< Chapter 54 - The Secret of Akaiman >
Chapter 54 – The Secret of Akeima
The fork in the road between the seventh and eighth peaks.
Yuder, who was sitting next to Cordelia and looking toward the eighth peak, suddenly raised his voice.
“It’s coming soon.”
It wasn’t something I saw with my eyes. It was something I felt and confirmed with my sound.
Since opening the gate, not only his five senses but also his sense of energy had developed amazingly, so in such a remote place, he could sense approaching people from tens of meters away.
‘Of course, that’s because I knew in advance which direction it would come from and was waiting.’
Furthermore, in order to hear the sound more clearly, he scattered some tree branches along the path that Princess Darian and her party were taking. They would make a sound when stepped on.
‘Anyway.’
Princess Darian and her party are coming.
Cordelia, who was equally attentive to Uther’s words, spoke in a slightly anxious voice.
“Don’t I look weird?”
“Oh, it’s not weird. It’s completely natural.”
“Ugh.”
Cordelia felt strange when he asked her if she thought it was strange, but she said it really wasn’t strange.
That’s understandable, since he was cosplaying as an injured person.
“Do we really have to go this far?”
“We have to. And as I said before, it’s not just to appeal that it was a fierce battle.”
“I know, I have to fake my power, right?”
“Yes, not to Princess Darian and her party… I’m talking about the enemies waiting at the royal capital.”
The more the enemies misunderstood Uther’s and Cordelia’s power, the more advantageous it would be to fight in the capital.
“Whether we like it or not, our power will be known to some extent through Princess Darian and her party. It would be problematic if it became known that we were skilled enough to take down a giant chimera without getting hurt.”
“Hmm… Okay, I understand.”
Even when doing PVP, if the number of items or secret weapons is known, it is a huge disadvantage.
There was also a need to spread false information to mislead the enemy into misunderstanding our strength.
“I feel uneasy because I can’t see it.”
“It’s okay. I’m here with you.”
“That’s why I’m anxious.”
Cordelia’s eyes were now covered with bandages.
The setting was that he temporarily lost his eyesight because he used too much magic power, but it was uncomfortable and unsettling not to be able to see anything.
‘If we do this, we won’t be able to know Princess Darian’s reaction.’
But Uther seemed to think differently, as he held Cordelia’s hand tightly and said.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be holding your hand so you won’t fall or bump into anything.”
“No, that’s not it······.”
“It’s really coming. Shhh!”
“town!”
Cordelia immediately shut her mouth tightly and pretended to be in pain, while Uther also stared ahead with a listless face.
Just a few seconds like that.
“Yuder Orabeuni? Sister Cordelia!”
Princess Darian, who appeared from over there, let out a startled voice and then ran towards Dodo.
“Your Highness. You’re here… huh.”
Yuder, who was standing up from his seat, frowned and groaned, and Princess Darian asked with even more surprised eyes.
“Are you hurt a lot? Hey, unnie, why are your eyes like that?! Huh?!”
Uther had bloody bandages wrapped around his arms and legs, and Cordelia had her eyes covered so she couldn’t see properly.
Yuder felt a little guilty at the reaction of Princess Darian, whose eyes turned red as if she was about to cry at any moment, but he couldn’t say that it was all an act now.
‘Once I start, I’ll see it through to the end.’
Yuder, who had gathered his wits, continued speaking while displaying skillful acting.
“It’s not an injury you need to worry about that much. It’s already been treated.”
“Ha··· but······.”
“It’s okay, Princess. Don’t worry too much.”
Cordelia spoke to Uther in a gentle voice, but Princess Darian’s face became even more sad.
Because it was heartbreaking to see Cordelia groping through the air as if searching for herself.
“Oh, sis… your eyes….”
“Oh, it’s okay. It’s just a temporary phenomenon. I used too much magic… and I was slightly, really slightly, affected by the chimera’s poison.”
Cordelia ended her story with a smile, but Princess Darian felt even more depressed at the sight of Cordelia like that.
It was because the sight of Cordelia, who was so poisoned that she couldn’t see, saying that she was okay out of concern for Princess Darian, was so heartbreaking and beautiful.
“Sister······.”
“It’s okay, Princess. Are you okay, Princess?”
Princess Darian nodded vigorously in response to Cordelia’s question, then spoke out loud again.
“Yes, I wasn’t hurt at all.”
“Thank goodness. The knights······.”
As Cordelia trailed off, Princess Darian quickly turned around, and as if on cue, Lord Cornwell and his knights approached the three of them.
“There were only a few casualties, no serious injuries. It’s all thanks to the information you provided.”
“Haa… That’s a relief.”
It seems that it was worthwhile to convey various information about the dungeon as if it was information heard from the Fairy Queen.
