To You, Who Will Die Alone in Paradise Chapter 45

“It’s a message that the High Elf’s movements are strange.”

Herma took the note from his subordinate’s hand. The hastily scrawled handwriting conveyed Kellewen’s whereabouts.

After meeting with Prince Leon, moved to the main building

“The main building… so the central building.”

Herma muttered.

The human royal palace was needlessly large and complex. The same went for its names. There were several ways to refer to one building, and they were pointlessly long with vain embellishments like ‘Pearl’ or ‘Lily’ attached.

Herma, judging it inefficient to remember all of that, had divided the Benoit royal palace into several sections and given them separate names. The building where Prince Dandeleon resided was attached to the west, so it was the West Wing; the one opposite it was the East Wing, and the huge building connecting the West and East Wings was the Main Building.

“Any further messages?”

“We are waiting. We judged it would be better to report immediately as this was an unexpected movement.”

“Good work.”

Going to meet Dandeleon was within the scope of his predictions. Not returning immediately was also not that strange. But of all the places in this vast palace, why the main building?

Herma searched his memory to recall information about the Benoit royal palace. The main building was the largest building in the Benoit royal palace, the place where the king conducted his official duties, and where most official events were held.

As far as Herma knew, Kellewen had no special schedule today. Even if he did, it wouldn’t start this early in the morning.

What was in the main building?

A map of the royal palace unfolded in Herma’s mind. On the first floor, there was a large dance hall and reception rooms, an exhibition hall showing the history of the royal family at a glance, and several large and small lounges.

Going up to the second floor, there were the king’s office and a conference room where the council gathered, an archive and study, and over a dozen libraries.

From the third floor up, there were no special facilities. Just the private living quarters of the king and queen, and the crown prince and his wife….

Clatter.

A sudden gust of wind blew, shaking the window of Herma’s room. He glanced at the window in annoyance and spotted a small, white object hitting the glass.

When Herma gestured with his hand imbued with magic, the window flew open. A piece of white paper flew in like a nimble bird, riding the wind that rushed into the room. Herma snatched the piece of paper and unfolded it.

High Elf requested an audience with the Crown Prince

“The Crown Prince?”

Herma scowled and glared at the note sent by his subordinate. What business could Kellewen possibly have with Benoit’s Crown Prince that he would visit him so early in the morning?

The only connection between the two that he could think of was the tea party Kellewen had attended yesterday. But that should have been nothing more than a pointless, predictable social gathering.

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’

Herma crumpled the piece of paper and sank into thought.

It might be a hasty judgment, but he was the type to faithfully follow the warnings his intuition gave him. There had been several times in actual combat where he had saved his life that way. When there was little information needed for judgment, like now, it was better to move boldly.

“We’re going to the main palace too.”

Herma composed himself and said to his subordinate.

“You, Anarel, and Robarhen, the three of you follow me. You may arm yourselves as long as it’s not conspicuous.”

A short while later, Herma arrived at the main building with his subordinates. A guard stopped them, but then stepped back with a troubled expression at Herma’s words about the High Elf’s safety. Herma followed Kellewen’s magic and walked into the palace.

Kellewen’s magic was detected on the third floor. He could go straight up from the first floor to the third floor via the stairs.

The problem was that the structure of the third floor was more complicated than he had imagined.

Ornate corridors tangled at random, dozens of doors, and stairs leading to unknown destinations frequently appeared, obstructing Herma. If he had known this would happen, he would have brought a servant to guide them, but his reluctance to have witnesses in case something happened had come back to bite him.

As time passed, Herma grew impatient. Royal guards appearing from time to time to obstruct him also grated on his nerves. Herma, who had practically yelled at the umpteenth guard to chase him away, opened the door blocking his path with an irritable attitude.

“Herma?”

And finally, he found him. Beyond the open door, Kellewen was walking down the long-뻗어 corridor.

“Kellen!”

Herma ran to Kellewen in a single breath. Kellewen looked a little haggard, but otherwise, there was no difference in his appearance from usual.

“What’s going on all of a sudden? I was surprised when I heard you went to the Crown Prince.”

Herma, having finished his observation, said to Kellewen in his usual friendly tone. Kellewen just stared at him and then smiled faintly.

“You….”

It was a smile that felt strangely unfamiliar.

“You’re not even going to bother hiding the fact that you’re watching me anymore?”

“……!”

The relaxed atmosphere that had settled upon finding Kellewen instantly grew taut. Not just Herma, but even the subordinates standing behind him stiffened their faces.

It was a well-known fact that Herma was Kellewen’s guardian. Even Kellewen himself knew. And yet, because he respected the elders and Herma, he had never brought it up. The friendship between Kellewen and Herma was built upon such an unspoken taboo.

“Right, I should take this opportunity to say it.”

