TYHL 180

~Chapter 180~

Leviathan was in the knights’ headquarters, listening to Leon’s latest report.

Once again, a small group of monsters had appeared—this time in the eastern Hedden district near the capital.

“Yuzen happened to be passing by, so he headed over right away,” Leon said.

“Handling it on the way back… You’re working hard,” Leviathan replied.

“There aren’t many of them, so it shouldn’t be too much trouble. So—”

Leon, usually all business, hesitated a little at the end. Leviathan picked up on it and gave a slight smile.

“Alright. Let’s not tell Rubian about this.”

Leon’s expression softened in relief as he nodded.

Ever since Delmon’s death in the order, Rubian had been prone to worrying over even minor expeditions.

Monster sightings are up—and more of them are near civilian areas, Leviathan thought, drawing another red mark on the large map on the table.

Recently, monsters had started showing up more frequently throughout the Empire. What used to be a southern problem was now creeping toward the capital itself.

Honestly, Jelox is probably the safest place right now, he mused. The protective barrier surrounding all of Jelox—carved into the bell tower, crafted by Rubian herself—kept them safe.

Regardless, the Empire had ramped up security and increased guard patrols to the highest level to prepare for monster appearances. There had been a few painful incidents, like Delmon, but nothing catastrophic—so far.

Still, it means we’ve pulled a fair chunk of our forces off the hunt for the Mage Kingdom… Leviathan tapped his finger on the desk.

The mages are starting to move, to plot. Is this spike in monster activity really just a coincidence?

For now, it’s just a hunch.

His purple eyes flashed.

“What about the Mage Kingdom? Any news?”

“Nothing significant yet.”

A secret expedition with a new survey ship was being prepped. Leviathan considered for a moment whether to go along.

“What about Allen?”

“He should be back before Khalid. He said he was on his way, so he’ll probably arrive soon.”

Something else occurred to Leon and he added, “Oh, and Khalid will be returning with the Cassalian royals, acting as their escort.”

“I can already picture the look on his face,” Leviathan said, smirking.

“They should reach the outskirts of the capital in about four days. Should we send more support? Since they’re official guests, it might be good to increase the escort.”

Leviathan gave a soft laugh at the unusually long-winded suggestion.

“Just admit you want to let the kid rest.”

“…That’s not it,” Leon said, rubbing the back of his head.

Leon had grown up in the order, so everyone treated Khalid like a cheeky little brother, even if they pretended otherwise.

I really hope Khalid brings back the right formula this time, Leviathan thought.

According to Rubian, only two runestones remained.

One was the one Khalid had gone to find; the other…

“Um, it’s not certain yet, so I need to research a little more,” Rubian had said, clenching her fist with determination.

He calls it ‘support,’ but really he just wants to welcome Khalid back himself.

Leviathan remembered the eager look on Rubian’s face whenever Khalid was mentioned.

Maybe I should let them meet a little sooner…

Then, abruptly, logic snapped him out of it.

Wait—why should I arrange for them to meet early? Is there even a reason? They’re friends, that’s all. They can take their time. Why am I even… what am I thinking!

SNAP. The pen in his hand broke clean in two. Leon took a wary step back.

“Sir? Is everything alright? Have we been attacked or—?”

Just then—

“Sir! Sir!”

An aide came rushing in, out of breath.

Leviathan’s expression shifted instantly as he stood up, already bracing for bad news—urgent reports like this were rarely good.

“What is it?”

“Well, um…” The aide gulped.

“Just… please, try not to overreact or reach for your sword, and listen calmly. The young lady, she…”

Leviathan’s hand instinctively went to his sword as his mind raced.

Jeez, that was a shock.

Where did that nosebleed even come from?

“Pinch your nose and keep your head down. You’re fine.”

“Mm-hm.”

I held the handkerchief to my nose, tapping away the drops of blood that landed on my clothes.

“Your Highness, could you call for the carriage?” Liam asked.

“Yes, of course. I’ll have it ready right away,” Licht said, rushing off.

“Grrr…”

“Fairy, don’t drink the blood. Let it flow.”

Liam’s voice was unusually tense, and I glanced up at him.

Tall as ever, black hair perfectly in place, those sharp features made colder by his glasses.

His personality might be a little odd, but at least he’s got a classic handsome face.

“It’s okay, little fairy. Don’t worry.”

“I know. It’s just a nosebleed, really.”

I’d only panicked because everyone was staring.

Still, I’m glad my brother was here.

I leaned back, comforted by Liam’s solid presence behind me. He gritted his teeth.

“I used to get nosebleeds all the time, you know. It’s no big deal—just happens when you’re tired. But why are you tired? If you eat and sleep well, it doesn’t happen. So does this mean my sister hasn’t been eating and sleeping properly? That can’t be right. Who do I complain to about this?”

The ground started to shake.

What is this, an earthquake?

I was practically vibrating.

“B-brother, c-c-calm down!”

“It’s fine, little fairy. Nosebleeds happen when you’re tired, really. But why are you tired…? If you eat and sleep—”

Oh, no.
He’s stuck on a loop.

Licht soon returned with a wide carriage, and I rode home with my brother.

I don’t know who spread the word, but the whole mansion…

Well, chaos would be putting it lightly.

“Don’t run! Walk, please!”

“Get hot water! And clean towels!”

Is someone giving birth?

Servants rushed about in every direction. Even my mother came back in a hurry and hovered over me, worried.

“Rubian, if you’re tired, you should have told me.”

“I didn’t even feel that tired…”

I sat on the bed in fresh clothes.

Sniffing, I could still taste blood at the back of my throat.

Hazel picked up the bloodied handkerchief with trembling hands. The other maids looked like they’d seen a ghost.

“Where’s Borbel…? Where is she?!”

“Alright, girls! It’s time to shed these maid uniforms and spring into action! Go out and buy every herbal remedy in the capital, and bring in any doctor you see. Move out!”

“No, don’t move out!”

I tried to stop them with every ounce of strength, but they’d already vanished—like smoke!

“It was just a few drops of blood! It’s already stopped!”

“A few drops? You were practically gushing,” Liam retorted.

Mom, who’d been quietly listening, smiled sweetly.

“Rubian, would you write down the names of everyone you saw today?”

“…And then?”

“In accordance with our family motto—take care of it. Blood for blood. Remember?”

She dabbed at the red around my nose, her blue eyes flickering—was that fire?

“Guess we need a second nosebleed, just to be sure.”

“I didn’t get beat up or anything…!”

Mom’s beautiful smile almost made me write down the First Prince’s name, but I held firm.

At that moment, Liam rummaged through his bag and handed me a vial filled with a suspicious greenish-brown liquid.

“Drink this first.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a new potion I made from monster ingredients. In recent trials, it worked wonders for fatigue. Even the palace doctors want it, so it must be good.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“List all the ingredients, please.”

“A unique 2:1:3 blend of monster droppings, reproductive organs, and intestines—”

“Nope! I’d rather have another nosebleed!”

I was about to shout when the door burst open.

“Rubian.”

“Dad?”

Dad strode in, pale as a ghost.