Chapter 80
After some time had passed since people were dispatched to investigate Laboka Lighthouse, Gafol came to Tsetsedra one day with Bridget in tow and a grim expression on his face.
"Clear the room."
That single phrase was enough for Tsetsedra to realize this concerned Elder Brother Filemas.
"Then let's call Luluria too."
"Yes."
After waiting for Luluria to enter, Gafol began to speak.
"To give you the conclusion first, we found no evidence of large quantities of weapons being brought in near the lighthouse."
Tsetsedra secretly breathed a sigh of relief at the report. If Elder Brother Filemas had not been plotting a rebellion, then regardless of the purpose behind Roa's letter, the worst-case scenario could be avoided.
"However,"
But Tsetsedra's relief lasted only an instant. Ominous words continued to pour from Gafol's mouth.
"The area around Laboka Lighthouse has little military or political significance. Nevertheless, when my men went there, they found soldiers under Filemas-sama guarding the surrounding area."
"Guarding it?"
"Yes. There is only one narrow path leading to the lighthouse, and they had blocked it off. Apparently, they claimed, 'The old lighthouse may collapse, so we are taking precautions to keep civilians from wandering in by mistake.' However, soldiers have also been spotted here and there away from the main road, which seems somewhat unnatural."
"But according to what General Gafol has just told us, assigning a new lighthouse keeper to a lighthouse on the verge of collapse seems contradictory as well."
Gafol nodded at Luluria's question.
"As you say, Princess. In addition, a large ship utterly out of place in this area is moored a little north of the lighthouse, and it did not move from that spot the entire time we watched it. We also confirmed several ships coming from the north. They apparently stopped near the lighthouse, then returned north."
A heaviness settled in Tsetsedra's stomach.
Then it's almost as if――――
"Regardless of whether these movements amount to a rebellion, it seems certain that Filemas-sama is secretly doing something."
Although Tsetsedra understood what Gafol meant, the instinct to search for some explanation other than rebellion remained.
"But the north...?"
Bridget, who had been listening silently to Gafol's report, folded her arms and tilted her head.
Why the north, though? Roa's letter made it sound as though weapons were being procured from Gederland in the south. To the north, beyond the Empire, lay Tsanadefol. Just where had that ship come from?
"There is one more thing that concerns me."
At Gafol's words, Tsetsedra could not hide a grimace.
"Is there still something else?"
"Yes. This is only the personal impression of the person who filed the report, but they believe activity around the lighthouse began relatively recently. They are one of my most experienced and trustworthy subordinates. In light of that, the information in Roa's letter seems to have come far too soon. Just who is that man?"
Everyone's gaze naturally turned toward Luluria.
Luluria tilted her head slightly, then said,
"I did not hear it directly from Roa, but according to a man named Wickhart, one of Roa's aides, Roa is apparently someone Reiz-Stein-sama considers worthy of being his successor."
"Please wait. Wickhart? Do you mean the same Wickhart who accompanied you when you were escorted here the other day?"
In response to Gafol's question, Luluria nodded.
"I do not know which one you mean, but yes, it was that Wickhart."
"No, that can't be... Forgive me, but could you be mistaken? That man is none other than Blue Bow Wickhart himself. He is a master counted among the Continent's Ten Bows. ...For someone like that to serve as the aide of such an unassuming man..."
"But Wickhart told me himself that he had pledged his bow to Roa. I see no reason for him to lie to me about such a thing."
Gafol was astonished, but Tsetsedra was quietly taken aback as well. Tsetsedra knew Wickhart's name, at least. For Wickhart to pledge his bow to someone... Just what sort of person was Roa?
"...If Wickhart truly has sworn loyalty to Roa, then the claim that Roa is Reiz's successor does become more credible."
At Bridget's words, Luluria pouted slightly in protest.
"I am not lying."
"Ah, my apologies. It isn't that we doubt you, Luluria-sama. However, please understand that Roa is so extraordinary that it is difficult for us to believe."
"I see. I understand."
"...Or perhaps Reiz used Roa to send us word...?"
Gafol muttered, but immediately shook his head.
"No. Reiz has no reason to do such a thing. If anything, the turmoil in our country must be exactly what Reiz wants."
The more Tsetsedra thought about it, the less sense it made.
"Let us set Roa aside for now. More importantly, we need to focus on the matter concerning Filemas-sama."
Luluria was right. What mattered now was what Elder Brother Filemas was trying to do.
Roa was set aside for the time being, and everyone once again furrowed their brows as they racked their brains.