READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 135
Hoorok.
Elize took a sip of her tea.
Just a slight turn to the side revealed two women radiating hostility.
I was feeling uneasy, yet Elize casually shook her teacup.
Was she oblivious, or just pretending not to notice? I couldn’t quite tell.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I think I unknowingly stepped forward.”
Elize placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head.
As expected of a princess; even I, who didn’t know her well, could see it was a formal greeting.
“It’s alright.”
Honestly, I was half in doubt.
I had been wary since the imperial princess came here alone, but it truly seemed she was by herself.
With her level being pink, she didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives.
“Lucas, do you perhaps remember me?”
“Aren’t you the princess I saw at the imperial palace?”
“No, not that. I mean from my past life.”
Past life memories?
Come to think of it, Elize seemed to have a deep connection with Lucas. From what I guessed after seeing them once before.
This meant that Elize’s favor was directed at Lucas, not me.
The same could be said for Cecilia beside her.
‘But I’m not Lucas, you know?’
I think I’ve said I’m not Lucas more than ten times by now.
At this point, denying it just feels like a waste of breath.
“I’ve forgotten all my past life memories.”
Resorting to the comfortable undead setting of “Anyway, I don’t know,” I brought it up.
Elize pouted her lips while fiddling with her teacup.
“That’s what I thought….”
It seemed she had anticipated that response.
Yet still, she looked rather disappointed.
“Your noble status only counts in the empire.”
At that moment, Charlotte, who had been silently listening, interjected.
Her gaze turned hostile, and her tone became sharp.
“This is the Mausoleum of Faith. Remember that even this level of treatment is excessive.”
What did she just say? What did she do to deserve that? It wasn’t like she committed a disgrace.
Was it jealousy mixed with animosity? Or was she warning us not to bring up the past?
In front of her, Elize looked quite taken aback.
From her expression, it seemed she wanted to say, “Who said anything?”
Ahem. I coughed to clear the awkward atmosphere.
“So, what brings you here anyway?”
Elize came with a guard earlier, but now she was alone.
An imperial princess entered the Undead Lair on her own.
Putting aside her feelings toward me, this place was the Undead Lair.
Unless it was an urgent matter or she had considerable courage, it was an unthinkable action.
Elize took another sip of her tea and opened her mouth.
“The empire has been saved by Lucas.”
She was referring to Calandas’s invasion.
In reality, her actions were more about my safety than saving the empire, but it was true that humanity was saved.
“We know too. Lucas doesn’t have a good opinion about humanity. Yet, they must have rallied together out of love and hate.”
“Um….”
I involuntarily let out a sound in the awkward mood.
I knew it was a misunderstanding, but hearing it straight to my face felt strange.
“I’m not going to ask you to forgive the past. I won’t ask you to forget it either. You may have forgotten all your memories… but the feelings of betrayal and hatred must still linger.”
Elize lowered her head.
“But Lucas, the empire is no longer an enemy. The empire’s high-ups may fear you, but the citizens do not. Everyone is shouting about the return of the hero Lucas.”
“….”
“My father also regrets his past decisions. Sometimes, he even says he wants to take back his mistakes.”
“So, what do you want to say?”
I clearly asked what her business was.
Elize continued to ramble but strayed far from the main point.
She took a beat, sipping her tea.
“How about an alliance between the empire and the Mausoleum of Faith? What do you think, Lucas?”
An alliance with the empire. It wasn’t an unexpected suggestion.
Even at the Undead Lair, I had already once saved the empire.
Elize had also cheered me on, mentioning past mistakes and regrets.
I thought it might be a goal to reconcile by overcoming the past, and indeed it was.
“An alliance, huh….”
Naturally, it reminded me of the confrontation with the Old Ones during the roundtable meeting.
In the end, they left me alone, but it came with the condition that I would distance myself from humanity.
Joining forces with the empire would give the Old One justification. It should have been a given that I would refuse.
‘Not anymore.’
It was just a lack of contact. I had already crossed a river with the Old Ones that couldn’t be turned back.
I was also building up my strength in preparation for the factions of the Seven Lairs and the Seven Magic Realms.
The Old One was veiled in mystery. The strength and influence they wielded were also unknown.
Therefore, the best course of action would be to gather any factions I could mobilize, regardless of the cost.
‘The Old One is both hostile and beneficial to humanity.’
If we had a common enemy, forming an alliance would be easier.
Up to this point, everything sounded fine, but the real issue was mutual trust.
What if they betrayed me? I was on my way back after being double-crossed by the Seven Dukes in reality.
An alliance could only be forged on a foundation of trust.
In that regard, I couldn’t trust the empire, and most of the empire’s leaders would probably distrust me too. They’d likely try to use me.
“How can I trust you?”
Naturally, they would have prepared to prove their good faith.
Sending Elize was probably for that very reason.
Sending the princess unaccompanied wasn’t a decision one could make lightly.
“In human society, there is something called a marriage alliance. From small aristocratic political marriages to large royal unions between countries.”
