Chapter 222
‘If…’
If they tried to harm Luwen, they would eliminate the baggage that was hindering him. I hoped such a situation wouldn’t come, but… if something happened to him because of me, I wouldn’t be able to live alone anyway.
Suddenly, I thought that perhaps this was the fate given to me.
Though it wasn’t written in the book, in my first life I had died saving Luwen and my sister. And now, I was standing before a similar choice again. Not the same battlefield, but not far from it either.
‘It would have been better if this had happened somewhere I had prepared for.’
Was it because we had taken a detour in the middle? Because we happened to discover traces of the 3rd Prince…
‘No. Get a grip. It’s not too late to regret later.’
First, I needed to figure out what kind of person the 3rd Prince was. And what his intentions were. If this could be called betrayal, I needed to know why he had betrayed us.
‘If his words about not intending to harm us are sincere, there should be a way out.’
If the worst situation came, my options would be reduced to one, but until then I would struggle desperately. Because my sister and Luwen would be sad if something happened to me.
I won’t give up because I don’t want to make my precious people cry.
“Ludwig. You take the hostage.”
Ludwig immediately followed the order. Luwen’s complexion was pale. In contrast, blue veins stood out prominently on the back of his hand holding the sword and his arm.
“Don’t hurt him.”
“I’d like to, but I can’t guarantee it if the Empire’s honorary duke comes charging.”
Is this bastard enjoying the current situation? A Sword Master acting arrogant while holding a sword to the neck of an ordinary person who can’t even properly resist. Disgusting.
“Ethan, neutralize Lord Blight.”
“No! Your Highness! Isn’t that too harsh a command for me?”
“If not now, when else would you get to subdue someone like that? I’m giving you a good opportunity, so give it a try.”
“What if he holds a grudge~ What if he comes for revenge later!”
Despite being a command from a prince, the fact that he was talking back showed that their relationship seemed quite intimate. He seemed close with Ludwig too.
‘What on earth happened in the first life that he died despite having people like this as his guards?’
I had to think from the beginning again. The only thing I could assume now was that he had been killed when these people’s reach couldn’t extend to him. Even if I didn’t know anything else, it was certain that he had died.
Since they had discovered the 3rd Prince by backtracking from the location where the corpse was found, if even his death had been fake, they wouldn’t have been able to find him.
But could ordinary knights handle someone a Sword Master was determined to protect?
‘…Were they really determined to protect him?’
If Ludwig had been guarding the 3rd Prince from a distance, Luwen would have noticed. Since there was no such thing, it was right to assume there was no Sword Master when we were at the Kans hideout.
‘How did they communicate after that when they were together the whole time? They even conveyed my identity.’
I had never seen the 3rd Prince act suspiciously. It was full of mysteries.
However, I seemed to have found a breakthrough. Whatever it was, the fact that the 3rd Prince had died meant he had been alone, and there must have been something that warranted such a situation. If things flowed the same way this time…
‘An opportunity for me to escape will come.’
To know when that would be and why such a thing would happen, I needed more information. That meant for now, I had to cooperate as they wanted until they changed their attitude, while looking for opportunities.
I was worried about Luwen’s feelings, so I shook my head slightly to signal him. Seeing his brow furrow, he seemed to have noticed properly. Still, wouldn’t this make Luwen feel a little more at ease? It’s not that you’re powerless, but that I told you not to.
If I complied obediently, their guard would definitely weaken, so if we returned safely, I’d have to praise him plenty. Though I didn’t know when we’d be able to return.
‘…My sister will be worried.’
If the promised date passes, the unit will have to move. Because we can’t keep neglecting Karnan.
‘Ah, really. How annoying.’
I had believed I was right. I had become accustomed to living with the advantage of knowing the future. This was the result of thinking while blindly trusting the book. I wanted to slap myself for being so pathetic.
“What are you saying now? From the moment we took Fei hostage, we’re all on the kill list anyway.”
