‘We’re screwed.’

“Coachman!”

“Yes, yes sir. I’m moving to open the door.”

‘We’re really screwed.’ Joanne muttered as she slowly got up from the coachman’s seat.

It had been decent until now. The carriage she had personally painted looked clearly like a luggage carriage. Although they had wasted three hours lost in the streets of the Imperial Capital, and, had they not had the prince’s book – < Perfect guide: Conquer the Imperial Capital in one week (map included) > – they may have ended up in a completely different neighborhood, but they had managed to get through it all. Acting, which she had never tried in her life, was getting easier to do as well. Her normal routine was so irregular that spending an all-nighter was no issue. There were nights she stayed up until five in the morning to paint, while other times, she would wake up at that same time looking for turpentine.

– Tap!

“Fuck.”

She stepped down onto the ground and covered her face with her hat. Now that she was a decently famous person, she had to be careful so that nobody recognized her. Thankfully, it was a cold day so many coachmen were dressed like her.

One of the Imperial Guards asked, almost as stiff as her paint when it hardens. “What is inside the carriage?”

“Nothing, sir. I am returning after dropping everything off. I need to go get another load of items.”

“We will check.”

“……Yes sir.”

But to meet the Imperial Guard at a place like this! Joanne did not want to meet with authority figures. She had grown up with a shady life, and her number one client, the pretty prince, was also far from power. She had turned down the free city, which her Majesty offered to return to her and her family, for the same reason. The restoration of her family’s honor, the decent sized house, and the salary that came out every month was enough. They even said they would allow her to go visit her bastard of a brother in prison if she wanted to do so, so everything was good. She didn’t want to be someone in the upper echelon that gave orders to people.

Joanne slowly moved her hands. She didn’t want to cooperate with the Imperial Guard, and most importantly, they were done for if the prince and his group were discovered.

‘I hope he’s covered himself well with the hay in there! Wait, would that be enough? Maybe they need to cut a hole into the floor of the carriage and hide on the ground?’

“Hurry up! Do you think that your carriage is the only one we have to check?!”

“Oh dear, I think this must have frozen over night as it is not turning very well. I truly apologize for the delay.” Joanne made up an excuse and apologized as she pretended to unlock the carriage. Clank, clank, she felt nervous and scared, making her full of cold sweat. She didn’t hear anything from the inside, which made her extremely anxious. They had not planned for a situation like this, which was why she had no way to deal with it. She felt like light flashed from the inside but she couldn’t tell whether she just saw something wrong because of the sunlight.

‘Now what do I do? Should I open this right away?”

“My goodness! It is still not open?!”

“I think it is all done now, sir. The lock is old so it always gives me trouble……”

At that moment…

– Clank, bang!

An extremely large hand pulled down on the lock hard! The piece of metal crumbled like a piece of paper and ended up in his fist. Joanne gasped and looked to the side before her jaw dropped. Even someone like her, who didn’t give any attention to the people in power, this was a face she had no choice but to know as a frequent guest of Juliette Palace. There was only one Pair de Riester, Captain of the Imperial Guard who was so tall and handsome! ‘Damn it!’

“…It’s open now. Check inside.”

“Aye aye! Captain!”

Hervé Duhem ordered in his deep voice.

‘Ahh!’ Joanne quickly turned her head and looked forward before the man’s light pink eyes moved. She would definitely be caught if they looked at each other. They frequently saw each other before and after the Simon de Sarnez trial, and she was pretty close to the Duhem siblings. Her heart thumped wildly and it felt hard to breathe. She then noticed her hand. Her fingertips were colorful from painting until late at night. She quickly hid them under her sleeves and pretended like she was cold. ‘Did he see them?’

– Creeeeeak!

The luggage cart doors opened wide. Around three or four guards jumped inside. Joanne clenched her lemon-colored eyes shut!

– Rustle, rustle……

“There’s nothing here, Captain!”

‘What?’ Her eyes jerked open.

“All of the crates are empty as well. Check completed!”

‘There’s no way. That’s not possible? What happened?!’

“The coachman’s seat is clear too!”

“The floor and ceiling are normal as well. It looks like we can move onto the next carriage!”

Joanne’s eyes looked ready to cry. Only the Imperial Guard, who had finished their task, were calm. They dispersed in perfect order, saluted the Captain of the Imperial Guard, and quickly moved to the next vehicle. The carriage behind hers already had its doors open, waiting for inspection. Her surroundings were noisy because of the coachmen and knights on soldiers. The artist simply opened and closed her mouth without being able to say anything underneath her scarf.

