The Prince’s Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 146
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 146. The Prophet and the Guardian (4)
“Hmm.”
Seiji didn’t answer.
He too seemed reluctant to believe it.
For very personal reasons.
“I just hope this isn’t related to the Holy Kingdom.”
The old sage muttered to himself as he flicked the magic stone with his finger.
“It’s all just speculation, but it’s unsettling. And there’s no way to confirm it…”
How wonderful it would be if speculation remained just speculation.
‘If this is true, it would be a real disaster.’
It would mean that the Leon Holy Kingdom was behind the mutant monsters that had been disturbing the continent lately.
“Sigh, this is really troublesome…”
“Then let’s verify it.”
Seiji responded to my answer with an irritated voice.
“Look here, Ka— I mean, Caretaker. Even so, don’t say such ridiculous things. What are you going to do, go catch some mutant monsters?”
“Yes, I’ll have to participate in the upcoming monster subjugation anyway, so it works out well.”
A moment of silence fell.
Edwin slowly turned his head to look at me.
“Rachel, what do you mean by that?”
Edwin seemed to mull over my words once more before shouting.
“Monster subjugatioooooon?”
So loudly that it seemed like the small cottage might collapse.
* * *
‘It’s not even confirmed yet, did I bring up something unnecessary?’
I looked at Edwin, who had a stunned expression.
Ever since hearing about the monster subjugation, he seemed half out of his mind.
For days now, whenever he sat at the study desk, he would just scribble ‘monster’ on blank paper.
“Prince Edwin.”
Unable to watch any longer, I called out to him.
His jewel-like bright blue eyes turned toward me.
“You don’t need to worry about it already. For now, please do what you can do.”
“But…”
Edwin muttered in a tearful voice.
“Even facing one monster is overwhelming…”
Was he recalling the monster we encountered in Luksen?
His hands trembled violently.
“Don’t worry. You’ve become much stronger than you were then. And…”
I gently grasped Edwin’s trembling hands.
So they would stop shaking.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
Then, now, and in the battles to come.
I will protect this young client of mine.
“…Rachel.”
Edwin called my name softly.
His trembling had stopped at some point.
“You really are…”
His sapphire-like eyes sparkled between his gentle features.
“Like my own ‘guardian.'”
“…Pardon?”
“Huh? Don’t you know what a guardian is?”
Edwin looked at my awkward expression and laughed as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Haven’t you even read the Holy Scriptures? It’s a word that appears constantly in them.”
He seemed excited, thinking this was a topic he could explain to me.
“Guardian refers to the holy knights of the Leon Holy Kingdom. Knights who protect the clerics who serve God’s will. It’s like a title of respect used to address them.”
Could it be that the guardians the mercenaries and organization members were talking about were also holy knights?
I frowned and fell into thought.
“Rachel?”
“Your Highness, then what about the word prophet…”
“Prophet? You don’t know that either?”
Edwin’s eyes widened in surprise again.
Then he smiled and added an explanation.
“In the Holy Scriptures, that’s what they call humanity’s first prophet. But in the Holy Kingdom, they also call the cleric who will become the next Holy Emperor a prophet.”
It felt like I’d been hit in the back of the head.
Now I was beginning to understand, even if just a little, what the conversation between the mercenaries and organization members hiding in the temple meant. And why they mentioned the name of the Marquis of Redcliff together.
‘Prophet and guardian, future Holy Emperor and holy knight.’
The current Holy Emperor’s term didn’t have much time left.
Then it would be up to the next generation’s Holy Emperor to decide the next crown prince position.
The Holy Emperor’s recognition was an essential element to become the Empire’s emperor.
‘The 2nd Prince’s side was trying to make the first move.’
It seemed they intended to find the future Holy Emperor and draw him to their side.
‘But what’s strange is…’
If someone was important enough to be the future Holy Emperor, they would be living under strict protection at the Holy Kingdom’s Great Temple.
Why were the Breath of Angels members searching for him outside the Holy Kingdom rather than within it?
‘Did he go on a pilgrimage? Or perhaps he’s fleeing?’
It would be strange for a future Holy Emperor whose coronation wasn’t far off to suddenly go on a pilgrimage.
Even if he had fled, what could he possibly be running from?
For a cleric, where could be safer than the Leon Holy Kingdom itself?
‘The Holy Emperor’s successor. I need to look into him immediately.’
It seemed I would need to commission Somnia for this matter.
A merchant who travels to every corner of the continent might encounter even a Holy Emperor’s successor.
