Above the Duchy of Fanos.
The one boarding an airship that had arrived from the Kingdom was the former Black Knight, Bandel Him Zenden.
He received an item from an operative who had infiltrated the Kingdom.
"Is this from Her Highness?"
"Yes. She insisted that it must be delivered."
Bandel was bald from his forehead to the crown of his head, and his body was covered in scars.
His muscles and sinews were rugged and powerful.
He was a knight so robust he didn't look middle-aged.
What he received was the right arm of a black, spiked armor.
"This is... could it be a Lost Item!?"
"Without a doubt. Apparently, that
Bandel wasn't the only one who boarded the airship.
There was also Count Gelatt, who had previously served as an envoy to the Kingdom.
He had a habit of stroking his chin, mourning the beard he had lost.
His eyes burned with the desire for revenge.
"That Heretic Knight had been hiding it? Is that all? I wish Her Highness had sent something a bit more useful."
The Heretic Knight—that was Leon's epithet in the Duchy.
He had earned this title because his conduct strayed from the path of knighthood.
Leon hadn't killed his enemies, but that had resulted in the knights and soldiers being harshly berated by the Duchy's nobles and citizens.
Just as Leon had said.
As a knight, Bandel had already been treated as a has-been.
He had even lost his title of Black Knight.
He had no idea what kind of tool this right arm was.
But as Gelatt read the letter that had been delivered, his eyes widened, and his gaze darted back and forth between the black, spiked right arm and the letter repeatedly.
"I-I can't believe it."
"What is it?"
When Bandel crossed his arms and asked, Gelatt was grinning.
"Sir Black Knight. No, Former Sir Black Knight—are you prepared to give your life?"
Bandel snorted at Gelatt's words.
"I'm already a has-been who died as a knight. If it's to save Her Highness, I'll do whatever it takes."
"Excellent! Then let me explain. This is a part of armor that existed in the ancient—no, the mythological era. It's apparently a Lost Item that even the royal family only knows fragments about."
As everyone's gaze turned to the right arm, Gelatt spread both his hands wide.
"What a magnificent gift! Princess Heltrude has fulfilled her role admirably. With this, there is no enemy that can stand against Her Highness, Second Princess Heltrowda Sela Fanos! And the Heretic Knight—this time, he will finally be finished!"
Heltrude's younger sister—Second Princess Heltrowda.
She was the Duchy's trump card, commanding the fleet and monsters that filled the Duchy's skies.
Bandel narrowed his eyes and looked at the right arm.
"I will save Princess Heltrude. I would give my life for it, if I must."
Beside Gelatt, who was delighted at the prospect of avenging his beard, Bandel clenched his fists tightly.
◇ The underground prison beneath the royal palace.
The damp place was cold and chilly.
The air was stagnant—not a place anyone would want to stay for long.
He had to dress as a prisoner, so both his wrists were in manacles—the type with wooden boards that your wrists go through.
As he yawned, the guard signaled to him.
It seemed he had a visitor.
When he saw the person, Leon wanted to give him an earful.
"You've disappointed me, Bartfort."
The owner of that commanding voice was a man who might have become master of the royal palace.
It was Prince
He was fuming at Leon, but Leon was just as irritated to see him here.
"...Who?"
When Leon teased him, the man blushed and declared his identity.
"I am Julius! Julius Rapha Holfart! What do you mean you've been betraying us?! I always knew you were a coward, but I never thought you'd do something like this!"
What he was saying was completely absurd.
No matter how cunning Leon might be, they apparently never thought he would betray the Kingdom.
...But when you think about it, there were certainly circumstances that could have led to betrayal.
The cause was you. It's all your fault.
No, wait. More than him, it might have been the marriage hunting. Every time he suffered through those matchmaking events, he had thought about abandoning this country.
"I haven't betrayed anyone. I've been falsely accused. Help me, Your Highness."
"You're still in good enough spirits to crack jokes. We're going to have a talk, Bartfort."
It didn't seem like he had come to help.
"About what?"
