CH 194

Escape Drama

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by SoundDestiny

“Aa, Sir Oigist……!”

“You’d better keep your mouth shut, your highness. You’ll bite your tongue!”

Justy is running while holding Neferte’s hand through the dense trees.

It’s already been an hour since the game of tag with the giants began. Neferte’s breath was ragged and his skin flushed from the fatigue of running.

“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“………!”

Neferte gasped at the distant screams of desperation. Apparently, one of the fleeing soldiers had been caught up with Wilfred and fallen prey.

The image of the soldier being eaten and absorbed by a giant flashed through Neferte’s mind. A chill of intense fear stroked his back.

This had been happening ever since they had started to flee the forest. The screams were getting closer and closer, and Neferte’s heart clenched with anxiety.

“If we keep going like this, we may catch up with them. I’m sorry to say that I’m tired, but I don’t think I can take a break.”

“…… Please leave me alone and run away. If it was just you, Justy, you would be able to run faster.”

It took all the courage Neferte could muster to suggest it.

The little prince was aware that he was the cause of them being slowed down. If only Justy, with his inexhaustible physical strength, could escape faster and farther. 

“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s out of the question.”

But Justy refused to accept Neferte’s proposal.

“I have been entrusted with your life by His Highness Prince Raidorl. Our guest, Prince Neferte, mustn’t die before I do. In the pride of a warrior, I will not run away without you.”

“But…..I don’t have the means to repay Justy’s devotion. Even if I could get out of this, even if I could rebuild my country,……!”

Neferte told Justy that his life was not worth it and bit his lip.

Neferte is the crown prince of the kingdom of Athena. But……how much is that status worth?

If it had not been an undead horde that occupied the kingdom of Athena, but an invasion from another country,……or even Neferte’s life, there would have been a use for it. Neferte could have been used as a banner for the war effort. Neferte’s royal blood would have been useful in winning over the people of occupied Athena.

But it is the undead who occupy the kingdom of Athena. The cause of destroying the enemies of humanity has already been established.

The kingdom of Athena is currently populated by the undead. There was no point in using Neferte as a banner as there were no living people.

In other words, the Kingdom of Zain does not need a person named Neferte Athena.

Once Zain has defeated Osman, the Witch of the Soil, they can continue to rule the former Kingdom of Athena. There was no point in putting Neferte  forward to call for the restoration of the land.

In fact, Raidorl has allowed Neferte to accompany Justy to act as a decoy to attract the enemy.

If he saw the value of Neferte’s existence, he would not have allowed him to participate in such a dangerous mission.

“His Royal Highness will not blame you if you leave me. So, Justy. Please don’t let me be a burden to you any longer. I don’t want to see anyone else die because of me anymore…….!”

“……Apparently, the prince is possessed by the bug of weakness. It seems that he is unable to make normal decisions.”

“Eh…?”

Rather than leave Neferte behind, Justy grasped his hand even tighter.

“I do not know what his Highness thinks. But…..he has entrusted me with Prince Neferte. That alone is reason enough to risk my life. If the prince shakes off my hand, I will carry him on my shoulder and run.”

“But…..”

“I am proud to be a warrior and a vassal. Isn’t it the same for Prince Neferte? You have said that you will restore the kingdom of Athena. So, don’t give up your life so easily.”

“…………”

“If the prince dies, Athena will be destroyed at that moment. Would it not be better for you to check once again whether what you are carrying is really lighter than life ……?”

Maybe it wasn’t a very clever line.

But he is not……poet, nor is he an actor. It was the best Justy could do, who is a rugged warrior, to encourage Neferte.

“………!”

It certainly touched Neferte’s heart. Even if the words were not enough, the true feelings were certainly conveyed.

But even for…..such two people, disaster is fair game.

“I Seeee Youuuuuuuuuu”

“…………!”

Thoughts are conveyed but they are not always fulfilled.

They kept running on and on, but before they knew it, the giant with a hundred hands was waiting for them, circling in front of them.