The Other Side
Hertrude and Marquis Frampton visited the Holfault Kingdom’s treasury within the royal palace.
Numerous treasures and lost items decorated the place.
Among them were many tools of an unknown purpose.
(I found it. I heard that it was in the kingdom’s treasury, but I didn’t think that they’d leave it out in the open like this. Even that marquis doesn’t know its true worth.)
Visiting the treasury, when Hertrude found the item she was looking for, she stood still and spoke.
“Marquis, why don’t you relinquish this item?”
Marquis Frampton stroked his beard while responding to Hertrude’s proposal.
“An arm for ancient armor, is it? This is a very valuable object, so even with my authority, I cannot do much.”
The black, sharp right arm indeed held historical value.
However, it was judged that it could no longer be used now and was there as a decoration.
(Leaving a dangerous object like this out in the open, the kingdom is beyond saving. In order to prevent the off-chance of them using it, it should come to us.)
Unaware of Hertrude’s thoughts, Marquis Frampton displayed a haughty attitude.
“Is there something you want to ask?”
Marquis Frampton made a smile towards Hertrude, who was folding her arms.
“Hohoho, you seem quite interested in it. May I ask what it’s used for?”
Hertrude glared at the newer treasures within the treasury.
One of them was the magic flute──another was a large sword used for armor, treasured by the Principality of Fanoss’ strongest knight, “Bandel Hymn Zenden.”
The sword, which had been handled by a humanoid power suit, was massive and gave off a dignified feeling.
The large sword was a valuable item wielded by Bandel, who was feared as a black knight, and was made from a special metal.
It frustrated her that it was in the kingdom’s treasury despite originally being the principality’s.
“The magic flute and Bandel’s sword were stolen. How about handing over those treasures?”
“Stolen is an unpleasant way to say it. These are treasures that the kingdom obtained.”
Indeed, Leon had stolen the treasures and offered them.
Marquis Frampton had made an evasive and ambiguous reply, but then made a serious facial expression after perceiving that Hertrude was being
serious.
“──Your Highness, do you want this treasure?” “I want it.” “What is it used for?” “It’s an ancient armor part. What use is there other than for appreciation?” “Indeed.” Hertrude was a little nervous. She believed that if she showed too much desire for it, it would be suspicious, but was relieved that she managed to avoid that.
Marquis Frampton changed the topic.
“I was thinking about a friendship with the principality.”
“I’m glad for that.”
Hertrude spoke about being glad, but there was no emotion in her words.
Marquis Frampton, aware of that, continued speaking anyways.
“As a mediator for this friendship, I was thinking about asking his Highness Julian to head to the principality.”
“Isn’t he that saint’s lover?”
“It’s embarrassing to talk about. I wish that his Highness Julian was as self-aware as you are. Now then, onto the main topic──we are ready to transfer a portion of the territory to the principality. However, for that purpose, it is necessary to clean the kingdom.”
Upon hearing Marquis Frampton’s proposal, Hertrude showed more interest.
“──I’d like to hear more about this.”
“The principality can be traced back to a branch of Holfault’s royal family. I was thinking of using this as a chance for a genuine friendship. We can cooperate──don’t you think so?”
Hertrude took a cold attitude in response to Marquis Frampton’s call for cooperation.
“That’s out of the question. You’re saying that we’re going to lay down our arms just because we’re being given a small portion of land? Besides, that talk about transferring land is probably a lie.”
Marquis Frampton shook his head and explained with a smile.
“Your Highness Hertrude, you seem to not know the circumstances of the kingdom. The process of transferring is no problem.”
“What are these circumstances?”
They began to talk about the Holfault Kingdom’s internal affairs.
“There’s an area where a fight will occur with the principality, but the kingdom has no direct control over.”
Some feudal lords resided on floating islands while others were on the mainland.
In other words, although the kingdom had pieces of territory──not all of them were attached to the royal family’s land.
“I see. I almost forgot about Margrave Field’s floating island. Though, that’s not your people’s territory, so there’s no way you would be able to
transfer it.”
The household of one of Marie’s lovers, “Brad Fou Field,” was in the important position of exercising authority over the principality.
There were feudal lords in other lands as well that the kingdom had no right to hand over.
──However…
“Without the support of our kingdom, those rural feudal lords can’t put up much resistance. The principality has no need to deal with such worthless feudal lords, right?”
“That’s one way to put it. I won’t say no to the offer. Though──is there some kind of benefit to this for you people?”
When she held suspicions about the proposal to decrease the amount of land the kingdom had, Marquis Frampton’s mouth formed the shape of a crescent as he smiled.
There was a glint in his eye.
“Your Highness──rural feudal lords are a nuisance for the kingdom.”
“Nuisance, you say.”
(Come to think of it, Marquis Frampton and the Field household are in opposing factions.)
Hertrude accepted the proposal while not wanting to hear any more about the complicated matters of the royal palace.
“Alright. Let’s go with that. If his Highness Julian is becoming a husband, then let’s make this a pre-celebratory gift for him.”
Their focus was on the sharp right arm made for armor.
Marquis Frampton nodded with a smile.
“A splendid deal. Now then, tell me when the principality is ready. I believe that the best scenario is for us to clean up the royal palace and then make peace once the principality achieves victory.”
“──Sure. I promise in my name.”
(His face is telling me that he thinks he got a good deal out of a supposed piece of junk. As if I’m just a young girl in the palm of his hand.) While stopping herself from smiling, Hertrude was relieved that she had accomplished her objective.
