episode_0186

“You said Marquis Wallenstein issued a blockade? Is Isabella missing?”

“Yes. If I wanted to get out of the villa, I would have to fight with a knife. Let’s try it?”

Although there were many knights surrounding the palace, there was only one master-level knight.

If you just decide to break through, you can break through.

I grabbed the hilt of Durandal’s sword and pulled out just an inch of the blade. As if I was ready to swing at any time.

“No, there is no need to do that. Now that the Marquis Wallenstein has stepped forward, Isabella will not be able to move quickly, and Ernst will also be trapped in his palace. It won’t be long before the situation is resolved.”

“The Marquis might have joined hands with Isabella. In that case, it would be dangerous to remain here.”

It was like repeating what we had said last night, but things had changed since then.

“No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t seem likely. What on earth could that witch do to a knight who had lived his whole life with only a sword in mind?”

“… Can you guarantee?”

At this point, my trust in Leopold had already fallen by less than half.

Not the human trust, but the strategic part.

At the point when the main palace was in that state, it was safe to say that most of the previously made predictions and plans had gone awry.

The emperor’s funeral will be postponed, and security will be strengthened several times, so it will be difficult for the Holy Kingdom’s spies to sneak in.

In the first place, there wouldn’t be much gain if I went into hiding now.

After all, unless you’re a mole person, what on earth can you salvage from the ground covered in marble fragments?

In addition, Ludwig, who was supposed to be a strong force against Isabella, was also strangely delayed.

If he had been here a long time ago… At this moment, when the entire imperial palace was in chaos, they could have gathered all their strength and charged into the 3rd prince’s palace, risking a decisive victory.

no. Did Ludwig slow his steps because he expected us to come out like that?

Leopold didn’t think much of it, but… When things got to this point, it seemed clear to me that it was Isabella’s doing.

As expected, it was not about giving Isabella time.

Although Leopold’s policy was not completely wrong, I realized that the more passive he was, the easier it would be for Isabella to move.

Look what they did to her in less than a fortnight.

He killed Matthias, made Ernst his puppet, and eventually buried all traces of himself.

While we sat there waiting, I couldn’t even begin to guess what else she would or could do.

—-

“… … , … !”

“… … !”

… It was a little noisy outside.

I just turned my eyes and glanced out the window.

The knights surrounding the villa were all looking at one place and muttering.

My eyes followed them to the beyond. And then it stopped.

“Just a joke… . Yes, if you want, I will put my name on it. Even if there are two sides of the sky, that won’t happen.”

okay… ?

I’ve just become convinced.

I wonder what Isabella can do… With this, I learned at least one more thing.

Damn it.

“… … In that case, I guess we can say that Isabella split the sky.”

I muttered words without taking my eyes off the scene outside the window. The joke he made was a direct rebuttal to Leopold’s assurances.

“What are you talking about?”

Instead of answering, he raised his finger and pointed outside.

Leopold’s gaze, which had been following my fingertips, finally shook with astonishment.

“How… !”

Yeah, that’s surprising. I understand.

The words I spoke so confidently were refuted before even thirty seconds had passed.

“… What would be a good name to change?”

Leopold didn’t seem to have the presence of mind to reply to my sarcasm.

Cold sweat ran down his cheeks.

Marquis Wallenstein was walking this way.

Holding two heads, one in each hand.

Sharp eyes full of fighting intent were staring at us.

Behind him, a dozen knights followed in a line with their swords drawn.

Most of them were ordinary knights… Only three of them were opponents that could not be trifled with.

Although it was wearing Royal Guard armor, its identity could be seen just by looking at it.

Because they were giving off the same energy as those they faced when they captured Claire.

okay. They were master-level knights who were parasites on insects.

—-

“I can’t believe it. Why on earth is the Marquis Wallenstein…? ?”

“… What shall we do, Your Highness Wittelsbach? Should we at least run towards the back door?”

A head-on breakthrough would be impossible.

Even if Wallenstein’s skills were unknown, the other three and the surrounding knights were enough to hold me back.

