Chapter 18

In addition to Leandros's full-scale opposition, Arndt also joined in.

"That's right! Your Grace, if you knew what we experienced in the east..."

"But didn't you say nothing happened?"

"Well, that's true, but still!"

Arndt was just about ready to go crazy and jump up and down.

"What I'm saying is this. Are you making such a bad move just to leave the royal palace... gasp. Is it because of us?"

"Huh?"

"You can't refuse His Highness the Crown Prince's order because of us!"

"When did I ever say that?"

"The only people with Your Grace are the two of us. His Highness the Crown Prince is playing an obvious trick!"

He didn't know what Arndt was thinking.

But both of them seemed to be seriously misunderstanding something.

Because he had never once said he would 'go.'

"Yes, so what?"

"What?"

"You're saying we shouldn't go to the east? I think the same."

Yes, this was his intention from the beginning.

He was sorry to Yurik, but he hadn't even the slightest thought of going to the east.

Why would he go there?

Did Yurik think he would eagerly swallow the bait of being allowed to leave the royal palace?

Regrettably, he too lived by thinking.

"Then what did you say to His Highness the Crown Prince... did you tell him you wouldn't go?"

"I just told him I would go."

"Are you going to go?!"

"No, I'm telling you I won't go!"

Arndt had a dumbfounded expression.

For him, obeying a master's order was naturally the absolute truth.

Not only that, but all people born in a class-based society would probably feel the same.

Leandros glanced at the malfunctioning Arndt.

"So in the end, you lied to His Highness the Crown Prince."

"I couldn't just refuse right there."

"That's certainly true. But do you have a separate plan in mind?"

"Well, about the plan."

After pondering for a moment, he asked them.

"Did you leave all your luggage behind?"

"The situation was unfavorable, so we couldn't gather them in time."

"People who say nothing happened abandoned even their luggage? What happened there?"

"..."

What on earth had these two done?

Had they blown up the entire east?

"Well, alright. There must have been some circumstances. Honestly, it's not my place to say, so I won't pry further."

"We're sorry."

"Anyway, what's important now is this."

His fingers spread out, showing two.

"One, we have no money right now."

Even after selling his hair by cutting it off, they had barely made it to the east by being as frugal as possible.

Unless Leandros cut his hair, there was nothing left to sell.

"Two, we can't leave the royal palace without Yurik's permission."

Even if they dismissed the servants far away, eyes of surveillance were everywhere.

Essentially, this palace was Yurik's home ground.

It wouldn't be surprising if Yurik had set up something here.

If they made even slightly suspicious movements, Yurik would know immediately.

"So I think it's best to honor the Crown Prince's orders. It gives us an important justification to leave here."

"That's naturally the case, but what about afterwards? Won't we be under surveillance when we go to the east?"

"The Crown Prince seemed to want to handle this matter as secretly as possible. Even if there's surveillance, it would probably be just one or two people."

He looked at Leandros.

He nodded.

"That number won't be a problem."

So reliable it deserved applause. How magnificent!

But Arndt still seemed anxious.

"But how long can we run away? Perhaps we should look for another method..."

While he fully understood Arndt's feelings, there were no other options.

Disobey Yurik? That's a shortcut to heaven for all three of them.

Persuade Yurik? It wouldn't have the slightest effect.

Secretly escape? They would be captured within a week and thrown into prison.

He patted Arndt's shoulder, which had stiffened with worry.

"There's something someone I know used to say in times like this. Do you know what it is?"

"What?"

"With money, everything is possible."

"What?"

Don't worry, Arndt.

I'll make a big score.

* * *

Despite dodging his requests for an audience like that.

The request to 'meet regarding the eastern matter' was approved in less than half a day.

It's infuriating.

The audience with Yurik took place not in the palace where they were staying, but in the main castle.

He seemed to be handling affairs in place of the King, who according to the official narrative was too ill to properly attend to state matters.

"This way."

When the servant opened the door and whispered, he was suddenly ushered inside.

As soon as the door closed behind him, he felt like he was left alone.

That was because Yurik, sitting behind the desk, was busily writing something without even raising his head.

The sound of the door closing must have been clear, yet he didn't spare a glance in his direction.

It seemed strange to speak first in this situation, so he looked around instead.

The first impression of the office was that the main villain was overworking more than expected.

That was because there were no instruments of pleasure in sight.

The office in the main castle, prepared for the Crown Prince, was large and splendid.

Carpets and curtains embroidered with the royal family's symbol - a mystical creature combining a three-headed snake and a lion.

Bookshelves occupying the space instead of luxurious decorations.

A huge reddish-brown desk with neatly placed inkwells, quill pens, and letter openers.

The wall with several large windows was allowing sunlight to pass through directly.

Thanks to that, there was no impression of gloominess or strangeness.

But why put all these books in a place like this?

Shouldn't books be kept away from direct sunlight as much as possible?

Not just one massive bookshelf, but several stood in a row.

From very old books to ones that sparkled like new.

There were also many types.

So it wasn't surprising to see some books that were on the verge of growing mold.

He just thought that gloves might be needed when opening those.

But once his eyes started to linger on the old books, something felt strange.

It was as if he had seen them somewhere before.

Just as he was unconsciously beginning to creep towards the bookshelf.