"Your attitude is pretty bold considering you're standing before me."
"You think I have any lingering affection for a country that would execute me as a traitor? I swear I'll make you regret this someday, so remember my words."
"...Actually, there is something I need to discuss."
The guy just ignored what Leon said.
"Your Partner and
That was very much an issue as far as Leon was concerned.
Well,
"There are those trying to defend you, but the movements within the royal palace are suspicious."
As far as Leon was concerned, the royal palace was always suspicious.
Promoting him, promoting him—anyway, he couldn't believe it was only suspicious now. It was always suspicious; he wished someone would tell him when it was normal.
"And?"
"...I understand that the current royal palace is off. Bartfort, why did you betray us? What exactly is your purpose?"
Calling him a traitor was too harsh.
"I keep telling you, I've been falsely accused. There are people who want to capture me."
"What!?"
Why are you so surprised?! You're the prince who lived in the royal palace, right? Use your imagination a bit! You're way too naive.
"Did you really think I'd betray you? If I were going to betray you, I'd do a much better job of it."
"...That's true. You'd do something far more devious."
It annoyed Leon that Julius actually found that convincing.
Just what exactly did he trust about Leon?
Julius spoke to Leon. It was almost as though he was consulting him.
"I haven't experienced war, but it feels like the atmosphere before one. If someone's going to make a move, it would be the Duchy?"
Leon was about to ask who else they'd be at war with, but he shut his mouth.
Come to think of it, the Kingdom had multiple borders—or rather, multiple battlefields. They were at war with numerous countries.
The Duchy was just one of them.
But the Duchy was the most likely. Why did things insist on proceeding exactly as the scenario dictated?
"...The corrective force, huh?"
Julius was perplexed by Leon's murmur.
"Corrective? What are you talking about, Bartfort?"
"Just talking to myself. The Duchy is the most likely, right? I'm stuck in here, so I can't tell for sure."
Julius had his hand on his chin and was deep in thought, so Leon made a request.
"Hey, get me out of here."
"That's impossible. I don't have the authority right now. Even if I did, I couldn't release a traitor."
What a useless prince. Well, he'd be in trouble even if they did let him out, anyway.
Even so... war was about to break out with the Duchy. Their trump card was supposedly within the Kingdom, so why had they launched their invasion?
It was almost as if the corrective force of the story were real.
"...What a terrible world."
Julius brushed off Leon's mutter this time and hurried out of the dungeon.
If things were going to proceed as the story dictated, Leon's only option was to escape.
He—even Luxion—couldn't defeat the Duchy's trump card.
Passing Julius on her way in, the one who came to the dungeon was Heltrude. She handed something to the guard and he left.
More importantly—had this woman simply walked into the royal palace?
"You've been through quite an ordeal."
"Thanks to someone."
"Not me. I did ask to have you restrained, but the harsh treatment was at the hands of the Kingdom's nobles."
The cause was you. As Leon sulked, she moved close to the iron bars and brought her face near his. Moving in when someone was at their weakest—that was a con artist's trick.
"Shall I get you out? Rather than serving this country, you should swear allegiance to the Duchy. I promise you favorable terms. I'll give you the peaceful, uneventful life you've always wished for."
His body reacted involuntarily.
"Pathetic, isn't it? I can't stand watching those royal nobles underestimate the Duchy and use you as a pawn in their faction wars. They wanted to use me to crush you. They don't even understand what they're doing. Honestly, I didn't expect things to go this smoothly."
Even though they were both royalty, she was nothing like Julius. She understood exactly what Leon wanted.
"Kneel before me. I'll make you my knight. Instead of serving this corrupt Kingdom, you'll get exactly the life you've always wanted. I'm not offering status or honor—I'm promising a peaceful, uneventful life."
Facing Leon with a smile, Heltrude waited for his answer.
"I decline."
Heltrude's smile shifted to one tinged with irritation, and she wanted to hear his reason for refusing.
"Do you care about the Kingdom that much? You're a territorial lord, aren't you? You could even defect with your entire fief."
