Chapter 92 - 8-6
It was during the height of summer when a report regarding Yugis Necrat reached Gilma Rigardie, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Siddim, who was extremely busy.
Apparently, a youth who looked like Yugis was wandering around the city of Malfa. Some claimed to have seen him.
—I cannot leave this alone.
Gilma had obtained reliable information that Yugis Necrat was dead.
He was no ghost; there was no reason for him to be wandering the streets in broad daylight. It was likely a phantom born of mere curiosity or a mischievous rumor. Even so, Gilma remained cautious. If a trend similar to a longing for his return were to arise, things could become complicated.
Gilma requested the royal capital's garrison to send soldiers to the Black Feather Mansion, where Yugis would likely stop. The Black Feather Mansion was already deserted. It seemed the occupants had evacuated.
The Prime Minister stopped worrying about it. He believed it was a closed matter.
Therefore, he could not help but tilt his head in confusion at the details of a report regarding a minor incident that arrived from the Syllabus family in the city of Karnain.
It was the middle of the night on a sleepless summer evening. Larisa Syllabus, who had finally fallen asleep, was woken up by Aunt Hari, a housemaid.
"What is it?"
"It's just, it's—"
Aunt Hari was flustered.
Throwing a long robe over her nightgown, Larisa hurriedly descended the stairs.
Her younger brother, Scaff Syllabus, and her mother, May Syllabus, were in the hall with a man in uniform.
"What has happened?"
Her brother and mother spoke over one another in excitement.
Larisa was so surprised her jaw nearly dropped.
"A prison break? Big Brother?"
"That is correct," answered the familiar guard she always met at the prison tower. He looked as if he had no place to put himself out of sheer embarrassment.
"Matris, would that brother of mine even think of escaping? It's impossible."
"Rather than escaping, Ness-sama was taken away. Laicanel Thora-dono was also broken out of prison with him. This note was left for Larisa-sama..."
Larisa scanned the scrap of paper the guard held out.
'Larisa-dono.
I shall borrow your brother.
To fulfill one's duty is the true desire of a knight.
I beg the forgiveness of the family. Laicanel Thora.'
"No matter if he is the young master of the Thora family, isn't this too much?" her mother said. "Ness is not a criminal, yet to drag him into this..."
"Anyway, let us sit."
Larisa urged everyone. She heard the detailed story from the guard, Matris.
"The prison tower was attacked. It was attacked by three men who took hostages, and I had no choice but to hand over the keys to the cells."
"What do you mean? Did Laicanel-sama have those people attack the tower so he could leave the prison?"
"I do not know for certain. However, he had a note prepared; there is no doubt he knew of the attack. Upon investigation, it was found that a man who appeared to be a swordsman visited Laicanel-sama's cell a few days ago. A bribed prison officer had let them meet in secret."
"He was one of the three attackers, then?"
"I cannot say for sure. The attackers wore hoods and covered the lower half of their faces with cloth. However, Ness-sama spoke to one of the three. He said, 'Is that you, Yugis?' and 'You look like Yugis,' and 'You must have met me, Yugis.'"
"I see. So one of the attackers is named Yugis and is an acquaintance of my brother, perhaps."
Larisa looked at her mother. May Syllabus shook her head, likely having no idea who it was.
Since her brother's mind was senile, it was possible he had simply mistaken someone else for him.
"It might be Yugis Necrat," her younger brother Scaff muttered.
Everyone stared at Scaff, whose pale features were clouded with melancholy. The room fell silent. Larisa had heard the family name Necrat before. They were the great traitors of the East.
"Back when his mind was still sound, Big Brother told me. He said he had met a man named Yugis Necrat. He said they almost came to a duel, but it didn't happen, and he was honestly relieved."
"Stop it, Scaff," their mother, May, said, looking disgusted. "You must not say such reckless things."
"What about the search?" Larisa asked the guard.
"I have already contacted the authorities."
"The Syllabus family will send a messenger to Ricardo Ronar," May Syllabus said with dignity.
The pleasure district of vice, Delacoon, was adjacent to the city of Karnain, separated by a river. It was a cluttered city perfectly suited for fugitives to hide. Ricardo Ronar was the lord of that city.
"The heir of the Syllabus family is missing. Even the Ronar family will not treat this lightly."
Larisa nodded at her mother's words. "Also, please be extremely careful during the search. You must not anger my brother."
"I am well aware of that," the guard nodded.
