novelraw Chapter 250
Chapter 250
Chapter 250. Unexpected Return (1)
The story of the Empire's third prince, 'Kaldrach de Adratan,' was making headlines in the newspapers. As a result, an unsettling atmosphere began to permeate the capital.
Those who felt it most acutely were the imperial family employees.
"Why would His Highness Kaldrach come to the capital...?"
"Could it be that the bloody wind of succession for the throne is finally coming!?"
"That can't be. Emperor Adratan is still in good health."
"But there is a saying that the impossible grabs hold of people!"
The prince with strong connections to the military and a decisive demeanor reminiscent of Emperor Adratan's prime.
Therefore, most nobles believed that Kaldrach's return was a premonition of bloody chaos within the imperial court.
"... That fellow, could he have foreseen this and was reading the newspaper?"
Inside the imperial prison.
A member of the 'Rose Knights', who served as a guard, muttered to himself while looking at the incarcerated Yulian.
"Could he have really?"
"If not, it would be strange."
The whispering member of the Rose Knights turned his gaze toward Yulian.
"I thought an unofficial execution was to be carried out, but it was put on hold because of the commotion."
"Hmm."
"You know, don't you? Even when they talked about his execution, he didn't even blink."
They watched closely as Yulian sat in his place, reading the newspaper.
Yulian, who seemed disinterested in the turmoil outside, displayed the calmest demeanor despite his selfish thoughts, leaving the Rose Knights speechless.
"Now that you mention it..."
"Don't you think he might have known?"
"Hmm."
Nodding, the knights exchanged stories about Yulian.
Meanwhile, Yulian flipped through the newspaper, deep in thought.
'... Kaldrach, returning to the capital from North Pole.'
Phew.
I cautiously let out a sigh of relief.
'Thank goodness... If it had been just a bit later, I could have been in deep trouble!'
***
After returning to the capital with half of his personal guard, 'Wedge Knights', the third prince, Kaldrach's first action was to visit his father and the empire's supreme ruler, emperor Adratan.
Crossing the third gate, Kaldrach headed straight to the audience room where the emperor conducted his duties.
Many eyes were fixed on him. Among them were those filled with concern about any potential incidents, but Kaldrach disregarded them.
"Your Highness Kaldrach."
Yet, to block Kaldrach, who came with his 'Wedge Knights', the imperial guard, standing in his way was the Imperial Knights, "'Uruhar.'"
"Meeting Emperor Adratan without any prior notice is a punishable offense, even for the imperial family."
"Does family need an appointment to see family?"
"You know, Your Highness Kaldrach possesses noble blood; I believe you understand without me having to say so."
Smirk.
Kaldrach chuckled.
"You've grown, Uruhar. To think you could say such things to me."
Clang.
As one of the 'Wedge Knights' leaders placed a hand on his sword's hilt, all members of the imperial guard prepared to draw their swords.
A tense atmosphere enveloped the place. In that, Kaldrach opened his mouth.
"Have the Wedge Knights wait here. It's sufficient for just Abisha and me to meet His Majesty."
At his words, the witch with him, wearing a robe, looked at Kaldrach with a grudging stare.
This wasn't part of the plan. That was the intention behind her gaze.
"What's all this commotion?"
At that moment, a voice echoed from within the palace. Abisha frowned at the sound and pulled her robe closer to her face.
"No matter if it's Your Highness Kaldrach, causing such a ruckus beyond the third gate is troublesome."
It was the voice of the diviner, Abigail. She wore a sly smile as she looked at Kaldrach.
"I felt I had to stir up some trouble to meet my father."
"Aren't you family? If Your Highness Kaldrach wishes, you can have an audience anytime."
"Even you would stop me by any means."
"Oh dear, I am merely a diviner, Your Highness Kaldrach."
Implying that a mere diviner couldn't possess such power. Though Abigail said so, I found it amusing.
"Abisha?"
"... Ugh."
"It's been a while, how've you been?"
"... Are we in a situation where we should be exchanging pleasantries?"
When Abisha uttered blunt words, Abigail's gaze turned venomous.
Her shoulder shrank once, but Kaldrach intervened between Abigail's gaze and Abisha.
"Step aside, Abigail. I have no time to waste."
