Chapter 160

Chapter 160

A tense atmosphere hung in the air.

My main party members and the soldiers who had descended from the Imperial Palace were glaring at each other, weapons pointed.

Even my forces on the city walls, initially bewildered by the sudden development, hurriedly aimed their cannons and ballistae at the other side.

A massive damage would ensue if someone so much as released an arrow.

As the silence lingered, both sides stood still, their weapons trained on each other.

The first to break the silence was Reina.

"Theres no need for this, Your Highness Prince Ash."

"..."

"We are merely soldiers dispatched to safely escort you to the Imperial Palace. We have no intention of causing you harm."

Reina shrugged her shoulders.

"To be honest, if we had intended to harm you, we wouldve simply set this place ablaze while we were on the airship."

"..."

"Then, everything wouldve been reduced to ashes long ago. The fortress here, and the people here."

Reina spoke as if she had done such a thing numerous times before.

"Were on the same side, Your Highness. We are citizens of the same Everblack Empire, and we serve the same Emperor."

"..."

"Have your subordinates lower their weapons. And follow the imperial decree to come to the Imperial Palace."

Reina gave a thin smile.

"Shouldnt issues of the royal family be resolved within the royal family?"

"..."

Listening quietly, I slowly opened my mouth.

"Sheath your weapon, Lucas."

"But, my lord."

"Same goes for all of you. Stand down."

Lucas reluctantly sheathed his sword. Evangeline, Damien, and Junior also slowly relaxed their combat stance.

"Everyone, sheath your weapons. Its disrespectful in front of His Highness."

At Reinas soft command, the soldiers, who were facing each other with their weapons raised, neatly sheathed their weapons.

The atmosphere was still icy, but the situation was somewhat settled. I let out a long sigh.

"Youre right, Reina. If Father wants to see his adorable youngest son, theres no reason for me not to oblige."

"A fitting response."

"Ill go to the Imperial Palace. However, I need a day."

In front of Reina, who narrowed her eyes, I crossed my arms.

"Im the commander of this southern front. If I disappear suddenly, it will cause a great disruption in the operation of the front."

"..."

"Id like to leave at least some instructions and arrangements before I go. How about it? I think Father would be generous enough to allow this much."

Reina pondered for a moment before bowing her head.

"Understood. Theres no harm in waiting for a day. We will depart at noon tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"The airship is a core force protecting the Imperial Palace. We cant leave the Imperial Palace unguarded for long. I want to ask for your understanding in advance that we cant wait for you after tomorrows noon."

"Dont worry. I keep my promises."

"Hmm, rumors from the Imperial Palace say that you frequently break your promises..."

Thats Ash. Im different.

"Then, well meet tomorrow at noon... Hm. It seems we wont be able to enter the city today."

Reina looked up at the city walls. The cannons and ballistae, which were still aiming at Reina and the airship crew, were visible.

Reina bowed slightly and backed away.

"Lets get to know each other slowly. Well spend tonight outside the city."

"Suit yourself."

With my permission, Reina turned around and shouted to her subordinates.

"Well spend the night here! Prepare for camping!"

While the soldiers from the Imperial Palace set up a camp outside the city walls, I turned around with my party members and entered through the city gates.

"Gather all party members."

I spoke calmly to the party members who were looking at me with trembling eyes.

"I need to give instructions on what to do while Im away."

***

When Fernandez had said on the communication not long ago that he wanted to see me and talk, I had guessed things would turn out this way.

I had expected that they would somehow drag me to the Imperial Palace. After all, I had been baiting them quite recklessly.

"I thought I would be tied up and forcibly escorted in the worst case scenario, but fortunately, it doesnt seem to be that bad."

Lords mansion. Reception room.

As I looked at the gathered people, I spoke nonchalantly.

"Even so, being treated as royalty isnt too bad, considering theyre sending us a private ship to travel on."

"..."

And the final regular hero character...

"Saintess."

"..."

From the corner, with her dark circles, Saintess Margarita looked up at me. I clicked my tongue in frustration.

"Lead the reserve party in the defense battles, but stay in the back and focus on healing the wounded. Got it?"

"Yes, your majesty."

Her response was sharp, but her pallor was worrisome. I hoped she would recover her mental strength soon.

***

Its probably a given, but the role I played on this frontline was much more significant than I had thought.

Most of the work was carried out under my judgment and approval.

I distributed these duties until late at night, explained future guidelines, and left documents as records.

Aider, sweating profusely, recorded these documents. As he was in charge of city administration, I had a ton of tasks for him.

"..."

While I quietly watched Aider panting and waving his pen around, I suddenly remembered something.

The secret mission that Godhand had received from Fernandez.

- Keep an eye on the lords aide, Aider...

"..."

How much does Fernandez know about Aiders true identity?

...No, before that.

What exactly is Aiders identity?

According to him, he is something like a director, a god of this world. But what exactly does being a director entail?

He asked me to lead this world to the true ending.

However, he has never mentioned what the true ending is, or how I can achieve it.

He just watches my strategies from the side.

I dont have time to worry about the true ending or anything else. Im just barely managing to fight and survive each battle.

Whats his real purpose?

Would I be able to know more about these things if I meet Fernandez?

"Oh dear, Im done with the paperwork!"

Aider threw his arms up in the air and shouted.

"Huh?"

Seeing my worried face, he chuckled and smiled.

"Dont worry too much, my lord. You will return safely."

"..."

As I stared at his face, I bluntly asked him,

"Hey, Aider."

"Yes! What is it?"

"Youre on my side, right?"

Aider widened his eyes over his glasses and then burst into a wide smile.

"Of course, my lord. Im completely on your side. Actually, its more accurate to say that Ive put all my eggs in your basket."

"..."

"So instead of being on the same side, isnt it more accurate to say were in this together, tied by fate?"

"Tied by fate..."

I feel sorry for Aider, but to be honest, I dont care about the true ending anymore.

Whatever happens to this world, I want to protect the people within my reach.

Thats all I want right now.

***

It was dawn when all the work was finally done.

"Yawn."

Exhausted, I made my way to my bedroom. Lucas, as always, followed in silence, protecting me.

We reached the end of the corridor and arrived at the door to my room.

I reached for the doorknob and suddenly spoke.

"Lucas."

"Yes, my lord."

"I have a question."

"Please ask anything."

To this knight who always silently followed me, I asked suddenly,

"You know the truth, dont you?"

"Pardon? What are you talking about?"

"That Im not Ash, but someone else."

"..."

Facing Lucas, who stared at me with a stiff expression, I pressed on.

"You knew from the beginning, didnt you, Lucas?"