"It's an attractive offer, but I have no intention of making a deal with someone whose intentions are dubious at best."
Besides, the Duchy already had a grudge against him. And incidentally, the one who had dragged him down was her.
Luxion joined the conversation as well.
『Wasn't it you who had my Master captured because you feared him? Extending a helping hand when he's at his lowest—how predictable. Did you think he'd lost his judgment?』
Heltrude turned her gaze to Luxion.
"What an unpleasant familiar."
『If you had truly intended to bring my Master to your side—if you had been planning to keep your word—I would have cooperated in persuading my Master.』
"...Truly an unpleasant familiar. How bold of you to say that, when you clearly didn't think I was serious."
In other words, everything she had said up to this point was a lie.
How sad.
Heltrude stepped away from the iron bars and spoke to him in a cold voice.
"You should be proud. It means you've been judged capable of being an obstacle to us. Go ahead and sink together with this foolish Kingdom."
Watching Heltrude's back as she left the dungeon, Leon lay down on his bed.
"Well, I've made quite an enemy."
Had Heltrude's retreating back looked a little lonely, or was he imagining things?
『Hard to say. I don't think she would have made the offer if she truly despised him. Perhaps she feels some guilt of her own?』
While he was talking, the guard returned and addressed Leon. Luxion vanished.
"Sir Viscount, would you prefer coffee or tea next?"
"Tea. And use good leaves this time."
"There aren't any expensive leaves here, I'm afraid."
"Still, to go from Captain of the Royal Guard to prisoner in the blink of an eye... What exactly is my life turning into?"
"I was genuinely surprised by that myself. I don't think it's ever happened before in the Kingdom's history."
Nothing to celebrate there.
The guard stepped out again to prepare the tea, and Leon yawned. Luxion reappeared.
Leon took off the manacles and spun them around playfully.
『My Master really is amusing.』
"Leave me alone. Still, it was a good thing I'd gotten close to Mylène. If I'd been captured and tortured like that, I wouldn't have been laughing."
『If that time comes, just give the order. I'll sink this entire continent in an instant. Or remove everyone on this continent except those connected to my Master—』
"Stop. I'm not keen on committing mass genocide."
『...How kind of you.』
It was easy to forget, but when Leon had first found him, Luxion had said something about "annihilating all those
He was a sufficiently dangerous entity.
But even this Luxion couldn't defeat the final boss.
He wouldn't lose—but he probably couldn't win either.
What was ultimately needed was the power of the Saint, Rivia's power, and "love."
Speaking of which, what exactly was Leon doing here?
Everything went back to the day he was captured.
◇ So just what was going on here?
In front of him were Gilbert and—Mylène.
He thought this was an unusual pairing, but come to think of it, Mylène had connections to the ducal house. It wasn't strange for the two of them to be together.
Brought to the royal palace, Leon was handed off to other knights and found himself sitting at a table with the two of them in a room within the palace.
"Gilbert, I've been arrested, you know."
At Leon's question, Gilbert looked relieved.
"If I explained everything it would take forever, but the short version is the Duchy determined you were a threat."
Why was Leon being arrested based on the Duchy's judgment?
Was the Kingdom taking orders from the Duchy?
Mylène took over the explanation.
"Leon, I told you, didn't I? That there were those who didn't want to see you rise in the world."
The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
There were plenty of people who resented an upstart like Leon achieving such an extraordinary rise.
Had those jealousies and envies been exploited by the Duchy?
"The royal palace isn't monolithic either. Various factions are all moving according to their own agendas. Do you understand what that means?"
"They aligned with the Duchy's interests?"
Gilbert nodded.
"That's right. Prince Julius's downfall was a blow to the ducal faction as well. The faction shrank, and other nobles have been gaining power. And that faction had ties to the Duchy."
When Leon asked what they were thinking, Mylène told him it wasn't that strange.
"Leon, the greater threat to them is—the Duchy, more than you."
"Huh? Wait, but—"
When Leon looked surprised, Gilbert looked exasperated.
