“…!”

Ruel’s eyes shot open in surprise, his eyelids feeling heavy. How had he fallen asleep? Dawn had already broken outside.

‘Damn it!’

He had a place to go early in the morning.

A sigh escaped him as he rubbed his tired face. Had his fever risen again while he slept? He noticed a heat patch stuck to him.

Turning his gaze to Leo, peacefully asleep nearby, a rustling noise caught his attention from the other side.

“Are you awake?” Cassion’s voice broke the silence as he sat there, engrossed in cleaning his sword. It had been a while since they had spent time together.

“You’ve been here the whole night?” Ruel inquired, rubbing his eyes.

“Don’t you remember how you were ill all night? You woke up several times during your sleep. We even had a few conversations.”

“I don’t remember.”

Ruel genuinely couldn’t recall.

“It might be best to skip today’s welcome party,” Cassion suggested. The welcome party was held over three days, so missing one day might not be a major issue. A welcoming ceremony without the main guest.

“That’s a relief…” Ruel started to respond but was interrupted by a fit of coughing that ended in a disturbing sight—black blood staining his handkerchief.

Cassion frowned at the blood, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah,” Ruel affirmed, the metallic taste of blood overwhelming his senses, tears welling up in his eyes, yet a smile on his face. It was a sign that the power of recovery was actively working, expelling the remnants of his illness.

“I mentioned it yesterday as well, but the marker has stopped. It means there’s nothing left but treatment.”

After drinking the water Cassion offered him, Ruel inhaled Breath.

“What did Fran say?”

“She’s looking at it positively.”

“Good to hear,” Ruel acknowledged. There was no need to rush; the fact that he was healing was a victory in itself.

“Ruel-nim.”

“Speak.”

“How about telling this news to Tyson-nim?”

A warm smile crossed Ruel’s face.

‘Tyson will be overjoyed, won’t he?’

Tyson might even cry a lot. Or he might act like the time Ruel climbed up the mountain, bragging to passing knights by replaying that moment.

But now wasn’t the time for such musings; there were pressing matters at hand.

“Not right now, but later. I want to tell him in person.”

“Understood.”

“Leaving that aside, why…”

About to ask why he was asking such a question, Ruel stopped himself.

He realized that Cassion had likely heard him crying yesterday, which was unlike him.

Feeling embarrassed, a sarcastic remark slipped out instead.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something else you want to say?”

“I’ll tell you later. For now, I have a question,” Cassion replied.

“What is it that you’re dragging out so much, which isn’t like you?”

“Are you planning to go outside, Ruel-nim?”

“…”

Ruel was caught off guard, speechless at Cassion’s insight. How had Cassion figured it out? He hadn’t dropped any hints.

Cassion let out a deep sigh.

“I know you intend to go out even if I try to stop you. The attendants and soldiers saw Fran coming in and out at night, so there’s also an excuse for missing the welcome party.”

He knew well enough that Ruel would do what he wanted, no matter how much he tried to discourage him.

Then, he had to steer Ruel in another direction.

“Rest well during the day, and go out at dawn.”

Since many eyes were watching during the day, Ruel wouldn’t easily move around.

Using that time as recovery time was more efficient, no matter what.

“Trying to persuade me now, are you?” Ruel chuckled, seemingly unfazed.

Though Cassion was annoyed by that laughter, cursing him would only hurt himself.

“Whether the marker has stopped or not, the illness still remains.”

“I know. I don’t even know how long it will take.”

Since it wasn’t an ordinary illness, even with the power of recovery, he had to be prepared for a long healing process. But the curse would eventually weaken, and if Leo joined in, things would improve quickly.

“Fran even asked me to keep an eye on you, Ruel-nim, to make sure you don’t overexert yourself, now that your condition is improving.”

“Who else can care for my body better than myself?” Ruel retorted confidently.

“…Ha.”

Cassion laughed openly in disbelief.

“If you did, I wouldn’t have been in such a dilemma.”

