Chapter 24 - Yesterdays Enemy 3 (1/2)

Chapter 24 - Yesterday's Enemy (3)

In his past life, the hero had been born within the Diaz Kingdom.When the hero turned 12 years old, she was dragged straight into the palace.This was the biggest mistake that had occurred in the past hero’s life.

The palace followed a Hero Support Manual that was created several hundred years ago.While she was reared with the utmost care, the hero’s first party member was added during this time.He was none other than this country’s crown prince Silpennon Le Diaz.He was a thief.

‘Of course, it isn’t my business as to why Silpennon had turned down his seat as the crown prince to join the hero’s party…..No, I get it now.’

It was true that Silpennon was directing his words towards Artpe, but his eyes remained planted on Maetel.His cheeks were red.It seemed he had fallen for her on first sight.

It was understandable.In her past life, Maetel could have easily ruined couple kingdoms with her beauty.She was only thirteen years old right now, but her budding beauty could be seen even now.This was why it wasn’t far-fetched to think that the crown prince had fallen for her.

Still, Silpennon had witnessed Maetel shed blood with his two eyes.It was a bit baffling that he was able to show such pure ardor towards her.

“I don't want your answer.I want to hear it from the girl!”

Silpennon browbeat Artpe as he turned his intense gaze towards Maetel.Artpe shrugged his shoulders, and he lightly tapped Maetel’s shoulder.

“....if you put it that way, I have no choice.You do whatever you want, Maetel.”

“Huh?”

Maetel’s tears hadn’t stopped yet, but she was released from Artpe’s embrace.She faced the crown prince.The crown prince looked on with pity when he saw her puffy eyes.

“You poor thing…..You are a child with a very tender heart.However, you don’t have to be worried.The people you killed right now are rebels.They are traitors to this country, so you don’t have to be wounded by their deaths…..”

“I hate the palace!I’m not going!”

Silpennon’s attempt at consoling her failed miserably.Maetel cut him off as she rejected him.She returned to the arms of Artpe.She was as resolute as Artpe.

“What the…..”

Silpennon was turned down in no uncertain term, so he froze in place.One of the knights protecting Silpennon inadvertently started breaking out in laughter.The other knights reigned him in.

Silpennon came to his senses under the impetus of the laughter.He had never been turned down so firmly in his life.His pride took a big hit, and he started talking incoherently.

“W...why not….I promise to give you a lot of things!If you help me, I…Y...yes.What is your name?Which family are you from?If you have to travel around with such a terrible servant, it seems to indicates that you are unfortunately not from a suitable family.However, when we return to the palace, I’ll use all the power at my disposal to elevate you to a suitable position….”

“....did you just insult Artpe right now?”

She didn’t like something Silpennon had said.Maetel remained in Artpe’s embrace, but she extracted her face to glare at Silpennon.Silpennon realized he had stepped on a mine, so his face turned pale.

“Ah.I...I didn’t mean it like that….”

“I just told you!Artpe isn’t terrible, and he isn’t my servant!”

“H...he isn’t your servant!?”

“You are really terrible!”

It really was a sight that couldn’t be seen without shedding some tears.It seemed Artpe wasn’t the only one having such thoughts.The female knight, who had initiated a conversation with Artpe, carefully spoke to Silpennon.

“Your highness.Unfortunately, we might have to give up on the idea of them helping us.They have already saved your highness’ life once.You should be thankful, yet you are trying to detain them against their will.This isn’t unbefitting of your station, your highness.You possess the great bloodline of Diaz.”

“Koo-oohk….So I have no choice, but to let the girl go!”

“Your highness…..”

They were playing their parts well.They continued to act as if they were still in charge of a kingdom.If so, they could do as they wished by themselves.

“She doesn’t want to do it.Are we done here?We’re going.”

“Hmmph!”

Artpe let out a sigh as he turned away from them.As if she was worried about being left behind, she matched his footsteps.At that moment, she was very cute.

However….

“Please stop…...”

Silpennon called after them again.His voice drooped like a wet rag.Artpe didn’t hide his annoyance as he turned around.However, his eyes opened slightly wider when he saw what was in Silpennon’s hand.

“Please take this.”

“What the….”

It was Artpe’s turn to be surprised like an idiot.

Silpennon had held up a large jewel that was emitting a purple light from all its surface.Anyone, who knew the identity of the precious gemstone, would have reacted in a similar fashion.Artpe’s Read All Creation ability didn’t let him down.It immediately displayed the item’s info.

[Demite’s Gemstone]

[Magician]

[It is part of the Limite group, which is considered to be the one of the highest ranked ingredients for magic items.It is incredibly high in purity, and as time passed, it gained a Class of its own.It is a legendary gem that only appears a handful of times in either the human world or the demon world.

It hadn’t been refined yet, so the gemstone’s enormous power is still hidden.However, once it is refined, it will increase one’s Mana by a vast amount, and it would also develop random additional abilities.It will also develop a will of its own, so it will have the ability to help the owner finish one’s spell.However, it is so hard that it is almost impossible to refine it.This is the only flaw to the item.]

‘This is probably worth more than his entire kingdom!?’

He had run across an unexpected item at a place where he had never expected to find it.This was why Artpe almost became lost in himself.Silpennon spoke calmly in front of Artpe.

“Since I’ve incurred a debt to you, it is up to me to express my thanks.I am being chased, but I cannot neglect my duty.Take this, youth.I don’t know what it is, but it has been kept in our kingdom’s treasury for a very long time.I’m sure it is a precious gemstone.You should sell this, so your master…No.I want you to use it to help the girl acquire equipment that would be of help to her.”

“Do you really know what this is….”

No, if he knew, he wouldn’t have given it to Artpe no matter how great of a help they were to him.Artpe cleanly swallowed the shout of joy that was about to exit his mouth.He took the purple colored gemstone.In such a situation, it was one’s duty to be quiet, and just take the item!

“Hmm.As expected of the crown prince, you’ve received a fantastic upbringing.Thank you.”

“Is that perhaps a compliment, Artpe!?”

The other knights were taken aback when they saw Silpennon hand over the Demite Gemstone.It seemed all the other knights weren’t like the female knight, who convinced Silpennon to do the right thing.It seemed they didn’t put much importance in duty and honor.

“Your highness, we took that before we ran away from the palace.I don’t think you should give away such a precious treasure…..”