(I’ll quickly send this to the principality.)
She then shifted her attention to the magic flute.
(Rauda──I know you’ll resent me for being foolish sister.)
While biting her lip, she took action in order to achieve yet another objective. “What about Viscount Baltfault? You made sure to seize the lost item, right?”
Marquis Frampton ceased his smile and nodded.
“Yes, the airship he calls Partner and the armor with the showy name of Arroganz are in our possession. They’ll be analyzed soon. I wanted that little brat to be executed at once, but the queen seems to have taken him as a pet. We’re having a small amount of trouble.”
Hearing that, Hertrude smiled.
She was convinced that the Holfault Kingdom would no longer be able to use its trump card.
(The principality will have the advantage once Viscount Baltfault is gone. Judging from that familiar’s attitude, they won’t be able to control the airship or armor.)
“I see. With the marquis still there, the kingdom is safe. How close is it until the day you’re named as the prime minister?”
Hearing the words “prime minister,” Marquis Frampton made a smile.
“No no, having me be something like the prime minister is preposterous.”
(Lies. You were planning that from the very start. You must have done a lot of reckless actions to prevent the Redgrave family from ascending to the prime minister position. However, thanks to that, my objective was accomplished. Thank you, foolish prime minister.)
Hertrude asked Marquis Frampton a question.
“I’d like to quickly send a letter to the principality. Could you arrange an airship?”
“We’ll arrange one at once.”
◇
A group stood in sky above the Principality of Fanoss.
The former black knight, “Bandel Hymn Zenden,” stood on an airship coming back from the kingdom.
Upon receiving a delivered item, he didn’t understand what it was.
He knew that it was some part for armor, but didn’t recognize it.
It made no sense for it to be one right arm.
“This is from the princess?”
“Indeed. We were told that it’s an important item.”
Bandel had a noticeable scar from his brow to the top of his head.
He was such a strong knight that one wouldn’t believe he was beyond middle age.
“Could it be that──this is a lost item?”
“Indeed. It was found in the kingdom’s treasury.”
Bandel wasn’t the only one on the airship.
“Garrett,” who used to serve as a messenger with the kingdom before, was there too. He stroked his jaw with his hand, a habit formed from the facial hair that he no longer had.
His eyes burned with a passion for revenge.
“I would have preferred if the princess had sent an item that was a little more useful. Has the execution of that ‘heretic knight’ even happened yet?”
Heretic knight──was an alias used by the principality for Leon.
His actions strayed from the path of a knight, resulting in that nickname.
Though Leon didn’t kill his enemies, the knights and soldiers who returned home were slandered by the principality’s nobles and citizens.
It was as Leon had said it would be.
Bandel was treated as a senile man and lost his title as the black knight.
“I will not tolerate the princess being insulted.”
However, he still retained his dignity.
Upon being glared at, Garrett shifted his gaze towards a letter, as if to escape from Bandel.
“I, I didn’t intend such──hmm?”
After a brief period of time──Garrett’s eyes widened when looking at the letter, shifting his gaze numerous times between the black, sharp right arm and the letter.
“C, could it be?”
“What happened?”
When Bandel asked that question while folding his arms, Garrett raised his voice in joy.
“Black Knight. No, former Black Knight──are you ready to give up your life?”
Bandel laughed scornfully at Garrett’s words.
“I’m an already an old fool who’s died as a knight. I’ll do anything to help the princess.”
“Splendid! Then, let me explain. This is a piece of an ancient──no, legendary armor. A lost item that only a portion of the royal family even knows about.”
As everyone gazed at the armor’s right hand, Garrett opened his arms.
“What a wonderful gift! Her Highness Princess Hertrude carried out her duty well. With this, her younger sister, her Highness ‘Princess Hertrauda Sera Fanoss,’ has no enemies! This time, even the heretic knight has no chance!”
“It can even compete against the heretic knight?”
“Yes, there’s a good chance of success. However──it seems that the heretic knight has currently been betrayed by his country and imprisoned. Just as he deserves.”
“It’s a shame that we won’t be able to finish him off in a battlefield.”
“I can’t comprehend the feelings of a military man. However, thanks to this, one of her Highness Hertrauda’s enemies has disappeared.”
Hertrude’s younger sister was Hertrauda, the second princess.
A trump card of the principality leading fleets and monsters in the sky.
Bandel squinted, staring at the armor’s right arm.
“I’ll help Hertrude. Even if it means giving up my life.”
Bandel tightly grasped his fist while next to Garrett, who was joyed that he could get revenge over his moustache.
◇
I was in a dungeon within the royal palace.
The damp place was chilly and ice cold.
The air was stagnant and it was not a place I wanted to be in for long.
Since I had to be a prisoner, my hands were cuffed. As I was yawning, the jailer gave me a signal. It seems that a visitor arrived. That person made a complaint upon seeing me. “I misjudged you, Baltfault!” The owner of that grand voice was the one who would most likely become the ruler of the royal palace.
It was Julian.
He might have been angry at me, but I’m irritated that he’s here as well.
“Who are you?”
When I acted as if I didn’t know who he was, his face turned red.
“Julian! ‘Julian Rafua Holfault’! That’s beside the point, explain your betrayal! I thought you were a coward, but I didn’t think that you’d do this!”
He was speaking recklessly.
It seems that despite how sly Julian believed I was, he didn’t think I would betray the kingdom.
──However, now that I think about it, it wouldn’t be strange for me to betray you guys.
And you’re the cause of that. This is your fault.
