Chapter 67
Craig was still offended. He glared at Mavolo as if he could hardly bring himself to speak, wondering why of all people the King had sent this man.
However, he had no choice. Even if he remained silent using his feelings as an excuse, it was certain he would be branded with the infamy of being a fellow who abandoned his master and returned. All the people of Lutea would throw stones at him.
The people of Lutea still loved the beautiful and kind second prince. Every single one of them felt pity that he had fallen ill. To such an extent that whenever they offered prayers to Fionechta, the first king who had become the Dragon God, they would pray for the recovery of the second prince along with the well-being of their own families.
Soon, his reason quickly returned. Craig vowed to stick strictly to what he had planned.
“……I did as you all instructed. Not long after we departed, he showed signs of a seizure again, and as I always did, I fed him that water. And before long, he began to hear voices. Suddenly, he pulled me aside and demanded to know why I was insulting him, then started spouting nonsense about how he couldn’t trust a fellow like me or take me along.”
This was good enough. Craig thought so to himself.
The words filled with disappointment that Prince Declan had last spoken to Craig were thus subtly distorted.
“I truly had no opportunity to do anything. I tried to persuade him somehow, but he was so drugged that he failed to recognize me, the one who had cared for him since he was an infant. Instead, he behaved as if I were possessed by a demon.”
“……Continue.”
“The rest of the fellows believed his words without a doubt. When he ordered them to drag me out, they didn’t even hesitate before lifting me up and casting me out! Is that all? That mercenary fellow went ahead and loaded me into the carriage of a merchant group filled with barbarians. They picked me up like a piece of luggage!”
“…….”
“This is why I said I needed someone other than myself! If I had taken even one of the knights I employed, this disaster would not have happened!”
Craig finally finished speaking up to this point with resentment and gulped down some water. It was true to some extent. That mercenary fellow never had any intention of listening to his words. The scene of that old mercenary particularly ignoring his words came to mind, but Craig, preoccupied with chewing over his anger, failed to notice the subtle points of that moment at all.
Mavolo stroked his mustache with an expressionless face and waited for Craig’s story to end.
“So, where was the last place the party stayed?”
“Ballinoor or something. It was a village filled with some foreigners.”
After confirming that final detail, Mavolo rose from his seat.
“Understood. I shall relay your circumstances to the King in detail. In the meantime, get some good rest.”
“……Wait. Get some rest? Are you saying you’re going to keep leaving me here?”
Mavolo did not hide his irritation and furrowed his brow.
“If we go together like this, what else would happen but you being stoned by the people? If you want that, then follow me.”
“……A-ah, no. It’s not that, but……. My point is, can’t you provide me with a better place? At the very least, speak to that border guard captain and have him give me the quarters the knights use……”
Mavolo could not help but snort. Craig, who had been speaking quite desperately for his own better treatment, flushed bright red from his face down to his neck.
Craig soon glared at Mavolo with a venomous face and said:
“What do you think will happen if I go outside right now and confess everything? Even that knight named Wilun seems to know nothing at all…….”
“Then, you would truly die at that moment, Craig. If you even attempt it, your head will be cut off right then and there and displayed atop that fortress wall.”
“…….”
“After having botched the job, you are in no position to dare negotiate for better treatment as a condition. I was going to let you rest comfortably out of consideration for our past acquaintance, but it seems I cannot. I will leave behind the person I brought. That person will watch you constantly.”
Craig truly came to know his place this time. He could say nothing, staring only at the floor with bloodshot eyes.
“……Please, speak well of me to the King. My unfair situation……”
He barely managed to say this, unable to meet Mavolo’s eyes as he had before.
Mavolo donned his ashen cloak and looked down at him with an expressionless face.
“Keep a low profile.”
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