Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Prince, our Prince (2)

The abilities Promise gave him and being placed in the situation where he was the Prince’s classmate were all connected.

‘He wanted the prince to be close, so was that the basis for this development?’

Kleio’s expression grew gradually gloomier. But Arthur continued prudently.

“I don’t think you’re going to be a level 8 wizard anyway.”

“That’s a smart judgment.”

“No, Kleio, that’s not it. Listen to me all the way. I saw you use magic on the first day of vacation, a total of six times.”

‘Where was this kid watching from?’

His face grew hot as he remembered shouting silly things in the middle of that dirty warehouse. It was embarrassing. However, the embarrassment wasn’t his only problem.

“There were a lot of retired veterans living near the military camp. I asked all of those who fought in the war decades ago. Even the great Zebedee couldn’t do the same magic five or six times in a row.”

“Well, it’s been a long time, so people’s memories might be blurry, or maybe you saw something wrong that day.”

The smile vanished from the face of the always cheerful Arthur.

“Let’s stop wasting each other’s time. You’re a wizard who may reach level 8 or higher. So it’s good not to bite when Melchior shakes the bait in front of you. I had to say this before the birthday.”

Kleio felt a sense of incongruity in Arthur’s stiff face. In the manuscript, it was always the second prince who directly threatened Arthur. On the other hand, the first prince was a secretive person.

‘Besides, Prince Melchior can never be the king!’

“The biggest threat to you right now isn’t the crown prince, but your struggling with pointless things?”

“It’s Aslan who always puts the knife in my bed. It’s easy to see what he’s doing, but Melchior… no one can understand him, and no one knows what he really wants.”

Kleio frowned. Arthur approached to warn him of the first prince, who couldn’t be known, but the intervention was unnecessary. No matter who did what, no one had a greater influence on Kleio than Arthur himself. This was a world of fiction, and all historical events here were caused by Arthur.

‘Meanwhile, my degree of involvement in the narrative has been rising because of this guy doing things behind my back. Ha…’

“It’s ominous that Melchior invited you. You understand my feelings, right?”

“No matter how ominous the prince might be, aren’t you the issue?”

“Haha, I haven’t been called an ominous child in a while.”

“Think it through.”

When Arthur and Kleio reached a standstill, Isiel was the first to stand up. It was almost midnight.

“Arthur’s perspective is ambitious.”

“I have to go in.”

“Yeah, it’s good.”

Kleio, regaining some reason, stood up after her. Although Arthur had helped, most of the alcohol had been drunk by Kleio. They were inexpensive, so it wasn’t a big deal, but it was just a little bit embarrassing that Isiel had only water while they drank.

After leaving the bar, the party walked to catch the last tram. Arthur took the lead while humming the popular songs he had heard in the pub; Isiel kept watch in the rear. Kleio, who was walking next to Isiel, spoke up first.

“Well, I’m sorry for greeting you late, Isiel. Thank you for before. If you didn’t help, I would’ve been seriously injured.”

“I didn’t do it because you were cute.”

The last time they met, Isiel’s speech had been cold, but he had seen her concern when she caught him. Her ears were slightly red like she was shy. Kleio laughed, but he stopped himself, not wanting to offend her.

‘She’s still young. Still young.’

“Yes, I know.”

Arthur laughed and looked back at the two.

“Isiel has decided to protect me, but she’s only saving you. You don’t feel indebted to me, Kleio?”

“Debt? You use my wallet and say that?”

“Hey, I can pay you back ten times for that later.”

“How funny.”

“It’s not!”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Arthur’s loud laughter sounded throughout the dark alley. Because he had grown up suffering outside the palace, he had none of the usual royal arrogance.

Instead, he was steadfastly loyal. That personality had gained him colleagues and subordinates who cherished him with their lives.

‘The prince’s personality isn’t the problem; it’s that he’s the main character of this manuscript.’

Kleio had resigned. If the author wanted it, then he would have to stand with Arthur one day.

‘But is it supposed to be like that today?’

Arthur was still seventeen. No matter how rigorous the military training or how devoted he was to swordsmanship, he couldn’t shake the world. While the Prince was training his own power, he could have some fun with investments.

‘What good is money? I can also help Arthur by buying magic tools. Don’t worry too much about the future.’

Kleio turned his thoughts forward to his goals. In Lundane in the summer, twilight didn’t come until 9 pm. Even though midnight was approaching, the night was soft, and the sky still indigo. Even though Arthur had upset him, the subtle excitement of drunkenness remained. It was a good night…until dozens of projectiles fired through the dark toward the party.

