Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 378

Chapter 378

“He was right. Reincarnation doesn’t make sense. I shouldn’t have just dismissed it as mere resemblance. I shouldn’t have separated them in the first place.”

“He? Who are you talking about? And what are you saying now?”

“It’s like, El, the Spirit King, was human-like, and El, the human, was like a Spirit King. The gap that was initially wide apart is closing rapidly. They’re not different; they’re connected by some circumstance. What I saw was the result of that.”

“Hey, Sibel. I haven’t understood a word you’ve said for a while now. Explain it so I can understand.”

“But that makes it even more problematic. Why was El there? El said he had something to find back then. Yet, he never told me exactly what it was. I didn’t feel like he was avoiding the question, but perhaps he deliberately didn’t explain it. If so, there must have been a reason. What was it? And when exactly does it happen?”

Sibelius seemed as confused as his rambling words. It felt less like he was trying to convey information to me and more like he was trying to organize his own thoughts.

No one else could understand the story I couldn’t comprehend, so everyone looked bewildered. Fortunately, Sibelius seemed to sense the chaotic atmosphere and quickly regained his composure. He swallowed a groan and looked at me with a calmer expression.

“Sorry for talking nonsense. I’m too confused right now to know how to explain it. I’ll think about it more and tell you when I reach a conclusion.”

His serious expression was uncharacteristically forceful, so I could only nod dumbly. The bizarre conversation, which I couldn’t follow from beginning to end, ended so unilaterally.

After that, Sibelius didn’t say anything until the atmosphere calmed down again and small talk resumed. Whether he was enjoying the silence or had been completely consumed by it, an invisible boundary was drawn around him as if he had become silence itself. Fortunately, he wasn’t usually one to participate in conversations, so no one paid much attention. Only I was bothered by his words and occasionally glanced back at him. Our eyes met a few times, but each time, Sibelius only gave a vague smile.

I already knew that kind of expression. Ifrit had worn a similar expression when he mentioned the Annihilation Spell, avoiding my gaze. Instead of sighing, I clenched my fist tightly. There were parts I needed to confirm anyway, and I would have to talk to Sibelius properly soon. I had been trying to dismiss it as just my imagination, but the recurring unease had convinced me. Something was happening that only I didn’t know about.

It felt like being caught in a strong current. Adrift and being swept away, no one knew where it would end, in the midst of a chaotic drift. I had to stay sharp.

* * *

While exchanging meaningless small talk, we had reached the base of the hill. It was about time to encounter the army coming down. As expected, it wasn’t long before lights flickered and numerous presences were felt. The first to appear was a group on horseback. Except for a few at the front, most of them wore the same purple uniforms, proving they belonged to the same group. It was the same color as Raon Hwizen’s hair, a characteristic of the Carters imperial family. That alone made it clear that they were knights of the imperial family.

At the head of the procession was a man who appeared to be the captain. He looked to be in his early thirties. He had dark black hair and blue eyes, and overall, he seemed quite taciturn. Asel let out a soft groan when he spotted him.

“It really is the Imperial Guard. The captain of the Imperial Guard, Sir Almasner, is at the front.”

“Wow. I didn’t think it would go this far, but really…?”

Serium’s exclamations followed from behind. Raon Hwizen was also staring at him with a hardened expression. They all seemed to be paying more attention to the appearance of the captain of the Imperial Guard than to the Imperial Guard itself. It was no surprise, as the black-haired man called Almasner was clearly no ordinary person at first glance. The aura he exuded seemed comparable to that of Duke Caribdis, a Sword Master.

“Is that person perhaps a Sword Master?”

Just in case, I asked, and as expected, Asel nodded.

“He is Marquis Ain von Almasner. Despite his appearance, he is a veteran in his seventies. He is a symbolic figure of the Imperial Guard, and he himself represents the will of the imperial family.”

In other words, he was a card not to be used lightly. Everyone was bound to be nervous since such a person had moved. It meant that the Emperor had a strong will.

