Chapter 30. The Request

Bethel knelt and bowed his head.

“Please, I beg you!”

The person he was speaking to was Adellian.

“Well.”

Adellian made an indifferent expression and looked at Klaus standing beside her. Klaus closed his eyes and nodded, confirming that Adellian’s choice was the right one.

“If the young lady does not help, the village will be in danger.”

“If I treat the child the 5th Prince cherishes, will the village be saved from the crisis?”

“Yes! That is correct.”

“Why?”

At Adellian’s question, Bethel bit his lip. It was difficult to speak even with an Owlbear present, but with a creature even worse than that… But he had to do something. Because he had to save Michelle. Because he could not disappoint Maxim, who had trusted him and sent him here.

“His Highness is fighting the monster, risking his life.”

“Aren’t the guards the ones fighting?”

“No. His Highness himself has taken up a sword and is fighting. To protect the people.”

Bethel looked at Adellian with desperation.

Adellian tilted her head. Because the Maxim she knew was by no means that kind of person.

‘That man is doing that for others?’

A person who only knew himself.

A person uninterested in others.

A person full of anger.

These were Adellian’s thoughts about Maxim. It wasn’t a prejudice stemming from the word ‘prince.’ It was an evaluation made after observing him for a year. That was why Adellian strongly disliked being connected with Maxim. She didn't want to ask for favors either.

‘The carriage was unavoidable, but…’

But now, she was being told that Maxim was fighting a monster for others, and for commoners at that.

‘A lie.’

It looked like nothing more than a trick to borrow the expensive ability of healing magic for free. But in a corner of her heart, a sense of uneasiness squirmed. It was because she had met Maxim not long ago. The person who was said to be uninterested in others had followed her. And had even asked questions. It was not the behavior of the Maxim she knew. And what Maxim’s person was saying now was also like that. Come to think of it, he wasn't asking her to come for himself. He was asking her to come for someone he cherished.

“Tell me honestly. Why are you calling me?”

Adellian asked, wanting to completely erase the foreign feeling left in her chest.

“It is to save our comrade named Michelle. That girl was bitten while fighting a Red Wolf to save people. So please, come and help.”

“……”

Adellian watched Bethel intently as he answered. He did not seem to be lying.

“Could you step outside for a moment? I need to think.”

“My lady!”

Klaus was startled. It was because he had thought she would naturally refuse, but she didn’t.

“What do you think, Klaus?”

After Bethel and Elliot left the room, Adellian asked.

“You must refuse. You could have a hard time if you get involved in an unnecessary matter.”

“No, not that. Do you think that man is lying?”

“Pardon?”

“Lying. Think carefully. You’re good at reading people, Klaus.”

At Adellian’s request, Klaus scratched his head. He recalled Bethel, who had been explaining eagerly to Adellian. His flushed face, anxious eyes, parched lips…

‘It doesn’t seem like a lie, is he just nervous?’

The way he repeated the same words did not feel like he was fabricating something. It didn't feel like Bethel was a good speaker either.

“It does not seem like he is lying.”

“Is that so? But why was his voice trembling so much?”

“It seems it was out of desperation. There was a feeling that he absolutely had to get permission… I did feel that.”

“Then is the 5th Prince really fighting a monster? For other people?”

Receiving the next question, Klaus once again recalled Bethel.

‘He was covered in dust. He had quite a few new wounds today, too.’

He couldn’t be sure if he had come in the middle of a battle, but it seemed clear that he had come from a chaotic scene. But he couldn't say so right away. Because it could be a trick of his memory. And Klaus had his own questions as well.

“I will need to see him again.”

Adellian nodded at Klaus’s words.

“Both of you, come in.”

Klaus, letting Bethel and Elliot inside, carefully observed their condition. He didn't know about Elliot, but Bethel’s atmosphere, his face and the state of his clothes were undoubtedly the same as his first impression.

“What circle is he?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“It would be better to answer the question instead of asking back.”

“……1st Circle.”

“How many monsters are there?”

“There are about 10.”

“What circle is His Highness?”

When the question about Maxim came up, Bethel’s brow furrowed.

“I cannot speak carelessly about His Highness. You know that better than anyone, Count.”

“……Then why is His Highness fighting the monster and you are the one who came here? In a normal situation, shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

“His Highness is stronger than me. That is why he sent me here.”

At Bethel’s words, Klaus let out a sharp breath. Even if he was the 5th Prince who was practically abandoned within the royal family, he was still a member of the royal family. It was hard to believe that such a person had chosen to make a sacrifice not for a noble who could become his backer, but for a commoner.

Klaus approached Bethel and grabbed his face with one hand.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

The flustered Bethel looked at Klaus. Klaus also stared intently into his eyes.

“It’s the truth.”

As soon as Klaus uttered the words, Bethel violently shook off his hand.

“What is really wrong with you?”

Bethel, who had been speaking of desperation, for the first time got angry at Adellian and Klaus.

“I’m sorry. It was because he was so different from the person I knew.”

Adellian stood up from her seat and politely apologized. But Bethel glared at Adellian and Klaus with a bright red face. It wasn’t that he didn’t know what it meant for a young noble lady to apologize, but it wasn’t enough to quell his rising anger.

“I will do as His Highness wishes.”

At Adellian’s subsequent words, Bethel’s face relaxed. But it didn’t last long.

