Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 59

Knight Nomion often played the role of covering Baslo’s back in battles against Beasts. His naturally calm disposition earned him high praise for not panicking even in unexpected situations. More than his excellent swordsmanship, he gave the impression of someone you could rely on in a crisis.

 

But even he found it hard to remain calm this time. The first moment was when he saw the signal to fall back, leaving the enemy behind.

 

Of course, even when fighting Beasts, there had been times when he waited or retreated so as not to get in Shihien’s way. But this opponent was not a Beasts. At a time when they should have been preparing for battle, they were told to withdraw.

 

It felt as if they were running away from the enemy. On top of that, they even had to throw their swords to the ground. With every step back, it felt like his pride was being shaved away.

 

But compared to what he saw next, this was nothing.

 

The arrows stopped in midair!

 

There had been times when Shihien’s power got out of control and he felt the air being pushed away. But he had never witnessed anything like this. He was certain that no knight in Enafork had ever seen or even imagined such a sight.

 

“Nomion, we must keep our word.”

 

Above, in the sky thick with rain clouds, arrows stood densely frozen in place. Their sharp tips looked menacing, as if they might fall at any moment. Even if a craftsman had hung each arrow with string, such a sight would not have been possible. His mouth hung open in shock.

 

“Nomion, did you hear me?”

 

“…Yes!”

 

It was the first time he hadn’t answered Baslo immediately. Only then did he realize that the retreat was meant to get as far away as possible from Shihien’s sphere of influence.

 

Just before the arrows started moving again, he managed to lead his horse to a safe place and tie it up.

 

And the most shocking thing happened right after.

 

‘He’s going to face all these people alone?’

 

Even if he was different from ordinary people, this was close to impossible. When Nomion realized they were under attack, he was prepared to lay down his life. He only thought about fighting to the bitter end, killing as many enemies as possible. It was clearly a hopeless fight.

 

They were smaller and weaker than Beasts, but there were so many of them and they were tricky. And not all of them had shown themselves. The archers who had fired the arrows were hidden somewhere. Judging by the number of arrows, there must have been quite a few.

 

‘This is madness.’

 

But the mission given to him was unexpected. He and Baslo simply had to cover Sez and keep watch. That was all they had to do. They couldn’t even set foot in the battle. Shihien fought alone against all those arrows and men. It was a different kind of awe from when he fought Beasts.

 

He felt fear and respect at the same time. The hero of the Empire had never even used half of his true strength in daily life. He realized this firsthand. His hand holding the sword trembled.

 

‘Those who seek to kill the hero of the Empire.’

 

They must be people who, not even knowing they were protected at the front lines, were only after immediate gain. When Shihien’s lonely battle ended, their miserable fates unfolded before his eyes.

 

“Ugh…”

 

Nomion, suppressing the urge to kill the unconscious black-masked man on the spot, dragged him away. The man groaned as his wounds caught on branches, but that only made Nomion take a rougher path.

 

In many ways, today would remain the most vivid memory of his life. He was so shocked and awed that some parts were already hazy. His mind was filled with a sense of duty to record Shihien’s feats in writing, drawing, or even by word of mouth—anything.

 

Shihien Ka Sharkani.

 

He was a living legend, the very blood of dragons.

 

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

 

Shihien, with his battered body, mounted the black horse Ritz. Unlike usual, he had to rely on Baslo’s help.

 

“Get on.”

 

His voice, cracked and hoarse, called out to me.

 

“I’ll ride with you, Shihien.”

 

“Get on.”

 

This time, I couldn’t dare refuse. The carriage had been showered with arrows, so no matter what, I had to ride someone’s horse to get to the palace. Baslo tried to help me up, but Shihien still held out his hand to me.

 

And I took his hand. Baslo supported me from below, but Shihien’s grip pulled me up as strongly as a rope.

 

“Hold here.”

 

He handed me the reins himself. The heat of his body behind me was so intense that I felt tears threatening to fall again. Even though he wore black clothes, I could see the stains of blood spreading darkly over them.

 

“Even if it’s hard, bear with it for a little while.”

 

That was what I wanted to say to him, not the other way around. It was my first time riding a horse, but I wasn’t afraid of that. All my heart was focused on wishing he wouldn’t be in pain. I could hear his ragged breathing above my head. He was enduring as much as he could to make it to the palace.

 

It would have been better if he could get treatment even for a moment, but with the capital in sight, hurrying to the palace might have been the best option. My mind was filled only with the thought that I must not get in the way.

 

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

 

The horse began to pick up speed, hooves pounding the ground. The knights stayed behind to handle the aftermath and send word, and only Baslo followed after us. The walls of Belvaros, the capital, loomed ahead, seeming both close and far.

