Chapter 186
Elize was in surprisingly good shape, considering she had faced the Aegis Special Forces alone. Her entire body was covered in bandages, but hey, she was alive.
"Ive been living in back alleys for a long time. Ive become quite adept at surviving by any means necessary."
Elize calmly pulled out an empty potion bottle from her pocket and placed it on my desk.
"...This, which Your Highness gave me, was of great help."
Curious, I looked, and it was the potion I had given her a while back. Had she saved it without using it and only used it now? Quite thrifty.
"Anyway, I did not come here to report on my well-being."
Elize cleared her throat.
Of course. She must have come to me as the lion of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild. I smiled broadly.
"Is Serenade doing okay?"
"... Its not a question for a man whos rejected a woman whos been loyal all her life, but I will answer you."
Elize glared at me sharply.
"She spent three days crying until yesterday, and returned to work this morning. She then sent me here."
Surely she didnt send Elize here to kill me?
I was momentarily scared, but fortunately, that was not the reason.
"I heard you will use the road when you return to Crossroad."
"Yes."
The stingy Imperial Family wont provide a spaceship for my return. So, I was stuck riding a carriage to Crossroad.
"The further you get from the Imperial Capital, the more dangerous and lawless the southern roads become. Youll need an escort."
Elize held her hand up to her chest.
"Thus, my master has sent me. You are to use me as an escort to Crossroad."
"Huh? You, Elize?"
"Yes. Of course, Your Highness, who easily bested me, may not find it significant, but I believe I will be of help."
Well, of course, it would be a huge help. But more than that.
"If you follow me, then who will guard Serenade?"
That was the problem. Serenade had been safe because of Elize.
"There are many other outstanding escorts at Silver Winter Merchant Guild. The young lady will be fine."
Thats what she said, but arent you trembling? I can see you biting your lip until it bleeds.
"... The Merchant Guild has already started a joint venture with the Imperial Family. Since the Imperial Family has promised the survival of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild and family, no one would dare to touch Silver Winter."
"Hmm."
"Your Highness will be exposed to greater danger on a long journey than my master staying at the headquarters of Silver Winter Merchant Guild. Thats what my master said."
Shes not wrong, but...
"I dont know why shes so upset about not being able to take care of a man shes already divorced..."
Elize grumbled, and I chuckled.
"Didnt you want me to get away from Serenade?"
"I always wished for Your Highness to disappear from my masters life, but when Your Highness was the one who rejected her first, its extremely..."
"Extremely?"
"It pisses me off..."
What a complex and subtle loyalty.
Anyway, having an SSR-rated swordsman as an escort is undoubtedly a boon.
The road down is long, and if the monster frontline situation is urgent, I might be able to borrow her strength.
Only Serenade felt sorry for me.
"So, when will you return to Crossroad?"
"Tomorrow."
I replied, glancing over my simply packed belongings.
"Ill leave tomorrow at noon. You should join me then."
***
Naturally, I had to pay my respects to the Emperor before leaving, so I headed towards the royal palace.
But the timing seemed to be off.
"Father just went to sleep."
Lark and Fernandez, who were in conversation in front of the royal chamber, waved at me. Lark pointed to the firmly shut doors of the chamber.
"He has been awake for a long time, and the situation on the frontline is becoming quite critical. Hes fast asleep."
"Did he leave any message for me?"
Lark smiled at that.
"He said to do well."
"..."
"The southern frontline will not receive the protection of the Imperial Family, no, the empire anymore. Its an independent route. Even though there is a limit of three years, it wont be easy. Youve chosen a difficult path for yourself."
Lark patted my shoulder.
"But thank you, Ash."
"Uh? What for?"
"We no longer have to slaughter the prisoners of war as human sacrifices."
Gratitude filled Larks deep blue eyes.
"No matter if I am a guardian for the empires security, I am still a knight. Even if they are from the enemy country, I do not wish to cut down those who are not soldiers."
"..."
"Thanks to you, I can avoid unnecessary killing. Really, thank you."
Larks large, lid-like palm patted my back. Hey, if youre really grateful, be gentle!
"Well, I should return to the frontline too! To organize the battlefield and have a real victory celebration. So, Ill leave today. What about you, Ash?"
