That night, Elise asked Karan for some time.
“Let’s do it when we return to Tetris. You can wait until then, right?”
Karan took a step back. He could retreat because Elise was someone who kept her promises.
“In return, don’t do anything reckless.”
The two exchanged promises one by one.
After that, until they arrived in Tetris, neither of them mentioned the magic circle.
It was the same even after arriving in Tetris.
Rather than deliberately avoiding it, they were busy reporting to Tyllo about the 3rd Gate and attending the victory banquet.
Tyllo, who received a heartfelt gift from King Magnus for conquering the 3rd Gate, seemed to be in quite a good mood.
He called Karan separately and asked subtly,
“Would you like to do something bigger?”
Karan was not unaware that ‘something bigger’ meant the throne. He answered with an enigmatic smile.
Elise was happier than anyone else to hear this news.
“Are you happy that I might become king?”
“No! I’m happy that Your Highness’s efforts have been recognized.”
Elise saw the person himself rather than the position. That’s why Karan could laugh wholeheartedly for the first time in a while.
Thus, while Elise was researching the magic circle and Karan was training the warriors and fulfilling his role as a prince, they were spending relatively peaceful days.
A situation arose where Elise and Karan had to make a decision.
“Your Highness! There are signs that the 4th and 5th Gates will open simultaneously!”
Haltbin, who came running breathlessly, reported without even catching his breath.
Karan and Elise, who were in the middle of a meal, put down their forks and knives.
“Explain in detail.”
The 4th and 5th Gates, located on the outskirts of Tetris, had been under observation by researchers and warriors since the 1st Gate burst open.
There were slight signs of activation, but it had been quiet, so researchers predicted the gates would activate in winter.
However, drastic changes occurred in just a few days.
Strange sounds began to be heard every night, and unseasonable weather phenomena frequently occurred near the gates. Yesterday, they even had a battle with monsters that came out of the gates.
“How many days are left until the gates open completely?” Karan asked with a serious face.
“According to the scholars, a week, Your Highness.”
“Both the 4th and 5th Gates?”
“There might be a difference of a day or two, but the consistent claim of the scholars is that they will burst open in succession.”
“We’re in trouble.”
Karan summed up the situation in one sentence. It was a simple answer, but by no means a light statement.
“Understood. Prepare for departure.”
“Which side will you go to first, Your Highness?”
Karan bit his lower lip. The distance between the 4th and 5th Gates was considerable.
It was a distance that would take a full day of non-stop riding. There might be a situation where they’d have to give up on one of them.
‘If only we could move quickly, it wouldn’t be impossible to block both.’
As he thought this, he remembered his promise with Elise, which he had momentarily forgotten.
“Step out for a moment, Haltbin.”
Karan ordered, keeping his gaze fixed on Elise. As Haltbin left, the dining room became as quiet as if a storm had just passed.
“Elise.”
“I know what you’re thinking, Your Highness. But I…”
“You promised, didn’t you?”
Elise bit her lips and then released them.
“I trust you. So draw the magic circle for me tonight. If you can’t do it, I’ll find someone else.”
“You don’t even know what it looks like.”
“I vaguely remember.”
“Are you saying you’ll ask just anyone to draw it roughly? On Your Highness’s body at that?”
Elise was aghast.
“You don’t like that idea, do you?”
“How can you even suggest that, Your Highness?”
Karan raised one corner of his mouth.
“Then you do it.”
Elise was at a loss for words.
“You care about my body more than I do. It has to be you, Elise.”
Elise squeezed her eyes shut. Even as she hesitated, Ragnaros would be growing stronger.
To stop Ragnaros, they needed to conquer the gates first.
And in a situation where the 4th and 5th Gates showed signs of opening simultaneously, the only way to block both gates without major damage was for Karan to regain his power.
They could ask for help from Magnus, who had become an ally, or David, who acted like a friend, but it would take time for them to organize and send troops.
There was another reason for hesitating to call them.
