Chapter 168

Chapter 168

Imperial Palace. Ashs Star Palace.

In the dead of night, as dawn drew near, within the dimly lit reception room.

...

Sitting on the sofa, I slowly brought the wine glass to my lips, lost in thought.

It was about Prince Fernandez, the second prince, who had escorted me to the Star Palace, and the words he had uttered.

The Emperor is in a deep sleep.

The Emperor and the three princes, four of them call themselves the guardians.

They had sworn to protect the empire from a destiny of ruin, even if it meant sacrificing everything else.

...

What is this madness, these lunatic empire enthusiasts?

Something smells foul. A sense of foreboding looms.

Its the creepy feeling that hits your spine just before encountering a hidden boss while exploring a dungeon. A similar sensation was poking at the back of my neck.

This is frustrating...

I decided not to think about anything related to the Imperial Family for now.

Soon, there will be a Guardians Meeting or something, so Ill attend it, and then the truth will reveal itself.

Rubbing my aching forehead, I also thought about other matters.

The Imperial Family intends to annul the engagement between Serenade and Ash.

Serenades family, the Silver Winter Merchant Guild, is of lowly birth.

And, Ashs mother is also of lowly birth...

...

It feels like fragments of information are floating in the air. I glared at each piece of this puzzle.

Frustration welled up anew.

I am not Ash. I have no way of knowing his past, his thoughts, his goals.

If Ash were here, I would love to share a drink and ask him,

About your father, your brothers, your mother, and your fiance.

What do you think?

What... do you want to do next?

Just then,

Your Highness?

A neatly dressed old butler entered the reception room. It was Alberto, the head servant of the Imperial Palace.

I was worried since you came back late, but drinking at this hour?

I thought he was going to nag about drinking, but he didnt.

If you only drink alcohol, youll upset your stomach. Why dont you have some appetizers? I will quickly prepare some.

Alberto headed to the kitchen and soon returned with a small plate of elegantly arranged cheese pieces.

Care for a drink, Alberto?

As I asked while pouring new wine, the old butler graciously smiled and shook his head.

Drinking with the honorable Prince would be special, but as the head servant, I must always remain sober.

What a pity.

I gulped down the fresh glass and gestured to the sofa beside me. Quick-witted as befitting his position, Alberto promptly took a seat.

Is something troubling you, Your Highness?

...Alberto.

Yes, Your Highness.

You have been managing the affairs of the Imperial Palace for a long time, havent you?

Yes, I have been working here since before Your Highness was born.

The old mans face was filled with pride as he spoke. Hmm, indeed.

Then you must know well about the secrets of the Imperial Palace.

Unfortunately, I have seen and heard things.

Alberto lightly thumped his chest.

But Alberto, the faithful, has buried and forgotten them all. I have never spoken of what has happened here to anyone else.

Very loyal indeed, Alberto.

Setting down my wine glass, I grinned broadly.

So, Ill apologize in advance.

Yes?

The secrets youve buried, now youll have to tell me.

The next moment, I activated [Gaze of Command].

Looking into Albertos eyes, I commanded.

Until the sun rises, answer honestly to everything I ask.

[Command Difficulty: Difficult]

[Comparing the users Intelligence stat with the targets Magic Power stat.]

[Determining the success rate. Beginning resistance check...]

Alberto is an ordinary person, not a hero character.

He practically has no Magic Power stat. Therefore, even a somewhat difficult command worked flawlessly.

[Evaluation Complete!]

> Success: 1 body

[Executing the forced command.]

For a moment, Alberto stiffened, but then he nodded solemnly.

Ask whatever you wish, Your Highness. If its something I can answer, I will tell you everything.

***

I first asked Alberto about the emperor and the princes, but Alberto knew nothing about the emperors sleep or the guardians meeting.

Perhaps it was outside Albertos administrative domain, or it could mean that the emperor and the princes had kept their secrets so thoroughly that even the caretaker knew nothing about them.

However, Alberto was well-versed in the other parts I was curious about.

"Your Majestys mother, Dustia the Second Empress, was originally a war slave," he began to spill the story as I asked about Ashs mother.

"She was said to be a descendant of the royal family of a small country that our empire destroyed. After the countrys fall, she was reduced to slavery and served on the northern front."