As Cordelia pressed her chest and let out a sigh of relief, the knights also looked very moved.
‘He’s an angel.’
‘Saint, saint.’
It’s amazing how someone who suffered an injury that caused them to lose their eyesight, even if it was only temporary, can be so genuinely concerned about others.
She was a girl who not only had a beautiful face, but also had a heart as pure as silk.
Anyway, while everyone was focused on Cordelia.
Yuder, who felt lonely for some reason, continued speaking while acting as if he was injured very naturally.
“But… how did things go for you?”
Did you find the rainbow grass?
At Uther’s question, the expressions of the knights, including Lord Cornwell, hardened, and Princess Darian began to cry again.
As expected.
‘also.’
And then came Lord Cornwell’s voice.
“I found the seven-colored grass. However… only one had grown enough to be of any use… the rest were just young sprouts.”
“then······.”
“I could only dig up one root.”
Lord Cornwell, who had answered heavily, faced Uther with a complicated expression, and the knights turned their heads slightly and turned away from Uther.
I decided to divide the seven-colored grass, but I could only dig up one root.
Because I couldn’t just split one root into two.
“Juder Bayer.”
Lord Cornwell closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again to continue speaking, but at that moment Princess Darian grabbed his arm.
He said, shaking his head.
“No, Lord Cornwell. This is… something I must say.”
“Your Highness······.”
Princess Darian’s eyes were red as if she was about to burst into tears, but her expression was stern.
As a member of the royal family and as a representative of the party, I must speak.
Lord Cornwell felt both pity and delight at the young man’s upright actions.
“All right.”
As Lord Cornwell took a step back, Princess Darian swallowed hard and faced Uther.
“Brother.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“As Lord Cornwell said, I could only get one root of the rainbow grass. So··· So······.”
The words that should follow next.
It means that you can’t give the rainbow candle to Uther and Cordelia.
But I just couldn’t get the words out of my mouth.
Princess Darian finally started to cry for real, and Cordelia started to fluster at the sound of her sobs.
“Your Majesty?”
Princess Darian finally shed tears at the sight of Cordelia groping for air again. Among the knights, those with weak hearts like Hunt also had sad faces.
And then Uther got down on one knee.
He met Princess Darian’s gaze and smiled gently.
“It’s okay, Princess.”
“Your brother, Yuder?”
“If it’s only one root, then it can’t be helped. It’s not Princess Darian’s fault. So don’t feel so sorry. Take it. Cordelia and I are really fine.”
Princess Darian bit her lip as Uther spoke affectionately, and Lord Cornwell kept his mouth shut.
Although Lord Cornwell had been quite strict with Uther up until now, that didn’t mean he really hated him.
All I did was maintain the minimum level of vigilance that a bodyguard should have.
‘Juder Bayer······.’
But now it seemed like I couldn’t be so rigid any longer.
Would Lord Cornwell himself be able to say with such an innocent expression that it was okay?
Can you smile and say you’re okay when you take the rainbow?
“Ha, but my brother and sister··· were hurt a lot······.”
Princess Darian looked back at the bandages wrapped around Uther’s arms and legs, then raised her head and looked at Cordelia.
I ended up shedding tears again at the sight of her smiling sadly as if she was in trouble, her eyes covered with bandages.
“You two, you two, you two are the seven-colored grass······.”
“Your Majesty, it’s okay. It’s really okay.”
Cordelia quickly lowered her posture, hesitated for a moment, then carefully spread her arms, and Princess Darian hugged her tightly.
“Sister.”
“It’s okay. I’m not hurt too badly.”
After saying that, Cordelia hugged Princess Darian, and Uther opened his mouth again to speak.
“Your Majesty, are you planning to give the rainbow candle to Duke Spencer?”
“Oh… yes, brother.”
As Princess Darian answered while still in Cordelia’s arms, Uder continued to speak.
“Yes, so it is even more important for the princess to take the rainbow candle. Duke Spencer is a strong pillar that supports the royal road… and the Kingdom of Cailun. Furthermore….”
Yuder, whose words were slightly slurred, looked away as if he was thinking of someone, then looked back at Princess Darian and spoke.
“Because Duke Spencer is Princess Darian’s family. I also have people in my hometown that I really cherish and love. People that I cherish as if they were my own life. I guess Duke Spencer is that kind of person to Princess Darian?”
“yes.”
“So take it. Please protect Princess Darian’s family.”
Uther smiled affectionately, and Princess Darian’s face turned tearful again.
The knights, including Lord Cornwall, looked at Uther with very impressed faces.
‘He is a paragon of chivalry.’
‘Is he really the son of Count Bayer, the swordsman······.’
Be loyal to the royal family and think of the country.
Moreover, he is worried about Princess Darian’s feelings.
