Ch. 58 The Last Moment (2)
The crowds parted as Carlisle and his guard made their way to the festival. One of the festival organizers heralded Carlisle’s presence in a loud voice.
“His Highness, Crown Prince Carlisle!”
In response, the crowd of subjects bowed their heads reverently like an ocean wave. The number of people seemed endless. The sight was nothing short of spectacular.
Elena, who was riding on horseback behind Carlisle, looked at the prince with fresh eyes. She had not thought much of it before, but His Majesty the Emperor was absent from public appearance due to a serious illness. The people seemed thrilled to see the crown prince directly in his stead.
The people cast awed gazes on the grand figure of Carlisle, who wore his pride like a man who wore fitting clothes. Everyone was thinking the same thing.
‘…A man born to be an emperor.’
There seemed to be no other man more suited to the position. The emperor was the apex predator at the top of the food chain. It was as if Carlisle was born to stand above other people. If one were to meet his blue eyes by chance, admiration would be the first emotion to settle followed by envy.
Elena was following Carlisle at the long procession when a little further away one of his subordinates spoke.
“You, newcomer.”
“…”
She knew she was being called, but she didn’t reply. Swordsman, whether mercenaries or knights, were a rough crowd. In the last couple decades of her life she had mingled with such groups.
Now, the provocations seemed nothing more than childish. There were usually people in any organization who liked to set the pecking order among members. However, she had no intention of building a rapport with any of them in order to hide her identity.
“Hey, can’t you hear me?”
“I think he’s ignoring us.”
She did not turn her head, instead secretly directing her gaze at the Flower Bridge. It would collapse today, and there should be clear signs of structural weakness. No buildings or bridges simply collapsed in a day without them. However, it seemed that someone in charge was hiding the faults.
‘…We’d better find them and evacuate everyone before the bridge collapses.’
Elena’s primary mission was to defend Carlisle, but she wanted to make sure no one else was hurt or killed if possible.
Elena was lost in thought until suddenly a figure blocked her way. When she looked up she saw a man towering over her.
“It’s Len, right? Is what we’re saying funny to you?”
The man had a thick, muscular physique.
“Ease off, Morgan. He’s so small you’ll knock him over if you hit him. He was brought here by the prince himself, so don’t blind him on the first day.”
Elena heard someone sneer, and it seemed that this gargantuan man in front of her was named Morgan.
Elena was about to reply when there was a sudden commotion ahead of them. A man was blocking Carlisle’s way to the Flower Bridge. His sword was drawn from waist.
“Halt.”
His fine dress and jeweled sword seemed to indicate he was a highly ranked knight from a wealthy family.
“You cannot pass without proper identification.”
Only a limited amount of people were allowed entry into the festival space they were about to enter. Carlisle was already known to be the Crown Prince, however, the deliberate denial of access seemed to be an attempt to disgrace him from his official position.
Zenard, who stood right next to Carlisle, flushed with anger.
“What? You dare say this man is–!”
Before Zenard even finished talking, Elena swiftly sidestepped Morgan and headed straight towards Carlisle.
And before anyone could say anything, her feet flew towards the opponent.
Puk!
A swift attack caused one of the knight’s knees to hit the ground, and he raised his head in anger.
“How dare you–”
His words stopped in his throat.
Chaang.
Elena’s sword suddenly came into view of the bending knight. Startled, he stumbled to his feet and lifted his own weapon.
“Do you know which House I come from?”
“No, I do not, but I do know you are a knight that drew your sword at the Crown Prince. Apologize for threatening your prince, regardless of your rank.”
Elena spoke coldly, unconcerned with everyone’s stunned gazes.
“Three seconds for you to step aside.”
The man broke into a cold sweat, afraid that Elena would strike in one fiery moment. It had only been a plan to undermine the prince’s status.
“Three…two…”
Everyone here knew what those word meant. At the end, her sword would strike justice. Everyone’s breath was stopped.
Zenard stared in astonishment at Elena. This kind of bold judgment and power didn’t come from any normal person.
Elena made sure everyone knew the consequences they disrespected Carlisle.
“…one.”
It was the last moment of Elena’s countdown.
TN: One of Carlisle’s guards is named Megan, but I changed it to Morgan.
