Chapter 123 : Chapter 123

Chapter 123 : For Tayon (9)

I was looking at the side where the commotion broke out.

Then people's gazes were also drawn.

If their purpose was to ruin the speech, they failed.

I had already finished what I wanted to say, and I had also drawn an enthusiastic reaction from the citizens.

But there was nothing I could do about the interruption.

Beyond the rioting Imperial Army, I could see the Third Prince’s black hair.

As I was about to grab the hilt of Maron and approach them, someone put a hand on my shoulder.

I turned my head to see that it was Hike.

She just looked at me without saying a word.

But somehow, I felt relieved.

It seemed she was telling me not to step forward and that she would take care of it herself.

Hike strode through the people. Her presence was quite intimidating just by her walking.

Even the Imperial Army couldn't cause any more trouble.

They just looked at Hike approaching them, not knowing what to do.

But the Third Prince did not seem nervous.

He even had a smile on his face as he looked at Hike.

"It is an honor to meet you. I am Zifried Le Oriandeus of the Oriandeus Imperial Family."

I recalled his appearance from the previous exchange match.

I had felt it then, but Zifried's appearance was so outstanding that even another man would consider him beautiful.

However, the atmosphere was a little different because the arrogant attitude he had shown me was gone.

Labella had said that the Third Prince was out of his mind, but it seemed he wasn't so crazy as to maintain his arrogant attitude even toward Hike.

Behind him was Kretzbalt, the Third Prince's escort and a knight of the Rosamund Knights, who had also tried to threaten me at the exchange match.

"Why have you come?"

However, Hike's reaction was not a good one.

It was a clear fact that Zifried had interrupted the atmosphere of a speech that had been going well.

"There is no place in this Empire that I cannot go."

"Do I need to make a place where you cannot go?"

"I simply came because I heard that someone was giving a great speech in front of the citizens, and I wanted to hear it."

Still, since he was a Prince, Zifried responded skillfully to Hike's blunt words.

He even gestured with his hand to me, who was quite a distance away, rudely telling me to continue my speech.

"..."

I closed my mouth. I had already said everything I wanted to say, and everyone gathered here had understood my intentions.

No matter how much the Third Prince behaved like a wild child, he would only tarnish the name of the Empire.

But Hike was different. She grabbed the Third Prince by the neck.

No matter how absolute the power of the Empire's imperial family was, they could not restrain Hike, who was a hero and a Dragon of the entire continent.

Zifried’s face turned scarlet as he gasped for air, but he did not beg to be let go.

He just glared at Hike with his deep, dark eyes.

Thump.

It was the escort knight, Kretzbalt, who knelt in his place.

"Lady Hike, please forgive the Third Prince."

He considered the safety of the person he served more important than his pride as a knight.

But Hike did not release the grip of her hand.

Instead, she just glared at the Third Prince with cold eyes, as if to make an example of him in front of the many citizens.

At that moment, a person wearing a crow mask punched the Third Prince's face, which was being held by Hike's hand.

Whack!

A loud noise echoed throughout the square.

The citizens covered their mouths in surprise and I, too, could not hide my astonishment.

The man then took off his mask and spoke respectfully to Hike.

"I apologize. I was lacking in virtue and did not properly educate my younger brother."

"..."

"It is also my first time greeting you. I am Dinaus Le Oriandeus."

Dinaus Le Oriandeus.

The First Prince of the Empire was also here.

***

Dinaus rented out the entire banquet hall near the square and invited everyone who supported me, including Hike, Everchen, the Western Noble Coalition's Bea, and others.

He first had a private conversation with Hike and bowed his head several times to apologize.

Hike did not get too angry with Dinaus and accepted his apology.

And then, as if nothing had happened, she sat in a corner of the banquet hall and calmly observed the situation.

However, her steady presence alone was a great source of strength.

The Third Prince, who had so arrogantly entered the square, was now in the presence of someone who could unhesitatingly grab him by the neck.

And Dinaus was not so foolish as to not know that fact.

Even after Hike released the Third Prince's neck, Dinaus continued to scold his brother.

"There is no one in this square that you can treat so carelessly. Apologize to Lady Hike, Sir Polarin, and all the citizens gathered here."

"..."

"Do I have to lock you up in prison again?"

I didn't know if there was a precedent for the First Prince locking up the Third Prince, but the threat worked well.

The Third Prince bowed his head and apologized to Hike, to me, and to the citizens who were surprised by his outrageous behavior.

During this time, the Third Prince's face became even redder than when Hike had grabbed him by the neck, but the First Prince had no hesitation.

"Go to the Imperial Palace and reflect. I will come to you when I am done with my business."

He scolded his brother until the very end with a dignified voice.

The Third Prince couldn't even properly respond and just retreated even more quickly than when he had entered the square.

