16
16
I was glad that I could see my noona's face today for the first time in ten years.
Even though it was just a dream, and despite an uninvited guest barging in midway.
However.
Was it really a nightmare instead of an auspicious dream after all?
No, more likely.
It would be more accurate to call it a prophetic dream.
"Count-nim!!!"
Because right now, this pink-head was noisily shouting out to me like this.
'No, why on earth is she here......?'
It wasn't just anywhere else, it was the Imperial Palace.
No matter if she was the lady of a Grand Ducal house, it wasn't a place she could just enter recklessly.
'It's not even like a banquet is being held.'
That question was solved quicker than expected.
"L-Lady Sirius! You cannot do this!"
Because a servant with a pale face was hurriedly running over to stop her.
"His Imperial Highness the Prince is waiting. Come, quickly this way......"
"Haa......?"
I was so flabbergasted that a scoff burst out automatically.
'No, crazy...... It hasn't even been 24 hours since the confinement order was issued, has it?'
Leon, this bastard.
Is he truly in his right mind?
'Could it be that because Her Majesty the Empress barged in yesterday, His Majesty changed his mind......?'
No, that couldn't be.
"Ahem...! A-ahem......!"
Because the servant stopping Bathory was desperately avoiding my eyes.
Therefore.
"Haha... My word... This is truly amazing......"
I ignored Bathory and naturally tried to say a word to the servant.
"Hey, you over there. What do you think you're doing right now?"
He was probably just following Leon's unreasonable orders to bring Bathory to the Imperial Palace, but that action was no different from disregarding the ruler of the Empire.
As the Commander of the Knights guarding the Imperial Palace, this was naturally a situation I couldn't just let slide.
However.
"What are you doing, Count-nim!? Why do you keep ignoring me!?"
I had no choice but to stop because Bathory thrust her face right in front of mine.
"Count Roy-nim!!!"
"........."
This, somehow.
It seemed no longer possible to treat her like an invisible person.
"Ah, my... Lady Bathory. You were here? My, I didn't know."
"Didn't know, my foot! Do you take me for a fool?"
Yeah, you are.
I am truly curious whether there is even a brain inside that pink hair.
Before I could even give such an answer.
"You even made eye contact with me, so why do you keep pretending not to notice!?"
Bathory shrieked.
At this, I naturally shifted my gaze upward.
"No? I was merely gazing at the clear sky of the Imperial Palace for a moment......?"
"Clear......? Ah......"
No, you crazy bitch.
Why the fuck are you suddenly blushing and acting up?
'Don't tell me she thinks I'm comparing her to the sky......?'
No, if it's her, that ridiculous assumption might actually be right.
Then ignoring her seems to be the right answer.
Because my head is already starting to spin.
"You don't need to speak indirectly while being so shy. Still, to say I'm like a clear sky... Ah......"
"Pardon......?"
Wait a second.
'Is there something wrong with my ears?'
It feels like her language system itself is just completely different from mine.
No, more than that, this atmosphere itself makes no sense.
Because, how could it?
I definitely killed Bathory's brother yesterday.
And I didn't just kill him, I brutally beat him to death.
And yet.
Is this really the kind of conversation you have with your sworn enemy?
"Um, Young-ae... It's a bit awkward for me to say this myself, but I am your sworn enemy, you know? So I have zero reason to be shy around you. And like the sky...... are you talking about the sky of Hell or something?"
"There's no need to be so shy. And don't worry. Count-nim won't fall into Hell. Because I'm here."
"........."
Ah. This is hopeless.
'I give up.'
Because I feel like I'm really going to lose my mind.
I desperately wish someone would help me.
Just when my head was spinning so badly it wouldn't be strange if I collapsed right then and there.
"That is enough."
My ally appeared.
"Lady Sirius, this is obstruction of official duties."
"Jean......!"
I looked at Jeanne with a touched expression.
"......!"
For a moment, her vermilion eyes shook greatly, but it was probably because of this pink-head here.
Because not only me listening directly, but her listening from the side would naturally have a dizzy mind all the same.
However, even though Jeanne intervened, the situation showed no signs of improving at all.
"Jean...? Jean, you say......?"
Bathory muttered for a moment with an incredulous look on her face.
"You were in cahoots with the Princess too!!!"
Because she glared at Jeanne as if she were about to kill her right then and there.
'No, wait a minute, isn't she even angrier than yesterday?'
As if proving it wasn't my illusion.
"I won't forgive you! Sir Edelflead!"
