Chapter 237

“An ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍invitation to a banquet at the royal palace?”

Hearing ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍about the Duke of Bourgogne’s invitation, Magician Agpiel furrowed his brow.

It ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍seemed something did not sit right with him. The same appeared to be true of the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, who had been listening quietly beside us.

“An ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍invitation to the royal castle? That is… a little dangerous, is it not?”

“Her ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Grace the Duchess of Aquitaine is right. You just said a strange rumor is spreading in high society. It must have reached the Duke of Bourgogne’s ears as well. Entering his sphere of influence now feels like walking straight into an ogre’s mouth.”

“But ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍if I ignore the invitation, will that not only confirm the rumor?”

“Hm….”

“Ah, um… when you put it that way… yes….”

At my words, the two of them looked quite flustered. Still, if one thought about it carefully, was it not a reasonable point?

An envoy had been sent to say, “Let us talk,” and if I immediately responded, “I do not want to,” it was no different from declaring, “I have nothing to say to you—let us meet on the battlefield.”

And it was a festival, no less!

“Trouble either way, I see. Hahaha.”

“Still, it may be all right. Magician Agpiel. Your Grace the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania.”

“Hm? Why is that?”

“Why?”

“Because Your Grace the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, was invited as well. Surely he would not dare cause trouble in a place with so many watching eyes?”

“Ah…?”

Only then did Magician Agpiel and the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, let out quiet sighs. Indeed, if he violated the nobles’ honorable customs and caused trouble in full view of so many, nothing could be more disastrous.

It was the sort of issue that might even provoke his own nobles to rise up and refuse to follow him.

“At least that is fortunate. Hahaha.”

“It is. Sage, until now you have been dragged into unwanted gossip, and your relationship with the Duke of Bourgogne has been so difficult. It would be wonderful if you could secure it properly this time, would it not?”

“Truly. It seems the only one who worries about me is Your Grace the Duke of Aquitaine, Maceania.”

“Oh, please.”

“…….”

At the sight of the two of them, Magician Agpiel fell silent for a moment.

Since when had they become so sweet with each other? At their age, what an eyesore, he thought.

“Tsk. There is nothing the two of you will not do in front of an old man.”

“Cough. Cough, cough.”

Thanks to him, I felt awkward enough that a hollow cough escaped me on its own. I knew perfectly well that this whole display was rather unsightly.

“In any case, I am counting on you. I will attend the banquet the Duke of Bourgogne invited us to with our… Princess. While I am gone, I will hand all authority over to you, Agpiel, so please handle the cleanup.”

“All right. Be careful. Take guards as well, just in case. As people bring in information about the rumors in high society, I will deal with it properly. Is there anything else you need?”

“Hm….”

Was there anything else to say?

As I thought, I recalled the news that had come with the messenger earlier and opened my mouth.

“Ah! I hear Count Steffen will arrive soon. Not only the elf knights, but Count Steffen’s vassals are coming with him as well, so please take care of them. Make sure they do not feel excluded for no reason.”

“Haha. Just leave it to me. You do not need to worry about things down to that level.”

“One never knows. Haha. In any case, thank you. I am counting on you, Magician Agpiel.”

We had worked together for a long time, so I was sure he would do it well. Magician Agpiel was wise and prudent enough to be called the Great Sage of the Forest.

Thinking so, I hurried to prepare to leave with the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania.

Praying that nothing would go wrong at this banquet.

---

“You have arrived, Your Grace the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, and Your Excellency the Margrave of Bellua.”

No sooner had we reached the royal palace than the attendants swarmed in to guide us.

As though a strict order had been issued from above, their manner was exceedingly careful.

After all, if a rumor spread that they had slighted either of us, would that not be very bad for the Duke of Bourgogne?

Depending on the observer, it could look as though he begrudged my rising fame and was insulting and pressuring me.

So the Duke of Bourgogne had no choice but to treat me even more lavishly.

Perhaps because of that—

“Her Grace the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, and His Excellency the Margrave of Bellua enter!”

-CREEEAK!

The banquet hall we entered under the attendants’ guidance was dazzling beyond measure.

Rare delicacies, overflowing spices, and heaps of fruit. Jesters roaming about to stir the festivity, and even the finest royal orchestra.

It was a banquet that reached the very peak of clamor and splendor.

And at the highest seat of honor sat the Duke of Bourgogne beside the King, looking down at me.

“Oh, our Kingdom’s loyal subject has arrived! Hahaha.”

“You have come?”

“Yes, Your Majesty the King. Your Grace the Duke of Bourgogne. Thank you for the invitation. Seeing such a splendid banquet, one cannot help but feel the dignity of you both rising of its own accord.”

“Hah! Dignity, you say. It is nothing. Come, eat and drink at ease.”

At my words, the King immediately broke into a broad grin. Even the Duke of Bourgogne beside him showed no particular discomfort as he offered seats to me and the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania.

“That is a relief.”

“Pardon? What do you mean, Your Grace the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania?”

“That matter. It seems the Duke of Bourgogne does not know yet.”

“Ah…?”

Only then did I understand what she meant. With such a warm atmosphere, she was saying he must not have heard.

