Running on the road that was leading away from the forest.
It was a road that was uneven and filled with potholes.
Although the carriage was travelling at a speed where it could nearly topple over, it continued to travel.
Behind them were the angered shouts of armoured soldiers.
“Wait!”
“I’ll kill you!!”
“Stop!!”
“I’m going to chop you into pieces!”
The soldiers yelled as they chased after the carriage…
It was a touching scene.
The carriage bounded forth, as it was chased by men who had a strong killing intent.
At the head of the carriage—Ryner Lute sat at the position of the driver.
He swung the horse whip, as he mumbled:
“…Urgh, damn…”
He had a stern expression today, which was rare for him.
His usually messy black hair was under attack by the strong gusts of wind, it couldn’t even be seen if he had combed it before.
His slim figure that made him seem lazy, was now trying its best to maintain stability and avoid falling from the carriage, as he controlled the horse…
His clothes were sloppily put on… Those clothes could only be worn by the famously strong Roland Empire Mage Knights, a special battle uniform made up of white armor and robes.
This fashion style made him look weird…
What was more important were his black eyes.
His eyes which usually were sleepy and half-lidded, were wide open today, and were wet with tears…
Then those eyes narrowed slightly. The troubled expression that he had a moment ago returned, in a moment, a teardrop escaped from those eyes…
He said:
“……Ah…I, I can’t make it… I want to sleep… No, I'm already asleep. Can I sleep? Of course I can’t… We have to change horses repeatedly, and we've been at this for twenty four hours… May I ask, if the horse can be changed, then couldn't you at least change the driver? I’m serious. Even if I’m not escaping, in the twenty four hours I was doing this, I could have slept for twenty four hours? But… Ah, I really can’t take it. The wind pressure is causing my eyes to… eyes… sleep… ah… uh… Good night.”
As Ryner closed his eyes with a blissful expression, almost journeying to the land of sleep…
In a moment!
“When you’re driving, you can’t sleep!”
As that voice spoke, a sword was aimed at him from the inside of the carriage, striking Ryner’s back.
Then the sword shoved sharply…
“Ah?! Hey, hey hey hey hey hey you’re joking, right?! Ferris!! You really used your sword to poke at me just now!!”
Ryner jumped up frantically, dodging the oncoming sword, as he shouted.
So, the window connecting the carriage and the driver’s seat opened and a woman looked out…
This woman was an astonishingly beautiful woman.
She had lustrous golden hair, and a pair of clear blue eyes. She had a strangely attractive face. She was a beauty that would make you think of goddesses. This woman had an overpowering attractiveness that women, much less men, would be in awe of…
But, this beautiful woman stared at Ryner with an emotionless expression.
“Oh. You weren't stabbed? Then what about this?”
Saying that, she thrust the sword quickly…
“Ah?!”
Ryner dodged. But—
“This! This!”
The woman stabbed the sword again and again…
“Ah! Wait, what are you doing?! Wa… Ah ah ah!”
Ryner wobbled, twisting around on the carriage that was moving at high speed, desperately dodging the sword attacks. It seemed like he was going to fall off the carriage…
But, for some reason, the woman had a delighted expression as she stabbed repeatedly…
“Heh heh. Dance, dance, you sinful person! Enjoy the mad dance of death…”
Then, at this moment—
“Ah~ What kind of development is this?!”
Ryner backed to a place where the sword could not reach, but where he also could not dodge and shouted. But she still swung her sword, wanting to stab Ryner…
Perhaps she knew that she couldn’t play at this any longer, she kept her sword in that position, then sighed…
“Hu~ It’s like that, dozing off when you’re driving is very dan…”
“Your sword is dangerous!!”
Ryner interrupted her and shouted. Then grasped his head with his hands, looking at the beautiful woman in front of him with half-lidded eyes.
He stared at this person—although her beauty was otherworldly, in reality Ferris Eris was a beauty with a strange personality.
Ferris said:
“Then… did you sleep well?”
“In these twenty four hours, I didn’t even manage to sleep for five seconds!”
But, she nodded in satisfaction when she heard that.
“That's more than enough. You should probably be able to continue on for the next twenty hours.”
Ryner, hearing that.
“I, I will die… If I continue to stay here, I will definitely! Die…”
He trembled as he muttered.
And as they conversed—
“Hey, stop that carriage!”
“I’ll kill you!!”
“I will slice you up!!”
The soldiers roared as they chased them, keeping up with the carriage—
“Stop right now!!”
“You will be dealt divine punishment if you dare to rebel against us!!”
The pursuers shouted from behind.
Ryner hearing that—
“Ah, really, they've been making so much noise since just now. What divine punishment?… You can't talk about the divine…”
He looked at the soldiers with a lazy expression.
And he found, there were four horses keeping up with the carriage. And, the men atop the horses were waving their swords threateningly. They wore armour that was made of high quality leather.
There was an insignia different from Roland’s on their chest, that was made to represent their faith to their gods, the one that Runa Empire specially had, a pictorial of a woman praying with her arms crossed in front of her chest.
That picture seemed to give a saintly feeling, but…
The soldiers wearing the armour were men who had mustaches and whose muscles seemed to be their only good point…
In addition—
“Hey!! Hey, I’m going to kill you! I really going to kill you!”
They threatened Ryner, Ryner said impatiently:
“Are these fellows really soldiers of Runa? Do they really talk that way? They seem no different from mountain bandits! I feel that before they talk about this and that, Runa should first start by educating their soldiers on how to talk…”
Ferris spoke from behind him.
“Yeah. Their appearance is no different from you.”
“When did I ever talk in that manner?”
“Eh? Every night you go and steal women from the streets, ‘ho ho ho, even if you cry, no one will come to save you. This is a sound-proof room.
No! Don’t come over! Someone save me!!
Heh heh heh. Didn’t I say, it’s useless if you cry? Ojou-san. Give up, follow my instructions obediently.
No~’
You did that repeatedly…”
“I did not!”
Ryner retorted instantly. He said tiredly:
“Speaking of which, I’m travelling with you every day, where can I get a sound-proof room…”
Suddenly, Ferris stiffened, looking around quickly.
“Un, unless, this carriage is the legendary sound-proof room?! What mature thinking you have, Ryner! You brought me to such a place, you, what are you thinking of doing to me?!!”
She screamed, glaring at Ryner.
But Ryner revealed an extremely fatigued expression…
“…” He was speechless.
So Ferris—
“……Un, unless this carriage is the legendary sound-proof…”
“Why are you repeating it!!”
“Then don’t talk nonsense.”
“You’re the one who started it!!”
“Don’t push the responsibility to other people.”
“You, you, I will kill you later…”
Suddenly Ryner stopped, then spoke with a trembling voice:
“Ah, I was speaking nonsense, I was speaking nonsense. I was joking. I, I didn’t mean it. So, can you not point your sword at my back…”
The duo continued this conversation…
The Runa soldiers observing the situation—
“…You, how dare you underestimate us?!”
Maybe they finally realized that they weren’t being taken seriously, the soldiers shouted loudly.
Ryner hearing that, replied with a serious expression:
“Eh? Ah, we weren’t looking down on you. We only had a small discussion about your tone when talking to others…”
Of course the soldiers couldn’t accept Ryner’s explanation.
“I don’t want to hear your nonsense, hand over the son of the devil that you snatched away!”
The soldiers said.
The son of the devil.
Ryner narrowed his eyes when he heard that, turning back.
“Ferris… How is Arua?”
She replied:
“He’s still unconscious.”
Saying that, she pointed to her knee. Ryner seeing that, looked into the carriage. He saw a boy lying on Ferris’s lap, fast asleep…
He looked at Arua.
He was probably six years old? He was a boy that had black hair like Ryner.
And he was called a devil by the Runa soldiers…
Arua’s face and body had many bruises and wounds… Ryner’s eyes darkened.
Arua was seen as the devil’s son. After he had been captured by the Runa soldiers, up until yesterday, he had suffered from unimaginable torture.
His whole body was injured, his mother was killed, and he witnessed his father’s beheading…
But the Runa nobles had laughed when they saw that.
“Ne, lose control quickly, you demon!”
They laughed, hitting the boy repeatedly. Destroying everything precious to him.
There was a mark in the boy’s eyes. It was the same as in Ryner’s eyes, the same red five-pointed star.
