Children of the Holy Emperor - Chapter 454



Only Noblemtl

454. Kaya’s Breath (3)

“Usually the one who strikes first wins. I think I’ll nip it in the bud so that it never does anything stupid again. I think I’ll have to look for Dasha too.”

Number 21 was very confusing.

Originally, I should have immediately returned to the city and reported to the king. But I had to urge him to leave the village quickly, as assassins would soon arrive…

“No, your Majesty. Just wait a moment-”

“There’s no time for that. Then I’ll go. You can follow me or go back, it’s up to you.”

As Prince Mores began to prepare to run, holding the small lamp tightly, No. 21 had no more room for hesitation. How could he send the prince alone when he was so fearless as to chase after the assassins?

‘If it were up to me, I would commit blasphemy and drag him away even if I had to beat him up… … .’

As I glanced at the prince with that thought in mind, he immediately returned my gaze with a fierce look on his face.

-Do you want to die?

It’s not usually a sensitive sense. Who on earth does it resemble, huh?

‘I guess it’s impossible for me to stop the prince with my own strength.’

Number 21, as his survival instinct as an assassin told him to, quietly lowered his eyes and bowed his head.

“… I will accompany you, Your Majesty.”

At the same time, I started rationalizing myself hard in my head.

Yes. It would be right to follow the prince here. I can’t just stupidly watch him follow the assassin alone.

‘Fortunately, His Majesty has many outstanding warriors, including Sir Marsain, by his side. Even if he leaves for a while, there won’t be any major problems right away.’

This kind of judgment also played a part in making that decision.

‘It’s too late to chase after the men who have already run away. But how can the prince track them down? I’ll pretend to follow them for a while, and then try to persuade them to give up when the opportunity arises.’

But soon after, Number 21 realized how optimistic he had been.

“… … ?!”

First of all, the speed at which the prince was running was unusual. It was a speed that was impossible without specifying the destination precisely.

But that’s not all. Unlike No. 21, who was too busy chasing after him to hide his tracks, the boy was lightly kicking the ground as if his feet were wrapped in air.

Phew-!

With each step he took, the wind spread wide to the side, creating a faint buffer zone. The slightly increased air density soon returned to its original state, and the prince’s body was lightly thrown forward again. Without leaving any trace on the ground.

No. 21 opened his eyes wide and couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

‘What on earth is that technology?’

If you had asked the prince, he would have explained that it was an original auror operation that combined the assassin’s stealth technique learned from Dasha with Shunishuhe. Of course, the current No. 21 didn’t even have the luxury of asking questions.

“Hey, can you go a little faster?”

“Ugh!”

Number 21 gritted his teeth at the prince’s peaceful urging.

-A dirty world where geniuses eat everything.

Recently, I heard Senior 13 lament something that was not typical of her. But… … .

‘No matter what, I’m an elite agent and I’m being pushed around by a rookie who hasn’t even trained for a year?’

Of course, there was no time to peacefully wallow in self-loathing. In order not to fall behind even a little, I had no choice but to run after the prince with all my might.

But what was even more infuriating was that the prince looked back at him with a displeased expression and muttered:

“Dasha was much faster.”

… Dasha?

Number 21, who was momentarily confused, then remembered that it was only Number 13’s name.

It couldn’t have been more unexpected. The No. 13 that No. 21 knew was someone who always had a clear sense of public and private life, and who didn’t easily give up his position to the members of the Monkey Watchtower.

‘Senior No. 13. What on earth are you thinking?’

In any case, he couldn’t continue to be criticized by the prince, who wasn’t even an assassin. Number 21 squeezed out all the aura in his body and kicked his legs.

“Your Majesty. If you’re going to rush like this, why didn’t you stop me when I first tried to chase them?”

“Isn’t that obvious? We can’t just let them know that we’re chasing them.”

“But if the sound completely disappears like this, there’s no point in chasing it, right?”

Then the prince looks at number 21 with a sad look in his eyes. But somehow, his face is similar to the expression that the emperor used to make whenever number 21 got the answer wrong when he was young, and it bothers me for no reason.

Even the prince’s subsequent question was even more spectacular.

“Don’t you hear anything?”

“… … !”

You know? Are you really saying that you know?!