The men who kidnapped her brother surely did not know how violent he could become if he grew angry. Larisa was far more worried that Ness de Syllabus might hurt someone.
—It might be best to notify the surrounding area to be on alert.
She also needed to contact the Thora family of Delroy quickly. Larisa thought she should report this to the royal capital as well. She felt something suspicious. In times like these, there was no harm in acting meticulously.
Stardust filled the sky so densely that it clouded the night sky in green.
Against the horizon of the starry sky, five men galloped, forming the silhouettes of black riders. Upon arriving at Delacoon, the five dismounted and passed through the city's castle gates. All five wore the hoods of their cloaks pulled deep.
In the dark main street, the voices of people murmured. People flowed from one range of bonfire light to another, their heads bobbing. Passersby with horses were not uncommon. In this crowded road, even in the middle of the night, there were even those entering with wagons.
Perhaps there was a rule that prostitutes could not enter the main street, as they loitered around the corners of side streets, enticing the passersby. The storefronts using plenty of bonfires seemed to be taverns permitted to open gambling dens. Whether they were drunken customers, prostitutes, those who had won at gambling, or those who had lost, the people here seemed to be competing in their own frivolity.
The five proceeded to a small path heading east from the main street. There was a gentle slope, and they could see the surface of the Shaal River playing with the starlight in waves.
The road was narrow, and the lining houses were shabby. The five tied their horses at the stable of an inn that had a lantern hanging from its sign. With their cloak hoods still pulled low, the five opened the door of the inn in a single file.
"Everyone, I am glad you are safe. Preparations are complete."
The one who greeted them was Dash. After sending his wife, Meel, and Meel's aunt, Lara, back to the countryside where their relatives were, Dash had come along with Yugis.
The inn had an attached warehouse shed. The men, now six including Dash, were arranged to kill time in that shed. Dash had carried in a table, a candlestick, and chairs. Bottles of liquor and cups were also prepared for each person.
"It is an honor to meet you, Godly Curier-dono."
Laicanel Thora did not forget a certain level of respect toward Curier.
While walking down the main street, this man had been enthusiastically called out to by prostitutes. Even though both Laicanel and Yugis had their faces hidden, Yugis was not very popular. It was a mysterious phenomenon.
"My father held you in high regard. He said you were the finest swordsman of the current age and a man to be respected. Despite always making your stance clear, you were disliked by no one. He always said that if one wishes to make a name as a master swordsman, one should follow your example and not make enemies."
"That is not a compliment. I simply stopped the breathing of those who had complaints with me, one by one. More importantly, should we not hear Yugis's story? The one who saved you despite everyone's opposition was Yugis Necrat, was he not?"
"I don't think of myself as having been saved by this guy," Laicanel said, looking toward Hume Razor. "When you brought up the talk of a prison break, the name Yugis never came up once. You said supporters of the Thora family desired my escape. Was that not the story?"
"Yeah. I didn't think you'd actually believe it," Hume said, drinking liquor with a haughty face. "Your arrogance is excessive. Who the hell would support someone like you?"
Even for a drunk, it was a harsh way of speaking. Laicanel only sneered and did not get angry. "Still, it seems it was worth saving."
Laicanel finally turned toward Yugis.
"So? What are you? Do you want me to thank you?"
"It's a simple story, Laicanel," Yugis said. "I want you to raise an army in the West. That is how Siddim will be saved."
"What do you mean, raise an army?"
"Gather the youth of the West and Central regions and build a single army."
Laicanel froze.
Life in prison had haggard the man who was once like a flower. However, having lost the fragrance of a boy, Laicanel had already begun to emit a masculine sex appeal from around his scruffy beard.
"You caused this commotion for such a delusional whim? Where is the fool who organizes an army only after the enemy has shown themselves?"
"I believe it is possible for you."
"It is impossible. Besides—did you think I didn't know about your father, who slammed Siddim into the bottom of hell? I cannot be swayed by the smooth talk of a traitor's son."
Dash, who was pouring liquor for everyone, made a displeased face.
"If I could talk to my father one more time, I would be fine with having my other arm cut off. You would understand this feeling, Laicanel," Yugis said.
"My father was simply tackling the problem of the Kosa people alone, a problem that all Siddim people turned their faces away from."
"The one turning his face away from the truth is you. Urgil Necrat brought about the crisis of the Kosa people."
"How?"
"That is what I want to ask. I suspect Count Carossa merely staged the Kosa crisis to use as material for the East to complain. Then it unexpectedly became true and they are flustered—that is likely how it is."
