Each Their Role - 3
Charlotte had rushed off with Theodor because the northern coalition forces her brother had drawn in were beginning to move. Their movements, however, were not directed toward the imperial palace or the central territories under her control. She dealt with the matter swiftly and brought it to a close. Afterward, she found herself walking once more toward her private sanctuary, almost without realizing it. She could not say why. Perhaps it was because she had just heard of her brother's latest blunder, or perhaps there was another reason entirely. In any case, Charlotte returned to her refuge and was met with a rather startling sight.
The man she had encountered only moments earlier—presumably the soldier—was now sitting on the ground without his helmet, resting. That alone was not the problem.
…Who is he?
It was a face she had never seen before. The man possessed black hair that seemed to drink in the darkness of the night sky and strikingly golden eyes. He was no one Charlotte knew. There was no such figure among her soldiers. Only one possibility came to mind: someone was impersonating a soldier. Yet the armor and insignia he wore were genuine, which meant he had killed one of her men and taken his place.
“You there.”
Why she called out to him, Charlotte could not say. She realized her mistake a moment too late, but fortunately the man appeared just as startled. When nothing further happened, she understood that he had no intention of harming her. Still, she had to ask why he was disguised as one of her soldiers.
“Who exactly are you?”
Neither of them moved at first. It was the man who acted first. He rose swiftly, clearly intending to scale the high palace wall and escape. Charlotte called out in haste.
“Wait! I will not summon the guards!”
“…?”
The man looked puzzled, and Charlotte herself could not immediately understand why she had said such a thing. But soon she realized the reason. She was intrigued. It was not merely his striking appearance; there was something about him. A mystery she had never encountered before seemed to cling to the man.
“…Instead, stay where you are and answer me.”
She wanted to know. Who he was. Where he had come from. If he were a mere spy or assassin, he would have tried to eliminate her the moment he saw her. That alone told her he was not one of those.
“Who are you?”
The fact that he showed no particular reaction even after recognizing her as the princess only strengthened her certainty that he was no spy. When she declared she would not call the guards, he regarded her with an expression of genuine interest.
“You ask who I am.”
His tone was naturally condescending, yet it did not offend her. His voice, his manner, even his expression belonged to someone accustomed to speaking down to others. Yes.
…Is he the same as me?
It was very much like what Charlotte von Bismarck, who had ruled from the moment she was born, carried within herself. No—perhaps it was something of even higher dignity. The man smiled faintly.
“How amusing. An empress demanding conversation from an intruder like me.”
“…Had you been an ordinary spy or assassin, you would have tried to kill me the moment you saw me. You have had two chances already. Is there a reason you did not?”
“…As expected of Princess Charlotte. Your intelligence is remarkable.”
He praised her sharpness first, then answered simply.
“As you said, I am neither a spy nor an assassin.”
“Then why are you here? Why did you kill my soldier and take his place?”
“There is no grand reason. I merely stopped by because I needed something.”
“…Something you needed?”
“I see no obligation to tell you what it is, so I will refrain. More importantly…”
His golden eyes shone brighter than the moonlight in the darkness. For an instant, Charlotte felt overwhelmed by his presence. She knew exactly what it was. The dignity of a ruler. It emanated from this man.
“You and I are enemies, Princess. There is no reason for me to show you my hand.”
“…Enemies? Who are you to call me your enemy?”
“You have been rather entertaining this time, so I will leave quietly. There will be no next time, Princess.”
In that moment, the man scaled the high palace wall without taking so much as a few steps. Charlotte was startled by the speed of his movement, too swift for the eye to follow.
“So, Princess, it would be best if you set aside your unnecessary curiosity. You should focus on your own role.”
“…You.”
“Hm?”
Charlotte looked straight into his eyes. Most people would have been overwhelmed by his presence and unable to meet his gaze directly, but she was different.
“Did you come from the Demon Realm?”
“…You say the most interesting things.”
The man gave no answer. With those words, he ended their brief encounter and vanished over the wall. Charlotte stared blankly at the spot where he had disappeared. Then she murmured quietly to herself.
“Are there many talents like him in the Demon Realm?”
She was already certain. He was not human. He had come from the Demon Realm. If that were true, it was enviable. Perhaps it was better than this empire, where fools filled every seat around her.
“He called me an enemy.”
An enemy. The Demon Realm considered the Bismarck Empire its foe. That was troublesome. Charlotte let out a hollow laugh and muttered,
“I fear he will prove far too strong an enemy.”
#
“…Your Majesty?”
Rin was looking at Seere with a slightly bewildered expression. Seere’s face had suddenly darkened while listening to the outline of the operation to conquer the 65th floor. Rin glanced at Celestia, commander of the 7th Legion, who had drafted the plan. Celestia’s eyes were even more startled than Rin’s as she watched their lord.
Rin swallowed and asked, “Your Majesty, did the plan not please you?”
“…Hm? Ah, no. The plan is fine.”
The answer was unexpected. Which only made the real question more puzzling: why did their lord wear such an expression? It was the look of someone in a very foul mood.