“Well… perhaps. But he is the Duke of Bourgogne, is he not? He is a cunning old fox who can conceal his true feelings at will.”

“Hm. Is that so…?”

At my words, the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, tilted her head.

Of course—she did not know the Duke of Bourgogne’s true face. If I had not known [Pangea Universalise], I would have been fooled by that pleasant smile every time as well.

“My, what are the two of you discussing so privately?”

‘Damn.’

As if he had sensed we were speaking of him, the quick-witted Duke of Bourgogne approached and asked.

In a panic, I jabbed the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, lightly in the side and spoke.

“She was saying this banquet is excellent. Her Grace the Duchess of Aquitaine, Maceania, said that even in the prosperous Duchy of Aquitaine, such a banquet is rare. Is that not so?”

“Ah, yes. Hohoho. Duke of Bourgogne, it is true. I believe this is the first banquet of such excellence since my father was alive.”

“Cough….”

She had blurted it out without thinking, but the meaning carried considerable weight.

The Duke of Bourgogne turned his head slightly and cleared his throat.

“In any case, it happened unintentionally. I apologize.”

“Hm? No, Duke.”

“If you say so… that is a relief. Then, I would like to borrow your husband for a moment. Would that be all right?”

“Oh my, are you going to speak alone?”

“Yes. There is something the two of us must finish discussing. Is that not so, Margrave of Bellua?”

Something we had to finish discussing.

Well, that was true.

Looking at the Duke of Bourgogne’s face as he fixed me with a meaningful gaze, I nodded.

It was my consent.

I did not know what would be said, but I hoped we could have a rather constructive conversation.

---

An empty bedroom.

The Second Lord Gertman thought.

‘This cannot happen.’

It was the first thought that came to him the moment he heard his father—the Duke of Bourgogne’s—plan.

A plan that was reckless, excessively cruel, and certain to invite the scorn of many.

If it succeeded, the Duke of Bourgogne might feel as though a nagging tooth had been pulled out, but…

‘This is insanity. Our house will be ruined in the end.’

At least, that was what Lord Gertman himself believed.

No—anyone who had directly witnessed the Margrave of Bellua’s divine presence would have no choice but to think the same.

The overwhelming martial prowess with which he had felled the Great Warrior of an evil god.

He was not an existence one could bring down by merely hiding a few knights and soldiers for an ambush. No matter how many there were, they were still only human.

The Margrave of Bellua that the Second Lord Gertman had seen was closer to a monster than a human. The numbers his father imagined were utterly absurd.

‘I have to choose quickly.’

And so the Second Lord Gertman’s agony deepened.

Should he use the information he possessed to gather even more knights and help his father’s plan?

Or—

‘Should I help the Margrave of Bellua?’

As the Second Lord Gertman understood it, his father, the Duke of Bourgogne, had received the Holy Empire’s Emperor’s help for this operation.

A magician who used wicked magic, and the powerful knights of the Empire’s eastern lands.

If things went well—and if he aided them—it might be enough strength to bring down that monster-like Margrave of Bellua.

But on the other hand—

‘If I help the Margrave of Bellua, I can ruin the plan from the inside.’

Which choice should he make?

Which choice would bring him the greater benefit?

‘The house, still…?’

But even if he made a choice for the sake of the family, was it not his eldest brother, Charles, who would lead this affair?

There would be nothing left for him.

His father, the Duke of Bourgogne, would offer some compliments, perhaps, but if he thought about it properly, the man was more than capable of scolding him, asking why he had not spoken of such important information sooner.

And when his thoughts reached that point—

“Yes. That is right. That is the correct answer.”

The Second Lord Gertman’s decision became absurdly easy.

He stripped away the private sentiment called family—blood ties—and, as his father had taught him, looked at the problem rationally.

Then it became clear which choice benefited him more.

“Prepare a horse at once!”

And so the Second Lord Gertman moved, shouting with more urgency than ever.

“Y-yes? At this hour of the night, what is the matter…?”

“Tsk. Silence. Step aside.”

The attendants were dumbfounded by the sudden midnight commotion, but was there any need to explain everything to them one by one?

The Second Lord Gertman shoved aside a sluggish attendant, mounted his horse in haste, and rode toward the annex palace where the Margrave of Bellua was staying.

And not long after—

“Halt. Halt! This is where His Excellency the Margrave of Bellua is staying—”

“I know! I know everything. I am Gertman, the Duke of Bourgogne’s second. I have urgent words for His Excellency the Margrave of Bellua, so report it at once.”

“Yes? How could Lord Gertman be here…?”

Reaching the residence, the Second Lord Gertman grappled with the soldiers who tried to stop him.

Time was short, yet they blocked him like this.

He felt his anger climb to the crown of his head.

Just then—

“What is this? Who is causing such a disturbance at this hour of the night?”

The annex palace doors opened, and a group emerged from within.

One was Magician Agpiel, the great magician he knew well, and another was an unfamiliar knight, radiating a presence as sharp as a drawn blade.

But he had no leisure to wonder about that knight.

The Second Lord Gertman looked at Magician Agpiel and shouted urgently.

“The Margrave of Bellua! His Excellency the Margrave is in grave danger!”

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