episode_0184

Life is like gambling.

Because time does not look back, the moment of choice always comes one step ahead of the outcome.

Will the result of handing over a card be regret or joy?

No one can know until they unfold it.

In that case, it would be better to at least decide for yourself.

If the choice you made because you were pushed ended in failure, the regret would be indescribable.

… Was my decision really the path I chose?

There is only one thing I can say now.

The point is that Leopold chose the safe plan and I agreed to it.

That alone was the undeniable truth.

—-

One day before the funeral of Ferdinand II, Isabella entered the palace meeting after several days of seclusion.

His exposed limbs were a little dry, as if he hadn’t eaten properly, and a dark tinge appeared like a shadow around his bloodshot eyes.

Eyebrows lowered as if depressed, fingertips trembling slightly, and even a slightly bowed head.

The appearance was reminiscent of a bedridden patient.

Those who did not know the truth were concerned and pitied Isabella, who did not know the truth, as Isabella looked pitiful and gaunt, without any of the glamorous luster she wore like a dress.

Even after losing his father and child, he persevered and showed a calm demeanor… It is said that the successive shocks must have eventually led to limitations in both mind and body.

From my perspective, who knew the truth, it was nonsense that could only make me laugh.

What is mental shock?

That woman is just tired from staying up all night for several nights.

Apparently, he was busy remodeling Ernst and messing around all day and night.

I turned away from Isabella and looked at Ernst, who was standing next to her.

“-Yes. Thank you for your concern. My mother was just a little tired, so there’s no problem now. The identity of the assassin… ? That is still under investigation, so it would be difficult to discuss it here.”

Ernst was calmly responding to nobles who asked about his well-being.

His entire body was covered with a thicker-than-usual uniform, with only the upper part of his neck exposed.

Although his appearance and attitude had not changed at all from before… Below the neck it was completely different.

I can feel it even without seeing it.

The sense of hearing, smell, and energy reveal the identity of the things swarming inside the uniform.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of insects were writhing and moving their bodies.

It only looked normal because Isabella was controlling the bugs around her face, but it was no longer a person but a colony of bugs.

The words he spoke and the smile on his face as if to reassure him were nothing more than a forced imitation by moving the insects that acted as muscles.

If you cut it like this, instead of blood and internal organs, only burst bugs will come out like a fountain.

Uh, wait a minute.

… Should I try it?

Ernst is cut down on this spot. It was an impulsive idea, but it had its basis.

Is there any clearer physical evidence than a swarm of insects jumping out of the prince’s body?

Nobles and knights might stop it… I think once you see that, you’ll be busy screaming.

Like a child who found a dismembered cockroach in the stew he was eating.

After the shock subsides, you will look with suspicion at Ernst, who has evolved from a mammal into an arthropod, and Isabella, who has been living in seclusion with him.

If things get to that point, no one will be able to deny it even if Isabella is accused of being a witch.

Like the Gordian knot, all problems could be solved with just one slash.

I placed my hand on the hilt of Durandal’s sword.

The distance from here to Ernst is seventeen meters.

The estimated number of people blocking me is seven.

Since we need to break through without causing injury, the time required is approximately… .

“Princess, what are you planning to do now? ?”

Leopold must have noticed that my fingertips touched the hilt of the sword, and whispered urgently.

“His Royal Highness the Prince. Ernst over there is no longer a person. Once you cut it down, it immediately reveals its identity… .”

“… I don’t allow it. What would you do if the princess’s sword was blocked before it reached Ernst?”

“Ernst’s escort is a master level, but… I think it’s possible to break through if I endure a little injury.”

“Can you guarantee that even after looking at the author?”

Leopold gestured to a corner.

A wall about ten meters away from Ernst.

An elderly knight wearing the uniform of the Imperial Knights was looking at me with sharp eyes, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“… … !”

I felt a chill running down my spine.

It wasn’t that far away, and I didn’t notice it at all, even though it was clearly showing hostility toward me.

The man stood quietly, blending naturally into the background, like a statue or a still life painting.

If Leopold hadn’t pointed it out, I wouldn’t have even bothered.

“… Who is that article?”

“Marquis Wallenstein. Normally, I would never even come to a place like this. What kind of wind is blowing today? I wouldn’t have noticed if we hadn’t accidentally made eye contact.”

The best sword of the Empire. It was my first time seeing it in person.

Contrary to his reputation, he did not have a magnificent appearance.

Although he was similar in height to the other knights, his body was rather thin.

So much so that you can trust him even if he is a civil servant rather than a knight.

I was a little embarrassed because it looked completely different from what I had imagined.

Not just the body shape, but also the face.

“As far as I know, I heard that the Imperial First Sword is close to 70 years old… ?”

I was thinking it was an old man with white hair.

In the original work, it was set that he would grow old and die within a few years.

