It's been two days since she arrived in Heglatan.
Elze thought she might be dead for a day or so from the previous night's drinking.
However, as befitting a kingdom of alcohol, Heglatan was also excellent at treating hangovers. After drinking a bowl of the medicine that Blahar had brought, Elze experienced the magic of her hangover disappearing as if it had been washed away. Blahar spoke triumphantly.
“How is it? It’s awesome, isn’t it?”
Rapine, who drank the medicine with Elze, also had his eyes wide open. It was almost like taking medicine made by Ivanna. It was even more surprising because he knew that it was not easy to produce medicine of this level.
It seemed that Heglatan's technological advancements were considerable. Thinking that she could not ignore them, Elze looked at the man standing next to Blahar.
Today Blahar was not alone. Next to him stood a cold-looking man with gray hair and eyes.
“This is Serev Kamysh. He is my right-hand man.”
"Nice to meet you."
Serev greeted her politely. Elze greeted him too.
"Nice to meet you."
However, after exchanging greetings, the atmosphere became a little strange. This was because an odd situation unfolded where they used formal language to the Prince's subordinates and spoke informally to the Prince.
Serev's expression was not good as if he didn't like the way Elze had been talking comfortably with Blahar since earlier.
Come to think of it, Elze continued to speak informally to Blahar even though she knew he was a Prince. Perhaps it was because they had met for the first time, so she was more used to speaking informally. Anyway, it was time to sort out the honorifics. Elze bowed her head to Blahar and said.
“Please forgive my rudeness so far, Your Highness. I will be more polite in the future.”
Then Blahar waved his hand urgently.
“No, no!”
He blushed slightly in response. Blahar hesitated and whispered to Elze.
“I wish you... would just talk to me more comfortably. You don’t have eyes to see me anyway, right?”
Serev, who was standing next to him with his eyes wide open, was Blahar, who was ignoring him cleanly. Elze looked at Serev with a troubled face. He seemed quite surprised to see Blahar blushing. However, he did not step forward and speak out. He simply kept his mouth shut as if he would follow his master's will. Blahar asked again.
“You understand, Elze?”
Elze, who had been looking around, decided to just speak informally. Elze was already feeling awkward about speaking formally, so she was going crazy.
“If you want, of course.”
Then Blahar smiled with the utmost delight. Elze felt a little perverted by his appearance, so she took a step away from him. Blahar smiled and said.
“Kalia and the others have been receiving treatment since yesterday. I will arrange for you to meet after my request is over.”
Blahar cried out as if he felt wronged, seeing Elze's eyes doubting whether she was really allowed to meet them.
“Trust me, I’m going to make this arrangement! We’re all in the same boat anyway.”
Considering what he had done so far, he didn't seem very trustworthy. As Elze nodded vaguely, Blahar said.
“It is certain that Elijah is in the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“How did you know that?”
“Well, that’s...”
Blahar said with an awkward smile.
“Actually, we were going to take them first.”
She knew this would happen. Blahar spoke confidently as Elze looked at him as if she was looking at a bad guy.
“Alchemists are high-level talents, right? Ivanna is a talent we have been keeping an eye on. I expected that she would visit the Master’s laboratory someday.”
After saying that, Blahar muttered, sighing as if the ground was falling apart.
“But Crown Prince, why is this crazy guy running around..."
He muttered a short, unintelligible word in Heglatan. Judging from the expression on Serev's face, who was standing next to him, it was clearly a curse. Blahar continued calmly.
“The Crown Prince is really attracted to women, perhaps because of his ugly face. He especially has an inferiority complex towards me, and it seems like any woman who sleeps with me must sleep with him to feel better.”
"...No way."
Elze felt a sense of unease creeping over her. Blahar grinned like a rascal.
“You will be the woman who spends the night with me.”
Elze let out a silent scream. At Elze's reaction, Blahar hurriedly added.
“Ah, of course, that’s just a rumor. You’ll be the one making the move.”
But Elze did not let her suspicions go. Elze looked at him with suspicious eyes and asked.
“You’re already spreading rumors and notifying me now?”
“Oh, I got caught.”
Hehe, Blahar was scratching his head with a smile. Elze muttered, thinking that she wanted to pull out all of that guy's hair.
“Hey, I’m a married woman.....”
What a scary person my husband is. No, not a person, he's a devil, a devil.
Elze thought to herself. What if she was really, really unlucky and the rumor reached Shan's ears, and he found out that Elze was the one telling the rumor...
From then on, it was the opening of a hellish new business. Elze, who imagined a tragic ending, shivered briefly. Blahar looked at Elze and said.
“But you said it was only three days. There’s not much time left. This is the only way to get to the Crown Prince’s Palace quickly.”
Blahar tried hard to persuade Elze, who was feeling embarrassed.
“There are other ways, but they all take at least a week. And since only a few of us know that you are Elijah’s Elze, there’s no way the secret will get out.”
“...”
Elze couldn't refute Blahar's words. Unless she could come up with another sharp solution, she had to follow the method Blahar had suggested.
“I understand. I guess there’s nothing I can do.”
Blahar cheered at Elze's resigned nod.
“That’s an excellent choice! Then let’s start the actual operational meeting.”
