Raising the Princess to Overcome Death-Chapter 349: Childhood Friends - Thievery

Raising the Princess to Overcome Death-Chapter 349: Childhood Friends - Thievery

“I get it now. I finally know what I have to do.”
Rev's eyes gleamed with newfound determination.
“Lena, I’m heading out for a bit... No, never mind. You’re coming with me.”
“Where to?”
“To see Iina Isadora.”
“At this hour? The sun's already down.”
“Even better.”
Rev strode out of the room without hesitation.
The corridors, eerily quiet, were dimly lit by scattered lanterns hanging on the walls. Though the halls were desolate, the stillness made them feel more oppressive. The Langharang below allowed access to these pathways from anywhere, which only added to the unease.
Behind him, Lena's voice called out.
“Rev, wait up a sec. I need to change. I can’t meet the princess looking like this.”
Lena glanced down at her casual wear. She had been planning to change into a cherished dress given to her by Prince Lean, one she’d been saving for special occasions.
But Rev shook his head.
“That’s fine. We’re not going to meet the princess.” He glanced back, urging her forward. “Hurry up. If we’re too late, it won’t work.”
“Didn’t you just say we’re going to see the princess?”
“We are, but it’s not what you think.” He flashed a mischievous grin. “She’ll come to us. Just wait and see.”
“...???”
Perplexed but curious, Lena followed him.
Rev slid open a paper-paneled sliding door with a faint creak, revealing a staircase Leading down to Langharang. There, a maid stood by as always, ready to assist.
“Welcome... Ah, it’s you, Rev. And Lena too. You scared me for a second.”
“Long time no see, sis. Is it your shift today?”
“Not really. It was supposed to be Laura’s, but she’s running a fever, so I swapped with her.” She raised an eyebrow at them. “What are you two doing at this hour? Need something?”
“Nope, just taking a walk. No need to record it,” Rev replied casually.
“...You’re just like Lena. She’s always asking me not to record things.” She let out a playful sigh, but then smiled. “Fine. Go ahead. Just stay out of trouble, alright?”
“Will do. Hvala ti!” Rev called as he descended the stairs.
The words were in the Aisel Kingdom’s dialect, a casual way of saying “thank you” that was typically used with close friends or lovers. The awkward accent of a foreigner made the maid chuckle.
Ah, I see why people like him so much.
Rev was popular among the servants of the palace—especially the maids. Despite being competent enough to live within the palace, he was neither arrogant nor entitled. He was polite, humble, and always sincere.
Moreover, he carried a subtle air of melancholy, a certain mature sadness that drew people to him. For a boy who wasn’t even an adult yet, that air of quiet maturity was intoxicating to the young maids.
There was even a rumor among them: “If you talk to him and he smiles at you, it’ll awaken your maternal instincts.”
With that in mind, the maid chuckled again.
Maybe Laura isn’t actually sick. Maybe she just didn’t want to miss seeing him today.
***
Rev and Lena descended the stairs, arriving in Langharang. Beneath the royal lodging, the area was filled with facilities for guests. Their destination, however, was the stable.
Rev retrieved two bantes from the stable. The creatures—resembling a cross between a horse and a moose—snorted and pawed at the ground.
Hihing! Pffrrt.
Hihing! Pffrrt.
They neighed in unison, clearly unhappy about being disturbed at such a late hour. Their attitude was identical, like twin siblings grumbling about being woken up.
As Lena mounted one of them, she shot Rev a teasing look.
“Last time you told me to ‘get ready to be amazed,’ it ended up being a whole lot of nothing.”
“...Hey, I didn’t know they’d summon a bante like that,” Rev grumbled. “When Ray and Lean summoned theirs, they looked so cool. I’m telling you, ours just happened to be lazy.”
“Pfft, excuses,” Lena laughed, still grinning. “Fine, I’ll trust you this time.”
Rev clicked his tongue in mild annoyance but passed her a lantern meant for night rides. She accepted it, hanging it on the saddle as she snickered.
“Haha! Alright, I’ll look forward to it. Honestly, last time was fun too.”
“Irat! (Go!)”
Rev and Lena spurred the bantes into motion, riding through the dimly lit streets of Langharang.
The district was a stark blend of wealth and poverty. Crude, cramped shanties were crammed between lavish palace gardens designed to be viewed from above. The smell of damp wood and soil filled the air where the sun never reached, while the moonlit gardens shimmered softly in the night.
In this paradox of grandeur and squalor, Rev rode with purpose. Eventually, he brought his bante to a halt.
“Where is this?” Lena asked, her voice subdued. This place felt... different.
They had arrived at a vast, circular plaza with a roofless dome, open to the sky. It had an almost sacred air about it, and the openness contrasted sharply with the dense city around it.
Rev pointed at the ceiling, where an arched skybridge connected to a higher level.