As long as they looked upon it, no matter what kind of magic, or how complicated it was, they could understand it in a split second, eyes that could replicate.
Eyes that were called Alpha Stigma.
Just because they had these eyes, they were outcast and hated by everyone… they were cursed as monsters, seen as demons…
And when they felt that everything was useless, they would completely lose control…
They would create mass slaughter.
The person himself would not want to do it, but he would unconsciously kill everyone around him, killing everyone important.
Perhaps being called a demon… had another meaning.
Perhaps being seen as a monster was inevitable.
But, then…
People who beat a child, killing their relatives in front of him happily, weren't they the demons?
As long as he closed his eyes, those images would leap forth.
Those people’s smiling faces.
The smiles of those who teased people and gained entertainment from doing so…
The smiles of those people who killed those who loved and treasured him, and gained pleasure from the act.
Weren’t those people demons?
Even those people had called us demons…
Ryner’s expression darkened momentarily.
The Runa soldiers still continued to shout from around them.
“Know your place, stop the carriage!! Or else, God will punish you!”
Ryner hearing that, revealed a self-mocking smile…
“Oh? God’s punishment is effective towards demons?”
The Run soldiers were probably happy that the other party was taking note of this, puffing out their chests:
“That’s right! It’s too late even if you know that now! The demon will definitely be exterminated by God!”
“Huh. Then try it! Let’s see if god’s power can exterminate us demons…”
Saying that, Ryner’s right hand moved quickly in the air, glowing words started to unfurl in the space…
That was magic that he had replicated from the Estabul Mage Knight he encountered a long time ago.
The Runa soldiers seeing the situation, were momentarily shocked.
“He’s, he’s using magic?! And it is another country’s magic?! Prepare for incoming…”
But, Ryner shrugged.
“Too late—I OFFER THE CONTRACTED WORDS, RELEASING THE SPIRIT OF LIGHT DANCING IN THE SKY.”
As soon as he finished chanting, a huge beast made from light that looked like a dog, and had an unstable outline appeared above his head… Following that, he released this light beast towards the area below where the Runa soldiers were sitting.
In a moment.
The earth exploded, the light shone brilliantly…
The horses neighed, after a period of crying, it stopped. Of course, the Runa soldiers were thrown off the horses when they stopped suddenly.
“Uh, Uah?!”
“That, that was done sloppily… Ah?!”
Some people shouted as they fell off their horses, some left the road, the horses carrying their riders as they entered the forest.
Anyway, things turned out like that…
“The demon won so easily?”
They put more distance between themselves and the Runa soldiers.
At this moment, a voice spoke from behind him.
“Eh. Has it ended? Good work.”
Ferris said. Ryner hearing that, seemed impatient.
“I say… Why didn’t you help out? Since I’m going to be driving the carriage for the next ten hours, you should have at least helped to defeat those people.”
But, Ferris replied:
“I can’t, I’m busy now.”
“Busy with what?”
“Eh, busy protecting this child.”
“Ah, ah, that’s right. If we leave this child on the vigorously bouncing carriage, he might hit his head or something, it’s too dangerous…”
But, Ferris shook her head.
“It’s not that. Look at this child, black eyes, black hair, and a wielder of Alpha Stigma, it’s almost like his extremely perverted father… I have a duty to protect him, so that he won't become like his scary and fierce pervert of a father who likes to abduct women.”
Ryner, hearing that…
“I said that he’s not my kid! Anyway, who’s the one who abducts women… That, how did it go? Anyway, I’m not that kind of pervert…”
When Ryner wanted to look back again, Ferris suddenly backed away.
“Stand still! Don’t come nearer! This Ryner-chan will be corrupted!”
She shouted at Ryner.
Ryner hearing that, had a weak expression.
“…You… Actually saying something like that, you find it interesting?”
Ferris nodded her head immediately.
“Anyway we have a lot of time.”
“Ah?! Since we have so much time, then change shifts with me!”
“I’m very busy now…”
“If you say anymore I’ll kill you!! Ah… Forget it… As long as I’m with you, it seems like nothing else is missing, how peaceful…”
After Ryner sighed, he loosened the reins, beginning to slow the horses down. He leaned his body out from the driver’s seat, looking behind them, confirming that the Runa soldiers had not chased up.
“Ah, after teaching them a lesson, and pulling the distance between us, they won't catch up for a while…”
Saying that, he slowed the speed of the carriage to a slow pace. Then told Ferris who was behind him:
“Ne, what should we do next? It’s worth celebrating that we managed to escape the Runa soldiers, but…”
So she replied simply:
“Didn’t I say it yesterday? We go to the little lady in Rajit Village who asked us to save this Ryner-chan and ask for our reward. Then we take our reward and go to tour the dango stores in Runa Empire…”
At this moment, Ryner interrupted her:
“Ah, don’t mention the dango matters first. But, I remember that she was called Kuku, right? The childhood friend of Arua or something… It seems she doesn’t have enough money for a reward… But putting this aside, if we don’t find Kuku, things would be bad. We have to tell her, we saved Arua… And…”
Ferris heard that, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Uh. The Runa army might go after her.”
Ryner nodded when he heard that.
“That’s right. They must want to snatch Arua back from us… But, Arua’s father and mother were killed, that means… They would probably take his childhood friend as hostage, right? Even if they didn’t do that, Kuku would be tortured by the villagers because she was friends with Arua…”
Ryner momentarily remembered the villagers cursing “It’s all your fault”, and Kuku’s figure when she was suffering from torture, frowning unconsciously.
That was something that he saw frequently.
It was something that could be commonly seen in the Roland of the past.
The nobles were unreasonable. The sacrificed were always the weak…
And the Runa Empire that had been the ally of the Roland of the past, currently was this kind of country.
A completely insane country.
Proud nobles, and the uncontrollable army that supported that power.
The people always lived under the shadow of these two forces, the crazy country that was breathing its last.
“…Really, we accidentally got caught up in something troublesome…”
Ryner sighed as he said, a voice spoke from behind him:
“Really. Anyhow having a child with a woman passing by, abandoning them without any thought, and now needing someone else to help rescue your child… How troublesome.”
“…Hey, are you going to continue that topic?”
“Eh. Anyway before we reach Rajit Village, I’m going to be very bored.”
“……Ah, th-then before we reach, can we switch positions…”
But at this moment—
“Uhn. Sorry, I’m suddenly busy again.”
“…”
Ryner hearing that.
“…Y-yes, I understand, Hime-sama…”
Ryner said with a defeated tone. Ferris immediately answered:
“Eh. Let’s go, slave.”
“I should have killed you!”
Like that, the people on the carriage, carried on as usual, with their nonsensical conversation as they proceeded.
Heading towards Rajit village…
On the other hand.
In the most southern tip of the Menoris Continent.
This country was even further south than the Runa Empire where Ryner and the others were.
Roland Empire.
Lately, it had been called a strong Empire.
This country had swallowed up Estabul that had opposed it for so long; it had formed good relations with Imperial Nelpha, which was in an unstable situation. And it had formed an alliance with the Runa Empire, expanding its influence.
Everything had started after the new king ascended.
The king of Roland Empire, Sion Astal.
Although he was the son of the concubine of the previous king, he had gained great achievements during the war with Estabul Kingdom, rising to the highest ranks in the Roland Empire army in an incredibly short period of time.
After that he started a revolution, getting rid of the previous tyrannical king and becoming the Hero King that had saved the country.
Sion who was only nineteen years old, possessed all the talents a king needed.
Charisma, ability, looks.
He skillfully used these talents, gaining much of the people’s support…
He was the ideal king everyone wanted.
…No, this was the image that everyone had of him.
Everyone had expectations, dreams, wishes of him.
In the past the corruption of the country had reached such a level that the people cried, always praying that a king like him would appear.
So, he was a perfect king.
So, he had to be a perfect king.
So…
The location was the castle where the king of Roland Empire lived. Sion sat on the throne, smiling happily.
“Don’t bow, I clearly understand your loyalty towards me.”
He told the kneeling nobles.
The nobles revealed a fearful expression. The nobles who had always been arrogant towards Sion, had a pale complexion today.
“Th-then, you’ve already forgiven our rude behavior, Your Majesty?”
Rude behavior…
They said that.
But, Sion had doubts in his mind—what rude behavior? If they were referring to their rude words, then there would be an infinite number. Of course they had numerous plans too, plans to harm Sion.
