episode_0110

As I watched Seria flying into the distance, caught in the gryphon’s claws, two knights appeared through the bushes.

“Gryphon! Where is the griffon!?”

“I think it’s a step too late… … .”

Some people may scold them for being late, but they are never late.

It took a total of 3 minutes for the Griffon to appear, block the Griffon’s attack, and then retreat for a moment until the Griffon flew in and snatched Seria.

I covered the mountain path, which takes nearly 30 minutes on foot, in just 3 minutes. Instead of reprimanding them for being late, you should praise them for running this far in 3 minutes.

Well, to them who arrived after Ceria had already been kidnapped, such praise would mean nothing.

“Damn… … ! There must be a barrier stone guarding it!?”

“Let’s check it now!”

“Ugh… … . That person… … .”

While the other one was running down the mountain, the one who was taking off his helmet and scratching his head looked around and looked at me, startled and trembled.

I noticed that he saw me, but I just stared blankly at the sky, trying to act like an academy student whose friend was kidnapped by a monster right before my eyes.

“Lady, are you okay?”

A knight with brown hair approached me and asked, and I blinked my eyes on purpose and responded half a beat late.

“Ah… … . you are… … ?”

“Excuse me. My name is Eiron, and I am a senior knight who is the instructor and the 4th disciple of Lord Germa. Lady Charlotte of the Rochelle family.”

“Ah, ah. yes. Lord Eiron. Seria was kidnapped. To the Gryphon, right before your eyes… … .”

“Yes. We are also familiar with the situation. Once we understand the exact situation, we will immediately send a search team to find Miss Seria. Please leave it to me with confidence.”

The driver, who called himself Eiron, spoke slowly and seriously, looking straight at me to reassure me.

Deciding that it would be okay to show that I had calmed down a bit, I held my halberd and looked straight at the knight.

“So it’s late. We have to go save Seria right now.”

“That’s… … .”

The driver had a troubled look on his face, as if he didn’t know I would come out like this. I chewed my lip and gripped the halberd so tightly that it made a crunching sound.

“I know very well that it is difficult. I also know that gryphons are dangerous. Also, you can’t move freely because of the procedures. But now is not the time to discuss such things.”

“Lady Charlotte. I understand that you are surprised that your friend was kidnapped, but I think it would be better for you to calm down a little.”

“I am extremely calm right now.”

I said it, but it was something that no one would believe if they heard it. This is what I think, but I wonder if the driver who heard this was immature.

However, whether this had happened many times, or whether it was because he was good at dealing with things, the knight was not embarrassed or troubled, but put a serious face on his face and said, putting his hand on his chest.

“Yes. That was my mistake just now. I was trying to say that even if Lady didn’t come forward in person, the academy would definitely rescue the student named Seria, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“When will the rescue team leave? now? Or after checking the problem with the barrier stone? Are you going to formally submit the agenda to the academy and leave once permission is given?”

“Lady Charlotte… … .”

I frowned slightly as I finally looked at the driver who had a slightly troubled look on his face.

“As I said before. Now is not the time to discuss such things. Sir Aron, who works as an assistant, would know better that only a month has passed since the murder occurred at the academy.”

“However, if a similar incident were to occur again a little over a month later, there would be a level of backlash that could not even be compared to that time. The credibility of the academy will hit rock bottom, and the abilities of current professors and their assistants will be questioned.”

“Lady Charlotte, you mean… … .”

The driver seemed a little uncomfortable, lowering his head slightly and trailing off.

“I’m not specifically trying to criticize Lord Eiron. I’m just telling you how serious this situation is and how big of a ripple it will cause.”

“… … .”

I looked straight at the driver who was silently looking at me, and sighed when I saw him purse his lips and lower his head.

“Good. Looking at his face, it seems like he has finally realized how serious this situation is.”

“Even if what Lady Charlotte said is correct, I cannot decide anything because it is the dean and professors who decide the affairs of the academy.”

