Chapter 34

‘For some reason, this feels… unsettling,’ I thought.

“Then, how do you, a priest, know so much about the previous Demon King who was killed by the last warrior?”

“Well, the devastation left by the former Demon King was enormous, and it wasn’t all that long ago. Some of the survivors who suffered at his hands are still alive, and the temple has been involved in their recovery. So, we’ve gathered some knowledge from them.”

“And what about the Imperial Palace? What were they doing?”

“Considering how they treat our warrior, what can you really expect from the imperial family?”

The priest sighed heavily, letting his grievances spill out. He quickly tried to backtrack, realizing he probably shouldn’t be venting about the royal family to someone connected to the warrior. But the damage was done.

—

When I returned to my room to gather my belongings, an unexpected visitor was already there.

Sitting as if he owned the lone chair, I initially thought I’d walked into the wrong room and almost stepped back out.

“Hmm?” he said, motioning for me to stay. When I tried to leave, he lifted my already-packed bags, as if holding them hostage.

In the end, I had no choice but to get drawn into this situation, just as he intended. I also needed to follow up on what the priest had shared, and now I had yet another nuisance to deal with.

The intruder—no, the Crown Prince—smiled brightly and asked, “You know who I am, don’t you?”

“Yes, Your Highness, the Crown Prince of the Empire.”

I’d learned that much about thirty minutes ago, but I replied smoothly, maintaining my composure.

“You didn’t seem to know earlier,” he noted, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

The Crown Prince wasn’t as easily fooled as his friendly smile suggested.

‘Why are they all so sharp? Adam, the Crown Prince…’ I felt myself tense up involuntarily as he honed in on each critical point.

Quickly, I deflected the conversation. “May I ask why His Highness the Crown Prince has come to the temple alone?”

“Are you saying I should’ve brought along a retinue of servants?” he snapped, sounding irritated. I reviewed my words, wondering if I’d misspoken, but found nothing wrong with what I’d said.

“That’s usually expected, isn’t it?”

While it was common for nobles to go somewhere with at least a bodyguard, it was rare for royalty to travel without a single attendant.

“It’s not like there’s any benefit in my father learning about the warrior’s presence here too soon.”

“Ah, I see.”

I had no idea what he was getting at, but I nodded along, hoping he’d cut to the chase so I could leave.

“Don’t you think this is the main topic?”

“…?”

“Two people alone in a small room. Surely you know what that implies.”

“Ah, yes,” I said, my face carefully blank.

“Your expression seems… impure,” he said, his gaze narrowing again.

“Haha, of course not.”

I barely managed to keep my expression neutral, nearly losing my composure as if I were facing Abraxas himself.

“I simply didn’t expect that to be your purpose.”

“And why not?”

“If you were trying to provoke the warrior, you would’ve summoned him directly. You wouldn’t be here waiting secretly for me.”

“…..”

The Crown Prince fell silent, but his expression told me enough. His golden eyes studied me with an intensity that suggested he was scrutinizing every detail.

“Did the warrior tell you anything?”

“About what?”

I couldn’t help but ask. I was genuinely curious myself about what kind of relationship the warrior was hiding with the High Priest.

Judis’s gaze swept over me from head to toe, as if trying to solve a puzzle.

“You look like an ordinary, pretty little village girl… How did you manage to charm that stubborn man?”

‘Ah, so that’s it. A rival in love… this must be some kind of attempt to gauge me.’ I thought, realizing he must find it hard to accept someone like me being close to Adam.

‘And as if he’s some sort of paragon!’

I glared right back at him, refusing to back down.

‘Hmm, though he really is handsome.’

He wouldn’t lose even if he stood next to Adam, the most attractive person I’d ever seen. Despite his dark circles and the constant hint of dissatisfaction in his raised brows, his striking features were impossible to overlook.

‘Interesting…’

Now that I looked closer, he did resemble Adam somewhat. Of course, comparing the eternally smiling Adam to Judis, who constantly wore a frown, might be unfair. With that permanent scowl, Judis was likely to end up with deep wrinkles in ten years. But for now, his face was handsome enough to make even his irritability look attractive.