No, wait a minute. Rather than it being him, perhaps marriage is the cause? Each time I search for marriage, it results in catastrophe and I’ve thought about abandoning this country many times.
“I didn’t betray the kingdom. I’m being falsely accused. Save me, Prince.”
“You’re still at it with the jokes. Tell me everything, Baltfault.”
It seems that he isn’t going to help me.
Well, if our positions were swapped, I wouldn’t help Julian out either, I suppose.
In the first place, this guy doesn’t have much authority.
“Tell you what?”
“You’ve got a big attitude despite standing before me.”
“Do you think that I have any attachment to a country that’s treating me like a traitor and sending me to execution? I’ll make you regret this someday, so remember this. I’m a guy who strikes back after getting hit.”
“Is that so? I actually have something to say, so let’s get this over with.”
He proceeded to speak about the situation regarding me.
“Your Partner and Arroganz have been seized by the kingdom’s chivalric order. It seems they can’t operate it, so there’s no problem there.”
That’s quite the problem for me.
I’m not worried since Luxon will handle it, but I am discomforted.
“There’s a push to execute you, but there’s also a push to protect you. Perhaps you’re caught in the middle of a factional dispute, but the situation is
strange.”
From my point of view, the royal palace is always strange.
They’ve been giving me promotion after promotion. I don’t think it’s only this occasion in particular that things are strange. It’s strange all the time, so if there are any periods of normalcy, then do tell me.
“So?”
“Baltfault──why did you betray us? What are you scheming this time?”
Quite harsh of him to assume that I’m scheming something, let alone betray the country.
Am I that cruel of a person?
“I said that I’m being falsely accused. There’s someone who’s out to get me.”
“What?!”
What are you surprised about?! You’re the prince who lived in the royal palace, right? Use your noggin a little! You’re too naive.
“You thought I was betraying the kingdom? If I were to betray it, I would have done something with a little more force.”
“I suppose you’re right. If it was you, there would have been more force to it──and you would keep doing things just to spite us.”
Though convinced, Julian annoyed me. What kind of trust do you have towards me?
So Julian revealed what was on his mind, but why is he here to consult me?
“I’m not experienced in war, but I’m sensing that some conflict will arise soon.”
I was about to tell him that it would be a rebellion at worst, but I closed my mouth.
After all, the Holfault Kingdom is a large country with many foes.
There are numerous enemies hostile towards the kingdom, such as the principality.
Under such circumstances, it’s frightening to think about the verge of a rebellion, or the principality’s schemes.
I’ve got a bad feeling.
“──Is there some kind of corrective force?”
I can’t help but feel that some mysterious power is at work, forcing events to realign with the story of that otome game.
Julian was puzzled by my mutters.
“Corrective? What are you talking about, Baltfault?”
“The story. I’m being detained here, so I don’t know the full story of what’s going on.”
Julian put his hand on his jaw and pondered about something, so I made a request.
“Hey, let me out.”
“I cannot. I have no authority right now.”
Useless prince. Well, I suppose trouble would arise if he let me out.
All things considered──I’ve got some suspicions.
The magic flute, the principality’s trump card, has a potent ability and is being kept under strict safekeeping by the kingdom.
Hertrude’s absent from the principality, so the country wouldn’t make a move right now.
However, Hertrude’s been acting strangely.
It’s like there’s this corrective force that’s making reality follow the story.
“──This really is a terrible world.”
Ignoring my mumbling this time, Julian quickly left the dungeon.
If things keep progressing according to the story, I need to run.
I──no, even Luxon won’t be able to win against the principality’s trump card.
Passing by Julian was Hertrude, coming over to the dungeon. The jailer left the scene upon receiving something from Hertrude.
During that period, he glanced at me and walked out.
“Quite the predicament you’re in.”
“And I’m sure you know who exactly is to blame for this. Actually, are you even allowed to roam around the royal palace?”
“That is irrelevant. I’ve gotten permission. Also, I’m not the one who got you arrested. Indeed, I requested that you be restricted, but the rough treatment you’ve gotten is the result of the kingdom’s nobles.”
I’m guessing you had a hand in that. As I made a sour expression, she leaned in towards the iron bars. Choosing to specifically approach someone when they’re down on their luck──what a crooked trick.
“Do you want me to let you out? Rather than serving a country like this, you could serve the Principality of Fanoss. I promise you will receive a proper treatment. I can let you live the peaceful life that you’ve always wanted.”
I felt a twitch inside me.
It seems that this person has been investigating what I wanted.
In comparison, the kingdom doesn’t even try to understand me at all──how sad.
“How foolish. I can’t help but see the nobles of this country as people who scorn the principality and only use you for a factional dispute. They wanted to use me and crush you.”
Despite being in similar ranks, she was vastly different from Julian.
It seems that she’s more capable.
“Down on your knees in front of me. I can make you my knight. Instead of devoting yourself to a corrupt kingdom, you should follow your desires. I can promise you a peaceful life without status or honor.”
Hertrude faced me with a smile.
“I refuse.”
Hertrude, whose smile now showed some irritation, seemed curious about why I would refuse.
“Is the kingdom that important to you? You’re a feudal lord noble, right? I can even allow your entire family to come to our side as well.”
“It’s a tempting offer, but I’m not planning to do business with someone I don’t trust.”
In first place, the principality isn’t fond of me.
Speaking of which, you’re the one with a grudge against me.
Luxon, who had been hiding, showed up and joined the conversation.
