Chapter 95
As we climbed the castle walls, a fierce battle was in full swing.
Niyan didn’t use the stairs but instead leapt outside, lifting us into the air and safely placing us atop the walls.
By now, six more black-masked figures had gathered. It was a fight of fifteen masked enemies against Raymond and Neverrest. Somehow, Raymond had appeared with Neverrest in tow.
The sound of clashing swords filled the night air with a chaotic rhythm.
According to Koa, the black-masked opponents were rough and violent in their swordsmanship, but their strength made them particularly difficult to handle. Because of their dark attire in the dim night, I hadn’t noticed before, but they seemed much larger than typical assassins.
“I’ll join as well.”
“Are you going to fight again?”
I grabbed Koa’s arm anxiously. She must have been exhausted from handling seven opponents at once just moments ago, and yet she was ready to dive back into battle.
“Yes. It wouldn’t be right to stay idle while Your Highness fights.”
“Then let’s heal first. You’re injured all over.”
“I’ll do it later.”
“No. Heal now before you go.”
As Koa and I argued, Niyan intervened from beside us.
“Lady Aileen, it’s troubling if you insist on that. When the lord fights on the battlefield, subordinates can’t just stand idle.”
I slumped in disappointment when even he tried to stop her.
“Then, I’ll provide a buff instead.”
“A buff?”
Niyan puffed his chest confidently and tapped it firmly. Light emanated from his outstretched hands, illuminating the surrounding area. The light, banishing the darkness, flew on the wind toward Koa, wrapping around her. Like an angel descended from above, sacred and beautiful light radiated from her entire body.
He explained to the stunned Koa and me.
“It will provide automatic wound healing, shields, and enhancements to strength and speed.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll go.”
Koa bowed to Niyan and swiftly dashed into the battlefield. I watched her back for a moment before sharply turning my gaze.
“No… is that really possible?”
Then why had he been holding back all this time?
I grabbed Niyan by the collar and shook him.
“Apply it to Raymond immediately too.”
“Ah, that’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
“Your Highness’s body already has strange medicinal effects circulating. If layered with additional effects, it could be dangerous.”
“R…really?”
“Excessive use of medicines or buffs is harmful to the body.”
He shook both his fingers and head side to side. I found it suspicious, but I couldn’t press him further just in case.
“Besides, look over there. Isn’t he doing fine on his own?”
Following the tip of his finger, I saw Raymond cornering several opponents. Though it was one against many, he was clearly overwhelming them.
“That’s true.”
“Exactly. All we need to do is sit back and wait for news of victory.”
He spoke cheekily, sitting at the edge of the castle wall. Something about his posture felt off, and as I pondered it, a question struck me.
“Then why isn’t Niyan fighting?”
“Oh, I need to preserve myself. If a mage’s attack triggers in Luss, it could be detected somehow.”
“Ahh?”
He was skillfully avoiding the battle.
I crossed my arms and glared at him, annoyed. My gaze didn’t seem to bother Niyan in the slightest.
But as he said, Raymond didn’t need any buffs. He was handling the opponents with sheer strength and sword skill. Neverrest were also highly skilled, being former royal assassins. At this point, our side’s victory seemed inevitable.
Once the battle concluded, the captured masked men were tied up and made to kneel. Those who had died during the fight were piled in a corner, while the survivors were gathered for testimony.
Some Neverrest patrolled and brought in the remaining three masked men.
Once all the Neverrest members removed their masks, the identities of the enemies were revealed. Faces I had never seen before.
“Who are you?”
Raymond’s icy voice demanded. His expression, as cold as his tone, made the enemies tremble like mice before a cat.
At moments like this, it almost felt like his kind, gentle smile toward me had been a lie.
Though, I had to admit, he was attractive even like this.
“Tell the truth, and we might spare you?”
“How dare you speak to Your Highness so insolently…!”
On, the leader of Neverrest, shouted in anger, but Raymond raised his hand lightly to stop him. He then pressed down with an overwhelming aura, nearly suffocating the opposition.
“Fix that insolent tone immediately, and I might consider it.”
