Episode 516
Thwack!
“Hey! Watch where you’re going!”
“Sorry about that.”
“Move! I said move, mister!”
“Come on now, you move out of the way!”
“Beric, don’t mess around!”
Ian kept his eyes fixed on Jin’s back but tugged on Beric’s collar. Jin was chasing after the woman without missing a beat, as if they were the ones being pursued.
The crowd was so thick that taking even a single step was tough, but with Beric’s protection, Ian managed to push forward smoothly. Given his small stature, it would have been much harder without Beric.
“Why are you acting like this, Your Highness? Seriously!”
“We can’t lose her.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Besides Beric, the imperial palace guards were shadowing them, hidden among the crowd. But with so many people around, even they would be limited in their movements. It would be difficult to respond quickly if something went wrong.
Beric shouted, clearly frustrated, urging Jin to stop.
“Your Highness! Hey, damn it! Look here!”
At that moment, the woman slipped into an alley. Jin twisted his body to follow, and Ian and Beric quickened their pace, relieved.
The alley was much quieter than the main street, but its maze-like side paths meant losing her trail even for a moment could be disastrous. Ian noticed the guards’ presence fading nearby and shouted loudly.
“Brother!”
Jin, rounding the corner, suddenly stopped.
“…”
His gaze was vacant, staring into empty space. It was as if he’d been entranced, only half back to himself. The subtle look in his eyes betrayed a flood of mixed emotions.
Ignoring it, Beric threw his head back in exasperation.
“Seriously, what’s with this sudden stop? You’re supposed to know better! I almost got my head smashed by Old Man Jarrett… Huh? What’s that?”
As Beric hurried closer, Jin glanced sideways. Behind him was a dead-end wall with no windows. At Ian’s call, Jin had realized they’d lost the woman and stopped.
“Where did she go?”
“Lost her.”
“Are you sure it was a person?”
“Not sure. Maybe I took a wrong turn.”
Jin leaned against the wall, frowning, while Ian focused his senses, searching for any lingering traces of magic.
But there was nothing unusual. Maybe they’d simply taken a wrong path, or perhaps she wasn’t magical at all—just a gypsy, like the one who devours secrets.
“Your Highness, if you require pursuit, please give the order immediately.”
Ian restored the formal address after checking no one was nearby. For some reason, even if Jin wanted to catch the woman, there was no reason for him to act directly. It was more proper and efficient to command and wait.
Jin crossed his arms and was silent for a moment before shaking his head.
“Enough.”
“May I ask what’s going on, Your Highness?”
“Long ago.”
“Hm?”
Tap tap tap!
Faint footsteps echoed from the alley’s far end—probably Xiaoshi or another palace guard. Jin muttered, eyes fixed as if dredging up a memory.
“So, Ian, after you disappeared into the abyss, I couldn’t meet Lord Roberside.”
“Roberside?”
An ancestor connected to the Karbo Temple on Jin’s maternal side. Whenever Jin read the Roberside Chronicles, this transcendent figure would appear in his dreams, offering advice.
“I had so many questions, but he never showed up—not even for a single night.”
When would Ian return? Could he return at all? Was he dead or alive? Could I survive in the palace without him? So many things happened—what would Ian have done? Is the throne truly mine…?
The questions and childish yearnings piled up like a mountain in Jin’s heart. Then one day, he had a strange dream.
“In the middle of the field where I met Lord Roberside, a woman began to appear.”
A woman sitting gracefully, head bowed.
Jin simply watched. Her brown hair fluttered in the wind, shining golden in the sunlight. In repeated dreams, she never showed her face but remained there.
Jin never tried to see her face. That peaceful, secluded world was too precious. Whenever she came without warning, he cherished the moment.
“That’s why I said earlier I felt drawn to her. When I turned to follow, that dream scene flashed through my mind.”
“Is it that woman?”
“Chasing her confirmed it. It’s definitely her.”
“Hmm.”
“Eh?”
While Ian pondered, Beric sniffled, clearly not understanding. So, what’s the verdict? Catch her or not?
“If she’s the one who stepped into the field where Lord Roberside appeared, Your Highness must feel whether she’s friend or foe. In my opinion, she seems to be someone who could help you, like Roberside.”
Jin shrugged and smiled faintly. He’d lost the woman who had defended him, unlike the puppet master who insulted him and the royal family. The situation was strange indeed.
Beric scratched his ear and asked,
“Should we send people after her? We know roughly what she looks like. She’s probably nearby.”
“Enough.”
Jin waved his hand, signaling to stop. They had followed her familiar silhouette, but what could be said face-to-face? Why did she appear in my dream? The question would only confuse and embarrass whoever heard it.
Tap tap tap!
“Your Highness.”
“Xia.”
Pant, pant, gag—!
“Romandro, are you alright?”
“Ah, I’m not fine. There’s a bit of a problem.”
At that moment, Xiaoshi and Romandro appeared around the corner. Xiaoshi was breathing steadily, but Romandro leaned against the wall, retching as if about to faint. Sweat dripped from his chin.
