Chapter 47
Respann headed to the audience chamber at the summons of his father, Emperor Dizaial of the Procyon Empire. Once seated, Emperor Dizaial spoke with a grave tone.
“We’ve received intelligence that the second daughter of Count Rigel, who maintained neutrality, has made contact with Duke Altair. On the surface, they claim it’s for developing the Skaiing region, but it is Duke Altair, isn’t it? I don’t believe he wouldn’t be scheming.”
“……”
“It might be nothing, but I still can’t forget the loss from that day, my son.”
The loss of that day.
Upon hearing those words, Respann’s face twisted in pain.
“Who else can I trust if not my own blood? Ten days from now, there will be a completion party for the tourist site in Skaiing. Go there yourself and see the situation firsthand.”
“Yes, I’m acquainted with Count Rigel’s daughter, so I will go ahead and meet her in advance.”
“Indeed, my son. I will trust and wait.”
Respann bowed respectfully and left the audience chamber. At that moment, the wall behind the Emperor distorted. From behind the wall appeared the head maid who served Respann, and Eden, dressed in a deep blue robe.
Both wore circular necklaces engraved with an inverted triangle pattern.
“Follow Respann and verify for me. Confirm if that child is indeed the escaped sacrifice.”
The Emperor’s eyes gleamed wildly. Overcome with joy at finally finding the one he sought, his shoulders shook with laughter.
“Ha ha ha ha. Yes, even if he tries to run, he’s in my grasp. The time is near. Very near.”
While Arin was diligently advancing her business, Yellow was cheerfully running up a steep sulfurous rocky mountain. Though the smell was somewhat different, it resembled the rocky mountains on his home deserted island, which made him feel good.
At the peak, Yellow let out a loud roar. Nearby small animals startled and hid. Overjoyed, Yellow burst into laughter.
[Yes! This is the feeling.]
He enjoyed how the beasts feared him.
[I had forgotten this while bowing so low to the Overlord! This thrilling taste of power. Ha ha!]
While enjoying nature and tap dancing, Yellow caught a faint smell approaching. His moist black nose twitched as he sniffed carefully.
[I smell something. I smell it!]
This scent was very familiar.
[It smells like Ard’s. That bastard is here!]
It was Respann’s scent.
Respann’s arrival caused questions among everyone in Skaiing. Though they had formally sent invitations to the Imperial family for the completion party, nobody expected him to actually come early.
‘There’s plenty of time before the completion party. Why come this early?’
Arin’s confusion was natural.
All nobles in the empire sent invitations to the Imperial family regardless of the reason for holding a party. Though it would be an honor if they attended, they didn’t expect them to come. It was more of a formality to curry favor.
But Respann showed up before the party even started… This shook the social circle.
Nobles who had been watching Skaiing closely were in an uproar. Having an invitation but not attending a party where the next generation of power gathered was uncouth. It became an unintended viral marketing event.
Melodian and Arin smiled warmly and welcomed Respann. Regardless of the fuss around them, a distinguished guest had come to Skaiing, so they had to treat him well.
They hid their true intentions behind bright smiles.
“I came early because I like hot springs. I hope it’s not rude?”
They knew the veiled threat behind the words: ‘I came myself, so you won’t dare refuse me.’
Recalling the geography she had been steadily learning over the past few days, Arin hurriedly guided Respann.
“It’s an honor you came. I will show you accommodations suitable for use with Sir Giran.”
Respann’s party followed her.
Arin offered them a building identical to the one she used. She said the annex beside it was for servants.
Upon her words, the servants quickly went to their tasks.
Among the busy adults, a small child appeared like a flying squirrel.
“Respann!!”
Ard ran up and hugged his leg tightly, grinning.
Though he was just a child, it was improper to call out the name of the future emperor. As Giran was about to say something to Ard, Respann motioned for silence.
Oblivious Giran took it as a prompt to remove Ard quickly. Flustered, he tried to pry Ard away.
Ard growled like a beast at Giran trying to interfere. Giran was startled, unsure if the sound really came from a child.
“……?”
“Arrrr.”
Just then, Yellow descended from the rocky mountain and admired Ard’s remarkable progress in attack.