"I am impressed by your insight, but the part about it 'unexpectedly becoming true' is vague. The Kosa people simply came. It had nothing to do with my father's trivial conspiracy."
"Don't overstep, Yugis. You have no right. You shouldn't even be given the opportunity to take responsibility. All honor was stripped from the Necrat family."
"Even so, I will overstep."
"It was His Majesty who abolished the Necrat family."
"I am the only one who can present victory to His Majesty."
"Don't make me laugh. If that is not conceit, you must be stained with the same madness as your father."
A large shadow moved as if to mediate between the two.
"Raising an army in the West is not a bad idea."
It was Ness Syllabus.
Yugis said, "Ness, I want to ask you for cavalry."
"I understand. There are horses. Horses, horses, there are horses. Armaments, armaments. Can armaments be made of leather?"
"The enemy infantry's equipment should be substantial. They are not opponents we can face with light armaments."
"I have no use for infantry, Yugis. Yugis? I am Ness of the Syllabus family!" Ness's eyes became vacant, and he fell silent for a moment.
"He's been much better lately, but this happens often," Laicanel tilted the liquor bottle and poured it into Ness's cup. "Ness, you can sleep for a little while."
"Is that Laika? You look like Laicanel," Ness's eyes regained their light. "Laika, the plan to raise an army in the West is not bad."
"There are no soldiers."
"Why? We just need to gather old comrades."
Laicanel stared at Ness's face and looked around at the faces of the men at the table. He spoke with a sigh.
"There is no one left anywhere who will answer my voice. Besides—" he directed a sharp gaze at Yugis. "With this guy, nothing will come of it. Even I will be treated as a traitor."
"Yugis is the coordinator for the Eastern nobles. He is a man necessary for the war with Kosa. Laika, stand up. We are no longer in a position to be timid and shy. We just need to stand up and shout loudly. Those who respond will surely appear."
"Ness, but—but..."
Laicanel looked down. While they were waiting for him to say something, everyone present pushed back their chairs and braced themselves, hands on the hilts of their swords.
Footsteps approached and the door opened.
The one who pushed the door open with his backside was Dash, whose both hands were occupied with a tray. Dash stood up, his face pale. He seemed to have gone outside at some point.
As everyone relaxed their tension, Dash let out a great breath.
"Please, give it a rest, everyone," Dash said, lining up plates of steaming meat dishes on the table. "This is no joke. I almost died just now. My heart stopped. I almost died in a place like this and became a laughingstock."
"That face alone would be enough to laugh at for three days."
Only Hume Razor seemed to be in a good mood. The alcohol must have hit him.
Shortly after finishing their meal, in the darkness before dawn, the six left the warehouse shed.
At the boat landing of the Shaal River, a boatman was waiting as arranged. The plan was to leave Delacoon by going down the river.
It was not a very large boat. Since they were taking the horses along, they split into two boats.
Making a sound of water echoing from the depths, distinct from a ripple, the boats slid onto the river surface. The water surface was as still as a mirror. The starry sky split dizzyingly into the ascending universe and the starlight fallen into the river. The six and the boatmen, surrounded by starlight, seemed to be rowing out into the Milky Way.
"It may take some time to return the money I borrowed," Yugis said to Curier, who was on the same boat, though he felt it was out of place in this fantastical scene.
Godly Curier looked at the sky with a smile.
"You are likely poor with monetary matters."
"To tell the truth, I am."
Dash, who was on the same boat, let out a stifled laugh.
"I was the same. Back when I struggled to eat, I paid it back steadily. According to merchants, that is not how debt works. They say it is for borrowing large amounts, earning large amounts, and returning large amounts."
"Merchants are more daring, then."
"It seems so at times," Curier said. "There is one thing I do not understand. If I can understand that, I will not regret lending you money."
"What is it?"
—It is about the East.
Curier said,
"Let us assume you win against the Kosa army with Western soldiers. Will the East not lose face even more? The East suffered, but finally wiped out the influence of the Thora family. Will you let soldiers led by Laicanel Thora enter that East again? In the first place, if you join the Western soldiers, I think the East will view that as betrayal."
"Regarding that, I have had a plan for some time."
"What kind of plan?"
"We will place a general above us. Someone who can be a banner that everyone can accept and everyone is forced to notice."
"Who? No one comes to mind."
"—I shall state the name later. The possibility of it not working is higher. However, both Laicanel and Ness know that person. Of course, I, Haider, and Cloden know them too. There may be fewer people who do not know."
