Chapter 628: The Incident in Tionis
Davey observed Illyna, who remained frozen on her spot as if her mind could not keep up with her whirlwind of thoughts that were trying to process what was happening.
Davey could only let out a short sigh before turning away.
"Ahh! Wait! Wait!!" She screamed and ran up to him, hugging him from behind.
Before he could even react, she tugged at him and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
"The royalty..."
"No, no! It's not what you think!!" She screamed out in panic with a face that had turned as red as a tomato. She was clearly unsure of how to react to the predicament she found herself in.
Davey, in response to her panic, only tilted his head.
Then there was Rinne, who had appeared at some point, looking cheerful with her thumbs and index fingers positioned to form right angles.
"Rinnes ability to store high-quality videos is highly commendable."
"Rinne, erase it."
"It is my duty to report to Lady Perserque."
Hearing this, Davey took out a small candy from his Pocket Plane.
"I'll give you this if you erase it."
"Rinnes swift deletion skills are also highly commendable."
Rinne quickly ran up to Davey to receive the promised treat. She then popped the candy into her mouth and rolled it around with her tongue, reveling in its taste. Though her face was devoid of any emotion, a sense of profound joy was present in her demeanor. Indeed, this was the kind of being Rinne was. Despite his doubts about her identity, what could change now after having come so far?
"So Davey drawled, turning to Illyna. How about you explain yourself? Why were you in someone else's office, breaking a bottle of liquor someone treasured, and performing a strip show? If you don't explain, I might just have to tell your whole story to your older brother."
Flustered by his words, she fumbled in a panic. "That... You see..."
Davey waited for her to continue her explanation.
It turned out she had come to his office to deliver secret correspondence from Reinforce Alpha and a letter for him that the Pallan Empire had sent through her. But she unexpectedly encountered an intruderan assassin.
Given the numerous deeds Davey was known for across the continent, it was not strange that he would be a target of assassination. He just didnt really expect that such a brazen attempt would be made.
Illyna further recounted the incident, saying how the assassin attempted to silence her by attacking her as soon as she discovered him. However, it was nonsensical to think that a typical assassin could defeat Illyna, who had started to grasp the profound techniques of the Telekinetic Blade. But as she was resisting the assassin, a bottle of Dwarven liquor from the year 199, a gift from Elder Goulda, shattered, and the liquor splashed onto her.
With her clothing ruined by blood and liquor, Illyna stripped down so she could change into the replacement clothing she had asked from Amy, whose attention was captured by the noise she heard. But what Illyna had not anticipated was for Davey to return so suddenly.
Without a word, Davey pulled out a spare robe from his Pocket Plane. He then handed it to her before asking, "An assassin, you said?"
"Yeah. It seems like they were after you."
"They didn't know I was away?"
"Amy made sure to keep that fact under wraps. You do understand what it means for a lord to leave their domain unattended, right?"
While Davey did happen to travel a lot, that was simply because he was an unusual existence. In reality, it was not a typical behavior.
"Princess Illyna, I have your change of clothes... Oh! Your Highness!"
As soon as she saw him, Amys eyes widened in shock, and she immediately ran toward him.
"You've worked hard while I was gone."
"No! Your Highness! Are you hurt anywhere?!"
"Im okay," he assured. Though in truth, his clothes were in tatters from his recent fight with Isildi.
Amy and Illyna began to panic upon realizing the situation, but he managed to placate their worries.
"Never mind that. I'd like to get some rest. Assassins, though, are such bad luck. Where is he?"
In response to his question, Amy reluctantly muttered, "Well... We've imprisoned him in the dungeon, and Captain of Royal Guards Monmider is trying to uncover who's behind this."
"Captain?"
Davey looked puzzled at the unexpected title, and she chuckled. "Have you forgotten? When you briefly returned a while ago, you promoted him."
"Oh, did I?" he replied with a chuckle of his own that sounded forced. He then turned his attention to Illyna, who wore a complex expression.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"You've been fighting, haven't you?"
"Just He paused for a second before adding vaguely, Briefly."
"Was it a... bizarre monster?"
It seemed she had a good intuition.
"Somewhat."
"And your injuries?"
Puzzled by the odd air in her question, Davey waved his hands dismissively.
"Dont worry about it. If I'm hurt, I would be shouting out in pain. Whats more important is the academy. How's life there in the academy?"
