IMYL 21

Chapter: 21

I had a rough idea of what was going on.

It was probably because half of my body carried the bloodline of Liente.

These dark wizards had all fled to the Sebon Kingdom. And the royal family of Liente—except for my mother—had all been killed or gone missing at the hands of the Sebon people.

‘So that means I’m the only one with a clear claim to the Liente royal bloodline.’

I was someone from Sears, an imperial citizen, but if I had even a trace of Liente royal blood, they might want to eliminate me at all costs.

‘Then in the original story… Baron Harwin might not have simply sold out his niece. It could be that the Sebon guys specifically told him to bring me.’

It was something I could no longer verify, though.

‘I didn’t see this coming.’

I sighed involuntarily.

Even I, who had never even been to Liente, was being treated as royalty. And I was officially an imperial citizen following the surnames of the original five noble families.

If they harmed me for no reason, Sebon Kingdom would have to face the Empire.

‘So they tried to use unofficial crimes as a loophole.’

In the original story, this must have happened a month earlier. Because they couldn’t co-exist with us through smuggling, the supplies in Baron Harwin’s territory would have run out faster.

‘They came to sell their own subjects and ended up being offered a deal about me.’

Even if the timing changed, the fact remained that I was their target.

But the future had changed, and I had survived. Reality snapped me fully awake.

“Alright, three of you, stay with me.”

I gave orders to the other knights.

“The rest of you, go to that warehouse and bring as much wheat as you can. You too, hurry up.”

I also commanded the intruders from Baron Harwin’s territory, who were huffing and puffing.

“Gotta at least earn your keep, right?”

That was why I had fed them earlier.

Eventually, the knights and the intruders rushed to the warehouse.

I ordered Wendy.

“Seal these properly again. It would be a waste if they spill on the way.”

These were the sacks of wheat the dark wizards had brought, showing me in order to prove something earlier.

I solemnly declared to the knights:

“These are grains gathered illegally by the dark wizards through their crimes.”

I couldn’t just leave such things in the world.

“So we need to eat them all up and get rid of them.”

The knights all agreed.

“Yes!”
“We’ll devour them and annihilate them!”
“We won’t leave a single grain behind!”

Everyone exchanged determined, righteous gazes.

“Um…”

At that moment.

“Milady?”

The person approaching me was Baron Foreman.

He removed the burn-mask given by my knights and took off his hat.

No longer a hunched figure, he was a well-kept elderly man staring directly at me.

“Could you explain what’s going on here?”

I looked him straight in the eye.

Philip stepped forward in anger.

“No, how dare you speak to the lady like that with your eyes wide open!”

Baron Foreman hesitated in his voice.

“Your tone is very old-fashioned… Are you perhaps from the Liente Kingdom? I thought only maids came from there…”

“Can’t you apologize to the lady immediately?”

Philip only had his own words to say.

“Not even a bow of thanks for saving her…”

At that moment, a low voice came from behind me.

“Is it true?”

I widened my eyes and turned around.

This voice…

“Did Brisa really save your grandfather?”

Jet-black hair like a moonless night.
Calm golden eyes and a gentle smile.
A face as beautifully sculpted as if carved carefully from stone.

It was Leopold Nozen.

He had been leading the knights from the closest position here.

Monsters fell like scattering petals to a blade.

“Captain! Captain! Wait, Marquis!”

Elite troops scrambled behind the platinum-haired youth.

“J-just a little! Let’s rest a bit!”

At his subordinates’ pleading, Alphius sighed once and pulled on the reins.

Stopping the sprint briefly, he turned back with a refreshing expression.

“Ugh, really. Everyone’s so weak.”

Even covered in monster blood, his expression was innocent and naive.

“But shouldn’t we hurry to see the one who saved our lives? Doesn’t that thought give you energy?”

Alphius recalled the events from two months ago.

It took less than two days for Alphius and the elite squad to warp to the palace.

But once they arrived, meeting a chamberlain took ages.

None of Alphius’ group knew proper procedures, and no one stepped forward to help.

Even after finally meeting a chamberlain, things didn’t improve much.

“…You’re Marquis Sears, right? Hmm.”

The chamberlain eyed Alphius’ attire with contempt and said:

“You won’t be able to meet the Second Prince right now. He’s gone to suppress a monster wave in the East.”

He lazily explained, as if it was bothersome.

“There was also a monster wave in the East, but unlike the West, the East isn’t used to handling so many monsters. And apparently, a very unusual monster appeared there as well.”

“What does the East have to do with the Second Prince…”

“Sending the Second Prince, who already handled the civil war in the North, was natural for the royal family.”

Alphius and the elite squad were quite flustered.

If it weren’t the Second Prince, no one could validate their accomplishments. But judging by the chamberlain’s attitude, they probably wouldn’t even get inside the palace.

“If we go back empty-handed, won’t Langsi be mad at us?”

The captain asked cautiously.

“Captain, should we try looking for some mercenary work here?”

The chamberlain was horrified.

“Mercenary work by the marquis’ knights? Good heavens. Are you really from a marquis family?”

The captain rolled his eyes once and came up with a solution.

“We’ll hide our identity.”

“Ridiculous.”

Alphius shouted.

“It’s our first time in the capital. It’ll take half a day just to find work.”

After thinking briefly, Alphius looked at the elite squad.

“It’s better to help the Second Prince. A monster wave? I could handle that in half a day, right?”

Every member of the elite squad nodded.

“Of course. The captain can handle what a hundred men could.”
“We can earn money and help the Second Prince. A perfect plan.”

Alphius selected one knight and gave instructions.

“You go to the Sears Marquisate and tell them I’ll be a little late. Not too long, though.”

The chosen knight nodded resolutely.

“Understood. Will you warp to the East immediately?”

“Ah… Since we’re in the capital, I’ll buy a small gift for Bribri first.”

“Bribri…?”

“It’s my little sister’s nickname. Cute, isn’t it?”

“Did you come to an agreement with her?”

“I decided yesterday after thinking all night. Bribri doesn’t know yet.”

Alphius hadn’t properly talked with Brisa, but he still held hope for his little sister.

“She must be eagerly waiting for Alphius oppa, right?”

The knight tilted his head. Thinking of how Brisa had shunned him the night of the funeral…

“Bribri! From now on, call me Alphius oppa!”

“Guys, what are you doing? Prepare for the exorcism immediately. A soul that shouldn’t be in the Sears Marquisate has entered.”

Brisa would probably say it in that exact tone.

“Well, normally, the term ‘oppa’ is used only between children who are really close… it might be hard, you know?”

The knight disagreed, and Alphius said cheerfully:

“Well, it may feel awkward at first.”
“Yes, the first stage may be long…”
“But once you get close, she’ll call me ‘Alphius oppa,’ right?”
“Yes, in about half a century…”
“You’re too cautious. That’s the problem. Look forward to a brighter tomorrow and a beautiful future.”

Ever positive, Alphius patted the knight on the shoulder.

“Anyway, take care.”

Half a day later, Alphius and the elite squad warped to the East. But the warp shook unusually and took longer than normal.

“Something feels off.”
“Yeah, but let’s wait. The direction seems correct.”

After some struggle, they arrived in the East, which was chaotic due to the monster wave.

They had to search for the Second Prince on a nearby island in the Eastern territory.

When they finally found him, he had collapsed unconscious on the island.

“…Your Highness? Your Highness!”

Even the royal knights he had been dragging were all sprawled out.

It was unclear how long they had been in this state.

Fortunately, they were still alive, but if even one wave of monsters reached here, they would surely be devoured.

As they attempted to rescue him, a song came from somewhere.