Curier raised his body from the gunwale, and the boat swayed slightly.
"Surely, you do not intend to receive a personal expedition?"
Yugis smiled ambiguously. "No. That person is the only one in the world who accepted my loyalty. If I am to serve, there is only that person."
Seen in the starlight, Curier narrowed his eyes with a face as if looking at something nostalgic.
"I shall not ask for details."
"If an army suddenly appears in the West, Geraha Wolf will be at a standstill. Let us return to the East after we have given this a proper shape."
After that, both Yugis and Curier fell silent. Only the occasional sound of Dash sniffing echoed on the water surface.
After finishing the early morning prayers, Lucy Alish, as soon as she returned to her cell, checked under her pillow as she had done every day for the past few days. That day, Lucy's fingers found the intended object.
A letter.
The dawn light filtered in through the window. Lucy broke the unmarked wax seal and read it on the spot.
The text seemed dry and tasteless.
'I recognize that the duty of protecting the convent, which is the foundation of the faith, enlightenment, and activity of the ladies of the Kingdom of Siddim, lies with us. The Euryas Convent is close to the royal capital, and the royal capital's garrison bears that responsibility. Should enemy shadows be confirmed, sound the alarm; should an attack be confirmed, sound the alarm and raise the rescue flag. Endure until the report arrives and we rush to your aid.
From a father who prays for his daughter's happiness.'
—Reinforcements are what's important.
Lucy, who decided to follow the advice of Sister Marvel, who had come from a foreign land, eventually relied on her family, the Alish royal family. There were no other acquaintances who could provide soldiers.
There had been conflict in making the decision. Those who wish to become nuns must discard everything up to that point. This is a vow. Discarding one's home is the first step. Above all, relying on her father felt like a betrayal of herself.
However,
—What this convent stores in abundance are the bodies of young women.
She could not forget Sister Marvel's dark eyes when she said that. If the siege failed, many sisters and nuns would be hurt. Sister Marvel surely knew this well.
Lucy made up her mind. Fortunately, Wilma Sione, who had served as Lucy's lady-in-waiting, lived in the castle town. Lucy had procured herbal liquor and entrusted a letter to the convent's odd-job woman, old lady Archie. In exchange for the liquor bottle, the old lady would deliver the nun's letter.
Somehow, Wilma had conveyed Lucy's words to King Swad Alish VII. Furthermore, she had received His Majesty's reply and handed it to the old lady, or someone belonging to the old lady's network.
Lucy read the simple text once more.
Lucy thought her father was happy to be relied upon by his daughter. It was the joy of a father, welcoming his daughter's foolishness and smirking. To hide that, he had intentionally made the text dry and tasteless. Even so, Lucy was immersed in a sweet nostalgia for a while.
Lucy might have feared this sweetness more than breaking her vow. It was true she had come to the Euryas Convent of her own volition. However, if she dug into her true feelings, she didn't really know. The people around her were becoming adults. She believed she had to be the same. That is why she aimed to be a nun. Was Lucy's will present in this process? Had the surrounding circumstances made her do so? Did she regret entering the convent?
Lucy burned the letter in a brass washbasin.
Regardless, she had obtained one means of survival. If enemy soldiers came, she just had to ring the bell to signal. Someone who heard it would surely report it to the royal capital. Until then, they should be able to withstand a siege.
That day was bath day. After washing her body, which had become sweaty from field work, rinsing away the mud, and feeling refreshed, Lucy discussed the weapons to be used for the siege with Sheri.
Lucy was focusing on a weapon called a crossbow. Since the bow is drawn by turning a handle, it seemed even women could handle it.
"If we have crossbows, we can deal with the west aisle and the walls on the dining hall side where long poles cannot reach. I want about three, including spares, if possible."
"But one is forty Gilan, you know?"
"There should be money from the fabrics Chloe is selling on the side. According to Carmilla, they can be bought in the city of Delacoon, and I think it's worth trying."
"Could we make it two?" Sheri said after thinking for a while. "I think Chloe can scrape together up to a hundred Gilan. If we ask someone to handle the purchase, there's the labor fee—"
Suddenly, there was a knock.
Turning around, the one who opened the door was Amalfi.
"Lucy, Chloe is calling for you in Room Seven."
"Oh, thank you."
"Take your time. I want to talk with Sheri and discuss and resolve the shortage of firewood and charcoal in case the siege lasts a long time."
