The Reason I Called Him
Walking out of the Crown Prince's palace and heading back to the academy, I recalled the conversation we'd just had.
“Are you calling me from Lasquer?”
“Yes. I even pointed you out directly.”
“...Is it possible that they're doing that? Recruiting assassins to take revenge while saying they're avenging their enemies?”
This was not a joke, but said with genuine concern, as if truly worried.
But the Crown Prince... our brother-in-law! He looked at me like what are you saying to that?
“That's going too far. Would Lasquer really do something like that, Karl?”
“I know they're crazy about honor, but still, you don't know, right?”
“I don't know. If that gets revealed, the knights and honor that have been holding Lasquer up until now would all collapse, and they'd have a reason to be sucked into the Empire in an instant. Still, you don't know. Shh.”
“...”
I even considered telling my sister about it. If it weren't for that last part, I definitely would have.
“And speaking of which. Karl. Our brother-in-law. Even if assassins come, our brother-in-law would probably suppress them in one hit, saying 'what's this?' right?”
Yes, that was the core of it. Honestly, even I think so.
I survived against elves, and with stealth and agility, no human expert could catch up. But against them, I fought for 3 years in the Luzens War and survived, and then got taken down by an assassin?
This couldn't happen unless it's some story from the Central Continent countries where someone was sleeping while drinking. Especially since I don't even drink.
“To be honest, Karl. You don't like it inside, do you?”
“Your Highness? Why are you suddenly saying that―”
“Why? Don't you notice the smile on your lips right now?”
At those words, I unconsciously touched my lips. So, in the world, I was really smiling.
Even though I was interrupted while enjoying academy life happily, despite the fact that the Lasquer delegation requested my escort.
“Anyone would think that if I go to the delegation, I could fight them again.”
The Crown Prince said that, and laughed heartily, saying it's family trait, I guess.
A while ago, the father-in-law was so happy he couldn't stop coming over, and even my mother-in-law called him personally. Now, is he anxious because I want to fight the Lasquer knights again?
If he hears that, I imagine how envious the father-in-law would be.
“Anyway. What should I do? It's not like I have to decide right now. But I don't have much time to think. The delegation is leaving soon.”
“The delegation? Wasn't it supposed to be announced in advance and leave?”
“Originally, but there are circumstances. The Lasquer side seems to have rushed the king's ascension quite a bit, and since they moved first, what can we do?”
“...”
The affairs of the country are really difficult, and sometimes they seem very simple and subtly underhanded.
Last time, the Lasquer delegation came with a very tight schedule and tired out the Empire, so this time it's your turn to suffer.
It's funny because Lasquer really can't complain about anything.
In fact, they rushed the schedule too much and made the Empire's foreign ministry complain, and they also made political moves in the academy, so they have no grounds to complain.
With that question of whether to join the delegation or not, I returned to the academy.
“Once again, a friendly match with the Lasquer knights.”
Honestly, I don't know. Whether I really want this or not.
First, I was definitely disappointed. When I fought the knights from the Lasquer delegation, their levels were much lower than I expected, unlike what I heard from my father.
I thought they could at least exchange 10 blows, but what? One couldn't even withstand one blow, and the other situation ended after one exchange.
I admit I caused hellish circus against the Gganf in the Luzens War. And I admit they are way beyond normal humans.
But, I really couldn't imagine it being this shallow.
“Especially the 2nd princess from that side. The woman who said she'll be king soon is even more unsettling.”
I thought it would end with Selena, but suddenly after Lavrenti, Eloise. Huh? When I came to my senses, there were already three women standing around me.
Suddenly thinking that a foreigner is doing that, I thought maybe a damned axe soldier appeared or something ridiculous.
It was said that the delegation schedule is long, but about two weeks is enough. Instead of riding carriages for months, take the train and go in a flash and come back in a flash.
The academy schedule is a bit worrying, but if I submit a leave of absence, the professors will probably handle it themselves.
So, what to do. Sorry, but I don't think so. I won't go, I won't go. Or something.
