As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

Based on the villagers’ testimonies, the knights decided to split into two groups. The internal group, entering the village, would be led by Edward, Luize, Hendrik, and Robin, while the external group, working on finding a way to break the spell from outside, would be centered around Maxion and Aiven.

When Edward once again volunteered to lead the dangerous mission, some members of the external group protested.

“Your Excellency, you can’t put yourself at risk again! This is absurd!”

“If you can prove you’re stronger than Luize or me, I’ll switch places with you.”

“…”

The protesting voices fell silent. Each of them had skills that would not shame them anywhere else, but in front of these two, they felt insignificant. It was evident that these two were exceptional. If the others were pushing human limits, Luize and Edward seemed born beyond those limits.

Luize appeared to be an ordinary noblewoman, yet she wielded swords ranging from the size of her palm to her own body size with incredible strength and skill. Edward, too, despite the time spent with him, remained an unbelievable talent. Though he was a member of the imperial family, he maintained a perfect physique without visible effort and wielded magic freely in a world where wizards were nearly extinct. Most members still believed him to be a swordsman, but he skillfully combined swordsmanship with magic, making him formidable.

“And I will take half the team along with Robin and Hendrik, so don’t make too much fuss. We plan to go in with a healer, so take care of yourselves. Unlike the mirrored building, this place is a proper village, so we might end up resting comfortably at an inn.”

“Understood.” Maxion accepted this quietly.

Thus, the morning of their final expedition dawned.

* * *

As reported, Kavan was lined with numerous large and small signposts forming a large circle around the village boundary. These signposts contained warnings and requests for food, and people who appeared to be villagers patrolled around them. Before entering, a few members circled the village but didn’t gather any useful information.

“It seems we need to go inside to find out more.”

“Then let’s split up as previously instructed.”

“Yes!”

As the members moved according to the instructions, Aiven approached Edward.

“…Lord Edward.”

“Did you find something?”

“I need to investigate further to be sure, but the magic here feels different from black magic.”

“I thought so too. I have the same suspicion.” Edward replied with a calm expression. Though not as knowledgeable about black magic as his future self, he was no stranger to magic, being a proficient wizard since adulthood.

“If it is a wizard’s doing, they must be quite skilled. It could be dangerous. We might need to revise the plan, and all go in together.”

“We can’t completely rule out the possibility of black magic, so the external team should wait outside. If a wizard using this scale of magic is inside, there’s likely only one skilled person. We won’t be able to fight properly unless the magic is broken.”

Edward’s red eyes glinted sharply.

“So, if the magic is broken, come inside immediately. It will signal either the end of the fight or the start of a bigger one.”

“…Understood. We will do so.” Aiven answered solemnly and joined the external team. They decided to observe the internal team’s safe entry into the village from a nearby hill while seeking ways to break the spell from outside.

“Let’s go inside now.”

“Yes!”

With Hendrik’s loud response, the internal team entered the village. Maxion and the other members watched their backs with determined expressions.

* * *

Kavan was one of the larger villages in the area. Despite it being the festive season, the village was unusually quiet. The village lord, Viscount Abel de Morelta, hurried out to greet the knights upon their arrival.

“Long time no see, Viscount Morelta.”

“Yo-Your Excellency! It is an honor to see you again! Please treat me as you did before. The viscount stammered, looking shocked.

To Edward, this was a familiar reaction. Since being dethroned at seventeen, he had carefully hidden his claws to avoid displeasing the emperor and the new crown prince. He avoided flamboyant decorations and used honorifics to blend in among the nobles. Though initially awkward and uncomfortable, people eventually accepted him. But for Viscount Morelta, who last saw him at thirteen, it was understandable.

“Then I won’t refuse. Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“What brings you to this humble place? Our territory is dangerous as you can enter but not leave.”

“We are here by imperial decree to solve that problem. I need your cooperation. Can you help?”

The viscount visibly hesitated, lowering his gaze. “We have an important guest who arrived earlier, so it may be difficult to host the entire order in the castle. However, it is possible for a few close to Your Excellency to stay. I will arrange suitable accommodations for the rest.”

“I wish to stay with the order, so there is no need to prepare a room in the castle. May I meet this important guest?”

“Of course. They also expressed a desire to meet you.”

“Then I will see you at the castle tonight. I prefer a simple tea gathering over a welcome banquet.”

“I will prepare accordingly. An escort will guide you to your lodgings soon.”

“Understood.”

Soon, an escort sent by the viscount arrived, and the knights were lodged at the village’s finest inn. The villagers’ expressions were generally weary and dark. Many people with gaunt faces wandered the streets, seemingly having run out of supplies since being trapped in the village. The knights’ expressions also darkened as they entered the inn, leaving the sight of the destitute villagers behind.

“It would be more comfortable to roll on the streets than to rest in such a place. We will gather information around the village while Your Excellency visits the castle.”

“Do so. I will visit the castle with Miss Luize.”

Luize looked at Edward in surprise. When their eyes met, her cheeks flushed slightly. Since their first kiss, they had grown busier, with little time for further progress. However, some things have changed. Edward now visited her room in the morning to greet her with a kiss on the hand, and they were always together except when necessary breaks or sleep intervened.

“With me?”

“Yes. Mize Luize is my dedicated escort.”

“…Alright.” Luize nodded.

While Hendrik, Robin, and the other members gathered information around the village, Edward and Luize headed to the castle to meet the lord. As they passed by the destitute villagers, Luize spoke uncomfortably.

“I’ve never seen a village in such a dire state. No matter how close this village is to Perils, it never looks like this.”