Blahar spread out a large piece of paper on the wide table. It was a map of the Heglatan Palace. Blahar pointed to the Crown Prince's Palace on the map and began to explain.
“The Crown Prince’s Palace is in Geumnam District.”
The Crown Prince's Palace was inhabited only by maids, except for the Crown Prince's two secretaries. Aside from invited guests, the only people who came and went were high-class prostitutes who were there to sleep with the Crown Prince.
Blahar had sent assassins several times so far, but the results were disappointing. It was rare for a woman to be able to wield a sword. Furthermore, it was almost a miracle that a woman with a good figure and beauty worthy of entering the Crown Prince's palace could wield a sword.
“That’s why I need Elze. You’re a newcomer to the red-light district, and you’re the first one to spend the night with me. He's already heard the rumors and the Crown Prince has contacted me. We’ll be moving right away tonight.”
Blahar took out a long stick and tapped the Crown Prince's palace, saying:
“No one should look into the bedroom while the Crown Prince is spending the night with a woman. After killing the Crown Prince, that’s when you have free time.”
Elze took a quick look around the Crown Prince's Palace while listening to Blahar's explanation, then glanced at the entire map. The Prince's Palace was not far from the Crown Prince's Palace.
“We can just kill the Crown Prince quickly and then search for Ivanna and Tarkun.”
As Elze studied the map, Blahar's stick pointed to the forest next to the Crown Prince's Palace.
“We’ll be waiting here with the knights. Come here when you’re done.”
Blahar said, drawing a circle around the forest with a thin stick.
“Everything must be done before dawn. When the sun rises, the maid will go to the bedroom to wake the Prince...”
He looked at Elze. When their eyes met, Blahar smiled prettily and whispered.
“If you don’t come when the sun rises, I’ll consider your mission a failure.”
Elze answered cynically.
“You’re saying you’re going to abandon me?”
“Such a sad thing.”
Blahar said with a grin.
“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will save you, Elze.”
“...”
Elze simply raised an eyebrow and asked the question she was curious about.
“By the way, if only women are allowed to enter the Crown Prince’s Palace, do I have to go alone?”
"Yes?"
“Hmm... Is there no way we can go in together?”
Everyone was troubled by Elze's words. It was certainly dangerous to send Elze alone. However, it was not something that could be forced into the Geumnam District. While everyone was silent, lost in thought, Rapine quietly began to speak.
“There is one way...”
On a dark night, three women were sitting in a carriage heading to the Crown Prince's Palace.
To be exact, it was one woman and two transvestites. Elze said as she looked at Ilwooz and Rapine, who were dressed up and made up nicely.
“It feels like I only picked members who look good in women’s clothing.”
“...”
“...”
The two people didn't say anything to Elze's words. In fact, the biggest victim was Rapine. Ilwooz originally had a neutral vibe, and since his eyes were covered, if he put on some makeup around his lips, he would look like a woman at first glance.
But Rapine had to wear full makeup. What was even sadder was that he looked good in women's clothing. Elze patted Rapine on the shoulder and said,
“But it suits you this much because it’s you. Just think of it as Tarkun doing it.”
“...I will think positively.”
If Tarkun had dressed up as a woman, he probably wouldn't have been able to go near the Crown Prince's Palace or the Imperial Palace. Elze giggled and looked back at Ilwooz.
“I’m sorry, Ilwooz.”
"No..."
He surprisingly didn't pay much attention to the women's clothing. It seemed like he was completely preoccupied with other things. She couldn't figure out why he was doing that because he didn't answer.
While they were talking like that for a while, they arrived at the Crown Prince’s Palace. The carriage windows were tightly covered with curtains, so they couldn’t see anything inside the palace on the way there. However, the moment they got out of the carriage, Elze was amazed.
The beautiful stone building with its pointed spire and round dome-shaped roof was magnificent and majestic to look at.
But before she could even look around properly, she was dragged by the coachman to the back door of the Crown Prince's Palace. There, a slender-looking woman was waiting with her arms crossed.
“Are these kids?”
She looked Elze, Rapine, and Ilwooz up and down.
“Not all beige is bad.”
She pointed to Ilwooz and Rapine and said disapprovingly.
“One is blind and the other is too tall. You cannot allow such flawed children into His Highness’s bedroom. Send the two back.”
“!!”
Elze hurriedly looked back at Rapine and Ilwooz. The coachman was already leading them away. She had to say something.
“These, these kids...!”
I'm sorry, Ilwooz, Rapine! Elze cried, squeezing her eyes shut.
“The technique is good!”
“...”
There was a brief silence at the mention of good technology. Elze continued quickly.
“Prince Blahar has also invited the three of us. It is to assist the Crown Prince more fully, so please allow us to do so.”
“Well... If that’s the case, then there’s nothing I can do.”
The woman allowed them to go in together, despite her trembling face. She guided the three of them into a small room, telling them to wait a moment. As soon as the woman closed the door and left, Elze was skewered by Ilwooz and Rapine’s hot gazes.
“Ah... haha...”
Rapine sighed and muttered to Elze, who smiled awkwardly, saying that he had no choice.
“I’m glad I was able to get in.”
Ilwooz, who had been quiet until now, added a word.
“Because the technique is good...”
Hearing those words from the Pope really pricked her conscience. As Elze was desperately trying to apologize to the two people, the door flew open.
