Chapter 165


    "Give me your... seed of the Imperial family."


    At Serenades words, my mouth fell open. What the heck?!


    My goodness gracious! What is this woman saying?!


    Its improper, youngdy!


    In this fantasy world, the Red Dragon might be the supreme, but, hey?! Where Ie from, its the Confucian Dragon that reigned supreme! Be careful with such dialogue, or youll be in big trouble!


    The amount of cold sweat suddenly shooting up my back doubled.


    I avoided Serenades earnest gaze, dripping with sweat. Oh dear, oh dear, how embarrassing! I cant even meet her eyes!


    And as I avoided her gaze, Serenades voice grew suddenly heavy.


    "Youre always like this, my lord."


    "Huh?"


    "Day in and day out, you, ascivious person spreading rumors with other noble daughters, for some reason, have never held me even once."


    Serenades head hung low, her fists clenched tight.


    "No, not just holding me, but even looking into my eyes like now, youve always hated."


    "No, this is..."


    This is just because Im shy, you know...


    "Do you dislike young girls that much?"


    "No, I, I dont dislike..."


    "Because Im from a lowly merchant family? Because I bought the position of your fiance with money? If you embrace me, do you think Ill smell like dirty metal?"


    Something trickled down Serenades pale cheek. Huh?


    It was a transparent droplet.


    Serenade was... well... crying.


    I froze.


    Great heavens! I really dont know how to handle this kind of situation at all!


    "I never expected your love from the beginning."


    Serenade looked up at me, weeping without even wiping her tears.


    "I know. You must dislike mixing the pure blood of the noble imperial family with such a lowly and filthy woman like me. But even if its a contractual rtionship, even if the adults arranged it, we still promised to be a couple, didnt we?"


    "..."


    "Im offering everything I have to you, my lord, so why dont you... look at me just once?"


    I wanted tofort her somehow, but the situation didnt allow me to easily speak up.


    Ash and Serenades rtionship was foreign to me, a strict rtionship between strangers.


    As a yer who had merely taken over this body, could I interfere in this rtionship?


    Would itter turn into a greater wound for her?


    While I hesitated, frozen, Serenade turned away, wiping her tears.


    "Im tired of begging you for attention and affection, my lord..."


    "..."


    "Im sorry for whining and acting spoiled, and for possibly boring you."


    "No, thats not it, I mean..."


    "Seeing you after so long, I must have gotten overly excited, and my emotions got the best of me. I apologize."


    Serenade waved her hand, calming her breath.


    The captain steering the yacht turned the bow towards the harbor.


    "Its getting quitete. Even though the Imperial Capital is rtively safe, its dangerous for a member of the Imperial Family to wander the streets alone. Ill prepare a carriage, so please take it home."


    "..."


    "If you need anything, just send me a message. The festival is approaching, so the Imperial Capital will be hectic. Please dont wander around at night like this for a while..."


    Serenade stopped, caught in her words.


    "Right, you hate when I nag."


    "..."


    "Ha ha. How odd. How can I be so mismatched with your tastes, my lord?"


    I remained silent, and the boat soon returned to the harbor.


    "Im sorry for being brash today, my lord."


    Serenade bowed deeply towards me.


    "Please forget about today, and feel free to visit me anytime... whether its for money or a drink."


    "..."


    "Well, take care."


    With tear-stained cheeks, Serenade smiled.


    "I was happy to see you, my lord."


    ***


    Inside the carriage returning to the Imperial Pce.


    I was still lost in thought.


    I had secured the architect and trade line I intended to get in the Imperial Capital.


    With the Silver Winter Trade Line, thergest in the empire, it should be reliable enough.


    I could easily proceed with the Crossroads tourist city n, the independent magical stone distribution line as well.


    But only one thing.


    People.


    An unexpected problem had arisen.


    People are always troublesome.


    Such issues had never crossed my mind in Crossroad.


    Since nearly all my rtionships with others had begun from a zero base, built up by me.


    It was about me, not Ash.


    However, in the Imperial Capital of New Terra, all rtionships were Ashs.


    The Emperor, the princes, court officials, servants, and even the fiance I met today; these were all rtionships Ash had cultivated and built.


    Could I really tamper with them?


    Even if I were to intervene, could I guide them in the right direction?


    Rtionships between people are like a Jenga puzzle.


    You dont just pile them up endlessly; you remove the pirs from between and ce them on top.


    If you build as high as possible and then stop, that human rtionship remains stable.


    But now, I was pondering whether to touch the precarious Jenga puzzle that Ash had built.


    Whether the tower grows taller or copses altogether, problems could arise on either side.


    What should I do...


    I wrapped my head in confusion, pondering the matter.


    - Why wont the Lord even look at the girl properly?


    I recalled the image of Serenade, who was crying teardrops from her silver eyes andmenting pitifully.


    Huh.


    This isnt just Serenades problem.


    I havee to the Imperial Capital, and I must keep shing with Ashs people. Then I must clearly determine my stance.


