Chapter 24 - Yesterdays Enemy 3 (2/2)

“It is too excessive.I can tell at a glance that they aren’t highborn.We can’t give our treasure just because they aided us with the sword once….”

“His highness has made his decision, so you should all shut up.”

Everyone shut their mouth when the female knight gave a fiery order.She was level 118.Since she had the highest level amongst the knights, he had wondered if she was the leader.He had guessed right.

Well, even if she was the leader, they were….Artpe shrugged his shoulders, and he put away the Demite’s Gemstone into the Dimensional Pouch.

The knights kept looking back at Artpe as if Silpennon’s actions had left much to be desired.The female knight spoke in praise about the crown prince’s upbringing.Silpennon tried to act cool on the outside, but the crown prince couldn’t let go of the lingering attachment he had towards Maetel.

“Mmm…...”

Artpe hesitated as he looked at them.

He didn’t like Silpennon, but this sentiment came from the fact that Silpennon had delivered the killing blow in his past life.However, the one in front of him showed some promise.

No, if he thought about it, Silpennon had carried out the dirty deed instead of the hero.He wasn’t really that bad of a guy.

Every time he saw Silpennon he remembered the calm face of the bastard, who stuck a dagger into his heart in his past life.It annoyed him, but when he saw the Demite’s Gemstone in his hand, any trauma he would have felt evaporated in moments.

‘All right.It feel like a waste to just send them off like this.’

This was why he decided to give Silpennon a bonus.

“Could you wait a little bit?”

“What?Are you perhaps going to help us.....”

“Do you have any paper?”

“Paper?”

The female knight tilted her head in confusion.She took out a piece of parchment from within her clothes.She handed it over to Artpe.

“All right…..”

He opened up the parchment, and he emitted a very small amount of Mana at the tip of his finger.Small smoke started to rise up as he wrote his letter.It was a trick that can be performed only by those adept at controlling Mana.Everyone except Maetel flinched when they saw this.

“As expected, this youth isn’t normal either, your highness...”

“If he is her assistant….At the very least, he should have that much skill if he wants to travel with her.He’s a magician.”

“Well, I'm done writing.Also….”

Artpe took out an envelope from his Dimensional Pouch.It contained a strange green powder.He folded the note, and he handed it to the female knight with the envelope containing the green powder.He gave her a light wink.

“It is only for your eyes.”

“W...what....”

The female knight’s face turned red.Silpennon and the knights focused their gazes on her.The female knight was flustered, but she quickly hid the items.

“A...are you trying to make fun of an adult!”

“I was sincere.It is only for your eyes.”

“Koohk…...”

Artpe was well aware of the fact that his appearance was quite pleasing. If not, a big fish like the leader of the thieves’ army Etna Carlyfate Mirecard wouldn’t have clung to him.

Of course, love didn’t develop just based on a person’s appearance.However, one’s appearance was the first impression one could give, and it was undeniable that it had an immense effect on various parts of the love that develops.

Silpennon was stunned as he looked up at her face.

“Leseti...Really?”

“Ah.No way, your highness!He’s just a young lad!”

“However, your face turned red.”

“It isn’t like that!Anyways, I have to check if the note and the powder is safe.I’ll keep it in my possession until then!”

“We’ll be leaving now.I hope you live long enough for us to meet again.”

Artpe chortled as he turned away.He had done all he could for them, so it was up to them now.The night was getting deep, so they should return to their own campfire to get ready for camping outside...

“Artpe…...”

Maetel’s eyes were murky like the eyes of a dead fish.She asked a question with a voice that was colder than winds blowing within the icy depths of hell.

“Does Artpe perhaps like old women….?”

“No.Nope.I promise you that isn’t the case.”

She had also fallen for the ruse!

Artpe let out a sigh as he flicked her forehead.He dragged her towards the campfire.

On the other side, the crown prince’s party stood in place for a moment.Everyone was looking towards one person.When the female knight became the focus of their attention, Leseti was flustered.She kept waving her arms.

“I...it isn’t like that!It isn’t, your highness!Anyways, we should ready our camp.Since we don’t know how long our pursuers will follow us, we can’t rest long…..”

“Yes, we should rest, and you should read the letter.”

“It is probably nothing!”

Leseti erased the traces of battle, and she led the crown prince’s party towards a suitable campsite.She ordered the knights to make a shelter, so Silpennon could rest first.When no one was looking, she secretly took out Artpe’s letter.

“That impertinent brat…..”

It seemed he had good eyes to be able to recognize a beauty like her.Leseti let out a self-satisfied smile as she lit a candle.His penmanship was so elegant that it was hard to believe a young man had written it.However, the letter was stuck to her eyes starting from the first word.

[All the other knights are traitors.It is up to you to protect the crown prince before he gets killed or kidnapped by them.They were probably waiting the right time to steal the jewel from the crown prince, but he gave it to me.They won’t hesitate anymore.Ah.I've enclosed a poison within the folded envelope.You should use it.This makes us even.]

…..the content of the letter had gone in a completely different direction than what Leseti had expected.The letter still made her heart pound.