Everstar City, West Ring District. A plain, understated yet extravagantly expensive carriage rolled along the stone road before turning onto the next street amid the bustling crowds.
"This is Riverside Street. Red Quarter is just down the next street. Look, right there."
Komuto's voice came from the driver's seat through the small window at the front of the carriage.
But Tales was utterly unaffected.
"Your Highness..."
Little Rascal, the Imperial Council, the Secret Section, Anke, Gu...
In the jolting carriage, the Prince who had nowhere to return to brooded glumly, with no mind to admire the streetscape of Everstar City outside.
Whether at Revival Palace or the Secret Section, whether facing the King or the Black Prophet, oppression and frustration had been the themes of his day.
But what occupied the youth most was still Anke Bayral's words before he fainted.
Hold on to your sword.
Tales instinctively clenched his fist, only to find himself unarmed, his palm empty.
He lowered his head and stared blankly at his left hand.
But all he could see was the scar in his palm.
"Your Highness?"
A sudden weight pressed down on his shoulder, and Tales came back to himself.
Inside the carriage, Gollor nodded at him and released the Prince's shoulder.
"Are you sure we really have to do this? Red Quarter?" Komuto turned back from the carriage window:
"If Marius finds out..."
He looked troubled.
Gollor's expression did not change, but his eyes showed the same concern.
Tales straightened the collar of his freshly changed clothes and sighed.
These people.
Even with the titles of Royal Guard or Star Lake Guard, even though he was the Second Prince and Duke of Star Lake, the second most honored person in the kingdom...
But whether Komuto or Gollor—or even D.D., who currently had