~Chapter 67~
In the end, Amel decided to go up the tower with both of them.
The only one who seemed happy about this was Erman. Christan kept his distance, checking his weapon, while Amel glanced at Erman with suspicion.
It was strange that he suddenly volunteered for such a dangerous task. Still, she was more curious than doubtful.
‘When I saw him in the palace, he looked so lifeless.’
He had looked like he had no will at all—so why was he here at the subjugation, and why insist on joining her?
‘I don’t get many chances to meet the Crown Prince… I should ask while I can.’
Once the decision was made, Leonard gathered the knights and mages who had been fighting the monsters outside the tower.
“Attention, everyone. For the safety of the Verdério Empire, His Highness Crown Prince Erman and Duke Bellerophon have made a great decision. They will accompany Lady Winterfall and enter the Rift’s core first.”
“Th-thank you, Your Highness!”
The troops gave quick thanks, but none of them truly welcomed the idea. If Christan went up, the lower floors would lose their strongest power. And if Erman went first and got hurt, the Emperor’s anger would be unbearable.
‘Still, better them than us following that witch.’
‘Thank goodness it’s not me.’
Before anyone could change their minds, the knights hurried Leonard.
“It’s best to move before the miasma spreads further. Please give the order!”
“Very well. No point in delaying.”
Leonard turned to Amel and her companions.
“Then, we’re counting on you.”
“Leave it to me!”
Amel answered brightly and set her broom in the air. The troops, who were supposed to enter the first floor, paused to watch with curious eyes.
“Please sit here.”
Amel sat at the very front of the broom and gestured for Christan. But he approached with a dissatisfied look.
“Do you have to sit in the very front to control the broom?”
“Huh? No, not at all.”
She shook her head at his sudden question. Then Christan suddenly leaned forward.
“Then I’ll sit in front.”
“What?”
Before she could stop him, a monster screeched and jumped from a window, crashing to the ground.
“….”
“With monsters flying around like that, I can’t relax if you’re in front. I wouldn’t even be able to focus on flying.”
“You’re not the one flying, Your Highness.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Christan was stubborn. Amel gave up and moved slightly back.
“Then, please sit here.”
“Thank you.”
He smiled faintly and sat down. Sitting right in front of her, Amel suddenly realized just how large his frame really was.
“Quite the broom. How about selling it to me?” Erman, floating nearby with magic, asked jokingly.
“You don’t need it, Your Highness. You can already float with high-level magic.”
“True.”
Erman nodded and rose swiftly toward the balcony. Monsters spotted him and lunged.
“Ah!”
Even if he was talented, he was still the Crown Prince—Amel couldn’t let him go first into a monster den. She quickly started up her broom.
“I’ll raise altitude, hold on tight.”
“Got it.”
Christan held the broomstick with one hand and unsheathed his sword with the other, ready to cut down anything that attacked midair.
Then Amel murmured softly,
“Um… excuse me for a moment.”
Christan flinched slightly when her hand touched his waist. His combat uniform protected him well, yet he felt oddly sensitive.
He often had contact with Amel, but lately, every little thing seemed to bother him more.
He glanced back. She was focused entirely on flying, her red eyes locked on the monsters ahead.
‘Somehow it feels like the roles are reversed.’
Still, he didn’t dislike her determination. The broom rose lightly into the air, carrying his heavy thoughts.
Amel stared at where her hands held Christan’s waist.
‘There are plenty of other places to hold on…’
The broom was big enough for three riders, with plenty of space to grip.
‘Ahem… but it’s more stable to hold his waist than somewhere lower, right? Yes, let’s just say it’s for balance.’
Having convinced herself, she guided the broom toward the balcony. Black-purple vines clung to the fortress wall—dangerous, no doubt.
‘If they’re blocking the entrance, that’ll be a problem.’
She spoke up.
“Your Highness, could you cut down those vines?”
“That won’t be difficult.”
Christan instantly swung his longsword, black aura glowing along its blade.
Boom!
Though the slash was formless, the crash was loud as the vines were cut and fell away.
“Brute force as always,” Erman muttered with a click of his tongue. He had been preparing a fire spell but canceled it and drifted closer.
The broom reached close to the balcony. They were now within jumping distance—both for them and for the monsters inside.
“Kaaak—!”
A skeleton monster hurled itself toward Christan. He slashed instantly, shattering it into bones.
But more came.
“Kaaak—!”
“Kaaak—!”
“Kaaaak—!”
Skeletons swarmed out from inside. Christan steadied his stance. This time, instead of using aura, he would cut them down directly.
But then—
“Stand back, I’m firing!”
He twisted aside at the warning. A scorching flame shot forward, reducing the skeletons to ash.
“Oh, fire magic!”
Amel’s eyes lit up as she looked at Erman. His flames were stronger than potion fire, and impressive to see. But she noticed something unusual in his expression—like he had resolved to do something.
“…?”
She opened her mouth to ask, but before she could—
The incident began.
