BSS 82

Chapter 82

“Jeanie Crowell?”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

When I faced the Headmaster again after a long time, he looked much older than the first day I met him. Even compared to a week ago, he seemed more worn out.

Seeing him withered so quickly, it seemed someone had given him a hard time.

“You always ask for difficult favors.”

“Who else would I trust but you, Headmaster? You know… I truly respect you.”

“I wish you had a little more tact…”

I had pestered—or rather, earnestly requested—the Headmaster for three days to allow me to accompany Elan as the King’s attendant, and he had an impressive network of connections.

“You promised me before, didn’t you? That if an opportunity arose, you’d send me to Elan.”

“That was nine years ago… you sure have a good memory for these things.”

“I do have a good memory.”

“Ha… His Majesty the King has granted special permission. Be grateful and follow orders.”

“Of course!”

I smiled widely. For every bad thing, there’s always a good thing.

“Your duty is not to attend the party, but to protect His Majesty the King. Remember that!”

“Yes, I’ll remember, remember, and remember again.”

I had to pack the blue dress my parents sent me. I’d been holding onto it because I had nowhere to wear it, so this was perfect.

“Now, have you had any experience attending parties…?”

“None, sir.”

“……What?”

“Don’t worry! My theory is perfect.”

The Headmaster seemed to have completely overlooked it, but this was my very first party debut.

I had been holed up in the training room, so there was no way I would have attended a party.

Considering that the average party debut age is around 14, mine was quite late.

But debuting at Elan’s Millennium Foundation Celebration wasn’t a bad start.

Especially since my escort was none other than King Dimitri himself.

“W-wait! That’s… a bit problematic!”

“Oh? Changing your mind now makes it more difficult for me.”

“What if it’s disrespectful to His Majesty the King…?”

“Headmaster, do I look that stupid to you?”

“Even if I say… say so…”

The Headmaster muttered in a tiny voice, “That’s not good.”

“Miss Crowell? We’ve arrived.”

I arrived at the palace with a mountain of luggage.

The knight who opened the carriage door took my hand and helped with my heavy bags.

It had been a long time since I had been treated like a lady.

“The other attendants arrived a little earlier.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll carry your luggage for you.”

The handsome knight politely kissed the back of my hand.

The palace is wonderful! I want to come here often.

For some reason, I was excited as if I were going on a journey.

I didn’t like warping, but the hope of seeing Ash made my steps light.

I had arrived at the palace’s warp facility where Bright worked, which was normally reserved only for the royal family.

But this time, under special circumstances, attendants were allowed to use it.

Elan’s Millennium Foundation Celebration was influential enough for that.

“Jeanie! Jeanie!”

I saw Bright running toward me from inside the building.

Oh my, he even came to greet me. How thoughtful.

“Big trouble! Jeanie!”

“Eek, that sounds ominous.”

I was in a very good mood right now!

I hoped he wouldn’t ruin it.

“Huff… gasp… I only found out this morning… it’s just that…!”

Bright hurriedly panted and quickly looked around.

Then, as if it were a very secret matter, he whispered into my ear.

“Prince Epirus isn’t in the palace right now!”

“……What did you say?”

“I messed up!”

What are you talking about! Then there’s no reason for me to go to Elan!

“Explain properly! The prince isn’t in the palace? That makes no sense!”

“It seems it was just discovered now because of the foundation party… it looks like all the princes are out of the palace.”

“No way……”

“Yes. It seems the Trial Road has begun.”

I had wondered why no rumors about Epirus had come out from the palace lately—so that was why!

I was in despair.

Why now of all times? Just when I’m finally going to Elan after nine years! If things didn’t go this smoothly, my luck must be seriously flawed.

“This can’t be…”

Since Elan’s founding, there had been one particular trial for the crown prince.

If there were two or more candidates for the crown prince, and their abilities were evenly matched so that neither could gain an advantage for a long time, the emperor would command the candidates to undertake it.

This was called the Trial Road.

The trial sent the crown prince candidates outside the castle to gather companions, following the method of the first emperor of Elan, the great Mythos, in his youth.

He had defeated dragons and conquered continents with exceptional companions.

Following his example, crown prince candidates had to secretly gather talented companions, who were called Guardians.

The goal of the Trial Road was to see who could recruit the best companions within a set period.

Without revealing their identity, they had to use only their own skills to recruit capable individuals, earn recognition, and gain their trust. That was the measure of the trial.

Putting that aside…

“What should I do…”

Should I run away? If Ash is on the Trial Road, there’s no reason for me to endure the pain of warping.

“His Majesty the King has arrived!”

Just as I was considering pretending to be gravely ill, the magnificent royal carriage appeared in the distance.

“I’m doomed.”

When I turned around, Bright had already fled.

Elan’s palace warp facility.

The warp circle was bathed in dazzling light.

Before activating the warp, five figures slowly appeared.

A heavyset, dignified middle-aged man, three men in crisp white uniforms, and a blonde woman.

They were guests from Dimitri attending Elan’s Millennium Foundation Celebration: King Dikel III of Dimitri and his attendants.

Of course, they were distinguished guests entitled to a royal welcome.

However, one of them collapsed the moment the warp light faded.

Jeanie Crowell.

No one said a word. Between the wizards handling the warp, the King of Dimitri and his attendants, and Elan nobles who had come to greet the foreign royalty, a long silence fell.

It was broken by Dikel III.

“Cleric! Summon the cleric! Quickly!”

The atmosphere, which should have been warm and welcoming, became utterly chaotic.

The blonde woman sprawled across the warp circle was the center of the commotion, needless to say.