Abigail shrugged at my sharp eyes and tone.
After she moved aside, I passed by her as if it were the most natural thing.
Accompanied by Abisha, Kaldrach headed deeper into the palace.
When he entered the audience room, what greeted Kaldrach was a face with dark shadows under his eyes, bearing no remnants of past glory.
"... Kaldrach?"
And that was my father and once a conqueror who waged wars — 'Emperor Adratan'.
"It's been a while, father. Have you been well?"
"Yes, yes... Keheuk, cough!"
His coughing was severe enough to not be surprising if he coughed up blood. Nonetheless, Kaldrach did not frown.
For a man who has repeated life many times over.
As someone living as a 'Repeater', he had seen this scene countless times.
No matter how many times it's repeated, emperor Adratan dies. The process may differ, but the result was always the same.
"... Why such a sudden return to the capital?"
Emperor Adratan asked, with the light of life flickering like a candle in the wind. I bowed in respect and replied.
Meanwhile, Abisha, who had accompanied me, took a step back.
"I am here to report on strange occurrences in the north."
"Strange... occurrences?"
"Yes."
As I nodded in response to Emperor Adratan's question, he shifted his body as though urging me for an explanation.
"It seems the demons' behavioral patterns in the north have changed."
"They have... changed?"
"Yes, as His Majesty Adratan knows, demons usually refrain from attacking barbarian territories?"
"Hmm..."
Nodding with his frail voice, emperor Adratan acknowledged.
"Against a common enemy, demons used to avoid hostility with the barbarians for potential cooperation."
"... And now?"
"Currently, demons seem to be indiscriminately attacking the barbarians."
The barbarians who worship the Demon God. Hence, it was rare for demons to attack them.
Emperor Adratan, aware of this fact, widened his eyes and looked at Kaldrach.
Though aged, even his father, no, the emperor, could sense that something unusual was happening.
"And what of it?"
Yet, his response was absurdly empty.
With hollow eyes staring at him, Kaldrach sighed inwardly.
***
Leaving the audience room, Kaldrach rejoined with the Wedge Knights.
'With the demons acting strangely now, who knows what's brewing in the north.'
This was something absent in all the 'repetitions' so far. Yet, even with little foresight, there's one thing Kaldrach knew.
'If the demons start preying on the barbarians...'
Demons equipped with 'red horns' will proliferate like before.
If they are left unchecked, it's obvious that calamity, known as the 'Demon God', will revisit the continent.
"What's next?"
Abisha, who had clung to Kaldrach like a shadow since arriving at the capital, asked, and he shook his head.
"It seems His Majesty is worse off than I thought. Pleas towards His Majesty would be meaningless for now."
"... That means there's only one person you should meet."
To Abisha's words, I nodded and then moved.
With the Wedge Knights in tow, I reached the prison located within the palace.
Creak, bANG──!
As Kaldrach opened the door, the Rose Knights acting as guards jumped, hands reaching for swords at their waists.
"Your Highness, Kaldrach...!?"
Upon recognizing him, the one who opened the door, they could only stand in place with startled eyes and observe.
"Where is Yulian?"
Faced with his question, the Rose Knights hesitated to answer.
One knight, holding a higher position among them, stepped forward.
"Your Highness Kaldrach... Uh!"
BAM──!
The knight was about to say something, but Kaldrach gave no time. Kaldrach grabbed the guard's arm and brought him to the ground.
"Kugh, kugh...!"
"Don't make me ask twice. Do you want to die?"
"He's inside... inside!"
Realizing his icy words were no joke, the knight let it slip, so Kaldrach moved with ease towards the cell's interior.
There, a familiar face was engrossed in the newspaper.
"Though this might be an inappropriate way to put it, you're quite a talent for prison, aren't you?"
As Kaldrach commented, Yulian folded the newspaper and slowly lifted his head.
"I had such an experience in North Pole as well. The memories are refreshing, Your Highness Kaldrach."
"I won't apologize. We both should have been accused of guilt, no?"
I chuckled and then turned to the guards acting as jailers.
"Open it."
"B-but, Your Highness Kaldrach!"
"He was imprisoned by the imperial guard..."
"I won't say it again."
With icy eyes, Kaldrach glared at them.
"Open it."