Chapter 21
Worried about the risk of being found and captured, Cielo took shelter in an old hut that had once been a home but now stood as a shadow of its former self. The walls were crumbling, and the roof sagged under years of neglect. Ignoring the dirt and cobwebs, he carefully approached the small window to watch the chaos unfolding outside.
Peering through the narrow gap, he caught sight of the knight—an impressive figure standing firm amid the turmoil of battle. The dark parts of the uniform blended seamlessly with the surroundings, while the silver details sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
Cielo wondered if it was wise for the knight to be out so openly. A feeling of unease stirred within him. The knight’s bravery was admirable, but it seemed reckless. He was putting their safety at risk, making himself an easy target for the enemies they were trying to avoid.
The sounds of combat grew louder, and Cielo clenched his fists in anxiety.
At last, the forest fell into a profound silence.
Has it finally come to an end? He hesitated for a moment, but the silence lingered.
Believing the danger had passed, Cielo stepped out of the hut. This choice turned out to be a serious mistake. He should have stayed inside.
Hidden and ready to attack, an assailant waited just behind the hut. When Cielo’s gaze met the attacker’s, both were momentarily taken aback.
“Oh shit!”
Surprised by Cielo’s sudden appearance, the man quickly raised his sword, intent on delivering a fatal strike.
Cielo’s instincts kicked in, urging him to swiftly dodge the sharp blade that barely missed where he had been standing. The loud clang of metal hitting the wooden structure echoed around him, a harsh reminder of the peril that lurked just outside his temporary refuge.
His heart was pounding, Cielo steadied himself, and adrenaline surged through his body.
However, he couldn’t muster the speed and agility needed to avoid the second strike. All he could see was the glint of the sword as the attacker swung it in his direction.
‘Am I going to die…’
Cielo watched as the blade slowly descended, its metallic surface glinting ominously. Each second stretched on endlessly, a harsh reminder of the choice he had made.
Had he truly grasped the danger of death when he agreed to the contract? The thrill of adventure, the promise of power, and the allure of the unknown had all seemed irresistible at the time. But now, with the cold steel hovering just above his skin, he felt the heavy burden of his decision. Why was he consumed by fear? Why was he trembling? The bravado he had once worn like armor was crumbling, exposing the raw terror beneath.
“I should never have left!”
He cried out, the words escaping him in a desperate gasp. It felt as though true safety would remain out of reach unless he confined himself…
‘And that damn useless knight!’
Why isn’t he coming to help!?
Cielo’s mind was flooded with frustration. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the moment the blade would cut through his neck, but nothing happened. The silence wrapped around him, thick and suffocating. Cielo’s heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in the stillness.
Nothing happened.
Instead, he felt a cold hand repositioning his crooked glasses. The other hand gripped his elbow, helping him to his feet.
“That was a close call.”
The voice echoed with a sense of familiarity, offering a soothing presence in the midst of the chaos that had just unfolded.
His eyes widened as he saw Newcastle standing in front of him.
Cielo took a sharp breath, his left hand gripping his neck while his right anxiously clutched Newcastle’s robe, the rough fabric anchoring him. The warmth emanating from Newcastle was a stark contrast to the cold that had seeped into his very core.
‘I came dangerously close to losing my life…’
This thought echoed in his mind, a poignant reminder of life’s fragility.
“Are you okay?”
Newcastle’s voice broke through his reverie, concern etched across his features.
Cielo nodded slowly, though the tremor in his hands betrayed him.
Newcastle surveyed the surroundings for any further threats. Finding none, he turned his focus to the knight, who stood frozen in disbelief, staring at them.
“The person entrusted to your care by His Highness nearly lost their life. What do you have to say for yourself?”
The knight tasked with protecting Cielo looked distinctly uneasy under Newcastle’s frigid gaze. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words.
“I meant to save him, but My Lord acted faster than I could! I promise it won’t happen again. Forgi—”
“This issue will be addressed later. You are dismissed.”
The firmness in his tone left no room for argument, making the knight flinch as if he had been hit.
Newcastle didn’t give the knight a chance to reply before shifting his focus downward.
Cielo, still shaken from narrowly escaping death for the second time, failed to notice the knight’s scornful look as he approached the other knights accompanying Newcastle.
“You seem a bit rattled.”