But now, Kellewen had broken that long-standing taboo. Moreover, he didn’t stop there but went further.

“Herma, I’ve decided not to return to the Elven Forest.”

A much greater shock than before struck him. Herma gritted his teeth, feeling dizzy as if he had been hit on the head.

“Of course, I don’t mean I’ll never go back. After Prince Dandeleon dies, I will go back then and fulfill my duty.”

Meanwhile, Kellewen nonchalantly continued his story. Kellewen’s unrealistically calm demeanor amplified the confusion. Herma stiffly raised the corners of his mouth into a forced smile.

“That’s an unfunny joke, even for you.”

“It’s not a joke.”

“Damn it, I know! I’m saying it’s that absurd!”

A loud voice finally burst from Herma’s mouth. He had tried to restrain himself, but he had reached his limit. Kellewen’s change was so sudden that he couldn’t keep up anymore.

Just yesterday, Kellewen had obediently nodded at his persuasion. He had thought that crying all night was because he had finally accepted his separation from Dandeleon. But to suddenly say he wouldn’t return to the Elven Forest. It was a bolt out of the blue.

“You know it too, how urgent the guardian tree’s situation is. The guardian tree’s magic could run out faster than the prince’s remaining lifespan. Then not only your precious prince but every living creature on the continent will die!”

In his fluster, Herma’s tone, meant to stir Kellewen’s conscience, was childishly blatant. Usually, he would speak more subtly, hiding his intentions and pretending to be concerned for Kellewen. But now, he was not in the right mind for that. The only thought in Herma’s head was that he had to stop Kellewen.

No matter how blinded by love he was, the altruism rooted deep within him, his kindness and compassion, couldn’t have disappeared. Kellewen would not make a gamble with the lives of the entire continent. Herma believed so.

However, Kellewen shook his head firmly.

“No, the guardian tree can wait. It will last for at least another hundred years.”

“How would you know that!”

Now, Herma felt anger beyond his bewilderment. This was not the Kellewen he knew. Herma wished that the person standing before him was a demonic beast that had stolen Kellewen’s appearance. That would be easier to accept.

“Even the elders can’t guarantee the guardian tree’s life force. But how can you be so sure, you who have never properly studied magic, you who have never even been in contact with the guardian tree?”

Herma’s sharp question was blocked by a short answer.

“You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

“You mean you have no intention of making me understand! Kellen, what on earth, why all of a sudden…!”

Herma shouted, then clamped his mouth shut. He realized he had gotten overly excited.

Herma gritted his teeth and tried to suppress his emotions. If Kellewen was not his usual self, then at least he had to regain his own. He was the leader of the Tuella Deum who protected the Elven Forest, a survivor who had sworn to save the world from the hands of demonic beasts, and above all, a warrior who had never lost a fight.

He couldn’t just give up on everything because one plan had gone awry. If the prepared plan failed, he could just move on to another one. And Herma always had another plan ready.

“…Kellewen Amos Rioselia.”

Herma said, lowering his voice. His subordinates, realizing that Herma’s atmosphere had changed, tensed their bodies and glared at Kellewen.

“Your pilgrimage ends here. I have a duty to take you to the Elven Forest and have you perform the ritual.”

A bitter aftertaste followed the solemn words. Herma fought back the urge to sigh.

Some might not believe it, but Herma genuinely cared for Kellewen. After becoming the leader of the Tuella Deum, he had watched over Kellewen more closely than anyone. The affection he had shown Kellewen all this time was not all a lie. To Herma, who did not form deep relationships with anyone, Kellewen was his closest friend and a precious being he had to protect.

But what Herma cherished was Kellewen, the High Elf. Kellewen, who was obedient to the Elven Forest and the elders because he knew his mission well. The very Kellewen who would eventually sacrifice himself to save the world.

Therefore, he had no intention of respecting a Kellewen who acted like this.

“If you refuse, then as the highest leaf of the Tuella Deum, I must take you by force.”

He had brought an unusually large number of subordinates to Benoit because he thought a situation like this might arise. What he had with him now was only half of his forces, but if the opponent was only Kellewen, that was more than enough.

Kellewen had no practical combat experience. Against three elite soldiers of the Tuella Deum, plus Herma himself, it would not be difficult to subdue him, even if he was a High Elf.

Judgment swift, decisions bold. Herma circulated the magic within his body and waited for Kellewen’s answer. It was a pity to cause a commotion in the royal palace of another country, but he had already given them a gift, so somehow….

“I’d rather you didn’t go that far.”

Kellewen said with a faint smile. It wasn’t the time to be relaxed, so his leisurely attitude naturally made the onlookers anxious. Herma prepared himself to use magic at any moment and shot back sharply.

“Do you think you can beat the four of us?”

“Of course, I know I can’t win. But I have a hostage, so I have a much better advantage.”