[Our youngest has changed! He’s grown up now. Kyu kyuk kyuk.]
Annoying Yellow’s laughter made Giran’s shoulders slump. Being mocked by an animal drained all his fighting spirit.
Giran wondered why, despite being revered at the Imperial court, he was treated like this here. He longed for the comfort of his warm home.
Respann clicked his tongue inwardly, feeling sorry for Giran, who was pushed aside by a child and an animal.
“Giran, that’s enough. Step back.”
At Respann’s command, Giran sulked, burdened with all the world’s gloom, and moved aside.
Respann’s face brightened with a soft smile as he looked at the beaming Ard. He lifted the child up.
“Ard, have you been well?”
“Yes!”
Arin frowned at Ard’s informal speech. She had been diligently teaching him to speak politely lately.
After Arin’s scolding, Ard wriggled his lips and turned his head away. He was still stubborn when it came to Respann.
Seeing their silent battle of wills, Respann smiled, eyes shaped like crescent moons.
“It’s fine, just leave him be.”
“No, but still……”
Before Arin could continue, Deneb, who had been quiet until now, spoke.
“I appreciate your words, but it’s a matter of family education.”
Though polite, it meant, ‘It’s none of your business, so don’t interfere.’
Deneb’s remark made Respann’s eyes grow cold. His eyes were icy like snow in midsummer, but his lips curved into a sinister smile, creating an eerie fear.
Respann’s eyes twitched, and he hugged Ard tightly.
“How can I stay still when he likes me so much?”
Watching the tension between the two men, Arin felt a headache coming on.
In the dark night when everyone was asleep, a man looked around cautiously and moved toward a secluded place.
When he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, a sharp-eyed black hawk slowly approached. The man stretched out his arm, and the hawk flapped its wings and landed.
The man tied the magical paper letter to the hawk’s leg, his eyes gleaming wickedly. He remembered what happened earlier that day.
“Heh heh heh.”
He couldn’t suppress his laughter, which burst out uncontrollably.
The light brown-haired child who clung closely to Respann, chattering incessantly, was indeed the very target the organization had been searching for nearly three years.
“We finally found him. Our most precious escaped sacrifice…”
He was Eden, disguised as a member of Respann’s party.
When he casually raised his arm, the hawk soared into the sky.
Eden eagerly hoped the Emperor would soon hear the news. Then they could recapture the brazen escaped sacrifice.
His merciless gaze gleamed cruelly.
“He won’t be able to run away anymore.”
The faintly shining moon was completely covered by thick clouds.
Looking up, Eden realized it was almost time to return to his position. No matter how much the head maid cared for him, he was still disguised as a vehicle.
Feeling ecstatic, he composed himself and eagerly awaited meeting Ard.
Yellow, intoxicated by the thrill of terrifying small animals, could not resist the urge to go for a night stroll.
[Kyuaang! Here I am!]
At Yellow’s movements, a frightened raccoon tumbled over, rolling around. At his glance, birds trembled and folded their wings.
[Nun-nu-nan-na.]
Satisfied with the situation, he hummed a tune. At that moment, a black hawk rudely flew low over Yellow’s head.
Veins of anger appeared on Yellow’s forehead.
[Grrr. Who dares fly over my head…]
Yellow vowed to teach the impudent hawk a lesson. He crouched, waiting for his target to fly low.
When the hawk lowered its altitude, Yellow stomped the ground.
With an enormous leap, Yellow reached the hawk and swung his huge paw fiercely. A dull thud sounded as the hawk crashed to the ground.
Yellow rolled on the floor and snapped the struggling hawk’s neck with his strong teeth. After tapping the dead, insolent hawk, Yellow frowned seriously.
[Birds are hard to eat because of the feathers.]
He furrowed his brow, seriously pondering.
[Who would be happy if I brought this?]
Many options filled his mind.
[The newcomer Melodian? Or eternal loser Arin? Hmm… The adorable youngest Ard and the eternal loser boss can’t be forgotten. Kkyu… Such a dilemma!]
Lowering his head, deep in thought, Yellow suddenly looked up.
[Alright, I’ve decided!]
A ‘koong!’ sound effect seemed to ring above Yellow’s head.