[Are you the ones who arrested Master in fear? How cliche of you to offer a hand to him now that he’s weakened. Do you think that he’s lost his judgement?]
Hertrude shifted her gaze to Luxon.
“How uncouth of a familiar to eavesdrop.”
[If you really did plan to take in Master──if you did plan to keep your promise, I would have helped persuade him.]
“What an uncouth familiar indeed. Spouting all that while not believing I would take him in.”
In the end, what she said so far was a lie.
──How sad. It was an attractive offer, so it stirred some reaction within me.
Hertrude stepped away from the iron bars and spoke in a cold voice.
“You can stand proud. You’ve been judged as an obstacle to us.”
I sat down on a bed, watching as Hertrude left the dungeon.
“She hates me quite a bit.”
Perhaps it was my imagination, but did I see a hint of loneliness from Hertrude?
[She doesn’t seriously hate you.]
“Excuse me?”
[If she had a grudge against you and nothing else, there would be no need for her to speak with you. So I believe that if you follow through with her offer, she will at least guarantee your life.]
“──That’s a shame, I would’ve accepted if she had been more serious about it.”
[That’s a lie. Even if Hertrude had been serious, you wouldn’t betray the kingdom, Master.]
“You never know. It depends on the conditions.”
[──Is that so? By the way, the perpetrator who planted the false evidence
in your room was Meole.]
“Isn’t he my sister’s exclusive servant?”
[You’ve incurred their enmity, Master. Do you want to deal with them immediately?]
“You’re a dangerous thing, aren’t you. Though──”
[Oh, the jailer is back.]
The returning jailer spoke to me. Luxon took the opportunity to disappear.
“Viscount, which do you prefer, coffee or black tea?”
“Black tea. I’d like some good tea leaves as well.”
“No can do, you won’t find high quality tea leaves in here.”
“All things considered, I’ve gone from the leader of some bodyguards to a prisoner. What is going on with my life?” “I was surprised as well. This might be the first time this has happened in the kingdom.”
I’m not pleased at all though.
The jailer headed out once more to prepare some tea. As I yawned, Luxon reappeared.
Once my handcuffs were removed, I toyed around with them using my finger.
[Aren’t you too relaxed for being in a dungeon? You should be a bit more tense.]
“No thanks, I’m tired. At any rate, it’s a relief that I was able to get close with Milaine. It would be no laughing matter if I was sent to torture right after being arrested.”
[If that were to happen, I would promptly rescue you and sink this continent. Or I would, with the exception of those close to you, purge the──]
“Stop. I’m not a fan of massacres.”
[──How spineless.]
I forgot to mention this, but this thing said stuff like “exterminate the new humans” when I first found it.
Truthfully, this thing is the most dangerous being in this world.
However, even Luxon can’t beat the final boss.
It wouldn’t lose, but──it wouldn’t win either.
The saint’s power, Livia’s power, and “love” are needed for the finale.
One might wonder what in the world I’m doing here.
There’s a reason for all of this, starting from the day I was captured.
◇
──It was during the day I was arrested.
I was taken to the royal palace and faced two people inside a room.
“Well Gilbert, they got me.”
I still had the composure to speak in jest──want to know why? I already knew that I was going to be arrested at some point.
However, the two in front of me didn’t laugh at my banter.
One of them was Anjie’s older brother and the heir of the Redgrave household, “Gilbert Fou Redgrave.”
Gilbert had a relieved expression.
“You’re certainly calm. It seems that the nobles who judged you as a threat weren’t wrong. I commend your courage to joke around under these circumstances.”
Courage? That’s not it. I already knew about this in advance, so I was able to prepare myself to a certain extent.
The other person there, Milaine, began speaking about the main issue at hand.
“Leon, the head the current largest faction, Marquis Frampton, is making his move.”
──Those who stick out too much tend to be dealt with.
There are a lot of people who didn’t like the fact that a youth like me happened to be promoted, an unprecedented matter.
The principality took advantage of their envy.
“The royal palace is no longer unified. Many factions are bustling about, each with their own motives. Do you understand the meaning of that?”
“Do the marquis and principality have common interests?”
Gilbert nodded.
“Indeed. With his Highness losing his position, the Redgrave household’s
faction weakened. As a result, Marquis Frampton grew in power──so in a sense, you’re the cause of this.”
“Me?”
Milaine spoke about the lost item I had──Luxon.
“Let’s say that many are wary about the single airship that drove away the principality’s fleet. The marquis who’s wary of you and the principality that bears a grudge against you then decide to join forces. It’s a likely story, don’t you agree?”
The marquis’ faction gained power because of me?
I thought that was supposed to sarcastic, but Milaine said otherwise.
“Leon, you’re a bigger threat to them than the principality. Marquis
Frampton is particularly cautious about you.”
“Huh? Err, but──”
Gilbert was shocked at me being surprised.
“Think about it. The fact that you beat dozens of airships means that you alone carry the strength of a military. I know that you don’t plan on starting a rebellion against the kingdom. However, do you think that everyone trusts you? Even if they do trust you, can they really tell themselves that you’ll never oppose them?”
Perhaps I’m──err, Luxon is more frightening than the principality?
That isn’t wrong, but aren’t they pretty stupid for joining hands with the principality?
“Could it be that they’re underestimating the principality since their troops lost to me?”
“There are indeed people who will make jokes about it, but those who’ve experienced war understand how big the threat is. They haven’t spoken their thoughts out loud, but they’ve probably been in a panic.”
I wish they had been more wary of Marie and the principality.
“So now I’m under arrest for false charges?”