“Then, Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?”
“…Hm?”
“Your expression is not good.”
At Rin’s question, Seere finally seemed to notice her own face. She gave a brief explanation.
“Ah… It seems Teacher is meeting a woman.”
Though Seere spoke simply, both Rin and Celestia were taken aback. They stared at their lord with wide eyes. Feeling their gazes, Seere tilted her head.
“What?”
“Ah, it is nothing.”
Celestia denied it at once, but Rin was different. Being on relatively familiar terms with Seere, she asked cautiously, “That… How do you know whether Nahen is meeting a woman or not, Your Majesty?”
“Instinct.”
“Pardon?”
Seere declared with a fierce glare, “I said instinct.”
Rin and Celestia looked even more bewildered than before. Sensing that Nahen had met a woman in the human realm through mere instinct… was that even possible? But since Seere said so, they could not argue. They nodded, still somewhat dazed.
“…Shall we proceed with the operation as planned, then, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, it is not bad. By the way, Commander Rin, Commander Celestia.”
“Yes?”
“Could we not move a little faster?”
Seere spoke. “I want to finish quickly and be done with it.”
She wished to end the conquest swiftly and go meet Nahen. Rin offered a careful objection.
“…Considering the soldiers’ fatigue and the battle on the 64th floor, this is the best we can do.”
“I see.”
Seere accepted it without protest. She knew it was greed on her part. Still…
…I feel uneasy.
She wanted to finish the Demon Realm’s affairs quickly and go to him, because it seemed Nahen kept meeting women in the human realm.
“Haaah…”
I want to see Teacher.
Seere felt an intense desire to rush straight to the human realm. Watching the young Demon King sigh, Rin and Celestia could only exchange troubled glances.
#
The next morning, Eri and Dane, still required to play the part of husband and wife, naturally headed for the entrance. Eri, who had come out to greet him with a slightly awkward and subtle feeling, asked, “Ah, Dane…”
“Yes?”
“We have to report to Nahen today, don’t we?”
“We do. I plan to gather a bit more information in the morning and meet him in the afternoon.”
“Did you find anything concrete?”
“Regarding the civil war… It seems the northern coalition forces the Emperor brought in have not yet clashed properly with the princess’s army. The princess’s forces have abandoned lands that are unnecessary or difficult to manage and retreated, gathering tightly around Germanium.”
Eri nodded at Dane’s words. Indeed, contrary to expectations before the civil war began, things seemed to be dragging on without resolution.
“What about the Holy Kingdom’s movements?”
“None, it seems.”
“I see… Nahen will not be pleased.”
“It has only been a short while since the civil war started, so the Holy Kingdom is probably still watching the situation. They will make a move soon enough.”
Dane put on his shoes. When he opened the front door, Eri followed in comfortable sandals. Dane looked around and said, “The landlord is not here. We can just go today.”
“…Dane.”
“Yes?”
Eri lightly twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. Twisting her lovely pink locks, she spoke carefully. “Since… no one is watching, would it not be better to get used to it?”
“…Yes?”
Dane stared blankly for a moment, then understood and grew extremely flustered. Eri’s cheeks flushed faintly as she lowered her head slightly. It was as if she were waiting. Waiting for him to embrace her, just as he had the day before. Dane found himself calling her name without thinking.
“Eri…?”
“…Was that a strange thing to say?”
Eri tried to laugh it off with an awkward chuckle. Seeing her embarrassed expression, Dane suddenly felt angry with himself.
What am I doing?
After what had happened yesterday, things were bound to be awkward, yet it was Eri who had mustered the courage first. He realized how sincere she was about maintaining this pretense. Dane clenched his teeth. Then he gave her a firm answer.
“No. It is not strange.”
“Oh…”
“Pardon me.”
Dane spread his arms wide and pulled Eri into a tight embrace. Unlike the day before, Eri accepted him more naturally. She placed her hands lightly on his shoulders and rested her face against his chest.
…He is more solid than I thought.
She had felt it yesterday as well, but Dane’s body was far more toned than she had expected. His slender frame had hidden it, but now that they were pressed together, she could tell for certain. It was only natural. He was constantly running about, and he employed all manner of clever movements for infiltration. To actually perform what was called infiltration action, one needed a strong core.
Eri remained in his arms for a moment before Dane released her first, and they naturally parted. Trying not to notice the heat rising to her face, Eri spoke hurriedly.
“G-Goodbye, Dane!”
“…Yes. I will be back.”
Dane quickly descended the stairs. Eri waved at him from behind. Once he was out of sight, she finally stopped waving. Then she covered her face with both hands, bent her knees, and sank to the floor.
“…Ah.”
Though she tried to hide it, the cheeks visible between her fingers were as red as apples. Eri’s eyes, dyed the same pink as her hair, darted about as she let out a strange sound.
“Uuuu…”
Dane only sees me as a friend.
This relationship is nothing more than a temporary act.
I know that better than anyone…
“Why am I acting like this…?”