Bathory reached out her hand to grab Jeanne by the collar.
But Jeanne wasn't about to just let herself be grabbed.
Unlike the pink-head frolicking in a flower field, our Vice-Commander was a knight.
Tak!
"......This is obstruction of official duties."
Aha.
So there was a method like that.
There's no need to bother choosing conversation.
You just have to say what you need to say.
'By the way, out of nowhere, Sion and Jeanne are in cahoots? What is she talking about?'
What else could it be, just bullshit.
Don't even try to understand it, and don't hold any questions either.
"Eek... eek... eeeeek......!"
As Jeanne roughly slapped her hand away, Bathory's face distorted.
"I knew it would be like this!"
Knew what, exactly?
"Count-nim, you are being deceived!"
"Pardon......?"
Ah, my mistake.
I should have just ignored it and left it to Jeanne, but I was so dumbfounded that I asked back without realizing it.
"I don't know the detailed circumstances, but because of Sir Edelflead, you're forcibly tormenting the people over there, aren't you!"
"If you don't know the detailed circumstances, please do not speak recklessly. Forcibly? As Jean said, we are strictly carrying out our official duties."
"Jean... Jeean......?"
"Yes, as Jean said."
Nod, nod.
Jeanne also bobbed her head up and down as if to agree that my words were correct.
At this.
"Hey! Sir Edelflead!!!"
Bathory reached out her hand again to grab Jeanne's collar.
However.
Swerng-
"......I told you this is obstruction of official duties."
Because Jeanne drew her sword and placed it against her neck, even Bathory had no choice but to freeze.
At that sight.
"Jean, you are the best! As expected, I don't need the other members. I just need you!"
Genuinely impressed, I gave a thumbs-up with both hands.
Slicing her up right then and there was my honest wish, though.
Even so, she couldn't go that far.
"......!!!"
Jeanne seemed to feel the same way as me, looking as if her whole body was trembling in regret.
Meanwhile, the pink-headed Young-ae......
"Jean... Jean... Eeeeek!! Sir Edelflead!!!"
Wow, truly incredible.
Even with a blade at her throat, instead of being afraid, she actually got angry.
However.
I could immediately tell why Bathory was acting so confident.
Therefore.
Swerng-
I also drew my sword immediately.
Clang!
Because Jeanne almost got severely injured.
I don't know why, but along with the servant.
Lancelot Pendragon.
It seemed the disciple of the Sword Saint had also followed behind Bathory.
Anyway.
'Is this bastard crazy......?'
I had no choice but to furrow my brow.
Because the place his sword was aimed at was none other than Jeanne's neck.
To say he drew his sword to protect Bathory like a prince on a white horse, it was far too excessive.
"Well, if it isn't Young Master Pendragon. What do you think you're doing all of a sudden? Swinging a sword at His Majesty's knight."
"......Was it not your side that drew a sword first? I am merely protecting Bathory."
"Isn't that far too excessive for just protecting her?"
"......Because she dared to point a blade at Bathory's neck."
"Wow......"
An exclamation burst out of my mouth automatically.
'This bastard isn't an ordinary lunatic either.'
He looked taciturn so I thought he was at least somewhat normal, but he was just a quiet crazy bastard.
It's a bit odd for me to say this myself, but without even changing his expression, trying to kill someone over a woman.
He really doesn't seem like an ordinary lunatic.
This bastard is a Swordmaster.
There's no way he couldn't read a person's killing intent.
Jeanne drawing her sword was merely for warning.
Meaning she had zero intention of killing Bathory.
Therefore, I immediately shielded Jeanne behind me protectively and asked him.
"Look here. Do you not know the meaning of swinging a sword at His Majesty's knight? This is no different from treason."
"......Treason, you say. I merely said I was protecting Bathory."
"Haha... My word......"
When I couldn't find anything to say because words didn't get through to him at all.
"Stop!"
Suddenly, Bathory barged in between us and shouted.
"Don't fight over me!!!"
Oh, good grief.
'Ah... O Anastasia......'
Unbelievable.
I don't know how many times I've called upon the goddess today already.
'But I have no choice, do I?'
Because only by seeking the goddess does it feel like I can barely maintain my sanity.
'Is she really serious......?'
How could she possibly interpret this situation?
As two men clashing swords over her?
But what was even more baffling.
"......Yeah, alright, Bathory."
Lancelot immediately sheathed his sword like an obedient puppy.
"Good job, Lancelot. And Count-nim too...... Kyaaak!"
