Chapter 152: Before Departure (3)

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    “Hmm.”

    Ruel smiled contentedly as he gazed at the snowman he had just finished building, its curves perfectly formed.

    Extending his hand towards Cassion, he awaited the carrot to complete the snowman’s nose and enhance its perfection.

    “Cassion, continue speaking,” Ruel requested.

    He had recently learned that a bounty of 10 million gold coins had been placed on his head.

    It was shocking enough but Ruel couldn’t decide whether to laugh or scold Cassion for not informing him earlier, especially considering he had acquired this information by eliminating most of the assassin’s guilds in Leponia.

    “It seems that most of the remaining assassins in Leponia are preparing to leave. That’s why I went out yesterday,” Cassion explained, handing the carrot to Ruel.

    Pausing before placing the carrot on the snowman’s face, Ruel seemed to savor the moment, as if on a leisurely stroll.

    So that’s why Cassion’s face seemed refreshed today.

    “Let’s skip the details; what intel did you gather?” Ruel wasn’t particularly interested in the specifics of how Cassion had taken down the assassin guilds.

    Cassion smirked slightly before revealing, “The client was a noble from the Kran Kingdom.”

    “Could it be Red Ash then? Please tell me it’s not one of their high-ranking members?”

    “If Medeas Tehel, who follows Adea Kran, has recently joined the Red Ash and been promoted to an executive, then it’s not him as it seems that the person who commissioned the assassin’s guild was a member of the Red Ash from the very beginning.”

    While they spoke, Aris watched Leo joyfully crafting a snowball with his short front paws, creating a feeling of disconnect between Ruel and Cassion’s conversation and the current circumstances.

    It was as if a line had been drawn in the middle, placing the two pairs in entirely different worlds.

    “So who is this guy?” Ruel asked and inhaled Breath.

    “I mentioned before that they were rescuing adventurers in the Kran Kingdom from a monster outbreak,” Cassion replied.

    “Right.”

    “He’s the person in charge of that.”

    “Haha,” a chuckle escaped Ruel’s lips.

    “It seems like there are connections everywhere.”

    It would be prudent not to rush to conclusions about the involvement of a Red Ash member in the outbreak until the reasons behind the monster outbreak were thoroughly investigated.

    Ruel nonchalantly stuck the carrot into the snowman’s face and stepped back a few paces, admiring his creation.

    It was a perfect snowman that could be considered the masterpiece of a lifetime.

    “It seems there are more things Ruel-nim can’t do than I had imagined,” Cassion said, glancing at the somewhat shabby snowman that Ruel had built, choosing to withhold some comments. Even a child might have been able to craft a better one.

    “Has the departure date for Kran been finalized?” Ruel’s voice held a hint of displeasure.

    “Yes. We’re set to depart in ten days.”

    “Cassion.”

    “Yes?”

    “How quickly can you get me to Kran?”

    Cassion looked at Ruel with suspicion.

    Ruel rarely spoke without reason. This meant that there must be a significant reason for him to want to go to Kran.

    “Could you explain why you are asking such a question?”

    “You seem quite distrustful lately,” Ruel chuckled.

    Thanks to whom?

    Cassion forcibly held back his urge to speak out.

    “It’s not a big deal, I just don’t see the need for a carriage to the Kran Kingdom when you can move so swiftly.”

    “Ru, Ruel-nim.”

    The snow in Aris’ hand slipped away, and even Leo paused to gaze at Aris.

    “Are you suggesting you want to depart separately from the delegation?”

    “Exactly.”

    Ruel clapped his hands twice.

    “So, what’s your decision, Cassion?”

    Under Ruel’s penetrating gaze, Cassion massaged his temples. His head was throbbing.

    “Could you tell me the reason you want to go separately from the delegation?”

    “When the delegation arrives, there will naturally be a lot of attention around. I want to investigate the monsters before that.”

    Breaking the seals guarding the Empire’s gates would require time. Moreover, he wasn’t sure how to use his power to approach the ‘king.’

    A carriage journey to the Kran Kingdom would take a minimum of four days. Given various factors, those four days might stretch even longer. Time was of the essence.

    Wouldn’t it be best to figure out whether the monsters’ rampage was due to corruption or some other reason in the meantime?

    Ruel shook off the snow from his gloves and said, “Everyone already knows that I’m unwell. I stayed practically glued to the carriage during the Cyronian incident anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”

    “It’s a risky move. What if it’s discovered that you’re not in the carriage?” Aris asked, looking concerned.

    “Don’t worry about that.”

    The wealthy and capable crown prince would take care of everything.

    Ruel then fixed his gaze on Cassion. “Do I need to ask again?”

    “What will you do if a black-blooded man appears on this journey?”

    In response to Banios’ concern, Ruel pointed to Aris as if to reassure him.

    “There is Aris. Aris will depart with the delegation.”

