“…Is this guy really someone sent by the Crown Prince?”
At my gaze, Neos nodded with difficulty.
This guy? Really this guy?
Whether he noticed my face filling with shock or not, the man continued smiling brightly.
Strange.
Even though he was smiling like that, enough to give a good impression, I didn’t feel at all that he was a good person.
Only then did I realize that the man’s eyes were blue.
They shimmered like ripples spreading across a lake, making it hard to read them.
“I heard His Highness the Crown Prince would send a coachman.”
At the question clearly implying are you really the coachman, the man answered brightly, as if he had been waiting.
“That’s right. That would be me.”
…Seriously?
But for someone who was supposedly just a coachman, he gave off a strange aura that made him hard to treat casually.
It felt like a beast hiding its claws while claiming to be harmless.
There was no way an ordinary servant would act like this.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ryubiran Riverbill Arbesque. May your path always be lined with fresh forest roads.”
In any case, I couldn’t afford to offend someone sent by the Crown Prince.
As I greeted him politely first, the smile on the man’s face faded slightly.
Straightening his posture, he bowed in proper etiquette.
“My apologies for the late introduction, Lord Ryubiran. By the command of His Highness the Crown Prince, I have been assigned to escort you to Arnoan Palace. As one of the Senon, please feel free to call me Senon.”
‘Senon.’
At that word, it felt as if cold water had been poured over me.
Without even being told, Neos and I exchanged glances.
The Senon were a direct secret organization known as the Crown Prince’s right hand.
Their origins and identities were shrouded in mystery, and they were an intelligence group that pledged loyalty solely to the Crown Prince.
And he assigned someone like that… to me? Just to go to the palace?
“His Highness said my abilities would be of help to you, Lord Ryubiran.”
“What kind of abilities do you have?”
“Disguise, information gathering, and the ability to bury people, of course! If you ever want to bury someone, just call me. Whether physically or mentally, I’ll send them neatly underground.”
“……”
I was left speechless at the cheerful smile on his face.
I shouldn’t have asked. Is the Crown Prince planning to bury me before I even reach Arnoan Palace?
“His Highness instructed me to verify properly, in case I brought the wrong person by mistake. If you don’t mind, could you provide ‘proof’?”
The Neturin possessed not only their glass-like eyes, but also special abilities.
After taking a deep breath, I lightly brought my hands together.
“Kasa, Gnome, Naiad, Sylph.”
One by one, the lower spirits of fire, earth, water, and wind appeared in the air before disappearing.
A spirit contractor could only summon spirits related to their own attribute. At most, two types.
Even then, if someone possessed both wind and fire but had a stronger affinity for fire, they could summon high-level fire spirits, but at best only mid-level wind spirits.
In other words, it was impossible to summon the maximum level of spirits from different attributes.
However, only the Neturin, chosen by the Goddess, could summon all four elemental spirits at their highest level, without any limitation of attributes. Only the Neturin.
“That’s certain.”
Senon nodded.
“Alright then, shall we go? His Highness the Crown Prince must be waiting. Is this all your luggage?”
Senon easily lifted my prepared luggage and began walking ahead, as if urging me to follow.
So this is goodbye to this place.
“Please stay well.”
Neos gave a short farewell first.
Only we would understand how much meaning was contained in those words.
“Don’t worry.”
I will survive, no matter what.
Gripping the necklace around my neck tightly, I made the vow once more.
I will survive.
No matter how. No matter what it takes.
The early morning air was chilly.
The fog was so thick I could barely see ahead. I wonder if it’s safe for the carriage to travel like this? Not that it’s my concern.
The carriage sent by the Crown Prince was grand enough to fit about six people.
Hm, at this size, I could probably lie down comfortably.
But as soon as I sat down, as if waiting for it, Senon sat across from me and shut the door.
Wait… then who’s driving the carriage?
“This carriage is enchanted with magic. Even without holding the reins, the horses will move on their own.”
I see. In that case, you could’ve just sent the carriage without yourself.
I had a lot I wanted to say, but I kept my mouth shut.
It seemed far better to travel quietly than to stir up trouble.
Also, it felt like it would be better for my mental health not to talk to this guy.