“But.”
Edwin blinked innocently.
“Why are you suddenly asking about prophets?”
“Oh, I was just curious.”
I replied nonchalantly.
“I heard someone mention it in passing.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Fortunately, Edwin believed my words without much suspicion.
Then he turned his attention back to monsters.
“Rachel, but don’t you need an army to go on a subjugation?”
Edwin looked worried.
He seemed to know well that the princes would lead their followers into subjugations.
“My brothers will all come out leading armies, but what about me?”
“Don’t worry about that problem.”
I placed a sword in Edwin’s hands.
“Rather than worrying vaguely, now is the time to hone your swordsmanship skills.”
“But…”
“Prince Edwin, do you know what saves my life in situations crawling with danger on all sides?”
At my question, Edwin looked at me quietly.
“It’s not an invincible army, nor noble bloodline.”
I lightly tapped the sword Edwin was holding with my finger.
“Exactly, it’s the single sword gripped in my hand.”
In the chaos of a battlefield, even allies could become enemies threatening my life.
Since everyone values their own life most, even the most excellent commander would be the first to die if his subordinates fled in terror.
That would be the same even for a prince.
“So do not neglect your training, understood?”
“Y-yes!”
Edwin answered my words spiritedly.
Then he fastened the sword to his waist and put on quite a serious expression.
“I’ll work hard!”
“Yes, that’s good enough.”
Despite his energetic voice, Edwin looked at me again with worried eyes.
“Rachel, but still, the army…”
“I’ll somehow handle that problem myself.”
At my words, a faint color returned to Edwin’s face.
“Rachel will? Really?”
“Yes, when have you ever seen me speak nonsense?”
Edwin shook his head vigorously at my words.
I let out a quiet laugh watching him.
“Then hurry and go to training now. Philip, the Count must be waiting.”
“Yeah! Got it!”
Edwin nodded energetically and rushed out of the study.
I stood quietly watching his retreating figure.
For much longer than usual.
* * *
“Th-thank you! Thank you!”
In some nameless slum alley.
An old woman kept bowing her head repeatedly.
“Thank you for saving my grandson! How can I ever repay this kindness!”
The young boy held in the old woman’s arms had been unable to open his eyes due to high fever just moments ago, but now he was smiling brightly as if nothing had happened.
“Oh my, it’s nothing to make such a fuss about.”
The man with gentle eyes received the old woman’s thanks and waved his hands dismissively.
“By the way, the fact that I treated him is a secret, right?”
“Of course. No one would believe it anyway. Who would believe that a cleric came to a slum like this to treat the sick?”
At the old woman’s words, the man’s expression darkened slightly.
It was somehow a bitter expression.
“Haha, I suppose so.”
The man forced an awkward smile.
He was a young man with a truly strange appearance – noble features but wearing shabby clothes.
“By any chance, grandmother, are you feeling unwell anywhere? I think I have to leave this place today, so I’d like to treat you if possible before I go.”
“Oh my goodness. How can you have such a kind heart?”
The old woman seemed moved to tears by the man’s words.
And for good reason, as this was a slum.
It was a place where most people starved to death unable to afford even a single meal, so it was nearly impossible for patients here to see a physician.
But this young man who had suddenly appeared was going around the slums treating the sick for free. It was truly a miracle.
“Johan!”
Just then, a sickly girl came running toward them from far away.
The child, wearing old cloth like a sack, rushed into the arms of the man, Johan.
“My, you’re full of energy too.”
“It’s thanks to Johan treating me, hehe!”
“You little rascal, what if you break your leg again running around like that?”
Johan gently grabbed and shook the girl’s small nose.
“This uncle can’t stay in this village forever, you little one.”
“Hehe, it’s okay! I’ll be careful when I run around!”
The girl answered spiritedly and then chattered like a sparrow.
“Oh right, I found people who can’t come outside because they’re unwell, just like Johan asked!”
“Oh, really? About how many are there?”
“Um, more than I can count on ten fingers.”
Oh dear.
Johan let out a troubled exclamation and then smiled warmly.
“I see. So do you remember where all those people are?”
“Of course! No one knows the geography of this place better than me!”
The girl slipped out of Johan’s arms and raised one arm high as if telling him to follow.
“This way, Johan!”
“Alright, I’m coming, I’m coming.”
The man called Johan smiled and stood up from his spot.
The old woman watched him with admiring eyes while holding her grandson in her arms.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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