    Aris’ face turned pale at Ruel’s unexpected statement. He momentarily tightened his lips at Ruel’s continued words.

    “Your Highness, please do not worry about Aris’ abilities. I guarantee it. Aris can certainly defeat the black-blooded man. Isn’t that right, Aris?” Ruel turned to Aris.

    Shocked but meeting Ruel’s expectations, Aris stuttered, “R-Ruel-nim, I am your guardian knight. It is my duty to protect you.”

    “Then you should accompany the delegation. Everyone knows you’re my guardian knight,” Ruel countered, leaving Aris speechless, unable to protest further.

    Aris could only gaze at Ruel with a rigid expression.

    —What about this body? This body wants to go with Ruel.

    The news of Aris separating from Ruel to join the delegation startled Leo, who quickly grabbed Ruel’s leg with a surprised look.

    Ruel leaned down and whispered softly to Leo, “Don’t worry, we’re going together.”

    —Thank goodness. This body is so surprised. This body thought it couldn’t go with you.

    At Ruel’s comforting touch, Leo finally loosened his grip on Ruel’s leg.

    —So, that’s why you called me? To take me instead of Aris?

    Ganien said, crumpling his face.

    At Ganien’s question, Cassion chuckled, causing Ganien’s brow to furrow even more.

    “That’s right. You have to come with me.”

    As Ruel smiled brightly, Banios, who was quietly listening, asked, “Isn’t Sir Croft a knight of His Majesty Huswen?”

    “I have already asked His Majesty Huswen for permission.”

    Ganien reacted to Ruel’s answer as if it were his first time hearing it.

    -When was this decided?

    “It was a hassle to communicate with His Majesty Huswen through you all the time, so I decided to get a new communications device,” Ruel proudly showed off his fourth ring.

    “His Majesty Huswen has granted me full authority to use you as needed, but you can confirm with him separately later.”

    Although Ruel spoke lightly, Ganien was one of the three commanders protecting King Huswen. King Huswen had willingly handed over Ganien because after this incident was over, Cyronian could exert influence over Leponia.

    Taking this into account, Ruel had made the request to King Huswen himself.

    After all, finding a trustworthy and skilled individual wasn’t a simple task.

    -For some reason, His Majesty keeps forcing me to take leave these days. Bless me... I apologize, Your Highness,” Ganien hastily bowed, frustration evident in his voice.

    He had momentarily forgotten that Banios was present.

    “I understand your sentiments. In fact, I somewhat sympathize with you at this moment,” Banios chuckled helplessly before shifting his focus to Ruel.

    “I finally grasp the meaning of being ‘caught like a sitting duck.''”

    “That’s a rather hurtful thing to say, Your Highness. As I just mentioned, I am acting in the interests of my country...”

    “Lord Ruel, you should tone down your flattery a bit. It’s terribly awkward,” Banios interrupted.

    “Your Highness, isn’t this the time to wield power? And everything I do is ultimately for you,” Ruel explained.

    A peculiar atmosphere lingered, leaving Banios unable to discern the underlying meaning in Ruel’s words.

    As a Leponian and a key supporter, Ruel’s actions would naturally enhance his own influence as he continued to excel.

    “What you say is always strange. It leaves me speechless.”

    Seeing Banios’ troubled expression, Ruel smiled. If one only looked at his smile, he seemed entirely innocent.

    However, there was a slight unsettling feeling as he couldn’t guess what was hidden beneath it all.

    “Your Highness, did you perhaps forget the Mana Oath we exchanged?”

    “How could I forget the strongest bond between us?” Banios laughed lightly.

    As long as the Mana Oath, which affirmed their commitment not to betray each other, remained as a foundation of trust, everything Ruel did would undoubtedly be for the benefit of Leponia.

    “Then, I look forward to your support. My fate lies in your hands.”

    “Understood... Just a moment.”

    Banios hesitated, feeling compelled to address the unmentioned plans for the Kran Kingdom.

    “You haven’t mentioned what you will be doing in the Kran Kingdom.”

    “I plan to become an adventurer and investigate the monsters,” Ruel announced with a wide smile.

    “As I have a gift bestowed by Your Highness personally, it’s only fitting to make use of it, wouldn’t you agree?”

    Previously, it was cumbersome to ask Flenn to create the adventurer Han’s activities and records separately from his own, but now that Banios had created a persona named Han, it was enough.

    Even if something went wrong, Banios, who had made the identification card, would take most of the responsibility, so there was no need to worry.

    “Thank you, Your Highness,” Ruel expressed his gratitude once more.

    Was there ever a moment when he could act without worry, like now, before stirring up trouble?

    As patriarch, how much effort had he put into avoiding being caught?

    Hearing that Banios would mostly take responsibility in his place, it seemed that one must possess a mindset as calm as the Pacific Ocean to be a prince.

    Author''s Thoughts

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