The Festival That Ended
That night.
"What do you mean by that? That you will not halt the festival…!!"
Milia nearly shouted at Andrea's declaration that the festival would continue. And with good reason—continuing the celebrations when an incident could erupt at any moment was, from her perspective, utterly incomprehensible.
"Please calm yourself and hear me out first."
His manner might have seemed discourteous, yet Andrea showed no inclination to take issue with it.
"I fully understand Lady Valentine's concerns. I am aware that unsavory elements have infiltrated this place, and that they are after something."
"Then why…!!"
"Because this is not a kingdom, but a coalition."
Cutting her off, Andrea answered thus.
"Unlike a kingdom that moves at the will of a single monarch, this coalition is governed by the consensus of many. And the council has determined that continuing the festival is in the coalition's best interest. Once that decision has been made, it must be followed."
"But…"
"We did not reach this conclusion lightly. As you well know, Lady, it would be one thing before the festival began. But to stop it now, while it is in full swing, would plunge the people into utter chaos. Pandemonium would ensue."
"That is…"
"We cannot rule out the possibility that this is precisely what they are after. There is no situation more convenient for them than one in which they can exploit the confusion."
At Andrea's continued words, Milia regarded him in silence.
There was logic in what he said.
In the entire history of the Riel Coalition, Foundation Day had never once been interrupted midway. To halt it now would be tantamount to announcing to every corner of the realm that an emergency of the gravest sort had occurred. The people would be thrown into extreme turmoil, and if the situation spiraled beyond control, it would only create an environment in which those villains could move all the more freely.
"I apologize. I was so focused on the immediate danger that I was discourteous to you, Councilor."
"Please do not say such things. I am the one who is grateful that you understand."
As if conceding his point, Milia bowed her head to Andrea. In reply, he offered her a faint smile.
"It may be a poor substitute, but the Contarini family—who oversee the military strength of the Riel Coalition—have agreed to reinforce the security forces. They intend to increase the current numbers by roughly threefold."
Even now, guards could be spotted easily throughout the streets. To triple that force was, in effect, to place the entire city under watch.
"In addition, we have decided to summon the Third Fleet, one of the coalition's main battle fleets."
"With that much… it might be all right."
Security forces tripled, plus one of the coalition's principal fleets. Gathered together, their scale would rival what one might see only in wartime.
"I see. I understand your position, Councilor."
Faced with such extraordinary measures, Milia seemed to have little left to say; she nodded with a short sigh. Rising from her seat, she offered Andrea a formal bow.
"Ah—and please take this."
In the next moment, Andrea stopped her and drew something from his pocket, holding it out to her.
"This is…?"
The silver seal depicted eight dragons radiating outward from God's Nail at their center. Crafted with exquisite skill, it was plain at a glance that this was no ordinary object.
"It is the seal that symbolizes the authority of the 8-Man Council. Show it to the guards, and the two of you will receive every form of support you require."
"You mean…"
"Should the two of you happen to encounter them, I would ask that you take whatever measures prove necessary."
As he spoke, Andrea rose and bowed his head to Milia.
"You may call me shameless, and I would have no reply. Yet… I beg that the two of you lend us your aid."
"…"
Milia regarded the bowed Andrea in silence.
In truth, she had ample reason to refuse. She was an outsider, after all, and should anything go wrong, the affair could spark a serious diplomatic incident.
Yet she had just as many reasons to accept. Listing them all would take forever, but the greatest was this: if they let this chance slip, there was no telling when the next would come. These were the same villains who had wrought havoc in the Count's territory and in Barenberg, then vanished without a trace for three years. Miss this opportunity, and who knew how long it would be before they showed themselves again.
"…"
Still looking at the bowed Andrea, Milia shifted her gaze to Schwarz. He nodded to her without a word. At his silent assent she closed her eyes and drew a slow, steadying breath.
"Very well. Upon the honor of House Valentine, we will cooperate in this matter."
And a moment later, opening her eyes once more, Milia spoke those words to Andrea.