“Follow me.”
It was that lady. She looked down at them with an arrogant face and said.
“We will go to His Highness’s bedroom.”
Elze, Rapine, and Ilwooz followed the woman. The hallway became more and more colorful as they followed her. After walking down the long hallway for a long time, the woman finally stopped. She opened the door and said.
“You will simply change my clothes here and then go in. This is connected to His Highness’s bedroom, so please do not make any noise.”
In the room, maids were waiting with various clothes and cosmetics. The woman gave a few instructions to the maids and then left. After confirming that the woman had left, the maids greeted Elze.
“We have been waiting. We are His Highness’ followers.”
The maids were those whom Blahar had bribed in advance. They placed a small screen between Rapine, Ilwooz, and Elze and began to change their clothes.
It was a common practice to check for weapons while changing clothes. However, the bribed maids did not say anything even though they saw the dagger hidden in Elze's thigh. Thanks to this, it seemed that the dagger could be safely hidden in the Crown Prince's bedroom. One of the maids whispered softly to Elze.
“The things you asked for are under the sofa over there. This is a message from the Prince to go and look for weapons over there after you finish your business in the bedroom and do something else.”
In addition, he even hid Elze's rapier and mangosh, Rapine's bow, and a change of clothes for after the work in the bedroom was over.
She thought it was pretty good. She had a feeling that Blahar was proudly shouting, “I’m doing a good job!”
“The preparations are complete.”
The maids, who had finished dressing, pulled back the curtain. Elze had to try not to laugh at the sight of Rapine and Ilwooz.
Although Elze was a woman, she wore revealing clothes refreshingly, Rapine and Ilwooz were worried about how to change their clothes.
However, the maids’ experience was not something to be ignored. They covered Rapine and Ilwooz from the neck down to the lower body without any gaps to hide that they were men, and made them wear low-cut clothes on their backs.
Even though she clearly knew that they were a man at heart, Elze almost applauded because their clothes looked so provocative.
The two of them looked quite embarrassed. But for some reason, they seemed more embarrassed by Elze than by their own clothes.
Elze, who saw Rapine avoiding her gaze here and there, finally checked her own clothes reflected in the mirror. And then she gasped.
Elze’s attire was beyond lewd, and there was simply no fabric. In particular, the skirt was left open on both sides, revealing her legs, which was embarrassing to the point of death. The dagger was hidden inside her thighs, barely able to be seen. Elze, who had belatedly grabbed hold of her skirt with her hands, was dragged away by the maids.
“This way.”
There was a large door next to the room. Opening the door led straight to another room. It was the Crown Prince's bedroom.
“Please wait. His Highness will be coming in shortly.”
The maids threw the three people into the bedroom and left. Elze first checked the layout of the bedroom. There was a really, really big bed right in the middle.
The table was filled with various fruits, snacks, and bottles of alcohol, and various tools for the adults were neatly arranged. A glass bottle containing a pink liquid that looked like a potion was also placed next to it. The skillful display gave off the scent of a professional. It seemed that the Crown Prince was quite fond of women.
While Elze was observing the surroundings for a while, Rapine quietly opened his mouth.
“But, Captain.”
He hesitated for a moment and then asked.
“...Are you really planning to kill the Crown Prince?”
Elze immediately understood what Rapine meant by his question.
Killing the Crown Prince did not mean a simple assassination. The moment Elze killed the Crown Prince, Heglatan would fall into chaos. And the whole country would be turned upside down in search of the Crown Prince's murderer. Blahar planned to ascend to the throne in that chaos.
He said he would protect Elze. But one never knows what will happen in this world. If one were to make a mistake and it was revealed that Elze was the Crown Prince's murderer, not only Elze, but Targayel would be involved.
Suddenly, she felt Ilwooz’s gaze. He was also staring at Elze at Rapine’s question.
“...”
Ilwooz said nothing. But he was the Pope who served Ines. He would not be happy about murder. Elze smiled, sensing his silent opposition. And she said to Rapine.
“What do you mean kill?”
But just as Elze was about to speak, the bedroom door opened. The three of them knelt on the floor and bowed their heads.
“Your Highness, I have prepared the child you mentioned.”
A clear voice was heard. It was the voice of the woman who had been giving orders to Elze and her party. Then, the voice of the Crown Prince, the main character of today, followed.
“Hmm? There are three.”
“I found out that the three of them gathered together.”
“Ahh... I see.”
The sound of footsteps continued until they suddenly stopped in front of Elze.
“Raise your head.”
Elze carefully raised her head. The Crown Prince let out a joyful exclamation when he saw Elze.
“Wow... Your complexion is truly magnificent.”
And Elze deliberately smiled to hide her surprise. She thought Blahar was joking when he said that he was the only one who was handsome, but it was true. The Crown Prince was not handsome at all, no matter how you looked at him.
After seeing the Crown Prince with his severe prognathism, she could see why Blahar was such a narcissist. He was the only handsome man in the royal family, so he had every reason to be proud.
In fact, there are people with all sorts of appearances, so it was something that could be overlooked as just looking different from Blahar.