"Yes—"
Lucy left Room Nine feeling disappointed. In a state where winter firewood was lacking, crossbows might be too expensive. If so, they would have to throw stones and hit the enemies climbing the ladders.
While thinking, she knocked on the door of Room Seven. Hearing Chloe's reply, she entered to find three nuns in the narrow cell. Chloe, Moi, and Lyudmila.
"Sit down, Lucy," Chloe said curtly.
Feeling a bad premonition, Lucy sat on the bed next to where Lyudmila was sitting.
In front of Lucy, Chloe leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.
The nun with lead-colored hair was more cold than usual.
"You, leave Euryas."
For a while, Lucy could not even make a sound.
Lyudmila and Moi looked down awkwardly.
"Are you saying you're kicking me out?" Lucy could produce a voice as sharp as she wanted if she chose. "Chloe, do you desire the position of Representative that much—"
"You should know it's not about that," Chloe raised her chin.
"Hey, Lucy," Lyudmila said in the voice full of emotion she occasionally used. "We just want you to live."
"I have no intention of dying."
"That's true, but... old lady Archie heard something about the state of the royal capital in Fibril Village. According to that, the royal army launched a great offensive in the East, but in the end, they lost and retreated to around Brazm. They say it might become a pitched battle."
"If, by some chance, the royal army is defeated, that's the problem," Moi continued. "The barbarian cavalry might finally surround the city of Malfa."
"Considering that, we are preparing for a siege."
"Lucy, you are a daughter of the royal family," Lyudmila said painfully.
"Now I am already—" Intending to say 'no', Lucy hesitated.
She had just received the letter from the King this morning.
"We don't just want you to live. You understand, right? If the Kosa people are folks who cannot be reasoned with at all and terrible things happen in the city of Malfa, if—I want you to keep the royal family line going. As long as the Alish royal family continues, our country can be revived."
Lyudmila's voice was deep and sounded as if she were almost about to cry.
When Lucy turned her face, Chloe looked away. "I'm sure you didn't choose to be born into the royal family. It's fate, Lucy. Accept it and fulfill the duty of royalty."
Beside her, Moi was nodding repeatedly.
Lucy hugged Lyudmila's shoulder. Lyudmila hugged her back.
Over Lyudmila's shoulder, Lucy spoke.
"This morning, I was thinking. Why am I here? As Chloe says, I might have fled here. I had lost sight of what I wanted to do. Now, I suddenly understand. The past has no meaning. What I was thinking doesn't matter. What I want to do now, what I should do now, is more important."
"Lucy, we'll be lonely."
"I will leave this place. Together with everyone."
"Ah... what?" Lyudmila pushed Lucy away.
"Let us abandon Euryas. We should all evacuate."
"That is impossible, absolutely."
Chloe's eyes narrowed.
"The convent will not retreat. Until now and from now on, the convent will not abandon the convent. Since the ancient times of Great King Aframa's invasion, not a single convent has retreated. As I presented in my research exam, that is our pride. Because we have continued to protect that brilliant pride, we have won the trust of the region and the people."
"Then, I will not retreat either. I will fight here."
"We, because we feel responsible for the future of this country, want you to have awareness—"
"If we think of the future, we should create a precedent of thinking flexibly in the face of a Kosa attack. But if you say you won't retreat from here, rest assured. I will fight with you. If you intend to create a situation to kick me out, I'll be your opponent, you know? I will break you down. I won't lose next time."
"To say such a thing at a time like this—"
"That's fine. Either fight with me, or flee with me. That's all. Let's go, Lyudmila. There's something I want to consult with Carmilla."
"Eh? O-oh."
Lucy and Lyudmila left Room Seven.
"Hey, Lucy," Lyudmila said, putting a hand to her orange hair. "You might be angry, but..."
"I'm not angry. Far from it, I was happy. But I suppose it would be wrong for me to express my gratitude."
"I wouldn't know about that, but..."
Lyudmila stopped walking, so Lucy stopped too.
"What I want to say is about Chloe. Because you said you'd stay, Chloe is relieved."
"Is... is that so?"
"Not just Chloe. Everyone is terrified. We don't know what to do with something like this. When she wanted a comrade even if it was just one person, Chloe tried to make you escape. She didn't give in to anxiety and tried to do what needed to be done."
"Hearing that, I absolutely cannot leave," Lucy couldn't suppress a grin. "It's okay, Lyudmila. Siddim will win."
"I wonder."
"It's okay."
Everyone tried to protect the royal family, but Lucy's thought was different.
