Chapter 13
Let’s Just Be Strangers
“Dante Renaud.”
A voice, chillingly calm, echoed through the inn. Dante swallowed hard despite himself.
From the inn that was beyond quiet—it was desolate—to the innkeeper sitting far off in the distance, to his own awkward posture from grabbing Elisha’s wrist for fear she might run away.
And then there was Elisha’s expression, watching him with emotionless eyes….
‘I feel like I’m going to suffocate.’
Why was this damn inn so empty today? It wasn’t exactly a popular spot to begin with, but still.
Dante let out a small sigh.
He hadn’t done anything wrong, yet whenever he met Elisha’s indifferent gaze, he felt like a small child being scolded by a teacher.
Well, it was probably because he had been scolded by her quite a lot in the past.
“You’ve worked at the Imperial Palace for a long time, so you must know.”
Elisha continued speaking. Dante snapped out of his thoughts and tilted his head.
Know? Know what?
“That the late Emperor wished to bring me in as the Empress during his lifetime.”
“Ah.”
Dante nodded immediately.
The fact that the late Emperor Bernhardt had handpicked Elisha as his son’s partner was something even the dogs passing by the palace gates knew.
How could he not know?
The man had practically worn the sentiment branded on his forehead.
“Don’t you think it’s strange?”
Elisha asked, her gaze fixed on him.
“Even though the late Emperor had designated me as the next Empress long ago, why didn’t I become the Crown Princess?”
Why was the engagement only rushed through after he passed away?
Elisha’s level voice resonated through the inn. At that moment, Dante turned his head to look at Jonathan, who was sitting far away.
But Jonathan was merely blinking blankly, as if he had no idea what they were talking about.
As if he couldn’t hear a thing, looking perfectly peaceful….
‘Come to think of it, it was the same during the fight earlier.’
At first, Dante thought the man just couldn’t hear over the sound of the explosions.
“It’s a sound-muffling spell. Erich developed it.”
As if reading his mind, Elisha spoke lightly. Dante’s brows furrowed instantly.
He invented a spell like that and kept his mouth shut about it to me?
‘He probably didn’t tell me because he figured I wouldn’t listen to him anyway.’
That petty Emperor knows me too well.
It was just as Dante was gnashing his teeth.
“Focus on the conversation, Dante Renaud.”
Elisha cut through Dante’s thoughts with a firm tone.
Dante blinked a few times before slowly nodding.
Returning to the main point, it certainly was strange when he thought about it.
The late Emperor was the type of person who would push through any decision he made, no matter what.
If a man like that backed down, the only possible reason would be that the parties involved didn’t want it.
‘But there’s no way this woman, who lived her life like water flowing with the current, would have refused….’
“It was always Erich who refused the national marriage.”
As if reading Dante’s mind again, Elisha blinked twice and continued.
“At first, because he said he disliked me.”
“…….”
“After we grew up a bit, because he said we were still too young.”
“…….”
“After the coming-of-age ceremony, because he said I probably wasn’t ready yet.”
“Elisha.”
“We did eventually enter into an engagement covenant after the late Emperor passed, but that was strictly to honor his final wishes.”
Because even Erich couldn’t refuse his father’s last request.
As she finished speaking, a faint smile brushed Elisha’s lips. It was a thin smile that felt somewhat bitter.
“Anyway, if what you’re saying is true.”
Dante spoke up, his voice sounding quite perplexed.
“Erich has been desperately avoiding marriage with you. And so, you left for his sake.”
“……That’s right.”
“But now, he’s trying to find you again.”
And I’m the one stuck in the middle feeling this pain.
Dante pressed his fingers against his brow with the hand not holding Elisha’s arm and let out a sigh.
So in the end, Erich is the only one being fickle.
‘What a mess this is.’
If he weren’t my boss, I’d have grabbed him by the collar already.
But he was Erich’s subordinate, and he had been ordered to bring Elisha back.
To make matters worse, a sweet paid vacation had been promised as a reward.
“Um, Elisha….”
I understand the circumstances, but I really like paid vacations.
Let those two settle their own business. Wasn’t he just in a position where he had to obey the orders he was given?
Having finished his internal debate, Dante spoke tentatively.
“Anyway, you were trying to do what Erich wanted, right? And Erich wants you to come back now.”
“…….”
“Maybe Erich changed his mind. So for now, let’s just go back and….”
“Dante Renaud.”
But before he could even finish his sentence, Elisha cut him off.
“The day the subjugation force was attacked by monsters and forced into a hasty retreat—you remember it, don’t you?”
“How could I ever forget?”
It was the decisive event that led to the late Emperor’s death.
Dante replied cautiously, watching Elisha’s reaction.
The Shelan Plains Monster Attack.
A massacre was avoided thanks to the efforts of Elisha, who joined the fray late, but Emperor Bernhardt, who was hit first in the ambush, did not survive past the following spring.
For Elisha, who had been particularly close to the late Emperor, it must be a memory she didn’t even want to recall.
“That day, Erich said it.”
She continued with a steady voice.
“That I was someone who should never have been in the Imperial Palace in the first place.”
“What?”
Dante knew the two had fought that day, but he had said that?
“So, perhaps I would have been kicked out before I could leave of my own accord anyway.”
Once Erich had completely established his position as Emperor, for instance.
Elisha blinked slowly as she finished. Dante gave a faint, strained smile.
‘Erich, you crazy bastard.’
After saying that, you’re asking me to find her?
At this rate, I should write a book titled Regarding the Fact That the Emperor of Cardion Turned Out to Have a Split Personality.
“Even so, if he is looking for me.”