Klang- Klang-

In an instant, Isiel drew her sword and deflected several of the attacks.

“Arthur!”

The Prince also drew his sword. Two men, who [strengthened] their limbs with ether, spurred off the floor and flashed toward them. Ether wrapped around their swords in a dazzling display like a stroke of lightning.

Kaklang- Klang-

The follow-up attack was also blocked. As their swords withdrew, the Understanding function of Promise activated automatically. The words [4th level] appeared and scattered above their heads in golden letters. Kleio, who was completely frozen behind the valiant fighters, opened a circle one step later.

“[Stop the enemy!]”

The mantra was stuttering and insignificant as he was surprised, but thanks to his desperation, the [Defense] magic appeared with power. The magic formula glowed white.

Kaklang- Klang-

Klang-

The assailants couldn’t stop the magic; the knives they threw were deflected before they could reach Kleio. A magical light lit up the dark alley like it was daytime. In the corner, three human figures in dark clothing were revealed. Arthur pushed on to counterattack without leaving any gaps in his defense. Leaping forward, he aimed at the first enemy’s neck. Isiel cut through the shoulder of the second assassin, who tried to stop Arthur. As soon as he was discovered, the third assassin pulled out his sword. Kleio’s eyes widened in astonishment as the ominous red sword that stretched out appeared to be twice the length of the scabbard. The message of Promise appeared distorted. It didn’t matter, as he could tell by looking at the sword.

‘They’re level 5! No!’

Isiel stepped back into the circle.

“This is an intermediate swordsman!”

“Who are they?!”

They quickly judged the situation and used the circle as cover, but it wasn’t enough. Kleio clasped his trembling hands. Blood had splattered on him, a modern man, feeling him with an unfamiliar and terrifying feeling. But he couldn’t let go of it. The [Defense] magic prevented the assassins from entering the circle. They couldn’t attack Kleio inside it. However, he had to restart the [Defense] magic three times in succession. As the fight dragged on, Arthur and Isiel were growing more injured, and Kleio’s ether was running out.

‘I need a magic formula. There must be something.’

He had trouble even thinking of the formulas he already knew due to his fear. A wizard of his level could load three magic formulas at once. Kleio recalled the formula of [Excluding caster], [Excluding designated], and [Wind], ignoring his defense magic this time. He desperately squeezed out the mantra, coming up with a verse that was the miracle of the romantic English-American poetry lecture he had taken. It didn’t fit well since he had just thrown it together, but it had to do. The three assassins rushed into the circle without delay, having judged his ether was exhausted.

“[On a dark and stormy night, move like a wind of light!]”

The assassins’ bodies floated into the wind; their weapons were knocked aside as they mixed with the tornado. A golden storm rose from the ground, so bright that it lit up the alley. Isiel and Arthur weren’t affected by the wind because of the [Excluding designated] formula. The two casually meted out, finishing blows to the two assassins who were swept away by the violent wind. Only the last of the three, who seemed to be the most skilled, managed to balance and use his weapon even in the storm.

“These rats-”

Red eyes glowed under the assassin’s hood. He fended off Isiel and Arthur, aiming for Kleio as he extended his sword. Kleio, who was still casting, had no means to counteract it. Arthur urgently turned and shouted out as he saw what was happening.

“No!”

Dark energy exploded from Arthur before the sword hit Kleio. Promise’s familiar golden letters appeared.

[-Arthur Reignan used the Foregrounding skill.]

[―Remaining time/time limit:

00:00:39 / 00:00:40]

The magical wind faded. Kleio, who used too much ether, collapsed on the floor as his knees gave out. The back alley grew quiet again, leaving only Isiel and Kleio. The three assassins and Arthur had disappeared into the subspace, according to Arthur’s will.

“How would you deal with them all alone?!”

Anxiety was plain on Isiel’s face. Two were seriously injured, but there were three of them.

“Is there no way?!”

Kleio responded vaguely.

“The subspace skill cannot be invaded by any magic…”

How many seconds had passed?

[Arthur Riognan is a being deeply involved in the composition of the world.

-The presence of the main character……‸※‽⁐ Threat of deletion… 1 ▲ Click ⁕†. Damage is inflicted to the’□□□□’s Palimpsest.]

The world that had just existed was firmly torn down. Kleio sat down as the world was dismantled. It had been the same as what had happened in the hallway of the dean’s office. The world split apart.

‘Why? I didn’t even use Editor’s Authority?’

The rift that divided the world reached Isiel’s feet in no time. Her shadow was first absorbed into the dark void in which nothing could be seen.

Kleio felt his chest tighten as he watched.