The royal family protects the people. As a member of the former royal family, Lucy had no choice but to believe in the victory of her homeland.
Cloden Danforth, perhaps due to the accumulation of mental stress, caught a cold and stayed confined in his tent for about two days. Although he had recovered by the evening of the second day, he remained wrapped in a blanket on the third day as a precaution. Since it was a good opportunity, he wanted to rest. There wasn't much he could do even if he got up. He would just be forced to listen to Dwight Ramirez's complaints.
—If only Krisina were here.
She would surely make sweets drenched in an absurd amount of sugar.
While he was brooding, footsteps approached. An unknown man pulled back the entrance curtain and peeked his face in.
"I was told this was the tent of Cloden Danforth-sama?"
"That's right. Who are you?"
"Ah, thank goodness! I am so glad you are safe!"
The man, overcome with emotion as if twisting his body, knelt on the floor cloth and crawled toward him.
"Oh, have you been injured! My goodness! How splendid, how splendid. You are a brave warrior. They say wounds of war are called honorable injuries. It is something that cannot be done without valor!"
"...No, it's not like that," Cloden sat up. "I just caught a cold."
"Ah, is that so. Well, still, isn't it wonderful that you are alive? I apologize for the delay in introducing myself, I am Bodrick. A servant of the Curier family. The Great Lord, who had departed like a wanderer, has returned, and my goodness, after borrowing a large sum of money, he told me to go to Dint. I was worried sick. I thought I might be captured by the Kosa people. The Kosa people, they say, are like that. They peel off human skin and eat it up."
"No, that's not—"
"Still, after a single man came all this way on a great adventure, alas, it seems the Dint highway was blocked by the enemy. I was utterly exhausted. I cried man-tears, yes. Thinking that I might return without fulfilling the order of my beloved Great Lord, I felt so miserable, so miserable. Thinking of Cloden-sama, whom the Great Lord serves, and Princess Krisina of the Mcgillis family, whom he once served, oh, I cried that night!"
After a long story, it turned out the Curier family servant was carrying a letter from Godly Curier.
Cloden bit his lower lip and looked down at the letter handed to him by the servant. Although the servant's story continued, it no longer entered his ears.
He knew what was written without reading it. Still, since the servant was emphasizing how much he had struggled to get here, he had to read it even if his heart was heavy.
Opening the letter, Cloden was so surprised he nearly jumped.
"Did you say Bodrick?"
"Huh? Yes, that is correct. Bodrick, a servant of the Curier family of Midheim. Though I grew up in Midheim, despite how I look, I was born in the city of Malfa."
"Bodrick... if you don't shut up, I'm going to kiss you."
"What?"
"You idiot!" Cloden threw off the blanket and stood up. "I'm saying this is a great achievement! You bastard! I'll have you take a reply back! I'll even give you travel money. Stay here. You can eat and drink whatever is around."
Cloden put the letter in his mouth and put on his clothes.
Thanks to that, a tooth mark was left on the important letter.
"Haider! Zeal!"
Leaping out of the tent, Cloden shouted.
—If only that bastard Udoh were here too!
He would have been so happy. Unfortunately, Udoh Renne had been captured by the enemy army.
Cloden ran across the wide fields of Brazm. When his breathing became rough and his throat began to make noise, he walked, and when his fatigue subsided, he ran again, searching for the figures of his comrades.
The letter said this:
'—Searched for the target's corpse but it was not found. Instead, unexpectedly, confirmed the target's survival. Have come to the kingdom together. The target has an injury to the arm. However, there is no difficulty in riding. Spirit is overflowing. Has a plan. After finishing some errands here, shall face the East. According to the target, it seems there are not enough trump cards for the opportunity of war. The cards shall be procured in the West. Do not doubt the loyalty to the East. I express respect for the activities of you brothers and feel envy. I pray that we meet again, both alive.'
—Is it true?
Cloden doubted it many times. It must be true. Godly Curier is a sincere knight. He would not provide incomplete information.
That bastard is alive.
He didn't understand the talk about trump cards. He probably intended to secretly carry out some scheme inherited from his father. For now, he had no interest in that.
Simply that he was alive made Cloden happy.
There was no reason, and it didn't seem like the war situation would change. Yet, just thinking that he was alive made him laugh. An overflowing happiness made Cloden run. The fatigue of recovering from illness stopped Cloden's feet. Still, the surging happiness made him run again. If he didn't share this joy with someone soon, it felt as if his body would not hold up.