Departure

The day of departure had arrived.

Only Fine and I were in the room.

"It's finally here."

"Yeah. We've made all the preparations, so unless something truly unexpected happens, we should be fine."

"Yes, I'm not worried."

Fine smiled as if to reassure me.

Seeing that, I fell silent for a moment.

Unexpected things had happened countless times before. I couldn't say there wouldn't be one this time, either.

Fine would be the one directly in the line of fire. The danger was beyond anything she'd faced before.

"...I'll be honest. If I had my way, you wouldn't go."

"I'm sorry."

"You... are strong."

Fine quietly bowed her head, then raised it again. Her face showed no sign of anxiety.

Her trust in those around her was what made that possible. Being able to trust people that much was certainly a strength.

"I'm not strong. Every day, I'm reminded of how powerless I am."

"You?"

"Is that surprising? I always want to help you, Arnold-sama."

"I'm grateful, but you're already helping me more than enough."

"No, it's not enough. I'm the one who shares your secrets. I'm here to ease your burden. And yet... I can't do anything to help, and you keep getting hurt."

Fine's gaze settled on my left hand.

Since it hadn't fully healed, my bandaged left hand must have looked rather painful.

But thanks to this injury, the Nelve Ritter would give their all.

"This is nothing serious."

"...Even small wounds become serious ones if they pile up. My role is to keep you from being seriously hurt. I take pride in that."

Under Fine's direct gaze, I gave a wry smile.

Then Fine looked a little miffed.

"I-I'm speaking seriously!"

"Yeah, I know. I only meant that I was surprised to see you looking so serious."

"Y-you're making fun of me, aren't you!?"

"I'm not. I understand that you truly care about me. So let me tell you this: I'm thinking about you, too. You're kind, and you always walk the righteous path. You're an important moral compass to me. I need you by my side."

The struggle over the imperial throne had changed my three elder siblings.

There was no guarantee I wouldn't change as well. That was why I needed Fine beside me.

No matter how unorthodox the methods I used, I had to ensure I didn't become a monster. I'd made sure not to use methods Fine genuinely found unacceptable.

Leo probably wouldn't approve of methods she genuinely objected to, either. If I used such methods, I, too, would fall into the darkness of the struggle for the throne.

To prevent that, I wanted Fine always at my side as a guiding light.

"So... if anything happens, blow the whistle right away. I'll definitely come save you—for my own sake. Whatever I'm doing or whoever I'm with, I'll prioritize saving you."

"Hearing you say that puts me in a difficult position... You must have more important things to attend to, Arnold-sama."

"No, you're my top priority. I'll take care of my other business as best I can, of course."

"I see... Then if anything happens, I'll be counting on you."

"Yeah, leave it to me."

With that, I gave her a bold smile.

I wanted to reassure Fine as much as possible—to make her feel that she had nothing to worry about.

"It's almost time."

"It's that late already...?"

I looked at the clock and stood up.

After this, Fine would join Leo and the others and depart the Imperial Capital. Afterward, I'd move to keep watch over Gordon.

Once that happened, we wouldn't be able to see each other easily. We wouldn't have time.

So I wondered whether there was anything else I needed to say.

However, nothing came to mind.

While I was thinking, Fine opened the door.

"Let's go."

"Y-yeah."

Feeling awkward, I scratched my head.

As I did, Fine chuckled softly.

And then.

"Arnold-sama. You've been helping me ever since we first met. I trust you wherever and whenever. That's why I have no worries. Whatever comes, I won't be afraid. Please send me off with peace of mind."

"...I don't remember helping you that much."

"You always help people without even realizing it. I'm proof of that."

"What happened in the Kleinert Duchy was just self-interest, though."

When I said that, Fine laughed cheerfully.

Unable to read the meaning behind her smile, I was still bewildered when Fine walked on ahead.

What had that smile meant?

With another mystery in mind, I followed after Fine.

■■■

"Take care."

"Of course."

With that, Leo and I said our farewells.

Fine was certainly in danger, but so was Leo.

Yet Leo himself didn't seem fazed. If anything, he had nerves of steel.

The southern region they were headed for was almost entirely within Duke Kruger's sphere of influence.

"You look worried, brother."

"Of course I am."

"Don't worry. I have the powerful escort you gave me."

Saying that, Leo looked at the Nelve Ritter lined up in formation.

With Lars at the head, the entire group noticed our gaze and saluted in unison.

