TYHL 177

~Chapter 177~

Clink, clink.

Khalid absently fiddled with the golden ringed bracelet on his wrist as he strolled deeper into the cave.

“That monster bastard…”
Allen grumbled, frantically wrapping waterproof cloth around his shoes.

Allied army?
Yeah, right. Give me a break.

For everyone else, this was a joint operation. For Khalid, this was just his own personal training ground. By the time Khalid had single-handedly cut down a hundred monsters, the rest of the support troops, combined, had managed maybe ten.

And if that wasn’t enough, he’d taken out the last massive monster at the very heart of the lair all by himself—without any backup. It was the stuff of legend; that beast had gone unbeaten for centuries.

Though, Liam Zebert’s tactical notes certainly played a part.
Liam, who’d been cranking out research papers at the academy like a madman, had sent over a detailed guide to the monsters in this region. Habits, weaknesses, tactics—all spelled out. It made the job much easier.

But even so, this level of strength… is he a monster himself?
Has this guy finally crossed over into beast territory?

Maybe one day he’ll even outdo Leviathan Zebert…

“Wow…”
Two monsters on this continent.
And I’m on their side?

Allen grinned, a bit smug about his own luck.

“Khalid, sirrrr!”
He chased after Khalid, actually grateful for the ache of his prosthetic eye.

Khalid kept moving further into the cave, now studying the strange, rune-covered monument radiating energy.

“Honestly, the kid never listens to a word I say. At least he’s consistent,”
Allen muttered, but Khalid ignored him, eyes fixed on the monument’s script.

He could finally go home.

He could finally see Rubian.

That single thought drowned out everything else.

He lit a small magical flame and began copying the formula inscribed on the stone, using a pen infused with magic.

“Is that it? The formula the princess has been looking for? Let me see—just a peek—”
Allen started, but Khalid glanced up, his expression as indifferent as ever.

“Back off. You’re blocking the light.”

“Seriously, this guy grew up just fine, except for his manners,”
Allen grumbled as he stepped back.

Could this really be the Dispel Formula?
It was so complex, it was hard to say for sure.

It does look like it’s meant to undo something…

If that’s the case, maybe this really is it.

He could only hope he’d be bringing Rubian something that actually mattered.

“Hey, hey. How long has it been since you saw the princess, anyway? A year and a half? Two years?”
Allen chuckled.

“How do you think she’ll react when she sees you again? I’ve been dropping by the manor from time to time, and let me tell you, the princess has gotten gorgeous. She’s always been cute, but now she’s beautiful too. Not much taller, but—OW!”

A pebble bounced off Allen’s forehead.

“Ow! You little—!”

“You want to shut up, or should I make you?”

“You already did, so what’s the point of asking?”

Khalid smirked.

“Don’t make comments like that. It gets on my nerves.”

“Fine, fine. Just use words next time, okay?”

Allen tried for a joke, but Khalid didn’t bother replying. Allen was used to it by now, so he just stretched and looked up.

And then he noticed how serious Khalid’s face was—more intense than he’d looked during any fight.

Wow, he’s even more focused now than he was in battle…

Damn, that kid’s grown up.
And honestly, his body too—broad shoulders, toned muscles from endless battles, that sharp jawline. He looked like both a fierce warrior and a nobleman, somehow pulling off both.

“How do you think the princess will react when she sees you? Will she cry? Laugh? Run up and hug you? Oh man, that’d be something.”

It was just the usual rambling, but this time, Khalid actually answered.

“She’ll probably run up and kick me in the shins.”

“Huh?”

“If I know her, she’ll kick me first.”

“Did you… steal money from her or something?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Khalid gave a quick laugh and went back to the monument.

“I left her with nothing but a note again.”

He really couldn’t bear saying goodbye to her face.

“She’ll probably blow up at me.”

And then, well…
He’d just have to beg for forgiveness.

He absently rubbed his last bracelet, as if making a promise.

Then he noticed a sting on his arm and rolled up his sleeve.