“But there’s a condition.”

“Even if you state a condition, I cannot decide anything.”

“That depends on what you do. You two, persuade him. The condition is that I get my carriage repaired first. I’m treating a person, so isn’t this a cheap price?”

Bethel took a breath and lowered his head. As Adellian said, it was a cheap condition. But whether Maxim would also think so was an unknown matter.

“I’ll do it. So let’s go quickly.”

Elliot, who had maintained her silence until now, burst out.

Bethel looked at Elliot with surprised eyes.

“It’s alright. His Highness will surely do so. I’ll make it so, somehow.”

Elliot had a resolute expression.

On the other hand, Klaus let out his frustration with a big sigh. Adellian looked up at such a Klaus.

“It seems urgent, so let’s prepare quickly.”

***

At a time when the blue sky was turning red, Adellian, Klaus, Bethel, and Elliot rode on horseback and ran to the outskirts of the village.

“I do not know if this is the right choice.”

While exiting the forest near their destination, Klaus expressed his concern to Adellian.

“I don’t like getting involved with the 5th Prince, but it’s not bad to leave him indebted to me.”

“Even so…”

Klaus, who was retorting, lost his words. It was because all his attention was stolen by what he saw.

“M-my lady. We must go back. We cannot go any further.”

Klaus blocked Adellian’s path and shouted.

“We can’t! We have to go!”

And Bethel stepped forward and refuted Klaus’s words.

“You! You tricked us! Is that just a monster? It’s an Owlbear!”

“When did I trick you? I said His Highness was fighting a monster!”

“This bastard!”

Klaus grabbed Bethel by the collar.

“How is this any different from asking us to go die?”

“I did not ask you to fight together. I asked you to treat Michelle. His Highness did not ask you to fight with him either. He asked you to treat Michelle!”

Bethel shouted, pushing his face towards Klaus.

Kwwaang!

With a roar, flames soared. The monster that had been high up in the air fell to the ground in an instant.

“His Highness is fighting, risking his life. So all you have to do is go and treat Michelle. When Michelle wakes up…”

“When she wakes up, what? You’re going to tell us to fight too, aren’t you? Aren’t you?”

“No. Michelle will fight.”

At Bethel’s answer, Klaus looked at him with a scornful gaze.

“My lady! There is nothing to think about. Let us go back!”

“Don’t be ridiculous! You promised! Go and treat her!”

“This bastard! Who do you think you’re talking to like that!”

Klaus pushed Bethel hard. But Bethel did not get pushed back and grabbed Klaus’s arm.

“Do you think there will be anything left if you run away from here? Do you think those monsters will retreat just like that? I don’t think so. Next is inside the village. The inside of the village where you are!”

Bethel screamed. He couldn’t stand it when he was told to go back when he was just a little further from getting Michelle fixed.

“There are quite a few fallen people.”

Adellian, who had been staring blankly ahead, said. She let out a long breath and looked at Klaus.

“Let’s go.”

“My lady!”

“We’ll just go, treat her, and come right out. Because that’s all we promised. Right?”

Adellian asked Bethel.

“That is correct.”

“Alright. We’re just going to treat one person and come out, so don’t resent us.”

Adellian went forward, exuding a cold atmosphere.

“My lady.”

Klaus quickly approached Adellian. Adellian looked at him and shook her head. It meant not to continue a story that was already over. Klaus, understanding this, swallowed. Although he didn't like it, it was because he could not go against Adellian’s thoughts.

Kwakwang!

When they stood at a point where the blacksmith’s was clearly visible, a hellish landscape filled their vision.

“Wh-what?”

A monster that resembled an Owlbear but looked somehow different was scratching a wall and attacking something. About 10 guards were running around frantically, twirling ropes. It seemed to be an act to tie up the monster.

“His Highness is…”

The surprised Elliot opened her mouth. She couldn’t finish her words and searched for Maxim with her eyes.

“Kyaa!”

And she screamed. It was because she saw Maxim fighting the monster alone.

“It was real?”

Adellian, who saw the same thing, was greatly shocked.

Klaus also let out a sharp breath. He had thought it wouldn't be so. Because he was a prince, he had thought he would be hiding somewhere. But now…

“Damn bastard!”

He was holding a sword as big as his own body, spewing rough words without hesitation, and fighting a giant monster. He was fighting really fiercely, more fiercely and desperately than anyone else.

“Hurry with the treatment!”

Bethel said to the dazed Adellian.

“My lady, let’s move for now.”

“Pardon? Ah, yes!”

Adellian entered the blacksmith’s where Michelle was. Bethel, seeing this, let out a sigh of relief.

“Stay next to Michelle.”

He told Elliot to go inside the blacksmith’s.

“His Highness is in such… danger…”

“His Highness knows too. So go to Michelle. Tell her to come out with her bow when she wakes up.”

Elliot nodded and moved as Bethel said.

Bethel, who saw Adellian and Elliot disappear like that, got off his horse. And he stared at Maxim, who was fighting alone.

“Hoo. I did everything you asked. So…”

Bethel, who had stopped talking, squeezed his eyes shut.

“Aish, crap.”

He drew the sword he had on his waist and walked steadfastly to where Maxim would be.

“Aish, crap!”

While grumbling that he really didn't want to go, but since he was going like this, he had to do well.