Side Story 1:
After the Suspension
ARGH… WHAT A HORRIFIC BLUNDER. That I should be so easily forgiven for letting a ruffian sneak into the palace.
Prince Eric had dueled Sir Alfred to get me a place in His Majesty’s royal guard, and now I’d gone and destroyed his reputation. This might be the first time in my life that I felt so terribly guilty. I had pride in the fact that I was Prince Eric’s right-hand man, and with that pride came the confidence that I would never betray his expectations. I had managed to protect him with my life thus far, no matter what challenges came my way, and I fully intended to do the same and put my life on the line to protect His Majesty.
“And now I’m suspended…”
Barely after I began my new post, I made a critical error. I failed to catch an intruder before Duke Algrene’s mercenary company. It was inexcusable—a fatal mistake.
Prince Eric, I couldn’t bring myself to look you in the eye. You trusted me, yet I betrayed that trust in front of so many people. I am consumed with regret. I can’t face you. Perhaps I should resign.
But Prince Eric and I had exchanged a vow when we were young: “Johann, promise me we’ll always be together.”
I swore to be his right-hand man, believing that the day would come when this kingdom would change for the better by his power.
“If I resign now, I’ll break that promise, won’t I, Your Highness…”
It was humiliating, disgracing myself so, but if I let that break me, I would only betray Prince Eric’s trust a second time. Therefore, there was only one thing I could do: wait for the opportunity to restore my honor and do something truly useful for His Highness.
“Perhaps I should exercise. I mustn’t let my muscles atrophy. You never know when danger will strike.”
I could always train, even in my home. I would make my already large body even larger.
I started with squats. Then pushups and crunches—I tripled my usual regimen. I did it all in service of His Highness’s dream…
Your Highness, I won’t break so easily. I am ready and waiting to carry out your next command.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Johann, it stinks in here. Make sure you ventilate, yes?”
“Agh, Lady Lingsha. Do forgive me.”
Since I had nothing else to do during my suspension, I spent the whole day exercising. And Lingsha had just entered my home, pinching her nose and scowling. Apparently, working up a sweat was making me rather pungent. Perhaps it was a bad idea to close the windows to build up my tolerance to the summer heat.
“You’d better beg for forgiveness, oh yes. I heard you’re supposed to sit still and do nothing when you’re under house arrest. Johann, have you sat still?”
“Er, well I…I’m so ashamed.”
As I felt the weight of Lingsha’s scolding, I quickly opened a window.
Ahh, the fresh air felt nice.
Lingsha was once put under house arrest as well. If I remembered correctly, it was because she got too violent in the pursuit of defeating assassins that were after His Highness. I recall scolding her then—I had told her she must sit still and reflect during her confinement.
And now look at me. I didn’t blame Lady Lingsha for being cross.
“By the way, what brings you here?” I asked her. “I hope the prince isn’t in danger?!”
“Nooo. Eric’s fine, oh yes. Hey, Johann, don’t change clothes in front of a lady. It’s improper.”
“S-sorry. Ah, good, so His Highness is safe…”
I decided to change clothes because I was concerned about the smell, but that only made Lingsha yell at me again. I’ve only ever thought of her as my coworker, but she was originally a princess of the Ren Empire.
What a careless way for me to act. I must be more mindful.
“Eric says he has a job for you. Your suspension ends today.”
“What?! Is that true?! Lady Lingsha!”
It’s finally here! My big opportunity to clear my name and regain my honor! No, wait, this day isn’t just for me. Prince Eric’s honor is riding on this as well.
After all this time, at last, my house arrest was lifted, and His Highness had a task for me. We were unmistakably close to the end of this battle—there was a ninety percent chance our enemy was Duke Algrene.
“Yup! Eric said it was something only Johann could do, oh yes! This letter’s from him!”
“A letter from His Highness…”
The contents of the letter that Lady Lingsha handed to me were exactly what I’d expected: We were about to have our final confrontation with Duke Algrene. In other words, we were going to lure him into a trap. His Highness wanted me to capture some assassins we were certain Duke Algrene was going to send. Prince Eric deduced that Duke Algrene had additional assassins separate from his mercenary company.
We were of the same mind on that matter.
If you assumed the premise that Duke Algrene had hired the intruder that caused my house arrest, it was almost certain that he had other minions lying in wait. If Duke Algrene really wanted to take His Majesty’s life, his plot had to be quite thorough. He would probably station assassins at the ready near the ice cream parlor.
“He told me to help you, Johann, so I will, oh yes. I’ll blast ’em all away!”
“Indeed. Your aid is much appreciated!”
I spread out a map to find possible locations for the assassins.
The ice cream parlor was located in a flourishing restaurant district in the royal capital. There were many places where assassins could hide; this task was going to be more difficult than I imagined.
“Hee hee hee—oh, but the harder the job, the more my arms tingle.”
“Johann, you sure look excited.”
At last, I could serve my prince. Just the thought of it made my heart dance.
You’re in good hands, Your Highness. Your Johann Olbrun will not let you down this time.