Chapter 76: Who the hell do you think i am? (1/2)

In the busy streets full of festivity, a carriage pulled by nightmare horses was slowly advancing.

Despite how crowded the streets were, the road was free from anyone blocking it. None of the citizens dared to face or block the way of this carriage. The visible insignia of a Phoenix, clearly told to whom this carriage belonged.

The royal family.

----

In the carriage, currently, three persons were seated. Those three were none other than Setsuna, Milia, and Sol.

As a prince, he couldn't visit the house of the Duke without a retinue of his own. It would not only be unbecoming and what's more, it would have been stupid and naive.

Closing his eyes, Sol begins to remember the information he had on Highland.

From what he remembered, they were basically the oldest noble family in the kingdom and had control over the military.

Weirdly, despite all this, they had basically no influence in the political atmosphere of the kingdom. The cause is their so-called neutrality and unwillingness to dip into the dirty world of politics.

For some, this was an admirable family. Meanwhile, many nobles saw them as barbaric nobles who only knew how to swing their swords.

This thought always made Sol scoff in derision. Only nobles could mock the very people who assured their protection.

In absolutely every war, the Highland family was always on the Frontline. Because of that, during the last great war against Gluttony and Echidna, the war during which his father died. The Duke of that generation as well as his cousin also died forcing the last generation Duke to take control of the family once again to give the time for the heir or heiress to grow.

”They are basically like me.”

Sol murmured out loud without paying attention. Milia, who also grasped all the information about Highland understood Sol's words.

”Indeed. The current younger generation of the Highland family is composed of three people. Two young women and another young man.”

”Three? I have heard of the siblings Ares and Athena. But never of the third.”

Milia nodded, her eyes expressing doubts, ”The third and youngest was called Aurora. She was a candidate for the place of Holy Daughter. But for some reasons she mysteriously vanished.”

”...Mysteriously vanished?”

Sol frowned at that. For Milia to say that it means that even the crown's shadow didn't know what exactly happened.

”By the way, is she also the granddaughter of the Duke?”

”No… She is the granddaughter of Lord Gerald.”

Sol immediately frowned at that.

”Uncle Gerald?”

Gerald was as much a teacher for him as Medea had been. In fact, in his heart, the position Gerald occupied wasn't low by any means. He was the sole father figure he had in this life. He saw him as a gentle grandfather who would sometimes spoil him and sometimes be strict with him.

But, Gerald had never mentioned his granddaughter in front of him. Clenching his fists he asked,

”Do you find him suspicious?”

Milia didn't answer, but from the hesitation in her eyes, her answer was clear.

This realization brought a painful blow to him.

”Should I stop my investigation?”

Seeing Sol like that, Milia asked with a low voice. She hated seeing such an expression on Sol's face. For her, the only expression that suited him was one of happiness. If necessary she would do everything for him. Though she had to admit that a little part of her would be disappointed.

But,

”No. ”

Sol went past all her expectations,

”Do not stop. Even though I believe that Uncle Gerald would not harm me. We must always hope for the best but prepare for the worst.”

Looking at his expression full of determination as he made such a difficult but mature choice, one thought went flashed in Milia's head.

'Sigh, I think I need to change panties. The current ones are ruined.'

---

After this, all discussions in the carriage died down as it was clear that Sol was brooding.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before they ultimately stopped just in front of the castle belonging to the Highland.

The castle itself had nothing special. It was simply decorated and seemed more like a fortress than anything else.

In front of the gate, on either side of it, two lines made out of soldiers and battle maids were formed, each of them holding a long Halbert.

The moment Sol stepped down from his carriage.

Bam!

In unison, they all hit the ground with the butt of their Halbert and screamed with a vigorous voice.

”ALL HAIL YOUR HIGHNESS!”