 

We rode without stopping, and by the time we reached the Shihien’s palace, it was past noon. The distance, which had seemed so close, never seemed to narrow, making me anxious.

 

The rain had stopped, but the sky was still heavy and looked ready to pour again at any moment. The dark sky looked as if night was about to fall.

 

The Shihien’s palace was so quiet that it felt even more desolate. Despite the Shihien’s return, only a pitifully small number of people came out to greet him. It seemed they had deliberately kept the welcoming party to a minimum.

 

With Baslo’s help, I was the first to dismount. Since everyone had their heads bowed, no one recognized who I was.

 

“Shihien!”

 

Next, it was Shihien’s turn to get down. His body swayed heavily to the side. Baslo hurriedly supported him. Shihien was almost dragged off the horse. He couldn’t stand firmly on his own two feet, and for a while he leaned his arms on the horse, gasping for breath.

 

In that instant, everyone except Baslo and me stepped back three or four paces. Even without seeing their faces, I could tell they were afraid.

 

“You don’t have to follow.”

 

Baslo stopped those who tried to follow by force. Then he supported Shihien and walked on. He seemed familiar with the path, as if this happened every birthday. I quickly grabbed Shihien’s other arm and followed. I could feel his gaze on me, but I kept my eyes forward. If I met his eyes, I felt like I would cry.

 

With Baslo and me holding him on either side, we went down the stairs. No light came in on the way down to the basement, but torches were lit. Before entering here, we had to open four doors.

 

The doors, which looked like walls, were covered with dense, indecipherable letters, just like the ones we’d seen in the cave. With every door we opened, I felt as if a thorn was being driven into my heart, imagining what he must have felt entering this place.

 

“Haa, haa.”

 

The deeper we went, the rougher Shihien’s breathing became. Baslo was practically dragging his body, which wanted to stop. His birthday was tomorrow. The rampage was just around the corner.

 

Clang.

 

The last door was a barred iron gate. Instead of a lock, it was fastened from the outside with a latch.

 

“Open it, Sez.”

 

Since Baslo was supporting Shihien, I pushed the cold latch aside with all my strength.

 

Shihien wouldn’t be able to get out on his own anyway, but there were three thick latches. The thought that he had to go inside made the latches feel even colder and heavier.

 

Baslo sat Shihien down, leaning him against the innermost wall. I already knew by the smell, but I could see thick liquid flowing around where he sat. His wounds were hidden by the red cloak, but I could guess the amount of blood from the stains.

 

Thud.

 

It wasn’t a loud sound, but my heart felt like it dropped. He let his head fall back against the wall. It seemed he was enduring pain not from his wounds, but from the power raging inside him.

 

Clank, clank.

 

Baslo brought chains from the walls on either side and skillfully fastened them to Shihien’s wrists. It wasn’t to hang him, just to restrain him. Every time the chains clicked into place, I squeezed my eyes shut.

 

“Shihien, everything is ready.”

 

With his head resting against the wall, Shihien’s eyelids opened. His golden eyes looked even more piercing in the underground prison. He glanced at the chains on his wrists, then nodded.

 

“Sez, you have to leave.”

 

How could I leave him here alone? The cave on Salt Island had seemed desolate, but it was nothing compared to this place. How could I leave him locked in a prison like a criminal?

 

I knelt down beside Shihien. I hurriedly wiped away the heat threatening to spill from the corners of my eyes with my hand. Then a warm hand reached up and touched over mine.

 

Shihien lifted his hand and brushed my eyes with his thumb.

 

“…I’ll wait outside.”

 

Baslo spoke with a sigh from behind. He knelt on one knee and bowed his head to Shihien. Then he left through the iron bars.

 

“I brought this for you.”

 

Feeling his warm fingers brush down my cheek, I reached into the cloth pouch. I had brought pills made from Noveni. I didn’t think they would be very effective, but there was nothing else I could do.

 

When I brought the round Noveni to him, he opened his mouth slightly. I slipped one inside. When I took out another, he opened his mouth again. I put another one in with my fingers. Shihien slowly moved his jaw, chewing the Noveni, as if savoring the taste.

 

Clank.

 

Suddenly, the chains pulled taut. It was unbearable to watch someone so noble, bleeding and bound like this. If I could take his place, I would.

 

“…Don’t cry.”

 

His hoarse voice almost made me cry again, but I clenched my fists and held back. I was not the one who should be crying now.

 

“I’ll wait for you.”

 

He nodded. The golden eyes were losing focus more and more often. He didn’t groan, but I could tell the pain was intensifying. His fingers on my cheek were visibly trembling.

 

“…Will you come… to get me?”