This time, No. 21 suffered a fatal blow to his pride.

“I know it’s a bit odd to say this, but if it were Dasha… … .”

“Ah, yes! I am truly ashamed, Your Majesty! It is all my fault for being so lacking and immoral!”

* * *

Contrary to No. 21’s fears, it seemed to be true that the Prince was accurately sensing their location.

They ran in a straight line without stopping, and finally reached the entrance to a small, ruined village.

“… … .”

Number 21 followed the prince and hid behind a large rock, then cautiously looked down at the view of the village.

Looking at the collapsed buildings and completely rotted tree stumps, it looks like the village has been abandoned for at least ten years.

But even in the darkness where not a single light could be seen, No. 21 could feel the tense atmosphere of the village.

“…Your Majesty’s words were right.”

That place is probably one of the hidden strongholds of the Freedom Underpass.

21, sensing a faint hint of auric concealment on the outskirts of town, made a worried suggestion to the prince.

“First of all, let’s go. Wouldn’t it be better to turn off the lamp?”

“hmm?”

But when the prince heard those words, he suddenly did something strange. He untied the lamp that was tied to his waist and spoke naturally toward the flame.

“Hey. You, wouldn’t you like to go inside the soul stone for a moment?”

“… … ?”

Are you crazy?

But before No. 21 could even open his mouth, strangely enough, a small spark flew out of the flame. It was as if he was really responding to the prince’s words.

Number 21’s eyes widened.

“Uh, uh. Okay. But you have to kill some light and hide well so as not to be detected.”

And then the amazing thing happened one after another. As soon as he finished speaking, the prince opened the lamp cover and grabbed a small flame with his bare hand!

“I……!”

Then, without any sign of heat, he carefully pushed the fireball into the hem of his hood. He did it with a calm and composed attitude, as if he was handling a small pet.

Gulp.

Number 21 swallowed his saliva without realizing it and asked.

“What, what is that?”

I asked nervously, wondering if my clothes would catch fire at any moment, and received a look of politeness in return.

“She’s a fire fairy. Don’t you know?”

“fiery……?”

“I’m talking about the ancient fairy who gave me the trials you gave me.”

Oh, come to think of it, I think there was a rumor like that going around the capital city?

As No. 21’s eyes shook violently, Prince Mores clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“Tsk! You, if you’re going to be an exclusive palace informant, you should at least read the quarterly published classics on time.”

“fairytale…….”

Number 21 was extremely wronged. No, who would read fairy tales full of Orthodox propaganda when they are busy assisting the Holy Emperor?

“You, it looks like you’ll have to read more books in the future. Don’t be lazy and study whenever you have time.”

“… … ?”

The prince who had blurted out such incomprehensible words looked around the village intently for a moment with his silver-gray eyes shining. Then he blurted out words that were like a bolt from the blue again.

“There aren’t that many people yet. It won’t be all of them, so it would be better to just sort things out here and then leave.”

“four-?”

Number 21, who had shouted loudly without realizing it, soon lowered his voice and whispered.

“Wait a minute! Are you out of your mind? You can’t do anything dangerous anymore! Let’s go back now, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, really. He’s the kind of guy who naturally spouts blasphemous things.”

The prince glared at number 21 with a sullen face.

“What the hell is the problem? It would be a lot easier if we dealt with them while they were off guard.”

“What on earth made you come to that conclusion? If they’re not ready, isn’t this our chance to run away?”

No. 21 could also sense the presence of assassins slowly moving around the village. There were already more than a dozen of them at first glance.

Even so, there are only so many people who haven’t spread their cover. If they actually storm into the village, there’s no way of knowing how many assassins will jump out.

“No matter how perfectly you conceal yourself, unless you’re a ghost, you’re bound to have some degree of discomfort. Besides, aren’t those people assassins with extremely sensitive senses? As long as we move within a confined space, someone will eventually find us first!”

“ghost?”

“Or bring Dekaron Knight. Either way, it’s impossible for us to move on our own.”

However, at No. 21’s firm dissuasion, the prince’s eyes sparkled as if he had come up with a brilliant idea.

“Ghost! Wait, that’s a really good idea. I happen to have some things I can use.”

“…yes?”

