What I Can Do

As I headed toward Christa and the others, Brother Trau spoke.

"What should we do, Arnold?"

"I'll leave the real one to you, Brother Trau. The dummy is the problem, though..."

Entrusting it to Fiene was another option.

But if someone was going to serve as a decoy, a member of the imperial family would be better.

As I was thinking that, Rupert stepped forward.

"I'll... take it."

"Rupert..."

If he was only acting on emotion, I couldn't entrust it to him.

We had to do something.

Such vague resolve wouldn't do.

But Rupert's eyes held no such uncertainty.

"I asked Grau to look after my elder brothers and sisters. He did exactly as I asked. He's still in the castle, right?"

"Yes, he's hiding below."

"Then I'll do what I can too. Just relying on someone else... would be too cowardly. I'll do what I can. If I'm going to be a decoy... I think I'm the perfect choice."

With that, Rupert gave a wry smile.

Rupert's timid nature certainly made him perfect as a decoy.

I glanced at Brother Trau.

He slowly nodded.

Seeing that, I gave a small laugh and moved to Rupert's side.

"Listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you, Rupert."

"Yes, Brother Arnold."

"The most important thing for a decoy is not to look like one. This is the real thing. It is real, no matter what anyone says. Keep that in mind and act accordingly. The most important thing in the Imperial Capital right now is the bag you're carrying. So think only about keeping yourself safe. Run. Just run and make your way to Father. That's your role."

"Yes... I'll keep that in mind."

"Do you really understand? Even if someone gets into trouble right in front of you, don't go help them."

"What...?"

"Even if Brother Trau is in danger, even if Christa is in danger, you must go to Father. That will draw the enemy's attention and throw them off. Understood?"

"But... if the real one is in danger, even if I'm carrying the dummy..."

"If you go to help, you'll reveal that yours is the dummy. Think only of your own safety. Brother Trau won't come to your aid, either. We'll both act as though we're carrying the real thing, which will leave the enemy guessing. It'll be painful. It'll be difficult. Can you still do it?"

Rupert hesitated a little at my question.

I was telling him to become ruthless. He was probably asking himself whether he could do that.

Then he seemed to reach an answer and raised his downcast face.

"Understood. I'll take the real one."

"Good. I'm counting on you."

With that, I patted Rupert's head.

Then I handed the other bag to Brother Trau.

"Please."

"Understood."

"Brother Trau, look after Christa. Fiene and Mia, look after Rupert. Mother and the others, go with them."

With that, I stepped back.

Seeing this, Fiene asked:

"What about you, Al-sama...?"

"I still have something to do—the thing I originally planned to do with Grau."

"You intend to search for the last hidden Rainbow Sky Jewel?"

Mother had seen through my objective.

Knowing I could never outmaneuver her, I nodded quietly.

"If the Chancellor hid it somewhere difficult to find, it will eventually be discovered as long as it's inside the castle. If that happens, the enemy will have four Rainbow Sky Jewels. We don't know whether even the Sacred Sword can break through that. I want to take all the remaining Rainbow Sky Jewels outside the castle."

"Are you sure that's wise? If you're caught while finding it, won't it look as though you searched for it on the enemy's behalf instead?"

"I've thought of that. To prevent it, Commander Alida, I'm sorry to ask, but I'd like you to create a diversion."

"I was planning to act anyway. Should I go seize the pedestal for the celestial sphere?"

"Yes. That would be the most natural course. If possible, I'd like you to seize the pedestal and stop the celestial sphere, though."

"Stopping it is impossible. Only members of the imperial family can remove the Rainbow Sky Jewels. Breaking through the place the enemy has fortified with elite troops would be extremely difficult on its own, and doing so while protecting Your Highness would make it even more difficult."

"I know. Sorry. Leo could probably manage it with that plan, though."

When I apologized to Alida, she slowly shook her head.

Then she said something utterly unexpected.

"No, I'm relieved it was Your Highness who remained in the castle. To be honest, I never thought we'd be able to get so many people out. This outcome was possible precisely because of Your Highness's quick thinking."

"I never thought I'd live to see the day the Commander of the Imperial Guard complimented me. This is the first time you've praised me, isn't it?"

"I would praise you if you behaved properly on a regular basis. Only acting seriously in emergencies is proof that you're lazy. From now on, behave properly all the time."

"That's asking too much."

When I laughed, Alida furrowed her brows.

Shrugging at Alida, I shifted my gaze toward Brother Trau and the others.

The second group consisted of Brother Trau, Christa, and the others. The eldest prince's retainers, led by the Lifeisen brothers, would form a protective ring around them.

They wouldn't need any reinforcements from the Imperial Guard.

"Then, Arnold. Be careful."

"You too, Brother Trau. Please look after Christa."

"Brother Al... See you later."

At Christa's words, I nodded.

Seeing that, Christa entered the escape route.

Brother Trau, Rita, Wendy, and the others followed.

After a brief interval, it was Rupert's group's turn.

"Then, Brother Arnold... Please give Grau my regards."

"I will. Alois, I'm counting on you to protect Rupert."

"Yes, sir. I will protect him without fail."

With that, Rupert, Alois, and the knights entered the passage.

Mother and the others followed them.

"Al. Take some risks, but don't get yourself killed."

"That may be difficult."

Mother laughed at my reply as she entered the passage, and Jianna bowed to me before entering as well.

As a precaution, several Imperial Guards went with them as escorts.

All that remained were Fiene and Mia.

"Mia, I'm counting on you to look after Fiene."

"Leave her to me. Are you sure you'll be all right yourself? I don't think that underhanded strategist is reliable on his own."

"When acting behind the scenes, fewer people are better."

"Then I'll tell you my special trick. Listen carefully. When you're in danger, shout for help. Surely someone will come save you."

"That's very Mia of you... I'll remember it."

With that, I turned my gaze to Fiene.

Fiene never wastes words.

She simply offered her usual one-line farewell.

"Good luck."

"Yeah."

After that brief exchange, Fiene and the others entered the passage.

The only ones left were the castle's servants.

But I would leave it to the Imperial Guards to see them out.

"Then I suppose I'll go as well."

"I truly don't want to approve of Your Highness acting alone... but now that you've shown what you can do, I can't complain."

"I'm no use as a hostage, so I can move freely. That's my strength."

"Even so, don't let your confidence get the better of you. If you're captured, they may kill you on the spot. If you judge that you have no chance of winning, come straight to me. I will protect you."

"Understood. I will."

I nodded at Alida's words and left the audience chamber with a smile.

Then I headed straight for the pile of corpses of the soldiers Alida had cut down.

There, I chose a uniform in good condition and pulled it off one of the corpses.

It was revolting, but this was the only uniform within reach, so I had no choice.

Carrying it, I moved away from the throne room.

Once inside the hidden passage, I used magic to clean the grime from it and put it on.

Finally, I put on the hat, completing the disguise.

"Now then, time for an infiltration operation."

Grinning, I walked through the hidden passage.

The enemy would never imagine that a prince would disguise himself as a soldier.