I'm a court magician. Recently, I’ve been worrying about the princess staring at me. - Chapter 21
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- I'm a court magician. Recently, I’ve been worrying about the princess staring at me.
- Chapter 21 - Doubts Fall Into Place
Time flew and the royal parade began without any hiccups.
“…. So far there is no sign of any suspicious activity. The parade is going well.”
”… All right. Please don’t harm the surrounding buildings and common people, will you? There’s been a lot of dangerous and nasty incidents these days. If a suspicious person causes trouble…”
“Before he can, we will deal with it secretly and assassinate him. No matter how far he runs, I will surely kill him.”
“That’s the spirit. I’m counting on you, sniper.”
“Okay.”
The sound of communication being cut off rang in my ear. I immediately removed the small device from my ear and stored it in the chest part of the robe.
It is now evening and the sun is about to set. The western horizon was dyed in brilliant red, and I could see several birds flying toward the sun.
After I successfully sent the princess to her private chambers without anyone noticing, I immediately returned to my office to finalize my preparations for the given guard duty.
Now, I’m in a black but plain robe without any embroidery and a special pair of boots with the magic of erasing footsteps. I secured my rapier sword at my waist. I’m wearing a complete combat uniform, watching the carriage in which Her Highness is riding from afar, making note of every little detail. I’m also monitoring the royal guards for any suspicious behavior.
Since the invisibility magic has been invoked on me, no one can see me. I feel like I’m an assassin after Her Highness. Of course, the reality is that I’m a knight of justice who protects her.
“But it is strangely exciting.”
I saw the myriad of knights and magicians surrounding the carriage from afar and then the people cheering around her.
It’s a tremendous frenzy.
They have finally seen the royal family that they rarely see. Especially the most popular of them all, Her Highness. No wonder.
Moreover, the princess is now wearing a formal dress which is in the color of light blue.
The clothes of the town girls were very cute, but when the princess dressed up, she was even more attractive and full of charm, captivating everyone who saw her.
It’s like a beautiful sculpture that you’ll never get tired of seeing.
I almost fell in love with her, but I managed to push that thought aside in time. There should be no such thing as a failure to escort Her Highness just because I was fascinated by her looks.
Besides, risk factors are already scattered. I have to brace myself.
Once invisible, I activated visual enhancement as well. I can even see the micro expressions and subtle movements of the guards who couldn’t see me because of the distance.
The way they blink or how the blood vessels on their necks twitch occasionally… I could clearly catch everything, including the direction of their eyes.
“…something is strange, indeed.”
I turned my eyes from the magicians escorting near Her Highness to the strange members of the royal guard who I’ve heard from her.
The knights’ swords hanging from their waists swayed, and their unlined uniforms were full of knighthood.
But their faces, in contrast to what they were wearing, seemed somewhat empty, and their gazes could not tell where they were looking. Their skin was strangely white, and their veins didn’t seem to move at all.
It’s obviously a strange sight.
It may be very rude to the knights, but they look like zombie soldiers. I can’t feel any vitality from them. As if they were already dead…
I reinforced my visual enhancement and turned my eyes to the private house in front of me when I sensed a suspicious movement there.
To be exact, on the roof of that private house, was a creepy figure crawling on all fours, staring intently at the princess. The figure, clad in a large piece of black cloth, was wrapped in magic. His mouth was wide open while he drooled like an animal, and his eyes locked on the princess in the carriage as if he wanted to bite her to death.
”… Blue Electric Blade Transmitter.”
The moment I pulled out the rapier, a blue thunder poured from the blade and made a snap sound for a second before heading for its target.
Perhaps he noticed the sound, because that figure turned to me and glared viciously.
But it’s too late.
The thunder has reached the top of his head and cut himself in two. High-temperature thunder burned the meat and the debris rolled onto the roof without spilling a single drop of blood.
Confirmed complete death and sword delivery.
Wind Attribute Long Distance Advanced Magic – Blue Electric Blade.
It is a magic where a bluish thunder from the rapier flies to the target and burns it off like an ultra-high temperature sword.
I immediately turned to Her Highness, but there seemed to be nothing different. Even now, she is all smiles and waving gracefully to the people. It’s very beautiful.
I turned my eyes from the beautiful princess to the slightly dirty and ugly four-legged body. Smoke was coming from the burnt black corpse of the disgusting four-legged creature.
I got ready to jump to a different hiding spot to make sure that I’m not discovered…
But just before I did, the big black piece of cloth the body was covered in was blown away by the wind, and I was greatly shocked.
”This!”
I opened my eyes wide and looked at the body clearly before turning to the knights guarding the princess, forgetting to breathe.
The corpse wore the same red and white uniform worn by members of the Royal Guard. And the magic formula of mind control, which I saw the other day, is on the cut off neck.
As soon as my doubts turned to conviction, I…
◇
“Your Highness, thank you for your hard work in the parade.”
When the parade ended successfully and the sky was completely dark, I was greeted by the guards right in front of the main entrance of the royal palace.
“Thank you very much. But it is you, the bodyguards, who worked hard. I was just waving to the people from a carriage. While you people were guarding the carriage and walking along the long streets of the royal capital.”
“No, we knights are obliged to protect the royal family. It is our priority to make sure you are safe.”
“…ah, thank you.”
The knight bowed his head in a smooth motion. I know I have to say thank you purely here… but I wonder why I have this disgusting and unpleasant feeling…
“Your Highness, there is still some time before you speak. Why don’t you rest in the room beside the people’s room?”
“What?”
I couldn’t believe my ears for a moment.
The people’s room is a large veranda with a panoramic view of the central square that exists in the royal palace. It is a traditional place used by kings for generations to speak to the people of the royal capital. I know that there is a waiting room next to it. But…
“Well, I always rest in my private room, so I think I’ll head there…”
“No, rest in another room. We must have you do so because of the guards.”
The Knight, speaking in an emotionless voice, slowly drew out the sword from his waist.
When I looked around unconsciously, I saw the remaining knights draw out their swords before pointing them at me squarely. Not too far, the magicians who were supposed to be in charge of my security detail lay motionless, bleeding.
”What…“
“Now, Your Highness, come this way,”
As I step back from them, I press my trembling hand against my chest. This situation is absolutely fatal. I can’t see anyone around me to help me. And if I have to overcome this situation by myself…
Before I could think anymore, I was grabbed by the wrist and pulled forcefully. I couldn’t help but fall down and rub my painful knee. Before I could worry if the wound drew out blood, I was dragged away.
There’s nothing I can do about it.
Eventually, I gave up resisting, and just closed my eyes…
However, all of a sudden, the grip on my wrist relaxed, no, it completely disappeared.
Then, I was gently hugged and felt the wind caress my skin as a clear and beautiful voice whispered gently in my ear.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m late.”
I slowly opened my eyes and found a beautiful boy with indigo hair and eyes of the same color staring at me anxiously.
“Oh, Raize-sama…”
“Yes, it was scary, but it’s all right now. From now on, I will… no, we will protect you.”