"I thought our conversation was over. Do you have something to ask of me?"

Damn, he almost had a heart attack!

He had barely taken a few steps when the sudden voice nearly made him fall.

After barely steadying his swaying body and turning his head, he saw Yurik still looking down at the paper.

"If you have something to say, it's best to do it quickly. I don't have much time either."

"Why didn't you speak first, then?"

"It's not my fault if the Duke lacks presence, is it?"

This bastard.

The other side had said there was no need for outward courtesies first.

It's good for me too, not having to make long speeches.

He spoke politely to his face.

"I have no money. I'm about to go on a long journey, so please provide some travel expenses."

"How much?"

"I don't know yet. I think I'll need to look into it in detail and let you know."

"Then tell my servant."

"Do you need a summary of the expected costs?"

"It wouldn't hurt."

"Is there a limit to the budget?"

"Nothing has been set specifically."

"Then I'll handle it accordingly."

As he was about to bow and leave, Yurik commented from behind.

"You've gained a lot of confidence, Duke."

"Have I?"

"It seems you've changed even more after going through hardship. It's quite different from my memory."

"Is that so?"

"You've changed a lot."

After those final words, Yurik fell silent.

What was that about?

He left the office, leaving the rustling sounds behind.

Hurrying back to the Crown Prince's palace, he gathered Leandros and Arndt.

They needed to create a budget estimate quickly before Yurik changed his mind.

"How much does one adult spend on food for a week?"

"By commoner standards, it wouldn't even be one silver coin."

"Then calculate it by noble standards. I am a Duke after all... No, you should be included too!"

"But we're not nobles?"

"What are you saying, we've been eating the same things. And Leandros is a knight, so he needs to eat more. Double it."

"...I don't eat that much."

While working with Arndt to squeeze out all kinds of expenses.

Leandros stood beside them, showing signs of fatigue but still diligently answering their questions.

Arndt snapped at Leandros.

"His Grace is telling you to eat more, Sir!"

"...Sigh."

Leandros sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

Regardless, they were busy inflating this budget and that budget.

"Your Grace has a weak body, so we should rent a carriage!"

"Yes."

"Let's ride a four-wheeled carriage and keep changing horses as we go!"

"Good!"

"We should have lavish meals for every meal and include all desserts!"

"Of course!"

"Considering Your Grace's sensitive skin, should we get new clothes in every town we visit?"

"Not bad."

"When sleeping, we should rent entire high-class inns for security. You know that, right?"

"Certainly, certainly."

As this kind of conversation continued, Leandros finally couldn't bear it and snatched the paper.

"Show some restraint. No matter what, how much are you..."

"Sir Leandros?"

His gaze was fixed on the paper.

Various items, necessary expenses, and the total at the bottom.

Arndt called him, but Leandros didn't answer.

That was because Leandros's expression was boiling with 'I can't take this anymore.'

"Ah, Arndt."

"Yes? Huh? Why?"

He was cautiously retreating while eyeing the situation, while Arndt, not understanding what was happening, alternately looked at Leandros and him.

In the end, Arndt had to endure Leandros's anger and nagging all by himself.

* * *

Under Leandros's strict guidance, Arndt produced a reasonably fabricated cost estimate.

Of course, there were hours of complaints during the writing process, but that wasn't his problem.

The budget was approved within half a day.

The servant sent by Yurik disbursed the exact amount of funds.

In cash, no less.

"It's my first time seeing a purse filled with gold coins."

"Huh? Really?"

"When the previous Duke was alive, there was hardly any need for gold."

"Even when buying things?"

"We had promissory notes. But I have seen that."

"Seen what?"

"Jewel boxes filled with gold coins. People who came to make requests often brought them."

This guy.

He gave Arndt a smack and rechecked the gold and silver coins in the purse.

Since they shouldn't be mixed, he separated them into different pouches, and entrusted some to Arndt and Leandros.

"Now that we've received this, we shouldn't dawdle any longer. Prepare to leave by tomorrow morning."

"Will that be alright?"

"Yes."

There were too many concerning factors, but for now, there was no choice.

The path ahead was far too predictable.

After some time passed, Yurik would undoubtedly realize that he had lied.

So before that, they needed a way to escape this situation while stalling for as much time as possible.

Perhaps because Yurik had given advance notice, the servants showed no particular reaction whether they were packing or leaving the royal palace.

Just as they were about to leave the Crown Prince's palace, two knights blocked their path.

"Who might you be?"

"His Highness Crown Prince Yurik has commanded us to escort you on your long journey."

"Is this His Highness the Crown Prince's kindness? I haven't heard about this."

"That's right. His Highness personally sent us. He was considerate of the fact that you might feel uncomfortable if you knew in advance, so please don't be upset."

The two nameless knights were wearing drab-colored cloaks like Leandros.

Not armor, nor the uniform of the royal knights.

He nodded readily to them.

"I was worried that we might encounter bandits, and one knight seemed insufficient. Indeed, His Highness seems to cherish me. What are your names?"

He welcomed the two with as warm a smile as possible.

It would only be a short journey, so he should make a good impression during that time.

That day, five people passed through the gates of the royal palace, but only three were on the road heading to the east after leaving the capital.