Fortunately, Senon also said nothing, simply observing me with that same smile. Doesn’t his face cramp from smiling like that?
One who stares. One who avoids that gaze.
The strange carriage carrying such a strange pair continued forward without pause.
After a while, it was Senon who spoke first.
“Lord Ryubiran, you’re quite quiet. Is there a reason?”
In my 17 years of life, this was the first time anyone had called me quiet.
“Well, it’s hard to talk freely with someone intimidating.”
I tried to imply that I didn’t want to talk to him, but Senon was unfazed.
“I understand. How could you deal with someone as perfect as me? It must be difficult.”
“……”
What is wrong with this guy?
Did the Crown Prince dump a bomb on me or something?
“Then what do you think of His Highness the Crown Prince, Lord Ryubiran?”
Here it comes.
I had expected a question like this, so I swallowed dryly.
“I think he is someone admirable and remarkable. He began leading state affairs at an even younger age than I am now. I felt he was someone I could never hope to match. Even though we are both Neturin, we are so different.”
I did it.
I smoothly delivered the prepared answer with a smile. I’ve really improved.
“Hmm.”
On the other hand, Senon looked dissatisfied. What? Was that wrong?
“Try praising him more.”
So he wants me to flatter his master?
Though it was embarrassing, I began listing praises.
Of course, those praises weren’t meant for the Crown Prince.
How could I sincerely praise someone I hadn’t even seen, met, or properly heard about?
Naturally, my words turned into praises for the person I loved and respected most in this world, my older brother, Ryujin.
For example, how kind he was, how well he took care of those below him, and how he led by example.
After quietly listening to my heartfelt praise for a while, Senon muttered,
“That sounds like you’re talking about someone else.”
Of course. You’re sharp, at least.
“And your eyes didn’t seem focused either.”
How picky.
“That’s probably because I haven’t met His Highness yet. I believe he will be even more impressive in person. I know my place, so I simply wish to fulfill my role.”
Forcing my lips upward, I managed a smile.
Senon, who had been staring at me, curved his eyes like a crescent moon.
“Hmm, even if it means dying?”
“…What?”
What did he just say?
Before I could ask again, the carriage suddenly began to shake violently.
It was moving so fast that my body lurched, forcing me to grab the window frame tightly.
W-what’s happening?
“His Highness the Crown Prince has a rather unpleasant personality. If there’s something that could become a threat, isn’t it safer to eliminate it in advance?”
Even amidst the chaos, Senon sat calmly as if nothing was happening, speaking in a voice that almost sounded cheerful.
“So this carriage’s destination isn’t Arnoan Palace, but a cliff. What do you think? Exciting, isn’t it?”
What?
I hurriedly opened the window and looked outside.
Damn it, I can’t see anything because of the fog!
The horses were running at full speed.
Even if we didn’t fall off a cliff, crashing into something at this speed would cause serious injury.
At this rate, I might die.
What if I ‘die again’? This time, I might not come back.
No. That absolutely cannot happen.
As fear surged, my reason momentarily shut down.
I grabbed Senon by the collar.
“What the hell are you doing? Stop this right now!”
“Wow, such spirit! Completely different from before. Go on, shout more.”
Senon now looked entertained again.
That only made my anger flare even more.
“Does what I’m saying mean nothing to you? At this rate, we’ll both die!”
“Was your quiet demeanor just an act? Your image is completely different. But I think this side suits you much better, Lord Ryubiran. You don’t seem like a stranger to grabbing collars either. What kind of life did you live in the Ying Empire?”
“Argh! Stop talking nonsense!”
Seeing him burst into laughter made it feel like my mind was collapsing.
This guy… is he insane?
“If you want to die, then die alone! Why drag me into it?”
“We won’t die. I came prepared for situations like this. His Highness only said to bring you back ‘alive,’ not ‘intact.’”
“What?”
“So I will escort you. As long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters, right?”
You bastard!
I wanted to punch him right then and there. Just once.
But I forced myself to hold back.
Forget it. I don’t want to die before even arriving.
Since the carriage was moving by magic, even if I managed to grab the reins, the horses wouldn’t stop.
Then what do I do?
At that moment, a single thought flashed through my mind like a shooting star.
But this is…
“This is insane.”
