Chapter 163: |
*Glug* *Glug*
“Keuu.”
Abdul II gulped down the [Dawn Elixir], a detoxifying potion that breaks down alcohol, and headed back to the palace.
Although he drank quite a bit at the banquet, he didn’t fall into a state of intoxication and instead tended to state affairs with the help of the potion.
This meant that even Abdul II, who wielded absolute power, was fulfilling his duties as a monarch of a single country.
Waiting at the court were the leaders of the Caliphate Kingdom’s army, also detoxifying their alcohol intake with the ‘Dawn Elixir.’
The military leaders, caught up in the drinking during the reception, were also notably intoxicated from the drinks Abdule II had matched with them.
Life as a vassal of a workaholic Abdul II was not exactly glamorous.
Some of his subjects would even wear diapers to meetings if they felt the meetings were going to be long…
“I see the Sultan.”
“I see the Sultan.”
The military leaders knelt to greet Abdul II.
“So, how did you enjoy the feast?”
Abdul II inquired.
“Yes, Sultan.”
The military leaders replied in unison.
But on the inside, they felt differently.
‘Ugh. I’m sick to death.’
‘How dare you call a meeting at this hour after a night of drinking.’
‘Even though I drank an alcohol detox potion, I still drank too much… Oof!’
The military leaders were livid, but they didn’t show it.
When even the monarch, Sultan Abdul II, didn’t go straight to sleep and held meetings in the middle of the night to attend to state affairs, how could they express their dissatisfaction?
“How is the war situation?”
Abdul II asked.
“Yes, Sultan.”
The Defense Minister shook his head and reported.
“Our forces have razed six Nuristan villages and confirmed the insurgents’ strongholds. Moreover, other hostile tribes’ villages are being systematically obliterated in real-time.”
“Oh! Is that accurate?”
“Yes, Sultan.”
The Defense Minister pointed to the map.
“According to the information provided by our operatives, the Nuristan rebels are currently stationed here in this area.”
“Oh!”
“We believe that with a well-timed surprise attack, we could decimate their garrison.”
“Good.”
Abdul II was pleased that the war seemed to be going well from the outset.
“Attack the Nuristan garrison as soon as possible, and restore the majesty of our dynasty.”
“It will be done, sire.”
“Is there any other news?”
“Yes, Sultan.”
The Defense Minister pointed to another section of the map.
“It is deemed advisable for us to attack the Hanafi city here, while you are crushing the Nuristan rebels.”
“That makes sense. Damn Hanafis, they’re just as bad as the Nuristanis.”
“Yes, my Sultan. But with the size of the force we have here, it will be difficult to break through to Hanafi city, and I suggest we send additional troops to attack it separately.”
“Let’s do that.”
Abdul II nodded.
“Send an army to attack the Hanafi city.”
“Yes, my Sultan.”
“And that force shall be….”
Abdul II thought for a moment, then opened his mouth.
“Appoint the crown prince as commander. He will lead the army on my behalf, and attack the Hanafi Tribe.”
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‘If I don’t stop her, His Highness will die.’
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Camille knew he must stop Elise somehow.
However, using force was not the answer.
Thinking back to Elise’s display of power during the Battle of Skull Island, the obvious conclusion is clear.
It was safe to say that if Elise wanted to kill someone, there was no stopping her.
Even if it involved the entire Caliphate army.
If that were to happen, not only would the trade with the Caliphate Kingdom be jeopardized, but also Otto’s life might be on the line before that.
‘What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?’
A million thoughts ran through his head in the span of a second or two.
But nothing, not even Camille, could come up with a solution.
So, as a last resort, Camille decided to sacrifice himself.
In order to save his Lord, Otto.
“Lady Elise.”
Camille approached Elise.
“I have something to tell you.”
“Something.”
“I…. actually.”
Camille squeezed his eyes shut, unable to continue.
The words wouldn’t come out.
But there was no helping it.
If he couldn’t get past this crisis, there would be no future.
“From before, Lady Elise. Uhhh.”
“……?”
“I-I’ve always admired you, Lady Elise.”
*Thud*
The moment those words fell, Camille’s heart dropped like a rock.
‘Dammit. I can’t believe I have to do this.’
Camille felt terrible that he had to lie like this to divert Elise’s attention.
‘Otto, you damn bastard! Is it really necessary for me, who is an older brother in name, to do something like this?’
Camille cursed Otto inwardly and waited for Elise’s reaction.
“Hmm.”
Surprisingly, Elise didn’t show any signs of being flustered.
‘Did she notice?’
Camille’s heart sank.
But her reaction was completely different from what Camille had expected.
“I see, so that’s how it is.”
“What…?”
“It’s happening again. It’s such a pity.”
“Uh, what do you mean?”
“Many people have confessed to me countless times, just like you have now.”
“Ah.”
“From ordinary soldiers to the knights by my side, there have been countless occasions where I felt awkward due to their confessions. I wonder why men keep trying to create uncomfortable situations.”
Elise smiled with a bitter twinge.
‘I can imagine.’
Elise wasn’t suffering from princess disease.
Camille could fully agree that Elize’s words were definitely not false.
