Chapter 47
Despite the sudden change of plans, Ocle Fortress provided us with hospitality that was neither lacking nor excessive. The elderly knight entrusted with the fortress seemed to be quite capable.
Although they called it a modest meal, they served dishes made with Rudek's famous Halodel beef, and after a satisfying dinner, I, Rocabill, found myself wandering aimlessly through the fortress.
It was one of Rudek's major fortresses. The sight of what seemed like a small town within its walls was not particularly different from the Empire's similar fortresses.
Thinking that I would apologize and quietly return to my room if I was caught, I climbed the ramparts without thinking much of it. When a guard called out to me on the way, I told him I was an envoy from Gridol, and he said, "Just be careful not to fall from the ramparts."
I thought it was rather careless of them, even though we were allied nations, but I climbed the stairs and understood why.
Many guards were keeping a wary watch over the surroundings atop the ramparts. My wandering around alone up here would not be a problem.
I spoke to the soldiers on the ramparts as well, then stopped at a suitable spot and gazed into the darkness.
Several small lights were visible in the direction I was looking. Could one of them be the city of Beeland, where we had originally planned to stay?
The wind was a little cold once night fell, unlike during the day.
But after drinking a little wine, this temperature felt pleasant against my body.
―― So this is Rudek. ――
This was the first country I had ever set foot in—and the country I had once tried to destroy.
What would have become of Rudek if Roa had failed to persuade Father? I pondered the question for a while.
I had no regrets about proposing an invasion of Rudek. It was not that I hated Rudek. At the time, Gridol was pursuing a path of conquest, intent on swallowing the entire continent. Given the information from Riflerea and the advantages Rudek offered, one of the senior retainers would have made the same suggestion even if I had not voiced it.
To put it another way, if the information from Riflerea had been false, I had merely considered that conquering Rudek would provide a good pretext for invading Riflerea afterward.
But Rays=Stein's existence threw that plan far off course.
The Gridol soldiers, who prided themselves on their strength and might, could not even pass through a single corridor. They were repelled not once or twice, but every time they tried.
Even resorting to indirect tactics failed. Even after accounting for the geographical disadvantage, Rays=Stein was an anomaly.
Yet Rays=Stein died, and Rudek was left hanging by a thread. That was when Roa=Stein appeared.
If Father had rejected Roa's proposal, could Gridol have won?
It could have. I wanted to believe so, but I could not be certain.
Rudek had seemed destined for nothing but ruin, yet Roa possessed the strategic brilliance to bring about Riflerea's destruction instead. If he had turned that brilliance against Gridol...
"It is hardly fitting for a prince to be wandering around alone at this hour."
My thoughts were interrupted by Rivote.
"How did you know where I was?"
"...I looked for you. I only ask that, at least while we're in Rudek, you tell me where you are."
"Sorry. This is my first time in Rudek, so I wanted to take a look at the scenery."
It was too dark for any scenery to be visible. Even so, Rivote bowed deferentially.
"I understand how you feel, but from tomorrow onward, you will be seeing more of Rudek than you could possibly want."
"...You're right. I suppose that's true. Shall we head back soon?"
"Yes, sir."
As Rivote started back, I called after him.
"If Father had rejected Roa's alliance, do you think Gridol could have defeated Rudek?"
"...Of course."
The length of Rivote's silence seemed to tell me something.
〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜
Early the next morning, I awoke to a commotion inside the fortress.
The reason became clear at once. Roa=Stein had arrived.
Once I had finished getting ready, I hurried to the room where Roa was waiting. When I arrived, Rivote was the only person there from Gridol.
After a quick exchange of greetings, Roa apologized for the commotion so early in the morning.
"Sorry to bother you so early. I thought you might be coming to Beeland, but when I arrived last night, I heard that the plans had changed..."
It seemed Roa and his close aides had come to meet us.
"I apologize as well. Circumstances forced us to change our plans."
At my words, Roa looked resigned.
"I had heard Luluria would be accompanying you. I figured things probably wouldn't go according to plan."
It made me realize, oddly enough, that my younger brother and his wife really were close to Roa. Well, this time there was another person along who was at least as free-spirited as Luluria, if not more so.
While we were talking, Luluria arrived.
"Oh, Roa! Long time no see!"
"Hey, Luluria. Did I wake you?"
"No, it's fine. I was just getting ready."
"Good. How's Tsetsii? Still her usual self?"
"Yes. She was disappointed that she couldn't meet you this time."
"I'll be going to the Imperial Capital for our next meeting, so I'd like to coordinate our schedules then."
"If you're coming to Gridol, Tsetsii will clear her schedule, too."
"Sure. I'll send you another letter about that."
"More importantly... Roa, you've finally become the protagonist of a play."
Roa blinked at Luluria, baffled.
"What are you talking about?"
The look on his face made it clear that he genuinely had no idea.
"We saw a play about you before coming here."
Luluria somehow looked triumphant as she said this.
"What?! What do you mean, a play about me?!"
Roa exclaimed in confusion.
"A play about Roa-dono?!"
"What's this about a play about Roa?!"
His aides eagerly joined in.
Slightly exasperated by how energetic everyone was first thing in the morning, I watched Roa's flustered reaction.