Newcastle commented.
Cielo slowly regained his composure, only to flinch at the sight of the librarian, whose body was covered in blood. In his panic, he had let go of Newcastle’s robe, which was now drenched in the crimson liquid. His earlier distress had kept him from noticing the blood until this moment.
He looked down at his own hands, now marked with dirt and blood.
“Were you scared?”
Newcastle asked the quiet Traveler as he tried to wipe the blood and grime from himself.
After a long pause, Cielo responded.
“I was ready to face my end…”
“Are you going to scold me for saving your life?”
Newcastle responded, his voice tinged with irritation as he adjusted Cielo’s robe and clothing while wiping the blood from his hands. Cielo remained silent, permitting him to proceed.
“Are you not going to respond?”
“That’s not the message I meant to convey.”
Cielo merely shook his head.
Even though he recognized that aligning himself with the prince could put his life at risk, he was still willing to take that chance. He reassured himself that as long as he was aware of the possible consequences, he would be alright. However, deep down, he was terrified.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
While lying in the hospital bed and facing the reality of death in his previous world, he felt an unexpected absence of fear. This calmness may have stemmed from his acceptance of what was to come, allowing him ample time to come to terms with his fate. However, the rapid turn of events left him feeling somewhat unready.
Understanding the weight of his own words, Newcastle gently patted his head in a reassuring gesture.
“W, what?”
He was surprised. He hadn’t expected Newcastle to provide comfort instead of criticism or judgment.
“Being prepared to confront death doesn’t mean you are free from fear.”
“Excuse me…?”
Newcastle loosened his hold on his head and crossed his arms.
“You felt let down because you thought that facing death just once would eliminate your fear of it, right?”
“… .”
“You are afraid of death, and that is what causes your anxiety.”
Indeed, he wasn’t ready to face his second death just yet. Was this what it felt like to fear something?
“…Are we really having this conversation in the midst of the battlefield’s chaos?”
He asked faintly, looking around nervously, alert for another ambush like the one they had faced before.
“It’s fine. There are no enemies nearby.”
The man said with a nonchalant shrug.
While he appreciated Newcastle’s attempt to reassure him, one particular remark piqued his curiosity.
“But Newcastle… how did you find out that I died in my world?”
He asked, his voice low and laced with uncertainty.
At what point had he ever disclosed that particular detail? The truth about his death, rather than just a normal shift to this new place, was something he chose to keep to himself. It was a part of his history he had hidden away, a secret he thought would stay buried. The details of his passing were not only painful, they reminded him of all he had lost and left behind.
The other person’s gaze was steady, almost penetrating, as if they could see through the layers of his carefully constructed facade.
Newcastle looked at him with a blank expression as he replied.
“How could I not know when you keep bringing up your death?”
“When did I ever…”
He didn’t keep a journal, and the only times he spoke of his death were during solitary moments in his room. Throughout the week he was unable to walk and confined to his chamber, he occasionally muttered snippets of his past out of sheer boredom.
“… .”
Realizing what Newcastle meant, Cielo’s face went pale, and a shiver ran through him.
‘I have been careless!’
Upon waking in this world, he was acutely aware that every move he made was being watched. Yet, having become accustomed to this life and feeling comfortable around others, he had completely overlooked this reality.
“Yes, I did…”
He replied. Cielo took a deep breath, trying to accept the situation.
“The walls are listening. Be careful from now on.”
Cielo slightly shook his head, clearly taken aback.
It was bold of Newcastle to offer him advice, especially since he was the one monitoring and overhearing all of Cielo’s discussions and actions within his own room.
Cielo inhaled deeply again, trying to calm his racing heart, while Newcastle stayed close until he was able to regain his composure.
“Are you feeling any better?”
“Yes. I think.”
Newcastle released his hold on Cielo’s elbow and took a step back. He pressed his lips together, looking down with his hands clenched tightly at his sides. After a moment, he let out a deep sigh of resignation. It was pointless to lament the lack of privacy he felt in someone else’s home.
‘I’ve always known he was tasked with watching my every move.’
His own naivety regarding those with hidden agendas had brought him to this moment. He shouldn’t be surprised that his personal comfort was far down on their list of priorities.
Putting aside his feelings of resentment, Cielo scanned his surroundings for the prince.
