Three Iris units were assigned to search the area, and two Earls were to be captured. Contact was made after midday.
“Priscilla will kidnap Count Knorr, and I will abduct Count Ernst. Everyone else, please escort Lady Annelyse with the brigade. Christine will be in command.”
“If they resist, can I kill them?”
“Dead bodies are useless, so no killing. His loyalty and military strength towards Lady Annelyse are what we need.”
If possible, I want to talk to Lady Annelyse before the coronation and have her fall under my charm, pledging her loyalty. Only someone like me can resist it. My daily preparation is different!
“Alright, everyone, please do your best. A thousand or so royal guards might show up, but feel free to eliminate them.”
The knight order, strongly influenced by King Harmonia’s “mad charisma,” would not let this pass unnoticed. I’m counting on Yuma Bashar to smooth things over, but the fact that he hasn’t returned by now suggests…
He’s dead… Ah, what a shame. He was such a capable man, truly a shame he died. I’ll banish memories of him to a corner of my heart and be happy with Annelyse.
We each took on our tasks and parted ways. I’m worried if Priscilla can bring him back alive, but in the worst-case scenario, we’ll just let Count Knorr’s knights fall under the “charming charisma.” I, however, will bring him back alive.
“There are quite a lot of knights. They don’t all fit…”
I arrived at Count Ernst’s estate with Iris and the carriage. Count Ernst is the lord of Denbelgheim, so naturally, he has his own estate and knight order, but the number of knights is excessive.
I had planned to casually abduct and leave, but this is impossible. It might be manageable to meet him, but breaking through this knight order to escape is impossible. I should have switched with Priscilla.
“It appears they’ve incorporated the King of Ashtal’s Royal Guard. There’s a banner.”
In a way, this is good news. It would be a waste if they fell apart after their loyal king disappeared. Count Ernst’s skill in consolidating them and retreating is remarkable, but making him meet Lady Annelyse peacefully will be tough, so tough…
“Iris, after escorting me, please return to protect Lady Annelyse.”
“I refuse.”
That was fast. Did you even consider it before answering? I might be killed here. They’re all the King’s Royal Guard, and we’re the ones who overthrew the king. If they find out, they’ll kill us.
“If I were alone, I could escape, but with Iris here, escape is impossible. Iris, please escort Lady Annelyse…”
“No! This is the unanimous decision of all of us. We cannot leave Mikael’s side.”
I don’t need a guard. Besides, in a way, we have a chance. Count Ernst bringing the Royal Guard is one reason, but I’ll stay silent for now.
“Unify the senses and words of all Iris units…”
Iris closed her eyes slightly, concentrated, and then looked back at me, opening her eyes.
“I will protect you above all else…”
Then, I gave Iris a light kiss. Iris received it with misty eyes, looking fragile and as if she needed protecting… Alright! Point scored! I haven’t had a normal kiss in a while; I hope my lips aren’t dry.
I lightly picked Iris up and got out of the carriage. With Iris alone, it would be fine to carry her and escape. In the worst-case scenario, I’ll just bring back Count Ernst’s head. Telling Priscilla not to kill, yet here I am… How wicked of me.
As we ascended the stairs to the entrance, I confirmed the position of Iris’s chest again and knocked away a flying stone. Killing intent radiated from the surrounding knights. Is it jealousy towards a handsome man, or loyalty to His Majesty the King…?
When I informed the servant of my purpose, I was easily admitted into the house. Perhaps my identity as a baron of the Ashtal Empire, without disclosing my role, was effective, or is this a trap…?
Count Geert Ernst, Border Count of Rothfar, with considerable military strength and the skill to consolidate Harmonia’s Royal Guard, is not to be underestimated. Therefore, his loyalty to Harmonia is likely exceptional.
The problem is I don’t know what Yuma Bashar said. I can’t exactly say “I killed him.” I’d have to claim he died of natural causes, but the sword wound would be hard to hide. Plus, the surrounding knights are watching.
If it becomes known that Yuma Bashar, a subordinate of Lady Annelyse, killed the king, Lady Annelyse would be held responsible, and her dream of becoming queen would be shattered. With my heart pounding, I entered Count Ernst’s office.
“I kept you waiting. …Or perhaps I didn’t.”
The plan to take his head if necessary and return to Lady Annelyse had to be abandoned upon meeting Count Ernst. …Because he’s a “striking zone.”
Count Geert Ernst. I had assumed he was a man. Geert, a Border Count, capable of consolidating a guard force… My image was of a “rugged warrior,” but before me stood a “bewitching beauty” with a considerably high “striking zone” rating. Probably higher in demeanor and age, too.
