Redron boarded the carriage last. The one he rode bore no royal emblem.
It was a luxurious carriage painted with the black rose of the concubine family—Anabella’s mother.
For years, it had waited in storage for its day to be used. Now it carried Princess Anabella, the first prince, and his “new toy.”
“My goodness, it’s truly beautiful. The buildings are so grand and elegant.”
Jasmine pressed her face to the window and spoke. Her words made Redron swell with pride.
This “outing” along the outer roads—away from the central palace district where high officials and administrators bustled, past gardens meticulously maintained—was a pleasure Redron had never enjoyed before.
“Why waste time on something so pointless?” the past him had thought. How foolish. But back then, Jasmine hadn’t existed.
If Jasmine had been there then… No, never mind.
Redron gazed at Jasmine looking out the window. Even her profile was a painting.
Whatever man she had met in the past, whatever life she had lived—it no longer mattered.
She was First Prince Redron’s woman. That alone was important. The gazes of others meant nothing.
The carriage stopped before a garden where only a lone gardener spent quiet hours.
Jasmine had said she felt stifled staying only in the carriage, so the prince had found a place free of noble eyes.
Redron alighted first to help Anabella down (she froze at her brother’s uncharacteristically kind gesture), then escorted Jasmine, who carefully stepped out while cradling her swollen belly.
“Thank you, Redron.”
“It’s nothing, my lady.”
“…My lady? Are you speaking to me?”
“Of course.”
“What if people hear? I’m… a tail-bearer.”
“There’s no one here.”
“I-I… am here.”
“Didn’t we promise not to tell anyone, beloved little sister?”
“H-Hiii…!”
Whether terrified Anabella followed with stiff steps or not, Redron felt this moment—walking the garden hand-in-hand with Jasmine—was dreamlike.
…No, not a dream!
The warmth from Jasmine’s soft palm was enough to make the first prince’s heart race like a boy in first love.
He had imagined kissing her, even sharing a bed someday… but not now. That was still a “distant future.”
Redron walked the garden holding Jasmine’s hand. Like lovers. Or like those who wished to become lovers.
There was no particular purpose.
If anything, the purpose was simply being with her in this moment.
Anabella hovering nearby was slightly uncomfortable, but not unbearable.
After all, the reason for this “outing” was because his half-sister had promised Jasmine in advance.
And Anabella was his lovely (questionable though it was) little sister?
Even if half or none of the blood was shared, a sister was a sister.
In this rare peaceful, cozy moment, Jasmine and even Anabella walked the blooming garden freely, laughing without minding others’ eyes.
“You seem to be having a pleasant time. Your Highness the First Prince, Princess Anabella.”
A man suddenly appeared at the fork in the path without a sound. Redron froze.
The voice calling “Your Highness the First Prince” was all too familiar.
A man who had come alone, boldly, without warning or footstep, to a garden on the palace outskirts… Redron knew who this youthful-looking man was.
The guardian deity protecting the Kingdom of Bers. A symbolic existence shielding all from the Demon King’s army.
His father’s, King of Bers’ most trusted sword…
A swordmaster.
Kedmos. Kedmos Yager.
“What is it, Sir Kedmos?”
“Oh, I didn’t wish to disturb Your Highness’s enjoyment. No need to be so stiff, right? Ah, Princess. You are beautiful today as well. Growing more beautiful by the day, like—”
“So. What is it, Sir Kedmos.”
Redron gritted his teeth and stepped before Kedmos.
It was common knowledge among those who knew palace gossip that Kedmos was obsessively fond of tail-bearers—in a deeply twisted way.
Redron knew his father cherished Kedmos far more than him.
Thus, the King of Bers would surely say nothing even if Kedmos took Jasmine in this situation to satisfy his desires.
Redron felt unprecedented fear. Kedmos could kill him anytime, yet his heart pounded with terror he had never felt before.
Redron hurriedly pulled Jasmine behind him.
“Your new toy from a while ago, I see. You seem to cherish her greatly, Your Highness?”
Kedmos smiled oddly as always, his snake-like narrow eyes fixed on Redron—precisely on the tail-bearer tightly holding Redron’s hand.
Even amid fear, Redron gritted his teeth and stepped forward. He needed to divert Kedmos’ curiosity or interest from Jasmine.
“…It’s none of your concern. So, what is it. This is the third time I’m asking.”
“I came only to relay His Majesty’s order for Princess Anabella to come immediately. Your Highness, you’ve grown much manlier since I last saw you. This Kedmos is moved by Your Highness’s growth.”
“I’ll go at once.”
“Oh, fortunate. I’ll accompany you to the palace. It wouldn’t do for such precious persons to move without escort.”
Redron hurriedly loaded Jasmine into the carriage and boarded with Anabella.
Thud… As the door closed, seeing Kedmos leading ahead like an escort through the window, his fiercely pounding heart calmed slightly.
Fear. For the first time, Redron nearly lost reason to the terror of losing someone else, not himself.