“Sorry, but you’ll have to enter the dungeon. It’s safer this way.”
So basically, with me being under arrest, the marquis’ faction will feel safe and will want to take action. It seems that the Redgrave household, whose faction has weakened, is having a rough time.
It also seems that Milaine is struggling as well.
“The situation is different than it was a few months ago. Leon, it wouldn’t be strange if you were to be assassinated.”
This is no laughing matter. Hearing that made me break out in a cold sweat.
“I felt that the knights who arrested me seemed enthusiastic, or that they had a grudge──could it be?”
“It’s not your imagination. It’s a relief that we picked you up along the way.”
Gilbert’s words made me feel a chill run down my spine. It seems that the situation was more dangerous than I expected.
“You’re safe in the royal palace. This is the best we can do for now. It’s not just the faction opposing the duke household. There are many nobles who
think you’re a danger. There are many nobles who want to take your lost item and use it for power.”
Milaine explained it as if speaking to a small child.
Milaine as a mother──gives me a weird feeling, but I’ll leave it at that.
Gilbert spoke while seeming tense.
“Marquis Frampton, perhaps relieved that you’ve been arrested, is now beginning to pull out all the stops in order to seize power. We’re going to be quite busy.”
Milaine spoke of something eerie.
“I’m hesitant to be in the royal palace since the atmosphere is ominous. We may have a rebellion on our hands if we aren’t careful, I suppose. If her Highness Hertrude makes a move as well, then the principality will be there with her, which could get dreadful.”
Is there really a rebellion in the making?
Now that I’ve been dealt with, they’re focusing on the power struggle now──it seems that Marquis Frampton will be a pain.
If they didn’t involve me in this, I would have just left this all alone though.
Well, there’s also the matter of Marie, and if I were to look carefully at the situation──
“This isn’t a case of a rebellion.”
Milaine then spoke.
“I understand that. However, knowing Marquis Frampton, he may see this
as a chance. A chance to suppress the Redgrave household and gain power in the kingdom. This may be a tight situation. In this case, you’ve become a victim, Leon.”
──How awful can this get? I’d rather not get involved in a power struggle.
To make matters worse, it’s especially awful that they joined hands with our opponents, the principality, for the sake of this power struggle.
Though vexed, Gilbert seemed to understand Marquis Frampton’s behavior.
“By joining forces with the principality, he wants to seize power, even if it means suffering some losses.”
“Not a pleasant topic.”
“Indeed. Not a pleasant thing to talk about.”
Blaming Gilbert for this situation won’t do anything, so I asked a question.
“Do Anjie and the others know that I’m being protected?”
“They don’t. Or rather, we can’t tell them. Your safety is a top-secret matter that only a few people know about. Due to that, I had to send a complaint to her Highness Hertrude by myself.”
“──Is that alright?”
“You’ll be released soon, so don’t worry. Are you concerned?”
“Of course.”
They’re one of few ideal girls in the school.
Furthermore──these are my friends that we’re talking about. Of course I’d be worried.
“Oh my.”
Milaine placed her hand over her mouth and smiled. Is she having another misunderstanding now?
Good grief──what a cute person.
Gilbert spoke while seeming a bit happier.
“Well then, there’s something I have to ask you.”
“Something you want to ask me?”
◇
──That’s how it went.
I’m trapped in a dungeon, acting like bait.
And the ones I’ve been able to lure are people like Julian and Hertrude.
They’re looking for people who’ll make contact with me.
“Are they going to go through with it?”
[──Recently, there have been people investigating your surroundings,
Master. Do you think their aim was for intelligence gathering or assassination?]
“Huh? Could it be that you knew? You should have told me then!”
[Be relieved. I won’t let you be assassinated, Master.]
No, tell me. Doesn’t this make me look like an idiot whose been wasting time without caring about it?
“Tell me about these kinds of things from now on.”
[On a different note──the kingdom is quite weak.]
“Changing the subject, are we? Though, I do agree that the kingdom is weak.”
After all, there’s a factional dispute in the royal palace, the principality’s gotten involved, and now I’ve been tossed into a dungeon.
I’m also concerned about Hetrude’s actions. It’s strange that she isn’t returning the magic flute to the principality, isn’t it?
“Hertrude’s is persistent too. No wait, perhaps it’s the principality that’s persistent? They’re using the kingdom’s power struggle to tear it down from the inside out──whatever happened to that otome game’s trivial setting? Isn’t this setting too muddy? There sure are a lot of power struggles.”
[──Master, Holfault Kingdom’s strange system of government is not something to consider from a normal perspective.]
“Why?”
[They’re raising the dissatisfaction of rural feudal lords on purpose. It wouldn’t be strange for a rebellion to occur.]
“Oh really? So things weren’t just because of my household having a lot of debt.”
[Don’t use your household as a basis, Master.]
“So, what are your thoughts?”
[I think that the kingdom might have some kind of secret weapon, just like how the principality has one.]
A trump card, is it?
Assuming that it might exist, could it be that?
“Could it likely be that?”
[──If there’s something you’re thinking about, I’d prefer if you talked with me about it.]
“My bad. However, it shouldn’t work without Livia. ──Well then, what should we do now?”
[First, we destroy the new humans──]
“Rejected. Give me a serious answer.”
[I was being serious though.]
“You really are frightening sometimes. What I’m asking is what will happen at the rate things are going. Which do you think will win──the Redgrave household or the Frampton household?”
[Such a thing has already been decided. ──It depends on your feelings, Master.]