What really surprised Elze was the Crown Prince's eyes. Unlike Blahar's red eyes, which were as bright as the sun, the Crown Prince's red eyes were like a dying, withered rose. They were clearly red eyes that had inherited the same blood. However, it was surprising that there could be such a difference.
But certainly... Rather than Blahar becoming the Emperor of Heglatan, it would be much more advantageous for other countries to have someone like him become the Emperor. While Elze was lost in thought, the Crown Prince looked at Rapine and Ilwooz and asked a question.
“The other two are a bit unique. What do you know how to do?”
“...”
Elze couldn't bring herself to say again that their skills were great in front of the two silent people, so she quickly got up from her seat.
"Your Highness."
Elze stood up, pulling the hem of her clothes, and smiled faintly as she spoke.
“Why do you ask such detailed questions?”
And then she ran her hand down his arm and whispered softly.
“I’ll tell you everything in bed.”
Husband, I'm sorry!
Elze apologized to Shan inwardly. Elze had sinned against many people today. And the Crown Prince was relieved by Elze’s physical contact. He laughed heartily and quickly picked up Elze with his hand and headed to the bed. He threw Elze down on the bed and shouted.
“I can’t wait to see how much you will delight me! Me too..."
He sat down on the bed, then strode towards Elze and spoke with a sinister expression.
“I will entertain you. Much more than that Blahar!”
Although she had never had anything fun with Blahar, Elze whispered to him, brushing it off as something like that.
“Yes, Your Highness. Please come this way.”
As Elze made a gentle gesture, the Crown Prince ran towards her as if he couldn't hold back any longer.
“...”
And the woman who had been watching with a sharp eye from the corner until then retreated outside only after confirming that the Crown Prince was laying his body on top of Elze.
“...!”
As soon as they confirmed that the woman had left, Elze and Lapine quickly exchanged glances. Elze, who was on the verge of being crushed to death, immediately pushed the crown prince away and called him.
"Your Highness."
“Huh...?”
Elze smiled brightly and whispered to him, who was already half-asleep.
“I’m sorry if this is our first time meeting, but you should exercise. Your arms were shaking when you hugged me earlier.”
“...?”
“And don’t be pushed aside by Prince Blahar and be sure to become Emperor. I think it would be really reassuring if Your Highness became Emperor.”
The Crown Prince blinked for a moment, unable to comprehend what he had heard. However, before the Crown Prince could fully understand what Elze was saying, Elze quickly threw him down and sat on his neck. She then pressed her thighs against the sides of his neck and strangled him.
“Ugh!!”
The Crown Prince, whose face had turned blue from not being able to breathe, struggled, but Rapine held his body and prevented him from moving. The Crown Prince could not hold out for long. Soon, his eyes became blurry and his limbs became limp.
“Phew.”
Elze sighed as she got out of bed. Then she smiled at Ilwooz, who was staring at her.
“Don’t worry. I just knocked him out.”
Rapine shouted at Elze as she roughly placed the Crown Prince on the bed.
“Commander, give orders!”
Elze said, running to the room where she had changed clothes earlier.
“First, clothes!”
The three of them ran into the next room. They took out the clothes and weapons hidden under the sofa, and then each turned around and started changing their clothes. Elze started giving instructions while getting dressed.
“From now on, I will prioritize finding Ivanna and Tarkun. And after I join them...”
Elze said, putting on her top and putting her arms inside.
“Going to the Prince’s palace.”
“!!”
Rapine and Ilwooz looked back at Elze in surprise. Elze waved at the two people looking at her.
“I’m changing clothes.”
The two turned their heads again, exclaiming, “Oh no!” Elze smiled faintly and continued speaking.
“Go to the Prince’s Palace, rescue Kalia and the others, then run straight to the border and return home.”
Rapine asked in a panicked voice, and he hurriedly put on his clothes.
“Aren’t you going back to Blahar?”
“Do you think you can trust him?”
“That’s not it.”
“Yeah. You never know what kind of traps that snake might have set. And...”
Elze remembered Blahar's appearance when he told her to come.
"Come to Heglatan, Elze of Elijah."
His confident tone was still vivid. Elze continued, chewing on the memory.
“Blahar was lusting after Elijah.”
"That..."
“Perhaps, Blahar, after we have dealt with the troublesome Crown Prince with our own hands.”
Elze muttered as she buttoned up her trousers.
“He might be a plan to swallow up Elijah as well.”
Rapine, who had changed his clothes, spoke while putting on his quiver.
“Are you saying that he might not let us go?”
“That’s right. I won’t do as he says.”
Ilwooz whispered quietly to Elze's words.
“Not killing the Crown Prince... and going to the Prince’s palace were also things Blahar did not expect....”
“That’s right. While Blahar waits diligently beside the Crown Prince’s Palace, we raid the palace.”
She had no intention of playing around like Blahar wanted. Elze put her rapier and mangosh on her waist for the last time, fastened her belt, and looked back at Rapine and Ilwooz. The two of them had also changed their clothes and were ready.
“....”
The moment they faced each other, tension flowed through the air. It was even more intense because they knew the gravity of what they were about to do.
Blahar would not forgive betrayal. If they failed and were caught, they would be decapitated immediately. Elze let out a light breath, shaking off the tension.
"Then..."
And then as if it were nothing, she smiled confidently and said:
“Should we go find Ivanna and Tarkun first?”
