If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them (4)
"Why him all of a sudden, Ru?"
"He says he wants to see you. Claims he won't open his mouth otherwise."
"What an odd fellow. We weren't even close. I doubt we'd have much to talk about even if I went."
"Is that so."
...
"Still, I think we ought to go see him."
Ru was torn. Was it truly wise to let those two meet? They needed him if they wanted Dyke to talk, but the thought kept nagging at her that they were taking an unnecessary risk.
Of course, she was only agonizing over it. The direction of her actions had already been decided. Sitting still any longer would be nothing but a waste of time. Besides, holding Claus any longer than this was already straining principle.
At the very least, the risk was worth taking. She drew a deep breath and shut the carriage door.
"I'll do the talking. I would prefer if you kept silent as much as possible. I'd rather not invite any needless misunderstandings at this stage."
"Don't worry. I don't have anything to say to him anyway. We only met for the first time back then."
"I fretted over nothing, then. You're a sensible man; you'll handle yourself. More importantly—are you uncomfortable?"
"Well, yeah. It's stuffier than a mask, but it can't be helped. You said I have to."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. It's not the first time."
He waved a hand dismissively, the black hood still pulled over his face. He even yawned long and slow, as if this sort of life had already become routine.
But Ru herself was far from at ease. Compared to everything he had done for them, it felt far too stingy a treatment. Principles were principles, yet to the people of this street, had he not been a warm neighbor?
Or was she simply wanting to believe that—to believe in this man who stood so close to the Black Lady? While Ru wrestled once more between principle and feeling, Claus suddenly spoke in a worried voice.
"Are you all right, Ru? Your breathing sounds off."
"I'm fine. It's nothing."
"You're not carsick, are you? Don't be embarrassed—just say so. I was the same not long ago."
"It isn't that. You needn't worry."
"It really seems like it, though. Maybe you're just too tense. Want me to hold your hand?"
He offered his hand with complete casualness. Glancing at it, she saw calluses everywhere—clear traces of hard work that stood in stark contrast to the loose, leisurely figure he usually cut.
Every day I discover a new side of him. She had always thought of him as a villain forever hatching sly schemes, yet he too was a warrior who had trained relentlessly to protect someone. He had simply met the wrong time and place, and so walked a crooked path.
No matter how I look at it, you would suit this world far better. Caught up in that thought, Ru found herself nodding before she knew it.
"...Then, if you would. It may look a little undignified."
"Huh? No, I don't think that at all. People get nervous. It happens."
"Please."
At her words Claus immediately held out his hand. Ru hesitated a moment, as if weighing something, then removed her gauntlet and carefully laced her fingers with his.
"...Mmm."
"..."
The man's skin, smiling like the sun itself, was every bit as warm as she had expected. Just as that thought formed, an unexpected remark slipped from Claus's lips.
"Your hand is warm, Ru."
"I...s that so?"
"Yeah. I don't mean that in a weird way."
"I see."
She answered stiffly, still tense. But what she truly wanted to say was, So is yours.
Leaving that unspoken feeling behind, the carriage rolled on. High branches brushed the trees along the roadside, startling crows into a flurry of wings.
And the shadows that had been hidden among them quietly scattered as well. Shades the sun itself could not expose raced once more across empty rooftops.
"Th-this is—good heavens, White Knight! What brings you here..."
"Hush. Keep your voice down. We came quietly."
"Understood. And the one accompanying you..."
"I would prefer you not ask. Please."
"Ah, yes sir."
"..."
"...Haaah."
Keeping the black hood on was making me drowsy. I was wondering how long I was supposed to wear the thing when Ru took my hand and started leading me down a flight of stairs.
Hard to walk when you can't see a thing. On top of that the stairs were ridiculously long; no matter how many steps I took, they never seemed to end. Just how deep had they locked this Dyke guy away?
"Looks like they're treating him like a pretty major criminal. Having to go this far down to see him."
"Shh. There are others nearby."
"Ah, right."
"But to answer your question—he's being handled as nearly a first-class prisoner."
Pretty steep price for trying to go under some country bumpkin from Ernia. I shook my head and yawned halfheartedly. The further we went, the damper the air got; I genuinely felt like I could fall asleep standing up.
Just when my legs were about to give out from the endless march, the floor arrived without warning and smacked into the soles of my feet. Right after that, Ru's low conversation with the other men brushed past my ears.
"We've come for Dyke. Where is Sir Sovern?"
"Taking a short rest. Even if he's the interrogation officer, a young knight handling a major criminal alone is a bit much. Incidentally—will you be going in with this one?"
"He's a key witness. I'll vouch for his identity."
"If you say so."
They accepted Ru's word without fuss and let the two of us through. The door shut behind us; I sat down in a chair, and at last the hood was pulled from my head.