‘This is a relief, but no… His highness, Christelle, his Royal Highness, and even the white lily-like instructor had all disappeared. So should I be feeling relieved? I don’t even see a single hair or feather of the cuties!’

“Start driving immediately.”

Flinch.

“We cannot have you hindering traffic.”

“Yes, yes sir…… Thank you for your hard work, sire.” Joanne let out a rough voice on purpose and bowed.

Clang! The Captain of the Imperial Guard threw down the lock and walked away. The newbie Baroness quickly picked up the lock once his long cape disappeared far past the carriage. She then gasped.

“My goodness.”

She had touched it so much that the lock, which had been new when she started driving earlier, was colorful from oil paint. The back of her neck got cold and she quickly turned around. She couldn’t see the Captain of the Imperial Guard.

‘Does he know it is us and is still letting us go…… No way, right? That can’t be, could it?’

“Hurry up and leave if your inspection has finished! We can’t cause a backup by the portal!”

“Yes sir!”

Joanne responded energetically to one of the knights. She felt clueless because she had no idea if the group had shot up into the sky or fallen into an ocean or whatever, but she had to at least go to the public parking area for now. Who knows? The prince’s group, which was said to flash in the east and flash in the west, might already be there waiting for her.

The artist Baroness quickly closed the carriage and returned to the coachman’s seat. Her messy hair was visible through the hat.

“……”

Herve extended his neck to watch her before sighing quietly and turning away. The handsome man felt pained.

*

“Uhh……”

I could not speak for a moment.

‘Hurry up! Do you think that your carriage is the only one we have to check?!’

‘Oh dear, I think this must have frozen overnight as it is not turning very well.’

– Paaaaat!

Right before the carriage opened, everything flashed light purple. I couldn’t resist the brightness and closed my eyes for a moment. Once I opened my eyes again, I was at this place. Christelle had her whip out while Sir Johann was looking around. The divine beasts, who had woken up from their slumber, were sniffing around and tilting their heads. It was a white open area that you couldn’t tell apart the ceiling and the walls.

I was very aware of this place. I was probably the person who was most familiar with this place out of the group. But I was just as surprised at this sudden development. ‘Basically, the little guy wanted to hide us……’

“Percy?”

– Piiiiiii!

‘Shaaaaaaaaaaaa……’ There was a mysterious noise and a small, light purple substance gathered around my ankles.

I smiled brightly and picked up the ball of light with both hands. The MC’s eyes opened wide while Sir Johann smiled while looking at me. He seemed to have expected this.

“This must be the inside of the divine item, the Ark of the Wind Deity.”

“Yes it is. How did you know?”

“It is full of the same power in my soul, your highness. It is completely dominated to the point that even I am hesitant to try to use the air here.”

“Wow. But I don’t feel any discomfort at all.”

“It is because the air attribute does not clash against any other attributes, my dear student.”

“Ohhhh.” Christelle listened to her teacher’s explanation before looking at the ball of light in my hands with a sparkle in her eyes. It wasn’t completely in Percy’s shape yet, but this ball of light was definitely the silhouette of the chimney bird.

The divine beasts recognized the little guy and gathered around my legs. Once I lowered my hands to show them the true appearance of their friend…

– Shaaaaa!

Percy let out a bright light and instantly started to grow in size. I quickly let him go in the air. The bird’s outline was now gone and the Ark was now in the shape of a human.

Christelle watched the divine item’s transformation with her jaws dropped. This looked so magical no matter how many times I saw it.

– ……It’s been a while since we met like this, prince. I am happy to be able to help you and your friends.

A voice that was unbelievably magnificent echoed out. The light subsided.

“Hi there, ‘Nikky.’ Thank you very much.”

The light blue eyes curled up into a smile at my greeting. Christelle gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. Sir Johann had a rare moment of shock as well.

“My goodness. Isn’t this his Royal Highness, Prince Consort Alexandre? Damn, look at how handsome he is. Uhh… Did I just say that out loud?”

It was at that moment.

– Clang!

A black sword was pulled out from behind Nikky. Crackle! A red flame shot out of the blade that was aimed directly for Nikky’s neck.

I took a step in shock. Surprisingly, it was forward and not back.

“You should know of your sins.”

“Your Royal Highness.”

The Imperial Crown Prince showed no sleepiness on his face. He was moving freshly as if he had been awake all night!