"Think about it. To completely defeat dozens of airships single-handedly means you possess military power equivalent to an army all on your own. We know you have no intention of rebelling against the Kingdom. But do you think everyone else believes that? Even if they did, could they trust you wouldn't turn against them?"
...It was true that suspicion was understandable, but were they underestimating the war with the Duchy? No, wait—hadn't the Duchy been looked down upon until recently?
"Were they mocking the Duchy because it lost to me?"
"There are certainly those who treated it as a joke, but anyone who's experienced war understands what a genuine threat it is. They didn't say it aloud, but they were clearly panicking. Put simply, the Duchy poses less of a threat than you or the Saint. The faction that feared you two is the one that's gained power."
While Leon was puzzling over this, Luxion offered advice where the two couldn't see.
『Master, it seems that you are currently the only one who truly understands the Duchy's threat. A Duchy that lost to you is less frightening to them than a Master who won against the Duchy.』
"So they arrested me on false charges because of that?"
"It was close. We were already moving before Ange contacted us, but still. After consulting with the Queen, we decided to have you imprisoned in the dungeon. To be precise, we arrested you while secretly protecting you."
"Your political enemies can't afford to be picky. The situation is different from a few months ago. Leon, you could have been assassinated."
When Leon reacted in shock, Luxion chimed in with a casual tone.
『Yes. In fact, there were suspicious movements. We couldn't tell if it was assassination or intelligence gathering, but now it's confirmed.』
—Hey, don't mess around. You could've told me sooner.
『In any case, as long as I'm protecting you, assassination is impossible. I thought I'd let you know once it was confirmed.』
Had this guy known all along that Leon's arrest would lead to this?
『Well, yes. If things got dangerous, I could simply rescue you. If you ever want to abandon the Kingdom, just say the word.』
Even so—assassinating a perfectly innocent guy like him? What a joke.
"Those knights who were so eager to rough me up really seemed to hold a grudge?"
"That was real. We intercepted you midway, but it was a close call."
A chill ran down Leon's spine at Gilbert's words. It had apparently been even more dangerous than he'd imagined.
"We'll protect you in the royal palace for now. This is all we can manage at the moment. It's not just the anti-ducal faction. Many nobles consider you a threat. Plenty of them want to confiscate your Lost Items and claim them as their own."
The Queen pleaded earnestly with Leon. It felt almost like she was speaking to a small child.
Mylène as a mother figure... gave him the creeps a bit, but he'd leave that aside.
Just when Leon thought even the Queen couldn't handle this, Gilbert provided a more detailed explanation.
"The Marquis's house is the one actively making moves. Their faction's goal is to marry their daughter to a prince and place him on the throne. My family has all sorts of old grievances with them. We're natural enemies as factions."
Julius, of them?
Well, officially he'd been available.
So that was part of it too?
"They connected with the Duchy to wear down the rival faction. The Margrave who guards the border doesn't get along with the Marquis's house. Their aim was to use the Duchy to exhaust the other factions as well."
Speaking of the Margrave of the border—that was
His family had it rough too.
Anyway, he'd give them a word of warning.
"The Duchy isn't that weak. I have a feeling they're still hiding a trump card. Isn't it naive to think they can win in a fair fight?"
Mylène was worried about that too.
"Leon, remember this. For a Marquis, losing a bit of Kingdom territory is neither here nor there. As a territorial lord yourself, you should understand that."
The Marquis was a territorial lord too.
So as long as it didn't hurt his own coffers, ceding some territory to the Duchy wasn't a problem.
What he wanted was the position to do as he pleased with the Kingdom.
From the Kingdom's perspective, Leon defeating the Duchy had led them to misjudge its strength.
At the same time, the ones they were wary of were
"They can't afford to let the Redgrave family gain momentum. They're willing to use any means necessary. Arresting you was actually the more restrained option. We couldn't contact you in advance, I'm afraid."
"Does Ange know about this?"
"No. Rather, we can't tell her. The fact that you're being protected is a top-secret known only to a select few."
