ETHTKE chapter 45

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“Your Majesty, it’s time to move to the podium. His Majesty is waiting for you.”

At Philip’s words, Baek Yigang gave a half-hearted nod. His attitude clearly expressed reluctance.

If you look closely, Baek Yigang doesn’t get along well with his family.

He doesn’t like his siblings, and he dislikes his father… I feel nauseated every time I see my older sisters too.

…I wonder how devoid of humanity someone must be to feel closeness through such things.

“I’ll be there soon, so don’t wander around uselessly and stay here.”

“Ugh, it’s always the same thing. Have I ever wandered around?”

As he pouted and retorted, the air around us suddenly grew heavy.

Not just Baek Yigang, but Asel and even Philip, who usually hides his emotions, looked at me as if I were an absurdity.

What’s going on…? It makes me seem like a troublemaker or something…!

“…Asel, keep a close watch.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Oh, now he’s openly telling me to be watched!

Wasn’t it just recently that they made excuses about it being for my safety?

Are they done with all that pretense?!

They keep up appearances well, though!

Damn Baek Yigang!

Regardless of how upset I was, Baek Yigang, indifferent to my feelings, quietly left the party venue with Philip.

Left alone up here, I felt all eyes from below focused on me.

It was probably to be expected. Seeing Baek Yigang and me, who were always together outside, separated like this must be a rare sight for others.

“Shall we go down?”

Asel’s soft question made me unconsciously glance downward.

I could see, as soon as I went down, that I’d be bombarded with questions from a horde… no, people with eager eyes.

It was obvious it would be a hassle if I got caught. I absolutely mustn’t go down.

“I’ll stay here.”

But being alone up high, with everyone staring at me, was quite uncomfortable.

They might think they’re just glancing at me, but with so many people doing that, it was quite distressing.

“Asel, do I really need to stay in this front row? It’s becoming a bit burdensome.”

“If you move slightly to the back, it should be fine. You’re not obligated to show yourself to them.”

For once, Asel was right. Following his advice, stepping back made it so I couldn’t see the people below, and I felt a breath of relief.

“Is there any chance someone will come up here?”

“This upper area connects to the main hall, so unless they’re high-ranking officials, there’s no reason for anyone to come up. Especially on a day like today… So you needn’t worry.”

Asel’s straightforward answers were calming. Since his responses usually align with the truth, I found them reassuring.

“Has the Third Prince arrived?”

This time, Asel couldn’t answer immediately. He seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding.

“Probably.”

His words made a sense of unease slowly twist inside me.

It felt like a waste of time to just stand here, people-watching, when I should be rushing to meet the Third Prince right away.

But since I couldn’t clearly explain the reason for going to meet the Third Prince, I couldn’t drag Asel along…

Hmm, maybe I could persuade him gently with words like last time?

However, Asel would never willingly part from my side now.

After being tricked by me multiple times, he wouldn’t be so easy to deceive.

At this point, there was only one way to go.

What good is having abilities if you don’t use magic? I had no choice but to set up a clone and escape.

Of course, Asel would figure out I was a fake sooner or later, but for now, this was the best option.

After all, this was all for Baek Yigang!

But I couldn’t exactly say to Asel, “I’m going to steal the Third Prince’s divine power now, so follow me,” could I?!

Asel stood quietly in front of me. It seemed like he was prepared to handle anyone who might approach.

The reason he was standing in front of me rather than behind was that there were shadows behind me.

No matter how good I was, it was difficult to completely evade the shadows.

But there was just the right spell for this situation.

Teleportation!

However, since there were shadows hidden all over the palace, a perfect escape would be difficult.

Moreover, because of the limited space, I would be caught soon.

Still, I could avoid detection for a short time. That brief moment was crucial right now.

Baek Yigang wouldn’t expect me to be just sitting quietly, would he?

As soon as I quickly devised a plan, a smile naturally appeared on my lips.

Without delay, I set up a clone and instantly teleported to the back of the palace.