Elze thought she might be dead for a day or so from the previous night's drinking.
However, as befitting a kingdom of alcohol, Heglatan was also excellent at treating hangovers. After drinking a bowl of the medicine that Blahar had brought, Elze experienced the magic of her hangover disappearing as if it had been washed away. Blahar spoke triumphantly.
“How is it? It’s awesome, isn’t it?”
Rapine, who drank the medicine with Elze, also had his eyes wide open. It was almost like taking medicine made by Ivanna. It was even more surprising because he knew that it was not easy to produce medicine of this level.
It seemed that Heglatan's technological advancements were considerable. Thinking that she could not ignore them, Elze looked at the man standing next to Blahar.
Today Blahar was not alone. Next to him stood a cold-looking man with gray hair and eyes.
“This is Serev Kamysh. He is my right-hand man.”
"Nice to meet you."
Serev greeted her politely. Elze greeted him too.
"Nice to meet you."
However, after exchanging greetings, the atmosphere became a little strange. This was because an odd situation unfolded where they used formal language to the Prince's subordinates and spoke informally to the Prince.
Serev's expression was not good as if he didn't like the way Elze had been talking comfortably with Blahar since earlier.
Come to think of it, Elze continued to speak informally to Blahar even though she knew he was a Prince. Perhaps it was because they had met for the first time, so she was more used to speaking informally. Anyway, it was time to sort out the honorifics. Elze bowed her head to Blahar and said.
“Please forgive my rudeness so far, Your Highness. I will be more polite in the future.”
Then Blahar waved his hand urgently.
“No, no!”
He blushed slightly in response. Blahar hesitated and whispered to Elze.
“I wish you... would just talk to me more comfortably. You don’t have eyes to see me anyway, right?”
Serev, who was standing next to him with his eyes wide open, was Blahar, who was ignoring him cleanly. Elze looked at Serev with a troubled face. He seemed quite surprised to see Blahar blushing. However, he did not step forward and speak out. He simply kept his mouth shut as if he would follow his master's will. Blahar asked again.
“You understand, Elze?”
Elze, who had been looking around, decided to just speak informally. Elze was already feeling awkward about speaking formally, so she was going crazy.
“If you want, of course.”
Then Blahar smiled with the utmost delight. Elze felt a little perverted by his appearance, so she took a step away from him. Blahar smiled and said.
“Kalia and the others have been receiving treatment since yesterday. I will arrange for you to meet after my request is over.”
Blahar cried out as if he felt wronged, seeing Elze's eyes doubting whether she was really allowed to meet them.
“Trust me, I’m going to make this arrangement! We’re all in the same boat anyway.”
Considering what he had done so far, he didn't seem very trustworthy. As Elze nodded vaguely, Blahar said.
“It is certain that Elijah is in the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“How did you know that?”
“Well, that’s...”
Blahar said with an awkward smile.
“Actually, we were going to take them first.”
She knew this would happen. Blahar spoke confidently as Elze looked at him as if she was looking at a bad guy.
“Alchemists are high-level talents, right? Ivanna is a talent we have been keeping an eye on. I expected that she would visit the Master’s laboratory someday.”
After saying that, Blahar muttered, sighing as if the ground was falling apart.
“But Crown Prince, why is this crazy guy running around..."
He muttered a short, unintelligible word in Heglatan. Judging from the expression on Serev's face, who was standing next to him, it was clearly a curse. Blahar continued calmly.
“The Crown Prince is really attracted to women, perhaps because of his ugly face. He especially has an inferiority complex towards me, and it seems like any woman who sleeps with me must sleep with him to feel better.”
"...No way."
Elze felt a sense of unease creeping over her. Blahar grinned like a rascal.
“You will be the woman who spends the night with me.”
Elze let out a silent scream. At Elze's reaction, Blahar hurriedly added.
“Ah, of course, that’s just a rumor. You’ll be the one making the move.”
But Elze did not let her suspicions go. Elze looked at him with suspicious eyes and asked.
“You’re already spreading rumors and notifying me now?”
“Oh, I got caught.”
Hehe, Blahar was scratching his head with a smile. Elze muttered, thinking that she wanted to pull out all of that guy's hair.
“Hey, I’m a married woman.....”
What a scary person my husband is. No, not a person, he's a devil, a devil.
Elze thought to herself. What if she was really, really unlucky and the rumor reached Shan's ears, and he found out that Elze was the one telling the rumor...
From then on, it was the opening of a hellish new business. Elze, who imagined a tragic ending, shivered briefly. Blahar looked at Elze and said.
“But you said it was only three days. There’s not much time left. This is the only way to get to the Crown Prince’s Palace quickly.”
Blahar tried hard to persuade Elze, who was feeling embarrassed.
“There are other ways, but they all take at least a week. And since only a few of us know that you are Elijah’s Elze, there’s no way the secret will get out.”
“...”
Elze couldn't refute Blahar's words. Unless she could come up with another sharp solution, she had to follow the method Blahar had suggested.
“I understand. I guess there’s nothing I can do.”
Blahar cheered at Elze's resigned nod.
“That’s an excellent choice! Then let’s start the actual operational meeting.”
