CHAPTER 35…..
The Prince of the Enemy Nation Becomes a Comrade-in-Arms.
“Uh… Your Highness? Your Highness!”
Armené, standing nearby, called out in surprise.
But Calion had already walked up to Ares.
“Hello, Lord Ismenios. Here.”
“Your Highness Alcyone. Greetings.”
“Of course.”
Calion smiled sweetly, while Ares clenched his teeth.
The air around them rippled with a dangerous killing intent.
With a pleasant face, Calion whispered quietly,
“…Do you like it? Acting like that?”
“This guy… So you were just pretending, huh?”
“Even if you’re not that smart, at least talk straight. Who was the one who started the fight?”
“Hmph. So you do know I did it for you to see?”
Ares bared his teeth in an even fiercer grin.
“If you know, then keep your eyes off our princess. You’re just some prince of Halcyon.”
“Well… We’ll be seeing each other a lot from now on, so shouldn’t you mind your manners?”
“What?”
Ares frowned at Calion’s mocking tone.
What did this guy just say? Why is he talking like we’ll keep meeting?
Calion finally crossed his arms with a satisfied smile.
“You didn’t know? I’ll be staying in Tartarus from now on.”
“Whaaat…?!”
“I’ll probably be with Lady Sion most of the time.”
In truth, he was nothing but a lonely hostage, abandoned by his own family.
The Demon King had decided to send back all attendants from Halcyon, saying, ‘I can’t tolerate servants from there.’
Calion was to live here as an unwanted outsider.
…But he had no intention of sharing that detail.
My older brother may have beaten me whenever he wanted—but I’m not about to lose to this guy.
He was ready to fight tooth and nail for the affection of the Great Saintess, Sion.
Now that he knew she was alive, he wouldn’t cry anymore.
Ares’s face turned red and he shouted.
“I will never accept that! Get lost! Go back!”
“Hmph. His Highness Erebos and my side, Alcyone, have already made the decision.”
“What?!”
“So we don’t need your approval.”
“Ha, fine. You blue-eyed brat.”
Finally losing his temper, Ares grabbed Calion by the collar.
He didn’t care about the people around them.
“Get outside right now. From the moment I first saw you—”
“Lord!”
“Ow!”
A sudden flash of white stars burst before Ares’s eyes—a sharp, bone-crushing flick to the head.
Minte was standing behind him, fists clenched and teeth gritted.
The moment Ares regained his senses, she grabbed him and dragged him away.
“M-Master?!”
“I thought you were politely dancing with the princess!”
“Ow, ow! That hurts!”
“Follow me quietly! Or I’ll tell your older brother to make you run drills until you collapse!”
If Minte ordered it, his brother would happily run himself into the ground.
But instead of answering back, Ares turned to glare at Calion.
Calion was smiling politely.
But with his lips, he clearly mouthed:
See you again, red mosquito.
The sight made Ares’s blood boil.
In that instant, a chilling premonition struck him.
Even as Minte dragged him away, he shouted desperately,
“Anywhere but the Fersen Palace, nooooo!”
The stormy celebration of my birthday finally came to an end.
Even after the main event ended, the delegations still remained.
The Holy Nation, however, decided to leave early, “in consideration of relations between the two countries.”
I was with the Epikus sisters, watching the Holy Nation’s group pack up.
So Calion is leaving too?
The attendants caring for the princes were all packing their own luggage.
That meant Calion was probably heading back to Aiolos.
Where is he? I should at least say goodbye properly!
Who knew when I’d see him again? Years from now, maybe. I squirmed in Lette’s arms, whining.
“Lette, let’s go say bye!”
“To the human from Halcyon…?”
“Um, just the prince and the Great Saintess sister!”
“…Yes, Princess.”
I didn’t want to see the others either. Why go looking for trouble?
When I turned with the sisters, I saw Calion in the distance, speaking to someone.
Wait… why is he with Talos?
What was that guy saying to Calion?
I was too far away to hear what he was whispering.
Then a puzzled voice rose from below.
“Princess Elysion?”
“Eek! Hic!”
“What are you doing here?”
This voice…
Looking down, I saw a girl with black eyes.
The fake Great Saintess, Armené…
Until they found me at the temple, she was the “substitute” they’d put forward.
And if they ever discovered my soul?
They’d probably get rid of her to erase the evidence.
While I bit my lip, Lette set me down on the ground.
Armené smiled faintly at me.
“I wanted to talk to you a bit more, Princess. It’s a pity.”
“…”
“Well then, someday—”
“Armené!”
I grabbed her hand.
My divine power still wouldn’t budge.
But I looked up at her with wide, pleading eyes.
“I—I’ll—”
“Princess…?”
I choked on my words.
Even if I could say it, could I really bring myself to?
I’m sorry… I’m selfish.
I’ve grown to like the people here. I don’t want to return to the Holy Nation.
But I also can’t stand by and watch someone else suffer in my place.
So…
“Armené. No matter what happens, I’ll come see you.”
“…”
“So until then, you have to stay healthy. Don’t get sick.”
Armené’s eyes narrowed tenderly, as if deeply moved.
“When my hometown burned down, I swore to hate the demons forever.”
“…”
“But I’m glad I met you, Princess.”
She bowed with dignity in farewell.
“Until we meet again, may the Princess of Tartarus be blessed.”
“…And may the Great Saintess be blessed as well.”
I watched her walk back to her group, feeling heavy-hearted.
As the Epikus sisters and I walked on, I saw that Talos had finally left Calion’s side.
Back in Lette’s arms, I waved at him.
“Calion!”
“Ah, Lady Sion!”
When Calion saw me, he ran over like a puppy seeing snow for the first time.
I patted his head and asked,
“What were you talking about with the priest?”
“Hmm. He told me to get my head on straight.”
“Heeeh…”
“He just nagged me the whole time. And I had a strange feeling…”
Calion tilted his head, then pulled a necklace out from under his shirt.
It was the lapis lazuli pendant I had given him before leaving for Charon.
That’s the talisman I put my divine power into… So why is it glowing?
Could it be that Talos tried to brainwash him?
There was a reason Talos had become the Second Priest at such a young age.
He could control those with weaker divine power than himself.
The only ones he couldn’t easily touch were me and High Priest Yliphus.
But with my talisman, there’s no way it would work on Calion. Was that bastard really trying to mess with him?
And why…?
Why was Calion alone?
I pointed to the Holy Nation’s people boarding the carriage.
“Calion, your attendants are leaving?”
“Yes! His Highness Erebos didn’t allow them to stay.”
“Huh…?”
“Oh, I guess no one told you.”
Calion gave the brightest smile in the world.
“I’ve decided to stay in Tartarus.”
“Huh?”
“Lady Sion, I look forward to being in your care!”
“Whaaat?!”
Wait—why do the Epikus sisters look so calm about this?
What? You two knew? Couldn’t you at least tell me?!
Sure, I’m the youngest here, but still!
And isn’t this basically taking a child hostage?
Where is he even going to stay?
I twisted in Lette’s arms and whispered,
“Lette! Where will Calion live from now on?”
“Th-that’s actually the problem…”