My prediction that all the crowds would be gathered at the main entrance turned out to be accurate.

Although there was some security at the back door, it was easy enough to slip past it.

Dodging just a few guards was no trouble.

“Asel will realize my clone is a fake in less than three minutes. The shadows must be searching for me by now…”

Moreover, the speed at which the shadows chasing my vanishing form would report my absence to Baek Yigang would be faster than anything else.

I had to find the Third Prince in this short time.

Using area magic might help locate the general area, but it would consume a lot of magic power and couldn’t pinpoint specifics.

“Well, there’s no choice for now… Hmm?”

Suddenly, a pleasant scent brushed against my nose, snapping me to attention. Was that the aroma of the national liquor I had just drunk, coming from somewhere?

The sweet soda scent continued to stimulate my sense of smell.

But I was at the back door, surrounded by dense foliage.

Moreover, moving just a little further would risk being spotted by the guards in front.

There was nothing around, so where was it coming from?

As I looked around, I suddenly lifted my gaze.

At a high point, above the palace, I could see a slightly protruding terrace. It looked like someone was there.

Since I had just used teleportation in a hurry, I should avoid using it again immediately, but something felt suspicious.

It was strange for someone to be drinking alone in a room while everyone else was enjoying the festival.

Were the villains plotting something?

I gathered my magic power and moved again, this time to the inner corridor above the palace.

“Ugh…”

His fingertips were visibly trembling. Even after restoring the forest last time, his strength hadn’t fully returned.

He thought he was back to normal… but perhaps it’s due to aging? He used to recover quickly just from sleeping. Tch.

He had anticipated some difficulty for a while, but actually experiencing the aftermath was a bit dizzying. Still, it wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t use magic.

“Anyway, let’s see if I can find it.”

As he walked down the corridor in search of the owner of the suspiciously soda-like scent, he noticed a room at the end of the corridor with its door wide open.

Approaching cautiously, he found it oddly devoid of guards.

What? No guards at all? Even so, this is the main palace—how could there be no guards?

“…Wait a minute.”

The absence of guards meant…!

As expected, before he could even turn around, a cold blade from behind brushed against his neck.

The tip of the blade, with clear hostility, gleamed sharply.

“Identify yourself.”

There was a shadow. That means the person in this room is…

“What’s going on?”

A soft voice came from inside the room.

Soon, footsteps were heard, and a stranger emerged.

He was a man with dazzling golden hair and eyes as dark as the night.

But his eyes weren’t entirely black; they had a rare, mysterious blue sheen.

…The Third Prince.

The main character of ‘The Catastrophe of Initia’, Ian Dirzio.

If Baek Yigang resembled the Empress and Piel resembled the Emperor, the Third Prince Ian was a perfect blend of both.

In other words, he was the quintessential protagonist.

While Baek Yigang looked unpleasant and Piel seemed like a mischievous child, Ian had an inscrutable appearance.

“Your Highness, please step back. We have an intruder. I will handle this immediately.”

At the shadow’s harsh words, Ian shook his head slowly.

“Enough, put away your sword.

Even though it’s been a while since you were away from the Imperial Palace, not recognizing a distinguished guest is excessive.”

“My apologies.”

Ian’s firm words clearly left the shadow bewildered.

But he didn’t hesitate for a moment and immediately sheathed his sword.

Though he didn’t understand, he followed orders without question. This was proof of the high level of trust the shadow had in Ian.

After a brief commotion, Ian’s deep blue eyes turned towards me.

Then a considerate voice reached me.

“Please come in, Wizard.”

Oh? But… did I ever say who I was? How does Ian know me?

“Do you know who I am?”

“Of course, I know the Wizard whom His Highness keeps close. You’re quite famous in the capital, after all.”

Ian’s mouth curved into a kind smile. It’s true that the person who smiles the most is often the most frightening. But…

Perhaps because he was used to the rigid Baek Yigang every day, his wariness melted away like snow.

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