If Ange had known, he wouldn't have told her about Heltrude.
Wait, weren't they all panicking way too suddenly?
This was almost as if—hmm?
"Um, could it be—"
Sensing what Leon had realized, Mylène gave a small nod.
"The Duchy will make its move. And to match that, a power struggle is erupting inside the royal palace. Really, they've done it now. They think they're using the Duchy, but they're the ones being used."
A situation convenient for the Duchy had fallen into place.
One of the causes was, of all things, Leon.
Gilbert made a request of Leon.
"I'm sorry, but we've been caught on the back foot. I hate to ask this, but we need you to stay in the dungeon for a while."
"Stay for what?"
◇ ...And so.
Leon was here as bait to lure out those making their moves behind the scenes.
He'd been demoted from Captain of the Royal Guard to prisoner. ...No, as bait, was he even below a prisoner? Either way, he was here, watching how things played out.
"I never thought the ducal house's position would be this weak."
『When you think about it, it's only natural. They were trying to marry their daughter to the prince as well, after all. It's a faction conflict.』
"I can't believe the people who were mocking me just a little while ago are now being cautious."
『Once they properly understood the current situation, you must have looked like the bigger threat. Besides, you've been too close to Mylène and the ducal faction. From everyone else's perspective, you're an unknown quantity.』
Time had passed since winter break, and circumstances had changed in various ways. For Leon, who had kept his distance from the palace, it was all out of the blue.
『You should be pleased. We successfully ingratiated ourselves with the ducal faction. The fact that they're backing you up is proof of that.』
"I don't want to believe everyone else is an enemy. That's too extreme."
『...An extreme result for a Master who maintained extreme social circles.』
Kingdom politics meant nothing to this guy. Was he smiling because he planned to grab Leon and run at the first sign of trouble?
Even so... of all times for a faction war to break out. Or was it precisely because of the timing that it had intensified?
◇ Once freed, Ange went straight to the ducal house's estate.
Waiting for Ange at the ducal estate in the capital was her father,
She reported on the Heltrude incident, but— "Revenge, huh. Second-rate. But still, the Kingdom has its share of traitors."
"Father, please release Leon. Leon hasn't done anything wrong!"
Vince narrowed his eyes.
"Don't be naive. Things like this are commonplace in the royal palace. Even if I used my authority to release him, the airship and the armor aren't coming back."
Ange was stunned by Vince's words.
"...Are you saying Leon is worthless without his Lost Items?"
"I won't deny that his rise was entirely due to the Lost Items. His courage, I'll grant. But how much is he worth without them?"
Ange clenched her fists and looked down in frustration.
"H-He's my benefactor! Leon is my benefactor!"
"I've prepared appropriate compensation for that. You're to return to the academy and stand by."
"—!"
Vince watched Ange leave the room in a huff and sighed.
"Really... if only she were a little more straightforward, it would save me a lot of trouble."
He stood up after seeing his stubborn daughter off.
Entering the room as Ange passed was Gilbert, her brother.
"Father, Ange just rushed out of here with quite an expression?"
"I'll have her watched, so don't worry. I feel bad for Ange, but if she learns the truth, there's no telling what she'll do. That child is too emotional. And yet, she still hasn't made her stance clear about romance, which is also concerning..."
"Well, she was raised for the sake of the family all this time. Being suddenly told to pursue a free love match—she probably doesn't know what to make of it. Why not explain the situation to her?"
Vince smiled faintly.
"If I push her, the other houses will have complaints. Besides, it depends on her feelings. Whether they're just friends, or something more—"
Gilbert nodded in understanding.
Setting Ange's matter aside for now, Gilbert reported his findings.
"I investigated those who attempted to contact the Viscount in the dungeon. It seems they're getting anxious because they can't move the Partner. Some are arguing that if they kill him, a new owner will be recognized for the Lost Items. Apparently, one group even petitioned His Majesty directly for an immediate execution."
Vince crossed his arms and contemplated the Duchy's thinking.