“Aris must be outside and is Ganien with Aris?” Ruel changed the subject, dodging Cassion’s pointed remark.

Cassion raised one corner of his lips unamused, “Yes, they’re outside.”

“Then tell them I’ll be moving out in the early morning and inform Sir Torto to guard the door, pretending to switch shifts with Aris.”

With Torto around, it was okay to take Aris with him.

“Ruel-nim, please tell me your destination.”

“To the second defense line,” Ruel answered with a smile. “I plan to question the monsters about the recent rampage.”

Cassion felt exasperated at how Ruel seemed to want to add more to his already painful condition. Ruel seemed to have already erased from his mind the fact that Cassion had reported that he had suffered greatly the previous night.

He even feared that Ruel might forget how to take care of himself at this rate.

“Why?”

Ruel showed a displeased expression as Cassion stared at him.

“Right now, you’re taking care of yourself because you’re in pain, but I can’t imagine how you will manage later.”

“When the time comes, I’ll rest even if you push me to work.”

Once the Great Man has been dealt with, he wouldn’t need to run around everywhere and wouldn’t have to force his head to think either.

“Now that’s quite an amusing statement.”

Cassion sneered as he pulled a bottle of medicine from his pocket.

One, two, three…

As Ruel watched the increasing number of bottles, he inhaled Breath.

‘I’ll be saying goodbye to this nasty medicine soon.’

***

“I apologize,” Treitol said as he entered Ruel’s room in haste. “I rushed here upon hearing that Lord Setiria was ill. I realize now it may have inconvenienced you.”

‘Apologies after barging in,’ Ruel thought, concealing a necklace beneath his clothing following Cassion’s mention of Treitol’s arrival.

“How is your health?” Treitol sat down in a chair and looked at Ruel.

Despite his profuse sweating, Ruel managed a smile. “I’m fine. I can only apologize for presenting such a sorry sight.”

“No need to apologize. The fatigue from travel can be quite overwhelming,” Treitol sympathized.

As Ruel raised his hand to draw in Breath, a sudden realization struck him.

‘I can’t sense that feeling.’

The sensation of being caught in a spider’s web. That feeling, which had naturally lingered whenever he was near Treitol, had disappeared.

Could it be because he covered the mark with the necklace? In any case, he discovered an important fact.

‘It was truly related to the Great Man…’

“Are you okay?” As Ruel stared blankly for a moment, Treitol looked apologetic.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I was a bit dazed due to the fever.”

“I won’t stay long.”

Treitol took some papers out of his pocket and placed them on the bed. “Do you remember what I said in the carriage?”

“Yes, I do.”

Tapping the papers, Treitol emphasized his words, “This is the information I’ve gathered about the Red Ash.”

Ruel merely looked at the papers.

“As I said before, the Great Man. Just give me the information about him. That is all I ask of you, Lord Setiria.”

“I…” Ruel began, but Treitol interrupted, “No, we can discuss this later.”

For some reason, Treitol seemed in a hurry, as if he were being chased by something.

“I… Never mind. Well then, rest well. I’ll tell His Majesty about the welcome party, so don’t worry.”

Without waiting for Ruel’s response, Treitol left.

Feeling as if burdened with something forced upon him, Ruel rubbed his forehead.

It was still hot.

‘I’ve napped enough.’

Ruel inhaled Breath while taking hold of the documents.

Since he had nothing else to do except sleep, he thought it was a fortunate turn of events.

—Ruel?

Leo was staring intently at Ruel.

“What?”

—Are you seeing those white things again? Ruel is sick now. This body heard you groaning last night.

“I’ll just skim through these and then rest.”

Leo looked at the papers under Ruel’s touch.

—This body doesn’t understand what’s so interesting about this.

Soon, Leo growled at the papers and swatted them with his paw.

—This body doesn’t like those white things. This body has been waiting for Ruel to wake up, but this body has no idea when that will be.

‘You slept beside me.’

