I Captured the Enemy Who Tried to Kill Me - Chapter 57

What’s life anyway?

Just letting it flow.

‘Ahaha.’

The past two days were hell.

‘How many bundles of documents did I process for this day?’

I looked out the wide carriage window at the magicians riding horses, their faces somehow haggard.

Though magicians were mainly indoor recluses devoted to research, they basically knew how to ride horses.

I shifted my gaze a bit forward to see the endless procession.

‘Quite the grand advertisement.’

Of course, this would have been Kaisis’s decision, full of thoughts about playing the role of bait perfectly.

I still vividly remember the reactions of those around me and the magicians when I said the Emperor would officially visit Duke Ariel’s castle.

‘What? Family Head, I think my ears are failing me. I seem to have heard something I shouldn’t have.’

‘You heard correctly.’

‘What? The Emperor must have truly gone mad this time!’

The magicians were shocked by two things.

First, how could the Emperor possibly come to Duke Ariel’s castle?

This shows how much the imperial family and the duke’s family have been like enemies.

Second, shameless! In the midst of all this busyness! Just because he’s the Emperor!

This contained the lament of imperial officials, including myself.

Reluctantly, somehow managing through overtime and all-night work, we began our journey stained with fatigue, and that was the present.

“Meooow.”

Of course, I wasn’t alone in the carriage.

There was the spiteful fat cat and Luias, my disciple, who had become quite close with the cat and was smiling cutely.

With the fat cat on his small knees, which were barely managing the weight, he wiggled his feet and tilted his head, looking just like a doll.

I clicked my tongue and said.

“Put that cat down. It must be heavy with all that fat.”

“Ksssssss!”

Hmph, no matter how fiercely it hissed, I wasn’t scared at all.

‘You fat cat, if you had any conscience, would you want to burden that small child?’

I glared back at the fiercely glaring Lucy, then turned my gaze to Luias.

The child whose cheeks were flushed red with happiness.

I couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

‘Fine, as long as you’re happy.’

Already worried about Luias, who had been banned from entering the palace due to the previous incident and had become quite depressed, I now couldn’t even imagine such a gloomy face with how bright he looked.

‘I guess you’re excited because the Emperor is somewhere in a carriage ahead? Even though he’s such a cold person, he’s still your brother.’

Still, considering what I saw in the vision, it was understandable.

I had seen how desperately young Kaisis had rushed to protect his brother from their mother.

‘That’s that. What on earth is that person thinking?’

There had been no contact from the Emperor for two days.

So I had no idea what face or expression he was wearing in the carriage ahead.

‘I’ve managed to gather some information about the duke’s castle, at least.’

Would I be able to avoid detection?

What if there’s someone who was close to Hillaria?

‘Ugh, my heart is pounding to death!’

I maintained a cold face, trying to calm my noisy insides.

We still had quite a distance to travel by carriage.

Though the Empire, with its advanced magic, had teleportation magic circles well-positioned like South Korea’s delivery services that go everywhere, the continent was still annoyingly vast.

‘Tonight we’ll have to set up tents and camp, they said.’

For a procession involving the Emperor and an imperial duke, it wasn’t that long, but the total number would exceed 70 people.

I shuddered imperceptibly.

Crazy, outdoor sleeping with Kaisis!

Since Luias is here, we’ll probably have meals together too.

‘Ugh, terrible, terrible.’

I glared at Lucy once more.

No matter how I thought about it, it was too unfair.

‘In other possession stories, memories of the body seem to come flooding back as soon as they possess it!’

Why am I like this?

Trying not to appear strange, discreetly asking my aide about the duke’s castle was the best I could do.

My people there included a capable butler who had been managing the castle for years.

My nanny, who had passed away a few years ago.

And that nanny’s son, recognized for his remarkable knowledge and ability, is currently managing most of the castle as my representative.

‘So he’s the problem. The nanny’s son. Judging by age and position, he probably knows me well.’

But regardless of my distant worries, the carriage was rolling toward the duke’s castle.

Eventually, as the day waned, darkness descended.

***

While everyone was setting up temporary tents, making efforts for the night where the Emperor and Duke would stay.

I saw someone approaching me as I stood outside the carriage, observing the situation.

‘So.’

The Emperor’s right hand.

An Awakened One who handles plants.

After I tore up those plants, this annoying person who barks more whenever he sees me.

Among various other things.

‘Why is he coming to me?’

I wanted to pretend I didn’t see and turn away, but our eyes met.

If I retreated here, it was obvious that there would be ridiculous rumors about Duke Ariel strangely fleeing before an Awakened One.

‘They’re already watching.’

Perhaps because fights involving this Awakened One had occurred more than once, I could see the haggard-faced magicians becoming alert.

I raised my hand to signal them to stand down, and greeted the Awakened One approaching me with his head held high.

‘What should I do?’

I frowned seriously, but inside I was stamping my feet.

What was this person’s name again?

No, I don’t think I originally knew this person’s name.

“Your Grace. It’s been a while.”

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t come to pick a fight.

I recalled how he watched me intently last time, clearly wanting to say something.

Could he really be coming to apologize?

I glanced at the Emperor’s knights who were watching this way as soon as this knight moved.

The Emperor’s carriage hadn’t opened yet, so I couldn’t tell what he was doing, but I clearly felt the energy of the Awakened Ones watching with disapproving expressions.

“What is it? I don’t think you and I are on speaking terms.”

“…I’ve been quite rude in the past. I wanted to formally apologize, but it wasn’t easy to find an opportunity to see you, so I’m late.”

Of course, there wouldn’t be occasions for the Emperor’s knight and me to meet alone.

But an apology?

“I don’t recall Awakened Ones ever apologizing for their rudeness to magicians.”

At my cynical words, I could see the Awakened Ones who were listening clench their fists.

They seemed to want to shout out in rebuttal, but were barely holding back for fear of another fight.

‘Hey, hey. Don’t come over. Please go that way.’

And in my sight was our youngest magician, who apparently lacked talent in setting up tents, struggling and looking this way.

‘Don’t come!’

He was also someone who had tormented me during these two days.

You have no idea how much he pestered me, singing for me to select him as an assistant magician.

And unable to endure, I finally promised to select him as an assistant magician.

‘Damn it.’

The youngest magician, who had been wielding his sparkling face like a weapon while throwing tantrums, fluttered over with the speed of someone taking flight.

And with a fierce face quite different from how he had been fluttering in front of me, he blocked my front and glared at the knight.

Oh, quite scary.

“Lord Dicardo, what are you trying to say to our Family Head?”

Good information acquired.

So that knight’s name was Dicardo.

Ardiel, who stepped forward in my place, barked fiercely like an angry Pomeranian.

“If you’re going to commit another rudeness, go back!”

Actually, with the large Awakened One standing firmly in front, it was quite scary, but this worked out well.

While inwardly relieved, I also coldly lowered my eyes, and a troubled expression appeared on the face of the Awakened One standing in front.

Whatever it is, just throw your words and go; this Grand Magician is tired.

“Um, Your Grace. I have a suggestion.”

But at that very moment.

A status window blocking my view.

And a sound.

—Ding.

This ominous sound!

What now?