Editor 63

The Door of Mnemosyne (4)

‘What is this now, fuck.’

There wasn’t even time to be angry at yet another sudden addition to the setting. Just in time, the shielding magic circle, having fulfilled its role, began to fade.

“Let’s talk in detail when we get back. First, we have to persuade Aslan. You all wait here.”

“Ray! I trust you! Go take care of things well.”

Kleio, who was about to leave the tent, asked one last question.

“Aren’t you guys… worried that it might be dangerous inside the door?”

Isiel, as if there was no problem in following Arthur, did not budge, and Chel laughed loudly again.

“What can you achieve without danger? We made up our minds much earlier than you did, so just make sure you settle things well so that Cruel’s knights don’t get dragged in. Otherwise, I’ll have to step in and start throwing around my noble connections.”

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Swain Temple, a regular knight belonging to the Capital Defense Guard Knights, was taking shallow breaths, watching the situation.

The tent set up next to the Door of Mnemosyne wasn’t very big.

Inside that tent, Swain, who was in charge of the night watch for the Capital Defense Guard Knights tonight, Prince Aslan, and even the Duke of Cruel were all present, so it was overwhelming just to look.

Having watched Arthur and Aslan go at it up close, even as a knight, he could not feel at ease.

‘Prince Aslan, trying to push his own brother into a deadly situation, and Prince Arthur, provoking him without fear… they really look at each other as enemies.’

At that moment, the heavy atmosphere was briefly shaken.

The person who strode into the tent was unexpected. Swain reflexively greeted him.

It was Kleio Asser.

“Sir Kleio, I see you.”

“It’s been a while, Sir Swain.”

Although he had grown taller, the second son of the Asser family, who was thin as a stick, passed through the tense, chilly tent without a hint of nervousness or intimidation, which was impressive.

‘Still just a young boy, but at times like this, he really has the bearing of a knight.’

Swain shook his head slightly.

What is there to compare with the knights—Kleio is a knight with an official rank. He is truly a renowned magician. Swain recalled the end of the two-headed monster, Varg.

“You are on watch tonight, Sir Swain. You have suffered much through this turmoil.”

“No, all we do is guard the door, we weren’t even involved in the combat….”

Swain glanced at Aslan, who was seated in the place of honor in the tent, and lowered his voice a bit more.

Not that it wouldn’t be heard in the cramped tent anyway, but it was an act of caution toward the second prince, who was exuding a murderous aura right in front of them. The second prince’s cold personality was somewhat known among the knights.

From what Swain had seen these past few days, the rumors were not exaggerated at all.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has forbidden the Capital Defense Guard Knights from entering until the color of the door turns red. There is nothing more we can do.”

“It’s to prevent meaningless sacrifices. It’s the right decision.”

“Commander Klagen is of the same opinion, but us regular knights feel differently. However, we cannot act independently without permission….”

“As a knight who belongs to the order, it is only natural that you cannot disobey the Crown Prince’s strict orders, is it not?”

Speaking calmly, Kleio passed Swain and stood before Aslan.

The boy’s attitude was so confident and composed that even the Duke of Cruel couldn’t stop him in time.

As the duke was about to raise his voice, Aslan signaled first with his eyes. He intended to deal with Kleio himself.

Kleio held his head high and looked up at Aslan, who was a head taller than him. They had passed each other at the summer birthday banquet, but this was the first time they faced each other so closely.

His eyes and hair were so dark that it seemed they could swallow up even the light.

Black hair and black eyes had once been common in the world, but the blackness worn by people in this world felt utterly unfamiliar.

Aslan’s sharp gaze settled deliberately on the badge of the Capital Defense Guard attached to Kleio’s coat collar.

If eyes had temperature, the silk ribbon set in a golden frame would have burned up long ago.

Kleio, who had a rough idea of this world’s etiquette, intentionally did not avoid Aslan’s eyes and looked straight at him.

This was someone he would inevitably have to confront someday, and since he stood by Arthur’s side, this confrontation could not be avoided.

Perhaps it was due to a predetermined fate, but Aslan’s expression was clearly tinged with malice.

Kleio, on the contrary, became even more composed.

People who openly show hostility like that are threatening, but not scary.

