I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 90
The scribes were taken aback, breathless at the king’s decree. To think that the hero, freshly returned from the battlefield, would be exiled to the borders, or worse, threatened with beheading—it was unquestionably an unjust treatment.
Emerging from the king’s office, Rufus rubbed his inflamed cheek with the back of his hand.
—Such a foolish old man. Instead of searching for your third son, already dead, you should be looking after your other children who are next in line to die.
“How did it go?”
Iruel, who had been waiting outside the king’s office, approached Rufus.
“My neck’s in danger.”
Rufus strode past Iruel, moving swiftly.
“What? What do you mean?”
“We’re off to find Prince Tarek now. If we don’t, my neck is literally on the line.”
“What in the world are you talking about?”
“Shut it for now. I’ll explain later.”
“Ah, okay.”
In silence, Rufus and Iruel continued their pace.
They passed many people as they exited the palace.
“Look, there goes the hero Rufus, who beheaded Demon King Audixus.”
The people of the palace started whispering among themselves upon seeing Rufus.
“To achieve such a great feat at such a young age, his future is indeed bright.”
“Will he marry Princess Sordid, as promised by His Majesty the King?”
Princess Sordid.
Merely hearing her name soured Rufus’s mood instantly.
The vile woman who tormented innocent Sarubia, cursing Rufus until her last breath.
There will be vengeance.
Princess Sordid will not be an exception. She too will pay for her sins.
“Ah, these fools.”
Iruel clicked his tongue upon overhearing their conversation.
“They have no idea how picky our lieutenant’s tastes are. Right, lieutenant?”
“What nonsense.”
“Lieutenant only likes younger women. So, he wouldn’t be interested in the grown-up Princess Sordid— Aaah, don’t hit me! Why are you hitting me!”
“You truly wish to be beaten to a pulp, it seems.”
Iruel had no choice but to blame his impudent mouth.
***
“Welcome, Lieutenant Rufus, Sir Iruel.”
The servants of the guest palace greeted Rufus and Iruel politely.
‘To return to this place once again.’
Rufus surveyed the interior of the guest palace slowly.
In his past life, Rufus had also stayed in this guest palace as a reward for killing the Demon King.
It felt strange. It seemed like just yesterday when he had lived here with Sarubia.
“Shall we prepare a meal for you?”
“No, we’ve already eaten. Just bring a bottle of wine and some light snacks.”
“Yes.”
The servants, bowing their heads, moved towards the kitchen.
The maids followed Rufus and Iruel into the room to take their outer garments.
“Are you not tired? Would you like a bath prepared?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Rufus sighed deeply and sat down.
Although being inside the palace was somewhat unsettling, the guest palace was indeed a beautiful place. Adorned with all sorts of precious artworks and constructed from high-quality fragrant wood, it emitted a gentle scent. Merely sitting there had a strangely relaxing effect on one’s mood.
‘That Iruel and I alone enjoy such luxury, how unfair it is.’
Rufus watched quietly as the servants brought in wine and snacks, resting his chin on his hand.
Originally, Rufus wanted to bring all his platoon members into the palace. Would the common-born soldiers ever get another chance to tour the palace?
Unfortunately, the guest palace could not accommodate more than twenty people, and the king had only allowed the nobility who participated in the subjugation to enter. This caused dissatisfaction among the common-born soldiers who had fought in the campaign.
‘Well, it suits me fine.’
The more foolish acts the king commits, the easier it becomes to deal with the royals.
Does the king even realize? That the people are gradually turning their backs on him.
Click.
After dismissing the servants, Rufus was the first to lock the door. Then, he placed his hand on the doorknob and infused it with magic.
A transparent barrier formed along the inner walls of the room.
It was a spell that created a protective barrier. Thus, Rufus’s room was temporarily sealed off. No matter how closely someone listened at the door from the outside, they wouldn’t be able to hear anything from inside.
Iruel slumped down opposite Rufus.
“So, what’s this about your neck being on the line if we don’t find Prince Tarek?”
“Exactly as it sounds. The king ordered me to find Prince Tarek. If I don’t, he said he’d kill me.”
Hearing Rufus’s words, Iruel wore an incredulous expression.
“What, but Prince Tarek is already dead, isn’t he? How are you supposed to bring back someone who’s dead?”
“Exactly.”
Rufus nodded and passed the wine bottle to Iruel.
“Drink.”
“Forget it. You’ve poisoned it again, haven’t you? I’m not drinking.”
“Poison? The servants brought it out. You saw.”
“You think I’ll fall for it twice? I don’t trust you. You drink first.”
“Unbelievable.”
Rufus clicked his tongue and tilted the wine bottle into his glass.
The red wine flowed along the edge of the transparent glass, its deep color reminiscent of blood.
“Anyway, that fool of a king yelled at me to resurrect someone whose head and body are already separated. As if he’s telling me to just die.”
“Looks like you are going to die, lieutenant.”
Iruel swallowed his saliva as he eyed the wine glass.
As expected, a maniac for alcohol.
“You think so too, right? But unfortunately, I’m too fond of living to want to die just yet.”
“So, what are you planning to do?”