"Are they afraid of the Viscount? Well, I suppose it's understandable. He's the knight who single-handedly forced the Duchy's army to retreat. If there's even a chance he could turn against them, of course they'd panic."
From the perspective of the faction opposing the ducal house, there was no telling when Leon might point that spear at them. Vince could understand their anxiety.
"The temple's people are also starting to make noise. There are limits to when you can wage a power struggle. This is playing right into the Duchy's hands."
Vince uncrossed his arms and murmured.
"...The time has come. It was inevitable—it's like something that was built up specifically to eventually explode. Still, I have plenty of enemies of my own."
Since Julius's disinheritance, many nobles had left the ducal faction. In the palace's factional warfare, the ducal house's enemies had been growing stronger.
And what they feared most was Leon.
Just as Mylène and the ducal faction had been wary of Marie, the other factions were more wary of Leon than of Marie.
"I want to say they made a foolish move... but I understand the feeling. Gilbert, don't you think Ange's eye for people is quite good?"
Gilbert wore a noncommittal expression. Without Ange, the ducal house might have regarded Leon with deep suspicion too.
"In a way, it was fortunate. Not propping up the 'Second Prince' was the right call."
Vince smiled.
"Now, return to your territory and prepare for war. I'll stay here—there's work to be done."
Gilbert nodded and left the room briskly.
◇ Floating above the academy was a warship belonging to the Kingdom's military.
Knights in armor stood watch all around, and soldiers and knights had been deployed on the ground as well.
The imposing security made even the academy students feel the tense atmosphere.
The tension was as if war were about to break out.
When Ange returned, she saw Rivia rushing toward her.
"Ange! Leon! Leon's been taken!"
As Rivia panicked, Ange struggled to hold back her tears.
There were other students around, and more importantly, this was in front of the school gate. There were too many people.
"I know. Let's go inside."
Heading for the girls' dormitory, Ange led Rivia inside.
Rivia looked anxious about the situation.
"Leon was taken away, and then
The turmoil wasn't limited to the royal palace.
Its effects had reached the academy as well.
"...It's war."
"War!?"
"Quiet down. Don't raise your voice."
They hurried into Rivia's room.
Once inside, Ange let out a sigh of relief and crumpled to her knees.
Rivia supported her and helped her sit on the bed, and Ange began to explain.
"There are people connected to the Duchy. Traitors. They arrested Leon and threw him into the dungeon beneath the royal palace. Partner and Arrogance have been seized too."
"That's... that's terrible! Leon hasn't done anything wrong!"
"It doesn't matter. They want Leon out of the way. ...If only I had more power, I could have protected him."
Seeing Ange so dejected, Rivia remembered something.
"The Queen! If we ask Mylène—"
Ange shook her head. She knew that if Mylène could act, she would be acting. The fact that Leon hadn't been freed meant that wasn't possible.
"Mylène can't move. I'm sure she's pulling strings, but the fact that they aren't working means someone is crushing her orders. Or perhaps she simply can't focus solely on Leon's situation."
The traitors had suddenly mobilized.
Ange could see what this meant.
"...The Duchy is going to make its move."
"Huh? But the Duchy was defeated by Leon, wasn't it?"
"That was just a vanguard force. If the Duchy gets serious, they can field two hundred airships."
The number two hundred left Rivia stunned.
These weren't ordinary airships but warships, each requiring substantial funds. She was shocked that the Duchy possessed that many.
"C-Can we win?"
"In numbers, the Kingdom has the advantage. Even underprepared, they can scrape together five to six hundred."
Rivia felt relieved, but Ange still looked anxious.
"...If the royal palace were functioning properly, it wouldn't be a problem. But right now, it's a mess."
In a palace in disarray, their response could be fatally slow.
More than anything, in this world where airships existed—war overwhelmingly favored the attacker.
With airships, going on the offensive was easier.
The defender, on the other hand, could never maintain a massive fleet in constant deployment. At best, they could only increase patrols.
If they mishandled their response, the Kingdom would be in grave danger.
