The time that reminded you of the weakest piece of the Almighty God… That was the night of the crescent moon. That was the time the heirs of Venetiaan and Riester were set to enter the labyrinth.
“I’ll be back soon,” Elise stood in the living room and gruffly addressed the person. There wasn’t even an ounce of affection in the way she looked at her father. She looked as rigid as marble once light was erased from her face that was naturally full of dignity. Even the people in the portraits on the ceiling looking down at the father and daughter had warmer expressions than her.
The crown princess decided to treat her attitude as a matter of inertia. She decided to conclude it as habitual sympathy for the person who looked after her and showed her warmth because her mother was busy. She was at her limits to go through her emotions one by one. She had to persist until the end and had a lot of burdens to carry.
At one point in her life, she deeply loved her father. But she could not crumble because of that. He had a poisonous heart.
“Please take care of yourself. I heard that there is a heinous monster in the underground maze. If something were to happen to you……”
“You do not need to worry,” Elise cut him off.
But Werner did not stop. He was only wearing a thin inner garment because he had come out from taking care of Cornelisse and had a towel in his hand.
“How can I not worry as a father? Please take your Personal Guards with you.”
“I told you that I am not able to do that.”
The man’s eyelashes shook once a stiff response came back. Elise didn’t show even the slightest of movements.
“The rules state that only a religious figure at the Cardinal level or higher can enter the maze. Have you forgotten that this meeting is a special case?”
“But,”
“The guardian of the maze can look through an intruder’s plate. This is a test that everybody who steps in front of the paten must go through.”
“Crown princess, then please at least take some guards to the entrance-”
“I am the Agent of the Queen.”
The brown eyes opened wide. These words hurt more than a blade. Elise was currently openly rejecting her father’s feelings. She was putting the relationship between the Agent of the Queen and the Prince Consort in front of their relationship as father and daughter.
Werner’s pale blue lips twitched a few times. But he was unable to say anything else.
He then slowly bowed. He was showing the most respect a member of the Holy Kingdom’s royal family could show. Numerous attendants followed him to bow as well. His shaking voice echoed through the air.
“……Please go ahead. I will be waiting here.”
The crown princess did not answer. She just grabbed her golden spear and elegantly turned her body around. Her sapphire-like eyes were cold and her long braided golden hair was like a whip. Click, click, click…… Her firm footsteps became distant.
Her attendant, Jeanine, bowed toward Werner and followed behind her master. It was at that moment.
“Elise! Is it okay if I go to greet you on your way back?”
Flinch. Her father asked. The crown princess’s lips parted a bit. It had been a long time since he had called her by name. The short phrase carried a desperate and affectionate emotion. Elise slowly closed her eyes. She also took some breaths, making sure not to move her shoulders in the process.
“……”
She had made up her mind to not be shaken. So she would keep moving forward. For a better Holy Kingdom. To protect her younger siblings and to bring peace to the two nations.
– Step, step, step……
The crown princess opened her eyes and moved forward without saying anything. She didn’t look back or even wave to her father. She just looked forward and walked like a military horse made of steel.
Jeanine, who had been silently walking by her side, cautiously asked,“Your Royal Highness. Will you be okay?” The middle-aged woman’s face looked extremely concerned.
Elise knew that she was not worried about the relationship between the father and daughter. Jeanine only thought about Elise. Loyal confidant number 1 had only cared for her since she started to walk. It had been that way all the time no matter what. That was why Jeanine was only worried about Elise’s pain. She was concerned that Elise would regret treating her father like this in the future. She was worried that Elise’s heart would be hurt.
“My mother once told me something.” Clack, clack, clack. The strong footsteps echoed.
Jeanine looked at her master who had grown up so much. Inside Elise’s calloused right hand was her divine weapon that was as firm as her resolve. The transparent walls and floor reflected the golden light and sparkled.
“She said that even the Queen could not have everything. In fact, you needed to learn to sacrifice the things you cherish, and at times, be willing to take care of a rock on the ground.”
“……”
“I will do as she taught me.” Her sculpture-like lips closed.
Jeanine quietly lowered her head. She believed that if the crown princess said it would happen, it would happen.
Of course, there was someone who would not agree.
“……Where is the medicinal herb?” Werner watched Elise walk away before sharply asking. The weak expression he showed a bit ago was gone. Now he looked extremely evil. His white skin turned red from embarrassment while his forehead, which had not shown any wrinkles earlier, had a vein popping out.