Of course, Aslan was already a level 7 swordsman and would become even more powerful as a knight in the future, but compared to Melchior, he felt almost like a human villain.

‘Well. Among ordinary people, how many are scarier than the Crown Prince? Aslan is only acting so high and mighty because the times are bad for him. Just wait a few years and see what happens.’

Aslan, perceiving the faint smile-like expression on the boy’s pale face, showed a hint of anger.

Perhaps it was because he realized that this weak-looking boy didn’t respect him at all.

“So you are Sir Kleio.”

“Sorry for the late introduction. Circumstances were not favorable, but it is an honor to have an audience, Your Highness Aslan.”

“So, what’s your business? If you rushed into a prince’s tent in the middle of the night because you heard some tale from that gossiping girl, it can’t be a trivial matter.”

Kleio clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘Why does a 25-year-old talk like a period drama character? I’ve thought this before, but it’s like he’s in a different genre all by himself.’

Isiel, standing guard outside the tent, barely managed to suppress her killing intent at the phrase ‘that gossiping girl.’

With “Perception” activated, Kleio could read the breaths, gazes, and ether of everyone in the tent as if reading palm lines.

It was a life-or-death crisis for the protagonist, but having sharp perception didn’t feel bad. It meant he could see a step ahead of his opponents.

“Since you seem to know the situation, I’ll be brief. I request that my name be added to the next expedition entering the Door of Mnemosyne. I am also a knight with rank, so I am fully qualified to accompany Prince Arthur.”

To begin with, the Capital Defense Guard Knights had full authority over the Door of Mnemosyne. So as a student of the Capital Defense Guard School, Kleio didn’t even need to make this request to Aslan.

‘But seeing how the Duke of Cruel is meddling with Aslan and the commander of the Capital Defense Guard Knights is letting it happen, it means there’s some kind of secret agreement between the duke and the commander after the door opened.’

According to Swain, the regular knights of the Capital Defense Guard also seemed eager to enter the legendary door that had opened for the first time in a thousand years.

Any knight who wielded a sword would naturally want to join the adventure. But, for some reason, the commander of the Capital Defense Guard and Melchior, who rarely agreed, held them back.

Melchior, who had returned to the capital as soon as the door opened, had deliberately pushed the Capital Defense Guard Knights to the rear. Instead of the Capital Defense Guard, who would normally have entered the door first, he gave the Cruel Knights the chance to go in.

Even if he wasn’t here now, his shadow was everywhere. He was a formidable character.

‘Melchior knew something like this would happen if he kept Aslan and Arthur together. He set the stage, hoping his younger brothers would tear each other apart.’

“Yes. My brother’s martial skills are impressive, but I’ve heard your magic is even more outstanding. You’re quite close with the Crown Prince, aren’t you?”

“Sir Melchior has simply shown generosity for a small talent. The robes I wear, and the food that could feed all my classmates, are all thanks to His Highness’s generous nature, not something I earned myself.”

Kleio felt a bit slimy inside but showed none of it, instead gilding Melchior with praise.

‘This is a business meeting, a business meeting. There’s nothing I can’t say for the sake of business.’

Unlike Kleio, who managed his self-mind control well, Aslan’s expression grew even harsher.

No wonder, since right in front of the second prince, he was openly flaunting his connection with the first prince.

It was all as planned.

‘If he gets jealous of Arthur, of course he’ll also hate Melchior. He has a low boiling point.’

“My eldest brother isn’t someone who treats others with mere sentimentality. He always speaks of you whenever he has the chance, and even the knights of the Capital Defense Guard heap praise upon your magic.”

“Those are just words dressed up and repeated. I am merely a single magician. I only meant that I am not unqualified, not to boast or exaggerate my abilities.”

Though his tone was polite, Kleio didn’t yield an inch in conversation, and the veins bulged on the Duke of Cruel’s forehead.

‘That brat is climbing up using the Crown Prince as his backer,’ was written all over his face.

‘It would be even better if he misunderstood that Melchior and I are working together.’

As the duke was about to step in, Aslan waved him off and strode over, unleashing his aura toward Kleio.

Aslan, befitting a prince of the House of Riognan, was very tall, and still-growing Kleio seemed easy to overpower.

