Chapter 248: At the Royal Castle (1)

Chapter 248: At the Royal Castle (1)

We decided to meet with the king for two reasons. The first was that refusing would cause great trouble for Lieselotte. She had been important in ensuring our journey thus far had gone smoothly. We were not so ungrateful as to repay her kindness with disregard.

The second reason was the potential complications if we fled and ended up being wanted. In the worst case, our journey could turn into a bloody escape, cutting down anyone who tried to stop us. While I could handle it alone, our group included women and children. I couldnt afford to take that kind of risk.

Led by those who had blocked our path, we were to head directly to the royal castle on foot. Hilda wanted to return to the mansion first to prepare Lieselotte, but the king had apparently ordered an immediate audience. With no room for dissent, they too had no choice but to proceed to the castle.

Teacher

I understand your unease, but please bear with us. And Im sorry for putting you through this because of me.

Surrounded by strangers, whose intentions were unclear, Chirik was understandably anxious. He seemed to feel even more anxious because his senses other than eyesight were excellent.

The current situation was brought on by me. I had never imagined my two swords would give us away. If I knew they were so famous, I would have carried a more common blade.

No, that wouldnt do. My power would be too much for such a flimsy weapon and it would just break instantly. I could never rely on a feeble weapon, so it seems this turn of events was inevitable.

This way for you.

It seems we wont be going through the main gate, after all.

As we approached the royal castle, Lieselotte and the others were directed to take a different route from us right in front of the castles main gate. It appeared that only carriages carrying nobility were allowed to enter through the main gate. This was naturally expected, as it was linked to the dignity of the king.

We were then led to an entrance that seemed like a back door, located away from the main gate. The castle was surrounded by a moat filled with water, and both the main gate and this back entrance were equipped with drawbridges that could be raised by winding chains. If this were to become a battlefield, a siege would be difficult though it seems it didnt play an active role during the political upheaval, as the conflict was resolved from within.

But leaving that aside. Compared to the drawbridge at the main gate, this bridge was overwhelmingly narrower. While the main bridge seemed wide enough to accommodate two or three carriages side by side, this one could barely fit one. This must surely be a measure against intruders.

We carefully crossed the narrow drawbridge, mindful not to fall. What awaited us ahead? What would be demanded of us? What would we be made to do? I was consumed by a sense of foreboding as I clutched the reins of Apao tighter.and my blood run cold.

This is bad

What is it?

Leo and Lappy are still on that carriage over there.

While Antaress carriage was crossing the drawbridge, the carriage carrying Liselotte and the others, pulled by Weiss, made its grand entrance into the royal castle through the main gate. Although the horse-drawn carriage had been on a long journey, it didnt look shabby in the slightest because it had been regularly maintained and cleaned. This was possible because of the presence of reassuring guards like Antares and the others.

This has become quite the trouble, riiight. But is it really okay?

What do you mean?

I mean bringing these two along with us.

Its been a while, Lady Adelheid.

The person they met in the wing was a beautiful woman with fiery red hair and determined eyes. Her name was Adelheid Lutz, the fiance of King Carl and Lieselottes close friend, destined to become the future queen. The wing served as a place for the fiance to get used to palace life before officially becoming queen.

Adelheid, evidently very worried about Lieselotte, grasped her hands tightly and then inspected her carefully to ensure she had not been injured. After a sigh of relief, she thanked the knights for their service and dismissed them. The only ones remaining were the maids who served her all along and the warriors serving the Goddess of Protection.

Afterward, Lieselotte was instructed to cleanse herself of the journeys dirt in the detached wings bathhouse. The place was equipped with all the facilities necessary for a kings fiance to live comfortably, including the bathhouse. At the same time, the maids present were also ordered to attend to Lieselottes needs.

Now then, Hilda?

Yes!

Before Liese returns, perhaps you could enlighten me about what has happened? Including the matters concerning the two individuals present, right?

Adelheid commanded gracefully as she settled into her chair. The gentle demeanor she had shown Lieselotte shifted dramatically and now she exuded an aura of authority so intense that even Leo and Lappy, who were veteran warriors themselves, almost braced themselves in response.

Her demeanor was not marred by arrogance; rather, it was clear that she had lived a life where commanding others was second nature to her. This is what a noble person is like, Leo and Hilda thought as they observed her.

. And that is all.

I see. I understand. But still, theyre quite different from the rumors we heard about the demons, arent they? I had heard that the demons were created from criminals supplied by our country and that they were savage and could only be used for battles against the invaders.

Since it was known that Antares was a demon, there was no point in Hilda keeping it a secret. She reported only the facts accurately. However, she didnt say anything she didnt think needed to be said, such as her speculations or the relationship between Chris and Antares. She thought it was up to Liselotte to decide whether to tell her such things or not.

Adelheid nodded her head gracefully and she observed Leo and Lappy alternately with narrowed eyes. She had intentionally used derogatory language when discussing the demons to gauge their reactions, but there was no discernible response. Were they calmly enduring it, or did they have no interest in the other demons? Since they kept their faces down, it was impossible to guess their inner thoughts.

Leila, in your estimation, how strong do those two seem to be from your perspective?

To be honest with you, we would have to sacrifice our lives to protect your highness.

Thats impressive. It seems His Majestys judgment was correct after all.

The woman closest to Adelheid analyzed it matter-of-factly. Upon hearing the results, Adelheid appeared not perturbed but rather satisfied.

Perhaps this reaction was unexpected, as Hilda who was still the only one to raise her head, inquired about why Lieselotte and they had been brought to the royal castle.

Of course, there is one reason. Its because our lord desires it. The power of the strongest demon who has traveled across various battlefields.

******

TN: Leo aint playing lol

TN: What I really like about the group is that everyone is so cool, except for the loser Bolts