I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 39
04_The story of Rufus, a lieutenant
“…You are, henceforth, appointed as lieutenant of the demon subjugation army.”
Someone’s voice echoed.
“If you bring me the head of Demon King Audixus, I will give you the princess as your wife.”
It was the king.
Draped in a regal violet robe, he sat on his throne, idly stroking his beard.
Lifting his head, Rufus gazed blankly at the king.
The king was alive. The king, whom Baroness Inferna had killed, was very much alive and moving.
This was truly…
“What are you staring at so intently? Now, be off with you.”
The king waved his hand dismissively, showing clear annoyance. Rufus, coming to his senses, stood up.
“The exit is that way.”
After the brief encounter with the king and stepping outside, a royal guard, standing watch, spoke curtly.
“….”
Rufus quietly observed the royal soldier.
“Do you have any business?”
“Demon King Audixus.”
“Yes?”
“Where is the Demon King?”
“How should I know? The subjugation army has just been dispatched.”
The soldier muttered in annoyance.
So, the Demon King is still alive.
“Looks like you’re off to join the subjugation army. Stop asking pointless questions and just get ready.”
The soldier clicked his tongue and turned his head. He seemed reluctant to engage in conversation with a nobleman from a minor baronial family. Rufus felt an odd sense of relief at this brusque treatment. It was the same as the treatment he had received in the past.
Not a hero who killed the Demon King, not the king who overthrew the corrupt royal family and established a new reign, but a penniless nobleman from an unknown baronial family.
This was exactly what Rufus had wanted.
“Is Princess Sordid receiving the imperial prince of the empire?”
“What? How do you know…”
At Rufus’s question, the royal knight’s eyes widened in surprise.
It was certain. The imperial prince had not yet started his coup against the emperor. Princess Sordid was still preparing to marry the imperial prince of the empire.
Right now, he was in the past.
A today, overlaid with a bygone future, had arrived.
Rufus strode towards Princess Sordid’s palace. As soon as he left the king’s office, he sprinted towards the most lavishly shining palace in the area.
The passing people in the royal palace cast strange glances at him. But he did not care.
He ran and ran, the wind lashing against his ears.
And finally, Rufus encountered what he had been searching for.
Her, with hair as brilliant as spring, a bright smile on her face.
Just as Rufus remembered.
Still young and naive, she was sweeping in a maid’s outfit, humming a tune to herself. Her voice was so pleasant in his ears.
If I die,
I will become a single drop of rain,
To wash away your tears.
At the familiar melody, Rufus’s heart began to pound wildly.
He wanted to run to her, to embrace her. He longed to lift her up and spin her around in a dance, caressing her eyes, nose, and lips, comforting her.
But she had not crossed the magic circle created by Demon King Audixus.
She would not remember Rufus.
Was it okay to approach her now?
Rufus barely managed to calm his heart, which seemed ready to burst out of his ribcage at any moment.
There she was, the woman he had desperately yearned for, right in front of him. Yet, Rufus couldn’t bring himself to take a step forward.
How should he start the conversation?
“What business brings you to Princess Sordid’s palace?”
As Rufus grappled with his tumultuous thoughts, someone suddenly spoke to him.
“Wh-Who goes there?”
Rufus instinctively stepped back.
A middle-aged woman stood there.
Her hair was neatly tied up. At first glance, she seemed like a maid, but a silver badge adorned her chest.
She was the head maid.
“Are you here to see Princess Sordid? I’m sorry, but the princess has ordered not to receive unannounced guests.”
The head maid said firmly, holding a basket.
“No, I’m not here to see the princess.”
Rufus shook his head vigorously. He wanted to shake off the lingering image of Sordid cursing him with her dying breath.
“Then, what brings you here?”
“I am…”
Instead of answering, Rufus turned his head towards Sarubia, who was sweeping in front of the palace.
“Ah, Sarubia. Do you know her?”