Blahar spread out a large piece of paper on the wide table. It was a map of the Heglatan Palace. Blahar pointed to the Crown Prince's Palace on the map and began to explain.
“The Crown Prince’s Palace is in Geumnam District.”
The Crown Prince's Palace was inhabited only by maids, except for the Crown Prince's two secretaries. Aside from invited guests, the only people who came and went were high-class prostitutes who were there to sleep with the Crown Prince.
Blahar had sent assassins several times so far, but the results were disappointing. It was rare for a woman to be able to wield a sword. Furthermore, it was almost a miracle that a woman with a good figure and beauty worthy of entering the Crown Prince's palace could wield a sword.
“That’s why I need Elze. You’re a newcomer to the red-light district, and you’re the first one to spend the night with me. He's already heard the rumors and the Crown Prince has contacted me. We’ll be moving right away tonight.”
Blahar took out a long stick and tapped the Crown Prince's palace, saying:
“No one should look into the bedroom while the Crown Prince is spending the night with a woman. After killing the Crown Prince, that’s when you have free time.”
Elze took a quick look around the Crown Prince's Palace while listening to Blahar's explanation, then glanced at the entire map. The Prince's Palace was not far from the Crown Prince's Palace.
“We can just kill the Crown Prince quickly and then search for Ivanna and Tarkun.”
As Elze studied the map, Blahar's stick pointed to the forest next to the Crown Prince's Palace.
“We’ll be waiting here with the knights. Come here when you’re done.”
Blahar said, drawing a circle around the forest with a thin stick.
“Everything must be done before dawn. When the sun rises, the maid will go to the bedroom to wake the Prince...”
He looked at Elze. When their eyes met, Blahar smiled prettily and whispered.
“If you don’t come when the sun rises, I’ll consider your mission a failure.”
Elze answered cynically.
“You’re saying you’re going to abandon me?”
“Such a sad thing.”
Blahar said with a grin.
“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will save you, Elze.”
“...”
Elze simply raised an eyebrow and asked the question she was curious about.
“By the way, if only women are allowed to enter the Crown Prince’s Palace, do I have to go alone?”
"Yes?"
“Hmm... Is there no way we can go in together?”
Everyone was troubled by Elze's words. It was certainly dangerous to send Elze alone. However, it was not something that could be forced into the Geumnam District. While everyone was silent, lost in thought, Rapine quietly began to speak.
“There is one way...”
***
On a dark night, three women were sitting in a carriage heading to the Crown Prince's Palace.
To be exact, it was one woman and two transvestites. Elze said as she looked at Ilwooz and Rapine, who were dressed up and made up nicely.
“It feels like I only picked members who look good in women’s clothing.”
“...”
“...”
The two people didn't say anything to Elze's words. In fact, the biggest victim was Rapine. Ilwooz originally had a neutral vibe, and since his eyes were covered, if he put on some makeup around his lips, he would look like a woman at first glance.
But Rapine had to wear full makeup. What was even sadder was that he looked good in women's clothing. Elze patted Rapine on the shoulder and said,
“But it suits you this much because it’s you. Just think of it as Tarkun doing it.”
“...I will think positively.”
If Tarkun had dressed up as a woman, he probably wouldn't have been able to go near the Crown Prince's Palace or the Imperial Palace. Elze giggled and looked back at Ilwooz.
“I’m sorry, Ilwooz.”
"No..."
He surprisingly didn't pay much attention to the women's clothing. It seemed like he was completely preoccupied with other things. She couldn't figure out why he was doing that because he didn't answer.
While they were talking like that for a while, they arrived at the Crown Prince’s Palace. The carriage windows were tightly covered with curtains, so they couldn’t see anything inside the palace on the way there. However, the moment they got out of the carriage, Elze was amazed.
The beautiful stone building with its pointed spire and round dome-shaped roof was magnificent and majestic to look at.
But before she could even look around properly, she was dragged by the coachman to the back door of the Crown Prince's Palace. There, a slender-looking woman was waiting with her arms crossed.
“Are these kids?”
She looked Elze, Rapine, and Ilwooz up and down.
“Not all beige is bad.”
She pointed to Ilwooz and Rapine and said disapprovingly.
“One is blind and the other is too tall. You cannot allow such flawed children into His Highness’s bedroom. Send the two back.”
“!!”
Elze hurriedly looked back at Rapine and Ilwooz. The coachman was already leading them away. She had to say something.
“These, these kids...!”
I'm sorry, Ilwooz, Rapine! Elze cried, squeezing her eyes shut.
“The technique is good!”
“...”
There was a brief silence at the mention of good technology. Elze continued quickly.
“Prince Blahar has also invited the three of us. It is to assist the Crown Prince more fully, so please allow us to do so.”
“Well... If that’s the case, then there’s nothing I can do.”
The woman allowed them to go in together, despite her trembling face. She guided the three of them into a small room, telling them to wait a moment. As soon as the woman closed the door and left, Elze was skewered by Ilwooz and Rapine’s hot gazes.
“Ah... haha...”
Rapine sighed and muttered to Elze, who smiled awkwardly, saying that he had no choice.
“I’m glad I was able to get in.”
Ilwooz, who had been quiet until now, added a word.
“Because the technique is good...”
Hearing those words from the Pope really pricked her conscience. As Elze was desperately trying to apologize to the two people, the door flew open.