◇
Anjie, after being released, immediately headed towards the duke household’s residence.
Anjie’s father, Vince, was waiting for her at that residence within the royal capital.
She was about to report the matter regarding Hertrude until something occurred.
“Could it be revenge? How petty. Nevertheless, the kingdom has many traitors.”
“Father, please release Leon. Leon has done nothing wrong!”
Vince’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t be so spoiled. These kinds of things are a daily occurrence in the royal palace. Even if I could release him with my authority, neither his important airship nor the armor will return to him.”
Vince’s words shocked Anjie.
“──Are you saying that Leon is worthless without the lost item? Leon has been through so much for my sake up until now.”
Vince spoke coldly to Anjie.
“And what of it? His promotions were no doubt due to the power of his lost item. I’ll admit that he has courage. However, what worth does he have without the lost item?”
Anjie clenched her fist and cast her eyes downward while seeming frustrated.
“B, benefactor. Leon is my benefactor!”
“I already repaid him for what he did. Return to the academy.”
“──!”
Anjie stormed out of the room.
Watching his daughter storm out of the room, Vince made a small sigh.
“Good grief──why can’t she be more honest?”
He stood up after seeing his awkward daughter leave the scene.
Thereupon, Gilbert entered the room.
“Father, why did Anjie storm out with such a face?”
“I’ll keep an eye on her, so don’t worry. This may be painful for Anjie, but I don’t know what she would do if she knew the truth. That girl is too emotional. Why can’t she let her feelings clear?”
“Up until now, she had been raised to be useful for a specific household. Would she not be troubled when she’s suddenly told about free love? It’s understandable once you realize the circumstances.”
Vince made a slight chuckle.
“There are various tricky problems regarding that matter. If we’re too forceful, the other household will complain. Besides, it depends on the feelings of that child. Is their relationship just as friends, or perhaps──”
Gilbert nodded his head, as if convinced of something.
For the time being, he left aside what Anjie said and reported what he investigated.
“I’ve looked into those who have made contact with the viscount inside the dungeon. It appears that there are those who are upset that they cannot operate Partner. A portion of them are making a clamor about trying to kill him to see if it’ll accept a new master. They’ve made a direct appeal to his Majesty about executing him soon.”
Vince folded his arms.
“Are they afraid of the viscount? Well, I suppose that’s inevitable. After all, he’s a knight who single-handedly forced the principality’s troops to retreat. Perhaps they’re anxious about the possibility that he’ll point his blade at them.”
From the viewpoint of the faction opposing the duke household, they didn’t know when Leon would point that blade towards them.
Vince understood their anxiety.
“The people from the temple are also beginning to make noise. Though this is a power struggle, at this point, there’s a limit to how much things can escalate. If not taken care of properly, the country will be divided by a civil war.”
Vince unfolded his arms and spoke as such.
“The time has come. Sooner or later, all the pressure that been built up will erupt. Nevertheless, it seems I have many enemies.”
Vince, who led what had been the largest faction up until a while ago, was struggling to deal with the marquis’ rising faction.
“──It seems you did something foolish, Malcom.”
Speaking the name of Marquis Frampton, Vince looked at Gilbert and smiled.
“Gilbert──don’t you agree that Anjie’s eye for people is quite something?”
Gilbert had an indescribable expression.
If it wasn’t for Anjie, the duke household would have also been wary of Leon.
The engagement with Julian being broken off was a hard blow──but thanks to that, they managed to win over Leon.
“In a sense, we were lucky. We don’t have to shoulder around ‘his Highness the Prince,’ so I suppose you’re right.”
Vince agreed with that opinion.
“Now then, return to your territory and prepare for war. There’s something I have to do here.”
Gilbert nodded and briskly exited the room.
Vince then headed towards the royal palace.
◇
Floating above the academy was a warship owned by the kingdom’s army.
Knights wearing armor were keeping an eye on the surroundings, and both knights and soldiers were dispatched to the ground.
Amidst the overdone policing, the academy’s students picked up on the tense mood.
It felt like the tension before a war.
Once returning, Anjie saw Livia running over.
As she approached, she grabbed her arms and spoke at a close distance.
“Anjie! It’s Leon! Leon’s been arrested!”
Seeing Livia’s confused state, Anjie held back her tears.
There were other students around and above all, she was in front of the school gate. There were many people.
“I know. Let’s head inside.”
Anjie took Livia with her and headed towards the girls’ dorms.
Livia was worried about the situation.
“Leon was taken away, Clarice and the others are away from the academy as well. What in the world is happening?”
It wasn’t just the royal palace that was hectic.
The academy was also affected.
“There’s a war.”
“War?!”
“Quiet. Don’t speak so loudly.”
They quickly entered Livia’s room.
Anjie, relieved after entering the room, then fell over.
While supporting herself using Livia’s body, she sat down on a bed and began to speak.
“There are people who are linked with the principality. Those people arrested Leon and threw him into the royal palace’s dungeon. They seized Partner and Arroganz as well.”
“W, what! Leon has done nothing wrong!”
“That’s irrelevant. Leon’s an obstacle to them. ──If only I had more power, I would have been able to protect him.”
Seeing Anjie, who felt pathetic and down, Livia spoke as if something flashed into her mind.
“The queen! If we ask Milaine──”
Anjie shook her head, believing that if Milaine had done something, she would have known. Since Leon received no assistance, the queen probably can’t do anything.
“Milaine can’t do anything. I thought she’d lend a hand, but since she isn’t, that must mean someone is negating her orders. Or perhaps it’s a case where she can’t afford to get involved with Leon.”