“It’s okay. Because I know someone who can solve that problem. However, we need Lord Eiron’s help to find that person.”

As I said that, I pointed to the knight’s waist.

“Crown Prince… … . Please find Sargela.”

“Please find the crown prince… … . no way! Just now――”

“Sir Eiron.”

I cut off the knight’s horse, smiled sadly, and shook my head.

“Please don’t say any more than that. That’s not what’s important now.”

“Sorry.”

The driver said that, lowered his head, asked me to wait a moment, and walked away for a moment.

In the meantime, I gathered my emotions and prepared for the next act, and when about 3 minutes had passed, the driver walked towards me again.

“Lady Charlotte. I will guide you to where the Crown Prince is.”

ruler… … . To the crown prince who was shaking wildly.

It’s time to drive a wedge.

* * *

Eiron, who was walking towards where the crown prince was, glanced at Charlotte who was following behind him.

She was following him with her gaze down, and Eiron, who saw it, looked forward again without saying a word.

‘… … ‘It’s also a pity.’

Her fiancé, whom she had devoted her entire life to supporting, was taken away by someone else, and even worse, the person who stole her fiancé was her friend… … .

As Eiron walked, he remembered the image of Charlotte he had just seen.

‘That’s not what’s important now.’

He tries to save the person who stole his fiancé because he is a friend. In order to prevent this from being delayed, a situation that no Academy official could ever overcome was brought about.

Although he must have been so shocked by the big thing that happened in front of his eyes that his head was not working properly, he made his decision and took action in that short moment.

‘He is truly an amazing person. Everything from mental strength, mindset, judgment and action.’

If it were me, would I be able to say the same things and take the same actions as her? Aron kept his mouth shut and fixed his gaze forward as the mere assumption made him shiver.

‘Let’s not think about it. Pitying her now would only be insulting to the woman who has made up her mind and is moving to save her friend.’

Eiron stopped thinking and focused on guiding Charlotte, who was following behind him, to where the crown prince was.

This is the place where the crown prince arrived. The crown prince was looking at a familiar in the shape of a hawk resting on his arm.

When it felt a rustle, the familiar flapped its wings and flew away. The Crown Prince lowered his arms and looked at Eiron and said.

“So, you suddenly stopped the exam. What is this?”

The Crown Prince, whose mind was already complicated by the matter about Charlotte, frowned and glared at Eiron.

At the crown prince’s sharp gaze, Eiron bowed his head politely and said.

“Sorry. It’s urgent――”

As he continued speaking, Charlotte walked out from behind Eiron and interrupted him.

“I asked you to stop for a moment.”

“Charlotte? Why are you… … .”

The Crown Prince looked at Charlotte with wide eyes, probably quite surprised. Charlotte gently avoided his gaze and answered his question.

“Because I have something to tell you.”

“You have something to tell me?”

The Crown Prince asked back with a voice full of doubt, and Charlotte nodded slowly.

“It’s not something to talk about at length, so I’ll tell you straight. Ceria was kidnapped… … . To Gryphon.”

“What… … ?”

“If you are the Crown Prince, you probably have the authority to personally move small units. If we leave now, we will be able to reach the Gryphon’s Nest before Ceria dies. As for the Griffon’s Nest near the Academy, the only place to find it is the valley of the Bneron Mountains not far to the south, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost――”

The Crown Prince, who had been quietly listening to Charlotte, raised his hand to interrupt her before she finished speaking.

Are you trying to say that we should move right away during this time of conversation? When Charlotte’s face was about to become mixed with a bit of hope and anticipation, disappointment and resignation.

Unbelievable words came out of the crown prince’s mouth.

“… … I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

“… … Yes?”

Charlotte seemed not to understand what she had heard and asked back.

The Crown Prince closed his eyes and spoke again slowly, as if chewing.

“Charlotte. I’m sorry, but I can’t go to save Seria.”

What came out of his mouth were clear words of denial, completely crushing Charlotte’s hopes and expectations.