Ruel was amused but gently stroked Leo’s chin. As if he had never been angry, Leo’s expression relaxed.

—Alright then. This good boy will wait again.

Leo rolled over, exposing his belly.

—Pet this body.

“…Ha.”

Ruel let out a hollow laugh as he rubbed Leo’s belly. It was inconvenient to hold the documents with one hand, but what could he do?

Ruel returned his focus to the papers. The thicker the paper, the more densely packed the information inside. Instead of focusing on the nobles and small fry involved with the Red Ash, Ruel focused on the higher-ups.

Swish.

Ruel’s eyes and hands moved rapidly. There were well over several hundred high-ranking members listed. Soon, Ruel’s hands stopped, and he bit his lip.

‘Ah… this is annoying.’

If these documents were true, then the Red Ash was still lingering in Leponia. Like leeches.

He felt a shiver run through him. Amid the numerous names, he spotted a familiar one.

‘Nihils Praha.’

He was the one suspected of placing the mark Ruel Setiria during the carriage incident five years ago.

Ruel exhaled slowly. In any case, there were overlapping pieces of information. It seemed necessary to verify.

“Cassion.”

“Yes.”

Cassion emerged from the shadows cast by the bed, his gaze falling upon the organized papers with a sigh, indicating the need for further investigation.

“Are these the documents Prince Treitol gave you?”

“Yes. You know what to do, don’t you?” Ruel confirmed.

“I do.”

“What about Ganien?” Ruel asked.

“He was deep in conversation with Aris,” Cassion replied, a hint of annoyance on his face.

Ganien had more time to himself since Ruel had slept from dawn till midday, and this seemed to annoy him.

“Call him.”

“Understood.”

Only then did Cassion walk towards the door with a faint smile.

He opened the door slightly and said, “Ganien, Ruel-nim is calling for you.”

Ganien, who had been deeply engaged in a discussion about swords with Aris, quietly stepped inside at Cassion’s glance. Ruel had indeed called for him.

The anticipated moment had arrived.

What could he possibly be asked to do this time?

“Did you call?”

Ruel beamed, “Feeling bored?”

Ganien shook his head promptly.

“Not at all.”

“This concerns Cyronian,” Ruel stated, handing Ganien some documents.

“What’s this?”

“Read it.”

Ganien furrowed his brow as he read the materials with a sour expression.

“Does the Red Ash still exist?”

“If these documents are accurate,” Ruel replied in a tone tinged with irritation. “Inform His Majesty Huswen and conduct an investigation. I’ll delve into this matter as well.”

Of course, it was work that Banios should be doing.

The shadows were currently too busy and short-handed.

“Those bastards…!”

Veins popped out on Ganien’s neck.

Just when the papers were about to crumple and tear apart, Ruel coughed.

“Cough!”

“Didn’t you say you were fine?”

“If I were to recover instantly, that would indeed be a miracle,” Ruel quipped, passing the remaining documents to Cassion before reclining wearily against the bed. His fever-induced dizziness made it difficult to sit upright. Ruel waved his hand and inhaled Breath with the other.

“Is it okay for you to be going out at dawn while in this condition?”

Ganien’s gaze instinctively turned to Cassion at Ruel’s labored breathing.

“If he could be stopped, he wouldn’t be here, he’d be in Leponia.”

“That’s true. Still, um, it’s a bit concerning.”

Ganien thought seriously about whether he should speak up, but Ruel’s next words made him sigh.

“It’s because it’s something only I can do.”

“Cassion, I’ve just realized why you’ve been sighing so much. Ruel really doesn’t listen.”

Even Cassion, usually silent, nodded in agreement.

“Perhaps it’s because he’s still young?”

“…Ha.”

Ruel opened his eyes at Ganien’s absurd remark.

Ganien quickly spread his ten fingers.

“This should be enough qualification to speak, right?”

A ten-year age difference.

Ruel clamped his mouth shut and closed his eyes again.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read