The idea of Bedrokka’s soldiers entering Tetris’s borders didn’t sit well. Tyllo wouldn’t allow it either.
“Elise, you and I both know. Draw the magic circle. That’s our best option.”
Karan embraced the hesitating Elise. Elise was trembling.
“Your Highness… I’m scared.”
Elise uttered weak words for the first time, startling Karan. However, he pretended to be unfazed and tightened his arms around Elise.
“Everything will turn out fine. Believe me, Elise. Nothing you’ve done so far has been wrong. This time will be right too.”
“But still…”
Whenever Elise showed hesitation, Karan kept reassuring her.
It’ll be alright, you’re doing well, we’re not wrong.
“I’ll try, Your Highness. But please call Besti.”
Besti was a skilled shaman. She could help if an unexpected situation arose.
“And let Leber be by my side too.”
“Understood. What else do you need? Tell me anything, Elise.”
Elise looked up at Karan. She hesitated before speaking.
“Please don’t let me have negative thoughts, Your Highness.”
“For that…”
Karan lifted Elise’s chin.
“I’m confident.”
Karan kissed Elise.
****
Until Besti arrived, Karan sent his warriors to Gates 4 and 5, closely monitored the situation, and never let go of Elise in his arms.
Elise, who would normally have driven Karan away, clung to him even more eagerly.
“Mmm.”
Elise twisted her body in response to Karan’s incessant kisses on her shoulder.
“Your Highness… Your Highness…When did they say Besti would arrive?”
Karan’s large hands kneaded her lower back.
It was hard to tell if he was trying to relax her muscles, tense from supporting her body, or if it was a prelude to something else.
Elise’s previously calm breathing quickened, and heat pooled inside her pelvis.
Karan smiled as he saw her eyelashes trembling.
It was a smile of satisfaction that only someone who had successfully executed a plan could show.
“Ah.”
As a gasp escaped from between Elise’s red lips, Karan skillfully flipped her over.
And just as he was about to mount her.
Bang bang bang.
At the sound of rough knocking, Elise’s eyes widened. Her large pupils turned towards the door. Karan also stopped moving. He brushed up his disheveled hair.
“Your Highness, I think you should go out.”
Reluctantly, Karan accepted Elise’s advice. He picked up his shirt from the floor, put it on, and opened the door.
Wondering who would be brazen enough to knock so urgently knowing Karan and Elise were in the room together, it turned out to be Haltbin.
Haltbin, who seemed lost in thought as Karan came out, flinched at the sound of the door opening.
“Your Highness…”
As their eyes met, Haltbin’s composed expression crumbled. Sensing trouble, Karan stepped into the corridor and closed the door.
“What’s the matter?”
“Your Highness… The warriors who went to fetch Besti have been annihilated.”
“…!”
They were men Karan had carefully selected and sent. While not the most skilled, they were swift and brave warriors.
Though not worth a hundred men each, they were capable of doing the work of two. And they were annihilated?
“What about Besti?”
Haltbin shook his head.
Haa. Karan sighed deeply and ran his dry hand over his face.
It wasn’t because he had special feelings for Besti, but he was worried about how Elise would be upset upon hearing this news.
“Have the bodies been recovered?”
“Yes, Your Highness. They say all have been recovered and are being brought here.”
Thanks to the delay in schedule, those sent by Haltbin discovered them early, allowing at least the intact recovery of the bodies.
“Was it monsters?”
“About that…”
“No? You’re saying humans did this? Who would dare to attack Tetris’s warriors so recklessly? And on Tetris soil at that?”
“It was magicians.”
Haltbin carefully held out a blood-stained letter. As Karan raised an eyebrow, Haltbin explained.
“They say it was tucked in Besti’s belt. The recipient is Lady Elise. As for the sender…”
Haltbin swallowed hard. Karan snatched the letter and examined the envelope. As he confirmed the sender, his jaw clenched tightly.
“Iris!”