The most extreme one was to kill Sion’s secretary, Fiole Folkal…
So that they could threaten Sion, they killed him.
Sion immediately thought of Fiole’s smile.
“Because if I’m not by his side, Sion-sama will always force himself to do things.”
He remembered that face, after saying that, he had a troubled smile.
Then remembering the smile that his sister, Eslina was proud of…
Remembering that smile that said, Sion was a king that was able to make Roland the country his sister would live in, it was really a blessed smile.
Then, he remembered the scene of the stabs on Fiole’s body, that caused him to die…
At that time… he wanted to kill all of the nobles, everyone.
He wanted to kill the nobles who had caused this country to decay.
But… he knew this wasn’t what Fiole had wished for. What Fiole had asked of him, was to be a good king.
A perfect king that would steer the country in the right direction.
So, hearing the words of the nobles today, Sion pretended not to know what they were referring to, shrugging.
“Rude? What does that mean? Have you ever been rude to me?”
“Eh? Ah, no, that…”
The nobles stumbled.
“Don’t worry. You weren’t out of line. You don’t have to think about it too much. Please rest assured and continue leading the people to a better life.”
Sion told the nobles, smiling. The nobles hearing that, had an expression as if they were about to cry.
“O-Of course. I will work hard for Your Majesty, and cooperate with the governing of the land…”
But, Sion interrupted him at this moment.
“For the people… Please work hard for the sake of making the people happy. Because this is the fastest method to make Roland a better country…”
Yes. No longer having the abusive government that only satisfies itself.
Roland had changed.
Roland changed Fiole… No, it changed everyone’s vision of a country that they had in their dreams.
The nobles nodded frantically when they heard that.
“O-of course. Because there are the citizens, there are us…”
Hearing that, Sion nearly smiled bitterly. How could they still dare to say something like that…
Sion nodded, indicating for the nobles to excuse themselves. The nobles were about to leave the hall fearfully…
A man brushed past the nobles, walking into the hall.
Beautiful and neat long black hair, added on to his slim and tall figure, and an attractive face, but…
How many people would notice these features?
Whenever a person looked at him, the first thing they would notice would be that pair of cold deep blue eyes…
People were always captured by that extremely cold, almost ice like, slim pair of eyes…
Lieutenant Colonel Miran Froaude.
He had come to work under Sion of his own accord, promising not only to let Sion rule all of Roland Empire, but even to expans the empire to extend to the whole of the Menoris Continent.
He had moved on his own, willing to help take care of the dark, dirty things that Sion could not avoid on this path of ruling.
And like he promised, he had accomplished his task well.
He had depended on his own power, cleansing the power of the nobles who had opposed Sion…
He had killed all those people.
Even his father, Baron Froaude could not escape.
In the end, the surviving nobles were just like these, trembling in fear, bowing in front of Sion.
At this moment, Froaude lowered his head, passing by the nobles who were retreating quickly, he said:
“Hello, everyone, have you come to gain His Majesty’s favour?”
The nobles hearing that, turned around.
“…How dare you… Who are you…”
But, they immediately stopped. The nobles suddenly smiled when they saw Froaude.
“Ah… Isn’t this Lieutenant Colonel Froaude-sama? Your father Baron Froaude was killed earlier in the purging, he was killed by His Majesty…”
The nobles beside him added.
“Your own father has been dealt with harshly, but you come to curry favour with His Majesty in order to live, and you still dare to say something like that to us, aren’t you too outrageous?”
Froaude hearing that, seemed to lower his eyes as if in thought.
“…Too outrageous? Ah, perhaps that is so. If I don’t treat His Majesty nicely, perhaps I will make him angry…”
Saying that, he glanced at Sion.
Sion seeing that, shrugged helplessly.
It was unimaginable that Froaude would curry favour with Sion.
But, the nobles laughed. This was the first time that they laughed with a mocking expression.
“You mean, you want to continue to curry favour with His Majesty… What an unbelievable person. Someone like you will cause Roland to decay!”
They said, and raised their voices, deliberately allowing Sion to hear it clearly.
But, Sion looked at these nobles with a pitiful expression—you’re really saying something so foolish to Froaude… Sion thought.
At this moment Froaude nodded.
“Eh. You’re right. Someone like me will probably cause Roland to rot.”
The nobles were even more arrogant at this.
“Haha. Are you finally aware?”
So Froaude said:
“Eh. I have done some reflection on my unfair behaviour recently. Although His Majesty tried to stop me, but I acted on my own accord, personally taking care of the nobles who dared to go against His Majesty…”
In a moment.
“Huh?”
The nobles made a foolish sound.
The expressions on their faces showed that they completely could not understand what Froaude was saying.
Froaude continued mildly:
“In the end, I even took care of my father who has taken care of me for so long…”
The nobles hearing that—
“You… What are you saying… Th-then, that purging act was done by you…”
So Froaude smiled.
A dark, cold, demon-like smile. Just seeing it made one tremble, it was a smile that hid a frenzy.
The nobles seeing that, were momentarily speechless.
Froaude’s smile became even darker, deeper.
“But, the kind king forgave me, and even praised me… the outrageous me could once again gain His Majesty’s praise… and I am searching for my next prey…”
Saying that, he stared at the nobles. The nobles moved back unconsciously…
The situation was completely under Froaude’s control. He only depended on words to control the nobles…
“But, since you have all come to please His Majesty… I guess no one here is planning any conspiracies?”
The nobles hearing that, nodded frantically.
“O-of course not. W-w-we will remain loyal to His Majesty forever…”
“Then I can rest assured.”
Froaude hearing that, lightly bowed his head.
Perhaps they felt that they were finally released? The nobles quickly said:
“Th-then we’ll take our leave…”
Saying that, the nobles left the hall with a tired expression, and whispered as they trembled:
“Wh-what is that person… He is c-completely mad…”
Their voices faded away from the hall, and were gone…
Froaude seeing that, turned to Sion, and said with that cold expression:
“Your Majesty, what do you think?”
Sion hearing that, frowned.
“The way you speak, is that what you were talking earlier about currying favour?”
Froaude said as he approached Sion:
“Did I not do well?”
But Sion shook his head.
“No, you did well. I have a crazy murderer under my command called Froaude… So that he can get my praise, he can even kill his father without a change in his expression… I guess this rumour will spread very quickly?
“Towards the fear that was generated because of the purging act, the bulk of the hate will transfer to you… Thanks to that, my interaction with the other nobles will become easier. But…”
At this moment, Sion’s expression sharpened.
Froaude’s actions would gain much opposition. Even the close people who stayed by Sion’s side hated his actions. He always used plans that, if Fiole were alive…he would have been the first to protest against.
No matter the sacrifice, he would choose the most effective path. That was the path that Froaude walked on.
It was really the most effective route…
This purging act was the same.
The purging that Froaude had carried out, had given the nobles a strong warning. No, not only that, the action had radically changed the whole country.
Ever since the purging, a majority of the nobles, even if only for appearances, had not fought against Sion’s wishes, and even came to visit.
Other than that, because the nobles who had misused their authority of power for their own benefit had been purged, the people’s support for Sion had increased.
Or it could be said, Froaude’s purging act had caused the administration of Roland to progress greatly?
But, in contrast, many nobles had died. Among them were probably people who didn’t mean to go against the king.
And…
He had killed everyone.
“…”
Sion’s brow drew together even more.
That purging act, was actually a murder without any special treatment. And Froaude had carried out that massacre.
But, the people were happy at this.
When they heard this news, the people said long live the Hero King.
They said, the Hero King has indeed helped us to get rid of the parasites.
They said, the Hero King has helped us to get revenge…
The people were ecstatic.
Of course, there were some traces of Froaude’s controlling of information in there. Perhaps he covered up the dirty portions, covering up the parts that people dared not to see, only emphasising on the Hero King’s grandness.
But, the truth was the truth.
Many people were killed… And the people could only celebrate that.
If this isn't odd, then what is?
How different was this from the past Roland?
It was only that the role of the sacrifice had switched.
If it wasn’t the nobles, it was the citizens…
At this moment, Froaude aimed his cold eyes at Sion.
“…Or perhaps, Your Majesty wanted to create and ideal world without killing anyone?”
He asked.
But, Sion shook his head.
“No, I trust that the path you took was the one with the least sacrifices? If I allowed the nobles to continue living, Roland’s progress to be better would have been delayed… And we, no, this country has no more time left.”