“Oh, are you really okay, Brother? There’s someone who needs to be treated with the Seven-Colored Herb······.”
“It’s me.”
“yes?”
“Me. My illness is not completely cured yet… I was thinking of getting help from the Seven-Colored Herb. But there is nothing I can do. I will postpone it until the next opportunity.”
“Now, wait a minute. You’re saying you’re not better yet?”
“Oh, so… it’s just that I still feel uncomfortable sometimes. I’m fine most of the time. You still look very healthy, don’t you?”
Yuder smiled brightly and pulled his arms to show off his muscles as if he was trying to show off his health, but Princess Darian, Lord Cornwall, and the knights didn’t see any muscles.
For the sake of royalty and the lady, he was seen as an example of a knight who put aside even his own illness.
‘Ah, how could this be?’
He volunteered for the most dangerous mission, which was to lure the Chimera, and also provided the most information about the dungeon.
But still, how could you give up on the seven-colored grass so coolly?
‘I have no choice but to admit it.’
‘I deserve to be paired with an angel.’
‘What a handsome man and beautiful woman.’
The knights looked at Uther with one mind and one heart, and Lord Cornwell nodded as if to make up his mind, and said:
“Juder Bayer. I will make sure to convey your loyalty to Duke Spencer.”
“Huh? No, you wouldn’t go that far······.”
When Uther said this with a surprised look on his face, Lord Cornwell shook his head firmly.
Princess Darian also clenched her fists and continued speaking.
“No, I really have to tell you. I’ll tell Daphne and Dion about you two. And… please take this.”
What Princess Darian took out from her bosom was a small seal made of jade.
“that······.”
“Yes, it is my seal. It is a token of my pledge to help the owner of the seal no matter what happens.”
In fact, Darian was an item that was only carried around according to royal tradition, and it was questionable whether it would actually be used.
But now I think I’m glad I have it.
Because I wanted to express my feelings in this way.
But instead of happily accepting the seal, Uther shook his head.
“No, it’s okay.”
“Brother?”
Instead of answering right away, Uther looked at Cordelia, who felt around in the air for Darian’s small hand, then pushed it away slightly and said.
“It’s okay, Princess. This is not what I wanted. I don’t want to burden you too much.”
“but······.”
“It’s really okay. And is there anything you’d like to have instead of the seal?”
“yes?”
Princess Darian’s eyes widened at the sudden turn, and Lord Cornwell also frowned momentarily.
Are you revealing your greed now?
Cordelia, of all people?
Of course, I did what was expected, but······.
But it wasn’t yet.
Cordelia wasn’t finished speaking yet.
“Your Majesty, do you know the story of Marie?”
“Huh? Uh… Are you talking about fairy tales?”
“Yes, Marie and Annie exchanged the coins they had as a token of their friendship.”
“ah!”
Princess Darian smiled brightly, and the faces of Lord Cornwell and his knights also brightened again.
“I think that would be fine. Hmm… would that be too rude of a request?”
“No, I would rather give it to you. Do you consider me your friend?”
“If you permit me.”
Princess Darian blushed without realizing it as Cordelia smiled softly.
Because Cordelia really looked like an angel.
And Lord Cornwell was amazed again and again.
‘Ahh… he is a paragon of nobility.’
How could both of them have such noble and beautiful hearts?
‘What a truly fantastic couple.’
‘It suits you so well.’
‘I have no choice but to admit this.’
‘Miss Cordelia is a true angel.’
A warmth spread across the knights’ faces, and Princess Darian wiped away her tears, smiled shyly, and hugged Cordelia.
“When you get to the hotel, I’ll give you the prettiest coin.”
“Me too, Your Majesty.”
A beautiful sight, like a scene from a story.
A satisfied smile appeared on Uder’s face.
&
“Hoo hoo hoo, hoo hoo hoo.”
The moment they entered the room on the second floor, Yuder laughed theatrically, and Cordelia, who was holding Yuder’s hand to be escorted, clicked her tongue.
“Oh, our conman. Do you like it that much?”
“Hey, it’s a scam. It was all real.”
Are you ready to act as the most dangerous bait?
I really got into it. It was pretty easy to catch though.
You needed the rainbow grass, but you gave in?
This is also true.
It was true that the Seven-Colored Grass was a mysterious herb that contained the power of life.
It was a fair concession, since I was giving up something that would be helpful whether I was eating it right away or carrying it around in case of an emergency.
“Everything went according to plan.”
There was no need to worry about how to make friends with Princess Daphne and Prince Dion.
Moreover, the Duke of Spencer, a powerful figure in the royal family, would not treat them lightly either.
“More than anything, the path to the First Sword has opened.”
Light Sword Rune Proud.
He is said to be the strongest among the Ten Swordsmen and is given the title of the Best Swordsman.
