Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 5

He was so out of breath that even saying a few words seemed to take all his strength. Thick beads of sweat dripped from the tip of his chin. I could feel how much he had to endure just to keep speaking.

 

‘He said he’d come for me? Because he believed I’d explode?‘

 

My throat burned, and I looked around for no reason. There was no one here but me. Was he perhaps looking at someone else, talking to someone other than me?

 

Me? I pointed at myself with trembling fingers.

 

Nod.

 

I clenched my fists tightly. I barely managed to hold back the tears that threatened to pour out. Memories of me, telling everyone for years that I would explode, flashed before my eyes. The sorrow of being ignored seemed to melt away all at once, like snow.

 

‘Why is he doing this for me?‘

 

If I had to guess, maybe because I gave him water and herbs? But anyone could have done that for the Crown Prince, even more than that.

 

Besides, even a slave like me receives that kind of help. If I get hurt, Aunt Noah or the priest would give me herbs at least. But the Empire’s hero, just for such a small kindness, says he’ll come for a single slave? Just because he believes I can see the future?

 

“…Sez. Ugh.“

 

A desperate voice rang out. In the midst of confusion, as I barely held back tears, the space began to ripple again. I felt a great force pressing down on my shoulders. The pressure was growing stronger and stronger.

 

“Get out. Now.“

 

Blue veins bulged on his face. The clanking of chains rang out violently, but his groans were swallowed down inside. Even as he lost consciousness from the pain, I saw worry flicker in his eyes for a moment.

 

“Ugh!“

 

In the end, I was pushed back by something—I didn’t know if it was force or wind. Maybe because I was so disoriented, the pain came to me only belatedly. I felt like a huge bruise was forming on my back. But in front of someone whose life was hanging by a thread, that barely counted as an injury.

 

“Hic….“

 

I’d promised myself so many times not to cry. But as I emerged into the dark forest, the tears finally burst out. I’d told myself I’d only cry after I escaped, but now the tears streamed down. Still, there was someone who believed me. At least one person. Believed my words.

 

He said he’d come for me.

 

That promise was so warm it kept making me cry. His voice, as if embedded in my heart, kept echoing sharply inside me.

 

“He could have just, hic, sent a boat, hic.“

 

Just for today, I decided to let myself cry, burying my face in my arms and sobbing. It was the first time I’d done this since becoming a slave.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Pikedore Harbor was a place that had grown through trade with Salt Island. Sculptures carved from salt were sold there, and dishes made with salt from the island were popular. Eighty percent of Salt Island’s salt belonged to the Empire, but the remaining twenty percent could be traded freely by merchants. So the harbor was always bustling with local and foreign traders.

 

Right in the middle of the city, with the best view, was the Crown Prince’s lodging. Since his schedule here was top secret, the party was disguised as private Mercenary company.

 

“Lekes.“

 

“Yes, Your Highness.“

 

Lekes kept his head bowed low, not daring to look at the Crown Prince’s freshly washed torso.

 

The battered, ragged appearance was gone. When they’d brought him to Salt Island, he’d looked like he might die at any moment, but on the way back, he seemed to radiate a powerful vitality. Though faint scars remained, his skin was so clear it seemed to shine. It was a sight he saw every year during the rampages, but it still amazed him.

 

“We’re going back to the island.“

 

“Pardon?“

 

“There’s someone I need to bring.“

 

“Your Highness. Please command me. I will go.“

 

It had only been half a day since they’d left Salt Island, and now they were returning. That place was only ever visited during the rampages. Besides, there hadn’t been time to meet anyone there, so Lekes was puzzled.

 

“I’ll go. You don’t know their face.“

 

“Pardon?“

 

“Get ready.“

 

The Crown Prince gave the order in his usual indifferent tone. Lekes had always obeyed without question, but this time something felt off.

 

“!“

 

Suddenly, both the Crown Prince and Lekes looked toward the door at the same time. Both reached for their swords. Not long after, a hurried presence arrived at the door.

 

Knock knock.

 

“This is Arnic.“

 

The one who entered after knocking was Arnic, one of their party. He bowed deeply, chest heaving as if he’d rushed over.

 

“Your Highness. A monster has appeared inside the fortress.“

 

Both the Crown Prince and Lekes fell silent for a moment.

 

Monsters appeared irregularly, but always in specific areas. The basin village of Enapok, shielded by high mountains, was such a place. It was also the starting point where dimensional rifts opened, making Enapok the natural front line.

 

The massive fortress built up over a decade was a symbol and source of pride for the Empire, protecting it from monsters. The monster subjugation force led by the Crown Prince was stationed at Enapok, fighting off the threats.

 

“When did it appear?“

 

“Around sunset, Your Highness.“

 

But now, a monster had appeared inside the fortress. This was the third time. The exact spot where the rift opened wasn’t always the same, but it never left Enapok. It had always happened outside the fortress walls.

 

But recently, that rule was breaking down.

 

“What’s the damage?“

 

“My apologies. No reports yet.“

 

“We’ll depart soon.“

 

No one noticed that his words came out much slower than usual. Everyone seemed to think it was just worry about the monsters.

 

“Yes, Your Highness!“

 

Arnic bowed and hurried out of the room.

 

“Your Highness. This is the third time. If the fortress becomes useless, the entire Empire is in danger.“

 

“Lekes.“

 

“Yes, Your Highness.“

 

The Crown Prince gazed out the darkening window for a moment.

