Black-haired demon (part 3)

"My boy, you and the lads under your command singlehandedly destroyed Battllorran's army morale by annihilating their prize, the undefeated corpse. Who cares for some farmlands? The number of quality crops from the area began diminishing to an outrageous degree decades ago, but no one wanted to acknowledge that because of the historical value of the land. I will never be ashamed of pushing for your promotion."

The ashen-haired officer waved his hand dismissively before placing it on the black-haired man's shoulder and nodding to him proudly.

"Thank you very much, sir."

Medea nodded back, strategically moving his head just a bit to the side so Neal could catch a glimpse of the crest painted on the door.

"Hmm? Ah! That's right! I've heard that you asked for a letter of recommendation because you wanted to work for the Rotteloss family! I'm glad to see that things worked out for you with th... Wait... why did you stop the carriage here...?"

The ashen-haired officer laughed joyfully while patting the black-haired man's shoulder before suddenly tensing up and looking back at the groveling guards.

"...gatekeepers of the Wondalandor's capital would not be so disrespectful as to try and stop a noble's carriage, would they...?"

Neal's voice suddenly turned ice-cold as his glare caused the guards to shiver.

"Unfortunately, it's even worse than that. I'm afraid this might have something to do with a passager my master helped out along the way."

"...!"

Since the choice was already made, Medea shook his head with a heavy sigh. His words were instantly deciphered by Lieutenant Colonel Neal, as his presence in the capital might have something to do with a certain missing member of the royal family in the first place.

"Please allow me..." *click*

The black-haired man bowed his head and backed off while pulling on the handle of the carriage door, opening it.

"..."

A person wearing a hooded robe over their clothes, who was already waiting for that moment, stepped out in silence before revealing their face and pale-blond hair.

*thump*

Lieutenant Colonel Neal didn't need any introduction and dropped to one knee the moment that Charlotte pulled down her hood.

"The second prince of Wondalandor, James Ellsworth."

Medea said without raising his head, making the announcement not just for Neal or the guards who were made aware that their fate was sealed but for everyone who even briefly stopped to peek at what the commotion was about.

"My prince, although the circumstances of this meeting are troublesome, to say the least, it is a great honor for me to be able to meet you."

"Likewise, Lieutenant Colonel. You may stand up. I'll leave this place in your capable hands. I just want to return home and speak with Father."

Neal bowed his head even lower while greeting the person looking like the second prince, to which Charlotte nodded benevolently at the ashen-haired officer before turning right around and returning to the carriage.

"As you wish."

Neal indeed straightened his back and stood up, but only after the pale-blond-haired teenager disappeared inside the carriage.

"Medea, I hope we will get a chance to talk when the circumstances would prove to be better."

"Likewise."

The officer smiled solely to the black-haired man who was already climbing up the carriage to not make the royal family member wait.

"As for you... all of you are hereby detained under the suspicion of treason and attempted abduction of the royalty."

"!!!"

Lieutenant Colonel Neal declared, and the next moment, a platoon of elite guards showed up from within the city gates as if waiting for that moment, then surrounded and brutally shoved the horrified gatekeepers out of the way.

"N-no...! That's all just a terrible misunderstanding! It's that wretched guy and idiot subordinates of mine. They all...!"

"Confess your crimes first – after aiding in the investigation, you and your man can feel free to execute yourselves. Go."

The commander of the gatekeepers cried out in the last futile attempt to save his own hide, but it was interrupted by Medea's bored comment spoken right before he shook the reins and called out at the horses.

As their carriage moved up the street, the people who witnessed what had just occurred began to jump out of the way in such haste that many ended up breaking the food stands put up along.

Funnily enough, even though the actual reason was stated properly by Lieutenant Colonel Neal as his men were arresting the guardsmen, the lightning-fast gossip chain retained just the bare minimum of information – that being, some guards dared to stop the Rotteloss carriage and were going to be tortured and executed because of it.

With that, the way to the royal castle passed unobstructed, and a royal steward was already waiting for them in front of the castle gates at the forefront of the welcoming committee that looked surprisingly good for something thrown together at the literal last minute.

"Your Highness, welcome back; please allow me to escort you to your chambers. You must have gone through a traumatic experience and..."

The silver-haired man ignored Medea, who slid down and opened the carriage door and instead spoke to Charlotte, who once again emerged first.

"No."

"P-pardon me, your higness...My age seems to make things difficult for me... could you say that again?"

The pale-blond-haired girl shook her head and declared, causing to steward to gaspe, completely taken aback.

"The only escorting that will take place is you leading me and my saviors, young lady Zorivia Rotteloss and mister Medea, to the audience hall. Inform my father, older brother, and all the concubines that I demand an audience as I will reveal some rather groundbreaking news. It's okay to call all the officials to bear witness to what will happen too."

"...!"

Charlotte scoffed, looking to the side while displaying so much anger-induced pride that the silver-haired man just stood there with his mouth agape.

...Charlotte acting was at least at the height of the second class about to be first-class performance – her avoiding eye contact in an angry way was Medea's instruction to prevent the girl from faltering and losing the gusto, and it ended up working wonders only bringing the right kind of attention.