“Are you close with the Duke of Spencer?”
“Oh, he’s almost like an adopted son.”
The father of the first swordsman was the commander of the Knights of the Red Rose, a knight order belonging to the Spencer Duke family.
Jeilgeom was also a member of the Red Rose Knights during his youth.
“Okay, okay. With this momentum, we’ll save everyone in the royal capital!”
Frustrate the devil’s hand and the conspiracy of the Guardian King to save the royal family.
Cordelia couldn’t help but laugh as Uther clenched his fist and spoke.
“why?”
“No, I just found it funny.”
A conman who works hard to save everyone.
‘As expected, it’s our family’s Yuder.’
Cordelia smiled bashfully again, took off the blindfold on her face, and looked back at the coin she was holding tightly in one hand.
It was the prettiest silver coin that Princess Darian had chosen and chosen carefully.
“You’re so kind.”
“Who? Our princess?”
“I’m talking about Princess Darian.”
I was so sorry that I even shed tears.
Uther also nodded at Cordelia’s words.
Although Yuder had been familiar with Princess Darian’s personality through the original work, he couldn’t help but be surprised when Princess Darian shed tears.
‘Because you don’t look like royalty.’
A group of people who take others’ sacrifices and concessions for granted.
There were some people who were born with trash personalities, but the situation was a little different for the royal family.
‘Because they are literally royalty.’
Since I was born, I have been exposed to others’ sacrifices and concessions, so it was natural for me to become insensitive to them.
It’s as if people don’t normally feel the importance of air or water.
“It’s possible that she was born to the second queen. She actually grew up in a ducal household rather than a royal household when she was young.”
“But isn’t the Duke’s family essentially a royal family?”
“That’s right. She was just born with the nature of an angel. Just like our princess.”
“Again, again, again, it’s bullshit.”
As Cordelia growled, Uther chuckled and sat down on the bed, saying:
“Anyway, it turned out well. Princess Darian seems happy to be friends with our princess.”
“Now that you mention it, are you okay?”
“what?”
“I didn’t get a seal.”
In fact, it was Cordelia’s ad-lib that she exchanged a friend’s token instead of a seal.
Because I really didn’t want to put too much of a burden on Princess Darian.
“Why are you worried now?”
“That… a little?”
After all, it was something he did unilaterally without consulting anyone.
Of course, since doing things without consulting others was usually Yuder’s specialty, there was no need to feel particularly sorry, but the circumstances were different.
In a way, it was Cordelia who arbitrarily rejected a number that could have been used for great gain.
“It’s okay. I was the one who rejected you first.”
“What, was that a real rejection? You didn’t just reject me once for no reason?”
“Hey, what are you looking at me for? Do I look like someone who would steal the seal from Princess Darian?”
“huh.”
When Cordelia answered immediately as if there was no room for hesitation, Uther’s face crumpled and Cordelia laughed out loud.
“Well, that’s true. Even though my family’s Yuder is a conman, he’s not a villain.”
“No, you weren’t a scammer to begin with?”
“Yes, Dad. I will think so.”
Cordelia answered without a trace and giggled again before sitting down next to Uther and saying.
“Anyway, should I just wait now?”
“Oh, let’s rest a bit and then move when it gets dark.”
To Akeimon’s dungeon.
To obtain the secret of Akeima, hidden in an unseen place.
And that was the moment.
“Prince Yuder, Miss Cordelia. The princess is waiting for you downstairs.”
Yuder immediately raised his voice at the polite voice of the knight heard from outside the door.
“Yes! I’ll be out soon!”
It was probably a proposal to have a meal together.
“Ugh, I guess I’ll have to bandage my eyes again.”
“Don’t worry, princess. I will escort you perfectly. I will even feed you. All you have to do is say ‘ah’ like a baby bird.”
“Let’s just say my eyes are completely healed.”
“Haha, that’s nonsense. The princess will be waiting, so go quickly.”
“yes yes.”
Cordelia, her eyes covered with bandages again, naturally reached out her hand, and Uther smiled and took her hand.
It looks so natural, whether you’re extending it or holding it.
“Hmm, good.”
“Huh? What?”
“No, just.”
Uther shrugged and left the room, leading Cordelia, who tilted her head.
And a few hours later.
When the night was deep and everyone was asleep.
“Hold on tighter.”
“more?”
“Oh, more.”
Cordelia, dressed in black, hugged Uther’s neck, also dressed in black, a little tighter, and Uther took a deep breath.
The twenty-four steps of the advanced wind through the nine heavenly gates.
It has now reached the completion stage.
“Let’s go, to Akeimon’s dungeon.”
Yuder, speaking softly, kicked the ground.
It became a black whirlwind and cut through the dark night.
&
< Chapter 54 - The Secret of Akeima > End
