TDSFE 29

chapter 29

2021.05.11

Redford had returned to his usual self and adjusted his clothing.

“A criminal organization…?”

“Yes.”

Even his normally composed face, always wearing a smile, was now shrouded in darkness. Teshia grabbed Redford’s sleeve.

“We’ll need to use tracking magic again. Not much time has passed, so they can’t have gone far. During the time I was observing, no one left the guild hall.”

“Um… Lady Teshia.”

Alex fidgeted and raised his hand. Under his messy hair, his pale face appeared tense as he asked,

“Could it be that our healing mage is inside that guild hall?”

“…Yes.”

“My goodness…”

Alex clutched his head and sank to the ground as if his legs had given out.

“I know the prince is skilled with a sword, but… can he also use offensive magic? Defensive techniques?”

Alex’s tousled hair drooped sorrowfully, as if alive with his despair.

“…If we’re not careful, this could escalate into an international incident, Captain.”

“I know that too,” Teshia replied, gritting her teeth.

“Seems like there’s nothing to worry about.”

Redford held Lowenhart’s earring, a blue magical circle forming a hexagon around it.

“Teshia, your hands.”

Following Redford’s command, Teshia extended both hands, resembling a child eagerly waiting for a treat. Redford restrained himself from ruffling her hair.

“What is this?”

Teshia asked in a subdued voice.

“A gift to cheer you up. If the earring’s owner were in danger, the magic circle would turn red. Blue means they’re perfectly fine.”

Teshia’s green eyes flickered with light. She quickly regained her composure and lifted her head proudly.

“Didi! You’re the only one for me!! You’re the best!”

Alex perked up at Redford’s explanation. Now he understood why people say nothing is impossible with magic. As a knight, Alex’s understanding of magic was shallow—he knew only the basics: offensive, healing, and defensive magic.

“Captain, you didn’t know either? I thought you were trained by Archmage Jerod under the tutelage of Redford, the Viscount…”

“Shh!”

Teshia sharply interrupted.

“When did this become relevant? Why bring it up now?”

Back when Teshia was learning from Archmage Jerod, the former emperor and Helios had said,

“It’s so human of our perfect Teshia to have at least one thing she can’t do! Everyone should have something they can’t do!”

If they said that, it was clear Teshia’s magical ability had once hit rock bottom. She cleared her throat, a soft smile touching Redford’s eyes. The sight of her bickering with Alex was endearing. Teshia had always been a constant, radiant sun, and her light lingered with Redford.

“Let’s go find Lowenhart. Just because he’s fine doesn’t mean we can sit idle.”

“Yes, Captain!”

“Redford, you can track Lowenhart’s location, right?”

“Of course. Teshia, this could even be an opportunity to take down the criminal organization.”

“Justice is always right! Then let’s go enforce it!”

Teshia exclaimed energetically. Knowing Lowenhart was safe eased her mind slightly. She gripped the scabbard she always carried at her waist. The ice sword resonated, humming in response.

Lowenhart, I’ll save you.

Lowenhart blinked slowly, regaining consciousness. His head throbbed from whatever hit him, as if a large bump might form. A cloth gag was tightly fastened around his mouth.

Tch.

He clicked his tongue inwardly, realizing he had underestimated the situation. He hadn’t anticipated a secret passage in the room. He tried to move his bound wrists slightly. The restraints held firm, clearly applied by someone skilled.

This isn’t the first time this has happened.

Which meant the guild hall had been used for criminal activity repeatedly. Fortunately, the woman hadn’t covered Lowenhart’s eyes, so he could still observe his surroundings. The damp, musty floor seeped into his bones.

Where am I… exactly?

Lowenhart frowned. From what he could see, it appeared to be a massive underground hall. The floor was muddy, and the ceiling in the distance looked the same. The audacity to build such a place beneath the capital signaled a formidable organization.

This… could get dangerous.

Outside were Teshia and Redford, both reliable, and with Teshia—the empire’s strongest—standing behind him, escape seemed possible. He could use magic to free himself and leave immediately, but he refrained, not knowing the location or how many enemies were present. From his position on the floor, he could only see people’s feet. Lanterns hanging from the walls cast light across the underground cavern.

Better to stay still.

Any movement would draw attention. Criminal organizations with underground bases have many secrets to protect; one wrong move could be fatal. As Lowenhart pondered with narrowed eyes, black boots approached him.

A woman.

He clenched his eyes shut. Judging by the size of the feet, it had to be a woman—too small to be an adult man, too large to be a child. Even with boots, size couldn’t be disguised. He breathed slowly to avoid revealing he was awake. Another set of light footsteps arrived—clearly another woman. Closing his eyes sharpened his hearing.

“Lord Danju.”

“…Where did you get this person?”

“Oh. She came to work at the guild hall but was caught sneaking around, so we brought her here.”

Tch.

The voice sounded familiar, but the distortion made it unrecognizable. Only someone as perceptive as Lowenhart could recall it. The woman spoke again.

“Why is news so slow? Don’t you know who this is?”

“Um…?”

“Don’t read gossip sheets? He appears often on the front page. It’s Prince Lowenhart, spreading rumors with Princess Teshia!”

“But why is the prince here, Lord Danju?”

“Perhaps the knights sensed something. No choice. We’ll close this route. Move only the prepared items quickly; someone in the homeland will be waiting.”

Items? Waiting? Lowenhart’s lips twitched. Fortunately, the two didn’t notice and continued.

“Yes, Lord Danju. Then this one…”

“Leave it here. The knights will take it. You wouldn’t just leave the Prince of Tiranavan like this, would you? Don’t do unauthorized actions again.”

“…I thought sending extra offerings would please him.”

“Of course, but you must avoid giving something that would upset him. For now, the knight is enough. Prepare to depart.”

“Yes, Lord Danju!”

They moved away from Lowenhart. Hearing his name initially made his heart stop—but thankfully, they considered him inedible. Remaining here was far safer than being dragged elsewhere. Teshia would come for him, and the woman seemed sensible.

A knight, huh…?

This guild hall was the correct choice.

This could earn me some points with Teshia.

He might even turn being kidnapped into an opportunity—heroically facing danger to resolve the incident. The fact they left him behind meant he was now safe.

Is this what it means when heaven helps?

Lowenhart narrowed his eyes again. The woman called “Lord Danju” and her commands were executed with precision. Their destination wasn’t Estonia; the items and the offered knight were likely headed abroad. Lowenhart had seen documents related to smuggling in the guild hall. Though he hadn’t fully examined them due to being struck, it was clear the organization was up to dangerous activities.

As long as it doesn’t directly involve Estonia.

Given the scale of the incident, it would soon surface publicly. Providing this information to Teshia would make his presence here useful. As Lowenhart sorted the information, the departure signal came.

“Watch out for the corpse!”

Hearing the man’s shout, Lowenhart realized,

They’re dead.

Once removed from the tracking range, the corpse would be lost—dead bodies emit very little signal. A brief thought crossed his mind: retrieving the body might please Teshia—but it could also be fatal. The person who spared him might change her mind and kill him too. With no information on the enemy, it was too risky.

“Hurry! There may be followers at the castle!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The footsteps gradually receded.

Huh…?

The lights dimmed as well—the people had taken all their lanterns. Lowenhart paled. In the dark, sealed, empty space, with footsteps and rolling wheels fading into distance, his pulse raced. Darkness poured into his expanded pupils. The next moment, Lowenhart lost consciousness. The trauma that had long slept within him erupted like a seizure.