Sion said, it was almost the same as acknowledging the actions that Froaude had took up.
Froaude could have killed innocent people. But, he accepted it.
This way of doing things…
How different was it from the nobles who had killed the innocent Fiole?
As he thought that, Sion couldn’t help but feel disgusted.
The purging act was necessary. That was undeniable.
But, he still felt disgusted.
He felt disgusted that the one who created that situation was him.
He felt disgusted that he was helpless.
No, not only that, perhaps it was even too late to speak about it.
According to the news from the spies from various places, there was almost no time left.
The world was starting to move.
Chaos… and it will be unprecedented, the large ruckus that will change the whole of the Menoris Continent was about to begin.
So that Roland would not be affected by this chaotic movement, he couldn’t stop here.
So, he accepted.
To reach that goal, no matter how dirty he was…
So that he could protect more people.
Sion crossed his arms and said:
“The problem is, your purging act didn’t kill all the anti-royalist nobles. At the moment all the active anti-royalist nobles are dead, but…”
Froaude nodded when he heard that.
“But, the one who was in charge of the anti-royalist noble was Duke Stearead… and he was killed by someone outside of us.”
“Eh. And the person who killed Stearead and assaulted you, was someone from another country—this is the point that is most troubling.”
Sion said. On the day that the purging occurred… Froaude had fought with someone from another country. And, that person had come to attack Sion.
This problem…
At this moment Froaude said:
“Yes. This isn’t an ideal situation. I realised that Duke Stearead had a more powerful noble behind him, and… if this noble joined hands with people from other countries… even killing Duke Stearead… and commanding that foreigner to assassinate Your Majesty, then it’ll be harder to find out his identity.”
Sion nodded in agreement when he heard that.
Froaude was right.
There were nobles who were more powerful that Duke Stearead. To find out the person’s real identity wasn’t something difficult. And powerful people could be found easily. Even if they served Sion on the surface, one day, they would be found out.
But…
If this person had such deep ties with people from other countries, then this was different.
Even if it were an insignificant noble, if they depended on another country’s support, they could have a great power because of that.
“Things are… difficult? I wanted to deal with the nobles problem in one fell swoop, so I proceeded with the high risk measure of the purging…”
Sion frowned as he said, Froaude narrowed his eyes too.
“But, things have improved. This country is changing. Aren’t the people grateful to Your Majesty? If one more corrupted noble dies… This country will have a major transition…”
He said. Then—
“Ah, if I say this then I’ll be unable to reduce Your Majesty’s burden…”
Sion hearing that, frowned even harder.
“That’s true. That wasn’t reassuring, it even…”
At this moment, he stared at Froaude. He glared at him sharply…
“According to what you said, it seems like you’re saying that you want to kill the remaining nobles?”
Froaude smiled when he heard that. He had a dark smile that most people would not notice, but would startle them. He finally said:
“If that is what Your Majesty wishes…”
But, Sion interrupted him.
“Stop, Froaude. Don’t misunderstand. I don’t want unnecessary blood spilled.”
Then he glared at Froaude harder.
“You are indeed a capable person. I feel that you are a talent that I need. But, even so, if you continue to move independently, I won't forgive you. I have my ideal world. The one to decide that world isn’t you, but me, the king.”
He said.
He was serious.
Froaude’s plans were reasonable. It could even be said, that he always made the best decisions. But, now Sion had to say the ugly things first.
So that they would be able to cooperate and move ahead.
So that they could construct a better country in the future.
If he dirtied things…
But Froaude said:
“You don’t wish for unnecessary blood to spill, but… if needed, will you kill me?”
But Sion shook his head.
“I wouldn’t kill you, but, if you hinder me, I will probably put you in prison.”
Froaude hearing that, smiled faintly. Although it was a dark, demon-like smile like earlier, it had a strange tint of happiness.
“…I will keep that in mind. But, I will not betray you. Because to me, being able to follow you is a pleasure. So, I will not betray you.”
Saying something so sincere, Sion couldn’t help frown.
“Hey, what is this? You’re still paying lip service?”
But Froaude shook his head, happily saying:
“This is the truth. You mean, if need be, you would even deal with your subordinates… you have not disappointed me. Your priority is the people’s stable lives… But, you are a king that would make sacrifices to save more people.
“You look to be weak, it seems like you’re so fragile that you would shatter upon touch, a person who is easily damaged, but… you are a king who tries to sacrifice himself. And a king who will never stop progressing. This is the reason why I chose you as the king. And after today… as long as you satisfy my expectations…”
Froaude pressed a hand to his chest, preparing to kneel, at this moment someone spoke…
“Hey, hey, that seems uncomfortable. What are you doing? I thought that only the nobles would come to curry favour from Sion all day, it’s really annoying, but I didn’t think that Froaude would learn to curry favour as well?”
A hoarse man’s voice spoke.
Sion raised his head when he heard this.
He saw a red-haired man with attractive features and a tall build walk through the entrance to the hall.
It was a man who had a body like steel.
This man in his twenties was a subordinate who had followed Sion before he was the king and before he held the Field Marshal position of Roland Empire. And this was the only man in Roland who still called Sion by his name.
Field Marshal Claugh Klom.
No, should it be said that it was better that he finally held the position of Field Marshal?
Almost all the high positions in Roland’s army were taken by the nobles… Even if Sion had become king, if Claugh’s abilities shone in the army, Sion would be unable to promote him to Field Marshal.
The nobles had such power.
This was that kind of country.
But, now Claugh could sit comfortably on the top position of the army.
In the strange change in manpower earlier, Claugh had jumped up from a Major-General to become a Field Marshal.
At the present, the people who held the Field Marshal rank were… two nobles, Claugh was the third Field Marshal, but…
All the power was nearly in Claugh’s hands.
That was to be expected.
Being able to sit on the Field Marshal’s seat because they were noble-born, the proud nobles were unable to compare to Claugh’s popularity and ability.
Of course Claugh who had become the Field Marshal would have protested, this was to be expected. If all else failed, the nobles could have rebelled.
And… after that change in personnel.
The nobles who would have rebelled were almost all killed by Froaude…
So, the nobles kept quiet.
No, not only that…
Claugh had an irritated expression and said:
“I just passed a group of cowardly nobles, they were all here to suck up, right? Really, they used to look down on others, but they’ve suddenly become obedient, looking at them, makes me want to go mad.”
Sion smiled bitterly.
“That’s right. People who used to be arrogant suddenly come to get my favour, it makes one feel unpleasant.”
Saying that, he looked at Froaude.
Claugh nodded, looking at Froaude…
Froaude seeing the situation, said:
“…Are you talking about me?”
Claugh heard that, and said:
“Does it need to be said? Just seeing you almost kneeling, I was worried that it would snow today.”
So Frouade stood as he said:
“Field Marshal Claugh, your implications are heavy… Do I look like I look down on others usually?”
But Claugh nodded his head simply.
“Eh. Sometimes I even suspect, maybe you are the king of this country. Because you are always so filled with confidence that it makes it unpleasant to look at you…”
But Sion interrupted at this point:
“Hey, if you say that, then you mean that I don’t look like a king?”
Claugh smiled widely when he heard that:
“Of course. To me, you will always be like when I first met you, when we rebelled, my talented superior, Field Marshal Sion. But, really, look, you’re actually the king of this country now, and I’m the Field Marshal? It’s too troublesome, don’t be like this, I wouldn’t blame you, just revert to your Field Marshal status, then I can wave away the duty of being Field Marshal…”
But, Sion sighed before he finished speaking.
“Raising this again… Ever since Major General Miller refused to replace you as the Field Marshal, you have been complaining from day till night.”
Claugh’s eyes flashed with anticipation when he heard that.
“That's right! I wanted to talk to you today about that matter! Miller-senpai told me with an unhappy expression, “You’re better suited to be a Field Marshal than me”, and was completely unwilling to hear what I had to say! So today I used my free time during work to send a letter, and I wrote “Then let that fellow Luke be Field Marshal”, I didn’t think…”
At this moment, he took a piece of paper clumsily from his pocket, handing it to Sion…
“Look at that.”
Sion hearing that, looked at the paper. He saw the paper had meticulous and angular words on it:
“To Field Marshal Claugh Klom.
At the moment Sergeant Luke Stokkard is on a mission outside the country, and thus unable to follow your order.”
