CH 102

“It’s going to be troublesome.”

Paku laughed out loud at Charter’s plain words.

“If the emperor is a vague danger whose outcome couldn’t be certain, then this guy could be said to be a definite nuisance.”

I guess you will get tired when that person gets involved.

“Can we avoid him?”

Paku replied, sweeping my eyes as if tired. “No. There is only one road past here.”

“If we delay as much as possible—”

Paku interrupted Chart.

“We might run into him on the way back from seeing the emperor.”

Paku thought of a number of cases. Trying to find out the opponent’s location was rather risky of being discovered, and it was impossible to move slowly in a situation where he didn’t know how to move.

“Who on earth is that guy that everyone is afraid of?”

I sensed the atmosphere of Dondon’s camp. All the soldiers, including Dondon, were extremely nervous, and they kept muttering.

Paku pondered how far he should tell him. “His name is Are. He’s the fifth son of the emperor and an outstanding knight.”

“And he’s rilly crazy guy.” Dondon jumped off the cart and added another word to Paku’s words.

“Really?”

I know another child who’s crazy about money. I looked down at Dondon and thought.

Dondon still had a serious face, as if she couldn’t afford to care about how I was looking down at her.

Paku said, “That guy doesn’t kill the prisoners immediately. He drags them along. And every time he gets irritated…”

“Kill. And then stick.”

“Stick? What do you mean by stick? Don’t tell me… is he a pervert?”

Dondon’s face crumpled at my words.

“Stick! I said stick!”

Ah. He’s going to stack them.

“What is he stacking?”

“Corpses.”

Corpses.

Only then did I notice. The smell of the decomposing corpses that Dondon and Paku smelled was evidence of his brutal slaughter and the danger we faced.

“Is he nearby?”

“I don’t know.”

They couldn’t tell. He was a crazy person who would laugh and sleep without caring, even if a corpse was rotting right next to him. They couldn’t know if he was nearby enough to smell this or had already left.

“Let’s stay here for the day and decide where to go tomorrow.”

Paku was planning to go scouting all night. If they were lucky, they might be able to reach the emperor safely without running into him. However, luck wasn’t on their side.

* * *

(Isn’t Dondon a bit late?)

Fiery red hair. A man with a long scar across his cheek. Are stopped what he was doing and said while looking in the direction where Dondon would come in the distance.

(She might have failed her mission. No, I’m sure she failed. Then, isn’t she delaying her return because she fears the emperor’s punishment?)

With a bruised face, his subordinate wrinkled his nose at Are’s stench.

(If she was that smart, why is she going through such a hard time?)

If it was that Dondon, there was a higher chance she flaunted her arrogance, claiming she didn’t care about the mission’s failure.

(There’s not much time left.)

Right. They didn’t have much time. There was still a long way… to get things done.

Are was waiting for Dondon. When he thought of Dondon, he also thought of that person.

Paku. What’s the point of being the emperor’s favorite? That bastard Paku would always wander outside, disregarding the emperor’s orders like a damn fool. And Dondon was just a fool who foolishly clung to that idiot.

(I need Dondon, that brat.)

Are was still lacking in power. On the other hand, Dondon’s power was incomparable. However, Dondon had no intention of becoming the emperor herself.

That’s the most important thing. The other siblings, including him, were all frantic to ascend to the throne. However, only Dondon had no greed for the throne. Ironically, her power and influence made her an enticing prey. The other siblings also coveted Dondon’s support, but none succeeded in getting her support.

“Does she still have that temperament?”

Dondon’s personality was so bad. All their siblings trembled in fear when it came to Dondon. Despite her eccentricities, your siblings or parents would die once she turned her gaze away. Yet, the emperor favored Dondon. Perhaps it was because she resembled him the most.

“Tsk.”

In order to get closer to the throne, Dondon was needed. To be exact, her forces.

(Go on a reconnaissance mission and come back. I will finish up the work I was doing.)

At the words of what he was doing, the prisoners lined up in front of him began to weep again.

(Please! Please, spare me! I’ll give you whatever you want!)

Are’s face smeared with annoyance.

(Do you see me as a person who doesn’t have wealth?)

(No! Absolutely not! If you just let me live, I’ll do anything!)

Are’s face tilted to the side.

(Anything?)

(Yes! I’ll do anything!)

The prisoner nodded vigorously. If only he could live, what could he not do? He could lick his feet if he was told to, and he could walk on all fours like a dog. Unfortunately, the order Are gave to him was far beyond his imagination.

(Then, you stab him instead of me.)

(…Pardon?)

The prisoner’s head swished to his side. His gaze met the prisoner next to him.

(F-Father…)

The eyes looking at each other shook mercilessly.

(Are you going to do it or not? I’m impatient.) Are pressured him with a mocking smile.

(I, I, I…)

The prisoner closed his eyes tightly. No matter how precious his life was, he couldn’t harm his own child. He could never harm his own child under any circumstances. He had already lost his siblings and even his wife. It’s my fault.