Soon, Raon Hwizen, biting his lip, strode forward. It happened in an instant, before we could even stop him. Startled, we hurriedly followed him. The horses, surprised by the sudden appearance of the group, reared up on their front hooves. “Who is it!”, “It’s an ambush!” Shouts and the sound of weapons moving echoed from all directions. In that instant, the captain of the Imperial Guard was seen making a surprised expression.

“Everyone, stop!”

At his command, the surroundings quickly calmed down. The captain of the Imperial Guard calmed his bewildered horse and jumped down from the saddle. His eyes, fixed on the person standing before him, were filled with agitation.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

The voice calling out contained undisguised bewilderment. At that moment, the surroundings became as silent as a graveyard. Only then did everyone seem to realize who the suddenly appearing person was. Everyone’s faces were filled with astonishment, as they never imagined that the Crown Prince would appear before them. Raon Hwizen silently endured all those gazes.

“It’s been a while, Sir Almasner.”

“How did Your Highness…?”

“That’s what I should be asking. Where are you going now?”

“…….”

The captain of the Imperial Guard was momentarily speechless at the calm question. Just as he was about to make an expression that he didn’t know how to answer,

“Oh, who is this? Isn’t it His Highness the Crown Prince?”

An old man appeared from the ranks of the procession. It was the sage Danimel in black attire. The moment his eyes met Raon Hwizen’s, his expression gleamed slyly.

“No, he’s about to be deposed anyway, so the title of Crown Prince might be too much for him now. Should we call you a traitor now?”

“What are you saying!”

“How dare you call His Highness the Crown Prince a traitor!”

Asel and the escort knight Dai retorted, flaring up. Of course, Danimel’s expression remained unchanged despite their fierce momentum.

“There’s no use denying it. All the circumstances have already been revealed.”

“Circumstances…?”

“We found documents plotting treason in His Highness’s room. Moreover, I heard you went to the Grand Duke of the Swalt Empire and made a proposal? You said that if they supported you with troops, you would give them the southwestern part of the Empire after you became Emperor. The Grand Duke himself informed us of this fact.”

“…The Grand Duke said that?”

Raon Hwizen, who had been listening silently, muttered in a low voice. Asel and Serium were openly making dumbfounded expressions. Danimel’s gaze, fixed on them, was relatively relaxed.

“His Highness may not have known, but the Grand Duke and Emperor Narjen built a friendship in their younger days. He sent a message of concern to His Majesty, saying that it would be good to keep an eye on His Highness’s movements. He rejected the proposal and sent him back, but he said that His Highness seemed to have gone to see the Emperor without giving up. Seeing that you’ve been together all along, it seems that things went well with him.”

“No! That never happened!”

Asel couldn’t stand it any longer and shouted loudly. His face, full of anger, was flushed red from being too excited.

“His Highness never made such a proposal to the Grand Duke! This is all a fabrication!”

“Then are you saying that you haven’t been in the Swalt Empire until now?”

“That’s…!”

“If not, answer me. Your Highness, you left the academy without reporting to the imperial family. Where have you been until now, and with whom?”

“…….”

Of course, Raon Hwizen couldn’t answer. It was true that he had been in the Swalt Empire all along. Meeting the emperor of another empire without any notice or permission from the emperor was certainly a suspicious act. In this atmosphere, saying that he was with Isana would only lead to admitting the facts. No one would readily believe that it wasn’t for treasonous purposes.

‘Besides, it doesn’t seem like it’s completely unrelated.’

I was conscious of Isana’s knights, who were quietly holding their breath nearby. Even if Alisa and Sibelius followed of their own will, it would have been impossible for them to be together unless Isana had instructed them. It was clear that there was some kind of cooperation between the two. Perhaps that’s why Raon Hwizen couldn’t find any excuses. The truth mixed with lies created a situation that was oppressive in itself.

“Even if Your Highness tries to make any excuses, it won’t mean much. We’ve already secured Sir Heath’s secret letter.”

Danimel’s words didn’t end there. Raon Hwizen’s eyebrows twitched greatly at the following content.

“…Heath’s secret letter?”

