They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 117

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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They say an age gap of nnn years doesn’t even warrant a compatibility check.
Chapter 117
Worried they might soon grow suspicious, I glanced toward the Croitz Defense Forces.
But then…
“Magic is truly remarkable, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. The saying ‘it’s like magic’ fits perfectly.”
Those seeing a mage for the first time could only marvel at the sight.
Rather, it seemed they found Elhart more suspicious.
“I thought only the Prince possessed such extraordinary strength.”
“Could he be of royal blood?”
“Not all royalty are like the Prince, you know.”
The defense forces whispered among themselves, thinking we couldn’t hear.
“If only the Prince truly returned.”
“Right. The Prince would surely punish those bastards who sold out the nation.”
….
Each time they mentioned the “Prince,” Elhart’s expression grew pained and his gaze fell away.
He seemed to feel guilt about deceiving them.
After observing him for a moment, I spoke.
“I’ve heard rumors that the Prince has passed away.”
Startled that I’d overheard their hushed conversation, they immediately cried out in protest.
“That cannot be! The Prince’s death—it’s all baseless rumor!”
“That’s right. Bardia’s guardian will surely return!”
“He must be fighting somewhere even now to protect our nation and people!”
Those who had fought beside Elhart believed in him without a shred of doubt.
“So they say.”
At my quiet murmur, Elhart offered a bitter smile.
Greatly relieved that the City Gate had been repaired, the Captain of the Croitz Defense Forces approached with a noticeably brighter expression.
“You’ve been of tremendous help. They won’t be able to come and go so freely now.”
Now that I thought about it, hadn’t his manner of speech become more formal as well?
“Was there a traitor inside the castle?”
Elhart lowered his voice and asked.
“You’ve noticed even that.”
The Captain sighed before answering.
“Yes. The City Gate’s collapse was the work of an insider. After committing such an act, they’re likely living comfortably in the military camp by now.”
Without needing to hear the full story, I could guess what had happened.
The current leadership of the Border Forces must have promised compensation and persuaded them.
Along with assurances that remaining in Croitz Castle would only lead to a miserable end.
“Have the residents evacuated?”
“No. Most have remained. That’s why we also… disobeyed orders and stayed in the castle.”
They abandoned the castle without even relocating the residents?
They’re even destroying the city gate for the Empire’s convenience?
Opening the gates is as good as telling them to plunder and desecrate everything they please.
These people had to be absolutely, utterly insane.
“These bastards! I’ll go right now and roast every last one of them….”
I quickly shielded Raern’s hand with my body as blue electricity began crackling across it again.
Of course, I wanted nothing more than to rush back to the military camp and tear those traitors to shreds, but we still had work to do here.
“The supplies seem insufficient, but what about food provisions?”
“If we ration carefully, we have about a month’s worth remaining.”
I nodded and spoke.
“Write down a detailed list of what you need. I’ll have it brought here by today.”
“Is that… truly possible?”
The Captain’s eyes widened as he asked.
“Of course.”
I answered with a confident smile.
“Trust in His Majesty and the royal family who sent Count Loenval here. Croitz Castle will soon reclaim its role as a fortress.”
“Ah….”
The Captain nodded vigorously at my confident demeanor.
“Understood! I’ll prepare the list immediately!”
Despite the many wounded from the recent battle, the Croitz Defense Forces scattered in all directions, energized by the Captain’s news.
They were likely going to meet with the castle’s residents and conduct another survey of necessary supplies.
While the defense forces bustled about, Elhart, Raern, and I had our own tasks.
“Let’s check how much of the fortress’s functionality remains intact. The magical portal too.”
It had been quite some time since it was last used, but since the castle itself wasn’t destroyed, we might be able to restore it.
The Underground Chamber of Main Castle, located at the fortress’s center.
There was a space that could only be accessed with the lord’s key.
However, since Raern, one of the defense system’s designers, also possessed a secondary key, we were able to enter.
“Ugh, the dust.”
Dust had accumulated thickly from how long the place had been abandoned.
Raern summoned a wind to gather all the dust into one corner and disperse it, then crouched down to examine the massive magical circle on the floor.
“The condition is better than I expected?”
“Really?”
I approached with relief and looked down at the cracked floor.
“Yeah, the core formulas are still active. The magical portal should be restorable fairly quickly.”
“That’s fortunate.”
The lord’s key’s whereabouts were unknown, but that was actually fortunate.
If it had fallen into the hands of the traitors, they wouldn’t have left this place untouched.
“How much time do you think it will take?”
“At most, a couple of hours? I’m planning to apply the improved formulas here as well.”
“All right, do that. Elhart and I will bring the supplies.”
“I was wondering about that actually. Where exactly are you getting these supplies from?”
Raern asked with a puzzled expression.
“Where? You’re asking because you don’t know?”
“Don’t tell me it’s you.”
Raern’s eyes widened as he stared at me.
“If Kei finds out, all hell will break loose. In any case, you handle all the dangerous work alone.”
“Alone? I’m going with you.”
I quickly crossed my arms, and Elhart smiled gently.
“…The Prince couldn’t possibly imagine where the Captain is trying to go.”
“That’s not true.”
Elhart tilted his head slightly as he spoke.
“You’re planning to infiltrate the enemy camp.”
“Huh…? How did you know?”
Raern’s jaw dropped as he looked back and forth between me and Elhart.
“I’m practically family now, so there’s no way I couldn’t understand Ser’s intentions.”
Elhart’s face clearly showed his satisfaction with those words.
Having witnessed everything I’d done up until now from his side, it was more than reasonable for him to make such an assumption.
“I’m working hard on it. I’ll be back soon.”
“Right. Take the spare key with you. I’ll lock it up again afterward.”
I received the spare key from Raern, placed it in my spatial pouch, and we left the Main Fortress.
The Croitz Defense Forces had apparently finished their investigation as well, gathered in one place.
We immediately took the list and left the castle.
“Everything else should be easy to obtain, but the military uniforms are the problem. I think we’ll need to raid the Allied Camp for those.”
“Is it easier to raid the enemy camp instead?”
“Probably? It feels more justified.”
Elhart blinked as he looked at me, then nodded.
“True, they tried to plunder us first.”
“Exactly.”
I walked alongside him and spoke.
“We can’t do anything shameful before the Goddess.”
“I see.”
He looked at me with gentle eyes.
“Then I’ll take care of anything that might trouble your conscience instead.”
At Elhart’s declaration-like words, my eyes widened as I stared at him.
“From now on, leave it all to me.”
“That’s… that’s not how it works. The one who will be king can’t do that.”
“That’s not it.”
He spoke softly with a laugh.
“The one who will be king is you, Ser. My dream is to be a knight.”
…What on earth was I supposed to do with this man?
I was exasperated, yet at the same time, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hmm…?”
In that moment, suddenly.
Elhart and I turned our heads in unison.
A tremor emanating from the earth.
Dozens of military horses were galloping toward us.
“Imperial Army.”
“Likely.”
The enraged soldiers, having lost their knight, appeared to be rushing here for immediate retaliation.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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