Chapter 4
“No. We never met Mikhail.”
From the start, the expedition hadn’t remained inside the Black Rift for fifteen years.
It’s hard to be certain, since it’s a place where the flow of time has completely stopped, but at most it would have been about five years.
“Then what about the expedition members’ families…?”
The thought struck me suddenly, and I asked urgently.
“They moved to Belken, where the Black Rift appeared, and waited a long time for the expedition to return. But now…”
I couldn’t bring myself to ask any further.
Back when Mikhail was alive, he must have taken good care of them.
Maybe even for a few generations after that, help was given.
But now, a full three hundred years have passed, and even the kingdom’s very existence is in jeopardy.
‘No.’
This can’t happen.
Our journey, our promise—it couldn’t end like this.
I wanted to believe that this man was spouting nonsense.
That it was all some sick joke.
Or better yet, that I was having a nightmare.
“Are you all right? It seems like you’re not breathing…”
The man’s cautious hand touched my back.
The sensation was so vivid that it only made it harder to breathe.
As if it were telling me that this was all undeniably real.
‘Pull yourself together. Now isn’t the time for this.’
I barely managed to keep myself from collapsing.
Being overwhelmed by shock wouldn’t reverse what had already happened, nor would it bring back the lost years.
A full three hundred years.
With that much time having passed outside, the expedition members who scattered to find their families will never see them again.
If they’re lucky enough to meet a descendant, that might be a blessing.
‘I promised to hold a grand victory banquet.’
What would happen if I went to King Bardia now, revealed my identity, and demanded a triumphant return?
‘They’d call me crazy and try to drive me out.’
Even if I proved my status as the expedition leader, the next problem would follow.
‘They might throw me a banquet, sure.’
But after that, what if they start invoking royal decrees and try to boss me and the expedition members around however they please?
Then things would really spiral beyond imagination.
‘If I don’t want to lose the initiative, I need to set the board properly.’
To lay the foundation for the expedition members who trusted and followed me—and their descendants—to live happily, I couldn’t afford a single misstep.
‘That will be my final mission.’
For that reason, I couldn’t let Bardia crumble as it was.
I had to drive out the external enemies, cut out the internal rot, and somehow get the kingdom back on its feet.
‘If the king is incompetent, I’ll replace him.’
I will get our compensation.
I’ll fulfill my responsibility until the pockets of the hardworking members and their descendants are filled with it.
…And if possible, I’d even like to uncover the truth behind Mikhail’s disappearance.
“Slowly, breathe with me. You must have been really shocked earlier.”
I glanced sideways at the man who kept stroking my back without pause.
‘His mana scent really is almost indistinguishable from Mikhail’s.’
A mana scent can’t be the same just by using the same mana cultivation technique.
Will, character, and the way one has lived their life seep into it, gradually giving it a deeper tone.
That means this man not only possesses a physique anyone would envy but also the qualities of a wise king that Mikhail had.
‘They said he’s the deposed crown prince.’
Even if he’s now a hostage, he’s likely the legitimate eldest son of the current king of Bardia.
That alone makes him worth betting on.
‘For now, I’ll stay by this man’s side and gather information.’
I’ll also observe up close whether he’s someone capable of bringing about a second revival for Bardia.
Revealing who I am can come after that.
“I’m fine now.”
I grabbed his arm and lowered it.
He tilted his head, seeming worried about my condition, and stared at my face for a long while before nodding.
“Why don’t you ask who I am?”
“You mean your name?”
“That too. Don’t you have any questions? I could be an assassin, you know. You seem too unsuspicious.”
At my slightly scolding words, he replied.
“I can sense ill intent from others. If you were skilled enough to hide even that, I’d have lost my life long ago.”
I was starting to think he was too soft, but thankfully he had his reasons.
“And yet… earlier, you thought I was about to attack you, didn’t you? Doesn’t that count as ill intent?”
“That wasn’t ill intent… No, wait.”
His expression stiffened, and he asked back.
“That was… a misunderstanding?”
“Yes. Back then, I had a problem with my teleportation magic and just fell on top of you. The aftereffects left my body stiff and unable to speak, so I couldn’t explain or move.”
At my explanation, he seemed genuinely shocked.
“So… it was my mistake. No wonder things felt strangely easy…”
His muttering voice was full of dismay.
Then, as if realizing it belatedly, he lifted me off his lap and set me on my feet.
“I know this isn’t something that can be fixed with a simple apology… but I’m sorry.”
Realizing his misunderstanding, the man didn’t know what to do with himself.
“I can’t give you anything right away, but I’ll make it up to you later…”
“Actually, there is something you can do right now.”
I quickly cut him off.
“I’d like to stay here as your handmaiden for a while.”
He looked at me as if he couldn’t believe his ears.
“What…?”
“I have no family, no home to return to. Would you be my guardian for a while?”
After hearing my answer, he pressed a hand to his eyes and said,
“You must have guessed my situation by now.”
“Yeah, more or less.”
“And yet you still want to stay with me.”
A low, restrained voice came from him.
“If it’s just because you need a place to stay for now…”
“I like it here.”
My goal is you, so where else would I go?
“…….”
At my stubborn attitude, he seemed at a loss for words.
I pointed out the issues he might be worried about.
“I’ll handle the identity and employment matters myself, so don’t worry about that.”
With the power of demons skilled in deception, I could blend into this castle quite naturally.
“How about it? Will you allow it?”
After staring at me silently for a long while, he let out a small sigh.
“I can’t… seem to refuse.”
I had prepared a few persuasive arguments in my head, but he accepted so easily.
As I thought, he really is a little… no, quite soft.
“You can call me Ser from now on.”
Now, three hundred years later, how many people would remember my name, Iser or Airbain?
Even if I introduced myself as “Iserna,” no one would make the connection.
Still, better not to use it for a while, just in case.
“I’m Elhart.”
As if responding to my words, he told me his name.
“Then… should I call you ‘Master’?”
I’ve never been a handmaiden, nor have I ever had one, so I don’t know where or how to start.
Even the form of address is confusing.
Seeing his expression turn odd, I changed my suggestion.
“Or maybe ‘Prince’? Which do you prefer?”
“Just calling me by my name would be better.”
“Isn’t that a bit strange? It doesn’t feel right to call your lord so casually.”
“No one will care.”
Hmm… if you say so.
“Alright, then.”
If that’s what he wants, I can’t argue.
“Elhart…?”
“…Yes.”
What’s with him, why’s he suddenly avoiding my eyes?
Is he not used to being called by his name?
Well, he is royalty.
Seeing the tips of his ears turn red made me feel embarrassed too, but I quickly pulled myself together.
Right, then.
Now what should I do?
Now that the form of address is settled, I should start working as a handmaiden.
As I looked at him, pondering, I noticed his gown, which was nearly falling off.
‘Straightening one’s attire is a handmaiden’s primary duty.’
When I suddenly reached out, he seemed quite startled.
“What are you doing?”
Before reaching my goal, he caught my hand.
I could have easily avoided it… but that would seem strange, so I obediently let him hold my wrist.
“Didn’t you say earlier that it was a misunderstanding?”
“I was just trying to straighten your clothes. That’s a handmaiden’s role.”
“That…”
His eyes shook violently, unable to focus.
“That’s… true.”
Elhart, having cleared up the misunderstanding, let go of my wrist.
I pulled the dangling gown up to his shoulders and fastened it neatly so his chest wouldn’t be exposed.
Then I tugged it taut without wrinkles, and finally just needed to tie the belt…
“I’ll do this myself.”
With a voice that somehow sounded urgent, he stopped me.