"Prince Arnold, stand a little prouder when you send us off. It affects our morale."

"Don't ask the impossible..."

"Are we not worthy of your trust?"

The escort consisted of three hundred elite members of the Nelve Ritter. The others were working to seal off information in the Imperial Capital.

In other words, Leo would be taking a castle with only three hundred men.

No matter how strong they were, it was only natural for me to feel uneasy.

"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have entrusted my brother to you."

"Then stand tall. We want to see you brimming with confidence. Show us that you trust us."

Having been told that, I reluctantly lifted my head and puffed out my chest.

Then I addressed the three hundred men with a single word.

"――I'm counting on you."

Instead of answering, they responded with a salute.

Then Lars moved to his assigned position with his men.

It was almost time to depart.

"Getting all those formidable warriors to swear loyalty to you—not bad, kid."

The one who suddenly spoke to me was Sieg, perched on Sebas's shoulder.

Linfia was beside him.

Every available fighter was being assigned to Leo's escort.

"I'm off, Prince Arnold."

"Yeah, I'm counting on you. But can't you do something about the way Linfia addresses me?"

"Do you dislike it?"

"It feels as if you're keeping me at arm's length."

"I see... Then perhaps I'll change the way I address you when I return."

"Really? I'll look forward to that."

After telling me to look forward to it, Linfia bowed and withdrew.

She was heading to the carriage Fine would board. As Fine's personal guard, Linfia would support her in various ways.

For a moment, our eyes met. Fine waved at me with a broad smile.

"She's awfully carefree."

"It's better than being nervous."

"That's right. If she acts naturally, they won't suspect her, either. Quite a woman. Beautiful, too, with a great figure. She's got it all."

Saying this, Sieg put on a lecherous grin that didn't match his appearance.

He was as carefree as ever.

"Please don't go womanizing over there..."

"Can't promise that. I've decided to hit on any beautiful woman I meet."

"What about Elna?"

"Oh? You think she's beautiful?"

He turned my question back on me, and I frowned.

Seeing my reaction, Sieg gave a sly grin.

"Unfortunately, that's my policy. Any woman capable of stopping my spear is a warrior before she's a woman. Wouldn't it be a waste? We might get to have a truly great fight."

With that, Sieg gave a quiet laugh.

Apparently, Sieg had his own clear boundaries.

"That girl is flawless to look at, but she's not an option for me. She's a warrior."

"In other words, if a woman isn't strong enough to stop your spear, you treat her as a lady?"

"Of course. All the more so if she's beautiful."

"Hey, now... I'm counting on you, all right?"

"Relax. Trust me."

Saying that, Sieg clung to Sebas's shoulder.

I still wasn't sure I could trust him.

After that exchange, Sebas bowed and left.

Then only Leo and I remained.

"They're reassuring."

"You think so?"

"They're the forces you gathered with everything you had, brother. Nothing could be more reassuring."

Saying that, Leo thrust his right fist out toward me.

I responded by thrusting out my own fist.

When our fists bumped with a soft knock, Leo said with a spirited look on his face,

"I'll stop the war."

"Yeah. I'm counting on you."

After that exchange, Leo climbed into the carriage.

And so, the delegation set out.

After they left the Imperial Capital, I climbed the city wall and watched them go until they disappeared from sight.

"They've left."

"Yes, they have."

Jurgen, who had been watching them off as I had, murmured.

Then I turned on my heel.

"Where are you going?"

"I have something to take care of, so I'll be leaving the Imperial Capital for a while. If anyone asks about me, just make up something."

"I don't mind, but... is this to keep watch over Prince Gordon and the military strategist everyone is talking about?"

"You figured that out?"

"Of course I did. Don't overexert yourself, all right? If anything happened to you, I couldn't face Lieselotte-sama."

"I see. Then I'd better be careful. Don't worry. I'll just observe them from a distance."

"If that's all, then fine... But what about an escort?"

"I've arranged one."

At that, Jurgen nodded several times and, with a smile, saw me off with a wish to take care.

With that, I should have no trouble being away from the Imperial Capital for a little while.

Sebas isn't here this time, after all. I'll have Jurgen fill in for him.

I often suddenly disappear somewhere, so no one would find it strange.

"From here on, don't think you can do as you please, Gordon."

Murmuring that, I quickened my pace.

Leaving the Imperial Capital would work in my favor.

From here on, it was time to operate in the shadows.