The marquis’ faction suddenly began to move.
Anjie knew the meaning of this.
After checking with the information from her home, she understood what it meant, even if she didn’t like it. “Livia, there’s going to be a power struggle within the royal palace. If not handled properly, it will turn into a civil war.”
“Huh? W, why?!”
In response to Livia, who was surprised to hear about a civil war, Anjie spoke her thoughts.
“We’re in a state of high alert. My father and brother are moving about, so it’s already as if a war has begun, with no blood being spilt on the royal palace.”
Anjie believed that the airship arriving at the academy was to be deployed
in case something happened.
(If that’s the case, did my father or Milaine have a hand in the airship at the academy?)
Vince said that it was standing by at the academy, so the academy was likely safe.
While she was thinking about such things, Livia seemed uneasy and asked something.
“──What will happen to Leon?”
For a moment, Anjie thought about making a lie to relieve her, but──told Livia the truth.
“I’m sorry. My household has given up on Leon. They see no value in him now that his lost item is gone. I don’t know if Milaine will help him either. If worst comes to worst, he will be executed.”
Livia hung her head upon hearing that, then suddenly stood up.
She was about to head out of the room with an unsteady walk, so Anjie grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Where are you going?!”
“Anjie──I’m sorry. I want to help Leon. For that, I want to try anything I can.”
“You──”
While crying, Livia attempted to leave the room.
Anjie guessed what she was possibly thinking about.
“Wait. ──I’m going too.”
So, Anjie and Livia both left the room together and decided to turn towards someone who could potentially help Leon.
◇
Being the saint, the academy provided a special room for Marie. It was the biggest room in the girls’ dorm──used by noble daughters with ranks equal to that of Anjie’s.
In that room, Marie sat on a sofa with her legs crossed.
She felt refreshed to see the two standing before her.
“You want me to help that mob guy? Why should I?”
While Marie’s followers laughed, Anjie once again pleaded to her.
“I judged that you could help since you’re the saint. Please──I want you to help Leon.”
Livia nodded her head.
“Please! Please save Leon.”
Marie took a sip of her drink while making a triumphant smile.
(I was overjoyed when hearing about that mob guy being arrested, but I didn’t expect to feel this good seeing these two beg me for help!)
The one that the two turned to was──the saint, Marie.
(Well, I have no obligation to help that guy and I don’t know how I would either though.)
Though Marie was the saint, she hasn’t been one for a long time and she didn’t know how to influence an organization.
She didn’t know the procedure to release Leon, but nevertheless, she decided to use this opportunity.
She looked at Anjie and Livia, then spoke.
“You’ve said so many things to me before, though.”
Anjie apologized.
“P, please forgive me. I was foolish.”
“Of course! And you, the naive one.”
“Y, yes!”
Marie asked a question to Livia, who she called naive.
“Don’t you think there’s a courtesy to asking a favor?”
“Courtesy? U, umm──”
Marie spoke to a stumped Livia.
“You two──kneel down before me in front of the public. If you do that, I’ll think about doing something for that mob guy.”
Though Marie gave that condition, she had different intentions on the inside.
(Anjelica’s pride is too high for her to agree to that. Perhaps Olivia would do it, but there’s no point since I said for the both of them to kneel. Well, I’d be worried if they did agree though.)
──Those were her thoughts.
◇
Marie was regretful.
She was in the academy’s plaza.
(No way. Why? Why did it come to this?!)
She was breaking into a cold sweat.
A ring of people surrounded Marie.
In the center were Marie and her followers.
“Look, Marie. Look at the pitiful state of these people.”
“The duke’s daughter and the commoner are both bowing their heads.
Furthermore, their foreheads are against the floor.”
“How unsightly.”
The surrounding students were laughing.
Next to Marie, Kyle was quite dispirited.
“Is it okay going this far? Honestly, even I don’t want to see anymore of this.”
In the plaza, Livia and Anjie were kneeling down together──and in front of both the protagonist and villainess was Marie, who kept sweating.
They did what she told them to do. Despite that──she didn’t think they would actually follow through with it.
No matter how cocky Marie might be, even this wasn’t something she could laugh at.
(Wait! Seriously, wait! I told them to kneel because I didn’t think they’d do it! I have no idea what to do about their issue!)
In the first place, Marie couldn’t think of a way to help Leon.
Now she would need to revoke her promise despite the fact that the two had kneeled.
She could hear laughter directed towards the two. ──The people around were more elated than Marie.
“How pathetic for the duke’s daughter.”
“To think that I was a follower of such a person. I’m going to cry. Did her pride as a noble disappear?”
“It’s for the sake of that guy. What’s even good about that Baltfault?”
People who used to be Anjie’s followers whispered amongst each other.
If a person of high status bows their head so easily, they will lose authority.
That’s why Marie thought Anjie wouldn’t actually do it.
Marie’s followers took an arrogant attitude towards Anjie and Livia.
“Hey, do a proper job at making your request to Marie!”
When Anjie bowed down and pleaded with “I want you to save Leon’s life,” they further toyed with her.
“That’s not how you do it, right? There’s a specific way you need to make a request, isn’t there? Could it be that the duke’s daughter is unaware of how to ask people for something?”
“Please save Leon’s life, M, Marie!”
Marie couldn’t speak to the one who forced the prideful Anjie to bow down and address her politely.
“Commoner, speak too.”
“Please save Leon, Marie.”