The old Chief Attendant immediately bowed. He had seen his master like this once before. It had happened a long time ago. That was the day that a certain priest had died.
“Right here, your Royal Highness.” The old man offered up a silk pouch.
Tap! The Prince Consort swiped it out of his hand and quickly opened it. The dry medicinal herbs gave off an extremely bitter scent. Werner clenched the herbs and thought to himself. ‘These plants are nothing. In fact, they are so sweet my tongue might melt. They felt that way compared to his heart that was rotting and releasing pus and blood from the spot the dagger stabbed in.
– Grab!
The man shoved the medicinal herbs into his mouth without any water. His subordinates turned pale.
“Your Royal Highness!”
“My goodness!”
The Chief Attendant stopped the gasping attendants trying to stop the man. The rest were tapping their feet, looking back and forth at the old man and the man. The Prince Consort had consumed poison before, but it had progressed extremely slowly. They had the help of the Royal Doctor and healing priests, and the situation had been clearly controlled. But right now, Werner was emptying the pouch as if he had gone crazy. As if he was possessed or addicted… He chewed on the medicinal herbs like someone who cared nothing about the future. He also didn’t care to maintain his dignity as the Prince Consort. The way he greedily chewed made him look like a starved animal.
His fingertips quickly turned dark brown.
“Ugh.”
“Your Royal Highness……!”
The bitter scent moved up to his nose, making him dry heave. He could also taste the blood-like flavor. Werner dealt with all of that to swallow it. This much was okay. The man could do anything with joy, and this was not for death but for life. To finish his revenge, to be completely freed…… For his pure happiness…
“Y, your Royal Highness. Umm-”
“Shh!”
“B, but……”
The youngest child attendant couldn’t hold it in and moved forward. Werner immediately looked to his side. His long vertical eyes sparkled like a snake’s scale. The child’s face instantly turned grim.
“What is it?” the man asked with green lips. Based on what the Prince Consort remembered, this thing was not usually this courageous, ut he was acting like he was possessed.
The child shook as he answered. “That, the apple. The apple merchant……”
“It was nothing, your Royal Highness.” The old confidant immediately cut him off. But Werner did not miss this instinctual feeling. What most saw as normal and common opportunities came rare to him. That was why if a single opportunity came his way, the man opened his large mouth to instantly grab and consume it.
“No. Speak.” It happened like a habit. For example, like what was going on right now.
“S, she said to give you this, your Royal Highness…… She wanted to thank you for buying up all of her fruit……” The child shook and offered up a black piece of cloth.
Werner instantly recognized what it was. It was the rag-like robe that the old woman had been wearing. With this closer glance, he could see that it was in an even worse condition than he had originally thought. It was worn out in so many places that it probably couldn’t block any wind and a terrible stench was coming from dirty spots on the robe.
The attendants scowled and lowered their heads. The Chief Attendant also let out a sigh. After offering such trash to such an important person, it was time to receive the punishment. He would not have anything to say even if his master raised his hand toward him……
– Shhh.
The Prince Consort grabbed that dirty robe at that moment. The group gasped and raised their heads.
– Sssss……!
“My goodness!”
The shock did not stop there. Something unbelievable was happening right in front of them.
*
The time moved quickly. ‘It is probably because we were having so much fun.’
“I’m so full! Today was so fun!”
“Right, Baroness? What did you buy so many of in the market?”
“Same as his highness. Presents for my friends back in the Empire.”
“Hahaha! I think Gerrit will like it very much. To be honest with you, I bought some more souvenirs, one for Lord Benjamin and one for Lord Ganael.”……
We were heading toward the entrance of the maze. Knights clad in armor were guarding us in all directions. Only the Imperial Crown Prince and I were invited to enter the holy room, but everybody decided to walk us there. My friends, who had enjoyed eating and playing all day, excitedly chattered. The Viscount couple and Isabelle were chatting in the back as they followed us. Hanan, Tithé, and the red pandas all said something as well.
The temple that had been so weird and creepy when we first entered now just seemed like a large training ground. I wasn’t scared of a gloomy basement either.
I let out a despondent laugh. I was really happy that everybody was here, but there was one negative thing about today.
“Are you uncomfortable, your highness? You’ve been a bit……”
“No. I am not.” I quickly shook my head because Christelle happened to ask at that time.
‘Hmm.’ She squinted her eyes but I did my best to ignore it.
