After a few hours of walking through the kingdom, we had arrived at our destination.
Standing in front of intimidating yet intricately beautiful gates, it was the royal palace.
Two guards with incredibly long spears pushed the gates open.
Walking through, there were noble children training in swordsmanship.
Although I'd only seen the front of the palace, the sight was very beautiful.
Entering the building, we maneuvered through complicated halls. Passing through a garden with a water fountain in the middle, we climbed a set of stairs and reached Incus' living chambers.
We couldn't move to the next chamber because the room was so large that we would immediately lose clarity if we did, and staying in the upper or lower chambers would be super risky.
"This hallway is going to be our home for the upcoming chapters. Better get comfortable." I placed the large bag on the ground.
"We should have gotten some mattresses," Lieur commented.
"Don't be silly, there would be no room." Alleus waved her hand, and a strand of hair rose from the top of her head and did the same waving movement.
How in the world could she do that?
Tugging me, Lieur extended a hand.
With a sigh, I mumbled and summoned the following:
"Kraken."
"Weeee!" The white squishy blob appeared out of nowhere.
Hold on, it could make noise? I must have been so focused whenever I summoned it that I didn't notice.
Interrupting my thought, Incus came out of the room in a beautiful white and blue dress with golden apparel. Steinen wore a black suit with his helmet still over his head.
Dropping the large bag because it was most likely that we would be returning, the three of us began to chase after them.
We then reached a large door.
Beating up servants along the way, we blended in as connoisseurs. Just in case a named character we wouldn't want to attract noticed us. We hadn't blended in earlier because the only background characters written to be there were those training in the front yard and the two gatekeepers.
"It's Hero Incus, Your Majesty."
The door then began to slowly open, revealing a king draped in red on an elevated throne. Standing on the sides were rows of guards.
"Ah yes, if it isn't the summoned one!" The king stroked his beard.
Even though the room was tall and spacious, the window screen didn't appear inside but outside. Only visible through the vertically long windows.
"Your Majesty, what is it that you called me here for?"
The king's face grew serious.
"You will be marrying my son."
Glancing at Steinen, he was exuding a killing aura, and his fist was clenching so hard that blood began pouring out. He must have been pissed, having to watch someone you love be ordered to marry someone else.
"Marriage?"
Stepping out of the shadows, a pretty-faced young man of similar age to us slicked back his long, messy green copper hair, his dark green eyes stabbing daggers.
"Yes, I, Kanium Everlight, shall be your lover. I have fallen for you ever since you were summoned here…!"
Incus paused for a moment before answering:
"…Do as you wish, as long as you let me return home once I defeat the Demon King."
Leaning forward, Kanium smirked.
"Return—?"
Appearing in front of Kanium, Incus summoned a hero sword and pointed it at his neck.
"Your royal highness!" Guards immediately stepped in and pointed their blades at Incus.
"Oh, you think that you can defeat me? Let me remind you, I can wipe out this kingdom and simply go to another. I'm simply staying in this kingdom because you summoned me," Incus said coldly.
Pushing the blade away from his neck, a drop of sweat fell from Kanium's face.
"Of course you'll be returned home. This marriage is only for me. You can return once you complete your mission," the king stumbled over his words.
Making the hero sword disappear, Incus walked out of the throne room.
"Call for me when the wedding is near or when a raid is imminent." Incus looked back, glaring straight at the king.
Walking back to her chambers, Steinen protested.
"Why would you agree to marry that mongrel?"
"Don't worry, he's going to die soon," said Incus, and with that Steinen stopped pressing any further.
...Die soon? Oh right, she had the Eye of the Truthseeker. Incus must have seen the indicator for his death.
Looking at Alleus, I asked:
"Is this true? Did you see the mark on him as well?"
"Yeah, I saw a red X on his chest." Alleus nodded.
Hastening her pace, Lieur looked at us with confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
Making our way to Incus' chambers, we explained Alleus' abilities... how she could see afterimages of the future and how she could see those who were soon to die.
***
Opening the window, the fresh breeze of air gently kissed against my skin.
Looking down, I began watching as nobles were talking about something. It was barely distinguishable, but it was nothing of importance, just petty grievances.
"Check status." I narrowed my vision on Kanium, who was in the middle of it all.
====[Status Window]====
「Information」
[Name: Kanium Everlight]
[Class: Rogue]
[Equipment]
◈ Royal nobleman suit
[Weapons]
◈ Royal serpent tooth dagger
[Description]
「Attributes」
[Physical | lv l: 3.5]
[Stamina | lvl: 2]
Intelligence | Lv l: 4.5]
[Mana | lvl: 2]
「Skills」
[Advanced Dagger Technique]
[Basic Weak Point Detection]
[Basic Poison Wielding]
[Adept Enhanced Accuracy]
[Advanced Poison Resistance]
========
Something wasn't right. Why were his stats so low? Not only was he a royal, but he was also the prince. His stats should definitely be much higher. Perhaps he was just untalented.
Checking the statuses of the other noblemen, one of them in particular caught my eye.
Tying the rope around my waist, I threw a glance at the two ladies.
"I'm going down. Hold the rope!" Tossing the other end of the rope at them, I jumped out the window.
"Wait—!" Alleus shouted desperately.