“You dare to mock my father?” His orange pupils were boiling with anger. There were dark clouds in his eyes despite there being no shadows in this bright area. The tip of his sword, which usually showed no shaking at all, was slightly shaking.

Sir Johann, Christelle, and Nikky all just stood there. The Archmage’s long hair fluttered like black ashes.

Everybody here knew the reason he was angry. Who could look at someone pretending to be your deceased father, and the beloved late Prince Consort of the Empire? I cautiously extended my hand toward the burning Sword of Wisdom. Demy hung on my boots as if telling me not to do that, but……

– Screeeech

“Percy, the Ark, was your father’s friend, your Royal Highness. But I’m sure you already knew that.”

“……”

Crackle! The flame grew in size while being wary of me. It seemed to be a warning telling me not to get closer. His glare made me feel like I might get some burns at any moment. But I couldn’t just leave crown prince Cédric alone. I was his friend, and he was currently feeling sorrow and shock while seeing something take the form of his father. The fact that he was not crying did not mean that he was not in pain.

“They must have been very close. He cannot borrow someone else’s appearance as perfectly as right now.”

– Craaaackle……!

“I apologize for not informing you about this in advance, your Royal Highness. I kept it to myself because I thought it might hurt you to know about it.”

I whispered to him. My fingertip gently touched the Sword of Wisdom.

Crackle, crackle! It was not hot at all despite flames crackling on it. I smiled after seeing that it was simply warm. Nikky slowly opened his mouth.

– Alexandre researched me.

“……”

– To heal you.

“As his friend, I showed him my powers.” His gentle explanation followed.

The man who lost his close friend looked extremely sad. He just didn’t want to turn around and show the crown prince his sad face. I realized that the Ark had deep affection toward him.

The crown prince followed my movements and slowly lowered his sword. But his low voice was still as hot as a volcano. “The reason my father passed away-”

– His body was unable to defeat the gaze of the Almighty God.

“What does that mean?”

– I do not wish you to feel any guilt. I’m sure Alexandre felt the same way.

“Explain what you mean by the gaze of the Almighty God.”

– …….

Nikky’s eyes looked very complicated.

He looked at me with an extremely warm gaze before taking a step toward Christelle. The MC’s cheeks flushed red.

– Alexandre wished to meet the Almighty God.

“My goodness.” I blankly mumbled. The sun across from me was burning up.

‘He tried to meet the one and only god of the mythologies of many millenia to heal his hurting son? How does that make any sense?’

– ‘The Almighty God is the only one who can undo the curse of the Almighty God.’ He reached such a conclusion.

“Nonsense.”

– It may sound like empty words, but…… It was the answer closest to the truth. I am still full of admiration for his courage and determination.

Nikky then stared at Christelle for a long time before gently kissing the back of her hand. I felt a form of respect in his movements.

– Too much power has been used. It will be a long slumber.

The man said, almost in a whisper. It took me a few seconds to realize that he was talking about himself.

Rumble…… The white domain started to shake. Christelle and the crown prince quickly looked around and became wary, but Nikky just peacefully looked at Sir Johann.

– Craaaaaack!

A portion of the ceiling broke like liquid glass before extremely sharp pieces started falling. Clang clang! Babang! The shaking was now as intense and harsh as an earthquake. The divine power of the masterless Ark was unable to handle us any longer.

Christelle and I quickly crouched down and hugged the divine beasts. The scarycat, Rhea, let out a long cry and dangled on my robe. I could see the shaking crown prince as things turned chaotic.

– As a Cardinal, please protect them.

Those were Nikky’s last words.

“I’ll make sure you have nothing to worry about.”

Baaaaang! An extremely large piece fell down.

I don’t know what I was thinking, but rather than looking down, I looked up at the darkness beyond the ark. I looked directly into the situation where nothing was clear.

– Aarf, aaaaarf!

“Ah……”

A thin and long rectangular thing let out a pure white light and started flickering. But I had no time to figure out what it was.

Shaaaaaaaaaa-! A light that brightened instantly came close as if it was going to swallow us.

It was so bright I thought I might go blind. I then heard an intense explosion behind me.

– Boooom……!

To finish it off, a warm gentle breeze brushed past our heads. When I opened my eyes…

– Clack, clack……

“Woaaah! Good, let’s go!”

I heard Joanne’s energetic voice beyond the wall. We took some deep breaths and checked on each other. We were back in the luggage cart headed toward the border.

—
Translator’s Comments

Man, imagine being Joanne in this chapter.

<< Previous Chapter | Index | Next Chapter >>