Kleio, however, immediately activated “Separation” for defense, so his expression did not change.

Realizing his intimidation didn’t work, the second prince spat out his response as if chewing on it.

“If that is your wish, and as you are his classmate, I will give you the opportunity to earn merit together.”

‘Loves to talk about earning merit, huh.’

“I am deeply grateful for your great grace. Given the situation, may I go in with my classmates, with whom I always train?”

“Classmates?”

“We, the students of the Capital Defense Guard School, have all gathered to protect the capital from threats beyond the door. It’s a rare opportunity, so how could I monopolize it alone?”

“So, besides you and Arthur, there are other students who wish to enter the door?”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Even if I tell you, Your Highness might not know the names of ordinary students….”

“I asked. Answer.”

‘Wow, not even the Crown Prince is this high-handed.’

“Lady of the House of Kishion and the eldest daughter of the Tangpete de Neige family are both excellent with the sword. If we go together, it will be a great help.”

“They say the 977th class is the Golden Year. Ha, fine. Do as you wish.”

The 977th class is the Golden Year.

He probably didn’t mean that as a compliment. No matter how outstanding the students of the Capital Defense Guard School were, it brought no benefit to Aslan.

If the talented ones became Arthur’s close aides, that was a threat, and if they graduated and joined the Capital Defense Guard Knights, they would someday become Melchior’s strength.

‘He probably thinks it’s fine if they all die along with Arthur.’

Only Zebedi, looking pale, tried to dissuade the two, but the Duke of Cruel could be seen holding Zebedi back from joining the conversation.

Of those who could stop the prince right now, the only one who sincerely wished for Arthur and his friends not to die was the good-hearted educator Zebedi.

“We are only grateful for Your Highness’s generous consideration. We will surely break through the ‘Remembered World’ and return.”

Finally, as if to drive in the last nail, he added, ‘I’ll accomplish what your knights couldn’t,’ and Aslan sneered as if it wasn’t even worth getting angry over.

Then, for a few seconds, Aslan stared at Kleio as if he were seeing something bizarre for the first time in his life, and then motioned with his chin for the boy to leave.

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Seeing that Kleio not only failed to dissuade Aslan but actually provoked him further, Zebedi, who followed him out of the tent, held his head. He looked exasperated and stifled upon seeing Arthur and the children already gathered in front of the tent.

He had tried threatening them with expulsion and even used his authority as a professor to order them, but none of it worked on knights, princes, or noble children.

“You brats, how dare you crawl into a place of death like that!”

“We will come back. Please believe us.”

“It seems you take this lightly just because it’s the first time in a thousand years, but several official knights have already failed. Don’t take it lightly! Once you enter the ‘Remembered World,’ everyone is thrown into the water, and according to old legends, some even died simply because they couldn’t swim! No one knows what the threat will be!”

“Professor, please calm down. We’re all good swimmers. Right, Kleio?”

It definitely wasn’t ‘good,’ and his navy service was barely worth mentioning, but Kleio nodded along with Chel.

As for Arthur and Isiel, it went without saying. They were the kind who could cross rivers and straits by swimming.

“I should be stopping you all. What a world. If you must go, take the bags in my tent with water, food, and first-aid supplies. They’re not laced with tricks or poison.”

Kleio brightened. He hadn’t trusted the supplies Aslan had prepared and had intended to pack anew anyway.

Zebedi was also the headmaster who had run the school for decades. He wouldn’t have accepted Arthur as a student without understanding the dynamics between Aslan and Arthur.

“Thank you, professor. While we’re at it, do you have any magic tools that can create barriers? I’m fine, but I’m worried about the others….”

“Tsk, tsk. Such a meddlesome kid. Wait here.”

As Zebedi disappeared into his lab to get defensive gear, Kleio, Arthur, Isiel, Chel, and the twins gathered in the empty tent.

Kleio once again put up a magic barrier.

“From the looks of it, you all know about my stigma, don’t you?”

“Our loyal lord tried his best not to tell us, but given the circumstances, there was only one answer.”

“He was so happy to have his prophecy confirmed, how could we not know?”

Dione had already reached the same conclusion anyway. If he was going to lie, it was better to be consistent.

“That’s right. I have the stigma of ‘Prediction’ and can read part of the future to come.”