But he mustn’t. Redron looked at Jasmine, who wouldn’t let go of his hand.
He didn’t want to worry her. He wanted to see her smile, to become the father of the child soon to be born.
He didn’t want to lose her.
Redron let her lean on him and wrapped his arm around her. He would protect her. No matter the cost.
***
Not long after the brief meeting with Archduke Greenwood, Garland “prince” spent warm time with the King of Bers again.
Everything we said and did in the annex would reach them through maids and servants anyway, so there was no worry.
In the light meal with the archduke, Garland made no slips and revealed nothing disadvantageous to the King of Bers.
The archduke lightly probed how he tamed the tiger beastman Surabar, but Garland naturally deflected, saying he couldn’t reveal such a secret.
In truth, there was no taming, so no method to share.
“I kept you waiting. I said you could rest comfortably.”
“I only did a guardian knight’s duty. Are you alright, Your Highness?”
“I’m fine. His Majesty simply had words for me.”
Fortunately, the feared event didn’t occur.
King Red Stone of Bers didn’t mention the meeting with Archduke Greenwood.
Instead, he informed that Garland’s champion’s Colosseum debut was set.
“Surabar’s first match is decided. Tomorrow, I hear.”
“I’m concerned the schedule is too rushed.”
“No need to think so. Hasn’t a week passed since arrival? Though there was a demonstration, given Surabar’s level, it was hardly post-meal exercise. The monster opponent… is a secret. They’ll show it on the day. Only heard it’s not a dog-headed monster.”
“Anything else to note?”
“Nothing. Ah, watch Surabar closely from below the arena in my stead. I’ll be in the VIP seats with His Majesty, so I can’t pay attention even if I want. After the match, take Surabar and return first.”
“Understood.”
I went to the quarters where the captain was staying in Garland’s stead to inform that the first match was tomorrow.
The captain seemed to have secured the leader’s position and was doing well. At least it appeared so.
The beastman women, who had been walking skeletons, had gained much flesh—clearly the captain’s care.
“He’s originally a good person…”
Thus, the next day came.
Without iron prisoner transport carriages, the captain and I, along with Garland, moved to the Colosseum under soldiers’ escort—not-escort. Of course, Garland and I rode in a carriage.
The soldiers’ tense expressions, fearing the “tiger beastman” might rampage, were priceless.
Unlike them, we were utterly calm.
Arena. Colosseum. Execution ground…
Whatever called, the essence remained. A demonic place where beastman “slaves” were brought to kill each other, while spectators laughed, chatted, shouted, and reveled.
That such a horrific Colosseum stood in the kingdom’s capital, at the center where most people gathered, spoke to the depth of Bers’ sins.
We crossed the increasingly crowded main street. Our caged parade became a spectacle like a circus troupe performing on the move.
“The spectacle has already begun, in a way. Using even a foreign prince for profit… I learned one thing.”
“Many ears listening, Your Highness.”
“It’ll be buried in their cheers.”
Hard to deny. Garland was right.
Even with eavesdropping magic, no worry now.
The noise from the crowd already excited by the new gladiator, the “tiger beastman,” would drown it.
Anyway, the captain walked calmly looking only ahead despite the situation.
Terrifying willpower. Garland “prince” and I viewed the cheering crowd through the carriage “wall,” but the captain didn’t.
The excited crowd, like a school of fish, surged—rare chance to rush the amazing spectacle “tiger beastman” if prepared for soldiers’ rough handling.
Parting the crowd, we finally entered the Colosseum.
Though not yet in the arena, I was already drained, unlike Garland and the captain who seemed unfazed.
We followed a guide wearing a hat like a rooster’s comb.
“Prince’s champion must now move to the waiting room.”
“Understood. Sir Pamir, take good care of Surabar. Ensure nothing happens before the match.”
“I’ll follow orders.”
“Surabar, I believe you’ll do it. This is just the beginning.”
The captain didn’t answer. Instead, he watched Garland’s back heading beyond the corridor with soldiers, then followed the guide to the waiting room.
…I dared not guess the captain’s feelings now.
Ironically, though Garland was the biggest reason Jasmine was lost, the heavenly gods pushed Garland as the way to rescue her.
Even if acting, seeing Garland behave so arrogantly as if truly his “master,” I thought I couldn’t endure this moment.
“Sir Knight.”
“Ah, yes. Moving.”
Urged by the spear-holding soldier, I followed Surabar. More precisely, walked behind the captain.
The captain’s back was large and massive. As always.
“This is the chance. The match is just monster hunting, no issue. What I must confirm is clear. Black rose. That family is definitely connected to Jasmine.”
The Black Tail Mercenaries are my home, hometown, family.
Jasmine, the captain—I must protect them.
Whatever dice game the g ods play, whatever scheme hell’s demons plot, I don’t care.
I will rescue Jasmine and protect the captain.
No matter what happens to me.
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