Tak-
Bathory tried to naturally reach her hand out to me, but it was slapped away roughly.
"........."
It was Jeanne again this time.
She almost died just now so it must have been hard to move again so easily, but as if repaying the favor of me protecting her, she also protected me so that the pink-head couldn't approach me.
'Hmm, seems I picked a good Vice-Commander at least... Ah, I didn't pick her, did I?'
Anyway.
At this very moment, Jeanne looked even brighter than the goddess.
Because how could she not?
"......Do not lay a hand on the Commander."
Since she was showing such a cool appearance like this.
Telling her not to lay a hand on me.
'At this rate, I might really fall for her......!'
Was I the female lead of a romance fantasy all along!?
'......And stop.'
It feels like my mind got polluted because of Bathory.
Please forget that.
Well, anyway.
I was incredibly grateful.
To Jeanne, who stepped forward for me since I had bad chemistry with the pink-head.
"Jean!"
"......?"
"You are truly the best!"
"......!!!"
I gave a thumbs-up with both hands again as a sign of gratitude.
Then.
"Sir Edelflead!!!"
"......Whose hand do you dare to slap away? I'll kill you."
Bathory and Lancelot glared at Jeanne as if they were about to kill her.
At that moment.
"Lady Sirius, Young Master Pendragon, please calm down! If you cause more of a commotion here, it will be difficult to go meet His Imperial Highness the Prince!"
Unable to watch any longer, the servant cut in.
'As expected, Leon's confinement order hasn't been lifted, nor did he get permission from His Majesty.'
Seriously crazy bastards.
Do they not know what confinement means?
And do they really not know the cause of it to act like this?
'No, at this rate... isn't it basically just defying His Majesty directly......?'
In that case.
'Then I should work as His Majesty's sword.'
Throwing those bastards into prison right here too.
There's plenty of justification.
Because not only are they obstructing official duties, but they're also openly violating imperial commands.
Therefore.
'As for Lancelot, this crazy bastard, I'm not so sure......'
'But if I throw Bathory into prison.'
'The Grand Duke will definitely move.'
Just from the fact that Freddie died, wouldn't he already be planning a rebellion?
On top of that.
What if his most cherished daughter gets put in prison?
'Honestly, I don't know the Grand Duke's personality in detail......'
'He'll probably act violently.'
'Then I can just use that as an excuse to deal with him.'
I think Empel will also respond enthusiastically as if he's been waiting for it.
'Since I've shown that my power is by no means inferior to the Grand Duke's.'
Well, of course.
Since it won't proceed simply like a trial by combat at the banquet hall, there would be very many factors to consider, but still.
'Well, for me, as long as the stage is set, that's all that matters.'
Thinking so, I didn't sheath my sword and tried to thrust it toward Bathory and Lancelot.
Right then.
"What is this commotion?"
Suddenly, Isabel appeared, bringing knights and court ladies.
'Even the Empress appears here?'
At the unexpected appearance of such a big shot, I faltered for a moment.
However, unlike me.
"Empress-nim!!!"
Instead, Bathory shouted loudly as if she had been waiting for this.
"Please help! Count Roy-nim has been deceived by Sir Edelflead and is trying to arrest the Imperial Knights and nobles!!!"
Wow, amazing.
From beginning to end, truly amazing.
I don't know what kind of relationship she has with the Empress, but to demand help straight away without even greeting her upon sight.
And while talking absolute nonsensical bullshit without grasping the situation at all.
'I got deceived by Jean?'
What on earth is she thinking......
No, let's not try to understand.
Let's not hold any questions either.
Because it'll only give me a headache.
Haven't I already resolved this multiple times?
Well, anyway.
'If this nonsensical bullshit....'
If Isabel plays along with it, even I would be in a bit of a tough spot.
She is the Empress in name and status, after all.
Unless Empel were here or something.
As a knight belonging to the imperial family, I cannot openly defy her.
So I was worried about what to do, but.
"Lady Sirius, go back. And the same goes for Young Master Pendragon."
Isabel gave an unexpectedly normal response.
"Yes...? What do you mean by that......?"
Bathory must have thought the Empress would naturally help her, blinking her green eyes foolishly with an incredulous look.
However.
"Did you not hear me? Go back immediately. You probably came because the Prince called you, but currently the Prince is under confinement."
Isabel's response was normal this time as well.
She then immediately spoke to the servant beside Bathory.
"What on earth do you think you are doing? No matter how much the Prince commands and begs, you shouldn't grant this!"
