When Helka returned to her husband after lulling their daughter to sleep, she was met with a stern gaze.
“I heard from Emma. Aren’t you playing around too much?”
It seemed Emma had decided to strike when Helka thought she had gotten away with it. And it had been a resounding success.
“Oh, are you jealous?”
She realized her attempt to brush it off with teasing had failed upon seeing her husband’s face.
“It is a national decision that we wish to go well with Marius. What would you do if things were complicated by your unnecessary actions?”
Helka’s smile vanished, and her eyes narrowed at his bitter tone. She became angry thinking that her husband was agreeing with those indecisive and foolish people, so she criticized him head-on.
“I think treating him like a fragile thing would make far worse an impression.”
“I am aware of that. However, it is true that I am struggling with how to deal with this. You, of all people, should understand that.”
Helka’s resentment grew at her husband’s attitude, which was like soothing a disobedient child. To her, it seemed everyone was harboring unnecessary fear.
“Then why not just get close to him? You’ll know if you’ll be stabbed or embraced.”
What could he understand without even trying to know? Alvin sighed inwardly at his bold wife’s words.
“I know your disposition. That’s why I fell in love with you. However, this matter is one where failure cannot be overlooked.”
The soothing words aimed at appeasement were ineffective on Helka, who had already ignited. To her, her husband seemed nothing more than cowardly.
“On the contrary, I am disappointed. I thought you were more courageous. Yet, you continue to worry about something you don’t understand. Did your courage run out when you single-handedly confronted your father’s subordinates to get his permission for our marriage?”
Although taken aback by his wife’s merciless words, Alvin attempted to retort.
“My nature hasn’t changed. It’s just that I have to protect you and Mio. That’s all.”
Hearing her husband’s words, Helka’s fire blazed even more intensely, as if copious amounts of oil had been poured onto it. Her temperament and pride could not allow her family’s safety to be used as an excuse for her husband’s lack of courage.
“It is the ultimate humiliation for a knight’s wife to be used as an excuse for her husband’s inability to show courage. Are you saying that if we disappear, you can return to being a brave knight?”
She struck at her husband’s heart ruthlessly. Alvin, cursing his own carelessness, did not give up on his retort. If he backed down now, given his wife’s personality, it could lead to an irreparable situation.
“It is because I have you that I can have courage. However, I wish to avoid any option that could lead to losing you.”
Alvin’s words, which were meant to express his concern for his family, would normally have been welcomed. But now, they only served to increase Helka’s displeasure.
“That is why you are weak. If Marius so wishes, this country will perish at that moment.”
“Ugh…”
Confronted with an extreme but irrefutable fact, Alvin faltered.
“What pathetic people. Yes, what would you do if Marius were to think, ‘Let’s destroy it’?”
“At that time, I will stand as your shield with my life.”
Alvin answered without hesitation, albeit with a grimace. He already possessed that degree of resolve, but his wife scoffed at it.
“Against a magic user who can instantly defeat six Wyverns? How many seconds would that last?”
“Mmm…”
He couldn’t retort. Alone, even a second would be difficult, and with the entire knights’ order, how many seconds would it take?
“If you can become friends, wouldn’t that be the best course of action?”
“Bu-but, your method…”
“It’s alright. I only love you.”
Alvin doggedly persisted, though he stammered.
“I-it’s not that, it’s what Lord Marius will think.”
“Whether it’s not a problem, or if it’s too late.”
Alvin was struck speechless by her clear-cut assertion. What terrible plan had his wife conceived? Seeing Alvin break into a cold sweat, Helka offered a gentle smile, but to the recipient, it looked like a smile from a demon.
“I’m sure it will go well. I’m convinced of it through interacting with Marius, that you are all worrying for nothing.”
Alvin could only pray that his wife’s plan would succeed.
While Helka was dodging Emma’s attacks and achieving victory with her counterattack, a quiet gathering was taking place in the royal palace. Lucas, Granfeldt, and Fleg had been summoned to Bernhard III’s private chambers in the first district. Without much preamble, the King got straight to the point.
“Lucas, what are Marius’s movements?”
“Yes, there are no suspicious points. He has neither left his room, moved around the palace, nor used magic. It is highly likely that we have been worrying unnecessarily.”
“I see…”
A fact known to fewer than ten people, including those present. The seemingly vulnerable royal palace was, in fact, protected by the building itself, which was a Magic Item and the greatest line of defense. While it was true that the outer walls were not made high for the sake of the people, the real reason was to lure the vermin into a fatal zone by presenting them with a delicious bait. The reason Lucas could confidently state that Marius had no suspicious points was due to the Magic Stone, one of the defensive measures. It was a special Magic Item that would shatter only when a set target took a set action, and Lucas managed it. The Magic Stone indicated that over the ten days Marius had been near the royal family, he had not used magic, shown any signs of contacting the outside world, or prowled around the palace. Bernhard III had anticipated things like what Helka was thinking.
“Then Marius really did drift to this continent by chance. Lucas, what factors do you think could have led to such an event?”
Lucas respectfully replied to the King’s inquiry.
“Well, perhaps after setting out to sea for some reason, they became disoriented? If the sun and moon were hidden by clouds, it might not be impossible.”
“Indeed. Since the compass, both the physical object and its manufacturing method, were lost due to Demon King Zagan, it’s understandable that getting lost at sea could lead to not being able to return.”
