The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 95

His judgment, built upon layers of experience, had seemed solid—until evening blurred the edges of certainty. Before night even fell, the culprit had walked straight into the guard post and confessed. Had the arrow swap not been an obvious ploy after all?

Even if it hadn’t, the result was the same. Evelyn had been attacked out of nowhere, the perpetrator was caught, and the elf Polyxene —whose arrows had been stolen—seemed completely unaware. There was no need to summon her as a witness. Better this way, if only to spare Iel’s nerves.

The real problem was that, after that, encounters with Iel had grown scarce. While it was obvious he was preoccupied with Polyxene , who had only recently returned to the capital, Cassis found himself unsettled.

According to the report submitted by Brax, who led the border scouts, Polyxene’s abilities were subpar. To be precise, she had potential—but lacked motivation and was lazy. In the end, she was nothing more than a grand excuse for incompetence.

Polyxene , if she couldn’t become a guardian, would have no clear role in the castle and would have to leave without fail when her residence permit expired. Even if she were to marry another elf within the castle. It was clear that day that Iel would be heartbroken if that happened.

‘Hmm….’

As Cassis, he took considerable interest in Iel’s welfare. Although elves live long lives, those like Iel who diligently serve as knights for a thousand years are rare. How many members of the Elder Council were once famous knights who had set aside their swords to live leisurely lives?

It was true that various administrative tasks became easier with Iel around. Moreover, Cassis had recently been thinking about putting down his troublesome crown and departing freely, and who would be better suited to wear that crown in his place? Iel.

As he was lost in thought amid the silence, Laocon addressed him again.

“Your Majesty? If Lord Iel is absolutely necessary, I will look for him.”

“No, we’ll depart for now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Even as Cassis walked with Laocon accompanying him, he envisioned a distant future when he could cast aside the burden atop his head.

In truth, he would be fine without being the king who shouldered Jupiter. What did it all matter? He had no connection whatsoever to the ancient Jupiter royal bloodline. A king? A knight of the crow’s food? That Cassis?

It was a position he had never once looked at or desired, even before he came of age, from the time he first wielded a sword. Especially these days, since assuming this position, the days when he felt irritated by having to consider so many factors were only increasing.

He was a body that could live sufficiently as just the guardian of the World Tree. With Evelyn in his remaining arm. Wouldn’t that be enough?

“……”

His footsteps leaving the Hall of Glory and moving away from her became extremely slow. Upon arriving at the agora shortly after, the festival coordinator who spotted him approached with a flushed face.

“Your Majesty the King, you’ve arrived! Many of those who expressed interest in participating haven’t arrived yet, so please proceed to your seat for now.”

“I understand.”

The words churning inside his throat since before his arrival—that it didn’t matter how many residents had gathered and they should start quickly—ultimately remained unspoken. Starting early would surely bring a quicker conclusion.

The unpleasantness didn’t end there.

Iel wasn’t here either.

***

Night comes.

“Ha…ah….”

For elves, darkness is one of the most familiar and natural phenomena. Unlike foolish humans who cannot take a step without a candle on a pitch-black night, elves have been accustomed to running about freely even before coming of age.

However, here, one elf trapped in a dark space could not regain her composure despite having trained as a guardian with a reputation for being experienced.

Lya, who had scratched the stone wall until her fingernails bled, soon began to sob.

“Why….”

She had confessed everything. She had revealed the truth that, as a guardian, she had rightfully reprimanded and punished the ill-mannered nymph who had fearlessly trespassed into the sacred grounds. She had even offered her position that she would clarify everything if only they would let her confront that nymph, yet she could not understand why. Why… she was here.

“Uhuhuh!”

Lya, who had burst into sorrowful tears, wiped away the flowing tears in the darkness. She detested the salty taste that touched her tongue whenever it met her lips, evidence of how much she had been crying.

She had heard the charges when they confined her here, and the memory remained vivid. Recklessly wielding dangerous weapons within the castle without an unavoidable situation was considered a serious offense.

-But! I had a legitimate reason. That nymph…!

-Enough. Until a formal trial is held, you will be detained based on your confession. Hey, write this in the registry. Name: Lya! Despite being in guardian training, she not only violated regulations but also committed acts contrary to the law.

-No!