"Even without that, by Your Highness's order, we sent a branch member to the Holy Land, but after entering the central temple, all contact with him was lost. He was a child who had awakened his holy powers, so he entered as a priest..."
Kensington looked serious.
"While I'm away, let's find out more about his whereabouts. He wouldn't have just disappeared. It's just too coincidental that he disappeared right after Rachel returned to the central temple."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will let you know as soon as I find out."
Kensington nodded and switched hands to his cane.
"I am sorry that my body is a burden and I cannot be with you, Your Highness."
Even though he lowered his head, his voice somehow came out much more steadily than before.
Kensington had to admit.
When the first Prince said he wouId accompany his lord on his expedition, the slight anxiety that had been in his heart completely disappeared.
If only the label of Prince of Katzen could be removed.
In fact, there would be no one better suited to cut off the dragon's head.
***
The quayside of the Strait of El Amuz.
There was a galley on a large boat anchored behind the bushes, avoiding people's attention.
"What, boss, why are you here alone? Didn't you say you were going to escort the Princess?"
"The destination has changed."
"Where?"
"Death Valley. By boat, we'll go alI the way to the Pitch Black Forest."
Gallo rubbed his ears at Cesare's short answer, which erased all the details, including Medea's determination, and only gave the conclusion.
"Wait a minute, I think I misheard you. Where are you going?"
"Death Valley. Through the pitch-black forest."
Gallo touched his ear again.
"Boss, right now, if it's the Pitch Black Forest, then it's a place where mutant beasts that have never been seen or heard of on the continent appear. Are you saying that we're going there on foot? Did I misunderstand?"
"You heard me right."
"Suddenly? Boss, has life become boring? Or did you get a life as a bonus?"
Then, Gallo, who immediately realized the reason, cried out and grabbed his head...
A few strands of straw-colored, shaggy hair fell pitifully to the floor.
"Is this the way to avoid the oracle? Whose crazy idea to destroy the evil dragon came from? Her Highness the Princess? Or the Boss?"
In fact, he couldn't be sure who Gallo was because he had witnessed with his own eyes that both of them acted beyond the common sense of the criminal.
"Be quiet. We'll leave as soon as she gets here. Get ready."
Cesare seemed to have no intention of answering Gallo's questions: he simply said what he had to say and turned away.
Gallo looked up at his boss as if he found it absurd.
It gave the illusion that the faint corners of Cesare's mouth were slightly raised.
At the same time, a faint light that passed through the golden eyes even gave off a sense of secret satisfaction.
The expression was still cold, so an ordinary person might not have noticed this subtle difference...
"Boss, what did you eat wrong? Why are you in such a good mood? Who goes to their death with such a heavy heart?"
"Are you insecure?"
"No way?!"
Cesare threw another spark of provocation at Gallo.
"If you're not going, get out now. We'll have to reduce the number of people when we break through the forest, anyway.
"Oh, who wouldn't go?! Who wouId let me go as I pleased? You've forgotten our promise to die on the same day at the same time!"
Gallo, who had been burning brightly, looked betrayed. And he started a fight with Terence for no reason.
"The one who really needs to get out is Terence. He changed his words the most when he came running from Katzen to here. How can he endure that rough forest?"
Cesare turned to Terence and raised his eyebrows without saying anything.
"You, you're not going to listen to that guy and try to get rid of me, are you?"
Terence asked back, as if in disbelief.
"You're going to deal with the evil dragon without a wizard?"
"Huh. Boss, if you get left behind and can't make it to the canyon, there won't be any magicians or anything."
"You shut up. Cesare, if you leave me here, I'll blow a hole in your stomach, so just know that."
"...Let's go together."
Permission was granted a little late.
From then on, he is treated as a VIP wherever he goes on the continent.
He volunteered to help, but he had to threaten to go on this expedition to his death.
Terence sighed, feeling a little wronged.
***
The next day, the Strait of El Amuz.
It was a dim hour, the morning dew still hadn't cleared.
Chararak-!
The rope at the dock came loose.
