LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 87: Triumph Ceremony (4)
I sensed it.
Carlyn casually replied, making an effort not to appear anxious or flustered.
Sensed it?
Since childhood, when I was an orphan, Ive had moments when chills ran down my spine. Thanks to that warning, Ive survived several close calls.
The Duke stared at Carlyn with an expressionless gaze.
And even when I became a mercenary, and later, a knight going to war, that sense has saved my life many times.
Honestly, its a bit hard to believe.
It was a straightforward response.
Ive had similar experiences if were talking about the feeling during combat. I know it, and so do my subordinates and renowned knights under my command.
Survival instinct, detecting danger. There were many terms to describe it. However, this time was a bit different.
Because it was a magical bomb.
But isnt the situation a bit different?
I understand it might be hard to believe, but it precisely felt like that.
Carlyn couldnt read what the Duke was thinking from his face.
It felt similar to facing the Chief of Intelligence in Haisen. He didnt become the Chief of Intelligence for nothing. He was a tough person.
I have a question. Just based on that feeling? It must have been a threat to yourself, yet how did you try to protect the princess?
The triumphal ceremony. In a situation filled with knights, soldiers, and civilians, I thought the target of the assassination would be the princess rather than me.
Carlyn spoke calmly.
However, the sense that my life was in danger meant that it wasnt targeting an individual. I thought it was a bomb.
Did you make that judgment in that brief moment?
Yes.
Its hard to believe in instincts, but thats impressive.
The Duke let out a bitter laugh.
I know your achievements arent exaggerated, but this is beyond imagination. You arent just good at war strategy.
Thank you.
If you hadnt been by the princesss side, I might have brought you to my side.
The Duke clicked his tongue with a regretful expression. It was hard to distinguish whether it was acting or genuine.
If I hadnt been by the princesss side, wouldnt I have caught your eye, Duke?
It was a somewhat meaningless conversation. Carlyn waited for the Dukes next words while looking at his amused smile.
Anyway, saying youre impressive isnt just empty praise. Sensing danger and throwing yourself to protect your lord right away is no easy feat.
Since shes my lord, its only natural.
As the Chief of Intelligence for the Empire, I express my gratitude. Besides this incident, the number of patriots has increased thanks to you.
When Carlyn raised his head at the unexpected comment, the Duke subtly smiled.
A knight from another kingdom sacrifices themselves for the Empire, isnt that so? The recent conscription rate is the highest in decades over the past two months.
Is that so?
Yeah. Its not easy to handle patriots, right? Its a blessing for the Empire. Of course, Im a patriot too.
Carlyn looked at the Duke with an expressionless face. It was a sudden change of topic.
Chief of Intelligence for the Empire. It wouldnt be his primary concern, and there must be a reason. Was he subtly testing the waters? The following silence was quite heavy.
Ive conducted quite a bit of investigation on you.
I expected as much.
Is that so?
Yes. Given that Her Majesty, the former princess of Haisen, brought you from Haisen, its only natural.
Whether the answer was satisfactory or not, the Duke grinned slyly.
But nothing came out. Considering you were an orphan, it was suspiciously clean. The gap between your service times wasnt long enough for you to have any idle moments.
Is that so? Perhaps it was a time dedicated solely to training with the sword.
Its speculation.
Carlyn shrugged his shoulders.
Do you not know what period Im referring to with that gap in service?
I suppose not. How well do you remember events from the past?
I tend to remember, but during my mercenary days, life was so rough that I cant guarantee the accuracy of my memories.
Perhaps, I might know more about you than you do about yourself.
The conversation flowed calmly between the two, but Carlyn felt like he was standing on a razors edge.
The Duke clicked his tongue.
Well, lets leave it at this. I didnt come here to interrogate you from the start.
If he didnt come to interrogate, then what? Carlyn thought so, but he didnt bother to nitpick.
Anyway, you sensed the explosion entirely.
Yes.
Too bad, I was hoping to learn something.
Is it difficult to trace?
The Duke sighed uncomfortably.