Lucas’s explanation satisfied the King. However, that did not resolve everything.
“But Lucas, are there no magic spells to determine direction? For example, by looking for the sun or moon…”
“Yes, there are no such spells. That is why compasses were developed in the past.”
Lucas’s point was valid.
“I see, even with magic, it is not all-powerful.”
“Indeed. As we are not gods, omnipotence is but a fleeting dream.”
A brief silence followed Lucas’s statement. Everyone pondered the implication that no matter how powerful a mage, there were still openings. Bernhard III was the first to break the heavy atmosphere.
“I intend to have Marius participate in next month’s ‘Demonplay’.”
The King’s words, spoken as if to himself, startled everyone. The “Demonplay,” held annually, was a gathering where the kings of various continental nations brought their foremost mages. If Marius were to attend, the King might be safe, but for those left behind, the mastermind behind the assassination attempt remained unknown, posing a significant danger. While the royal palace’s defenses were strong, they generally applied to human threats. After exchanging glances, Granfeldt made a plea.
“Forgive my presumption, Your Majesty, but the reason the second attack did not come to the palace, let alone Your Majesty and the Princess, was likely due to caution regarding the unknown Marius. If Marius participates in the ‘Demonplay,’ our defenses will inevitably be weakened.”
Lucas concurred.
“It is a shameful admission, but without Marius, the palace’s defensive capabilities would drastically decrease. I do not believe we should willingly approach the dragon’s fangs.”
Fleg followed suit.
“It is embarrassing, but the enemy possesses the power to circumvent my information network, at the very least. Please exercise caution.”
Bernhard III gave a wry smile at his subordinates’ successive remonstrances.
“It is good to have loyal subjects. However, this time, I intend for all of us to go.”
A few moments of blankness ensued.
“Y-Your Majesty…?”
Granfeldt asked with undisguised confusion. While there was no rule stating only the King could participate, having everyone attend was highly unusual.
“If we are to face the danger of attack anyway, it is better to be in a state where we can at least partially respond. Moreover, my ancestor, King Bernhard I, is said to have stated: ‘When the enemy attacks, it is the opportune moment to crush their spirit.'”
Sensing the King’s true intention, everyone nodded.
“The decision to dismiss Granfeldt and Fleg was made with that in mind. It would be beneficial for me if you two could act freely.”
“We will do our utmost to meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”
He looked at the two bowing heads with confidence.
“Given the circumstances, we cannot even speak of this to our families… Though, the sensitive Emma might have some inkling.”
Fleg, as her father, offered a smile that was close to a wry chuckle at his lord’s words.
“She is my incompetent daughter, unworthy of comparison to the ‘Daughter of God,’ Lovisa. I worry that she may act foolishly, relying on the favor she has received from Lovisa.”
He did not genuinely believe this and meant it as a form of humility. Emma, whose talent was recognized, was essentially requested to join as a lady-in-waiting. Her father was the one who evaluated Emma more than anyone.
“There’s no need to worry about Emma. She treats my daughter very well. Though, with that said, I might worry if she’ll miss her chance at marriage.”
It turned into a rather poor joke, and the lord and his vassal were enveloped in laughter. After a good laugh, Fleg suddenly asked.
“Speaking of marriage, what are your plans for Lovisa?”
“Hmm… I have not yet decided on that. She stated that she would not marry someone who does not bring benefit to the country. With her temperament, forcing her to marry would only bring harm.”
As expected, he fully understood his daughter’s uncompromising personality. Although personal feelings should not be allowed in royal marriages, they are essentially national projects undertaken for the benefit of the country. Situations that could lead to damage rather than benefit must be avoided.
“It seems Bernard and Ashton’s faction is targeting her, but…”
“Helner and others are also targeting her. However, now Marius has appeared…”
Lucas stated hesitantly, and the King smiled meaningfully.
“Could it be that you intend to pit Marius against them?”
While Lucas and Granfeldt’s eyes widened in surprise, Fleg replied.
“Even without deliberate planning, they already seem to view Marius as an obstacle and are starting to make their moves. Let’s look forward to seeing how well he fights.”
Granfeldt tilted his head at Fleg’s words, which seemed to assume Marius would win.
“While Marius may be powerful, he seems to be weak in strategy and underhanded tactics. They are not foolish enough to not realize this, so it surely won’t go smoothly.”
Fleg smiled confidently at the seemingly valid question.
“It would be wise to place someone skilled in underhanded tactics by his side to draw his attention.”
At those words, everyone thought of his daughter, Emma. Emma could be trusted as an ally, and her intelligence could be expected to navigate enemy schemes. As if anticipating this, Fleg continued speaking to the King.
“I am referring to Helka. While I mean no offense, if she cannot even be managed by someone like Lovisa, she could serve as a good shield.”
“…Indeed. If it’s her, then in a way, she might be optimal. It seems she’s already building a relationship of trust with Marius.”
There was a pause before he answered, recalling how Helka’s mental and physical strength and proactiveness had once been a headache.
“If Helka, Emma, and Lovisa are all properly instructed, it should be manageable for now. The problem is Marius’s own feelings…”
“That, we cannot say. If one doesn’t choose their methods, they won’t lack women, in any case.”
Various opinions were voiced, but no conclusion was reached. It was decided that for the time being, they would let events unfold naturally.