"Hoist the sails!"
As soon as Medea and her party left the palace and boarded the ship, the sailboat set sail, cutting through the waves.
Medea, standing on the deck, looked at the palace getting further and further away.
The pale light breaking through the dawn illuminated the spires of the palace.
'Peleus, hold on a little longer.'
The mistake of leaving his only brother without saying a word can be repented with the neck of an evil dragon.
Meanwhile, the ship that Cesare had prepared was surprisingly authentic.
The long, sleek hull was well-suited for cutting through the sea, and the forepart was lined with spears and shields for battle.
The sails were made of strong fabric and looked like they could withstand any storm or surge.
Despite its enormous size and the Incredible speed at which it cut through the water, the deck remained stable without shaking.
Furthermore.
"This is the cabin where Her Highness the Princess will be staying. It may not be enough as time is limited, but please understand."
The interior of the ship that Terence guided was also amazing.
Soft leather chairs were placed in every corner, and beds were covered with thick wool blankets.
On the intricately carved table was a bronze lamp containing herbs that were said to relieve seasickness.
There was also a storage room at the edge of the room to keep fresh drinks and food available at all times.
There were meticulous touches everywhere to ensure a comfortable rest, even during a long voyage.
It's impossible to prepare a ship this well in just a few days.
The meticulous design and preparation, both inside and out, showed that this ship was built for long journeys.
Medea wasn't the only one who felt that density.
"Your Highness. Did the First Prince know that we would be leaving for the expedition in advance?"
Medea shook her head at Neril's question.
"It's not an expedition."
"Then...?"
"The ship is already ready. It is waiting for you at the dock."
Somehow, she felt like she knew the answer.
On deck, the sailors were busy moving about.
They, too, were mercenaries, as they had the mark of the Facade on their arms.
Medea spotted the man standing tall on the bow of the ship and approached him.
"High Priest? For now..."
"...What are you holding.... Ah. Your Highness the Princess!"
Next to Cesare, Gallo was talking about something when he found Medea and greeted her.
"Talk to you later."
"Yes."
As Gallo nodded and left, the end of a cream-colored piece of paper appeared in his arms.
"Caution."
As she was looking at his back, her body suddenly swayed as the boat began to rock.
"Don't come out here. It's dangerous.
A strong hand caught her as she swayed in the waves.
Medea, who was checking with her golden eyes to see if there was any place wet from the rough waves, suddenly asked.
"You. Did you come to me that day to make me run away?"
Cesare immediately raised his eyebrows at the sudden question.
"...Does that matter? We've already decided where to go?"
"Don't change the subject."
"If I tell you, are you sure you won't pretend not to know?"
Cesare raised the corners of his mouth as he answered the question.
"..."
He watched Medea's eyes narrow and her full lips pursed tightly.
He saw her clench her fist into a fist so small it could be covered with one hand.
Cesare had to hold back a laugh at her discontent, which was so obvious.
"In the end, this is right. Medea, it wouldn't suit you to run away from it, would you?"
Yes, this is Medea Valdina.
For a woman so unfortunate that she was destined to be a sacrifice by the oracle, there was no fear or terror in Medea's clear eyes.
When I came face to face with that dense face looking up at me...
A faint smile spread across Cesare's lips.
He feels like the tension that had been squeezing his whole body since he started running madly towards Valdina is finally letting go.
The outstretched index finger delicately brushed back the hair that was blowing in the sea breeze.
"When it comes to the Princess of Valdina, my predictions are always wrong."
Of course, she's a woman who plans to defeat the evil dragon herself by going against the oracle. He swallowed his laughter.
"There was no need to poison the Holy Land."
"What?"
Medea, who was about to strike his intimate yet arrogant hand, hesitated.
'The thing that was in Gallo's hand a little while ago...'
She asked, doubtful as a thought flashed through her head.
"Surely you didn't touch the Holy Land?"
Cesare smiled faintly, surprised that she had anticipated his actions with only a few clues.
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LMAOO Ceasar is so...
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