Published: July 4, 2025
Protected by the ice wall, the group returned to the White Retreat.
"The Royal Castle is dangerous, isn't it? Abel has managed to survive for three years," Ryo remarked.
"Well, usually it's considered the safest place in the country. I think normally it wouldn't be this severe here either..." Abel waved his hand, misunderstood.
The two of them were whispering in the spacious living room of Princess Iliriaja’s quarters, which also served as a meeting room.
Princess Iliriaja was changing into more comfortable clothes in the adjacent room.
While she typically wore something like a dress, it seemed that her outfit was closer to formal attire since she was visiting as the crown princess.
Being part of the royal family comes with its challenges.
At that moment, Princess Iliriaja returned from the next room.
It certainly seemed simpler compared to attire one would expect when visiting a crown princess.
At the same time, the door from the hallway opened, and Kavui Somaru entered.
“Your highness... I’m relieved to see you safe.”
He knelt before Princess Iliriaja.
"Lord Protector, I'm sorry for causing you worry. Thanks to the two of you, I was protected," she replied with a gentle smile.
The four of them took their seats.
"Not only poison, but also a magical attack... How reckless. What does the Crown Prince's Palace plan to do?" Kavui Somaru muttered to himself.
"Poison... That's right. Ryo-san, was there no poison in the cup given by Lady Raina?" Princess Iliriaja asked Ryo.
She thought for sure there would be some kind of poison.
It was tasteless and odorless, so it could have been either Shurin's Poison or Chirirukariru Poison.
"It might have been, but it should be fine. It should have been neutralized," Ryo said.
"Neutralized?"
"Yes. I have a unique constitution that apparently dispels evil energies. It seems that includes neutralizing poison..."
“Oh! So that’s why you could approach me then.”
"Yes, Your Highness. I confirmed through experiments that if I stay within that distance for five seconds, it will be neutralized."
"Could it be that Mr. Abel was the one who became a sacrifice in that experiment...?"
Princess Iliriaja asked with a smiling confirmation, and Abel nodded silently.
"Though Abel looks quite displeased, he is not making that face out of dissatisfaction with you, Your Highness. He really is an impolite swordsman," Kavui Somaru remarked.
"Of course! It’s Ryo’s fault that I'm making this face. That... was it Jubijubi's poison? I was forced to drink that glaringly red, obviously dangerous substance," Abel complained.
"But you were neutralized, weren't you?"
"The smell remained the same, and the color too. Why did it have to be me... Ryo could have tested it instead!"
"I couldn't just test it myself. I had to unfortunately use Abel's body for the experiment. Yes, unfortunately. How many times have I wiped away my overflowing tears...?"
"Don't lie! You were laughing and saying, 'It's fine, Abel, please be a sacrifice! Ahahaha!'"
"Really? I have no memory of that."
Ryo feigned sudden amnesia, much like a high-ranking official testifying somewhere.
Princess Iliriaja giggled.
Kavui Somaru let out a wry smile.
Peace is built on the sacrifices of many.
"Regardless of the poison, the magic was quite dangerous... No, it was magic, wasn't it?"
"What was that? I’ve never seen anything like it, not in the Central Nations or the Western Nations," Abel questioned, while Ryo tilted his head in response.
It had a feel similar to Japanese talismans, but from what he glimpsed, it didn't appear as complex as a talisman. There didn't seem to be many characters written on it.
There was no familiar magic circle drawn either... but now that he thought about it, it might have looked like a combination of squares and triangles.
"Could it be closer to alchemy than magic? I'm a bit curious," Ryo said, as if something struck him.
Kavui Somaru spoke up, "It might be a sorcerer from the continent."
"Sorcerer?"
Princess Iliriaja, Abel, and Ryo said in unison.
The tone of their voices varied.