‘Perhaps the truly good-looking people share the same DNA…’ I mused, surprised that Judis reminded me of Adam. It probably didn’t help that Adam was the only person I’d spent time with recently.

“So, how exactly did you seduce him?” he pressed.

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t seduce him.”

“Ah, so you did nothing, and he came to you instead? Truly skilled, aren’t you?”

‘Would you just listen to me?’

It seemed Judis was already in his own little world. It was hard to believe this was the same person who had been throwing a fit just moments ago.

But now, he gestured to me with a softer expression. “Hey, kid. How about I give you something nice in exchange for a little favor? Once a month, report to me about the warrior—who he meets, what he’s up to, or…”

“No, thank you.”

I cut him off without needing to hear more, which made one of his eyebrows twitch, as if he were debating whether to be annoyed.

“Interrupting me, are you?”

That was what bothered him? Apparently, he wasn’t as upset about being refused as he was about not finishing his sentence.

“It’s just that I can’t imagine betraying the warrior.”

After all, he was the protagonist of the game, while Judis was barely even mentioned by name. Staying by the hero’s side was much more valuable than whatever fleeting authority the Crown Prince might have offered.

I met his irritated gaze with a resolute stare, and Judis mumbled to himself, “I wouldn’t call it betrayal…”

“Pardon?”

He wanted me to spy on someone, yet he didn’t think that was betrayal?

‘In most societies, that’s exactly what betrayal is, Your Highness,’ I thought.

“No, I… I was just trying to help. Never mind. You wouldn’t understand.”

Judis rummaged around in his coat, then pulled out a small flute. Before I could react, he grabbed my arm and pressed it into my hand.

Without even glancing at me, he muttered, “Here. It’s a flute to call my beloved bird. I really cherish it, but… I don’t want to give it away, really…”

For someone who was supposedly giving it reluctantly, he seemed awfully intent on leaving it with me. I wanted to tell him to keep it if he was so attached, but considering he was the Crown Prince, I held my tongue.

“If you need anything, use this to reach me.”

“I doubt I’ll ever use it.”

“Would you like me to give you a reason?” he replied in a quiet but unmistakably threatening tone.

“N-No! I’ll treasure this flute from Your Highness as if it were my own life!”

Power sure is a dirty business.

Judis seemed satisfied with my quick change in attitude, smiling smugly. And honestly, having the flute wasn’t a bad thing, as long as I never had to use it.

“It’s a Martigaus III flute, so you should be proud!” he added.

“…Yes.”

Hearing its name just made it feel all the more unnecessary, but I managed to hold back a grimace.

* * *

After leaving the temple, I returned to a more typical routine—keeping an eye on Abraxas, enjoying Ben’s cooking, and…

‘Failing miserably in my attempts to sneak a look at the book Adam got from the High Priest.’

How did he always know? It was as if he could appear out of thin air whenever I tried.

‘I could just… synchronize with him in a secluded spot and peek at the book,’ I considered, but decided to save that as a last resort.

For now, helping Adam unwind was my priority, especially after the stressful temple incident.

Adam’s stress levels had clearly skyrocketed during our time at the temple, particularly whenever he returned from a private conversation with the High Priest. Each time, he’d emerge looking visibly weary.

When I asked what they discussed, he’d only say it was “nothing.”

‘If it’s nothing, why do you look so stressed?’ I thought, marveling at his talent for lying with a perfectly straight face.

“Hello!” I greeted cheerily as I entered the village shop.

“Ah, it’s the little maid of the warrior! What can I get you today?” The shopkeeper beamed as I walked up to the counter.

This village was further than Dainel Village but didn’t require traveling through the forest, making it more convenient for supplies. Plus, it was always a good source for rumors.

I pulled out the shopping list Ben had given me and began reading it aloud. “One wheel of cheese, six loaves of bread, and potatoes…”

“I’ll get that ready for you right away!” The shopkeeper quickly jotted down the order and headed to the back to fetch the items.