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[CHAPTER 134]
“U…ugh!”
The man was dragged into an alley, his mouth blocked, without understanding what was happening.
Although he was often drunk, he had some influence in the village, so he was flustered.
No matter how much he struggled, he could not shake off the hands that held him.
Only when he was dragged to the edge of a secluded alley was he released.
“Hooah, what the hell… grabbing people like this!”
The man turned to protest, but froze upon seeing his opponent.
A silver-haired knight, far larger than him, stood tall.
The man instinctively knew he was no match. He hadn’t even been able to resist the grip of a single hand.
Moreover, it wasn’t just one knight. Other knights, seemingly subordinates, were present.
Without even looking at the man, the knight issued orders to his subordinates.
“Follow discreetly. Keep a distance.”
As soon as the command was given, the subordinate knights ran off somewhere. Judging by the direction, it was where the purple-haired woman had gone earlier.
The man blinked in a daze.
“I… I…”
Only then did the silver-haired knight turn to him.
“Do not come near her again. If I see you next time, I will deal with you on the spot.”
Even without a title, it was clear that “her” referred to the purple-haired woman.
“Y-Yes. I understand. I will never come near her again.”
Flustered, the man hurriedly left the alley without looking back.
A short while after he left, someone else appeared silently.
As she lifted her robe, long silver hair, brighter than Derek’s, flowed down.
Derek lightly nodded to her.
“Thank you for giving me her location. I was able to catch up quickly thanks to you.”
“I couldn’t stop the princess myself, and I couldn’t just leave her. Please make sure to convey my merit to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Understood.”
After the conversation, Silvia quickly disappeared again.
Derek also moved to join the subordinates he had sent ahead.
* * *
Wandering the mountain paths, the sun passed overhead and gradually began to sink.
I tapped my legs and sat on a rock, unfolding the map.
This should be the place…?
I traced the markings on the map with my finger.
Beyond the forest and a bit further up, there should be a ridge, and beyond that, a valley.
According to the map, this area was quite rugged.
I slowly surveyed my surroundings. Trees grew densely, and low bushes filled the space.
The ground was covered with rocks and dry leaves, making it easy to slip if I wasn’t careful.
Seeing the ridge glowing with red light, I recalled the line from the legend: “Walker who follows the light, do not stop your steps.”
Could this be the land where stars fall, as in the legend?
If it was a place where starlight poured down, it would likely be an open area rather than a cave.
I squinted at the map again.
The marked location might not necessarily be a cave.
Above the ridge indicated on the map, it said there were few trees and many rocks.
If the mana stone were here, it would likely be hidden using the surrounding terrain.
“Hmm…”
I took a small wooden bottle from my bag and drank a sip of water. Finding the path was important, but rushing might cause me to miss crucial clues.
As the sun slowly set, the red glow seeped between the leaves. The temperature dropped faster than during the day, and the air felt colder against my nose.
It’s time to head back.
I had no intention of pushing myself.
Tomorrow I would prepare more thoroughly. I needed to pack food and basic survival tools for the main exploration.
Taking one last look at the terrain of the forest, I headed back to the inn.
When I returned, Silvia had pulled a chair by the window.
She gazed at the darkening view outside, and when she noticed my arrival, she gave a gentle smile.
“You’re back late.”
“I thought I just wandered around a bit, but time passed so quickly.”
I set down my bag and replied briefly, then asked her:
“Where did you go today? I didn’t see you this morning.”
Silvia momentarily looked away, but soon smiled casually.
“A fellow mage needed to ask something, so I came here briefly. I didn’t stay long.”
“Ah, I see.”
It made sense.
Mages often traveled long distances to exchange important information or items.
I understood if Silvia had matters of her own to attend to.
I didn’t ask further. She must have her own reasons, just as I did.
“Good, let’s go downstairs together.”
We went down to the inn’s lower floor and took our seats.
Today’s meal consisted of warm soup, bread, and a bit of cheese and ham.
I took a spoonful of soup and slowly began to speak.
“Tomorrow, I plan to start the main exploration.”
“Which direction?”
“I got a rough idea of the terrain today, so tomorrow I’ll investigate the ridge area more closely.”
Silvia thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Then I’ll come along too.”
I looked at her with surprised eyes.
“Are you sure? You were tired today and resting, weren’t you?”
Silvia chuckled softly, poking a piece of cheese with her fork.
“I rested for a day. Also, using magic will help with the exploration. While the princess searches for the path, I can use detection magic around us. I don’t know exactly what we’re looking for yet.”
I pondered for a moment but nodded soon after.
“It’s good to have help. Let’s go together.”
At this point, it feels silly to hide it; I should tell her what we’re looking for tomorrow.
Silvia smiled brightly and raised her glass.
“Alright. Shall we toast for tomorrow?”
I smiled and lightly clinked my glass against hers.
* * *
In the palace’s small council chamber, several nobles were gathered.
Along the long table sat nobles supporting the nobility faction, and across from them, nobles aligned with Emperor Vincent and Crown Prince Vincent.
Many agenda items had already been discussed.
Just as it seemed the meeting could be adjourned, Count Berta suddenly stood up.
“Your Majesty, and His Highness the Crown Prince.”
He bowed first to the Emperor and began to speak.
“I believe it is necessary to discuss the disappearance of Princess Wentworth.”
The chamber stirred at his words. Crown Prince Vincent’s gaze fixed expressionlessly on Count Berta.
“Princess Wentworth had been assisting His Highness the Crown Prince and staying in the Crown Prince’s residence. However, a few days ago, she left the palace without any explanation. Duke Wentworth has been greatly shocked and strongly insists on knowing the reason.”
The nobles beside him nodded in agreement. Soon, another noble, Marquis Colbran, spoke up.
“We cannot help but wonder how Princess Wentworth was treated. It was already an open secret in the palace that His Highness treated her coldly. Ultimately, didn’t the princess leave because she could no longer endure it?”
“The princess was the fiancée of His Highness the Crown Prince. She wasn’t just a daughter of a noble family, but a future Crown Princess.”
Count Berta spoke again.
“The sudden disappearance of such a fiancée cannot be considered a mere personal matter.”b>
The nobility faction murmured among themselves, naturally forming a mood that the Crown Prince should provide some explanation.
However, Vincent said nothing in response. His emerald eyes were calm, and his cold expression revealed no emotion.
Normally, he would have refuted with sharp logic, but he remained silent, as if acknowledging everything.
