The Extra Wants To Live

Then an old man with a pure white beard quietly entered the room, stood next to Yusuf, and bowed his head. Yusuf took a slow breath as the old man urged him on without saying a word.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go back now."

The old man smiled gently at Yusuf's words.

"I am sure His Majesty will be very pleased."

"That's not funny. You're not the kind of person who would do that. You wouldn't even think of that in the first place."

Yusuf stood up from his seat, sneering.

"You are being too sly."

"Ha. Don't you think I know better than you?"

Yusuf laughed at the old man's words. But in fact, Yusuf did not know much about the Padishah.

"Of course he would, Your Majesty, since he is his son."

Even though he was his father, Yusuf, who held the status of Sultan as the son of the Padishah, never had a single private conversation with his father.

"Sultan? How ridiculous. How many sultans are there in Tumaria now?" The Padishah had over 100 children. So what value did the position of Sultan have?

"Of all those people, only one is worried about whether the sun will rise."

At the old man's words, Yusuf glared at him with a distorted face. The old man still smiled gently and waited for Yusuf to speak.

"What could be more useless than worrying about the sun rising?"

"Isn't being concerned and alert even about the obvious a truly great virtue of a ruler who can rule the world?"

"Okay. Back off."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yusuf did not see the old man leave. In the moon hanging brightly outside the window and the stars twinkling like quartz beads, Yusuf tried to find something that couldn't be there.

The Padishah was sick and dying, the Hadad sect was in turmoil as a new sect emerged that attracted followers through radical doctrinal interpretations, and signs of division were appearing throughout Tumaria.

"…Carl of Felt…"

And now that a new comet had appeared in the Hardion Empire, which bordered the country, what should he do?

Yusuf felt his wrist as he thought about Carl and something suddenly occurred to him.

Carl's gold bracelet hung intact. He was so absorbed in the decision of whether or not to kill Carl that he ended up bringing back the divided evidence.

"Haa!"

Yusuf sighed.

Carl also realized now that he had been so nervous at the time that he had not even thought about the token.

The golden fang that Yusuf gave to Carl was truly a precious object to him because it belonged to his friend who lost his life instead.

'We'll meet again! It would be better if we never saw each other again!'

He had a strong premonition. On the day when the shared tokens returned to their original owners, what kind of faces would they have when facing each other?

Yusuf looked up at the night sky and let out a worried sigh.

The lonely night deepened without end.

***

Returning to Davron Castle, Carl held a small triumphal procession amid cheers from those thrilled at having defeated the troublesome Salgarez mercenary band.

The commoners, refugees, soldiers, and nobles of Seongan Village happily welcomed the young prince who personally participated in the battle carrying the emperor's flag.

"I will prepare a banquet. Please rest comfortably, and I will come to see you in the evening."

As Govan spoke, he looked at Carl with his eyes mysteriously swaying.

Carl enjoyed this moment with an innocent and happy face like a little boy who had achieved something, then washed up, changed his clothes, and went straight to find Howell.

"Ka, prince Carl."

"…"

Howell, who was holding Iris in his arms and patting her on the back while putting her to sleep, suddenly tried to get up, but Carl quietly raised his hand to stop him.

Iris's small whimpering could be heard, but it soon subsided. Carl walked quietly and sat down in the chair opposite Howell.

Howell awkwardly nodded his head, glancing around. It would be easier to just lie down on the floor and greet Carl.

"You look healthy."

"It is thanks to the mercy shown by Lord Carl."

"I have not given you anything in return, but only because you have shed light on my dark path. Do not belittle what you have earned for yourself."

"…Thank you… I'm sorry…"

Howell stuttered in embarrassment.

The voice of Carl he heard last night still lingered in his ears. How could Howell forget that fear?

But now, Carl felt like a very affectionate, honest, and gentle person. Even the consideration to speak in a small voice so that Iris didn't wake up was perfect.

That's why it was even scarier. What on earth did he see in this insignificant man?

"I have been sick in bed for a long time, so my eyesight is not good, and it is difficult for me to see far ahead."

Howell licked his lips at Carl's unexpected remark. He looked at Carl's soft smile as he quietly looked at him, and before he knew it, he had been rudely looking Carl straight in the eye.

Howell abruptly averted his eyes, but Carl did not comment on his rudeness and simply waited calmly. Howell felt Carl's gaze linger on his face and then shift to Iris. You could tell without even looking. It was like the hot sun shining down and burning everything.

Howell had no choice as to whether or not to do it.

However, he could choose whether to be a trickster who was dragged around by force and turned over when needed, or a close confidant who stuck right by his side, imparting wisdom and enjoying power.

"I was born and raised in Davron, where the wilderness spreads out, so my eyesight is quite good. I stand right at the foot of the highest mountain, so I can see the high places a little."

Carl smiled at Howell's words. Howell, who worked as an administrator in Himmeln.

How much must this brilliant young man have felt and learned there?

And how could Carl not be happy when he had it completely in his grasp?