“Follow me.”
It was that lady. She looked down at them with an arrogant face and said.
“We will go to His Highness’s bedroom.”
Elze, Rapine, and Ilwooz followed the woman. The hallway became more and more colorful as they followed her. After walking down the long hallway for a long time, the woman finally stopped. She opened the door and said.
“You will simply change my clothes here and then go in. This is connected to His Highness’s bedroom, so please do not make any noise.”
In the room, maids were waiting with various clothes and cosmetics. The woman gave a few instructions to the maids and then left. After confirming that the woman had left, the maids greeted Elze.
“We have been waiting. We are His Highness’ followers.”
The maids were those whom Blahar had bribed in advance. They placed a small screen between Rapine, Ilwooz, and Elze and began to change their clothes.
It was a common practice to check for weapons while changing clothes. However, the bribed maids did not say anything even though they saw the dagger hidden in Elze's thigh. Thanks to this, it seemed that the dagger could be safely hidden in the Crown Prince's bedroom. One of the maids whispered softly to Elze.
“The things you asked for are under the sofa over there. This is a message from the Prince to go and look for weapons over there after you finish your business in the bedroom and do something else.”
In addition, he even hid Elze's rapier and mangosh, Rapine's bow, and a change of clothes for after the work in the bedroom was over.
She thought it was pretty good. She had a feeling that Blahar was proudly shouting, “I’m doing a good job!”
“The preparations are complete.”
The maids, who had finished dressing, pulled back the curtain. Elze had to try not to laugh at the sight of Rapine and Ilwooz.
Although Elze was a woman, she wore revealing clothes refreshingly, Rapine and Ilwooz were worried about how to change their clothes.
However, the maids’ experience was not something to be ignored. They covered Rapine and Ilwooz from the neck down to the lower body without any gaps to hide that they were men, and made them wear low-cut clothes on their backs.
Even though she clearly knew that they were a man at heart, Elze almost applauded because their clothes looked so provocative.
The two of them looked quite embarrassed. But for some reason, they seemed more embarrassed by Elze than by their own clothes.
Elze, who saw Rapine avoiding her gaze here and there, finally checked her own clothes reflected in the mirror. And then she gasped.
Elze’s attire was beyond lewd, and there was simply no fabric. In particular, the skirt was left open on both sides, revealing her legs, which was embarrassing to the point of death. The dagger was hidden inside her thighs, barely able to be seen. Elze, who had belatedly grabbed hold of her skirt with her hands, was dragged away by the maids.
“This way.”
There was a large door next to the room. Opening the door led straight to another room. It was the Crown Prince's bedroom.
“Please wait. His Highness will be coming in shortly.”
The maids threw the three people into the bedroom and left. Elze first checked the layout of the bedroom. There was a really, really big bed right in the middle.
The table was filled with various fruits, snacks, and bottles of alcohol, and various tools for the adults were neatly arranged. A glass bottle containing a pink liquid that looked like a potion was also placed next to it. The skillful display gave off the scent of a professional. It seemed that the Crown Prince was quite fond of women.
While Elze was observing the surroundings for a while, Rapine quietly opened his mouth.
“But, Captain.”
He hesitated for a moment and then asked.
“...Are you really planning to kill the Crown Prince?”
Elze immediately understood what Rapine meant by his question.
Killing the Crown Prince did not mean a simple assassination. The moment Elze killed the Crown Prince, Heglatan would fall into chaos. And the whole country would be turned upside down in search of the Crown Prince's murderer. Blahar planned to ascend to the throne in that chaos.
He said he would protect Elze. But one never knows what will happen in this world. If one were to make a mistake and it was revealed that Elze was the Crown Prince's murderer, not only Elze, but Targayel would be involved.
Suddenly, she felt Ilwooz’s gaze. He was also staring at Elze at Rapine’s question.
“...”
Ilwooz said nothing. But he was the Pope who served Ines. He would not be happy about murder. Elze smiled, sensing his silent opposition. And she said to Rapine.
“What do you mean kill?”
But just as Elze was about to speak, the bedroom door opened. The three of them knelt on the floor and bowed their heads.
“Your Highness, I have prepared the child you mentioned.”
A clear voice was heard. It was the voice of the woman who had been giving orders to Elze and her party. Then, the voice of the Crown Prince, the main character of today, followed.
“Hmm? There are three.”
“I found out that the three of them gathered together.”
“Ahh... I see.”
The sound of footsteps continued until they suddenly stopped in front of Elze.
“Raise your head.”
Elze carefully raised her head. The Crown Prince let out a joyful exclamation when he saw Elze.
“Wow... Your complexion is truly magnificent.”
And Elze deliberately smiled to hide her surprise. She thought Blahar was joking when he said that he was the only one who was handsome, but it was true. The Crown Prince was not handsome at all, no matter how you looked at him.
After seeing the Crown Prince with his severe prognathism, she could see why Blahar was such a narcissist. He was the only handsome man in the royal family, so he had every reason to be proud.
In fact, there are people with all sorts of appearances, so it was something that could be overlooked as just looking different from Blahar.
What really surprised Elze was the Crown Prince's eyes. Unlike Blahar's red eyes, which were as bright as the sun, the Crown Prince's red eyes were like a dying, withered rose. They were clearly red eyes that had inherited the same blood. However, it was surprising that there could be such a difference.