Sion raised his head and asked:
“This is?”
This time, Claugh had a serious expression.
“What's that ‘this is’? Luke that guy is a sergeant? What is going on? I heard this long ago, you know, that guy was used by you during the revolution, and he was the one who went around with me? But now he is only a sergeant? And I’ve become a Field Marshal, and every day I’m dizzy with the paper work that I don’t want to do, but that guy is only a sergeant?”
Sion had a bitter smile at this.
“What can I do? Because that person said, he didn’t wish for his rank to be higher than Miller’s.”
“Then can’t you promote Miller-senpai? No, to be more accurate, I think that it is impossible for me to be Field Marshal! There are more people who are suited for this…”
But, this time Froaude interrupted:
“No, I think Field Marshal Claugh is most suitable.”
Claugh hearing that, seemed to frown really unhappily this time, staring straight at Froaude.
“Y-you even want to pay lip service to me… What are you planning?”
“I’m only saying what I think…”
“Liar! You’re being polite to me, you must have some sort of plan! I won't be tricked by you! Because I don’t believe you.”
Froaude’s expression remained unchanged when he heard this.
“Is that so? Even if I am not trusted by you, I don’t care.”
“Ah, that’s enough, it’s this part of you that is so annoying. I can’t understand what you’re thinking…’
“And I think that your special trait is the ability to lead this country’s army.”
Froaude suddenly spoke, Claugh widened his eyes when he heard that.
“Ah? Trait?...”
“I mean, your unbelievably simple thought process, this point is part of your charisma, it makes the soldiers even willing to chase after you. I can’t do that. You can make this country’s army…”
Claugh interrupted him.
“Are you making fun of me?!”
“No, I’m praising you…”
“How does that sound like praise?!”
Claugh shouted.
Froaude tilted his head, as if troubled, when he heard that, after seeming to think deeply about what phrase to use…
“…Uhn, no matter how you interpret it, I think it’s fine.”
“I’ll beat you up, you…”
Sion stopped the angry Claugh at this point.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough. Really, why do you always quarrel when you meet, how unfitting.”
He smiled wryly. Claugh said with an unhappy expression:
“Is someone at odds with this guy?”
Sion hearing that, thought about it for a moment, then…
“…Uhn, I’ll not talk about this now… Oh yes, Claugh. Did you come to find me just to complain? I should ask, you complained so much, have you seriously done any work?”
At this moment, Claugh frowned, then smiled suddenly:
“……O-of course I worked hard. A-about the documents, I’ve already asked my subordinates to help…”
But Sion interrupted him in surprise.
“In reality you must have pushed it to him, am I right? Really, I saw that you came to disturb me every day, and I thought that you were very familiar with the work…”
“How can I be familiar with it! After I entered the army, it’s been like this! I’ve always passed the paper work to others!”
He said with an expression that said that he had forgotten about what happened earlier.
Sion seeing that.
“And you’re proud of this?”
But, Claugh suddenly changed to a serious expression.
“But, my responsibility is the dangerous mission that others don’t like to do. You should know that, right? I don’t like it that people other than me lose their lives. I hate hiding in safe places, watching people die. I am suited to be on the frontline… About this matter, I wanted to ask you… what is Luke doing now? What is the fellow who worked with you during the revolution, going around outside the country with the rank of a sergeant… What did you command Luke that person to do?”
Sion only shrugged when he heard that.
“Nothing. I gave Luke to Miller.”
He said. Actually he didn’t lie. But, he had given Miller some orders…
So Claugh asked:
“What? Is it some secret mission that even I cannot know?”
Saying that, those sharp eyes narrowed even more. It was like an eagle focusing on its prey.
“Under the current situation, allowing someone like Luke go outside the country… This means, it’s Gastark? You sent Luke to that country to spy… right?”
What a sharp observation.
Sion nearly made a sound of surprise.
Froaude had taken Claugh as a joke earlier, but… in the current situation, he wasn’t so simple. No, actually he was more clever, aware than anyone else.
After experiencing so much situations, wars, emergency situations, he had survived, becoming better after the war.
He wasn’t so simple.
Claugh mentioned Gastark. To the current Roland, that was one of the big problems.
Gastark Empire, it was in the northern part of the Menoris Continent, and it was very far away from Roland in the south.
This country was only formed recently, it was a small country that most people did not know about.
But, this small country was currently stirring up the Menoris Continent.
It had already conquered several small countries… and the large southern military country, Stohl, which had five times the power, land, army of Roland’s had been attacked by Gastark, and had been defeated.
According to the latest information, the southern countries were quickly strengthening their armies.
Of course, that was something that was happening far away from their counry…
The fires of war may not even spread to Roland…
But, the world was indeed undergoing changes.
And it was changing quickly, with the small country Gastark Empire at its centre…
At this moment, Froaude stared at Sion and said:
“I see. This cannot be taken lightly. Your Majesty has already sent spies to Gastark?”
But, Sion shook his head.
“No, Luke has not headed to Gastark. He has another mission.”
“So, that is a mission?”
But Sion shook his head.
“No. But, his actions have not gained any results. And, we do not know when we will get any results. So currently there’s no need to reveal the situation.”
Claugh hearing that, frowned…
Sion seeing that, asked:
“What? You feel hurt that I’m hiding something from you?”
“How would I feel hurt because of this?”
Claugh seemed to say angrily. Then asked:
“Didn’t I say it earlier? I hate seeing others die, but being unable to do anything. So I like the front line… But, now I’m forced to do some desk job. And Luke can carry out some top secret mission outside the country? You’re too cunning… What about me? Isn’t there some kind of top secret mission that you can give me?”
He said that… Sion laughed.
“You… are you serious? How can someone like you do something like a top secret mission?”
“Ah?! What does that mean? If you say stealth missions, I’ve done a few during the revolution…”
But Sion said with a surprised expression:
“No, I’m not referring to that… I meant, your reputation is too big, so you can’t do something like that. Crimson Finger Claugh Klom… In numerous battles, because your hands were stained red with your enemies’ blood, you’ve been given this title… Your reputation in other countries, is so scary that people can compare it with Roland’s Mage Knights? You think someone as infamous as you can proceed with a top-secret mission?”
Claugh frowned so hard when he heard this.
“Urgh…”
He moaned. But Sion continued:
“Even if Luke had many accomplishments during the revolution, but at the moment he is only a sergeant. Compared to Luke who other countries have almost no knowledge of, who is most suited to do the top-secret mission is obvious? You only need to obediently sit on the Field Marshal throne. Your shining reputation will stir the other countries, there will be more meaning when you lead the army. Ah, I’ll let you know, that was a compliment!”
Claugh hearing that, had a contorted expression…
“…Then what about my trip to Gastark?”
“How can that be?”
Sion replied with a surprised expression.
To this Froaude said:
“But, even if the Field Marshal is not suited to going, there is a need to send someone, and someone trustworthy has to enter Gastark Empire. And it must be as soon as possible…”
Sion nodded:
“Eh, that’s right. But, what’s more important is to choose talented people. Many of the nobles have died, the talented people who have been banished have started to move. If we don’t quickly get these people, this country will not have any future. Now no matter what kind of person we choose, the nobles will not react… that is the effect that the purging act has.”
As Sion finished speaking, Claugh had an unhappy expression…
But, Froaude who had carried out the purging act said:
“Although that’s the case, it also has adverse effects. Firstly, due to that purging act, other country’s opinions of Your Majesty had worsened. Oppressing Estabul, killing nobles, forcefully maintaining the country’s stability… The impression that Your Majesty leaves on other people is Roland’s new king’s strong attacks, it may probably even snatch other countries quickly. Furthermore, Your Majesty made use of Field Marshal Claugh’s good feelings to politely receive the Estabul princess, Noa Ehn. And successfully suppressed the Estabul nobles… They may be fearful towards the strong actions that Your Majesty is taking, and there may be another uprising.”
Claugh hearing that.
“What do you mean? Talking about which, aren’t there more drawbacks? It was you who decided to kill…”
But Froaude said:
“But, even if it is risky, there is a need to cut off all sources of the power of the anti-royal nobles. To let this country stand firmly again, this is unavoidable. And…”
At this moment, Sion continued:
“So as to deal with the rapidly changing world… right? Currently Roland’s power, don’t even talk about Nelpha or Runa, we don’t have the power to go against other countries. That purging act has made people felt disgusted, but, it was a necessary act, Claugh. At the moment, the nobles are powerless before us. After today, the country will be changed greatly. Firstly it will be the laws that change. We will abolish the laws that favour the nobles, then gather all the talented people in the country. Among those the most anticipated are… probably the Estabul people? They are worth anticipating than the Roland nobles who suddenly began to come to gain my favour.”