Elise was the most beautiful woman on the continent.
Anyone who laid eyes on her could not help but fall in love.
Not that anyone could have met her immense strength and insanely high ‘standards’.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your feelings.”
“I-Is that so?”
“As you know, I already have a fiancé. And that fiancé is the Lord you serve.”
“That is correct.”
“I am disappointed, Sir Camille.”
“…….”
“I never told you, but I deeply admired your noble deeds. But to confess to the fiancée of the monarch you serve.”
Hearing Elise’s words, Camille wanted to bite his tongue and die.
*Drip* *Drip*
Tears streamed from Camille’s eyes.
“I don’t touch forbidden love. Even if you had such feelings, you should never have let them come out of your mouth. You know full well that it would have been better to leave my fiancé’s side.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“But I don’t blame you, knowing your story.”
Elise was not angered.
Rather, she looked at Camille with compassion.
“That, that.”
“I suppose she’s already forgotten.”
Camille didn’t answer.
Elise had touched a nerve where it hurt the most.
“Maybe it’s time to forget. Like her, you should move on.”
Camille could not answer this time either.
“Why do you only love the difficult ones.”
“…My lady.”
“I hope you find true love.”
With that, Elise pushed past Camille to enter the Harem.
‘Noooo!’
Camille blocked Elise’s path, trying to keep Otto alive in the midst of the chaos.
“Alright. I’ll take your words to heart, Lady Elise, but I need you to do me a favor.”
“What?”
“Could you spare a moment to talk with me? It’ll only take a moment.”
“I have nothing more to talk to you about.”
“It’s about His Highness.”
“About my fiancé?”
“Yes, Lady Elise.”
“Then I will spare you a moment.”
Elise had drawn a line in the sand at Camille’s confession, but she was willing to give her time if it was about Otto.
“Let’s go over there for a moment.”
“Okay.”
Camille’s efforts to save Otto’s life were nothing short of tear-jerking.
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Unaware of Camille’s painstaking efforts, Otto was having a good time in the Harem.
It was a time of relaxation after a long journey.
Softly, softly~
The sky is blue~
The dancers performed a beautiful dance to the traditional music of the Caliphate.
“Good job! Well done! Kahahaha!”
Surrounded by the dancers, Kairos watched the performance and clapped his hands in delight.
‘… He looks like an uncle fan at an idol concert.’
Otto shook his head as he looked at Kairos, his mouth hanging open in admiration.
‘And he isn’t doing anything wild. Surprisingly level-headed, Tsk.’
Otto had been expecting Kairos to do something stupid, but it didn’t happen.
Kairos was a surprisingly level-headed guy.
He didn’t mess around with the dancers, and he wasn’t an unsightly drunkard.
He was a bit of a prude, but he enjoyed drinking in an extremely healthy way.
‘Surprisingly pure-hearted, huh? Well, if he weren’t pure-hearted, he wouldn’t have fallen for that flower snake.’
Given Kairos’s past, it was understandable.
‘Ugh. I’m tired. I’m a little fuzzy. Time to go back and get some rest.’
Otto stood up from his seat.
“Eh? You’re getting up already, Pansy, why aren’t you playing more?”
Kairos said in a slurred voice.
“I’m not having fun, and I think I’m a little drunk. I’m going back to bed.”
“Hehe! You don’t know the customs of the land! Are you really a man?”
“Yes~ Of course you are~”
Kairos wasn’t the only one trying to drag Otto back down.
“Oh, Your Majesty, why are you getting up already?”
“Your Highness, let’s play together some more.”
“What are we supposed to do if such a handsome king is already leaving~? Please stay a little longer~”
The dancers surrounded Otto and begged him to stay.
But Otto had no intention of staying in the Harem.
In fact, he was only there to keep Kairos company.
Like Camille, Otto was uncomfortable in this setting.
He had a headache from Saladin to deal with.
‘Let’s go and collect my thoughts.’
As he started to walk away from the dancers, he saw a familiar face.
‘E-Elise?’
Otto looked up to see Elise staring at him, and he rubbed his eyes, wondering if this was real.
‘Am I drunk?’
He was a little tipsy, but not drunk to the point of grogginess.
‘Is this really Elise?
He pinched his cheek hard.
*Throbbing!*
It hurt like hell.
Having done that…….
“Eh, Heh?!”
Otto exclaimed in surprise.
Why is Elise, who was supposed to be here for two months, in the harem this time?
*Tremble*
His whole body shuddered like an aspen tree.
His bladder was tense, and he was about to piss himself.
‘Why did she get out of there and…?’
“E-Elise. W. Why. are, uh, you’re. here? Haha. Hahaha. Hahahahaha.”
Otto’s voice quavered.
“Fiancé.”
Elise opened her mouth.
“Come with me.”
“Yes…?”
“Follow me when I say something nice. I won’t talk too much.”
“…Okay.”
Otto staggered to his feet, shaking at Elise’s command.
He looked like an animal being led to the slaughter.
‘Goodbye, everyone.’
Throwing off all earthly fetters and bondage, he departs for his rest.
‘May you be as happy as I am.’
Otto had given up on living.