He looked to be in his early thirties. Black hair and slightly drooping eyes. His fair skin made his dark eyes captivating. He smiled throughout our conversation, and his posture revealed a good physique. The problem is his large chest… One of the laws of this world: “Women with large chests have large personalities.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Mikael Sin, a baron from the Ashtal Empire.”
“Welcoming you all the way to Harmonia must have been tiring for the Ashtal Empire. You are the captain of the Annihilation Brigade, the mercenary White Lily Corps, and now the commander of Annelyse’s 1st Brigade, correct? What business do you have with me…?”
No curveballs. If it’s a straight pitch, I can only swing with all my might. Ah, I want to swing at that chest.
“With the King dead, it is fitting that Duke Annelyse Flüge become the next queen. I would like Count Geert Ernst to support Duke Flüge as well.”
Now, what do you say?! Will the batted ball land in the catcher’s mitt or the stands beyond the outfield fence!?
“…By the way, did you kill the King of Harmonia?”
A foul tip at this point?! He’s deflected the conversation and hit it high! Depending on my answer, the first baseman might catch it, and the game will be over. Now, what should I say…?
“Yes, I killed him” would be out. Saying “I didn’t kill him” would be a lie. Despite Count Ernst’s drooping eyes, his sharp gaze that occasionally surfaces sends shivers down my spine.
“I did not kill Lady Annelyse.”
It’s the truth. More accurately, Yuma Bashar stabbed him to death. I’m not lying, but since he’s Lady Annelyse’s subordinate, that doesn’t absolve her of responsibility.
“It appears that after Annelyse left the King’s tent, a fire broke out shortly thereafter, and your subordinate was heard saying something like ‘His Majesty the King has passed away’… It’s understandable that suspicions would arise.”
Yuma Bashar certainly made a spectacle of himself. This might hide the King’s stab wound. He must have killed the tent knights as well…
“Then, it is as stated. I left the tent with Lady Annelyse beforehand, and I know nothing of what happened afterward.”
“Is that your answer…?”
Count Ernst snapped his fingers, and armed knights swarmed in. Iris, who had been standing behind my chair, placed her hand on her sword, ready to draw it.
With my “mind’s eye,” I had foreseen the finger snap from the start, and with this number, I could protect Iris and still fight them off. Don’t underestimate me, Ernst. Shall I turn you into “Ernst”?
“Lady Annelyse needs Count Ernst’s support. Do you intend to fight without a banner in this national crisis?”
King Harmonia suppressed nobles and commoners with his “mad charisma.” Count Ernst is likely one of those who fell victim to his madness. If I can get him to meet Lady Annelyse, she can capture him with her charm. The ball is still in the air. Where will it land…?
“If there is someone who killed His Majesty the King, they must be apprehended.”
The ball is in Yuma Bashar’s court. The fact that he hasn’t captured us outright and is still conversing suggests that Count Ernst intends to side with Lady Annelyse…
“That is a reasonable assertion. Such a wicked individual must be apprehended and sentenced to death.”
Yuma, I’m sorry. Die for the sake of Lady Annelyse and me. It’s a more meaningful death than being killed by me. If I were to kill you, I’d slice you into one-centimeter pieces while you’re still alive.
“…However, if it becomes public that His Majesty the King was assassinated at a time like this, the loyalty of the Harmonian knights might be questioned. If there is an assassin, I will deal with it secretly.”
I-it’s not like I’m saving Yuma, you know! Humph! Count Ernst has also chosen a compromise. Even with the power of madness, loyalty to the King of Harmonia probably wouldn’t waver so easily.
“So, I can have the head?”
I nodded. If Count Ernst will side with us for Yuma Bashar’s head, then Yuma will likely accept it. Lady Annelyse may grieve the loss of such a valuable subordinate, but this is unavoidable. Ah, what a shame.
“And your support for Lady Annelyse?”
“Understood. I know I am insufficient to rally the populace, even if I can command the knights. …Speaking of which, won’t you join my army with the 1st Brigade? I’ll give you preferential treatment.”
She’s a good woman… It’s a good offer, but I refused. It’s better to move freely as a brigade, and even if obstacles like Yuma are removed, troublesome individuals might still approach Lady Annelyse from anywhere. …Fleet Helm, him too…
We shook hands firmly and reached an agreement. I, his head, and Count Ernst, her support. I also layered my left hand over his and bowed, casually gauging Count Ernst’s pulse.
Is it too soon…? Is he lying, or has he fallen for me…? For now, securing his support is enough. All that’s left is to take him to the church for the coronation.
Even if he’s lying, he’ll be captivated by Lady Annelyse’s “charming charisma.” If he has fallen for her, then it’s welcome.
Together with Count Ernst’s direct knight order, we headed towards the church.
