TOPWL 96

The people did not seem particularly pleased with Yudit’s group suddenly showing up to lend a hand. With a duke, a prince, knights of a ducal house, and even an envoy from Herut among them—all of high standing—they were clearly concerned that if any of them were injured, the consequences might fall on their heads. Even those in charge looked troubled, assigning only the simplest of tasks.

Yudit said nothing and silently helped where he could. The tasks may have been simple, but they were far from effortless. His wrists and forearms were already aching.

He wiped away the sweat trickling down his forehead with the back of his hand. At first, he’d been concerned they hadn’t been provided winter gear, seeing everyone dressed so lightly, but it turned out that the physical labor made people shed layers quickly. Yudit had long since discarded his own winter coat, tossing it far aside. The chilly winter wind now felt refreshing.

“You should stop now.”

“Just a little more.”

Khalid came up close as Yudit gripped his shovel. Remembering the events of the previous night, Yudit stiffened.

“It’s already been two hours. If we don’t stop, they won’t either.”

Yudit replied with a look of protest.

“It’s not like I told them not to rest.”

Had there been a designated break time, Yudit would’ve abided by it. Khalid shook his head.

“When the man paying them doesn’t stop working, who’s going to have the nerve to take a break? Letting up now is the best way to help them.”

He had a point. Looking around at the people who seemed more worn out than they were two hours ago, Yudit drove his shovel into the ground and let go. Khalid’s lips curled in approval.

“Good call.”

“I’ll go say goodbye to my friends.”

“I’ll wait in the carriage. Take your time.”

Yudit headed over to Diego and Eden, who were leveling the soil. As he approached, those around them began moving faster.

“Diego, Eden. I’ve got other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now. Sorry I couldn’t help more.”

Yudit gave an apologetic smile, but Eden shook his head.

“You should get going. Honestly, the old guys here were all but begging us to send you off already.”

Eden flicked his eyes toward the nearby workers. Hearing this, the men flinched and doubled down on their shoveling, pretending not to hear.

“How about a cup of tea after work?”

“I’d rather have a beer.”

“Beer works too.”

As Yudit and Eden shared light-hearted words, Diego suddenly grabbed Yudit’s wrist.

“…You’re hurt.”

“Oh. I am. When did that happen?”

Yudit glanced at his palm, now raw and bleeding, with a detached expression. The skin had peeled from gripping the shovel too hard, leaving blood oozing from the tender flesh. Diego and Eden frowned at the sight.

“It’s been like that for a while, and you still kept working?”

“I didn’t feel it.”

“You’re such an idiot.”

Diego seized Yudit’s wrist and started pulling him in one direction. Just then, Shane struck Viego’s wrist with a sharp motion, forcing him to let go. Caught off guard, Diego glared at Shane with a dangerous look, but Shane remained impassive as he addressed him.

“Don’t treat His Highness so carelessly.”

“I was only trying to tend to his injury.”

“Shane, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. If a mere laborer acts this way toward His Highness, what will others think?”

Shane’s voice was low, barely above a whisper, but carried unusual sharpness. Yudit frowned and retorted.

“A mere laborer? Diego is my friend. And what difference is there between a prince and a laborer? We all eat, sleep, and breathe the same.”

Dangerous words for a prince to utter.

“Apologize to Diego—”

“It’s fine.”

Before Yudit could urge an apology, Diego shook his head and stopped him.

“It was my fault.”

The way he admitted it so easily made Yudit’s eyes narrow.

“What fault? You did nothing wrong—”

“You’re our leader. You shouldn’t be seen treated lightly in front of others. I’m sorry. My apologies.”

Diego bowed his head to both Yudit and Shane. Shane, caught off guard, ended up accepting the apology.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Diego headed into the medical tent and returned with a handful of supplies—antiseptic, gauze, ointment, and bandages.

“It’s cold. Get in the carriage and take care of that. Sorry for getting in the way when you’re busy.”

With that, Diego returned to his spot. Yudit left in silence, heading to the carriage. Even inside, the mood remained cold. As the carriage rolled forward, Khalid turned to him.

“Give me your hand. I’ll treat it.”

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Stop being stubborn.”