While Dante was lost in thought, Elisha spoke, her eyelashes fluttering slowly.
“Firstly, as you said, it’s likely because of the Allied Nations Conference.”
“…….”
“Secondly, it’s because Cardion would be losing a major part of its military strength.”
“Probably so.”
In the end, they both meant the same thing.
Dante nodded slightly.
What other reason could a man who said such cold words have for trying to hold onto Elisha?
“Whatever the reason, Erich wants you back.”
“And?”
“I’m saying let’s put out the fire first. It’s not like you want something bad to happen to Cardion.”
And I get my paid vacation as a bonus.
Dante smiled awkwardly and tightened his grip on Elisha’s arm.
Elisha watched him without much interest, then narrowed her eyes slightly.
“I believe I told you already. I have no intention of going back.”
“Aw, why….”
But then again, saying she was ‘someone who shouldn’t have been in the palace’ was a bit much.
Dante shut his mouth immediately.
Then, Elisha spoke bluntly with a frown.
“You can just attend the Allied Nations Conference in my place. It’s not a difficult task.”
“No, that’s….”
“Besides, if the Allied Nations Conference cannot proceed properly just because I am missing, then Erich has no right to be Emperor. How can an Emperor who must rely on others rule an empire?”
“I didn’t know words could actually hit someone….”
“I’m just stating facts,” Elisha added with a blink.
Dante gave a faint smile, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
That look in her eyes, that way of speaking.
He felt like he was being completely outmaneuvered.
“In any case, Cardion possesses magical capabilities far superior to other nations. So the empire won’t crumble just because I’m gone.”
“Well, that’s true, but….”
“If you’re worried that I might become the military strength of another nation, there’s no need. That would be an act of betraying the late Emperor’s grace.”
“I figured as much, but….”
“Furthermore, the vacant seat of the Empress can now be used as a political tool.”
Assuming Erich doesn’t meet someone he loves, of course.
Elisha continued in a voice that was incredibly calm, as if she were merely listing simple facts.
Dante fumbled for words, unable to find anything to counter her. Everything Elisha said was right.
No matter how long she had lived in the palace, she was ultimately a commoner who had not received a surname.
She could obtain a surname if she were adopted into a noble family, but….
“Rather than bringing a child of a noble family in as Empress, it would be better to enter into a marriage alliance with another nation.”
“…….”
“I heard the Princess of Dexon is still unmarried. Dexon has the largest deposits of magic stones on the continent, so a marriage alliance with them would be best. Or Nox wouldn’t be bad either.”
Either way, the benefits would be greater than a marriage to a commoner with no backing.
Elisha finished and tilted her chin slightly. It was a signal for him to speak if he had anything to say.
Unfortunately, Dante had nothing left.
How was he supposed to argue with that?
According to Elisha, it was true that Erich hated the idea of marrying her, and now that Elisha had given up the position of Empress, it was no different from Cardion gaining a new hand to play.
‘Even if a war were to break out in Cardion, Elisha wouldn’t just sit back and watch.’
Come to think of it, isn’t this a really profitable deal for Erich?
Since that cold-blooded man doesn’t seem likely to truly fall for anyone anyway, if he uses this right, it could even help strengthen the imperial power….
“And I hold your abilities in high regard, Dante Renaud.”
Elisha’s next words drove a stake through Dante’s thoughts.
Dante’s eyelashes trembled for a moment.
To hear such words from the Grand Mage who treated everyone but herself like an idiot.
‘I really am competent—wait a minute.’
A sudden thought made Dante freeze.
And as if to prove his uneasy suspicion, Elisha added one more thing calmly.
“So please, take care of my share as well.”
In that moment, Dante Renaud realized.
To take over Elisha’s place.
To replace Elisha.
That meant, in other words….
“A life with a clock-in time but no clock-out time….”
“What was that?” Elisha asked, her brows arching.
At the same time, Dante grabbed Elisha’s sleeve and began to shake his head violently.
“No. This isn’t it. This really isn’t it.”
If Elisha left, the position of Chief Imperial Mage would naturally fall to him.
But would Erich hand over the position of Magic Knight Commander to someone else?
‘I’d sooner believe a passing dog could talk.’
Do you really think Erich, the empire’s leading expert in overworking Dante Renaud, would do that? Bow-wow?
If it were Erich, he would definitely make him hold both positions under the pretext of ‘You like money, don’t you?’
If he held the positions of Chief Mage and Magic Knight Commander simultaneously, his vacations would be canceled. He’d get paid a lot, sure.
But he’d also have to work overtime every day. He’d get overtime pay, sure.
And he might have to spend all day every day looking at Erich’s face under the guise of ‘meetings.’ Of course, that face was worth looking at, but still.
“Just go and request the annulment yourself and keep your position as Chief Mage with your head held high. Sure, other people will badmouth you, but you’re good at putting up with that.”
Go back to the palace with dignity, slap Erich across the face, and declare the engagement over.
Dante began to mutter with a half-dazed expression.
Elisha looked at him as if he were pathetic, then her gaze stopped at a certain spot and her face crumpled.
What on earth is that?
“……Renaud, wait.”
“No, I hate it, I’m not letting go! I’m never letting go! Even if a monster appeared in front of me right now, I wouldn’t let go!”
Dante finally cried out, squeezing his eyes shut.
Elisha let out a small sigh and said,
“Fine, then don’t let go.”
She immediately stood up and took a step forward.
Only then did Dante turn his head to look where Elisha was staring.
The inn door was wide open, just as Dante Renaud had left it. And beyond it were huge, black legs and feet, like those of a beast.
That’s….
“It really is a monster.”
