TFSAWE - Chapter 235: The Box (Patreon)

The Imperial Knights' encampment, welcoming the dawn, was remarkably clean and serene, far from resembling the venue of the previous night's revelries. The hired musicians and townspeople, who had come from nearby villages, departed with joyful eyes, their hands clutching the bestowed gold coins, bidding farewell to the prosperity of the empire and the happiness of the prince and princess. Gazing at the few remaining barrels of ale, Leon crossed his arms.

Now, the 3rd Imperial Legion stationed here would unquestioningly obey not only his commands but also those of the princess. Last night, the saint had willingly offered herself to Leon, a sufficient gift to obtain control over the entire legion.

Leon gazed at his tent with a tinge of regret in his eyes. Despite receiving such a generous offer, he still felt a sense of longing. As he caught sight of the distant encampment of the Holy Temple Knights, an irrepressible desire stirred within him.

"If only they weren't there."

Then, he would have returned immediately to the empire, hosting a grand celebration, and showcasing the many preparations made long ago for the prince and princess, spreading their love throughout the continent.

Leon smiled at the thought of Lina's face when she beheld it. She exhibited an insatiable curiosity for everything new in the world. Even if she were to explore only the possessions within the palace, it would take years. Both my father and I have gathered countless treasures from all corners of the world.

Initially, I only pursued collecting as a hobby, but little did I know it would prove to be so helpful.

Leon contemplated the tasks that lay ahead upon returning with Lina and began humming a tune. The faces of his subordinates, who observed him from afar, contrasted starkly, appearing rather gloomy. It was a positive occurrence for them to witness their prince, who spent his first night as a happy newlywed, yet the bride herself was far from ordinary.

To think she claimed to have married a saint. How much more complicated would things become thereafter?

At that moment, the sound of hooves interrupting their worries reached their ears. Leon, too, turned his head upon hearing the sound.

It was the barracks where the prince and the 3rd Imperial Legion were stationed. It was inconceivable for their guards to be lax, allowing someone to enter so boldly and swiftly on horseback.

Upon glimpsing the face of the person atop the horse, their doubts were quickly dispelled.

"Why has the 1st Legion come here?"

Leon mumbled with a furrowed brow. Why had the direct order of the emperor dispatched the Imperial Knights here? The number sent was far too small to be considered reinforcements for their son, overflowing with paternal love.

The individuals who immediately approached Leon stopped a short distance away, dismounted from their horses, and then approached him, kneeling on one knee and bowing their heads.

"Your Highness, the Prince, we pay our respects."

"That's enough, rise. What brings you here?"

"Our emperor has sent us, believing that you would find it necessary, Your Highness."

"Something necessary for me?"

While Leon wore a puzzled expression, the knights of the 1st Legion who arrived shortly after stood before him, holding a large box draped in cloth.

"This is..."

As the cloth was unveiled, an opulent and splendid box came into view, even at first glance.

"What on earth could it be?"

Leon approached the box with a slightly tense heart.

"We inquired if there were any messages or missives from His Majesty, but he commanded us, saying, 'There is no need to write what you will discover upon opening.' And thus, we were ordered to deliver it promptly."

Upon hearing those words, Leon placed his hand on top of the box. It was a box large enough for two adults to fit inside. Moreover, what lay within undoubtedly held immeasurable value.

"What could it be?"

With a slightly anxious heart, Leon opened the box.

"Ah..."

A sigh escaped his lips, and inside the box lay exquisitely arranged accessories, robes, and jewels intended for the princess consort. Leon wiped his face with one hand, pondering the fact that even while seated in the palace, the emperor seemed to be aware of this situation.

Feeling as if he had been struck on the back of his head, Leon let out a bitter laugh. Yet, he couldn't say he felt entirely displeased. This could be seen as evidence that the emperor had acknowledged the saint as the princess consort.

Those who were not yet prepared in their hearts to serve Lina would be forced to bow their heads, and those who sought to harm her within the imperial territory would receive treatment no different from those harming the emperor.

As Leon gazed into the box, he discovered a neatly folded piece of cloth.

"What is this?"

He unfolded the cloth, which seemed entirely unrelated to the princess consort.

"Truly remarkable, indeed."

A voice tinged with a hint of disbelief flowed from Leon's lips. It was a flag—a new Apelius flag, combining the symbols of the Great Temple and the Empire. It had yet to be hoisted anywhere, but it would eventually become the flag that covered the entire continent.

At last, Leon could discern precisely why the emperor had sent these things.

"To kill that woman, huh?"

For this grand scheme to succeed, the betrothal of the prince and the saint must be concluded without harm. Yet, the person he had married was someone the world fingered as a fake saint. In that case, how could he make people serve her as the true saint once again?

Leon sighed and looked back at the stronghold where Carl and the Imperial Knights were stationed.

"I guess I'll have to kill them all."

Including that woman, Iris.

The problem lay there. According to the information planted within Carl's faction, Carl had diverted the Empire's forces from pursuing Latvan, believing that the Imperial Knights would hinder him. Indeed, it was a wise judgement. Pursuing the saint rather than capturing the wanted criminals would be helpful for Carl's maintenance of power.

However, a problem had arisen. The new saint, Iris, had disappeared, hiding her traces in the village where I used to live. The survivors of the village, which had become a ruined field after being attacked by monsters, reported what they had witnessed. Heksa, the monster, had appeared. But then a red-haired man appeared and subdued Heksa before disappearing with Iris. The moment Leon heard those words, he could deduce the man's identity.

"It's Aslan."

In that case, Leon thought Aslan would bring Iris directly to Lina, but he had yet to reveal himself. Iris had not appeared either.

"Perhaps, considering the trouble he went through to take her away."

Leon recalled the contract between the saint and Aslan that he had not heard the details of in detail at the Great Temple. Although he didn't know what they had wagered, he had heard that Aslan had made the contract because he needed the saint's powers.

"If that's the case..."

Latvan was a problem, but Aslan was an even greater obstacle. Even without mentioning it, he knew that Aslan was a powerful monster. If such a person desired Lina, it would not be easy to stop him.

He murmured as he gazed at the distant mountain range.

"If they need the saint's powers so badly, wouldn't they be satisfied with this new saint?"