Chapter 119
While Al was waging a defensive battle in Gels under the name Grau.
Leo and the others had arrived at Wumme, Kruger's base, much faster than Gordon and the others had expected.
The reason lay with the southern cities they had passed through along the way.
"I never thought they would let us through so easily."
Having anticipated some interference, Leo muttered this as he passed through Wumme's gate.
Sebas, who was beside Leo, replied while surveying their surroundings.
"Few people truly support Duke Kruger, I imagine. There is no vitality in the people's faces, either. It seems the rebellion is not the will of the South as a whole."
"Then there was a reason for us to come."
"Merely coming here is not enough, Your Highness."
Lars, riding alongside Leo, said this.
The elite members of the Nelva Ritter were escorting the carriage Fiene rode in. However, they could not remain attached to it forever.
"We need to do something about Duke Kruger."
"Of course. I know that, Colonel."
"Then let me go over the plan. After we pass through the castle's main gate, the duke will probably come out to greet us. That will be our opening. If we go any farther, they will probably confiscate our weapons."
"But if we make our move there, Fiene-san will be in danger."
"Please rest assured. Linfia-dono and I will be there, and if necessary, we have a trump card."
Sebas said this as he looked at Leo.
When Leo looked at him to ask whether it was all right, Sebas quietly nodded.
No matter how much of an escort the Nelva Ritter were, having so many people nearby when the duke met the imperial envoy face-to-face would arouse suspicion.
Fiene's protection had to be entrusted to people who could naturally remain close to her, like Sebas, who had come as her butler.
"...Understood, Colonel. I will leave the timing to you."
"Very good. Please remain a little behind me, Your Highness."
"You do not need to worry about me. I can protect myself."
"...If anything happened to you, I would not be able to face Prince Arnold."
"Colonel, I did not come here to be protected. I came to capture Duke Kruger. If I fail, I really will not be able to face my brother."
Lars's eyes widened slightly as Leo stared straight at him, but he quickly bowed his head and apologized.
"My apologies. I was needlessly concerned."
"Indeed, Colonel Lars. Unlike Arnold-sama, Leonart-sama is physically capable."
"Could you not reduce combat to merely being physically capable, Sebas?"
"It is not that different. It is rare for twins to differ so greatly in physical ability. That man is truly frail. The fact that he gets sore muscles from wielding a sword is enough to make one worry."
"He insists on swinging with all his strength to show off, even though he could just swing slowly. That is my brother."
"He does like to look cool."
"I agree. He is the sort to show off and put on airs. And yet, because of that, he stabbed himself in the left hand with a dagger. He is an exceptional man in his own way."
Hearing Lars's assessment, Leo smiled.
Leo had never once enjoyed the struggle for the throne, but there were several things that made him glad it was happening.
One of them was that more people had come to appreciate Al.
Lazy and idle, Al had avoided moving whenever possible, but joining the struggle for the throne forced him into action. Seeing him act, more people had come to understand that the Dregs Prince was a false persona.
That was something Leo was happy about.
"You look happy."
"I am. I am happy that my brother is being recognized. And... I am happy that I get to do something with him. My brother set the stage for me. The perfect stage. He went to all sorts of trouble to prepare it, indulging my selfish wish to minimize casualties. I am happy to be able to stand on that stage. It really feels like we are fighting together as brothers."
Saying that, Leo urged his horse ahead.
The main gate of Duke Kruger's castle stood before them.
"I am Leonart Recks Adler, the Empire's Eighth Prince! I have come escorting the Emperor's envoy! Open the gate!!"
In response to Leo's request, the castle's main gate slowly opened with a loud creak.
Leo rode inside. Once he entered, there would be no going back. He steeled himself to remain inside until everything was over.
■■■
After dismounting, Leo and the others were shown in by knights.
They were beneath the castle's balcony.
"Where are we?"
"Well, well, Prince Leonart. It has been a long time."
Hearing the voice, Leo narrowed his eyes slightly.
Duke Kruger had appeared on the balcony.
It was an exceedingly rude way to greet an imperial envoy.
"It has been a while, Duke Kruger. What is the meaning of this?"
"Nothing more than a small precaution. It is not that I suspect you, but I am being targeted for assassination. I would like the imperial envoy to come over here alone."
