Midnight in Valentine (11)

“I don’t know what this World Tree sapling actually is.”

I asked Gilbert.

“Why would the Demon King’s Army start a war like this for it?”

“…According to Aslaksha’s consciousness, the Demon King’s Army’s ultimate goal seems to be improving the barren environment of the East Continent through this World Tree sapling.”

Gilbert answered, tilting his head.

“However, I’m not sure exactly how this World Tree sapling can restore the environment and make barren land fertile.”

“…”

“Either my mental strength was too weak compared to Aslaksha’s power… or perhaps it’s such a powerful artifact that even Aslaksha doesn’t understand its principles?”

Gilbert said, shrugging his shoulders.

“…Delphina, are you sure his brainwashing is really gone?”

I leaned my head slightly and whispered to Delphina.

“Yes. I’m confident in my Sacred Law… and as he said, if the brainwashing hadn’t really been removed, he could simply kill us and walk away.”

Delphina nodded, and only then did I turn to Gilbert.

“Alright. It seems to be true.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Gilbert, who had been nodding, suddenly bowed deeply toward me.

“And although it wasn’t my intention, I deeply apologize for the disrespect I caused you for a time.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I-it’s fine! You weren’t in your right mind then, and after regaining your senses, you’ve even lent us a room…”

Delphina smiled and waved both hands.

Only then did I look around and ask her.

“Was this Gilbert’s room?”

“To be precise, it’s one of the annexes of our House de Roi. Since the imperial family suffered that calamity, it’s also being used as a base for the resistance led by Lord Jean Saturnus.”

After saying that, Gilbert grimaced and muttered.

“But… those Demon King’s Army bastards, how could they extend their claws even to the Empire? Even to His Majesty the Emperor… This surely means there must be a traitor within the palace…!”

“L-Lord Gilbert!”

Delphina said urgently.

“Come to think of it, the rice porridge I put on in the kitchen might be ready!”

“Ah, yes.”

Gilbert, who had been muttering ominously, seemed to come to his senses at Delphina’s words.

“Let’s discuss the details after we eat.”

“…The situation is at its worst.”

Gilbert, who sat next to me as I chewed on the moderately cooled white porridge, opened his mouth.

“Even if Lord Saturnus had made contact with you sooner, it would have been difficult to turn the situation around.”

“Because you were already under control.”

At my words, Gilbert lowered his head and murmured, “Hmm.”

“…Perhaps it would be best for you to return as things are.”

After some thought, Gilbert spoke.

“I think it was wrong for outsiders like you to get involved in the first place. I could arrange a way for you to return…”

“Thanks, but I decline.”

I shook my head at his murmur.

“Having come this far and learned where Oscar is, I can’t just run away.”

“Oscar…?”

Gilbert murmured.

“Why the Prince’s name?”

“Because he and I are engaged.”

To Gilbert, who was asking as if hearing this for the first time, I tilted my head and asked back.

“You didn’t know?”

“…”

Gilbert silently blinked. I shrugged and continued.

“But I never imagined they would use a nation’s prince as bait. The Demon King’s Army’s methods this time are that impressive and bold.”

“…Hmm.”

“Looking back, it almost feels like a kind of confidence. Like ‘we can do this without consequences’ or ‘there’s something we must obtain even if we have to go this far.'”

I muttered, stirring the barely half-remaining white porridge.

“What could it be? This ‘World Tree sapling’.”

“Since it’s called a sapling, it must be some kind of tree, right?”

Delphina said, gently taking the porridge bowl from my hand.

“Maybe this World Tree grows well even in harsh environments, so they want to bring it back to create forests and restore their environment?”

“But they wouldn’t start a war for something so trivial, wubup.”

Delphina thrust a spoon between my lips as I shook my head.

“You need to finish it all.”

“I’m full.”

I shook my head while chewing the porridge in my mouth.

“I agree with Princess Evangeline’s opinion. This World Tree sapling is probably just a sapling in name, and in reality, it might be some kind of high-level artifact with magical effects.”

Gilbert added, speaking toward Delphina.

“For example, like when planted in the ground like a tree, it can make even the most arid and barren land fertile…”

“Anyway.”

I swallowed what was in my mouth and turned my head away from Delphina, who was extending the spoon again.

“That’s not what’s important. Is there any news about Rubila and her group?”

“None at all.”

Delphina put down the spoon and shook her head.

“There’s been no news from Lord Jean Saturnus or anyone else reaching the outside. If the Kingdom had sensed something was wrong…”

“…My sword?”

