante and Astell to marry and conceive a child as soon as possible.

If Astell became pregnant, she wouldn’t be able to clear gates or focus on the guild as she did now.

What a perfect excuse.

The Emperor would undoubtedly intervene in Guardian’s affairs under the pretext of caring for the pregnant Crown Princess. He would seize control of the guild and run it as he pleased.

‘The cunning bastard.’

Therefore, he had to depose the Emperor before that happened, no matter what. Before he could begin to truly exploit Astell.

‘Hmph… To become in-laws with the Taikan family. It’s a nauseating prospect.’

Duke Ruthius found not only the Emperor but the entire imperial family detestable. He didn’t want to live under the same sky as those who carried Silvane’s blood.

But what could he do, when Astell was fond of Dante?

So fond that she kept making excuses not to end her contract with him.

Astell was still in love with Dante.

‘They say young people’s passions burn brightly but cool quickly…’

It seemed Astell was the type to be steadfast in her affections.

‘In that way, you’re just like her, Marcella.’

Was it because his revenge was drawing near? Lately, Marcella had been appearing frequently in his dreams.

Duke Ruthius sighed inwardly. Then, hardening his expression, he began to walk.