He spotted five knights in a clearing near the hut, holding several captives. Among them was his former bodyguard, who looked visibly infuriated, but Konstantinos was nowhere to be found.
“Where is the prince?”
Is that person still alive?
He struggled to understand how Newcastle could abandon his responsibility to the prince, the very individual he was supposed to protect, just to offer him comfort and support.
Newcastle looked at him incredulously.
“His Imperial Highness was trained with the swords since he was young. He might look scrawny but he is quite proficient.”
“I’m not worried.”
“Of course.”
Newcastle scoffed at his reply.
Cielo gazed at the man, surprised to learn that Konstantinos had impressive sword skills. Despite being a head taller than him, the prince’s build was leaner and somewhat less sturdy than Newcastle’s.
As he thought back, he realized he had never seen Newcastle handle a weapon either. All the knights and soldiers, including the prince, had swords at their hips, yet Newcastle seemed to be without arms.
“Are you skilled with a sword as well?”
“I don’t possess the skill for swordsmanship.”
That was the extent of his reply. In other words, he sucks.
“By the way, the knight assigned to me by His Imperial Highness… Uh…”
He considered asking the librarian if the man was a spy or had any ill intentions towards the prince, but he hesitated when he noticed Newcastle’s brow furrowing more deeply.
Cielo isn’t entirely certain why Newcastle appears so troubled, but he suspects it goes beyond just the knight’s incompetence.
Still, the knight will face consequences. That is enough for now.
“Never mind. Shouldn’t you be on your way?”
Newcastle has lingered by his side for quite some time. What if his presence is required elsewhere?
“Wait a moment.”
The librarian surveyed his surroundings and appeared to have invoked a spell with widespread effect, as a sudden chill swept through his heavy garments caused by the mana.
“It seems they have successfully captured everyone and dealt with those who put up a fight. Let us move forward to meet His Imperial Highness.”
Newcastle guides him toward the prince’s current location.
“Will everything be alright without the knight?”
He asks while keeping pace with Newcastle.
What if others start to wonder why Newcastle has taken on the knight’s role as his protector? What if they become suspicious of his true identity and begin their own investigations?
The sly individual smirked playfully.
“I have always embraced a playful sense of independence. I pursue my own desires, and the prince allows me to do so.”
The prince recognized that Newcastle’s worth was such that he wouldn’t be easily dismissed, no matter how troublesome he might be. This suggests that the prince’s knights and soldiers have already adapted to the circumstances.
They found the 14th prince near the building, flanked by two knights. His sword showed signs of blood, but it was hard to tell if his clothing was similarly marked, as he was dressed entirely in black.
‘He seems to be in good shape.’
Aside from the blood on his sword, Konstantinos showed no visible injuries or wounds.
His gaze shifted past the prince.
‘Goodness, they have completely destroyed it.’
The structure he had seen from afar was now in ruins. The extensive damage in the area clearly indicated that the battle had been fierce.
“It certainly didn’t seem that way while I was hidden.”
The rundown hut was located quite a distance away but it wasn’t far enough, leading him to wonder if some sort of noise and shock-absorbing barrier had been used to mask the ongoing assault from the main city.
Upon arriving at their destination, Newcastle bowed respectfully to the prince.
“Your Imperial Highness, I sincerely apologize for my sudden departure without prior notice.”
“Why did you leave so suddenly?”
As he asked, the prince’s gaze was already fixed on him, suggesting he likely had some awareness of the situation.
“Someone managed to escape, and I was worried it could pose a threat if he entered the city, which is why I rushed to pursue him.”
“Well done.”
The prince graciously accepted the white handkerchief presented by one of the knights and began to wipe his sword with it. By the time he cast it aside, it had already become tainted with crimson.
“The one behind Newcastle.”
Cielo flinched at the mention. His attention shifted from the handkerchief back to the prince’s face.
“This structure appears to be one of their main hideouts. Additionally, we have pinpointed several other locations of their operations within the Empire after reviewing the office records. Your support has been immensely beneficial.”
The prince commended.
“Oh… It was nothing!”
He quickly bowed, reverting to his anxious and impoverished demeanor.
“What do you desire as a reward?”
“I…”
He feigned contemplation.
‘I’m so good at acting.’
He praises himself internally.