Claugh nodded when he heard that.
“Eh, probably. Last time when we suppressed Estabul, I knew it when we fought… They are quite well trained. As long as we search carefully, there should be some talented people.”
“It’s like that, Claugh, after this you’ll have more work, and that is to be in charge of selecting those Estabul talents. You will immediately head to Estabul’s lands, choose the people who you think have talent.”
But Claugh said:
“No, at the moment it’s a bit hard? Currently they have been scattered by the army and settled down… If the army starts to regroup, who knows if they’ll rebel again… Their love for their country is so strong. And they are extremely loyal, the more talented the person, the more so. I don’t think by raising these people to Roland’s high ranks, can allow them to be suitable for the role. If there is a mistake, it may even cause Roland to collapse from the inside…”
But Sion stared at Claugh.
“So I wanted to ask you. I want to ask you who gained the support of the previous princess of Estabul who was supported by the Estabul people, who has strong ties with Noa Ehn.”
In a moment, all expressions disappeared from Claugh’s face.
“……You want me to make use of Noa?”
“You don’t want to?”
“That doesn’t have to be said!”
Claugh glared at Sion as he shouted:
“…You should know it too?! Even if you don’t use her, she is already suffering. Because she didn’t know the plans of that companion, she caused her comrades to be killed, but to save the people, she was willing to be sacrificed… She came to Roland, knowing that she would be labelled as a traitor? And, she is not even seventeen years old. She’s always smiling, as if she doesn’t care, but in truth… She’s still a young lady. Coming to the enemy’s fortress alone… How could she be happy?
And, the Estabul people and nobles piled their hopes of reviving the country on her. So the two countries can enjoy the current peace. The reason why Estabul is not acting is because Noa is in this castle. But now you’re planning to…”
Claugh’s eyes were flaming with anger.
Anger and disappointment.
Even so, Sion still looked at him steadily in the eye, nodding:
“That’s right. What I’m planning to do, is to make her shoulder more unsavoury things of being a traitor. I want to use Ehn-sama’s recommendation to select talented people from the Estabul army. The Estabul army that has already been disbanded, so that they don’t exist to revive Estabul, will be integrated into the Roland army. And under Ehn-sama’s directing… This means, in truth, reviving Estabul will be impossible. Ehn-sama may be accused of selling her country to Roland. But, so what? Unless you’re saying we release the Estabul soldiers, reviving their country, just to improve Ehn-sama’s reputation?”
“No, that…”
But, Sion interrupted him.
“Claugh, this isn’t a game. As long as I am king, Estabul cannot be revived. I can predict that. As long as I am king of this country, I will definitely not allow Estabul to revive. But, in order to rope in Estabul, I have to get her cooperation no matter what…”
At this moment, he moved his eyes away from Claugh, looking behind Claugh.
Looking at the person who had appeared behind Claugh…
Then Sion raised his voice slightly.
“No, if I say cooperate, it’s too light… Let me change that! I want to quickly use Estabul’s power. But, the reason why I’m doing that is to reduce the people who are sacrificed, even if it’s only by one. To reduce the sacrificed Roland citizens, even if it is only by one…”
At that point, a clear and gentle woman’s voice spoke from the hall’s entrance:
“Does the Roland citizens that Your Majesty speak of, include us Estabul people?”
Claugh hearing that, turned back in surprised. And he saw…
A beautiful girl who had deep blue hair that was rarely seen in Roland.
She had a pair of steady blue eyes, and gentle features. Her eyes emanated elegance and intelligence, showing a strength that a seventeen year old should not have.
She was the character that Sion and the others were talking about—the previous Estabul princess, Noa Ehn.
In the last rebellion of Estabul, she had been pained by the nobles lack of control to take people as hostages…
She was seen as the hero who had saved the people, by defeating the nobles by herself, going through the negotiations for surrender and successfully minimising the losses.
She was a talented woman who had become a noble of Roland was welcomed to Roland…
On the surface, that was what happened…
Of course, reality was different.
She had protected the hostages from further harm from Froaude’s plans for Estabul, knowing that she would be accused by many people, but to protect the citizens, she became a noble of Roland.
And because of that, her current expression was extremely serious.
She stared at Sion firmly.
“Please answer me, Your Majesty. Does the Roland citizens that Your Majesty wish to protect, also extend to the people of Estabul?”
Sion nodded forcefully, answering:
“Of course, Ehn-sama. Since I said Estabul would not revive, that means that Estabul would not be my enemy. You are my extremely valuable people.”
But, Noa’s eyes continued to remain fixated on Sion. As she walked nearer to him, she said:
“You want me to believe that? You have not only used Estabul people, but even Roland’s citizens as your hostages…”
At this moment, Froaude interrupted:
“No, that was my own…”
But, Sion cut him off.
“Enough, Froaude. She is right. Even if it was something you decided on, the things that Roland has done to Estabul, are things that I as the king of Roland should be responsible for.
“But, if possible, I wish for you to believe in my sincerity. Believe in my feelings that I wish to protect the Estabul people… Trust me that I will not allow for any more fighting between our two countries. Even if you do not believe it, there has been too many sacrifices. The long war has made us lose all resemblance of normalcy.”
Saying that, Sion closed his eyes as if remembering the past. Then said:
“Ehn-sama. In the past, I had a companion called Kiefer Knolles. That was a long time before I became king. Anyway I had a girl called Kiefer among my companions… She was a lively and clever person. She loved another one of my companion… I liked seeing the smiles of ‘him’, Kiefer and my other companions. Even though Roland was in a state of unrest, everyone could still be happy, they seemed to be blessed… When I was with them, I would forget all my troubles…”
Sion said, realising that he had a faint smile.
He remembered the figures of his past companions.
Kiefer, Ryner, Tyle, Toni, Fahl… he remembered the days with those companions…
Sion continued:
“At that time… I thought, it may not be bad if days continued like this… maybe this country doesn’t need to be changed. Only a fool like me worries over and thinks about how can this country be changed… in truth it probably is unneeded? Perhaps everyone doesn’t want it to change? That was what I thought. At that time we smiled happily, we were so happy that I had this thought. Because my treasured companions were laughing so happily, so… where did we need to change? I thought. Because everyone had their own happiness, they were smiling so freely. Even so, I only needed to protect the smiles before me… Wasn’t that enough? I only needed the power to protect my companions, that was enough… That was what I thought. But…”
Then he opened his eyes, looking at Noa who was standing beside Claugh…
“…Most of my companions died. Because of Kiefer Knolles’s betrayal. No, it should be said Estabul’s former spy, Kiefer’s betrayal…”
Noa hearing that, revealed a surprised expression.
“Then, Your Majesty hates Estabul people…”
But Sion shook his head.
“How could I? Kiefer is still my important companion. Although she is very far away now… To me, she is still my important companion, this has not changed. My companions’ deaths were indeed caused by her betrayal. But, she was forced to do it. She and her sisters were sent to Roland as spies from Estabul… but her elder sister was killed by the Roland Mage Knight Battalion, her younger sister was taken as a hostage… she became a double spy.
“She was always worried that her younger sister would be killed… So, she followed the Roland nobles’ orders… No, she took my brothers’ orders, so that she could kill me who was a hindrance to my brothers, and to trick the Estabul soldiers, she couldn’t do anything else. But, I don’t think that her feelings for that treasured companion were false. She was always laughing with us… I don’t think her smiling face was false.
“She betrayed her country, and betrayed us who were once her companions… I trust that she must have wanted to come to us a few times to beg for help. Although she was always smiling, but I trust that she wanted to be saved. But I… didn’t discover it!! And her younger sister had been killed a long time ago. She cried as she betrayed us, causing her companions to be killed, even causing her younger sister to be killed…
“It was corrupted…. This country was extremely corrupted. The lowly nobles, and my vulgar father… the mad war… so, Estabul will not be revived. I…”
Saying that, Sion stopped, then said:
“……No, as long as I am king, I will definitely not allow for any conflict between Roland and Estabul. To me, the Estabul people are among those that I want to protect. So, I wish for your help. So that I can protect this country from any inner conflict… to prevent outside invasions… I want to gain Estabul’s help, Ehn-sama.”