“Ahhh! Come to think of it! I also held a sword to the young master… Hiiip! Your eyes are scary!”
Still bustling about endlessly. Was this way of speaking that disrupted tension intentional? Or was it natural?
“Ugh. Sorry. But he’s an Odrif Master, you know? It’s scarier when he has a sword!”
Even while chattering noisily, his steps toward Luwen were unhesitating. This was someone whose words and actions didn’t match. This type usually had ulterior motives.
Could it be that the relationship between the 3rd Prince and Ludwig had soured due to this guy’s betrayal or scheming?
‘…It’s just wishful thinking, but if I see even the slightest sign of it, I’ll have to lend a hand.’
It’s good to have many possibilities.
“Phew. Thanks for staying quiet! But this sword looks really good. Wow. You’ve maintained it incredibly well, haven’t you?”
“You should learn from him too. I’ve warned you repeatedly that it’ll break in the middle of a fight, right?”
Ludwig clicked his tongue and scolded Ethan.
“Ahahaha!”
Ethan laughed sheepishly and drew his sword from its scabbard. It was a different sword from the one he had pointed at me earlier. Now I could see he was carrying two swords.
“But look at this. This color is just pretty and nice. Don’t you think so too, Captain?”
“Nonsense.”
The sword that should have shone silver was dead black. An unpleasant black that seemed like it would absorb all light. From the slightly brownish tinge to the black, it looked like traces of dried blood.
“Ah! What’s your opinion, young master? Want to see? My sword.”
As he came closer, a familiar smell wafted over. The smell of blood. How much blood had it absorbed to emit such a strong scent of blood even when completely dry? I caught a glimpse of the cruel side of this man who appeared so carefree.
“Bad taste.”
“Eek! That’s too harsh! I’m hurt!”
“That’s enough. Fei is a doctor. Of course he’d dislike such things.”
He knew I was a doctor too? Just how much of my information had leaked to them?
“But are you really going to keep him alive?”
Ethan asked the 3rd Prince while glancing at Luwen.
“If you touch Luwen, I won’t stay still.”
I hurriedly intervened, afraid he might order him killed.
“Calm down. I said I wouldn’t harm you. If you don’t cause trouble, you won’t get hurt.”
Despite having already wounded my neck, his words about not getting hurt carried no trust. Even so, I had no choice but to believe those words now. No, I had no choice but to hope they were true…
“The bleeding seems to have stopped, but it’s cut deeper than I thought. Let’s move and treat it first.”
It had a nuance as if there was a base somewhere. Seeing that he was offering treatment, maybe it was true that he had no intention of harming us. I really couldn’t understand the purpose of doing such a thing.
“Ah, bring Lord Blight bound up.”
“Won’t that be dangerous? If the young master is taken away, we’ll all die, won’t we?”
“Even if he’s taken, his priority would be to take Fei and run far away rather than kill us. I don’t know what will happen to me after that, but… we just need to return to Tuaso.”
He gave quite an accurate interpretation to Ethan’s question. Luwen, wary of Ludwig, would first take me to the main camp. And as long as news that I had appeared on the battlefield could spread to the enemy nation, he wouldn’t try to leave my side.
“Aha! Then I’ll do the binding! Come now. Please stay quiet. Our Highness seems to quite like the young master, but that doesn’t mean you’re more precious than our lives~”
“I’m being obedient because Fei is captured. Do you think I’ll obediently follow after something happens to him? If you’re going to threaten that person, wash your neck clean first before coming to do it.”
At Luwen’s warning with a murderous expression, Ethan made a tearful face and looked back.
“Your Highness, I’m scared…”
The 3rd Prince burst into quiet laughter and put his arm around my shoulder.
“Well, shall we depart first?”
I didn’t want to be separated from Luwen, so I put strength in my legs and resisted, but Ludwig pushed my back with a thud. Because of that, my body was pushed forward and shot ahead.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
