The two prince's retinue arrived at the nearest town three hours later.
They didn't bother to stop by small villages to save time, and went straight to the nearest inn upon their arrival.
"Is that all the luggage you have?" Juno asked his brother when he noticed that he was only carrying a traveling bag and a big sword he took from the carriage's top baggage area.
"These are my personal belongings," replied Simon who dropped them on the ground. "I don't really own much stuff..." he said shyly.
"Is that so?" Juno asked with a frown. "Didn't I give you some clothes before?"
"Oh, I gave some of them to my friend Nell before we parted ways," he explained. "After all, didn't you say that you would be buying me some new ones when we reach the capital to visit the Emperor?"
Prince Juno stared at Simon.
His brother had the same stupid smile on his face as always, but with what has been happening lately, he just couldn't tell if he was being serious, or being sarcastic.
He decided to just play it safe.
"That's right, I'll be buying you new clothes in the capital. All the clothes from our kingdom are hopelessly out of style after all. In the meantime, why don't you head upstairs to your room for some rest?"
"I'm on my way to my room right now," replied Simon, "but I would like to look around town for a bit, later on."
"Bring one of the knights as company if you plan to do so," said Juno. 'I can't have you doing things behind my back, after all,' he thought to himself, before handing Simon a small bag of coins. "Here's some money. Go buy yourself anything you desire."
"Oh! T-thank you, brother!" Simon said, surprised.
He couldn't believe his royal brother would ever bother about him!
'My brother Juno really is the best!' he thought to himself as he made his way back to his carriage.
"Mas- Sir Will!" he called to the bearded knight. "Look at this! My brother gave us some money to treat ourselves while we're in town!"
"Yeah, whatever," Will replied grumpily. "Now get off the carriage and take your friend with you! I still need to take the horses to the stables."
"Oh, okay, let me put my things upstairs first, then we can all go to the marketplace together!"
"Hey, wait a–!"
Simon was already gone before Will could call him back.
"Haah... that brat..."
Will took the carriage to the stables and knocked three times on its door.
"You can come out now," he called to Lady June in a whisper.
"Thank you, Sir Will," replied the young lady as she stepped out of the beaten carriage.
She had with her a bulky looking bag which she carried without difficulty.
Will stared at it suspiciously.
"I guess I should check myself in the inn as well."
"Mm. Hurry up. Simon plans to look around town with you."
"Will you be coming with us as well, Sir Will?"
"Simon can take care of himself."
"I guess you have a point there," June said with a smile, "he is our kingdom's Hero after all."
Will was expecting her to be sarcastic, but it looked like the young lady have found genuine respect for Simon.
"I expect you to do the same," he said instead.
"I beg your pardon?" June's smile faded.
"You're pretty strong," Will looked at June's bag.
June instinctively held it tighter to her chest.
"A lightening spell, huh?" said Will. "And I can feel the mana seeping out of the magic books hidden in your bag."
"H-how can you tell?" June asked wide-eyed.
Will ignored her question.
"It's easy to trick the idiots in this backwater country, but don't think that people in the capital are the same," he went on. "They could easily detect you and restrain you and send you straight to the magic tower as an unregistered magician, unless you get to the Royal Academy first and take their awakening exam."
"T-then... what do you suggest I do?" June asked him desperately.
"Let me see that bag."
June handed her bag to Will uncertainly.
Will took the bag and quickly opened it, pulling out two thick, leather bound books from inside.
"Hmm, nice selection. I didn't know there were still copies of these two books of magic."
"They were part of my great-great-grandfather's secret personal collection," June said proudly. "Those grimoires are from the two greatest Magus in all history, Soloman the Wise, and Heras the Beautiful."
"Yes, I can see that," Will said flatly.
"So, are you a magician as well, Sir Will? How were you able to sense me? Do you know how I can hide my magic?"
"Your magic, you can hide by not using it," said Will. "Unless you have a cloaking spell that can hide your ability from others?"
"Oh, right! I do have something like that!" June replied.
"Now, your books..."
"I don't think I can use a cloaking spell on my books, though," June pipped in. "I tried, but they seem to be immune to magic."
"Haa..." Will heaved a deep sigh. "Use this then..."
He took a pouch hanging from his belt and opened it. He then took out a smaller pouch from within.
"I'm just lending this to you, mind you," he said with a frown. "I want it back as soon as you get in the Royal Academy."
"Okay, thank you, but what–"
Before she could say more, Will took the two large grimoires and stuffed them both inside the small pouch.
"Oh my goodness! Is that a dimensional pouch?!" she gasped. "My father has been looking all over the kingdom to buy one!"
"Whatever. Share it with the kid. Don't lose it!"
"The kid? Oh, you mean Prince Simon?"
"Now, I need to leave before the kid corners me again."
"You're leaving? But aren't you part of our knight envoy?"
"Was. You don't need me now. Besides, that bastard Juno is starting to get suspicious."
"Prince Juno?"
"Take care of that idiot Simon. He still thinks his big brother is a saint no matter how many times the bastard tries to get rid of him."
"Get rid of whom?" June asked, feeling lost and confused.
"I know you're not stupid, Lady June," Will told her. "Put two and two together. It's up to you to tell that idiot who his brother really is, just keep him out of harm's way `till he reaches the capital, then let the emperor take care of him instead." Will grinned at her. "I say, he'll make a good enough Hero, something he can make use of."
"But... do you really need to leave, Sir Will?"
Will no longer replied.
He simply looked at June with unfathomable eyes, the color of the morning sun.
June stared at those golden orbs until he raised a hand to wave goodbye, and was suddenly gone.
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Go to Part 56
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