"Now I understand why they arrested Leon. A single man who can take on an entire fleet—he's a nightmare for the Duchy."
Rivia clutched her chest in worry for Leon.
"Is Leon going to be alright?"
Ange realized there was no point in lying and told Rivia the truth.
"If I were in the enemy's position, I would choose the sure method. ...I would kill Leon."
Rivia's face went pale.
The only reason the enemy hadn't done so yet was because they hadn't been able to assassinate him. That was why they'd fabricated charges and arrested him.
Because there were voices defending Leon, they couldn't execute him either.
"For now they've captured him, but it's only a matter of time. Leon's life is in danger. I hate that I can't do anything at a time like this."
Rivia stood up.
And staggered toward the door.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"...Ange, I'm sorry. I... I don't want Leon to die."
Ange grabbed Rivia as she tried to leave the room and heard her out.
"You can't do anything alone. You might even—"
"But! ...Even so, I want to do everything I can. Leon has saved me over and over again. I can't just run away here."
Ange released her grip on Rivia.
"What are you going to do?"
"—I'm going to ask Marie."
◇ Marie was filled with regret.
It was the plaza inside the academy.
(No way. What do I do? How did it come to this?!)
Cold sweat broke out all over her.
Surrounding them was a growing crowd of onlookers.
In the center were Marie and her entourage.
"Look, Lady Marie. See how pathetic they are."
"The duke's daughter is bowing her head together with a commoner. And on the ground, no less."
"How disgraceful."
The students around them were laughing.
Beside Marie,
"Is it really okay to let this go this far? Honestly, even I'm put off."
The ones Ribia had come to for help was Marie.
And Marie, already irritated with the two of them, had said something like, "If you grovel in front of everyone, I'll think about it."
Now there were Ribia and Ange kneeling side by side in the plaza—the protagonist and the villainess—and Marie couldn't stop sweating.
She had told them to do it. She had. But she never expected them to actually go through with it.
(Wait! Seriously, wait! I only told you to kneel because I figured you'd never actually do it! There's no way I could think of a way to help!)
She had told the two who came begging to grovel, but she hadn't expected them to actually do it. So now that they actually were, she was in trouble.
All around her, she could hear people laughing at the two of them. More than Marie, the crowd was worked up.
"The duke's daughter is pathetic."
"I can't believe I used to follow her. Where's her noble pride?"
"All for a man. What does that Bartfort have that's so great?"
Even Ange's former followers were whispering among themselves.
When someone of status lowered their head so easily, it set a bad example for those below. Marie had believed Ange would never grovel for precisely that reason.
One of Marie's entourage said to Ange and Ribia: "Come on, bow properly to Lady Marie!"
With her head still lowered, Ange said: "I want you to save Leon's life."
"That's not how you ask, is there? There's a proper way to beg."
"...! Please save Leon's life... L-Lady Marie!"
To make the proud Ange kneel and address Marie with an honorific—Marie couldn't even find her voice.
"You too, commoner, say it."
"Please save Leon, Lady Marie."
"Without Bartfort here you're nothing, aren't you? You've been hiding behind that man, letting him protect you this whole time."
Marie's entourage and the students around her were laughing.
(Eh? What? My entourage is scary. Are they just using my name to vent their frustrations? I can't believe this.)
Ignoring the fact that she herself had told them to kneel, Marie was horrified by the scene around her.
And then— "Lady Marie, here's a convenient footstool."
One of Marie's followers pointed at the back of Ange's head.
"Huh?!"
The other followers piled on.
"Oh, then just use the duke's daughter as a chair and the commoner as a footstool!"
"You'd be honored to serve as the Saint's chair, wouldn't you,
"Hurry up and answer!"
When the girls moved to step on Ange, Marie wanted to scream.
(What the hell are you doing?! You're trying to get me destroyed! If that mob finds out you did this to them, he will absolutely come for revenge! I—I'll be killed by him!)
Imagining Leon expressionlessly aiming a rifle at her, Marie's legs wouldn't stop trembling.