"As you arranged, students from nobility across several nations have enrolled, but there's an odd wall between them and the commoner children, who are war orphans."
"Is that so?"
Then it would be necessary to remove that wall and bring them all back to feeling as one humanity. But before that, he needed to find out exactly who was behind the assassination attempt. He already had his suspicions, though.
"We should go straight to the dungeon..."
"No, I'm too tired to move around. Have them brought here."
Amy then left after the clear order.
Illyna, who was covering her body with a robe, tried to leave the office as well with the clothes she had gotten from Amy, but Davey halted her attempt with a simple question. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Who else would I be speaking to?"
"Ah... Yeah... I don't think so," she spoke hesitantly, her face turning red as she looked at him.
"Is that so?" he said indifferently before calling for Rinne. "Rinne, catch her."
"Rinne, confirming order."
Rinne lunged like a bullet and tripped Illyna, pinning her down effectively.
"Ugh?! What?!"
Surprised by the sudden move, Illyna looked up at him. But he didnt say anything to her to erase her confusion and proceeded to poke a part of her body that was hidden by the robe instead.
"Ow!"
"Hmm, an assassin of master level, indeed."
"How... How did you know?"
"One can find answers by looking around. Take off the robe. Let me treat you. Rinne, go fetch Perserque for me."
"...Confirmed."
Rinne did not waste a single second after receiving the order. She leapt out of the window, leaving Davey to help Illyna out of her robe. Shocked and in a panic, Illyna could only watch him in silence.
Then Davey went on to look at the pale expanse of her back that were marred by numerous small injuries.
"Lucky for you, there are no lasting scars."
Davey himself had his fair share of scars, having a significant number that littered his torso. While scars could typically be removed, he had faced many enemies that left wounds deep enough to leave permanent blemish on his skin.
"...You. How could you look at another woman's bare skin without batting an eye, even though youre married?"
"An unmarried maiden exposing her skin to a strange man... That's more embarrassing, don't you think?"
Of course, between a doctor and a patient, such things did not matter.
"You really are something... Sometimes you're so materialistic, and other times, you're just a pervert..." She trailed off and lowered her head. "Getting my hopes up for nothing, really..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Your hope for what?"
After his question, she blushed even more fiercely and she kept her mouth shut, refusing to elaborate.
So they remained cocooned in silence as he applied medicine to her small wounds and covered them in bandages.
This prompted her to ask in confusion, "What about healing magic?"
"I've used a bit of holy power, so I'm in recovery mode right now. Plus, low-grade healing magic would just drain your stamina. Not really worth it."
Restorative magic like 'Restore' could buy some time, but creating something from nothing was impossible in any branch of magic.
"You need to realize how precious natural healing ability is."
"Davey, did you say... assassins?"
"Perserque, you're here? Could you look at this?" Davey gestured at Illyna, and Perserque approached without concern for Illyna's semi-nude state and inspected the still unbandaged wounds.
"Looks like it was a highly skilled person."
"Right? Any guesses?"
"You managed to make enemies here and there. You even killed the prince of the kingdom of Boltis and the Crown Prince of Pallan."
It really would not be surprising if assassins were sent for that reason.
"So its either of those two then?
"It could also be Last Wisp."
Hearing that, Illyna's eyes widened in alarm. "No, that can't be."
"It's best to keep such possibilities in mind. Davey hasn't killed any elders yet, has he?"
In reality, the possibility of them doing anything was close to zero now that all the forces protecting them had turned on their back. However, it was foolish to completely rule them out in his mind.
Illyna, her face reddening, asked Perserque then, "Um... Sister."
"Do you have something you want to say?"
"Does it not bother you to see me in this state next to Davey?"
Her question was laden with an odd feeling, and Perserque chuckled in response. "If you think you can seduce Davey, go ahead and try it."
"No... It's not seduction! I didn't mean that... "
"If you didnt, then it's alright."
Perserque shot her with a sly grin, and Illyna realized she was being teased. It was clear that she harbored some strange feelings for Davey. It was simply apparent to anyone with a shred of intuition. But in Davey's view, curiosity and romantic feelings were different things.
After all, Aeria El Lyndis and Illyna were different people.
"Your Highness, I've brought the assassin."
The recently promoted Monmider arrived with a man in a mask, which was then removed by Davey.