What kind of nonsense is this now?
I asked how I could trust them, and—
“…No way.”
“That’s right. A marriage alliance with me. What do you think, Lucas?”
This is insane.
I was so taken aback that I was at a loss for words.
Not just me; even Charlotte and Cecilia looked dazed as if they lost their minds.
“Lucas, you are the Lord of the Undead Lair, and I am the princess of the empire. Our statuses align closely enough for a marriage. There’s no alliance more trustworthy than marriage. As long as I’m supporting here, the empire won’t betray you.”
The princess of one nation and the Lord of the Undead Lair.
Because our statuses align, she thinks marriage is a possibility? It was utterly absurd.
What kind of marriage could there possibly be between a human and an undead? What kind of logic is that?
‘Ah.’
I subtly glanced at Charlotte and Cecilia.
…Am I the only sane one here?
“You can think of me as a hostage. It’s up to you if you accept it.”
Is she saying that she’s a hostage disguised as a marriage alliance?
Regardless of her motivations, it was an outrageous proposal.
In fact, even if the intention were to be a hostage, on the surface, it would resemble a marital relationship.
When Roseha and Roxanne found out, it would undoubtedly cause a huge scandal.
I wouldn’t be surprised if humanity was wiped out.
And before that, just looking at the two next to me…
“Lucas, you might have forgotten, but the citizens of the empire once blessed our love.”
“That was ages ago.”
“That was just nonsense.”
Cecilia and Charlotte snickered.
They were careful with their words, but I could feel the animosity creeping in.
If I hadn’t been there, Elize would have been a dead woman walking.
Now I see why the princess came here all alone.
Like she said, for a marriage alliance or as a hostage.
‘Is she crazy?’
The emperor must treasure his daughter dearly; what could have possessed him to make such a decision?
Or, perhaps it could have been her own choice.
She came here, not as a hostage, but as a pretext.
With that intense pink level, it looked fairly credible.
But coming here on her own was nothing short of insane.
“I have nothing to discuss with the two of you. I’m asking Lucas.”
Charlotte and Cecilia remained silent, observing me.
I was grateful they didn’t immediately attempt to kill her.
I signaled them to be quiet with my eyes, and instead spoke.
“I have one question. Does the empire want to coexist with the Outsiders?”
Was the empire’s goal to ally with the Mausoleum of Faith, or was it ultimately for the coexistence of both parties?
“What do you think, Lucas?”
At her question, I fell silent for a while.
To be honest, I do wish for coexistence. I used to be human, and I just like humans.
But that’s purely a personal ideal—it’s mostly just an illusion.
“I hope for it, but it’s likely impossible.”
“What could possibly be impossible? Our marriage alliance would be a good start.”
Hearing her speak, it seemed Elize shared the same feelings as I did.
“A marriage alliance holds many meanings. If I manage it well and show good harmony, it could serve as a fine example.”
Love between partners transcends the barriers of race. The precedent of a princess and the Lord of the Undead Lair would be a good model for coexistence.
While it could serve as a pretty good example, it didn’t resonate much with me.
With Elize fully motivated, I was almost the opposite—emotionally detached.
She was quite beautiful, but I’m asexual, so what could I do?
‘Building an alliance with the empire could be good.’
But there were many things weighing on my mind.
First and foremost was the issue of mutual trust. Attempting to resolve that issue would create further complications.
Even if it was a political marriage, there’s no way Roseha would remain passive. What about Roxanne?
…Compared to Roxanne, Calandas’s invasion was a joke.
“I refuse the marriage alliance.”
“…What?”
“But I’ll think about the alliance.”
Sorry, but if we get married, the world will be divided.
And before that, you’re the one who needs to die.
While looking at Charlotte and Cecilia, I genuinely thought that.
***
While I reject the marriage alliance, I’ll at least consider the alliance itself.
I conveyed such to Elize and sent her off. For your information, I had Isabella escort her.
She came as a hostage but was now being sent back as a messenger.
“Hu….”
After Elize left, a deep sigh escaped me.
Even my nonexistent heart seemed to skip a beat, considering I was suddenly hit with the idea of a marriage alliance.
I glanced slightly at the remaining two.
Honestly speaking, I half expected one of them to suddenly cast a spell or draw a sword.
In the tense silence, Charlotte and Cecilia exchanged looks.
“Should we kill her?”
“Sounds good.”
They nodded in agreement.
Even though they were usually opposites, they were well in sync in this situation.
“Hold on.”
I was begging them; please.
She’s not just any noble; she’s a princess.
If they killed her out of personal feelings, it would cause a war or worse.
I’d have to think about the alliance with the empire later; right now, Balu-Tak’s Six Sword Techniques were my priority.
Honestly, more than priority, I just wanted to see for myself.
The Flying Insect that utilizes the Six Techniques? How can I endure this?
If Balutak has swordsmanship talent, can’t he efficiently combine it with romance as well?
“Ria, I have a favor to ask.”
“Should I just go kill her right now?”
“….”
Well, I have to try to hold myself back.