Saving the Weak; War Is About to Begin

Rumble, rumble~

Rumble, rumble~

Climb drove the carriage, gradually leaving the main street behind, his eyes fixed tightly on the road ahead beneath his thick brows.

As the princess's direct bodyguard, driving a carriage for Kialé and the others in the back was probably inappropriate, perhaps even demeaning to his status.

No!

Creak.

Climb tightened his grip on the reins, his gaze growing even firmer. He knew very well that his talent was limited. No amount of training could make him as powerful and revered as Lord Gazef, the "Warrior Captain," or Lady Lainas of Blood Rose.

He was an orphan, lowborn and insignificant.

From the moment the princess had saved him, Climb had sworn to protect her without fail and devote everything he had to her.

"The policies approved by Her Highness..."

"How could I allow you to destroy them!" Climb breathed in the cold night air, his resolve unwavering.

He was not merely protecting Kialé and the others in the carriage. He was steadfastly defending the policies the princess had put into practice.

The carriage gradually left the central area of the Royal Capital.

He gently tugged the reins.

The horses pulling the carriage turned into a small street on the left.

"What's that?"

Climb suddenly noticed a pile of dark objects heaped up in the middle of the road ahead. His hands paused on the reins. "Miss Kialé, something is blocking the road. Please wait a moment."

The carriage stopped before the obstruction.

Only then did Climb see what it was: several fairly large burlap sacks tossed on the ground, at least seven or eight of them.

If that had been all—

Climb might have assumed they were goods dropped by a passing carriage, or supplies that nearby merchants had not had time to move.

"They moved?"