“That’s right. Sir Heath, who was once Your Highness’s escort knight, the very one you dealt with.”

I wondered who it was, but it seemed to be one of the escorts Raon Hwizen used to have with him. I thought it was strange that I couldn’t see him, but he was dead. Moreover, the Crown Prince dealt with him, so I don’t know what happened while I was away. When I glanced back, Alisa quickly shook her head. It was true that he was dead, but it seemed that Raon Hwizen wasn’t the one who did it. But that fact itself seemed to be related to him. Raon Hwizen’s gaze towards Danimel was lower than before.

“He helped those who ambushed me, failed, and committed suicide.”

“My understanding is different. It must have been that the loyal Sir Heath learned of His Highness’s treasonous circumstances and tried to stop it. So Your Highness killed him to destroy the evidence, didn’t you?”

“Huh?”

“Your Highness thought you had silenced him, but unfortunately, Sir Heath fulfilled his duty before he died. The secret letter he sent arrived safely to me. His Majesty has personally reviewed all the records.”

“Records…”

“The suspicious actions that His Highness has shown in the meantime. Of course, the excessive friendship he has built with the Swalt Emperor, as well as evidence that the academy’s faculty and students are involved in the rebellion, are all included.”

“…….”

“I am only grateful to Sir Heath. If it weren’t for him, the person who led the army to this place would have been His Highness the Crown Prince, not us. The president and everyone else are in cahoots, encouraging their son to strike his father. How can there be such an outrageous thing in the world?”

Danimel shook his head as if he was truly sorry. Only our group, including Asel, were left speechless with their mouths open. Raon Hwizen just laughed lightly. It seemed like he was making that expression not because the situation was funny, but because he was so dumbfounded that he didn’t even realize it.

“…It’s really amazing.”

“How could His Majesty not have felt heartbroken?”

Raon Hwizen’s eyes turned fierce at the nonchalant retort. Danimel smiled even more, not at all intimidated by the gaze.

“His Majesty was greatly enraged and ordered to wipe out the traitors. Everyone belonging to the academy will pay the price for that rebellion today. Of course, His Highness the Crown Prince is no exception.”

With those words, a heavy air descended. Raon Hwizen didn’t say anything. Whether Danimel took it as a sign of defeat, his expression became triumphant.

“Now, what are you doing, Captain Almasner of the Imperial Guard! The traitor is before our eyes. Immediately arrest him and advance to the academy to root out the source of evil!”

His appearance, stretching out one hand and shouting as if singing, was like watching a scene from a play. But even at those words, the captain of the Imperial Guard showed no movement. He seemed hesitant to make a decision, as the fact that he had to capture the Crown Prince bothered him. Danimel, frowning at his hesitation, was about to say something more, but Raon Hwizen’s voice followed before that.

“Sir Almasner, retreat.”

“……!”

“It seems there is some deep misunderstanding. I will visit His Majesty myself and explain all the charges. Withdraw the advance to the academy. If I am a traitor, then you only need to take me.”

The captain of the Imperial Guard’s eyes wavered at the calm proposal. It was a reaction that was tempting enough. Perhaps he also thought it was too much to strike the academy. Sensing his conflict, Danimel shouted urgently.

“Those are words not worth listening to, Captain Almasner! His Majesty has ordered the suppression of the academy!”

“No. The students are all innocent and have nothing to do with me. Besides, if I was really going to commit treason, would I be standing in front of you like this?”

“It’s sophistry! The captain of the Imperial Guard also heard that all the evidence has been revealed in detail!”

“If you advance to the academy as it is, you will only stain your hands with innocent blood. You also know that there are many nobles from foreign countries in the academy. His Majesty is currently blinded by anger and is about to do something irreversible. Only Sir Almasner can stop it. It is enough to retreat with only me as it is.”

Danimel and Raon Hwizen’s words continued alternately. The captain of the Imperial Guard, unable to make a decision between them, was silent for a moment. It didn’t take long for him to make a decision. Soon, the captain of the Imperial Guard, raising his head with a determined face, looked back at the waiting army.

“All troops, retreat.”