At this moment, Sion bowed deeply to Noa.
“Do I have your trust now?”
He said. Noa seeing that, frantically said:
“Don’t be like that… Your Majesty is too kind… And you’re doing this in front of your subordinates Field Marshal Claugh and Lieutenant General Froaude… I don’t have any problem with accepting or rejecting. I can understand Your Majesty’s feelings very well. If I can help, I will do so.”
Sion hearing that, raised his head.
“…That way, you will become a traitor…”
But Noa smiled.
“I was given that crime a long time ago. And, when I feel upset, Field Marshal Claugh will protect me like just now, so…”
Claugh heard that, and his face turned sour.
“Eh? …So you heard it from the beginning?”
Noa hearing that, smiled happily, staring at Claugh as she said:
“Who told Field Marshal to speak so loudly…”
Then she turned to Sion again.
“Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will introduce the talented people in Estabul to Field Marshal Claugh.”
Sion smiled when he heard that.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
He said.
And he believed, as long as Noa was willing to appear, there would be no problem.
She was clever and strong…
And…
When she looked at Claugh, there was a light in her eyes…
As long as these two people moved together, there would be no problem, he thought. If Roland’s Field Marshal and Estabul’s princess could keep up the good relationship…
The relation between the two countries could take a turn for the better.
Sion smiled and said:
“Uhn, things are like that, Claugh. The Estabul army will be taken in as well, Roland’s military strength will increase. Until then, your work load as a Field Marshal will increase too…”
Claugh panicked when he heard that.
“Ah? W-wait… How did things turn out this way? This is too much. If I’m going to be busier from now, I may die! Talking about which, the other noble Field Marshals have nothing to do…”
Sion nodded, then turned to Noa.
“So that Claugh doesn’t die earlier, could you recommend trustworthy and talented people from Estabul’s side? Because I plan to make a person from Estabul the fourth Field Marshal of this country.”
In the moment Sion finished speaking, Noa revealed a shocked expression.
“Ah…F-field Marshal? An Estabul person?”
Sion nodded simply.
“Eh. Claugh, are you against it?”
But Claugh shook his head, and for some reason, looked very happy.
“No, but if I can split half of my work with that person, I wouldn’t have any protests.”
Noa heard that, but she was unable to believe it.
“B-but…”
But Sion interrupted her.
“That settles it. I am going to allow an Estabul people, and the talented people from Roland who have been bullied up till now, take over the important posts in the Roland army. I think all of the movements should be done now while the nobles don’t dare to act foolishly? So, there’s not much time. Settle this quickly. The two of you will head to Estabul lands immediately.”
So Claugh said happily:
“Yes. Since things have progressed till this stage, then let’s go, Noa. Sion, really, you always come up with interesting things…”
He said as he pulled Noa’s arm, making as to leave the hall. Noa seeing that, frantically said:
“W-wait, Field Marshal… How…”
But Claugh didn’t heed her.
“What’s wrong? Since that person said so, then it can’t be wrong. Then, Sion, we’re leaving? I will bring back a large number of people, don’t be too surprised at that time? At that time, I will hand the Field Marshal’s work to them, then go to Gastark.”
He said, forcefully bringing Noa away.
Sion smiled wryly when he saw that, turning to Froaude.
“Does that person really think that he can wave off the Field Marshal’s work?”
But Froaude didn’t reply, only staring at Sion.
“…Was what you said real?”
“Eh? What?”
“About making an Estabul person a Field Marshal. Don’t you think it’s too early? Allowing an Estabul person take up an officer’s position… It is effective in stopping any rebellion from Estabul. But, the top of the army has privilege and authority, it seems to be a bit too much…”
But Sion shook his head.
“Didn’t you say it too? You said we already don’t have any time. So as to protect our country from the strong Gastark which has defeated Stohl and other countries, and other strong invasions, we need power. Roland needs to accumulate power. And we have to do in a short time. We have to become a stronger and wealthier country. Making amendments to laws that can allow people to be motivated to progress… We have to become a country where everyone can smile as they live. If we can become that before another country invades us… then we win. Until then, even if we don’t fight…”
Froaude’s eyes became sharp when he heard that.
“…As long as our formation is stable, we can invade other countries… When the talented people are gathered in this country, other countries will naturally crumble from the inside. I see. Decreasing the casualties to the least… Is this your decision?”
“Do you not acknowledge it?”
Froaude shook his head.
“No, minimising the casualties… Although it’s like that, but Your Majesty knows, if there’s any need, we have to go through some risks. Allowing an Estabul person to become a Field Marshal, if that works, it will have a large impact. This will definitely benefit us to have sufficient power to invade other countries…”
That was right.
Allowing an Estabul person to become a Field Marshal was that valuable.
It represented—people from other countries could become Roland’s Field Marshal, even if it were people from countries that had lost to Roland…
This fact would decrease the enmity that other countries had. Even if they lost, Roland would accept them fairly. If they lost, only if they lost to Roland, there might be peaceful days awaiting them.
Even if they lost…
If it were for Roland, it might be a valuable battle…
If they could make other armies realise this, even if for a moment, then Roland would win.
But…
Frouade continued:
“Your Majesty is going to allow an Estabul person to become a Field Marshal, if this person attempts to rebel, then you have to kill him… You have to be someone who can make that decision. The shortest route to ruling everything. In the situation to reduce the casualties to the least… If you had to rescue the majority, you would sacrifice the minority. Your Majesty is someone who can have that resolve. If that’s so, I will follow Your Majesty’s orders. I… will proceed to Runa Empire.”
Sion stared at Froaude when he heard that.
“Proceed to Runa?”
“Yes. In order to construct the ideal country that Your Majesty wishes for, it might take some time? I’m going to stall Runa, so that we can have some more time.”
Sion nodded.
“At the moment we cannot easily have any conflict with Imperial Nelpha or Runa Empire. After I became king, although I went to visit Nelpha, constructed good relations… but the alliance with Runa was done by the previous king… I think there is a need for me to confirm the other party’s intentions again, but…”
Froaude continued Sion’s words:
“And, according to what Duke Stearead whom I killed said, the nobles seem to have borrowed Runa’s power, attempting to assassinate Your Majesty. Which Runa noble contributed to this activity, which nobles have how much power… or even, this could be secretly done by the Runa king… We don’t know about these matters. But, we have to let them know, if they dare to act against Roland, they will have to pay a high price.”
But, Sion seemed to have think of something, thinking for a while before he spoke:
“This is a rather dangerous job. If you’re not careful, there’s no guarantee that you’ll make it back alive?”
So Froaude replied:
“As long as Your Majesty is unharmed, Roland would not be inconvenienced…”
Sion immediately interrupted him, saying:
“Didn’t I say it earlier? This country still needs you. If you die now, I will be troubled.”
Froaude was surprised when he heard this.
Then—
“……I will keep that in my heart.”
Saying that, he put a hand to his heart, bowing his head.
Sion smiled and nodded when he saw this.
“Eh, then remember that. Then, you’ll go to Runa… And…”
At this moment.
“Your Majesty. The Silwelt House has followed your request, and is requesting to see you.”
A woman’s voice other than Noa’s, that sounded steady but clear spoke from the entrance to the hall…
Froaude turned his head when he heard this.
“Silwelt…? If I’m not wrong, this is the noble house that was recognised to be talented in the aesthetics like the Sword Family, and has a long history… I heard this famous house was not recognised by the previous emperor and was banished to a far place…”
At this moment, the owner of the voice appeared.
A straight back, black hair that was tied up neatly. The person was slightly older than Sion… perhaps around twenty years old? But, she had a style that was unlike that of her age.
A confident smile, steady and sharp eyes. Every movement attracted other people’s attention.
Her slim body was enclosed in a black outfit, and she had a special outfit that was made from what seemed like hard armour…
A huge spear was carried on her back.
Originally the rules dictated that no one could bring weapons into the king’s hall… But she brought the spear in without any change in expression. But, although she brought her weapon, she knelt at the entrance to the hall…
“I was unable to come and give you my greetings, please forgive me for that. Sion Astal-sama, I congratulate you on ascending the throne.”
Sion smiled when he heard that.
“I’ve waited for you for a long time. If I’m not wrong, you are… the Spear House…the current head of the Silwelt House, Tiilnawest Silwelt, right?”