That was tantamount to entering a wild beast's den alone.
Leo frowned and voiced his protest.
"This is going too far. Please come here and verify the letter. The knight you sent should already have confirmed its contents."
"Unfortunately, no. I will only agree to officially verifying the letter here. If you refuse, then go home."
"Then I will accompany her."
"The envoy alone."
Kruger's suggestion nearly made Leo reach for his sword. It was simply too disrespectful.
However, verifying the letter was part of the established process. If Kruger refused, they would have legitimate grounds to act. If they made their move now, they would become assassins masquerading as envoys.
But Fiene immediately accepted the proposal.
"Understood. I will come to you."
"Fiene-san..."
"It is all right. Surely even Duke Kruger would not do anything to the Emperor's envoy?"
"Of course not, Blau Möwe."
"Then I am reassured. My role is to deliver the letter entrusted to me by His Majesty to Duke Kruger. If Duke Kruger prefers me to come to you, then I shall."
Saying this, Fiene signaled to the knight and asked him to escort her.
After saying, "This way," the knight looked at both of Fiene's hands.
"Um... what is that?"
"A stuffed animal I have recently taken a liking to. Isn't it cute?"
Saying this, Fiene held up the stuffed bear for the knight to see.
The knight could not keep up with Fiene's energy, so he said nothing more. He led her through the castle and took her to the balcony.
"Good day, Blau Möwe. You are even more beautiful up close."
"Thank you, Duke Kruger. Here is the letter from His Majesty."
"I shall examine it."
Saying this, Kruger opened the letter while surrounded by his knights.
Then he read it without so much as twitching an eyebrow.
"I see. So this is His Majesty's answer."
"Yes."
"How cruel of him. To use you, the person he dotes on, to declare war."
"Unfortunately, this is not a declaration of war, Duke Kruger. As His Majesty's representative, I order you: kneel immediately and instruct the southern lords to disarm. If you refuse... I will punish you."
"Ha ha ha! Subject to punishment? What can you do in this situation? Unfortunately, my answer is no. I believe we shall negotiate again, with you as a hostage."
"You would defy His Majesty's command?"
"His Majesty this, His Majesty that. His authority has no power over me, you know? The House of Kruger was originally the ruling house of an independent country until it was annexed by the Empire. The Imperial family conquered us by force and reduced us to the rank of dukes. Since then, my house has never forgotten its resentment and hatred. Not once have I considered that man my liege!"
"I see... A grudge built up over many years. I cannot know how deep it runs. But one thing I can say is that this land was once ruled by your family. Even if it was annexed by the Empire, the people of this land should still be those under your protection. You caused those very people to suffer. At that point, you have no qualities of a king. No... You do not even have what it takes to be a noble!"
"I have no desire to debate kings and nobles with you. But let me tell you one thing. The strong become kings."
"Then you still lack the qualities of a king. A true king is far stronger than you imagine and commands a diverse array of retainers. Like this."
At that moment, the stuffed bear in Fiene's hands sprang to life.
It swung a spear that suddenly shot out, kicking aside the knights surrounding Fiene.
Even Kruger could hardly believe his eyes at the sight.
"What!?"
"Aww, if you'd kept talking a little longer, I could have enjoyed heaven... This is your fault, Duke. But I got to have a good time thanks to you, too. Thanks!"
As it spoke, the stuffed bear, Zeke, kept knocking knights down one after another.
Kruger used the knights as shields to escape, but below, Leo and the others had already infiltrated the castle.
"You will not get away, Kruger!"
"Tch! Kill them all!"
At Kruger's command, the knights stood in Leo and the others' way.
But the Nelva Ritter, led by Lars, scattered those knights and cleared a path for Leo.
"Fiene-san!"
"I am fine! Keep going!"
"Understood! Take care too, Fiene-san!"
"Yes! Good luck, Leo-sama! Zeke-san, please look after Leo-sama."
"It cannot be helped. Guarding a beauty would get me more fired up, but I cannot refuse a request from a beauty like you."
With that, Zeke followed Leo.
Meanwhile, Fiene left the area together with several members of the Nelva Ritter and Linfia.
Thus, a small war began inside Wumme Castle.