But certainly... Rather than Blahar becoming the Emperor of Heglatan, it would be much more advantageous for other countries to have someone like him become the Emperor. While Elze was lost in thought, the Crown Prince looked at Rapine and Ilwooz and asked a question.
“The other two are a bit unique. What do you know how to do?”
“...”
Elze couldn't bring herself to say again that their skills were great in front of the two silent people, so she quickly got up from her seat.
"Your Highness."
Elze stood up, pulling the hem of her clothes, and smiled faintly as she spoke.
“Why do you ask such detailed questions?”
And then she ran her hand down his arm and whispered softly.
“I’ll tell you everything in bed.”
Husband, I'm sorry!
Elze apologized to Shan inwardly. Elze had sinned against many people today. And the Crown Prince was relieved by Elze’s physical contact. He laughed heartily and quickly picked up Elze with his hand and headed to the bed. He threw Elze down on the bed and shouted.
“I can’t wait to see how much you will delight me! Me too..."
He sat down on the bed, then strode towards Elze and spoke with a sinister expression.
“I will entertain you. Much more than that Blahar!”
Although she had never had anything fun with Blahar, Elze whispered to him, brushing it off as something like that.
“Yes, Your Highness. Please come this way.”
As Elze made a gentle gesture, the Crown Prince ran towards her as if he couldn't hold back any longer.
“...”
And the woman who had been watching with a sharp eye from the corner until then retreated outside only after confirming that the Crown Prince was laying his body on top of Elze.
“...!”
As soon as they confirmed that the woman had left, Elze and Lapine quickly exchanged glances. Elze, who was on the verge of being crushed to death, immediately pushed the crown prince away and called him.
"Your Highness."
“Huh...?”
Elze smiled brightly and whispered to him, who was already half-asleep.
“I’m sorry if this is our first time meeting, but you should exercise. Your arms were shaking when you hugged me earlier.”
“...?”
“And don’t be pushed aside by Prince Blahar and be sure to become Emperor. I think it would be really reassuring if Your Highness became Emperor.”
The Crown Prince blinked for a moment, unable to comprehend what he had heard. However, before the Crown Prince could fully understand what Elze was saying, Elze quickly threw him down and sat on his neck. She then pressed her thighs against the sides of his neck and strangled him.
“Ugh!!”
The Crown Prince, whose face had turned blue from not being able to breathe, struggled, but Rapine held his body and prevented him from moving. The Crown Prince could not hold out for long. Soon, his eyes became blurry and his limbs became limp.
“Phew.”
Elze sighed as she got out of bed. Then she smiled at Ilwooz, who was staring at her.
“Don’t worry. I just knocked him out.”
Rapine shouted at Elze as she roughly placed the Crown Prince on the bed.
“Commander, give orders!”
Elze said, running to the room where she had changed clothes earlier.
“First, clothes!”
The three of them ran into the next room. They took out the clothes and weapons hidden under the sofa, and then each turned around and started changing their clothes. Elze started giving instructions while getting dressed.
“From now on, I will prioritize finding Ivanna and Tarkun. And after I join them...”
Elze said, putting on her top and putting her arms inside.
“Going to the Prince’s palace.”
“!!”
Rapine and Ilwooz looked back at Elze in surprise. Elze waved at the two people looking at her.
“I’m changing clothes.”
The two turned their heads again, exclaiming, “Oh no!” Elze smiled faintly and continued speaking.
“Go to the Prince’s Palace, rescue Kalia and the others, then run straight to the border and return home.”
Rapine asked in a panicked voice, and he hurriedly put on his clothes.
“Aren’t you going back to Blahar?”
“Do you think you can trust him?”
“That’s not it.”
“Yeah. You never know what kind of traps that snake might have set. And...”
Elze remembered Blahar's appearance when he told her to come.
"Come to Heglatan, Elze of Elijah."
His confident tone was still vivid. Elze continued, chewing on the memory.
“Blahar was lusting after Elijah.”
"That..."
“Perhaps, Blahar, after we have dealt with the troublesome Crown Prince with our own hands.”
Elze muttered as she buttoned up her trousers.
“He might be a plan to swallow up Elijah as well.”
Rapine, who had changed his clothes, spoke while putting on his quiver.
“Are you saying that he might not let us go?”
“That’s right. I won’t do as he says.”
Ilwooz whispered quietly to Elze's words.
“Not killing the Crown Prince... and going to the Prince’s palace were also things Blahar did not expect....”
“That’s right. While Blahar waits diligently beside the Crown Prince’s Palace, we raid the palace.”
She had no intention of playing around like Blahar wanted. Elze put her rapier and mangosh on her waist for the last time, fastened her belt, and looked back at Rapine and Ilwooz. The two of them had also changed their clothes and were ready.
“....”
The moment they faced each other, tension flowed through the air. It was even more intense because they knew the gravity of what they were about to do.
Blahar would not forgive betrayal. If they failed and were caught, they would be decapitated immediately. Elze let out a light breath, shaking off the tension.
"Then..."
And then as if it were nothing, she smiled confidently and said:
“Should we go find Ivanna and Tarkun first?”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment