Chapter 13: The Princess’s Visit (2)

The Demon King is dead. The war is ending.

Either way, this is news I had desperately longed for.

However, the fact that Princess Martina El Cartesia herself delivered this news to me was far from pleasant.

Sharing information that hasn’t yet spread to the public usually means one intends to use it.

As expected, Martina demanded a price for the information.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t a secret only I know. My siblings all have sharp ears.”

“A power struggle will ensue over who claims the most credit for the war. You’ve come here to prepare for that as well, haven’t you?”

“As expected, you’re clever. Sometimes I wonder if you were really just a mercenary.”

Martina nodded honestly, her words continuing.

“Yes. My older brothers and sisters are already gathering the parties they’ve supported. The fourth has no interest in such matters, and the youngest’s silence is actually more concerning….”

“I’ve retired. I have no intention of getting involved in royal squabbles.”

“There’s no need to take risks. All I need is your name.”

“The [Crimson Moon Blade] is just a Gold-Rank adventurer.”

“Perhaps. But the [Specter of Artraus] is different.”

That nickname again.

I shut my eyes tightly, and Martina whispered seductively.

“A specter wandering Artraus, cutting down everything it sees. A ghostly swordsman who, with a single blade, created a no-man’s land between a kingdom and the Demon King’s forces. A battlefield disaster who annihilates armies singlehandedly.”

“…Stop. Just stop.”

“I know how much you loathe what happened back then. But a name is just a name.”

“Even lending me that grim name is enough. Wouldn’t it be worthwhile if that name could prevent bloodshed in the royal capital?”

I opened my eyes and looked at Martina.

In her blazing gaze, I saw a kind of desire I couldn’t fully comprehend.

“Is that all?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if my name will be used solely to prevent bloodshed. Do you truly have no ambition for the throne?”

For the first time, Martina fell silent at my words.

She hesitated, as if about to offer an excuse, but eventually sighed and admitted:

“It would be a lie to say I have none. I don’t want to deceive even you.”

“Then the promise to prevent bloodshed is also a lie.”

“It might sound like an excuse, but that part is genuine. At the very least, I hope nothing happens until after the victory ceremony. I believe the time isn’t right yet.”

“And after that, you don’t know what will happen.”

Martina neither affirmed nor denied my statement.

I shook my head.

“I’m sorry. I must decline your proposal.”

“Even if I command you as a princess?”

“Would you really do that?”

At my response, Martina sighed deeply for the first time.

“…I was just testing you. How could I force such a thing on my only friend?”

She smiled gently, and the tense atmosphere seemed to ease.

Martina then grumbled in a much lighter tone.

“It really isn’t easy. No one has ever turned down my request until now.”

“Who would refuse a request from a princess?”

“If the person who turned me down says that, it sounds sarcastic.”

“Don’t you like it?”

“Hmph, I am not the type to dismiss unpleasant requests like some petty person.”

“Indeed, your character is fitting for the royal family.”

“What?”

At my words, Martina burst into laughter.

Laughing so much that she almost teared up, she wiped her eyes and shook her head.

“Really, you’re quite the talker. Are you planning to become a court jester?”

“I’m grateful that you’re considering my future. If my restaurant fails, I’ll give it a try.”

“It seems you wouldn’t mind working under me, huh?”

“As long as there’s no bloodshed involved.”

“Right, I see.”

Martina tapped the table with her fingers as she fell into thought, then soon brought up a new topic.

“Then, could I ask you for one favor?”

“Princess? Didn’t we agree not to talk about this anymore?”

“No, it’s not that kind of request. This is just a simple favor. If you’re not inclined, you can refuse. It’s not that important.”

Reluctantly, I nodded at Martina’s desperate self-defense.

“Alright, let’s hear it.”

“I’m looking for a flower called ‘Gweomgeumhwa.’ Do you know what kind of flower it is?”

“Uh, yeah, I do.”

“Really? Can you explain it?”

Why would someone looking for a flower ask about it?

I couldn’t help but feel a bit baffled, but I answered Martina’s question.

Gweomgeumhwa is a black flower that only grows in a region called Grinius.

This flower is unique in that it blooms in caves, and it needs to grow without exposure to light, which is why it often appears in folk tales and myths.

The Gweomgeumhwa harvested during the dark moon is said to be filled with dark energy, and things like that.

Of course, that’s not true.

If it were, all the wizards would have picked it by now.

Gweomgeumhwa is just an ornamental flower.

It’s technically edible, but it’s so bitter that it doesn’t taste very good.

I guess it would be similar to describing it as tasting like a bitter herbal medicine with a mossy scent?

Martina asked, with a slightly surprised expression.

“You’re quite detailed. I didn’t know you were knowledgeable about flowers.”

“It’s not like that. I just happened to need to know about that flower.”

“Why would an adventurer know so much about flowers?”

“Grinius is located near the outskirts of Artraus, so I’ve been there often.”

“Oh, I see.”

Martina closed her mouth with a strange expression.

To avoid the atmosphere becoming awkward, I quickly changed the subject.

“So, why are you looking for that flower? It’s not the kind of flower the royal family would need.”

“Lani asked me for it. She said she needs it for her writing.”

“Princess Lani, you mean?”

Lani is the third princess of the kingdom.

She and Martina have a good relationship, but due to her shy nature, I’ve never had a conversation with her.

The only thing I remember is that she would avoid me, but she would observe me from somewhere.

Martina nodded.

“Right. Back then, I didn’t know what kind of flower it was, so I said I would find it, but I couldn’t get it no matter how hard I tried.”

“That’s because the Artraus region is still an uninhabited area.”

“…Right. In the end, if I want to get it, I would have to use my people, but with the situation as it is, I’ve been postponing it.”

“Then I’m the right person for the job.”

Martina spoke with a somewhat hesitant voice in response to my answer.

“If you don’t want to, feel free to refuse. As I said, it’s not an important or urgent matter. After the urgent matters are done, I can send someone else.”

“That’s fine. It’s actually a good opportunity.”

“A good opportunity?”

“Gifting a flower to the princess? It’s a bit of a bragging point when you meet nobles, don’t you think?”

When I gave a proud expression, Martina let out a chuckle.

“Right. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“My shop is doing so well that I’ve been busy. I’ll take this chance to travel and take a break.”

“Well… then I’ll have to make sure the journey isn’t too difficult for you.”

As she said this, Martina took a small pouch from her pocket and handed it to me.

When I opened the pouch, it was filled with heavy gold coins.

I could tell just by looking at it that it was a substantial amount!

I asked in a surprised voice,

“Isn’t this too much for travel expenses?”

“Really? If you don’t need it, you can return it.”

“That’s not the case.”

When I quickly tucked the pouch away, Martina let out a quiet laugh.

“Right. Take it when I give it. And here’s this too.”

“This is… a sword? Is this royal property?”

“It’s not like that. It’s just my personal item. But since my symbol is engraved on it, if you show it, you’ll be able to use royal facilities freely.”

I examined the sword Martina handed me.

The scabbard and handle were made of monster leather.

In the center of the crossguard, there was a gold-colored rose intricately engraved, making it look very luxurious at first glance.

Martina continued speaking.

“I heard you change weapons often, so I prioritized durability when making this sword. Originally, I was going to give it to you before you left for the Demon King’s territory, but I only gave it to you after retiring.”

“…I’m afraid it will break, so I can’t use this.”

“Really? Then I’ll have to call you to the palace periodically and check if you’re using it properly.”

“No, that’s a bit much.”

At my expression, Martina stood up, saying it was just a joke.

When I got up to see her off, she turned back and said, “By the way, Sir Gilbert has been visiting you often. Did something happen?”

“Ah… you don’t have to worry about that. That old man, since the last time we met, has been insisting I join the knights. He says I was born under the star of a knight or something like that.”

“That’s strange. I’ve never heard Sir Gilbert say something like that. But if you’re considering joining the royal knights, let me know first. I’ll make sure to recruit you as my personal guard.”

“That won’t happen.”

“And don’t worry about the Isel party. I’ll make sure your companions don’t get involved in this mess.”

“Well then.”

Martina said that and left like the wind.

I quietly mumbled as I watched her disappearing figure.

“Thanks, Martina.”

No matter what, you really do care about me.

I felt my heart touched by her consideration as I closed the door, and my eyes met with Selly, who was peering down from the second-floor stairs.

“Uncle, the guest is gone now, right? I’m hungry, let’s eat that quickly!”

“Ah.”

At Selly’s words, I absentmindedly looked at the remains of the roast chicken, and Selly followed my gaze, her eyes landing on what was left of tonight’s dinner.

Selly’s voice grew cold, like the leftover chicken.

“Uncle? That… couldn’t possibly be it, right?”

I couldn’t bring myself to answer that question.