This is not something to hide. We found and tracked the tunnel under the explosion site, but theyd already erased all traces. It wasnt an individual act.
Carlyn read sharpness in the Dukes eyes. He was observing his own reaction.
Isnt it possible that it was orchestrated by the Crown Princes side?
Well, it might seem plausible given the circumstances, but the probability is slim.
Even though the Duke pointed to the Crown Prince, he responded indifferently. It meant he had already verified it.
Gathering that level of bomb, even if its from the Crown Princes side, would be a challenging task.
Were the quantities that large?
Well, you wouldnt know. Even if it was something His Majesty planned, if he had gathered that amount of bomb, I would have known about it.
I see.
As expected, through this conversation, Carlyn was completely convinced that the mastermind was a devil worshipper.
The Duke stood up from his seat.
Even though you must be uncomfortable, thanks for chatting with me. Ill take my leave now.
No problem. Take care.
As the Duke headed towards the door, he suddenly turned around.
Oh, theres an interesting piece of news. Want to hear it?
I wont refuse.
Did you know well about your roots? Your parents, I mean.
I dont.
Carlyn replied with an indifferent tone. He said it like that because due to the recent mention of it with Duchess Lyurik.
The idea that all orphans of the same age could be descendants of nobility was just as likely. The Chief of Intelligences suspicion ultimately stemmed from Carlyns intelligence and skills.
In this world, the likelihood of capable individuals having noble blood was high.
Arent you interested? You might be able to find your lineage.
The number of orphans of my age from Haisen is probably more than a thousand. The chance of me being the child of an imperial noble is slim.
What if someone from the empire crossed over to Haisen?
Even if that were the case, Im not interested.
I see.
Yes.
The Duke looked at Carlyn with a subtle gaze and then withdrew. As the door closed, Carlyn sighed.
Like the Chief of Intelligence in Haisen, he was far from an easy person. It felt like dealing with a sharp-witted individual.
With news of his awakening, Carlyn encountered the Princess not long after the Duke left.
The Princess seemed to have run over, as her breathing was slightly uneven.
Is your body okay? The doctor said you should rest for a few more days.
Its a bit heavier than usual, but theres no problem. I can return to duty immediately, even tomorrow.
Carlyn responded with a light smile, conveying that everything was fine despite the worried look in the Princesss eyes. The Princess nodded.
I wont tolerate that. Until the doctor permits, take a break. Rudehrn is guarding me, so you dont need to worry.
Yes. I will do so.
Thank you. If it werent for you, I would have died.
This morning, the Princess heard about the explosion. She was in the blast zone.
If Carlyn hadnt protected her, she would have lost her life yesterday.
As your knight, it was my duty.
Still, you saved my life. That fact wont disappear.
You dont have to think that way.
I cannot help it.
The Princess asserted with determination in response to Carlyns humility.
I dont have much to offer; you declined the reward last time, and it seems youll do the same this time. Do you have any other things you want from me?
None.
Even if I become the Emperor someday, Ill repay you.
You dont have to think of it as a debt to me. Its what I choose to do.
Erendil sighed with a somewhat dissatisfied expression at Carlyns words.
Dont say it like that. Im just thanking you.
Yes.
In the face of Erendils reprimand, Carlyn simply bowed his head. As the sunlight streamed in, the Princess turned her gaze outside the window.
Theres something Im curious about.
Please tell me.
How exactly did you sense it? You were trying to protect me even before the explosion. Were you seeing into the future?
Carlyn had anticipated the Princesss question since meeting the Duke. She was directly involved in the incident.
I had a feeling.
A feeling?
Carlyn repeated the words he had said to the Empires Chief of Intelligence. Death Avoidance was essentially the same as sensing danger, so it seemed truthful.
Impressive. I knew you were smart, but to think like that in that moment
Erendil reluctantly acknowledged, unable to hide her surprise.
But during the explosion, I felt a sense of protection. It was as if there was an invisible shield.
Is that so?
Carlyn thought it was unfortunate. It was an action to save lives, but he didnt expect it to be noticed.