However, when I actually met Wallenstein, he looked like he was in his late fifties at best.

“What the princess said is correct. The Marquis is sixty-nine years old this year. Even though you can’t see it that way at all.”

You’re 69 years old with that face. Have you been avoiding yourself all these years?

No, then what was the original story about him dying from old age?

Let alone old age, it looks like it will be fixed for the next twenty years.

“So, how do you feel about seeing it in person? Do you think you can still cut down Ernst?”

“… It must be difficult.”

The long and short of it is something you only have to know, but it was difficult for me to choose such an adventure.

Because it was very unpleasant to be an enemy whose presence could not be felt.

Even if it goes out of sight, it would be the same as suddenly disappearing from my perspective.

Even if you could win, it was an opponent you should not fight.

If the battle lasts even a little longer, Ernst and Isabella will fall back, and the royal guards will come.

I would be the only one accused of being an assassin and get caught without any results.

I had no choice but to remove my hand from the hilt of the sword.

“Good idea. Heaven help me. Even if it was a little late to notice… .”

Leopold breathed a sigh of relief.

“If Heaven really helped His Highness, why wouldn’t the author have appeared today?”

My stomach was boiling.

It was a golden opportunity.

That guy is not usually visible… Why on earth would you show up at this time and set up a fishing net?

—-

The court meeting, which almost led to an insect exhibition, ended without any problems thanks to the Marquis Wallenstein.

After finishing the meeting, Ernst immediately returned to his residence.

Wallenstein also disappeared without anyone noticing it.

In the end, I also spent the day promising the next time.

Around evening, when the sunset began to set, I returned to the prince’s palace and talked with Leopold.

About what happened today or what you plan to do tomorrow.

Leopold, who heard in detail about Ernst’s condition, crossed himself and quietly muttered Elfinel’s name.

Even though he was a political enemy and the child of an enemy, did he feel sorry for the way he ended up like that?

“There is only one day left. Since the arrival of Lord Landenburg and Lord Palun was later than expected, I guess we will have to wait for the Holy Kingdom’s agents for now.”

As Leopold said, Ludwig and Archduke Palun had not yet arrived.

If we had come two days ago, we would have been able to attack Isabella, who was living in seclusion. It was a pity.

“Since my father’s funeral is tomorrow, I thought I would at least arrive within today… .”

“Like I said before, didn’t Isabella do something? You said it was impossible to assassinate the electors… I think it’s possible as long as it delays your steps.”

“Taking time away? Hmm… If the princess’s prediction is correct, it can be seen that she is planning to commit something in the meantime… . It will only be a day or two at most, but I wonder what can happen in that short period of time… ?”

Leopold remained skeptical.

It wasn’t Isabella’s plot, it was just something that happened, and I found the sight of this to be extremely unsatisfying to me.

Should I call this optimistic or rational?

“Anyway, now that things have come to this, I don’t know if I should at least pray for success to Elfinel.”

“If it’s prayer, wouldn’t Lacey be in the middle of it?”

Elfinel would also welcome the prayers of an agent he chose more than the prayers of a prince who usually did not come to him.

Whether the job was accomplished or not ultimately depended on the abilities of the spies dispatched by the church.

“More than that, isn’t Marquis Wallenstein a bit more suspicious? If you had cut Ernst in half there, it would have been over, but you showed up there and interfered.”

It was too coincidental to be a coincidence, but Leopold just shook his head.

“Well… I think not. Marquis Wallenstein lived his life with no interest in anything other than swordsmanship. Even being loyal to the emperor was just a justification, and it is unlikely that Isabella would have been able to attract someone who showed no interest in power or women. Since my father’s funeral is tomorrow, I think I came here to at least save face as an escort.”

Since he’s crazy about swords, he probably won’t have anything to do with Isabella, who’s crazy about colors.

As someone who doesn’t know much about Wallenstein, I had no room to refute it.

—-

Looking back, Leopold always chose a standard strategy.

I too was convinced because a standard translated into words is always plausible.

Since you don’t know the enemy’s strength, don’t rush into it.

Do not attempt an attack until sufficient forces are gathered, and defend against enemy attacks by reacting ad hoc.

Create a situation where you can win without fighting and wait for the enemy to collapse.

Wait for the opponent to reveal a loophole and exploit it.

It was a straightforward opinion with nothing wrong with it.

The only miscalculation… Have I overlooked the fact that there is no way the other person does not know the truth that even I know?

—-

That night.

A loud noise that shook the heavens and earth woke the island at dawn.

The people who woke up in surprise looked at the same place and all at once held their breath.

Following the great fire half a year ago, once again, a scene that no one could have imagined for 800 years unfolded before our eyes.

The heart of the empire, the main palace of Magnus Caelum, was collapsing like a lie.