“An owned body? What does that mean?”
“Just as it sounds. I have someone I love, and I am in a de facto marriage with her.”
Grit.
The joy of reunion vanished in an instant, and Ariel clenched her teeth tightly.
Siyoon was noticeably bewildered by the princess’s sudden change in reaction and demeanor.
‘Why is she angry?’
Even Siyoon, who was usually perceptive, couldn’t discern Ariel’s feelings for him.
After all, during the ten years they spent together, Ariel had never once expressed affection toward Siyoon.
‘Is she angry because I married someone from the kingdom? But the princess never harbored ill feelings toward the kingdom…’
Siyoon scratched his head in confusion, deeply ingrained in his belief that Ariel saw him only as a useful tool.
“Until recently, weren’t you still a prisoner of war?”
“Yes. I don’t know if you’re aware, but I won the gladiatorial tournament and was naturalized into the kingdom. Oh, but please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t come here to cling to the princess.”
“Is your naturalization just a ruse to return to the empire?”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have mentioned having someone I’m committed to. Once I’ve helped the princess, I plan to return to the kingdom.”
Even before setting foot on imperial soil, Siyoon had been wrestling with his thoughts.
The sea dragon had merely suggested he go to the empire but didn’t provide any specific instructions on what to do there.
He had no idea what the disaster was or who was behind it.
The civil war that broke out in the empire didn’t seem like a coincidence, leading Siyoon to believe it was the starting point of the disaster.
Deciding to intervene in the civil war, Siyoon pondered which faction to support.
From the kingdom’s perspective, it was better to send the incompetent Crown Prince Armin to the throne.
However, his ten-year bond with Ariel and his trust that she was too wise to cause a disaster made him hesitate.
After much deliberation, Siyoon made up his mind, sought Ariel’s whereabouts, and tracked her down through eyewitness accounts.
Finally, they met in a dramatic moment, but unfortunately, there was no tearful reunion.
“I don’t need you.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t need any help from the kingdom, so just leave.”
“I have no connection to the kingdom in this. My decision to help you is purely personal.”
“That’s why I’m saying I don’t want your help. Go back.”
“But weren’t you in danger just moments ago?”
“It was unnecessary interference. I had my own countermeasures.”
It wasn’t an entirely false claim.
A masked man had been about to snipe the knight who was targeting Ariel’s neck.
But because Siyoon swiftly killed the knight, the masked man lost his opportunity to act.
“Well, the princess is not someone who would simply let herself be defeated.”
“As long as you know that, just leave now.”
“But even if you have a plan, aren’t you short on manpower? How about hiring me temporarily as a mercenary?”
“No. I don’t like the nationality of this mercenary.”
“I am currently a rescue mercenary. Rescue mercenaries follow strict rules not to disclose any information about their employers, regardless of nationality. Surely, the esteemed princess knows this?”
A mercenary who protects their employer and pledges loyalty during the contract period.
The image of a free-spirited mercenary might not match, but it was a profession that easily earned the employer’s trust.
While contracts imposed many restrictions, they also had the advantage of making it easier to receive commissions.
In Siyoon’s case, he declared himself a rescue mercenary to gain Ariel’s trust.
“Above all, rescue mercenaries prioritize their employer’s life, even at the cost of their own if necessary, don’t they?”
“You don’t have to worry. I’m confident enough in my skills to protect both the princess and myself.”
“If I were to head to the imperial palace right now, would you still follow me?”
“Of course. That’s a rather obvious question, coming from you, Princess.”
Even the thought of sacrificing his life for her was something Siyoon could say casually.
Seeing this, Ariel blushed.
What she once considered a natural sense of sacrifice now felt like fervent devotion.
To cool her flushed face, Ariel turned her back and fanned herself with her hand.
“Is it still a no?”
“If you’re so insistent on following me into peril, then do as you please! But don’t expect any payment. Regardless of this rescue mercenary talk, you’re still from the Kingdom of Lyor.”
“Understood.”
