Chapter 68
The reason was partly because this place was the Forest of Mist, but also because he had experienced something like this before.
This time, Carlton steadied his heart with the expectation that he might finally achieve his goal.
“Let’s move quickly.”
“Right.”
Following Belia as she stood up, Carlton also rose to his feet.
“Where do you think this is?”
“Close to the center.”
Belia felt a chilling aura and silently nodded.
Both of them took a moment to survey their surroundings.
When Carlton tried once more to channel his mana, his face stiffened.
At that moment, he finally understood why so many mages and knights who had ventured into the forest’s center had never returned alive.
Mana would not move as he willed. A restriction field—like a carpet laid across the entire area—smothered the flow of power.
If they had come with a group instead of just the two of them, it might have been a little safer. They had brought barrier stones and mana stones in case of emergencies.
But now, Carlton and Belia were utterly alone at the very heart of the forest.
“Should we try going up there?”
Belia lifted her head toward where a cliff must be, though it was hidden in the fog.
Carlton looked up as well, then shook his head.
“No. That might be even more dangerous.”
“Hm?”
Her expression asked why going back would be dangerous. Carlton narrowed his eyes.
Amid the web of tangled mana currents, he could see one distinct flow.
“It seems like we’re being led to the center.”
“The center? By who?”
“The forest itself.”
Dark, sticky mana converged like streams of water toward one place.
“Karine will try to chase us anyway. Better to investigate now that we’re here, rather than leave blindly.”
“Isn’t that too dangerous?”
Belia glanced at Carlton’s wounds as she spoke.
“From this moment on, there’s nothing safe left. Trying to leave is just as dangerous.”
“That’s true, but…”
“And besides, we’ve got insurance.”
“Insurance?”
Realizing what his eyes lingered on, Belia clutched the necklace at her chest.
“Since the polymorph broke, I’m not sure if teleportation will work.”
“It will. That necklace holds not just mana but divine power too. But the thing is…”
“Hm?”
Carlton slipped an arm around Belia’s waist.
Holding her close, he leapt forward.
The very spot they had just been standing was suddenly occupied by a monster, its body covered in deep green fur.
Growl—
Carlton grabbed Belia’s hand and ran.
“We’ll have to sprint all the way to the center.”
“That’s why I ate so much earlier. I’ll run as hard as I can.”
With a half-joking remark to smother the fear creeping in, Belia and Carlton sprinted into the fog.
All around them, cries brimming with murderous intent closed in like a tightening circle.
Inside the Emperor’s office of the Lenin Empire.
Even as he swiftly reviewed documents, the Emperor listened carefully to Allendo’s report.
When Allendo finished speaking, the Emperor removed his spectacles and pressed his brow.
“I only hope there’s some harvest this time… in that damned forest.”
At the look that seemed to accuse him of sending men there yet again, Allendo feigned indifference.
“There will be, I’m sure. At the very least, I’ll bring back something solid enough to counter objections at the noble council. Don’t worry.”
“Best to prepare in advance.”
The Emperor rested his chin on his hand with a bored expression.
“You’ll probably live a long life.”
“Because I take so much abuse?”
“Yes.”
“That applies to Your Majesty as well.”
“Unamusing fellow.”
The Emperor stuck out his lower lip, then rose from his chair.
“More importantly… so, you’re getting engaged?”
He moved toward the window, hands clasped behind his back.
“Yes.”
“I knew you were close with Lady Arphedi, but I didn’t think you’d actually make such a decision.”
“Wasn’t it Your Majesty who set the conditions?”
“Are you blaming me for this engagement?”
Allendo answered only with silence.
“Ungrateful brat. Search the entire continent and you won’t find another emperor who allows his heir a choice in fiancées… Tsk tsk.”
“And didn’t you pick all the choices yourself anyway?”
“So what? Should I have let you freely pick from the start? Besides, I gave you two options.”
“…What exactly are you implying?”
“Lady Doltan has shut herself away.”