“See that up there? That’s where the Golden Charter of Cornelius is displayed.”
Her eyes widened.
“The Golden Charter?”
“Yep. Come on, follow me.”
Rev dismounted, tied up the bantes, and started up the grand staircase Leading to the plaza's second floor. They crossed the skybridge. No pillars held it up—it was likely held in place by magic.
As they reached the top, they stepped onto a massive golden platform. It was large enough to fit five large houses. The gold was pure and smooth, and Lena couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.
If this thing’s actually made of solid gold… I’m going to be pissed.
At the center of the platform floated a golden parchment. The light it radiated was gentle but undeniable.
This was The Golden Charter of Cornelius—a relic crafted by the great mage Cornelius. It bore the names of 121 noble houses that formed the Manjaman Imperial Family.
Lena's eyes sparkled with awe as she approached. Her earlier irritation at the wealth on display faded in the face of the charter's magnificence. The gentle waves of gold mingling with the silver moonlight mesmerized her.
Then, Rev muttered something absurd.
“We’re gonna steal it. Watch closely.”
“...Huh?”
Her head snapped toward him.
“WHAT?!” she shrieked. “ARE YOU INSANE?!”
But it was too late.
Rev had already snatched the golden parchment and stuffed it into his coat. Lena was frozen in shock.
“W-WAIT! You’re actually stealing it?! What are you thinking?!”
Rev strode toward the skybridge, moving as if it were nothing.
Lena’s eyes darted around in panic, the image of a hangman’s noose flashing before her eyes.
We’re dead. We’re so, so dead.
Her heart pounded in terror. This wasn't just theft—it was treason. This thing represents the legitimacy of the imperial bloodline! If caught, even hanging would be considered a mercy.
She chased after Rev, desperate to stop him.
“Rev, stop! What are you doing?!”
But the moment Rev stepped onto the bridge, something happened.
The golden parchment in his arms disintegrated into golden mist.
“...Huh?”
The mist scattered and gently blew past Lena, ruffling her hair. The particles swirled, reassembling themselves on the platform. It was as if it had never been touched.
Rev grinned.
“Cool, right?”
The Golden Charter of Cornelius was an indestructible, unstealable artifact. It could not be broken, stolen, or moved. It was displayed for all to see, and its purpose was simple: to remind the world of the nobility of the 121 houses inscribed upon it.
To make sure the world looked up to them.
“OW!”
A sharp pain shot through Rev’s side. Lena had smacked him with all her strength.
“DON’T DO THAT, YOU IDIOT!” she yelled, her face red with fury.
Lena gripped Rev with such ferocity that her gentle demeanor vanished, her expression as fierce as a vengeful spirit.
“You little...! Do you have any idea how badly you scared me?!”
“Ack! Hold on, Lena, wait a second! There’s a reason for— Agh!”
“Shut up and die, you idiot! I’ve let it slide for too long, and now you think you can just mess with me?! Hah?! Where do you think you’re— huh?”
“...What did I tell you?”
Rev muttered while his hair was still caught in Lena’s iron grip. His eyes shifted toward the skybridge. Standing there, watching them with a look of shock, was none other than Princess Iina Isadora.
She came.
[ Achievement Unlocked: Thievery - '1' ]
The chance of being caught by the owner has slightly increased.
Rev remembered the first time he’d seen this message. It was back in Torito when he’d stolen a horse to make a desperate trip to Orville. The horse's name was Kus, and it felt like ages ago.
But now wasn’t the time for nostalgia.
Rev slipped out of Lena’s grip, straightened his clothes, and glanced toward Princess Iina Isadora. He was certain—this woman is the true owner of the Golden Charter.
The princess approached them, her movements slow but deliberate. Her eyes were cloudy, as if covered with a thin fog. Her expression was tinged with both confusion and urgency.
“Sir Rev, is it?” she asked, squinting at him. “My eyesight isn’t very good. Could you please confirm for me—are you Sir Rev?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” he replied with a slight bow.
Good. She didn’t see us acting like fools.
He was relieved, but before he could recover fully, Iina stepped forward and grasped his hand with surprising force. Her voice quivered with desperation.
“Sir Knight... Please, I beg you—help me. I need your help.”
***
Why am I here?
That was the question Iina Isadora couldn’t answer.
She knew better than anyone that this was the last place she should be. She had promised her late mother never to come here. And yet... here she was, having come alone, in the middle of the night.
Am I out of my mind?
Desperation. That had to be it. Things had grown so dire that she’d begun to consider using her final resort—a method she swore never to rely on.
She desperately wanted to stop the war with the Kingdom of Bellita. She had to But there are methods you can use and methods you cannot.
Altering the Golden Charter was one of the latter. It wasn’t just politically reckless—it would expose her greatest secret. That alone made it a line she dared not cross.