"A slave..."

"Although she was a slave, she had an exceptional talent in magic and caught the eye of the emperor, who was on a punitive expedition to the northern front. She was appointed as a mage and later participated in many battles with His Majesty, even receiving a title for her contributions."

She was a mage. Perhaps Ash inherited her magical talent from her mother.

"The Emperor wanted to take her into his harem but met with much opposition. How could you bring someone of low birth into the palace? they said..."

What are you saying! Miss Serenade was His Highnesss first love! Even before the marriage talks began!

Wha- What?

Didnt you consult with me several times about how to write love letters? Saying you couldnt even talk to Lucas about such things...

Alberto looked at me with a grandfatherly smile.

Every time there was a party at the palace, the two of you would be partners, holding each others tiny hands and dancing. How cute and innocent the two of you looked, with your faces turning red...

But his old face soon filled with sorrow.

But after the engagement, things turned out like this... The two of you grew apart... I heard youve become completely indifferent to each other now. Sniffle!

Alberto pulled out his handkerchief again and began wiping his eyes. This old man sure cried a lot.

***

After placing the [Gaze of Command] on Alberto again, I instructed him to organize the nights affairs and sent him away.

He probably noticed from our conversation that I had lost my memory, but the effect of [Gaze of Command] would prevent him from speaking about it to anyone for some time.

As dawn began to break, I returned to my room and stared quietly into the mirror.

...

I still didnt understand.

What kind of person you were, Ash. What you wanted from life. What you would choose in this situation.

Even after reading the characters profile or hearing peoples words, it didnt feel real.

I have been given 3 years.

After finishing the game in 3 years and seeing the ending, I dont know what will become of this body.

Will the original Ash return?

Or will I collapse and die, losing my soul?

Sigh.

Either way, I decided to keep it simple.

I steadied my resolve and opened my eyes wide.

I will do as I please.

What I want to do.

That is, to protect people.

To save those within my reach.

So, Ash.

I will save you.

During the 742 times playing this game, I never managed to save you. I will take on your life.

As the commander of the Monster Front and the empires third prince.

I will live as you to the best of my ability, in my own way, struggling with all my might.

No matter how it turns out, dont complain later.

I smiled bitterly, looking at Ash in the mirror...

No, me.

Since youre the one who lent me this body.

***

That morning.

Imperial Capital New Terra. Seaside port next year.

5th floor of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild building. The Guild Masters room.

What brings you here, my lord?

Even though I had arrived unexpectedly, Serenade did not falter.

Without even looking at me, she continued her busy work.

Her slender fingers holding a quill moved briskly across the paper.

The matter you spoke of yesterday is underway. We are selecting the best architects, and arranging our guild branch to be dispatched to Crossroad. You dont have to worry.

Serenades turquoise hair sparkled like a midday surface, bathed in sunlight.

I stared at her for a moment, then turned my gaze to the side. Elize, standing behind Serenade, was in view.

...

Elize, her body wrapped in bandages, was examining me with narrowed eyes.

Her eyes seemed to say she didnt understand me. I smiled sweetly at her.

Then Serenade finally looked up at me, still holding her quill and wearing her glasses.

My lord? If there is something else you want to instruct-

Serenade.

I blurted out what I had prepared to say.

In a week, there will be a victory celebration party at the palace.

...?

You wont believe this, but I dont know how to dance.

Serenade blinked her silver eyes in surprise. I grinned.

Can you teach me?

Ah...?

For a moment, Serenade froze, then fumbled to pull out a new piece of paper.

Oh, you mean, you want me to call a dance instructor? I understand. Ill find the most famous instructor in the Imperial Capital right away-

No. Serenade.

I strode over to Serenades desk, placing my hand with a thump on the paper she was about to write on.

Then, looking straight into her surprised eyes, I said clearly,

I want you to teach me.

...Me?

I want you to personally teach me how to dance. And Id be grateful if you could also teach me some party manners.

I shrugged my shoulders.

Am I asking too much from the very busy Guild Master of Silver Winter?

Bang!

Serenade pushed her chair back and stood up.

With a flushed face, and even a hint of tears in her eyes,

No! I, I just pretended to be busy!

With trembling eyes focused on me, Serenade exclaimed,

I have plenty of time!