Allendo didn’t need the Emperor’s words to know; he had already gone out of his way to gather every detail of the lady’s situation.
“Yes.”
“That’s all?”
“What do you mean?”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, trying to read his son’s thoughts.
Seeing that familiar, emotionless face that so resembled his own, the Emperor pouted again.
“Well, it’s not of great concern to me. Whether it’s Lady Doltan or Lady Arphedi, either is acceptable to the imperial family.”
Before Allendo could reply, the Emperor cut in swiftly.
“But benefit or not, this isn’t a good outcome.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean you mishandled things. You should’ve addressed the annulment with the ducal house first—or convinced the young lady beforehand.”
“Annulment?”
“It was common knowledge that you and Lady Doltan were as good as promised, even without a formal betrothal. So your announcement of an engagement was the same as publicly declaring a breakup with House Doltan. The duke is already circling the wagons around his daughter.”
“The duke has no affection for Cana—no, for Lady Doltan.”
“Even if that’s true, you don’t know how he’ll act outwardly. He’s not fully ours.”
The Emperor gazed at Allendo intently.
“I’m not a father kind enough to smooth your path. I have more than enough burden carrying out my own duties.”
“I understand that well.”
“Do you?”
The Emperor picked up a thick bundle of documents from his desk.
Thud.
The heavy stack hit the floor at Allendo’s feet.
“What’s this?”
Allendo bent down to pick them up.
“The duke’s been moving private soldiers.”
Allendo’s face hardened instantly.
The more he read of the detailed reports sent from the border, the colder his expression grew.
“…Treason?”
“Not exactly, but clearly he’s very displeased about something.”
The Emperor turned his back.
“For example, your relationship with his daughter? Officially it’s for strengthening defenses, but considering he gathered unanimous support from all the local lords to hold military drills in the east… it’s a show of defiance.”
The Emperor looked at his son calmly.
“Choose.”
Allendo met his father’s gaze silently.
“As the next Emperor, choose what you’ll keep and what you’ll oppose. It’s not a throne where you can only take the good—you must also decide what enemies to make.”
“Do we have the means to hold the duke by the throat?”
The Emperor smirked.
“This position is one of endless restraint, but it does have its leverage. If we must, we can prepare something. At a cost. Have you decided?”
“I’ll handle the public front myself.”
“Good.”
The Emperor nodded in approval.
“But let me ask you one thing.”
“Please do.”
“Will you have any regrets?”
“I covet the resources the duke can bring, but I can acquire as much during my reign.”
“That’s not what I meant… Hm, before you sit on the throne, you’re still human.”
“What exactly are you implying?”
The Emperor stared through his son.
“Do you know what nickname I had in society when I was your age?”
“How would I know that?”
“…Never mind.”
The Emperor waved his hand, dismissing him.
With a faintly puzzled look, Allendo left the office.
As soon as he departed, the Emperor’s chief attendant entered.
“It’s unbecoming for a father to meddle in his son’s love, isn’t it?”
“Did you want His Highness to call himself by that nickname—‘the Rose of Love’? I thought you hated it.”
The Emperor’s face remained flat, though his tone was indifferent.
“I do hate it. But the crown prince seems far too passive.”
“Let it be. Hasn’t he already declared his engagement to another lady?”
“True.”
The Emperor’s expression turned doubtful.
“But the thing is… he resembles me far too much. He’s not the type to give up easily… Well, he’ll figure it out.”
“It might be better if he didn’t resemble you in that respect. I still recall when Your Majesty, after being rejected once by the Empress, vowed to propose again and even—”
“Enough. Enough. I get it.”
At the Emperor’s curt order, the attendant fell silent.
“More importantly, what did you want to report?”
“Yes. A gift sent from the Arphedi marquisate to the palace—”
“From Bea? The Empress was quite pleased. Did it arrive today? If so, bring it here first. I’ll deliver it to her myself.”
“No, Your Majesty. That’s not it. On the way to the palace… there was an attack.”
“An attack?”
