Chapter 48: Princess Shira
When Seraph woke up, he found himself laid on a bed in an infirmary. Opposite him, the middle-aged butler was also resting peacefully on another bed, his body covered in bandages.
’Huh... looks like we’re already in the Valmere City.’
Forcing himself to stand despite the pain he was feeling, he took a glance at the butler, then headed towards the door.
As he opened the door, he squinted slightly due to the sudden brightness, and he was hit with the smell of fresh air.
’A courtyard...?’
Looking around, it was indeed an open field. The buildings were joined together to form a square, leaving only the middle a plain field with lush green grasses.
"You’re awake."
Turning slightly, he saw Thana sitting not far away. The girl had a bandage around her midsection where she had been wounded. However, she looked pretty fine.
It seemed she had seen him first.
"Good morning, Senior Sister. Is this the Valmere City?"
Thana nodded calmly, an unusual trace of serenity in her eyes.
"We were brought here by your Soul Peak Elder Song. We all owe our lives to her."
Seraph blinked, then looked up at the sky. He could see a few cranes flying in the air.
"Where are the others? I don’t seem to see anyone."
He looked around, seeing no sign of human activity in the surrounding buildings.
Thana shrugged. "I don’t know about that too..."
There was a hesitant expression on her face, which Seraph noticed.
"Senior Sister?"
The girl turned to him, confusion in her eyes.
"Why... why are you looking like that?"
Seraph’s eyes narrowed, and he looked at himself.
’Wait... why does the ground seem a bit farther away?’
Still perplexed, he turned back to Thana and pulled her up.
His eyes widened.
He was almost as tall as her!
’How?! Halo!’
["What?"] The system replied in a sluggish tone, making Seraph confused.
’Why did... no, how did my body even grow? Surely, I haven’t slept for some years right?’
["Don’t ask me. I’m too tired to explain. Just understand that I saved your life."]
It was then that he realized that Halo’s voice really sounded tired.
’Whatever he did must have drained a lot of his energy, huh?’
Taking a look at himself again, Seraph sighed and answered Thana.
"I... don’t know."
The girl narrowed her eyes and looked at him cautiously, then turned around.
"Whatever. I’m going out."
At that moment, the gates swung open and the others walked in. Elder Song, Noel, Marcus, the princess, and the last guy who Seraph believed didn’t have a name.
Everyone’s gaze landed on Seraph. At first there was confusion, bewilderment, then acceptance.
Seeing the series of emotions that had crossed their faces, Seraph realized that they had probably seen him in this state while he was asleep.
Cupping his fists, he bowed his head.
"Good morning, Elder Song, Princess, Senior Brother and fellow disciples."
The Soul Peak Elder nodded casually, then looked at the door behind him.
"Has the Princess’s butler woken up?"
Seraph shook his head. "He was still asleep when I came out."
Elder Song nodded, then turned to the princess.
"Princess Shira, would you like to discuss the matter with me here or privately?"
The girl bit her lips, her eyes becoming determined. "It’s alright. Everyone can be present."
Although surprised, Elder Song didn’t mind.
"Alright you pumpkins, let’s go inside."
Despite being addressed by her like that, no one complained. They all followed her and the princess into a large room.
Sitting on the chairs around a table, everyone waited for the princess to start talking.
"The palace... is in turmoil."
Eyes narrowed, but no one interrupted her.
"My father—the King—suspects a major coup about to begin."
At this statement, Elder Song frowned. Still, she didn’t speak and let the girl continue.
"Four of his illegitimate sons are dead—killed mysteriously. It all happened on the same night."
Marcus’s eyes widened, horrified. ’Someone dared to kill four princes in one night?’
He almost couldn’t believe his ears. These were princes! Illegitimate or not, they were children of the King!
Regardless, Princess Shira continued.
"My father was alert, and decided to send me away to this city so I don’t get killed too."
Seraph’s brows furrowed, and he asked. "You’re the only princess?"
Everyone turned to glare at him, but he didn’t even flinch.
The princess shook her head.
"No. But my two elder sisters have fallen ill. The King is being wary."
"This..." Elder Song’s worry deepened. The news hadn’t spread, but if this was true, then the royal family was in big trouble.
"No wonder they tried so hard to kill you." Thana sighed. "They even got a Master Stage from the royal guards to assassinate you."
Princess Shira lowered her head, her eyes trembling.
"I... I don’t know. I’m worried about my other siblings. They’re still in the palace."
Elder Song clicked her tongue and reclined in the chair.
"This is a very dirty affair. I’d say it’s the Crown Prince’s work."
Everyone turned to her.
"The Crown Prince?"
"I’m not so sure though. I haven’t known that boy that much." The woman said calmly. "However, now that the King has grown older and would soon relinquish his throne to his heir... I would assume he’s getting restless."
Seraph shook his head. "If that is the case, then any of the princes could be the culprit."
"Why do you say so?" Elder Song turned to him, her gaze conflicted.
’Wait. Am I actually listening to the opinion of a child? Ugh, not when he doesn’t really look like a child anymore.’
Now, Seraph looked somewhere between fourteen and fifteen years of age.
Unaware of her thoughts, the boy tapped his forehead and spoke.
"Although the Crown Prince would be restless, he shouldn’t go that far. It’s actually more logical for the other princes to become restless and start killing any possible opposition."
"Starting from the illegitimate sons would ensure that the King can’t even think about crowning any of them."
Smiling, Seraph chuckled.
"Ah... what a brilliant scheme, isn’t it?"