"...Ugh."
The sudden flood of light forced me to keep my eyes shut for a while. While I was still squinting, a familiar voice came from across the way.
"It's been a while, Claus."
"Ah, yeah. You're..."
"Knight Dyke. I look a wreck, I know."
His voice sounded thoroughly deflated. But the figure that came into focus once my vision cleared wasn't that bad. A little thinner than when I'd last seen him, a bit of beard grown in, but still the same upright young face as before.
Guess a noble stays a noble even when he commits a crime. The whole "innocent if rich, guilty if poor" rule felt especially grating. Even so, Dyke seemed to feel the shame of his criminal status; he shot Ru a sharp look.
"I distinctly remember requesting a private audience with this man. It seems Sir Sovern failed to convey my words correctly. Is that not so, Lord Everdeen?"
"Claus is here as a witness. And one cannot leave a witness alone with a suspect without proper escort. Remember that merely permitting this meeting is already an act of clemency, Dyke."
"Fine, whatever. I figured it would turn out like this anyway."
"..."
"So. What do you wish to ask me?"
Dyke had already anticipated everything; he turned his gaze not to me but to Ru. She, for her part, showed no sign of fluster and launched straight into her questions.
"First—your betrayal. When exactly was it planned? And what was the reason?"
"The reason is the same as I stated then. I intend to change a kingdom so weak it leans on the power of a single person. The moment I recognized this nation's flaws, my resolve was already set."
"Accomplices?"
"None. But there will be more and more of them soon. There are far more awake young people in this kingdom than you imagine."
Even the tone of it was pure mockery. Ru refused to be cowed and pressed on.
"I asked for a more precise list. Name those who stood with you, Dyke. Do so, and I will grant your family at least minimal visitation."
"Knight Dyke and ninety-nine knights of the kingdom. Or perhaps by now it's a hundred and one. Forgive me—they're multiplying in real time, so I can't give an exact figure."
"And your family as well? Come to think of it, you are Count Gramont's son-in-law. Is your wife involved too?"
"How dare you speak my wife's and my father-in-law's names. They—!"
"..."
What? So this guy was in cahoots with that unpleasant noble from before? Even while Dyke was losing his temper I couldn't help registering the new information with a jolt of surprise. I might even have looked impressed without meaning to.
Dyke glanced at my face, suddenly mastered his anger, and recovered his composure. Then, moving only his lips, he passed me a secret whisper.
Forgive me. I nearly lost my head.
"...?"
Your presence calmed me. So do not worry.
"...What is he saying?"
I muttered in genuine confusion, and for some reason he looked even more impressed and gave a small nod. Then, wearing a far more brazen expression than before, he faced Ru again.
"I believe that answers more than enough. I have nothing further to say! In any case, I kept my promise to open my mouth."
"Dyke. If you take that attitude, I cannot guarantee your safety."
"Threats are useless. A spear once forged may break, but it will never bend."
"Dyke."
"..."
She called his name again, but he simply closed his eyes and sealed his lips. Only then did Ru decide there was nothing more to gain; she leaned toward me and whispered.
"Well done, Claus. Let's go. Thank you for granting my request."
"I just need to stand up?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, but put the hood back on."
"Ugh."
I made a show of reluctance, but Ru pulled the hood over my head with an apologetic air of necessity. Just before my vision vanished, Dyke offered a farewell with a suspicious little smile.
"Until we meet again, Claus."
"Ah, yeah."
My answer carried every ounce of I absolutely do not want that I could muster. Of course none of it got through; the door shut behind us once more.
Then the man who had guided us earlier approached. In a mild voice he asked Ru,
"Has the interrogation concluded?"
"Yes. We're finished."
"Then, per procedure, we will conduct a brief search. As you well know, it is purely a matter of principle."
"Of course."
The clink of armor followed, and a simple search ensued. I was no exception to the process.
"You as well—would you spread your arms for a moment? Procedure is procedure."
"Yeah, sure."
"It will only take a moment. Please bear with us."
I raised my arms without resistance. The man stepped close and began patting me down.
Another day ending like this, I guess. I yawned long and easy, already relaxed. But then the man searching me suddenly leaned in and whispered against my ear.
"In truth, I share Sir Dyke's cause. I have a message for you."
"Huh?"
"Sir Dyke is deeply remorseful for having disappointed you. But we have not been idle either. Soon we shall prove our worth to you."
"Prove... it?"
Prove. At that word, two faces suddenly flashed through my mind—the very knights who had shown up at the manor today and spent the whole day muttering incomprehensible things before leaving.
This situation feels awfully familiar. The thought had barely formed when a whisper of exactly the same pattern as last time slid into my ear.
"Three days from now, come to the ruined keep in the direction where the bats sleep. Arrive there, and you will understand what our cause truly is."