The woman remained in her kneeling position and said:
“Yes, please call me Tiil.”
Sion nodded:
“Then, Tiil. I have waited for you for a long time. How is it? Being banished by the previous king for so long… During that time, have you worked hard, and become stronger than before?”
Tiil raised her head… then, as if looking at a place in the hall… a distant corner, she said:
“Of course. Our current power is not worse compared to the Eris House which protects Your Majesty… So I brought my spear…”
Sion smiled when he heard this.
“Lucile, did you hear that?”
But no one replied.
Sion shrugged:
“Never mind, even if you don’t answer…”
Then he stared at Tiil and said:
“Then, show me your power.”
So Tiil smiled lightly.
“I see. This ability, this courage… Roland has really produced a good king… Lucile, I can understand your reason to choose him. Then…”
In a moment, her body moved up.
The large spear curved.
She took action with an aggressive air.
Shortening the distance between her and Sion in a breath, she thrust the spear in front of her—
But…
“Tiil, you’re still too slow.”
Suddenly, a man appeared behind her.
Golden hair, and dashing looks that a human would not seem to have. Eyes closed tightly.
A beautiful man.
It was a strange beauty, that humans should not have that would make people have an odd feeling…
He reached out his arms, as if going to hug Tiil from behind, stopping the spear.
A smile appeared on his face…
“It’s still not good. Your spear can’t pierce me…”
He murmured softly, as if going to kiss Tiil’s ear. The fluidity of his movements made it seem like he had been there since the beginning.
No, he had been there.
This man… The head of the Sword House that was responsible for generations for protecting the Roland king, Lucile Eris, had been there since from the start…
But, because this man didn’t want to be seen by others, so no one could see his appearance.
To this man, that was that.
Completely erasing his presence…
He even vanished from human’s notice…
It was like a monster.
At any time, Lucile seemed to be a monster that was very powerful. Tiil wouldn’t have enough strength to fight this monster, but…
Tiil said:
“Your underestimation of the enemy, will be the reason why you are defeated this time…”
Saying that, she grabbed Lucile’s arm hard.
In a moment.
Two men with the same expression as Tiil appeared from behind Lucile and stabbed their spears, approaching quickly…
“Die! Lucile Eris!!”
The men shouted.
What an aggressive speed. Their movements should have surpassed the power of the strongest soldiers in this country—the Mage Knight Battalion?
But, Lucile didn’t even turn back.
No, he didn’t even take the other party into account.
He only smiled lightly, then brought his lips near to Tiil’s ear again…
“Oh, are these your brothers? What admirable movements… Then let me…”
In a moment.
The hall was filled with a large presence.
A presence that wasn’t existing just now was rapidly unfolding…
Sion momentarily felt as if he couldn’t breathe.
He was pressured by the strong presence that Lucile was emanating that he couldn’t say anything.
This was a presence that couldn’t be released by a human.
A beast…
No, it wasn’t as simple as a beast.
It was a demon…
The demon whispered:
“……Can ‘that’ be broken?”
In a moment, Tiil’s face twisted.
Then—
“…Ah, urgh… s-stop! Wayne! Sil!”
She shouted.
Tiil’s two brothers immediately reacted to her voice, stopping exactly before they pierced Lucile…
But, the two men who were attacking others were pale. They were sweating heavily, the faces had frightened expressions because of their fear…
Lucile laughed happily when he saw that.
“Congratulations for saving your own lives. Tiil, what an accurate judgement. You are indeed stronger than back then. Your younger brothers are talented too. Uhn, but they’re not up to my younger sister’s standard… Is it worth referring to? Sion.”
Sion nodded when he heard this.
“Eh. I already knew that they were very talented people…”
Saying that, Lucile’s figure faded again.
“That’s good. I especially like Tiil. I trust that she can help you a lot? Then get along well.”
Saying that, his figure disappeared completely.
Sion watched this strange spectacle. After the strange scene disappeared, he spoke:
“So you knew each other?”
Standing behind Tiil, a black-haired youth called Sil that seemed a lot like Tiil retorted quickly:
“We don’t know each other! Who knows that lowly person who uses that sword which is lowly compared to the spear, but calls himself the strongest person…”
At this moment Tiil stopped him.
“Shut up, Sil! Remember you’re in front of His Majesty.”
“Ah, urgh… I-I’m sorry, Onee…”
But, the man called Wayne who looked to be slightly older than Sil stopped him.
“It’s not Onee-san, Sil. It’s Master.”
“Y-yes, Onee… Master. I’m sorry.”
Tiil seeing that, bowed her head slightly in helplessness.
“Allowing Your Majesty to see something embarrassing… My younger brother Sil is still immature…”
But Sion smiled wryly:
“He’s immature, but he moved agilely… How amazing. I understand your abilities. Then, about what I raised… Lucile and you are?”
Tiil had a slightly troubled expression when she heard this.
“…We fought once in the past. Eh, that was when I was twelve years old…”
The result?
Sion didn’t want to ask.
The ending didn’t need to be said out loud.
The Sword House Eris House…
But, the current Lucile couldn’t even use a sword. Not only that, Sion hadn’t even seen Lucile use a sword before.
No matter how many strong enemies appeared, he only moved his hand slightly… his enemy’s head would be separated from the body, flying in the air.
Tiil said:
“Not only my brothers… How the people of the Tiil House, to me, Lucile-sama has always been the goal that I have been working towards…”
She said.
Eh, this was something to be expected.
As long as people who practised aesthetics saw Lucile, there would probably be two types of people? If they didn’t worship him, they would fear him?
But, from Lucile’s fighting style, he seemed to prefer people to fear him…
Sion said:
“Eh… Lucile is your goal… But, this is troubling. If the people around me are monsters, I will be unable to breathe…”
Tiil smiled when she heard this.
“Please rest assured… I will never be able to reach his level…”
For some reason, she said this happily.
And after hearing her say that, the brother called Sil frowned unhappily, and Wayne had a mild but calm expression.
It seemed like Sil was really an immature person, and hated the Eris Family.
This seemed interesting…
At this moment, Sion suddenly had an expression like a mischievous boy, as if he had thought of a new prank.
“Ah…I thought of something that would make that person hate me a~gain…”
He said softly. Tiil raised her head at this.
“Ah? May I ask, what is it?”
But, Sion shook his head quickly.
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. It’s nothing to do with this. About that… I’m very clear about your ability. I am different from the previous king, the more talented the person, the more I will be prepared to use this ability… Everyone knows this, right?”
Hearing that, Tiil, Sil and Wayne knelt down again.
“Yes. The Silwelt Family has always wished for a master like this.”
Sion nodded when he heard this.
“Then raise your heads. There is no time to be spent on pleasantries. It will be very busy after today.”
There was not much time left.
They had to gather the talented people in the country.
They had to gain not only the Estabul army’s support, but even the Estabul citizens’ support.
In addition, the elusive nobles who were foolishly moving in the darkness…
He had to completely change the laws and measures that only benefited the nobles.
He had to start with changing the home affairs.
And it had to be before the other countries invaded.
Before Roland entered a chaotic state.
And while they were preparing the work, there were many things that had to be done within the country…
They had to make the other countries be stunned at Roland’s change.
At this moment, Sion looked at Froaude who had been looking at the fight…
And, Froaude seemed to realise Sion’s thoughts as he nodded.
“I think that this is a good idea. Then, I… should prepare to leave for Runa?”
Saying that, he bowed to Sion again, leaving the hall.
After watching him leave—
“Then, let’s begin?”
Saying that, Sion looked at Tiil, and the Silwelt brothers again.
“I plan to send you on missions outside the country. The main reason why I chose you was, of course I believed in your strong power. But I feel that the real reason why you are suited for this, is because you do not know how to use magic. Even if you are captured outside, you would not leak our country’s secret magic out… In contrast, if you are captured as hostages, I will not save you. I cannot allow other countries to find out our weaknesses.”
Hearing that, Tiil raised her head slightly.
“I see. That country… will be initiating war with us Roland Empire?”
War…
Sion’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…Perhaps it will turn out that way? Although I don’t wish for that to happen.”
The world had already started to turn in that direction.
Although no one wished for that…
But the world was already proceeding in that direction.
And…
There was no way to escape.
Sion looked at Tiil again.
“Do you know a country called Gastark?”
He asked.
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