Khalid took Yudit’s hand and poured a bit of antiseptic over his wounded palm. Unfortunately, just then the carriage jolted, and the bottle spilled far more than intended. The antiseptic soaked the entire wound, and the skin immediately turned white from the sting.

“…!”

Yudit flinched like a fish out of water, jerking away violently. Khalid gave him an awkward look.

“…Sorry. I’ll fire the coachman.”

Yudit, eyes tearing up from the pain, shook his head firmly. Seemingly giving up on tending the wound himself, Khalid handed the supplies to Shane. With practiced hands, Shane wiped away the excess antiseptic, applied ointment, and wrapped the hand in gauze and bandages. Once the wound was sealed off from the air, the pain slowly subsided. Only then was Yudit able to speak.

“Don’t fire him. Why should the coachman pay the price for your mistake?”

“Alright, I’m sorry.”

Yudit rubbed his bandaged hand and gave Shane a sideways glance.

“Do you need me for something?”

Yudit shook his head slightly.

“No… I just raised my voice earlier. I apologize.”

He looked steadily at the prince as he spoke. Then Shane said quietly:

“Your Highness… you don’t seem to take care of yourself.”

“…Me?”

“You show kindness even to those who’ve harmed you, and yet… you don’t look after your own well-being at all.”

“Is that so?”

Yudit paused, lost in thought, tracing back over his past.

“It’s something I’ve felt too,” Khalid chimed in. “I’m sure anyone close to you must’ve thought it at some point.”

Yudit blinked, taken aback.

“I didn’t know. I’ve never thought about it.”

“Well, maybe give it a thought. Once or twice, at least. A leader who doesn’t value his own life may attract many followers, but he’ll leave just as many people burning with worry.”

Khalid brushed dirt off Yudit’s cheek as he spoke.

“I’m saying this because I feel like I’ll be one of those people soon. But it’s not bad advice, is it?”

“…I’ll take it to heart. Thank you for saying it.”

Yudit began scribbling something down in his notebook. Khalid peeked over and remarked:

“It hasn’t even been five minutes and you’re already worrying about others again.”

Yudit quickly covered the notebook and shot him a glare.

“This is important. I said I’d take responsibility for the people in the slums.”

“You can’t just let them live off handouts.”

“But what about those too young or too old to work?”

That was what weighed on Yudit most these days.

“What would you like to do?”

“Honestly, I want to provide them with housing and a living allowance. It’s not their fault they ended up this way.”

Yudit murmured around the pen at his lips. The Lirut people living in the capital often faced discrimination. They were forced into dangerous, dirty jobs, which often left them injured or disabled and unable to work. Yudit had seen since childhood how hard they tried—how miserable they became when they could no longer earn their keep.

“I’m against unconditional welfare,” Khalid said, stroking his chin. He seemed to be mulling something over. “And it’s not something a prince should jump into recklessly.”

Yudit looked to him with anticipation.

“Then what should I do…?”

“That’s for you to figure out. Only then will it mean something.”

Khalid grinned slyly. Yudit, smiling coldly, made a mental note to one day pour antiseptic all over Khalid’s wounds in return.

The carriage came to a stop again, this time in front of the armory that made armor from monster hides. Huyan and Wadiram had likely remained inside, as the carriage waited there.

Carrying snacks, thinking they might be hungry by now, Yudit was caught off guard when Khalid suddenly hugged him from behind. He flailed in surprise. Khalid practically shoved him into Shane’s arms.

“Shane, protect Yudit.”

“Understood.”

“Wait, why—?”

Shane gently covered Yudit’s mouth and pointed downward. Yudit looked and went pale. Bloodstains stretched from the bushes to inside the armory—enough to suggest more than one person could’ve died. Had they been attacked by a monster? Like the time he was bitten by that poison goblin?

The thought that someone may have been gravely wounded or killed made his neck stiffen. Khalid reached for the door handle, drew his sword, and turned to look back.

“I’ll check inside. If I’m not out in five minutes, run and report it to the patrol.”

“Take Shane with you,” Yudit said, pulling Shane’s hand from his mouth.

Khalid shook his head.

“How are you going to escape alone? Shane is your guard. When I appointed him, I told him to prioritize your safety above all else.”

“Then what about you?”

“I’ll live. And if I get hurt, just pour some antiseptic all over me.”