"F-Forgive me, Your Majesty the Empress!"
"Enough. Just hurry up and escort the two of them out."
"Yes, Your Majesty! You heard her, right, both of you? Come, this way."
Following Isabel's order, the servant tried to guide Bathory and Lancelot out of the palace.
But the pink-head was impressive as expected.
"Empress-nim! What do you mean by that? I came to comfort Prince Leon......!"
"Tsk... Then if you came to comfort the Prince, what are you doing here? No, never mind. I don't want to know. And Commander?"
"Ah, yes. Your Majesty the Empress."
"......For my sake, please do not escalate matters any further here, and settle this by simply chasing those two out of the palace."
"Uh... um... Understood, Your Majesty."
I wanted to raise an objection for a moment, but decided to obediently follow Isabel's words.
'Honestly, in my heart, I want to throw those bastards into prison, but......'
Because contrary to my expectations, instead of taking Bathory's side, Isabel actually conceded to some extent.
"Y-Your Majesty the Empress......"
"Ah...... Ah.........!"
Isabel thoroughly ignored Michael's followers even as they sent fervent gazes her way.
She didn't make an issue out of arresting her own people, and asked to wrap things up here out of respect for her face.
I couldn't really say no in this situation, could I?
'Well, from the Empress's perspective, she probably wants to settle things quickly because of Leon.'
Last night, Empel definitely wouldn't have said he'd lift the confinement order.
Calling Bathory under such circumstances?
'It's no different from saying he wants to be confined forever.'
Isabel must want to quickly clean up the situation so it doesn't turn out like that.
Right then.
"Empress-nim!! Count-nim!!!"
Bathory shouted loudly as if she were the most wronged person in the world.
Naturally, I ignored it, and Isabel shook her head with a weary face.
"What are you standing around for? Young Master Pendragon. If you also don't want to escalate things further, hurry up and take the lady out."
".........Yes."
Lancelot meekly nodded.
It seems he isn't completely unable to read the atmosphere like Bathory.
'No, in the first place, that guy wouldn't have wanted to take Young-ae to the Prince anyway, so it doesn't matter.'
As if proving my thoughts weren't wrong.
"......Bathory, for now, do you want to go to your townhouse... no, our mansion?"
Lancelot naturally hit on Bathory.
"Haa...... Since it seems to be finished with this, I shall take my leave now."
Isabel let out a deep sigh, immediately turned around, and left with her court ladies.
Naturally, Bathory wasn't one to accept this.
"Empress-nim!!!"
She not only kept shouting after the receding Isabel.
"Save me, Count-nim!!!"
......She unfailingly cast her bullshit at me as well.
'No, save you from what? Seriously driving me crazy, she is... Ah......!'
Stumble-
It seems this kind of mental damage was huge.
My body suddenly lost strength, causing me to stumble.
Fortunately, Jeanne supported me right away, so I didn't fall over.
"......! Are you alright, Commander?"
"Ah...... Jean, thank you......"
"It would be best to leave this place to the soldiers and return to the Commander's office to rest for now."
"Mmm...... Shall we, Jean?"
"Yes, I will support you all the way there."
"Haha... I really am fine, though."
As the Commander leaning on the Vice-Commander, as a man leaning on a woman, it wasn't a good look, but.
'......Hmm, maybe it's better to just go like this.'
Even though because of the armor I couldn't feel body warmth or touch or anything.
When else could a guy like me hold the hand of a beauty like Jeanne?
'And a nice scent...... Ah, is this a bit perverted......?'
Well, anyway.
Above all, the biggest reason I decided to return while being supported by her was none other than......
"Count-nim! What are you doing!? You can't!!!"
Because watching the pink-headed Young-ae squirm in rage was fun.
"Sir Edelflead! Get away from Count-nim!!!"
".........Let's go back for now, Bathory."
"Lancelot? Wait a minute, let go! Hey, Sir Edelflead! Can't you hear me!? Take your hands off Count-nim right now!!!"
Even while being dragged away, Bathory kept shrieking continuously.
Naturally, Jeanne and I ignored it.
"......Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?"
"Haha...... Uncomfortable, my foot. I actually like it."
"......!!!"
Just like that, Jeanne and I amicably made our way toward the Commander's office.
And with this, my noisy first duty was safely wrapped up for now......
"Wait for me, Count-nim!"
"Because I will definitely save you no matter what!!!"
.........Anyway, it was wrapped up somehow.