“What a wretched state you’re in now that Baltfault’s gone. You’ve been hiding behind that man for protection.”
Marie’s followers and the surrounding students laughed.
(Huh? What? These followers are scary. Aren’t these guys just using my name to vent their anger? I can’t put my trust in them.) Turning away from the fact that she told them to kneel down, Marie felt a disconnect with the surrounding people.
Then──
“Marie, here’s a footrest.”
One of Marie’s followers pointed at Anjie’s head.
“Huh?!”
The other followers went along with it.
“Oh, in that case, you should use the duke’s daughter as a chair and the commoner as a footrest.”
“Aren’t you glad to be the saint’s chair, Anjelica?”
“Say something!”
Marie wanted to shout at the girl trampling down on Anjie.
(What are you all doing?! Are you going to destroy me? If that mob guy finds out what happens, he’ll definitely come for revenge! H, he’s going to kill me!)
Imaging Leon carrying a rifle with a blank expression, Marie’s legs couldn’t stop trembling.
(R, right. Doesn’t he have a cheat item? If he does get angry, I’m──)
A hand intervened to stop the follower who was escalating the situation, and that hand belonged to──Julian.
“You two have shown your readiness. Marie, this doesn’t need to go any further.”
Brad then spoke.
“Right. Now that it’s come to this, we have to show our sincerity.”
Jilk nodded.
“Let bygones be bygones. Marie, let’s forgive them.”
Chris agreed.
“If we disgrace them anymore, your name will be tarnished, Marie.”
Greg struck his palm with his fist and then smiled at Marie.
“They’ve done this much. Let’s help Baltfault, Marie.”
Since this world didn’t have a culture based around kneeling down like this, they forgave them since they went this far. However, Leon would understand the meaning of someone performing this action. (TLN: Japan has this “dogeza culture,” where kneeling down with one’s forehead touching the floor, which is called a dogeza, is viewed as a very strong and self-humiliating apologizing style.)
After all, he was a fellow reincarnator.
Marie trembled when thinking about what would happen if Leon caught wind of this.
(Not good. If I tell them that I can’t actually help──my life is over. Or rather, that guy can probably break out with his own power. I don’t need to do anything. This is pretty stupid, isn’t it?)
Marie, unable to do anything, asked the five confident guys for help.
“Everyone, can I ask you for help?”
The five turned to Marie and nodded, then departed from the venue.
In any case, Marie wanted to escape from the situation.
When she turned her back to the two, who were still kneeling, and walked away as if ignoring them, her followers went with her.
“How generous of you, Marie.”
“If it were me, I would trample on them.”
“Oh, if it were me, I would strip them of their clothes and make them apologize.”
Hearing her followers utter such things, Marie felt uneasy.
(This isn’t funny. ──It really isn’t. I don’t understand these followers. Who are these people? They’re completely different from what I thought they were.)
Amongst the boisterous followers, Cara was the only one who followed behind Marie silently.
◇
Marie had left.
While the surrounding people were laughing, Anjie and Livia stood up.
The voices of those around them were cold.
“They’re going that far?”
“Oh, how the duke household has fallen. She doesn’t understand the meaning of bowing her head.” “What a lowly woman indeed. Getting along with the likes of commoners.”
The two walked away from the scene while being ridiculed.
Livia spoke to Anjie.
“It would have been better if it was just me, so why did you do it too,
Anjie? Um──with your household’s position and all.”
Anjie made a somewhat sorrowful smile.
“I thought that this was the best choice. Perhaps this might be bad for my household. However, above all, I wanted to help Leon. I really am a fool,
aren’t I?”
Anjie, who had bowed her head to Marie, spoke as such──and wept. “With this, I’ve really abandoned myself. I’ve sullied my house’s name.
However, even so──if it means helping Leon, that’s okay.” Somehow, Anjie seemed a little refreshed. She had been robbed of her fiance, Julian, by Marie and the engagement was broken off. It was painfully bitter for Anjie to bow down to Marie. (──To think Anjie would do this much for Leon.) Livia’s chest ached when comparing herself to Anjie.
◇
A group amassed above the Principality of Fanoss’ skies. A fleet, with a floating island that had been turned into an airship serving as a flagship, covered the skies. There were over one hundred and fifty airships, along with monsters surrounding them. It didn’t matter that the magic flute was with the kingdom. After all, there existed another magic flute with the principality. The user of that magic flute was the second princess, Hertrauda. She was fourteen years old.
She had smooth black hair, just like her older sister.
Though they were alike, Hertrauda was superior when it came to using a magic flute.
She was able to command numerous monsters, and the magic flute itself was more powerful than the one Hertrude had.
Originally, Hertrude’s team should have been enough to sink the kingdom. However, Leon had single-handedly ruined their plans, causing the principality to be in a mad rush.
The principality didn’t originally intend for Hertrauda to depart for the front. The one who changed that was Leon.
“That heretic knight can’t do anything. Is that correct?”
Hertrauda’s retainer answered her question.
“There is no mistaking it. The reports state that his lost item, the airship, and his armor have been seized as well. The kingdom’s foolish nobles are quite negligent.”
Leaders surrounded Hertrauda.
A knight reported to her.
“Princess, the preparations are ready.”
With a small nod, the young girl, Hertrauda, set out for a battle that would determine the principality’s future.
“Attack the kingdom from here. Get everyone prepared. Our aim is Holfault Kingdom’s royal capital. Don’t pay any mind to the other small fries! Depart!”
In response to Hertrauda’s voice, the surrounding leaders responded with vigor.
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