“No way.”

Delphina firmly shook her head.

“What did you think I was going to say?”

“You were looking for your sword. It’s obvious.”

“Delphina.”

“At least not right now. You may be conscious, but at least until your wounds heal somewhat…”

“So you’re saying we should just abandon Rubila?!”

I raised my voice without realizing it.

Delphina, who reflexively opened her eyes wide as if startled, soon nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…”

“If you push yourself, you might end up saving neither.”

Delphina said that and reached out to press gently on my side.

“Aaah!”

With a sharp pain as if being stabbed with a knife in my side, I screamed and pushed away Delphina’s hand.

“…You see?”

I couldn’t give any answer to Delphina, who quietly spoke while hiding her hand, which had turned bright red from my slap, behind her back.

“If I may be so bold, Princess. Moving now is unquestionably suicidal.”

“She’s right.”

Gilbert said.

“Delphina and I will try to gather as much information as possible from outside. After all, their immediate priority target is none other than you, the Princess Knight.”

“…Fine.”

I pushed my voice down into my stomach and turned my head toward the window.

“…Rest well.”

With a click, the doorknob was locked behind me.

I slowly turned my head.

I was left alone in the room.

“…Lord. Lord Rubila.”

At the whisper repeatedly calling her name, Rubila opened her eyes with a throbbing headache.

“…Where is this?”

“I apologize for the poor environment.”

Lord Saturnus said to Rubila, who was slowly getting up.

“Are your memories intact? What’s your most recent memory?”

“…Clearly, I infiltrated the palace with you, avoiding the soldiers’ eyes…”

Murmuring in a dazed voice, Rubila reached into her bosom.

After searching her bosom for a while, Rubila finally let out a deep sigh of relief.

“…Yes. I helped the Princess escape from the palace.”

Rubila raised her head and continued, looking up at the large man standing behind Jean Saturnus.

“And… Lord Barry, was it?”

“…I apologize for the arm.”

Barry shook his head and murmured.

“I’ve inflicted an inexcusable wound on you as a knight. I will somehow…”

“Barry.”

Jean said quietly.

“Let’s save such talk for after everything is safely concluded.”

“…Is the brainwashing really gone?”

“I don’t mean to boast, but my Sacred Law is definitive.”

At Rubila’s question, Jean nodded.

“Thanks to completely neutralizing Barry and bringing him out, we were able to shake off the brainwashing cast on him.”

“…But hey, couldn’t you have just used that Sacred Law or whatever as soon as we entered the palace?”

Rubila asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Why didn’t you do that?”

“Because I couldn’t.”

Jean shook his head and sighed.

“The entire palace was already under the control of Aslaksha’s necromancy. In that situation, even if I manifested Sacred Law, it would only result in Aslaksha’s necromancy being reapplied immediately.”

“I thought Sacred Law and necromancy were like water and oil?”

“Just as Sacred Law repels necromancy, necromancy also repels Sacred Law. It’s entirely possible to wash away residual traces of necromancy, but in a direct confrontation of power… I hate to admit it, but I can’t win.”

At Jean’s words, Rubila clicked her tongue.

“So that’s why you dragged Barry out.”

“Well, if I had to say so, yes.”

Jean nodded. At that moment, Barry carefully opened his mouth.

“…Is that red knight on the side of the Princess Knight?”

“Not red knight, Flame Knight.”

“Ah, um. I apologize, Flame Knight.”

“…Are you always this timid? It doesn’t suit your size.”

“…I get that misunderstanding a lot.”

Jean nodded with a sullen expression at Rubila’s jibe.

At his reaction, Rubila continued, turning back to Barry.

“Well, yes. I’m the one who almost cut off your entire arm.”

“…I’ve committed an irreversible wrong against the Princess Knight too. No matter what happens, I will definitely…”

“Really now, didn’t I say to save such talk for after everything is over!”

Rubila scolded him, shaking her head. Jean patted Barry’s shoulders, which had flinched, and stood up.

“I’ve provided emergency treatment with Sacred Law, but if there’s any discomfort, let me know.”

“Didn’t you say you had no talent for healing?”

“…I can manage minor issues. Of course, with the healing aptitude of that Delphina, it might be possible to reattach a right arm that was almost torn off, but I’m just saying I’m not at that level.”

Jean said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Anyway, now that you’ve regained consciousness, let’s hurry.”

“Why such a rush?”

“You ask something so obvious.”

Jean grinned and said.

“Shouldn’t we go to Her Highness the Princess?”