The man who had spoken nervously sweat and glanced around. He hesitated, then opened his mouth with difficulty.
“We… we are Innerpeace.”
“Innerpeace? The one in Lapu?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Then who is your client?”
The man took a deep breath again and, as if resigned, spoke. He seemed to realize there was no escape.
“The Emperor. We received orders from Count Keln, the Emperor’s Chamberlain.”
Even in wartime, the enemy is singular. They could have lied, but Innerpeace spoke the truth openly. It seemed they were not the type to risk their lives for secrecy.
“I see.”
Raymond nodded and raised his sword again, stepping toward them with lethal intent.
Realizing the tension, the man stammered in panic.
“Y-You said if we… tell you, we’d be spared?”
“When did I say that? I said I’d consider it, not promise.”
“Th-That’s…”
“Didn’t I warn you not to expect to survive? If you wanted to surrender, that was the time.”
Raymond had no intention of sparing the masked men, as he had declared from the start.
My, that truly was villain-like behavior.
As I marveled in shock, Niyan casually placed his hand over my eyes, blocking my view.
“W-What are you doing?”
“I thought it better if you didn’t see.”
“….”
Though startled, I accepted his consideration without protest.
Soon, I heard the sounds of blood and dying screams.
Just the sound was enough to visualize the scene; my shoulders shivered. Covering my eyes had been an excellent choice. Killing, even enemies, was never a pleasant sight.
When the retribution ended, Raymond gave a low command.
“Archmage. Take Aileen first.”
“As ordered.”
I felt Niyan’s hand on my shoulder. Soon, the wind of teleportation wrapped around my body.
“I’m sorry.”
As soon as Raymond entered the room, I immediately confessed.
After dealing with everything, it was already past midnight. I had washed and come in early, anticipating waiting for him.
Raymond, entering with his broad back, turned toward me. Feeling guilty, I blurted out an excuse.
“I felt suffocated in the chest.”
“I see.”
“I wanted some fresh air outside.”
“That’s understandable.”
He nodded, acknowledging me.
“So I asked Koa, and we went out together.”
“Going with Koa was the right choice.”
He even praised me. Relieved, I thought he wasn’t angry, but then Raymond’s sharp gaze reproached me.
“Yet you were in danger.”
“Yes.”
“If the mage hadn’t arrived in time?”
“It could have been serious.”
“If Koa had made even a momentary mistake?”
“….”
“If Neverrest and I hadn’t come?”
“….”
I had no words. I kept my mouth shut and lowered my head. I had to accept this scolding humbly. Then, Raymond’s hand lifted my chin.
His gaze gleamed, not with anger, but like a predator fixing on prey.
“You caused trouble, so you need punishment, right?”
His face approached. Closing my eyes, I felt Raymond’s straight nose brush to the side. When his soft lips touched mine, my sulking vanished, leaving my heart racing. The pressed lips moved slowly, exploring each other. I was startled by the unexpected “punishment.”
If this was punishment, did that mean I should keep causing trouble?
Clinging to that thought, I wrapped my arms softly around his neck.
Since Innerpeace’s infiltration, a peaceful, quiet period had followed, almost like a ceasefire.
But wartime was unpredictable. We could never be careless. Observing the enemy and gathering critical information remained essential.
Niyan attended a meeting and reported information from the Imperial Palace. Sure enough, the Emperor had other schemes.
“The priests of the temple were called, and healers have been reinforced. Most soldiers have recovered their condition.”
“Huh.”
“All the effort we fought for seems wasted.”
“We’re back to square one.”
His words drew groans from the subordinates. But the truly important news was separate.
“The Emperor has officially requested troop deployment from another kingdom.”
“Th-That’s…!”
This news was truly alarming. Dragging another kingdom into a family dispute was dangerous. How much of the Empire’s interests would we be forced to surrender?
“The situation is worsening. If a full-scale war begins, I believe we will be completely overwhelmed.”
Niyan’s analysis was precise.
Once other kingdoms started assisting, we would be at an absolute disadvantage, potentially completely isolated within Luss.
How could we escape this situation?
While pondering these questions day by day, unexpected new news arrived.