The fact that I could not be alone with her was a critical negative point. This was a concern that I couldn’t even have imagined at the beginning period of my transmigration that I was laughing at myself. But I was being serious today. Even if I wanted to set the mood in a quiet place, everybody was looking for Christelle today because it was her birthday. It felt wrong for an unrelated man like me to pull her away when her grandparents and mother were by her side celebrating her.
‘Excuse me. Is Dame Christelle de Sarnez here?’ Before dinner, a few of the Vatican’s Holy Knights came with respectful attitudes to the VIP room. They had come to see the famous Christelle in person.
She immediately said, ‘Hello. My name is Christelle Rambouillet.’ Her warm greeting made her family tear up with pride. Even my nose tingled as I watched.
Yes. Everything was great. We played a ton of cards, took a nap, and even ate snacks. The problem was that I did not manage to ‘confess’ to Christelle despite the day almost being over.
That damn timing.
‘If you give me time……’
It was possible that she was waiting for me.
‘Could you just wait for me a little bit?’
‘Yes. I’ll wait.’
No, I was sure that she remembered.
“……Christelle, umm…”
“Yes, your highness.”
That was why I started to speak. Even if it was late, I had to say something. Her clear eyes looked toward me and it felt like even the divine beasts calmed down for a moment. I held my breath, lowered my neck, and whispered. I spoke extremely quietly so that only she could hear.
“Ham Ga-in.”
Her blue-gray eyes opened extremely wide. I smiled bitterly and whispered.
“I remember it. I remember what you told me in the Imperial Palace that day. The ‘traces’ of Christelle.”
“……”
“So I want to tell you something to-”
– Clunk, click click!
Flinch. She and I turned our heads at the same time. The background had changed to a grand underground room. Knights and soldiers wrapped around the circular room. I instinctively clenched my teacher’s Holy Staff. It was eccentric and marvelous that an area without any light could be so bright. The white ceiling was so high we couldn’t see the end while there were two long stone doors on either side of the room that resembled stretched clocks.
Finally, at the center-
– Crack……!
– Crunch! Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuumble!
I may be exaggerating a bit, but black tree roots, as thick as Crown prince Cédric, looked extremely bizarre as they came out of the wall. I scowled and took a step forward. Sir Johann immediately raised his arm to stop me. I was very familiar with him protecting me like this.
“Sir Johann, that thing seems to be moving……?”
“Yes, your highness. It has teeth.” His voice echoed up the walls.
It was a proper explanation. That seemed to act as a ‘door’ as well. But currently, little branches intertwined like gears in a clock through the open trunks.
‘Is that perhaps……’
“That is the labyrinth of the temple, Labyrinthus.”
“Ah, that scared me!” Joanne gasped and hid behind Sir Johann while Sand stuck to Joanne’s back. We gathered together like a herd of scared sheep.
Vicarius Generalis Ronald Rupert, who I didn’t notice until now, was sending us an emotionless gaze. His pale face and his elegant Cardinal’s formal attire gave off a scary combination.
‘So scary!’
“……Hello, your Eminence.”
“Welcome.” I greeted him and he reacted like a robot. A calm explanation soon followed.
“Our Vatican is aware of the rumors regarding Labyrinthus. Most are absurd, a portion are exaggerated, and a bit are said with malice. The reason we do not address them is because they are still useful in protecting the paten.
“……”
“Now please let me share the information I am allowed to share. First, the guardian spirit of this place will look into the plate of the visitor and decide whether that person is qualified to approach the paten. Second, it is impossible to use mana or ether in the labyrinth, including the holy room. Third, I plan on passing through by meeting the same conditions as all of you until we arrive at the meeting location, the holy room. I have visited the holy room once before when I was selected to become the Vicarius Generalis.”
“……” I gulped and looked around. I could see some quiet waves forming in a person’s orange eyes.
I knew that I could not speak to him with telepathy, but I still did my best to send him some glances.
‘If someone like the Vicarius Generalis, who is not a battle priest, has gone to the holy room, shouldn’t we get there safely too? Maybe it is a simple identification type of inspection? So just trust big bro and follow me.’
“Fourth, only one person is allowed to enter at a time and you will take the labyrinth’s test on your own as well. Crown princess Elise started first from waiting room number 3 a few moments ago.”
“Excuse me?!” My friends and I dropped our jaws in shock. ‘We have to go into that scary pit on our own?!’
“Good. I’ll go first.”
Then the crown prince bastard proclaimed as if he had been waiting.
‘Hey, you traitor!’
—
Translator’s Comments
Why is he a traitor, Yeseo? He’s just volunteering as tribute first…