It was all his fault. He cursed himself for being complacent. It was the result of not evacuating after believing in rumors that only the royal family and nobles were taken away during the invasion of the Kelteman army.

(Heuk Hu. Heuk…)

Tears flowed from the prisoner’s eyes, and a series of painful groans leaked. Why did he ignore his family’s concerns? If only I had listened to my family… Things already happened, but the regret was coming.

(This is not fun.) The smile disappeared from Are’s face. And the moment his arms went up and high and was about to come down.

(We got a call from the front. They say they found Dondon’s army.)

A smile bloomed on Are’s face again. (Really? Then we should prepare to receive the guest. Put these away.)

(Yes)

As soon as his subordinate bowed politely and was about to step back, Are’s mouth opened again.

(Take care of the corpses. Bury them or burn them. Dondon will cause a commotion if she sees them.)

It was annoying and cumbersome, but he would have to curry favor with Dondon this time.

(Yes. Dig the ground!)

The subordinates diligently use their hands.

Are laid still and look up at the cloudless sky. I have to get my hands on Dondon somehow. If it doesn’t work, I have no choice but to take her by force.

Although Dondon was just like a tiny speck who couldn’t be differentiated if she was a child or an adult, she had no choice but to cooperate if it was necessary. There was not much time to waste on trying to gain her favor.

* * *

(Your Highness, a scout appeared in front and then disappeared.) A soldier standing guard reported with an urgent face.

(He must have been waiting for us.)

(Precisely, he must have been waiting for me.) Dondon made a ridiculed expression.

(What are you going to do?)

At Paku’s question, Dondon tilted her neck as if her neck would break and looked at him. (Why ask if you know? Do I look like a coward like you who avoids fighting?)

(No way.)

I’m worried about the opposite.

Dondon clenched her fists tightly, and her bright yellow eyes were shining.

(You’re not supposed to avoid a fight. I’ll make him pay the price for daring to target me.)

(Are. He—)

(Are or whatever, once I give enough pressure, they will start listening. This is the perfect opportunity to let them know why I’m Dondon.)

Paku looked down at Dondon’s small round head. Thud! His large hand covered Dondon’s little head.

(Argh! Are you trying to squash me?! Can’t you let go of your hand?)

All sorts of emotions, including pride and apology, filled Paku’s eyes as he looked at Dondon running wild, hitting his hand.

(Don’t worry, I’m with you.)

I’ll face him without avoiding him this time.

Dondon looked up at Paky with a bewildered face and said, (I think I’ll get more tired because of you, so just keep quiet. Don’t raise the problem.)

(Dondon… you have grown a lot.)

Puck. At Paku’s words, Dondon jumped up, hit Paku’s stomach, and shouted. (I’m still growing! Just wait and see! Sooner or later, I’ll blow off that arrogant jawline.)

Her height was the same as his stomach, but what if she grew up a little more?

(Let’s see. I’m not afraid of someone who just talks big…)

(Ow! You’re done for! Get off your hands right now!)

Dondon took out a dagger from her waist and swung it wildly, and Paku neatly avoided it by taking a step back.

(Aargh! That’s why long-legged guys like you are annoying!)

Dondon, who gritted her teeth, turned around and moved away from Paku.

I, who had been watching the two of them quietly, led Charter to a corner. “Go ahead and tell me. What’s the situation now?” I approached him with an expression of incomprehension as I raised my purple eyes.

“Don’t pretend. I know that you understand Kelteman’s language.”

There was a look of surprise on Charter’s face. Then he sighed as if he couldn’t help it and asked. “How did you know?”

“Because I’m the only one with a face that doesn’t know what’s happening here.”

After some soldier reported something earlier, everyone acted as if the situation was urgent. Charter’s expression also became serious.

“Looks like that ‘Are’ guy is waiting ahead.”

“Then is he aiming for Dondon?”

“That’s the situation. It was a coincidence that we joined.”

My expression became serious. “I need to talk to Dondon first.”

Among the high and low hills surrounding them, Dondon looked at the place where Are was supposed to be and thought. He must be waiting to take me in. Why must the timing be when I’m with Paku like now? That guy, I’m sure his eyes will turn when he sees Paku…

Are was a tough opponent. In addition, Paku was like his enemy. If he and Paku ran into each other…

“Ah, I don’t know! I wish I culd just throw dhem all away!”

“Who?”

“Of course, the emperor, Paku, and Are… Ah! What are yu up to again?”

Arianne approached her so quietly that Dondon didn’t even know until she heard her speak.

“Sow some respect and get lost!”

Regardless of whether Dondon was annoyed or not, Arianne approached her and asked. “What’s your plan?”

Dondon was dumbfounded. Wow, this one is really! I showed some kindness because of Paky, but now she’s crawling back without knowing her place? Ha! Just forget it!

“I’ll help you.”

“…”

I should have killed her. Dondon was already troubled enough as everyone was getting on her nerves. She just thought she should kill them all without hesitation.

It was then. Tuk. Tak. Tak.

W-what is that?