The First Prince respectfully greeted each person gathered in the banquet hall before coming to me.

"Could we talk for a moment, just the two of us?"

"Of course. Shall we go out to the terrace over there?"

"That's a good idea."

A pleasant breeze blew on the terrace, where I followed Dinaus out to.

Although we had just met today, my impression of Dinaus was complex.

"Thank you for your help today."

"I just did what I had to do. Zifried... has always had a fiery temper. He was rude."

Dinaus apologized to me, but I was rather grateful to him.

If he hadn't stepped in, Hike might have actually killed the Third Prince.

Even if Hike was a Dragon, if she had killed the Third Prince, the Empire would never have let it go.

Unlike the Third Prince who had entered the square showing off his power, Dinaus was wearing a crow mask as if to hide his identity.

He wasn't dressed luxuriously, as if to blend in with the citizens.

Because of that, even though he was a Prince, Dinaus was the most plainly dressed person among everyone here.

"Let's put aside the story of my foolish younger brother. Your speech was truly impressive. I believe everyone gathered in the square feels the same way."

"Thank you. What do you think, Your Highness? Will you lend your power to help the Empire stop the war?"

"I intend to move in the direction where the hearts of the citizens are leaning."

If someone else had said that, I would have considered it a virtual 'yes.'

I had already started to win the hearts of the citizens. I was confident I could gain more support.

However, it was not easy to figure out the First Prince's true intentions.

I had heard that the Emperor had stepped away from state affairs and that the Northern Archduke and the First Prince were leading the war.

So, it was difficult to figure out the First Prince's true intentions.

"Was there a reason you wanted to meet with me separately?"

"I want to become Emperor."

"..."

"If possible, I would like to inherit the Empire in the most sound state."

"Why can't His Majesty the Emperor handle state affairs?"

"That's something I cannot tell you."

"Then, please only answer what you can. What is your relationship with the Northern Archduke?"

I had heard rumors about the Northern Archduke.

He was said to be the closest to a Regulator among living humans.

It would be great if we could be on the same side and conquer the Demons together, but if not, if his cold blade were aimed at humans, I would have to make a quick decision.

"We are like political allies. He has agreed to help me become Emperor."

"Is it okay for the blade that is supposed to protect the North to be aimed at humans?"

"If you take his place, he can still protect the North."

"Can his blade be used for me? It just needs to be used to slay demons."

"He is not someone who can be controlled. I, too, am merely being handled by his hand."

"Please set up a meeting sometime in the future. Only then can I decide whether to persuade him or to fight him."

"He is a dangerous person."

"I'll know when I meet him."

The First Prince was honest.

He didn't hide his intentions and tried to mediate between the Northern Archduke and me.

But there was no time on Earth or here where honesty was a virtue.

"If Your Highness makes a decision, it would help me make a decision as well."

"If I decide to stop the war, we can be on the same side... If not? If I continue the war, will Lady Hike come to me?"

"No, I will come to you."

"Are you threatening me?"

For a moment, the First Prince's demeanor changed.

He, like Labella and Zifried, had black hair and black eyes.

His black eyes were fixed on me without wavering.

But I did not back down.

Although I was not yet at the level to deal with a Prince of the Empire, I had been building my strength and position to avoid being swayed.

The First Prince stared at me silently, then smiled faintly.

"I cannot make a decision right now. I will decide after I meet with the Archduke soon."

The tension that had been pulled taut loosened, just like the corner of the First Prince's mouth.

"I will contact you."

"How will you contact me? Will you give me a communication device?"

"No, it won't be difficult to figure out where you are on the continent anyway. I will come to you."

"I will wait. I hope for a good outcome."

"A good outcome..."

The First Prince nodded and left the terrace.

As I was about to leave with him, I suddenly noticed a presence I hadn't felt before.

As I was about to hurriedly draw my sword, someone grabbed my wrist.

"You are still lacking."

It was Hike.

She had approached without making a single sound and even stopped me from drawing my sword.

"I heard you have a magic that controls the mana around you."

"Yes, I know how to use it."

"Can't you maintain it at all times?"

"...I try to maintain it as much as possible during combat, but it's still difficult to use it all the time."

Hike wiggled her finger.

A pair of a man and a woman then rose into the air, unconscious.

"You need to be able to do it."

I had not expected to be followed.

I had trusted that Rodos would prevent me from being tracked by the intelligence agency.

But now, I had to realize that I was not just a target of the intelligence agency.

Although they were not wearing armor, the Rosamund Knights' crest was engraved on the chests of the trackers.

"Your work must be finished."

"Yes, it is."

"Follow me. Bring your friends, too."

That was all she said before Hike went back into the terrace.

Through the slightly open door, I could hear the sound of people laughing.

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