    Either not to interfere at all.


    Or...


    To bear everything of Ash... myself.


    I clenched my mouth shut.


    Either way, I had regarded Ash as someone else so far. I had thought of him as a separate person.


    Can I really ept that strangers life as wholly mine?


    Do I truly have the resolve for that?


    Thats when it happened.


    Thud!


    Suddenly, the carriage stopped.


    "Huh?"


    I looked out of the window, puzzled.


    The imperial pce was not visible. It was a dark back alley. Whats going on? Did the carriage break down?


    At that moment, the coachman who had descended from the coachmans seat came walking back.


    "Hey, whats the matter..."


    Bang!


    Before I could even ask the coachman what was wrong, she flung the carriage door open, grabbed me by the cor, and pulled me out.


    "What?!"


    At the same time, she threw me.


    I involuntarily screamed as I floated in mid-air.


    Wooaahhh?! What is thiiiis?!


    Thump!


    Perhaps due to all the time I had spent wandering in dungeons and tumbling in defensive battles, I managed to straighten myself in the air andnd upright. Thud!


    You, who dares-!


    I stopped mid-shout as I looked forward.


    Rumble...


    In front of me stood a woman in a maids outfit, holding a massive polearm.


    Elize.


    It was Serenades subordinate, the one who was driving the carriage to take me to the pce.


    And from her whole body emanated a terrifying fighting spirit.


    The materialized energy stirred up a wind, fluttering her maids apron.


    "Ash, Crown Prince."


    Elizes chilling cobalt eyes were filled with creepy determination.


    Like a finely sharpened de, that determination.


    "You are trash."


    "Ex, excuse me?!"


    I unknowingly responded with respect. Why, why suddenly like this?!


    "Ten years ago, after bing engaged to you, my mistress devoted herself to you. She lent you money for gambling, served you the finest wines from around the world. Most of your wasteful extravagances in the Imperial Capital were cleaned up not by the Imperial Family, but by our Silver Winter Merchant Guild.


    Crunch.


    Elizes teeth were ground together, fiercely.


    I hated seeing you like that, but I endured it. It was the wish of the previous Merchant Guilds head to shed the disgrace of a poor merchant family by forming a connection with the Imperial Family, and...


    Whoosh-!


    Elize aimed the massive polearm she was carrying at her back forward.


    Because my mistress, Lady Serenade, loved you.


    ...


    But, I can no longer tolerate this. You are only causing harm to our Merchant Guild. Above all, you only wound my mistress.


    Elizes emanating fighting spirit became even more vivid.


    To repay the kindness shown by the previous head of the Merchant Guild, and for the remaining life of my revered mistress.


    And then, Elize said,


    You must die here.


    She was going to kill a royal.


    He had dered that the battle would be fought here.


    Whether it was a twisted act of loyalty or something else, I didnt know, but I hurriedly drew my staff from my possession.


    Damn it! How do I calm this situation down?!


    I had already learned that Elize was an SSR-grade character from the mercenary guild. Even if I didnt know, she must be quite strong.


    First, lets subdue her!


    But I, too, had defeated countless monsters, and had grown through various hardships in the dungeon beneath theke.


    An SSR-grade character who had beenfortably living here in the Imperial Capital without experiencing real battles should be easy to subdue.


    ...Or so I thought.


    Bang!


    Elize mmed her coffin, which she had been holding like a club, into the ground.


    I opened my eyes wide. Huh? Whats she doing?


    Then,


    "Sword Coffin, deploy."


    At the same time as Elizes murmur, the coffin opened to the left and right.


    Shwoosh-!


    And inside the coffin, there were all kinds of swords stored by type.


    Greatsword. Longsword. Dagger. Rapier. Curved sword. Broad sword. Short sword. Tae sword...


    All of them were at least SR-grade weapons.


    Damn, this is insane?!


    Only then did I realize who Elize was, and my mouth fell open.


    I thought I hadnt seen Elize in the game. But that was not the case.


    I hadnt recognized her just because the maids outfit was unfamiliar.


    Why is the Funeral Swordmaster, Elizabeth, here...?!


    A monster that ranks among the strongest sword characters in all of "Protect the Empire."


    The Swords Funeral Director, Elizabeth.


    She had appeared in the game wearing a dark funeral directors outfit and a funeral directors hat, so I hadnt recognized her at all in her current maids dress...!


    Damn it, Lucas! You have to speak clearly!


    The unexpected catastrophe was not my fiance, Serenade Silver Winter.


    It was this woman, Elizabeth, Serenades escort!


    "I will make your end painless."


    Selecting a sword from the Sword Coffin, Elizabeth ominously intoned,


    "Thats out of consideration for the man who almost became my masters husband."


    Immediately after, Elizabeth pulled out a saw-de sword, its de jagged and uneven.


    "Ah, this looks good."


    No, that looks extremely painful, that thing-!


    Whether I was rmed or not, Elizabeth drew the saw-de sword and charged at me.


    She was truly intent on killing me.