TLWRO 60

Chapter 60

The Princess Only Deals with the Genuine

Tesah looked at the pawnshop from a distance.

Not long after he left, the lights went out, and the two figures disappeared into the alley.

“Maybe she was invited to the Princess’s Palace. Considering the Paladin Commander came in person…”

After all, it was the Princess’s Palace—a place renowned for its security within the empire.

Nothing unusual would likely happen.

Still, there was a reason he had been given the dagger.

“Through that dagger, I can keep track of the Princess Palace’s situation.”

It wasn’t an ordinary dagger—it was a magical tool.

“It won’t harm her. The mages have set safeguards.”

Since the duchy’s mages had cast concealment magic, it should pass through the palace’s inspection procedures. Unlike the miscellaneous magical trinkets Elisha usually carried.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

“When I said she should be able to protect herself, I meant it sincerely.”

That was why he chose a dagger rather than a brooch or earrings. After all, she was someone already suffering from an illness.

“…Why am I feeling like this?”

Since that day, whenever Tesah thought of Elisha, his chest felt tight and fluttery.

Investigating her illness directly was not easy.

The words that came with her condition—multiple, unspecified, acute—all sounded serious.

And if it were a rare disease? What if Elisha found out that he had been inquiring about it?

“That bright smile of hers… was it actually her struggling?”

His chest felt warm, as if he had swallowed fire.

This emotion was likely no more than the compassion people typically feel for patients. Nothing else could explain it.

“Where did that grandfather go, leaving such a granddaughter alone?”

Tesah, with a troubled expression, splashed water on his dry face, then suddenly turned around.

He felt a gaze—familiar, even.

“…Mother?”

But Tesah quickly shook his head.

Bella hated the empire. She wouldn’t be here.

“I must be overreacting.”

After Tesah returned to the safe house, a shadowy figure hidden in the darkness opened its red eyes.

“Hmm…”

Clack.

Bella folded her telescope and raised an eyebrow.

“Just observing won’t be enough.”

It seemed a conversation was necessary.

Smirking, Bella vanished along with the light.

The carriage navigated the winding alley with ease.

Passing roads I had never seen before, it eventually arrived in front of a forest.

Aylan reached out his hand to escort me, but I gently shook my head.

“I can’t fly away from here anyway.”

Aylan seemed to realize this belatedly, retracting his hand and guiding me verbally instead.

“I apologize for guiding you along an inconvenient path first. Your audience is not part of the official schedule, so you must enter through a secret passage instead of the main gate.”

“That’s fine. In fact, it’s kind of fun—like playing hide-and-seek or searching for treasure.”

I said it sincerely.

Walking through the palace’s secret passage—how cool was that?

But Aylan seemed to think it was just a polite remark.

“Thank you for understanding. Please follow me.”

Holding a lantern, Aylan walked ahead, frequently glancing back at me.

Was he worried I might run? I realized the reason and smiled.

“Walking through the forest path isn’t hard. I’m wearing comfortable shoes.”

Maybe he thought so because I was used to seeing nobles frightened by even a few steps.

“Is Aylan also a noble?”

Usually, knights were from minor noble branches, or from the main line but without succession rights. Could paladins be the same?

Aylan slowed his pace for a moment.

“I will accompany you on the side.”

As we walked, a question came to mind.

“Um…”

“Um…”

We spoke simultaneously.

Aylan slightly bowed his head.

“You may go first.”

“Alright. What are you going to do with the hourglass?”

It would be nice if he gave it to me, but even if he rejected my proposal and handled it himself, it wouldn’t be a problem. The important thing was keeping the hourglass away from him.

Aylan was silent for a moment before speaking.

“Your matter with your friend takes priority. I will answer after that. Not now.”

“Ah, alright then.”

He was quite decisive.

“So, what were you going to tell me, Sir?”

“I overheard your conversation with the man with ash-colored eyes earlier. The one you mentioned as a neighbor.”

“Ash-colored again… Does he not care much about Alter? …And he just cuts off what I say so sharply?”

Recalling Alter’s eyes—a mix of red and ash—I replied:

“It wasn’t exactly a secret conversation. But…?”

“Is he trying to dig into Alter’s background?”

But the response surprised me.

“…Have you been to the hospital?”

“The hospital?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say you had a bruise?”

Aylan looked quite surprised when I mentioned the bruise.

He had clearly been worried. Alter had pointed out that I had “flown off” once more.

“You should show the wound and receive treatment. I’ll request cooperation from the palace physician.”

“No, I’m really fine.”

“I believe he mentioned it for a reason. If he was worried you might face difficulties… there’s no need to…”

“That’s just because my neighbor is kind.”

“…Kind?”

“Yes. He may not seem like it, but he’s considerate.”

“Forgive me if this is intrusive, but have you known him long?”

It might be hard to believe someone who once drew a sword on him could be called kind.

I answered nonchalantly.

“Not that long. About a month?”

“A month… I see.”

The conversation ended there.

The floor had a door in the middle of the forest. Entering it revealed an underground maze, which left me fascinated.

At the end of the maze, a knight was waiting.

He saluted Aylan and handed over a glowing white wand.

“This is a magical item inspection. It’s applied to everyone for safety, so please understand.”

“Alright. I just stay still, right?”

The knight waved the wand near my body, keeping it a short distance away, and tilted his head.

The wand glowed a faint pink.

“Hmm? I’m sorry, let’s try again.”

No matter how many times he tried, the wand remained pink.

“When a magical item is detected, it usually flickers black. Why pink…?”

“Seems broken. Try with the backup detector.”

“Yes, Captain.”

But the other wands also glowed pink.

I remembered something. Tapping Aylan’s arm with the edge of my bag, I made him turn.

“Um… That wand is for detecting magical power, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“…Then could it be influenced by you, Sir? I didn’t bring anything. See, all that’s in my bag is just this.”

Whispering, Aylan’s ears twitched.

It seemed he found my suggestion—that magic might be affecting the wand—reasonable.

Aylan drew a breath and gestured to the knight.

“The host is waiting. Skip the inspection; I’ll take responsibility.”

“Ah, yes! Understood.”

“Contact the temple to replace the detector. Rest.”

Wow, the captain really is a captain.

Walking down the corridor after the maze, all the knights saluted him.

Seeing both the knights and Aylan execute the salute flawlessly inspired awe.

And here I was, visiting the Princess’s Palace.

“I heard the palace stores many treasures. Even the paintings and sculptures along the corridor are extraordinary. Just looking feels educational.”

Feeling mesmerized by the art, I soon arrived at the largest and most beautiful door.

Aylan knocked.

“Your Highness, this is Aylan. I have brought a guest…”

Then it happened.

Before Aylan could even finish, the door swung open.

“You’re here!”

Rina, smiling brightly, grabbed my hand firmly.