Or, absolutely, absolutely, I didn't come because I wanted to properly fight once. I could just join the delegation and tour Lasquer a bit.
And a few days later.
“Welcome, Lord Karl Adelheit, head of the family.”
“Ah... yes. Thank you.”
“It is an honor to be with you like this. I never imagined that I would be entrusted with a diplomatic mission for the Empire alongside a Medal of Honor recipient.”
When I came to my senses, I found myself on the train heading to the Lasquer border, traveling with the Empire's delegation.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!―
A middle-aged knight and a young woman were exchanging blows with swords. It was hard to see it as simple training, as they were fully focused with real swords.
If they took one more step, they might be able to inflict fatal damage.
“Your Highness.”
At this time, one of the knights standing behind stepped aside, and the chamberlain entered.
Then, as if they had made a promise, the two men and women sheathed their swords and stepped back a few steps.
“What is it?”
“A message has arrived that the Empire's delegation has arrived at the border just now.”
“...As expected, they arrived very early.”
The new king of Lasquer, Imir II. Until recently, she was called the 2nd princess. She took a light breath and handed the sword to her guard.
“What we requested from our side is.”
“It has been confirmed to be included in the delegation personnel.”
“I see. I thought the Empire might reject it. But that's not the case.”
If not sending, both the Empire and the recipient would think their honor is stained. This seemed like not just a simple request, but a kind of new challenge.
“Not as an extension of the previous friendly match, of course.”
At least for Imir II, it was. She never requested the escort of Karl Adelheit, the Medal of Honor recipient from Friedrich County, for that reason.
But to the various knights of the kingdom, it seemed completely different.
“I apologize, Your Highness. In this friendly match, the result will definitely be different!”
“No... I never meant...”
“Do not worry. We will not cross the line to a level that could cause problems.”
“That's right, Your Highness. We just want to have a honorable rematch once again!”
Twenty years ago. The man who brought defeat to Lasquer. The knight crusher, the kingdom's nightmare, all those ominous names followed him around. He was a being like an unstoppable natural disaster.
Karl Adelheit is the son of Count Friedrich. To such a person, the kingdom's knights were defeated again. Overwhelmingly, to the point that even the excuse of friendly match didn't work.
In such a situation, at least the kingdom's face had to be saved. It seemed that the knights of their country misunderstood the meaning like that.
Of course, that couldn't be. Idiotically, would they call the one enjoying the highest honor in the Empire to somehow make him retreat?
If wrong, it would be embarrassing the entire Empire, and the king's ascension ceremony could turn into a war declaration. In the current situation, Lasquer couldn't hold out long against the Empire's blitzkrieg.
Then why did Imir II call Karl? Even in this situation, why bother requesting his escort to make the subordinates misunderstand on their own.
“Lepia.”
She recalled her distant younger sister living alone as a student in a foreign country.
Although the relationship wasn't close, at least better than siblings with the same mother. There were even times when she wished she was her real younger sister.
That's why she sent her. She commanded a study abroad that was like exile. To prevent her from staying here and desperately trying to survive in the political struggle.
At least, I wanted you to live a little more freely, and she conveyed that intention that way.
The problem is, did they not imagine that even with her eyes closed, she would do such crazy things even inside the Empire's fence.
Power is scary. Politics is so ruthless that it doesn't look back. Just thinking about that made Imir II's temples throb.
Because of that, Lepia really couldn't return to her homeland anymore.
Even if she becomes king and her children become successors. Once she has become a focal point for disloyal elements, she has no choice whether she accepts or refuses it.
To correct it. She can return. But that return will never have a good ending. So, Lepia was better not returning.
And fortunately, her half-sister seemed to have noticed her sister's intention.
“I wish to renounce my status as a princess.”
She declared her intention and announced her determination to live in the Empire.
With that, all misunderstandings and vigilance about her would be cleared. It's just that the future is the problem.
Her bloodline is still royal, but since she's not a princess, can she live alone? How would they accept the child who has become nothing in the Empire?
That part, Imir II wanted to ask. Not the far-away man who was coming.