"Ill leave tomorrow at noon."
"Ha, ha. We had a hard time gathering together, and now were all dispersing."
Lark spread his arms wide towards Fernandez and me.
"Come on, both of you."
"Heh heh. That would be a pleasure for the rest of my life."
Dinner ended, and dessert and tea were served.
I spoke quietly to Alberto, who was savoring the teas fragrance.
"Alberto, could you put off your retirement plans just a little bit?"
"Excuse me?"
"Its too early for you to step down from the front line, isnt it? Theres a place that needs you."
I took a piece of paper from my pocket and handed it over. Alberto received it with a shocked look, and I smiled.
"Lets work our bones off for a few more years."
***
The next day. Morning.
A new building bought by the Silver Winter Merchant Guild.
Since the original building had turned to ashes, the Silver Winter Merchant Guild had hurriedly bought a nearby building to use as a new Merchant Guild building.
The Merchant Guild was bustling.
It was busy moving into the new building, busy calculating the quantity of goods that had burned, busy preparing for a new business linked to the Imperial Family.
Sitting at her desk on the top floor of the building, in the Guild Masters office, Serenade was also busy.
Dressed in her usual elegant womens suit, wearing glasses, and holding a pen with her long, slender fingers, she was processing documents at a rapid pace.
Except for her shortened hair, she looked exactly the same as usual.
Approaching Serenade, Elize bowed her waist.
"Ill be going now, my lady."
Elize was carrying not only the Sword Coffin on her back but also two large bags.
She was going to accompany Ash to the southern front, so it would be a long journey.
Serenade gave Elize a faint smile.
"Go on, Elize. We said our goodbyes yesterday, so well skip it today."
"...My lady."
"Yes?"
"Are you really okay with this?"
Would it be all right to send Ash away without even seeing his face?
Thats what Elize was asking.
"...Yes. Of course."
Serenade dropped her gaze back to the documents.
"Go on. Take good care of Prince Ash."
"...Yes, my lady."
After hesitating for a moment, Elize bowed once more and left the Guild Masters office.
Serenade bit her lip and continued to write.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock sounded, and someone opened the door and entered. Serenade looked up, puzzled.
"Excuse me, Countess Silver Winter."
The person who had come in was Alberto, dressed in a neat suit. Serenades silver eyes widened in surprise.
"Alberto?"
"I have brought the letter of recommendation from Prince Ash."
Alberto approached and courteously placed the paper he was holding on Serenades desk.
"Since youll be dealing with the Imperial Family more in the future, he said I, who used to be the palace steward, will be of help."
Serenade unfolded the paper. It was a recommendation letter, personally written by Ash, suggesting Alberto as a counselor for the Silver Winter Merchant Guild.
"Welcome, Alberto!" Serenade exclaimed, offering her hand with a broad smile.
Already tired and busy, Serenade knew that Alberto, who had been a caretaker in the Imperial Palace, would be a great help.
"I look forward to working with you."
"Im the one who should say that. Miss Serenade."
Serenade immediately tried to discuss business related to the Imperial Family with Alberto, but he raised his hand to stop her.
"Business talk is good, Miss Serenade. But in life, there are moments that never come back," he said.
"Yes?"
"I dont think this is the time for you to be here."
"..."
"Prince Ash will be leaving for the south soon. Truly, is there not a single thing you wish to tell him?"
Serenade lowered her head, stuttering.
"But... Prince Ash, he already broke off our engagement..."
"So?"
"We are no longer engaged, not even lovers. How can I..."
"So?"
Alberto smiled kindly.
"Will you give up just like that? You, the head of Silver Winter, the Empires largest Merchant Guild? Theres something you want, and youre going to let it leave without a fuss?"
Serenade looked up at the old butler with trembling eyes. Alberto spoke with confidence.
"Life is short, Miss."
"..."
"Run. In the direction you truly want to go."
And so,
Tossing aside her pen and paperwork, leaving behind the pile of unfinished tasks,
Serenade bolted out of her office she began to run.
Towards the south gate of the Imperial Capital.
Towards the place where Ash was preparing to leave for Crossroad.