It didnt matter if it was to the Princess, but it was a part that shouldnt be revealed to others.
Maybe its because I was too shocked, but it felt like time was passing slowly. Despite seeing small fragments, nothing touched my body. Did you have something to do with it?
Yes.
Carlyn readily admitted. He had decided not to lie to the Princess.
The eyes of the Princess, as anticipated, widened.
Have you told anyone else about this?
I havent. I wanted to ask you first.
At least that was fortunate. Carlyn sighed in relief internally.
What exactly did you do?
I have a mystic called Winds.'
Mystic?
Yes. I used it to protect you.
W-werent you hurt? Why didnt you protect yourself?
Carlyn nonchalantly scratched his cheek.
It was a question of whether my abilities could protect both you and me. I didnt know the scale of the bombwhether it was shrapnel, shockwaves, or heat. So, I could only protect you.
You could have died.
If its for the continent, the Princesss safety is more important than my life.
The Princesss mouth gaped open. It was a mix of emotions.
Carlyn hoped that his words, the first time she saw someone sacrifice themselves for her, would leave a sincere impression.
The path you tread is for the Empire and soon the continent. (f)ree
Of course, Carlyn had judged based on Ironman and his own body, but he didnt explicitly mention it.
It was a statement hoping that the Princess, who got involved in the succession dispute because of the Emperor, would become a little more sincere.
Also, it would be strange for me, who was protecting you, to remain unscathed. I also didnt want the fact that I have Mystic Power to be revealed.
The subsequent words were not particularly crucial in the current situation. The Princess pondered over Carlyns previous words.
Is that so?
Yes.
A moment of silence ensued. The sunlight streaming in through the window also deepened as the day progressed.
Amid the Princesss golden hair glowing, her cheeks also appeared dusky in the sunlight.
Do you usually protect yourself with that Winds?
The Princess asked, suspecting that Carlyns mystic might have interfered.
Carlyn shook his head.
Not particularly.
There were times due to mysophobia, when he would use it in places with flying dust, but it wasnt a common practice.
For an investigator, the tactile sense of something touching the skin was crucial. It always had to be sharp
But why are you asking about that?
No.
The princess, who had hesitated, stood up from her seat.
Anyway, I wanted to express my gratitude. I wanted to check on your condition as well.
Thank you for your kindness. Ill recover quickly and return to duty.
Good. Rest now. Ill come by again tomorrow.
Tomorrow too? Carlyn wondered, but considering he saved her life, it seemed reasonable. It could also show consideration for those around her.
After the Princess left, Carlyn went back to sleep. The recovery process was exhausting.
When he woke up again, it was already night.
Carlyn looked out the window and expanded his senses with Winds. Because Haisen would be waiting.
Sure enough, Phiri was nearby. As Carlyn sent a signal, Phiri responded.
-When did you arrive?
Just now. Hows your body?
-Im fine. I apologize for making you wait.
No need to apologize. Im just glad youre okay. I was worried.
Her tone was so full of concern that a smile crept onto Carlyns lips.
-You seemed to think so.
You rascal. Making jokes even at a time like this?
-Its not like Im not in good condition.
How could you not be?
He found himself having the same conversation three times today. Carlyn explained with a concealed sigh.
Knowing her temperament, Phiri easily understood.
It was reckless. Your life is more precious.
-Objectively speaking, isnt the Princesss life more precious?
Thats what it means to me. What if both of you had died?
-I had confidence that both would survive.
Phiri let out a small sigh but didnt nag further.
Anyway, this war, isnt it a bit too much? It was impressive.
-Arent I naturally impressive?
Phiri unexpectedly brought up an unexpected topic in response to Carlyns joking tone.
Well talk about that later. I have something to say.
-What is it? Your tone is a bit intimidating.
The Leader seems suspicious.
Carlyn grinned. He had been contemplating how to bring this up, and it turned out this way.
Perhaps it was related to the recent terrorist attack. There might be a connection to the devil worshippers.
-Is that so?
Author's Thoughts
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