The night had grown deep, yet the streets still thronged with people.
"I still can't shake this unease."
Walking among the crowds, Milia let out a short sigh.
"I feel the same, My Lady."
"Haa… Of all the times for a trip, and this is what we get…!!"
With a low groan, Milia raked her fingers through her hair in irritation. She had every right to feel wronged. What cursed fate kept dragging them into such affairs even here, so far away in the Riel Coalition? Of course they could not simply stand by, and so they had accepted Andrea's request—but that did nothing to erase the sense of injustice.
"You think so too, don't you?"
"Yes. I cannot forgive them."
Schwarz shared much the same feeling. The precious time they had scraped together by staying up nights on end was about to come to nothing. How could he not be angry?
Thus venting their grievances about the present situation, the two of them at last reached their newly arranged lodgings. The place was every bit as fine as the previous one, yet unlike before, they could not simply settle in at ease.
"Even so, isn't this a bit much?"
"Well… perhaps it is best to think of it as a sign of how specially we are being treated."
Gazing at the nearly company-sized force that ringed the lodging without a gap, Milia spoke in a troubled tone. By Andrea's special order, the guards kept an ironclad watch around the building around the clock. It meant the two of them were that important to the coalition—yet even so, the atmosphere was not one they could grow used to overnight.
"All clear on duty!"
As they approached the entrance, the captain of the guard standing there snapped a sharp salute and called out. Milia returned the salute with a light nod and stepped inside.
"You have returned."
A maid came forward and bowed; with the ease of long habit, Milia removed her hat and handed it over.
"Shall I prepare a meal?"
"In thirty minutes, if you would. We have a few things to attend to first. More importantly—how are the children?"
"They seem a little unsettled, but they are all well. They have finished their supper and are asleep now."
The great virtue of children was how quickly they forgot. Last night's events had been terrifying enough for ones not yet ten years old, yet the little ones were weathering it in their own way.
"That is a relief. Then the meal as I said—thirty minutes from now, please."
At her reply the maid bowed politely and walked off down the corridor, her footsteps clicking. Watching her go, Milia started to move—then paused.
"Vincent. You're there, aren't you?"
"…!!"
Looking toward the corner at the far end of the hall, Milia spoke. A low sound of surprise came from beyond the turn, and then Vincent emerged, dressed neatly.
"I heard the other children are all asleep. What are you doing up?"
"Th-that's…"
Faced with Milia's puzzled question, Vincent trailed off.
"Don't tell me you couldn't sleep because you were worried about us?"
"…!!"
"So that was it…"
Speaking playfully, Milia watched Vincent flinch and avert his eyes, and let out a soft, fond little laugh.
"I told you, didn't I? We made a deal. You give us information, and we protect you. So there's no need to feel so grateful toward us."
"B-but…"
Of course she could say that, yet for Vincent it was hardly so simple. To him, Milia and Schwarz were a lifeline dropped from the heavens—his saviors, in plain terms. Small wonder he reacted as he did.
"If you insist, I won't stop you. But it would be better to carry yourself with a bit more confidence. Keep on like that and you'll end up just like this one here."
"Me…?"
Looking at him, Milia pointed at Schwarz with a mischievous smile. Schwarz's eyes went round as he asked back.
"Yes. When you were little, you had exactly this sort of air about you."
"Hmm…"
At that, Schwarz narrowed his eyes and studied Vincent. Intimidated by the look, Vincent let out a tiny squeak and ducked away from his gaze.
"I don't think so at all."
I'll admit I lacked confidence, but I was never quite like this…
"They say a frog forgets it was once a tadpole—and that describes you perfectly."
As he answered with that thought in mind, Milia gave a low laugh. She would have liked to tease him a little longer, but there were more important matters at hand.
"Anyway, there are a few things I'd like to ask you. Is that all right?"
"Ah…! Yes! If it's something I can answer, I'll tell you anything."
Vincent nodded at Milia's question. Offering him a faint smile in return, she began to climb the stairs to the upper floor.
And so the second night in the coalition deepened.