Even being unpaid didn’t bother Siyoon much.
What mattered was the opportunity to prevent the disaster that would befall him in the distant future.
All he wished for was a peaceful married life with Letia.
‘It’s better to endure hardship now for the sake of the future, right? They say it’s better to face the hard part first.’
He wanted to wrap things up quickly and return to the kingdom.
While Siyoon held onto his calm thoughts, Ariel’s mind was a tangled mess.
‘Ugh! I never expected it to be so hard to act friendly!’
Even when a sword was at her throat, she had remained composed. Now, she felt entirely shaken.
‘I promised myself again and again to be kind when we met again…!’
But Siyoon’s words about having a spouse had been like a blow to her heart.
Ever since losing him, she’d been aching inside every day, only to learn that he’d been living a happy life without her.
Smiling a smile she had never seen during their time in the empire.
‘If I’m honest, it’s my fault…’
She hadn’t shown Siyoon any affection during his ten years of devotion.
It was only natural that she had never seen his smile.
Ariel glanced at Siyoon’s prosthetic hand.
Had she ever given him a gift, even once? She hadn’t even offered him a simple “thank you.”
The creeping regret gnawed at the fortress of her heart.
“Princess? Is something wrong?”
“Nothing at all!”
Ariel wished someone would tell her how to deal with her chaotic emotions.
“This is the critical point we need to overcome.”
“Vebratum Fortress. If we want to advance the army to the capital, capturing it is the only way.”
There were other paths to the capital, but they were fraught with challenges.
To the north were snowy mountains that made marching difficult.
To the east lay a canyon where enemies could ambush them.
The west, close to forests and fortresses, was vulnerable to fire attacks and guarded by the invincible knight commander.
That left the southern route as the safest and most reliable path.
Thus, capturing the southern fortress of Vebratum was essential.
“I’ve prepared information on the person in charge of Vebratum Fortress and related documents. Please review them.”
“Thank you.”
Siyoon took the parchment handed to him by Princess Ariel and began reviewing its contents.
Since the internal structure of the fortress was already familiar to me, there wasn’t much need for a detailed review.
I could skim through the documents and set them aside, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the name of the enemy commander stationed there.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen this name.’
Judis Vanmeyer.
Ten years ago, he was a novice knight who assisted me.
He was the very person who envied me for becoming a knight at a young age and set a trap to bring me down.
I had heard he steadily climbed the ranks and became a knight, but I never thought I’d encounter him in a place like this.
“Ha!”
If someone asked me whether I harbored no ill will toward him, the answer would be no.
I’m human—how could I not hate someone who wronged me?
However, over the years, the hatred I held for what happened a decade ago had softened.
If the mission hadn’t been distorted and conveyed to me back then, I might have escaped the manor, leaving the young Letia behind.
But ultimately, I was able to save Letia, and she became my wife—a hero of the kingdom.
In an ironic twist, Judis ended up playing Cupid.
Of course, that didn’t mean I planned to show him any mercy.
“Princess, may I make a request?”
“What is it?”
“Would you entrust me with the task of capturing Vebratum Fortress?”
“Are you asking me to provide soldiers?”
“I don’t need soldiers. Just launch a full-scale assault when I give the signal.”
“…I hope you’re not saying you plan to infiltrate the fortress alone.”
I didn’t respond, only smiling in return.
Ariel pressed her temples and let out a deep sigh.
“Didn’t you just say moments ago that rescue mercenaries prioritize protecting their employers?”
“The best defense is offense. Eliminating threats quickly is the safest approach.”
“And if I refuse your request, what will you do?”
“Then I’ll give up.”
But I was confident that the wise Princess Ariel wouldn’t refuse.
As dangerous as it was, no strategy was more effective for ensuring the fortress’s capture than infiltration.
I would bet my right hand that the pragmatic princess would send me straight into the enemy’s heart.
“It’s good to hear you’ll give up so easily. Then stay by my side and don’t even think about doing anything reckless!”
“Excuse me?”
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go…