Squinting, Davey looked at what was revealed upon the removal of the mask.
"I've restrained him, since he could try to kill himself."
"Let him go. He won't be able to die even if he wants to."
Monmider nodded and quickly acted on the given command, freeing the man from the restraints tied around him.
"Hmph! Haa...haa..."
Davey approached the man, who was in a bad shape from the beating he had gotten. He then crouched down, asking, "Where did you come from?"
The direct question was met with silence.
"Nothing to say?"
"..."
"Hmm..." After a moment of contemplation, Davey stood up. "Monmider."
"Yes... Yes, Your Highness!"
"Why didn't you stop the assassin from entering? What were you doing?"
"I'm sorry!!"
"Apologies cant always save your captain duties from ending, can they?" His cold question sent a shudder through Monmider. "Get your act together!"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAt his loud reprimand, Monmider quickly bowed. "I apologize! I will make amends!"
"The next lapse might cost your family injuries, deaths, and sorrow. Understand?"
Monmider still had a duty even if the enmity was against Davey. He was aware well-aware of this when he pledged his loyalty.
"I'll keep that in mind!!"
"If there's anything I can help with, you need only to ask."
After getting a silent affirmation from him, Davey turned back to the assassin.
"I don't care who you are."
"..."
"I'm not interested in your identity."
Davey proceeded to take one of the man's fingers while a gentle smile was beginning to stretch on his lips. Then he just snapped the finger with ease, his gentle smile unwavering.
"Ahhh!!!"
"But if you target my family..."
It did not matter whether he was on holiday or was absent.
"I'll find not just you but also those who sent you."
"..."
"And I'll tear you all apart. Understand?"
As an aura of pure terror radiated from Davey, the man's eyes bulged and his body began to shake. It was like a predator making its prey tremble in panic. Like a tiger making dozens of deers shudder in fear, or even a vicious dog pissing itself at the sight of its terrifying owner.
"My mood isn't great right now. I suggest you answer if you want to die peacefully," he threatened, gritting his teeth in barely restrained anger.
Perserque then chose that moment to step in. "Davey."
"I was foolish."
He had looked at humans too kindly.
"A demonstration might be necessary."
He was keen on showing them what would happen when they crossed him. Sure, attempts can be made. But if they ever attempted anything, they must be shown that only doom awaited, whether he was present or not.
"Boltis... Count... Rembus... The Count sent me..."
"Is that all?"
"I don't know anything else! I was just following orders," he admitted, unable to withstand the terror.
Davey only nodded at his confession.
"Well, if we dig deeper, more answers will surface."
Illyna was flabbergasted to see such an interrogation.
"What if he's lying?"
"It's the truth."
Perserque could discern whether people were telling the truth or not.
Of course, she could be tricked on rare occasions, but Davey concluded that it was highly unlikely. Besides, it would be easy to confirm directly whether Count Rembus was the actual person behind the assassination plot or not.
"But the kingdom of Boltis is currently a puppet regime. You don't have the authority to act directly. And attacking those who have surrendered..."
"Didn't I say before?" He looked at Illyna, who was looking back at him in confusion. "If it's not found out, it's assassination."
If Count Rembus was indeed the culprit, then there would be no shield of puppet or surrendering governments that could protect them. It would be time to use the massive project that Tiara and Edison were creating.
"I have a conscience, but if these scoundrels keep deceiving me like this..."
Then he would not remain a saint. He would become a destroyer instead.
The tasks in the Central Plains had ended. But he still needed to check on Hee-Ryeongs condition, who had already gone to the Divine Trees Land. He also needed to leave the fragment of the Absolute Gem to Kain for updates. Above all, he also had his honeymoon with Perserque that was continually disrupted by this damned Abyss.
"I guess I should make sure not to put you to sleep tonight," he muttered indifferently.
The remark painted Perserque's face with a pinkish hue. He then smiled at her and closed the distance between them.
He gestured for Monmider to take the assassin away. Monmider, still puzzled, soon realized the assassin was already dead and stiff. He gasped in shock and quickly exited the room, bringing the corpse with him.
"Davey. Wait a moment... Mmph!"
The situation grew awkward. Perserque, who had attempted to escape, found herself giving in to the kiss, and Rinne, who covered her face with her hands, peeking through her fingers to watch them. Then Illyna, with her face burning red, averted her gaze.