If it were just me, I might be able to escape somehow… It was too much to carry two pieces of luggage.

“Wittelsbach… ?”

“You just threw away the name Leopold, so you need to find a new one. What should I call you?”

Perhaps because my sarcasm had struck his heart, Leopold’s expression suddenly distorted.

“Now is the time to joke… ! No, this is not the time to say something like this. If it’s the back door, can you get out?”

“Well?”

Actually, I didn’t have any expectations.

If I really thought I could escape, I would have picked up Leopold and run during this time of commotion.

They were just cracking jokes to ease the tension, but it seemed to me that a fight was already inevitable.

Since you are already surrounded, even if you are lucky enough to escape the palace… At that time, instead of Leopold, there would be only a corpse with an arrow holder hanging on my back.

“You never know, if only he would walk leisurely like that… ”

It was that moment. I don’t think he heard me, but Wallenstein’s steps suddenly quickened.

The same was true for the articles that followed.

“I guess it’s impossible.”

At that speed, it won’t take more than twenty seconds to get here.

Leopold sighed. Why are you so discouraged? You are self-employed.

“… At this point, I have no choice but to gamble… . Princess Aishangior, do not draw your sword yet, but follow me. Lord Persval, you too.”

I can’t believe this guy’s plan anymore.

“Do you have any thoughts? If you succeed, I will give you your name back.”

“You said that the troops who initially surrounded the palace might not know about Isabella’s plot, right? I’m thinking of walking there. Even if Wallenstein really became an enemy… Unless you kill them all to silence them, you won’t be able to attack them all at once.”

“What if the author plans to kill all the other knights as well?”

“The traitor Wallenstein will shout out loudly that he intends to kill you all, and we can only expect chaos. If the knights knew they were about to die, wouldn’t they also try to back down?”

If the siege is disrupted, we might have a chance to escape.

The chances of success didn’t seem particularly high, but there was no time to think of other methods anyway.

Because Wallenstein has arrived.

“Your Majesty Leopold, you must be inside. If it is not inconvenient, may I request a brief meeting with you? I know it’s rude at this late hour, but this is a situation where emergency is urgent.”

It was a low, calm voice without any emotional fluctuations.

Leopold and I looked at each other, nodded, and headed toward the front door.

It’s a story, so it can’t really end as a conversation.

If I had intended to do that, I wouldn’t have brought in a bug knight so blatantly.

—-

“Welcome. Prince Wallenstein. I also had something to ask.”

Leopold calmly stepped forward and glared at Wallenstein with challenging eyes.

Persval and I were one step behind, carefully watching out for the enemy’s movements.

“Meeting His Highness the Prince. Since you said you have something to ask, please speak first.”

Wallenstein politely bowed. As if he were a loyal knight.

“Good. Then I ask you, what was the reason for sending knights to intercept me and coming to visit me in person? It’s as if they want to keep me hostage. Have you become greedy for power now that your father passed away?”

Oh, it comes out surprisingly strong.

The knights around him were a little upset at the blatant accusation the prince made.

If they were all Isabella’s subordinates, then Wallenstein would not have been able to attack Leopold.

The moment you draw your sword, you are acknowledging Leopold’s words.

He himself was an ugly traitor who harmed his master’s children and greedy for power as soon as his master died.

“Is that possible, Your Highness? It seems there was some misunderstanding. The knights and I came here to protect His Majesty from threats.”

Even though he heard words that were close to insults, the Wallenstein man calmly lowered his head without any change in his expression.

“You will protect my personal safety? From whom? No, no need to explain. There is no reason to do that.”

Leopold answered firmly and turned his head towards me.

“I have Princess Aishangior next to me, so that is enough for me as an escort. Rather, I’m really worried about Ernst… . If you really came here because you were concerned about my safety, I know your loyalty, so I want you to go back and protect Ernst rather than me.”

It was nothing short of an ultimatum.

If you are not a traitor, go back. If you refuse, I will consider you a traitor. A statement with such implications.

Indeed, what was Wallenstein’s choice?

I held my breath and glared at him.