“What problem, Romandro?”
“That puppet master was no ordinary person. He vanished in an instant, leaving no trace. And, after a thorough investigation, it seems all the puppets used in the show were made of Infi.”
“Infi?”
Ian froze at the unexpected word. Puppets shaped like humans—especially one named the Crown Prince—made from human skin? The intent was not just sinister but outright evil. This couldn’t be ignored.
“If the Crown Prince was targeted, wouldn’t it be safer for you to return now?”
“That would mean our secret mission’s been compromised. Is that possible?”
Only the Magic Department and palace guards knew about it. Even then, aside from Ian and Romandro, no one knew the details. They only knew the Crown Prince and Ian were temporarily leaving the palace for official business.
Xiaoshi looked toward Ian, who understood and bowed slightly before speaking.
“We’ll start investigating within the Magic Department.”
Though it was a stretch to suspect traitors in both departments, it was best to report it formally to avoid complications.
Jin waved his hand dismissively, signaling not to worry. It was pointless. Meeting the woman from his dream meant all this was inevitable—the beginning of fate.
“Very well. It’s been a long time since we gathered like this, especially the Magic Department. Don’t make a fuss over uncertain matters. There are already many who seek to strike at our necks.”
“Yes. I’ll look into it discreetly. And that puppet—”
“Should be thoroughly investigated.”
“We’ll also deploy guards near the square to prevent any unauthorized performances.”
“The benefits of a secret mission are clear.”
Jin roughly dusted off his coat and took the lead to move on.
“Shall we prepare the carriage to return to the palace?”
Xiaoshi asked. Jin hesitated, looking carefully at Romandro, Ian, and Beric. It was their first secret mission together in ten years, and it felt wrong to end it so soon. Ian caught his meaning and offered a suggestion.
“Or, Your Highness, how about going to Romandro’s home? It’s on the way up, and you can rest and assess the situation.”
“Hm. Romandro, is that alright?”
“Yes? Of course. It would be a great honor if Your Highness came. My wife and daughter would be delighted. Lady Filia will be there too—we can have tea together after a long time.”
“Then it’s settled. Let’s go to Romandro’s home.”
“I’ll send the puppet to the palace first.”
“Good.”
It was a shame not to have honey beer, but it was probably for the best. At home, they could eat more comfortably than outside.
Just as the group led by Jin exited the alley, a woman crossed the opposite alley carrying boxes in both hands. It was the same woman Jin had been chasing earlier.
Thud.
“Ugh, this is tough.”
“Aerin, you moved all this by yourself?”
“It’s manageable if I carry one crate at a time. Please open the door.”
“Alright, alright.”
The tavern owner opened the back door and took the luggage from Eirin.
“By the way, you said some strange guy was chasing you earlier?”
“Yeah. I managed to shake him off. I don’t know who he was, but he was so blatant about following me—it was ridiculous.”
“Since you lost him in the alley, I guess he’s not from around here. Be careful, Eirin. With the coronation coming up, there are more outsiders around.”
Eirin stacked the boxes neatly and smiled brightly.
“You should be the one to watch out, boss. Once I’m gone, how are you planning to collect all those tabs?”
“Are you really leaving? I wish you’d keep working here. I’ll even pay you more.”
“Ah, no thanks. I wasn’t here for the money in the first place.”
“True, true. Who goes to a war zone just for the money, unless you’re one of the big shots?”
With a playful grin, Eirin placed her hand over her chest in a mock salute, palace-style.
“For honor and glory.”
“Right, right. For the motherland.”
“I’m only working until next week, so let’s settle the sales before then. Boss, bring the ledger.”
“People might start thinking you’re the owner. Hold on!”
“Okayyy.”
Eirin sat down and looked around the worn-down tavern. It wasn’t exactly a booming business, tucked away deep in the alley, but it was a place that had kept her alive all this time—her refuge when she was abandoned on the streets, alone and without family.
Not much time left now. She tied her long hair back tightly and swung the broom with renewed energy.
Meanwhile, the Puppeteer arrived near his hideout, panting heavily. He scanned the area one last time to make sure no one was following him. After wandering around cautiously for a while, he finally slipped inside.
The air was dank and the lighting dim. Every window was boarded up, letting in only slivers of sunlight through tiny cracks no bigger than a fingernail. The Puppeteer perched on a chair and clasped his hands together, praying without thinking.
“Ugh… Please forgive me. I have lost the precious, precious doll bestowed upon me by the gods. I beg for your mercy—please, forgive me.”
In the still, windless room, his fingertips began to tremble uncontrollably, and soon his whole body shook like a trembling aspen. The wooden floorboards creaked loudly, and the candle flickered erratically.
Seeing this, the Puppeteer turned even paler, collapsing face-down onto the floor, saliva and sweat streaming down his cheeks. Through clenched lips, his prayers spilled out without pause.
“…Please forgive me, forgive me, oh subterranean deity. P-please forgive me…”