Then why am I here?
Ashamed of her own impulsiveness, Iina had decided to turn back.
But at that moment, she heard voices.
A man and a woman were talking ahead of her, their voices echoing faintly in the open plaza.
One of the voices was instantly familiar.
“Surprisingly, he’s the only one who can stand against Count Herman Forte. He’ll join the war and support me.”
Those were the words of Prince Vivian, spoken just earlier that day.
Iina had been startled to learn that there was someone capable of opposing her former husband, Count Forte. At the same time, she resolved to meet that person no matter what.
And now, here he is.
Without a moment's hesitation, she stepped forward.
“Sir Knight... Please, I beg you—help me. I need your help.”
The war had already begun, and there was no turning back.
She wasn’t asking for anything grand. She only wished for a chance to avoid complete devastation. Her resolve was so firm that she would have given away fifteen chests of gold in an instant if it meant success.
But Sir Rev’s gaze was sharp, as if he could see through her heart and soul.
“Of course,” he said with a faint smile. “As long as you give me what I want, I’ll help you.”
“...What do you want?”
“Before that, I’ll need to check something.”
Rev raised his head and looked directly at her. Iina was struck by two realizations.
First, he was far younger than she’d expected.
Second, his actions were incredibly rude.
“Wait, what are you—?!?”
But Rev didn’t answer.
Without a word, he reached toward her neck and grabbed the pendant hanging just above her chest.
Her face flushed in shock.
“W-Wait! What do you think you’re doing?!”
Rev didn’t respond. He was focused on something only he could see.
Ping!
[ This does not belong to you. ]
Rev’s eyes narrowed.
This wasn’t a simple message reminding him that he had taken someone else’s property. No, it was something far more familiar.
He had seen this exact message once before.
It had appeared in the underground temple below the valley where they pursued Halphas.
The moment Ray touched the Soulbound Sword belonging to Rera Ainar, this same message appeared.
That meant...
Rev now understood.
This necklace wasn’t just some trinket.
It’s a soulbound item.
More specifically, it’s our sister Lerialia’s soulbound item.
It could also explain something even bigger.
The object that could alter the Golden Charter—the Royal Seal of Aisel’s former queen—was right here, hidden in plain sight.
Buried between the chest of a half-blind princess.
“...Ah.”
Realizing he’d been grabbing Iina’s pendant far too long, Rev let go and shot a glance at Lena, who looked seconds away from killing him.
He stepped back, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“Forgive me for my rudeness,” he said. “But I have no doubt now. I’ve made my decision.”
He locked eyes with Iina and declared:
“I want that necklace.”
“...How dare you.”
Iina's voice was icy cold.
“This necklace is not something I can simply give away,” she snapped.
“Is it because it’s the last royal seal of the Arcaea Empire?”
Her eyes widened in shock.
“...Wh-What are you talking about? This is just an ordinary pendant I wear for personal reasons.”
“Then surely you wouldn’t mind handing it over?”
“...”
“Ah, but aren’t you curious what I plan to do with it?” Rev smiled shrewdly. “After all, only you can use it as a seal. Princess Elika may have golden eyes, but they’re tainted with hints of orange, disqualifying her. You know this already, don’t you?”
“...”
“Since you seem to understand, I’ll explain my goal.” Rev’s smile grew sharper. “I intend to give the seal to Prince Eric de Yeriel.”
“...Why?”
“To stop the war.”
Rev’s eyes pierced hers.
“Right now, the Kingdom of Aisel is going to be crushed. You know that better than anyone, don’t you? Your ex-husband is unbeatable, and Prince Vivian is Leading only half the army.”
Iina’s lips quivered.
“...That’s true,” she admitted. “The Kyrgyz faction won't send a single soldier to help him.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’ll give the seal to Eric. Do you understand now?”
“...You’re planning to dethrone Prince Oscar,” Iina muttered. “With Eric married to Princess Elika, he’ll be a contender for the throne. If that happens, the war—”
“Will end quickly,” Rev finished for her. “You catch on fast, Princess.”
He stepped forward.
“Now, will you hand over the necklace? I know it’s done nothing but weigh you down.”
He extended his hand with a calm smile.
“Ask me for anything in return, and I’ll grant it.”
Princess Iina Isadora did not know if this man was a knight, a strategist, or a con artist. She wasn’t even sure if he was a commoner.
But the weight of the pendant around her neck suddenly felt unbearable.
His words, however, were light and sweet.
Far too sweet.
With trembling fingers, she unclasped the necklace and placed it in his hand.
The request she made in return was so insignificant compared to the value of the pendant that it almost seemed laughable.
But when she saw Rev’s face, she knew.
I’ve given away something far greater than I can imagine.

Chapter 349: Childhood Friends - Thievery