“Hey, are you hurt?”

“…Looks like it.”

“It doesn’t look too bad, but come here, let me put some ointment on it—”

Khalid glanced at the scrape, then quietly pulled his sleeve back down.

“It’s fine.”

“What? Why?”

“I’ll take care of it when I get home.”

“…?”

Why? I’ve got a first aid kit here that’s practically a mobile clinic!

Though, it’s mostly for me…

Allen narrowed his eyes, suddenly suspicious.

Oh, I see.

This sly fox…

Allen snickered and sat down next to Khalid, giving his shoulder a playful shove—only to bounce right off.

“Jeez, what are you, made of stone?”

“What? Stop pestering me and get lost.”

But Allen wouldn’t give up.

“So, are you going to confess when you get back?”

For a split second, the air in the cave went still.

“…Confess what?”

“You know, tell the princess you like her. She’s an adult now, right? What’s stopping you?”

Khalid looked at Allen like he was something the cat dragged in.

“Hey, look—now the King of Cassalia wants to give you a title, right? And when you go back to Bamilon, you’ll probably get a barony at least. Nothing’s holding you back anymore!”

“….”

“You’ll be a noble! And you’ve been living with the knights, learning to socialize! You’re all set!”

Khalid just stared at him, silent, his eyes widening a little.

“Wait—don’t tell me you’re still hung up on that whole ‘loyalty’ thing?”

“….”

“Seriously?! How much do I have to spell it out for you? Hey! That’s not loyalty, that’s lo— Mmph!”

Thud.

Khalid used a bit of magic to pin Allen to the wall like a slice of cheese.

“You want to shut up on your own, or should I do it for you?”

“You could’ve let me finish my sentence before pinning me—okay, okay! Please, let me down. There are still monsters in here!”

“If you’ve got time to blabber, go run an errand for Rubian in Bamilon. I’ll clean up here and catch up later.”

“Yes, yes, sir! As you command, your Imperial and Noble Highness…”

Allen managed to peel himself off the cave wall.

“Cough, cough. Let me give you some advice, kid—”
Khalid honestly felt like stuffing a monster corpse into that mouth.

“The guy who confesses first always wins. Especially since you’ve been gone for almost two years, right? You hear me?”

“Allen.”

“Yeah?”

“You married?”

Allen blinked stupidly.

“No?”

“Girlfriend?”

“Not right now.”

“Ever had one?”

“…No, never.”

Khalid grinned.

Why do I feel like crying all of a sudden?

While Allen sniffled, Khalid jerked his chin toward the exit.

“You’re starting to smell old. Get out.”

“As if! I don’t smell like an old man! I’m not even married!”

Phew. I’m exhausted…

I’d pulled an all-nighter gossiping with Mom, only falling asleep at dawn.

I thought I’d sleep late, but I woke up before noon, washed up, had breakfast, and headed for the palace.

After spending so much time at the Academy, trips to the palace had become strangely routine.
Probably because of the archives.

Through Licht, the Emperor himself had granted me special access.

“This way, Lady Rubian.”

“Yes!”

I followed the attendant to the palace archives.

The place was enormous, but my access was limited—mostly to sections on ancient records.

I’d been researching the names of ancient places with monuments. And there were always plenty of references useful for Academy life, so I came by often.

Wow, come to think of it, the Academy graduation symposium is coming up soon.

After the palace, I’d have to head there next.

So busy, so busy.

“If you need anything, let me know,”
the attendant said with a polite bow before stepping away.

I found a familiar spot among the crowded stacks and sat down.

Today, I’ll try researching the past names of Zelox. Maybe I can finally figure out if the last word in these records actually refers to ‘Zelox’ or not…

Hmm, should I grab that book?

I eyed a shelf just out of reach, feeling a little glum.

“A step stool would be nice…”

As I looked around for help—

“Need this?”

A tall shadow fell across me, and all at once, the scent of fresh soap wrapped around me, warm and familiar.