“Before that, let me ask you one thing. Are you a devout believer in the Lord?”

Although he couldn’t understand why he was suddenly asked such a question, No. 21 answered indifferently.

“No. People who do things like I do usually don’t believe in God.”

“Oh? Good. Then I won’t have to go to the heresy court and start talking nonsense.”

The prince nodded, convinced by himself, then searched through his collar and pulled out a magnificent amulet.

At first glance, it didn’t look like the typical Delcross craftsmanship. It had a strange design with many round beads embedded in it.

‘What are you going to do with that?’

But at that moment, something strange happened around them. Suddenly, the air became cold and ominous black fog began to rise from the ground.

“… … !”

Shoooooooo… … .

The dark fog covered the two people’s bodies, and soon completely covered the rock they were hiding under.

“lowering……!”

Number 21 panicked and tried to jump out of the fog. Then he discovered the prince’s face, still extremely calm, and froze in surprise.

‘This is Prince Mores’s doing!’

Now that I think about it, it wasn’t like I had no idea what was going on. There were constant ominous rumors among the high-ranking priests surrounding the Third Prince.

However, until now, No. 21 has been treated lightly, thinking that it was just a political slander spread by those who wanted to make Prince Logan the next Emperor.

That would be the case-

‘That doesn’t make sense. He is the son of Your Majesty, who possesses such great divine power that he can be called the representative of God. How can you associate him with the devil?’

But at this very moment, No. 21 couldn’t help but regret his complacent judgment.

In the dreary, cold air, black fog begins to gather together and eventually begins to form strange shapes.

If that ominous thing isn’t evidence of an evil being, then what is it?

“hmm?”

But something didn’t go as planned, and the prince tilted his head with a puzzled expression. What finally appeared before their eyes through the fog was neither a demon nor a monster, but something that looked like a crumpled black carpet.

It was only when the prince began to pat him that No. 21 realized that it was the figure of a man lying face down in long priestly attire.

“Hey, Haze. Hey, Haze!”

The prince grabbed the ghost’s collar and shook it vigorously, but the black carpet remained unmoved.

[… … .]

“Why is this guy acting like this all of a sudden? Why can’t he come to his senses at all?”

The prince, who had been looking down at him with a displeased expression for a moment, fiddled with the amulet again.

“What a pity. The wizard’s wide-ranged skill was perfect for those gathered like that. Well, there’s nothing I can do. If it’s urgent, I’ll call Belinda… … .”

Swaaaaaaaaa… … .

Once again, a dark blue fog rises in thick clouds.

What appeared this time was the figure of a warrior with a sturdy physique. To be exact, a warrior who looked strong but not strong, standing tall and stretching out towards the sky while wearing sturdy armor.

“What’s going on? What happened to you two? Why are they all like this?”

The prince, who had been kicking the warrior in a panic, eventually sighed softly and grumbled.

“Ugh… I knew this would happen. When I tell you I don’t need it, you cling to it so stubbornly, but when I actually try to use it, it’s so useless.”

It was probably a remark that would have made Hayes or Belinda cry tears of blood in frustration and resentment if they had heard it.

At that moment, the flame hidden under the prince’s cloak quickly burst out and began to circle quickly above his head as if trying to say something.

“No, no. Don’t set it on fire.”

Hurrruk!

I don’t know what was being said, but the spirit seemed to be angry and burned even more fiercely.

“Oh, I said no! We need to sneak in quietly without being caught, so why are you stirring things up and making them all come out at once?”

Then, thud thud!

This time, as if dissatisfied with something, the spirit scatters sparks indiscriminately, flying in all directions.

“But what can’t be done, can’t be done. Stop talking and just hide inside.”

After forcing the flame into the hood like that, the prince looked down at the village and smiled bitterly.

“I tried to take it easy, but there’s nothing I can do. We have no choice but to sort things out as quickly as possible among ourselves.”

“… … !”

Ah, right. So you’re going to jump into their den naked?

‘Absolutely impossible!’

However, No. 21 was also aware that he could not stop the prince with his own strength alone.

‘Oh, I don’t know!’

As he drew his dagger and lightly bit his lip, the prince twirled the stiletto he had snatched from the assassin and winked at Number 21.

“Okay, let’s go.”