The one who reached out and stopped the girls was—Julius.
"I've seen your resolve. Marie, this is enough."
Brad chimed in after Julius.
"Agreed. If it goes this far, we should show our sincerity as well."
"Let's consider the past water under the bridge. Marie, forgive them."
The three of them spoke from a position of authority, and
"If this goes any further, it will damage Marie's reputation."
"You've gone this far. Let's help Bartfort, Marie."
None of the five understood the culture of groveling, so their thinking stopped at "if they've gone this far, we should forgive them." But Leon knew exactly what groveling meant.
If this story reached Leon, Marie's mind would go completely blank.
She didn't actually know how to save Leon.
She didn't know what procedures to follow, and she didn't think petitioning the temple would solve anything.
She might be able to use her position as the Saint to apply pressure, but there was no guarantee that would secure his release.
(Oh no. If I actually can't save him... my life is over. Besides, he could just escape on his own, couldn't he? Why doesn't he? Is he stupid?)
Marie turned to the five.
"...Everyone, would you be willing to help?"
The five nodded to Marie and left the scene.
Regardless, Marie desperately wanted to flee this situation.
She turned her back on the two who were kneeling and started walking, with her entourage trailing behind her.
"Lady Marie is so magnanimous."
"If it were me, I would have stomped on them."
"Oh, if it were me—"
As her entourage chattered, Marie grew increasingly uneasy.
(This is no laughing matter. I don't understand what my entourage is even for. Are they trying to destroy me?)
Amid the noisy entourage, only
◇ After Marie left.
Amid the laughter of the surrounding crowd, Ange and Ribia stood up.
The voices around them were relentlessly cold.
"They went that far?"
"The ducal house is on the decline. They don't even understand what bowing their heads means."
"What a despicable woman, fraternizing with commoners."
Mocked by the crowd, the two of them walked away.
Ribia said to Ange: "It should have been just me. Why did you have to do it too? Your... your family's position and everything..."
Ange smiled sadly.
"I thought it was the best option. I feel bad for my family... but more than that, I wanted to save Leon. I really am a foolish woman."
Having bowed before Marie, Ange said this and smiled—while crying.
"Now I really will be cast aside. I've brought shame to the family name. But even so... if it means Leon can be saved, that's enough."
Smiling even as tears fell, Ange's face looked oddly refreshed.
Ribia, who knew just how painful it had been for Ange to bow before Marie, thought to herself: (...Ange cares about Leon this much.)
Comparing herself to Ange, Ribia felt a tightness in her chest.
◇ Above the Duchy of Fanos.
A fleet led by a flagship—an aircraft carrier made from a floating island converted into an airship—covered the sky.
Along with over a hundred and fifty airships, monsters surrounded them on all sides.
It wouldn't matter if the Kingdom possessed a Magic Flute. After all, the Duchy had one of its own.
And the one wielding it was Second Princess Heltrowda.
Fourteen years old.
She had the same silky black hair and facial features as her older sister.
The difference was that Heltrowda looked younger—and had more developed curves.
And not just in that regard—she was more skilled with the Magic Flute than her sister Heltrude.
She commanded a greater number of monsters, and the Magic Flute itself was more powerful than the one Heltrude had possessed.
Originally, Heltrude's vanguard force had been tasked with securing a bridgehead.
But Leon had single-handedly destroyed those plans, plunging the Duchy into chaos.
"...The Heretic Knight isn't moving. Are you certain?"
When Heltrowda asked, her retainer answered.
"Absolutely certain. They've confirmed seizure of both the Lost Item airship and the armor. Careless, aren't they."
Surrounding Heltrowda were the Duchy's senior officials.
A knight reported in.
"Your Highness, preparations are complete."
The young girl nodded slightly—Heltrowda was about to wage the battle on which the Duchy's future hung.
"From this moment, we invade the Kingdom. All forces, brace yourselves. Our target is the capital of the
As Heltrowda gave the command, the senior officials around her responded with vigor.