 

“You and Baslo will go to Salt Island.“

 

“Pardon?“

 

“They say it might explode soon. At dawn, investigate.“

 

“Your Highness.“

 

“If you find a slave named ‘Sez,’ things will go more smoothly.“

 

“The one you said you’d bring… could it be….“

 

The Crown Prince’s golden eyes calmly met Lekes’s. Lekes had been by his side since he was ten. It was the first time he’d ever mentioned anyone other than monsters, so he was deeply shocked. But he also knew better than anyone that the Crown Prince never spoke nonsense.

 

“Yes, I will obey.“

 

Lekes bowed to his lord, who offered no further explanation.

 

Thud.

 

The sound of the wooden door closing echoed. Crown Prince Sihien pressed his forehead for a moment with his long fingers. A deep sigh escaped his lips.

 

『That must hurt.』 

 

『Are you… okay?』 

 

『I’ll bring water. I will.』 

 

『If only I could undo these chains.』

 

It was only later that he realized these were words he’d heard for the first time in his life. He kept breaking apart and rearranging those words in his head. In truth, he’d repeated them to himself so many times that now, even without thinking, they would just surface and brush past his heart.

 

Some days like the wind, some days like water, some days like the sun, some days like rain. Every day, they swept through him.

 

Eyes filled with worry and concern. No one had ever looked at him like that before, so it was so unfamiliar that he kept remembering it.

 

Saying he’d come for her had just slipped out, almost unconsciously. But now, he desperately wanted to keep that promise, no matter what. Monsters had been his lifelong nemesis and reason for living, but now he found himself wanting to go to Salt Island instead.

 

Even though stopping the devastation caused by monsters should obviously take priority, those violet eyes kept filling his mind.

 

“Sez.“

 

Her name melted into the air. Calling out her name like this, alone in an empty space, had become a new habit lately.

 

A moment later, he rode out with Arnic, leaving Pikedore Harbor behind. His momentum was so fierce that everyone around turned to look. But no one knew that the Crown Prince had been staying there and had now departed.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

“Are you saying Salt Island will explode?“

 

“We’re going to investigate.“

 

“Did His Highness personally choose me for this?“

 

“Yes.“

 

“Then that means he trusts me that much, right?“

 

Baslo was a knight who practically adored the Crown Prince. He was older than the Prince, but from the moment they met, he’d known this was the lord he should serve. When he’d been collapsed and the Prince, barely able to hold a sword, had snatched it up and charged at a monster, Baslo’s heart had nearly burst.

 

“Think what you like.“

 

“I’ll take that as meaning the Captain agrees.“

 

“Just steer the boat straight.“

 

Lekes was the captain of the Thorn Knights, known as the Crown Prince’s order. They’d originally been the Thorn Mercenary company, but after distinguishing themselves in monster subjugation, the entire group had been promoted to knighthood.

 

“From the outside, it looks so peaceful.“

 

The boat, sails catching the gentle breeze, cut through the waves. Salt Island, growing closer, was so steep and sheer that it was a breathtaking sight. There was even a forest above, blending beautifully with the blue sky and sea. It was hard to believe the Empire’s lowest slaves were imprisoned there.

 

Bang!

 

So at first, when they heard a noise, they thought it was just from the mines—nothing serious.

 

Rumble! Thud! Crash!

 

But soon, thunderous booms split their ears.

 

‘There’s someone I need to bring.‘

 

The Crown Prince’s dry voice overlapped in his mind.

 

“Baslo, get the boat closer!“

 

Baslo grabbed an oar and began rowing toward the island. Birds took flight from the forest all at once, turning the sky black. Thick smoke billowed up from Salt Island.

 

The island was exploding.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

“Ah! My eyes!“

 

“Help me! Aaaah!“

 

“Don’t step on me! Aaaaaah!“

 

The island was pandemonium. The salt mines collapsed helplessly. I managed to slip into a gap and avoid being crushed.

 

“Auntie! Aunt Noah!“

 

Bang! Bang!

 

“Kyaaaa!“

 

The explosions would pause, then start again. I’d known Salt Island would explode, but I hadn’t realized it would be this massive.

 

“Auntie, it’s Sez! Where are you! Aunt Noah! Cough! Cough!“

 

The blast had turned everything gray. Somewhere, a fire must have broken out, because the air was stiflingly hot. People trampled and shoved each other, desperate to get out of the cave first.

 

I moved in the opposite direction, searching for Aunt Noah.

 

“Huh?“

 

While looking among the fallen, I spotted a familiar shape.

 

“Auntie! Cough!“

 

“You need to get out! Why are you crawling in here! Get out, now!“

 

Hearing her scold me made my throat tighten.

 

“You told me to come to you if there was an explosion!“

 

“Don’t come! Get out!“

 

She couldn’t get up from where she’d fallen, so I checked and saw one of her legs was soaked in blood. My vision blurred instantly.

 

“Auntie, let’s get up. We need to get out of here.“

 

“I said go!“

 

“Come on!“

 

“You never listen! Just like your mother! Never listen to a word I say!“

 

As I tried to grab her hand, Aunt Noah kept shaking it off with all her strength.

 

KABOOM! Screeeeech!

 

This time, the whole ground shook. It was hard to even stay standing. Judging from the screams, there must have been an explosion at the cave entrance. I bit my lip hard. I had to pull myself together.

 

“Auntie, close your eyes tight.“

 

“Are you crazy? What if someone sees? Get out!“

 

“We can’t get out now anyway. Just close your eyes. Whatever you do, don’t open them. Got it?“

 

To keep her from shaking me off, I interlocked my fingers with hers. With my other hand, I gripped her wrist, making sure she couldn’t break free no matter what. I held on with all my strength.